Matrix.org experiment

For FOSDEM 2020, we're experimenting with chat using matrix bridged to irc for #fosdem-video, #fosdem-network and #fosdem-volunteers. For those who prefer irc, nothing should change. Communication with matrix users should just work.

Usage

If you want to try things out, here's settings and suggested clients:

• matrix server: matrix.org

Clients

• web: https://riot.im/app/#/room/#fosdem-video:matrix.org
• android: https://f-droid.org/packages/im.vector.alpha/
• ncurses: https://matrix.org/docs/projects/client/weechat-matrix/
• and more...

Using your irc nick

If you have a Freenode-registered nickname and want to use it from Matrix, you can do it like this:

1. Leave with your nick on IRC
2. On Matrix, open a new chat (with vector.im this is the "+" sign on the bottom left)
3. Invite @appservice-irc:matrix.org to the new chat
4. Say !nick <yournick>
5. A request for new chat with NickServ will pop up
6. Accept it and identify yourself with your Freenode password (identify <password>)

Channel settings

Enable fuller matrix access to the irc channel:

• Get irc op status:

  /msg ChanServ  OP #fosdem-video chanopuser

• Request bridging from matrix.org channel to irc channel.
• Irc channel chanop user accepts bridging request:

"This integration bridges an IRC channel into a Matrix room. Users in Matrix appear as real users in IRC and vice versa. Bridging must be authorised by a channel operator on the IRC side. PROVIDING A CHANNEL WILL CAUSE A BOT TO JOIN THAT CHANNEL."
 @user.name:matrix.org has requested to bridge 'fosdem-video' (https://matrix.to/#/#fosdem-video:matrix.org) with #fosdem-video on this IRC network. Respond with 'yes' or 'y' to allow, or simply ignore 
                        this message to disallow. You have 300 seconds from when this message was sent.
12:25:34  y
12:25:35  Thanks for your response, bridge request authorised.

Allow unregistered users into the channel

This is a tradeoff. Get chanop, then set the access bits so matrix and irc can fully interact:

/msg ChanServ  OP #fosdem-video chanopuser
/msg chanserv set #fosdem-volunteers MLOCK -r