Communications/Chat Investigations

ML256 has historically used IRC and Email as its main methods of virtual communication. Recently, many new platforms have evolved out desires for simpler, more powerful chat applications that can make communication easier and more accessible. This page lists a couple of the platforms we have tried out and notes about each.

IRC

Server: Freenode

Channels: #makerslocal (official), others for off-topic conversations

Pros:

• Completely free
• Clients are almost always open-source
• We have a few helpful bots already set up and running
• Will likely be around forever
• Account not required
• Can embed on a webpage
• We don't have to host anything
• A large chunk of members are already using it

Cons:

• Hard to get into the IRC ecosystem
• No persistence unless you set up a server to bounce through or pay for a 3rd party service
• No mobile notifications unless you set up a server or pay for 3rd party service
• Netsplit issues
• Confusing mechanisms like NickServ
• No support for images built-in

Slack

Server: https://makerslocal256.slack.com

Channels: #general, #publicity, #design, #projects, #random, etc

Pros:

• Free Slack instance because we're a non-profit
• Clean, easy-to-use interface
• Wonderful mobile app and web apps
• Emoji reaction support
• Built-in image/video/gif support
• Strong integration support 1st party and 3rd party
• Easy sign-up via invite or auto-inviter page
• Easy custom slash-commands for ML256
• Well-known and popular
• Custom channels for project or event planning
• Easy private channels and group messages
• Weechat plugin exists that lets you connect to Slack through Weechat IRC client over official API

Cons:

• Not open source
• Blocked at some workplaces (workarounds exist)
• Requires an account with Slack
• May not be around/free forever

Other Notes:

• Can set up a bridge to IRC if you want/need to use IRC to connect

Mattermost

Server: chat.crump.space (Temporary)

Channels: same as Slack

Pros:

• Open source
• Easy-to-install self-hosting
• Emoji reaction support
• Built-in image/video/gif support
• Decent integration support
• Easy sign-up via invite or built-in signup page
• Easy custom slash-commands for ML256
• Easy private channels and group messages
• Markdown messages
• CLI that would allow us to provision accounts
• Custom channels for project or event planning

Cons:

• Admins have access to all private channels and messages between users
• Non-zero cost of maintaining the server
• Mobile app isn't great, lacks features, fails quietly
• Properly encrypted and delivered notifications require ML256 to build and distribute iPhone and Android apps
• Integrations are a pain to set up
• Scrolling in web app requires click "load more messages"
• Other minor usability quirks

Other Notes:

• Can set up a bridge to IRC if you want/need to use IRC to connect