Today's Deep-Dive: Element

Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep dive. Today we're going to be

talking about

secure and sovereign communications. Okay. And specifically we're going to be

looking at a

platform called Element. But before we get started I want to thank this episode's

sponsor

Safeserver. They are your partners for digital transformation and they can take

care of hosting

software like Element and also advise you on your digital journey. More information

can be found at

www.safeserver.de. Alright so secure and sovereign communication. Sounds a little

bit intimidating

right? Yeah it does. But it's really all about putting you back in control of your

online

conversations. Right. That's really what it's all about. And so that's where

Element comes in and

I've got an expert with me to help break it all down. Wonderful. In a way that even

I can understand.

Well it really is all about giving you that power. You know that power to choose

how your data is

handled and who you trust with it. So imagine a world where your messages are truly

private

and you're not reliant on big tech companies to keep your conversations secure. Now

you're

talking my language. Yeah. But I am getting a little bit of flashbacks to those

complicated

privacy policies. Okay. You know that we all just blindly agree to. I hear you. So

is this going to

be one of those deep dives that's just headache inducing? Not at all. No Element

actually simplifies

things by building on this concept called the Matrix standard. You can think of it

like email.

You know, you can use Gmail to send messages to someone using Yahoo. Yeah, right.

Because email

is kind of like the universal language of the internet. Exactly. And that's what

Matrix does

for real time communication. It allows different platforms to talk to each other

seamlessly,

all while keeping your data secure and under your control. All right. I am starting

to see the appeal

here. So Element is like a messaging app. Yeah. But it uses this Matrix thing. Yes.

To make sure

my conversations are private and that I can talk to anyone regardless of what app

they're using.

Exactly. You got it. Element puts you in the driver's seat. They're all about

transparency

and giving you that choice of how you manage your data. So it's not just about

chatting with

friends. This is about control over my digital life. Absolutely. So now Element

achieves this

with a pretty clever approach. Okay. Think of it like a three layer cake. Oh, three

layer cake.

Okay. So you've got the top layer, which is the element app itself. That's where

all the

conversations happen. Very user friendly. And it feels very familiar if you've used

any messaging

app. Okay. Got it. So the element app, that's what I'm actually using to send

messages. Exactly. What

about the next layer down? So that's where it gets interesting. Okay. The middle

layer is called the

element server suite or ESS. And this is the behind the scenes powerhouse. It gives

you control

over things like where your data is stored, who has access to it. Think of it like

having your

own private email server, but for all your element conversations. Hold on my own

server. That sounds

pretty intense for someone like me who can barely set up their wifi router. Don't

worry. You don't

have to become a tech wizard overnight. Element offers different options for the ESS.

If you are

tech savvy, you can go the self-hosting route, have complete control, but for most

people they

offer a managed solution where they take care of all the technical details for you.

So it's like

choosing between baking a cake from scratch or grabbing one from the bakery. You

get the same

delicious outcome either way. All right. That makes me feel a lot better. So I can

either manage the

server myself or let element handle it. Exactly. But what's that bottom layer of

this communication

cake? I'm assuming it's the matrix standard we talked about. You're exactly right.

That matrix

standard is the foundation that makes everything work together seamlessly. It's

like the recipe

that ensures no matter who baked the cake, what ingredients they used, it still

tastes delicious.

Even if my friend is using a completely different matrix based app, we can still

chat because they're

all speaking the same language. Precisely. And that's the beauty of this open

standard.

It breaks down the walls between platforms and it puts the power back in the hands

of the users.

Okay. I am starting to see how all of this fits together. Element is a user

friendly app

built on this powerful, flexible server suite. And it's all tied together by the

matrix standard,

which ensures I can communicate with anyone regardless of what app they're using.

You're nailing it. And what's even cooler is that element is actually developed by

the same people

who created the matrix standard. So it's deeply integrated and it's designed to

take full advantage

of all of its features. Okay. That makes a lot of sense. It's like having the chef

who invented the

recipe, also baking the cake, right? You know, it's going to be good. But speaking

of the inner

workings, what about the actual software that runs these services? That's something

I need to worry

about. That's a great question. So the server software behind element is called synapse.

You

can think of it like the oven that bakes or metaphorical cake. Now we're really

getting

into the kitchen. We are. So tell me more about this synapse thing. Well, synapse

is open source,

meaning anyone can access and modify the code. This allows for incredible

flexibility and

transparency. But, um, with great power comes great responsibility, right? Yeah.

There are

some security considerations to keep in mind. Oh, now I'm starting to get nervous

again.

Is this where I need my I.T. degree? Not necessarily. Okay. While the technical

details

might seem a little daunting, the important thing is to be aware of the potential

risks

and take appropriate precautions. For example, the Synapse documentation strongly

advises

against hosting it on the same domain as other web applications. Wait, so even

though

Element prides itself on security, there's still a risk if things aren't set up

properly.

It's more about understanding that Synapse is a powerful tool that needs to be

handled with care.

Think of it like a professional grade oven. You wouldn't just plug it in anywhere

and expect

everything to work perfectly. Right. You need to make sure it's in the right

environment,

configured correctly. Makes sense. So choosing the right hosting environment

and setup is crucial, whether I'm self-hosting or using Element's managed solution.

Exactly. And that's where Element's focus on choice comes in. They give you the

flexibility

to choose a hosting setup that aligns with your comfort level and security needs.

Okay. So whether I'm a tech savvy user who wants full control or someone who

prefers more of a

hands-off approach, Element has me covered. Right. But now I'm curious. We've

talked about the

technical side of things. What's the big picture vision behind Element? What are

they ultimately

trying to achieve? Well, on their website, Element highlights three core values.

Okay. Trust, choice,

and freedom. Ooh, I like the sound of that. What do those values actually mean in

practice? How

do they translate into my everyday experience using Element? That's where it gets

really

interesting. Oh, a cliffhanger. Yeah. Guess we'll have to wait for part two to find

out. But before

we go, let's give another shout out to our sponsor, Safeserver, for making this

deep dive possible.

You can learn more about their digital transformation services at www.safeserver.de.

Thanks for sticking

with us. We'll be right back to unpack those core values and explore how Element is

putting users

back in control of their online communication. See you soon. All right. So let's

dive into those core

values. Starting with trust, Element builds trust by using end-to-end encryption

for all conversations.

Okay, but end-to-end encryption sounds pretty technical. What does that actually

mean for me

as a user? Think of it like sending a letter in a sealed envelope. Okay. Only the

person with the

key can open it and read the message. In this case, the key is a special code that's

only shared

between the people in the conversation. Not even Element itself can access your

messages. So it's

like having a truly private conversation. Yeah. Where no one can eavesdrop, not

even the app itself.

Exactly. That's impressive. And that level of privacy is essential for building

trust,

especially when it comes to sensitive information or business communications. Makes

sense. So we've

got trust covered. What about choice? How does Element give users more choices when

it comes

to communication? It all comes back to that middle layer we talked about, the

Element Server Suite or

ESS. Okay. Remember how you can choose to self-host or use Element's managed

solution? Yeah, like

choosing between baking a cake from scratch or grabbing one from the bakery.

Exactly. That choice

extends to where your data is stored and who has access to it. If you're concerned

about data

privacy, you can host your own server in a location you trust, maybe even in your

own home.

If you're feeling adventurous. Wow, I never thought about hosting my own server

before,

but what if I'm not comfortable with all that technical stuff? That's where Elements

Managed

Hosting comes in. They take care of all the complexities of running a server,

ensuring your

data is secure and backed up. It's like having a dedicated IT team just for your

element conversations.

Okay, so whether I want complete control or a more hands-off approach, Element

gives me the choice.

It does. That's pretty empowering. It really sets Elements apart from traditional

messaging

platforms where you have very little say in how your data is handled. All right, so

we've got

trust through end-to-end encryption and choice in how we manage our data. What

about freedom?

How does that play out in the Elements world? Freedom in Elements comes in a couple

of forms.

First, it's the freedom to communicate with anyone on the Matrix network,

regardless of

what app they're using. Remember, Matrix is like the universal language of real-time

communication.

So it's like being able to send emails to anyone, no matter if they use Gmail or

Yahoo or Outlook.

Precisely. No more walled gardens. Yeah. Or being forced to use a specific app just

to talk to

certain people. I love that. But isn't that how most messaging apps work already?

Unfortunately,

no. Many popular apps lock you into their ecosystem. If your friends aren't using

the same app,

you're out of luck. Element breaks down those barriers, and it puts the focus on

interoperability

and user choice. Okay, that makes sense. Freedom to communicate with anyone.

Regardless of their app,

what's the other kind of freedom Element offers? The second kind of freedom is the

freedom to

structure your communication spaces the way you want. Element gives you the tools

to create public

or private rooms, invite specific people, set different permission levels, and even

integrate

with other apps and services. So it's not just about one-on-one chats. It's about

building entire

communities and collaborative spaces tailored to my specific needs. You got it.

Element empowers you

to create the kind of digital environment that works best for you, whether it's a

team project

or a community forum or just a private group chat with your closest friends. This

is all starting

to click for me. Yeah. Element takes the best aspects of email, the universality,

the control,

the privacy, and brings them to the world of real-time communication. It's like

having a

supercharged email experience, but with all the immediacy and convenience of

instant messaging.

And they're doing it in a way that puts users first, prioritizing transparency and

data ownership.

It's a refreshing change from the status quo of big tech platforms that often

prioritize their

own interests over those of their users. I'm getting some serious aha moments here.

So to

recap, Element provides trust through end-to-end encryption, choice in how we

manage our data,

and freedom to connect with anyone and build the communication spaces we want.

Exactly. And it's all built on the solid foundation of the open source matrix

standard,

ensuring a decentralized and interoperable ecosystem.

This deep dive has completely changed the way I think about online communication.

It's not just about convenience anymore. It's about taking back control of our

digital lives

and building a more trustworthy and empowering online experience.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Element is a shining example of how technology

can be used

to create a more equitable and user-centric internet. You know, it's inspiring to

see this

kind of innovation happening. It gives me hope that we can build a better digital

future where

our privacy and autonomy are respected. Absolutely. Element and the matrix standard

are paving the way for a more decentralized and secure internet where users have

the power to

choose how their data is used and who they trust with it. Speaking of trust, let's

not forget about

our sponsor, SafeServer, who are experts in navigating this evolving digital

landscape

if you're looking for a partner to guide you. On your digital transformation

journey,

be sure to check them out at www.safeserver.de. And now for a final thought-provoking

question

for our listeners. Now that you've seen how Element prioritizes security choice and

freedom,

how might this change the way you approach online communication? What possibilities

does it open up

for you? That's a great question to ponder. It really challenges us to reconsider

our assumptions

about what's possible in the digital world and to explore alternatives that

prioritize user

empowerment and data ownership. And that, my friend, is what the deep dive is all

about.

Thanks for joining us on this exploration of Element. And the world of secure and

sovereign communication, you know, it feels like we've only just scratched the

surface.

Of what's possible with Element and the Matrix standard. Yeah, it's true. There's a

whole

universe of features and possibilities we haven't even touched on, like the ability

to create custom

bots, build bridges to other communication platforms, and even develop your own

integrations.

It's amazing to think that this is all built on open source technology.

Anyone can contribute to the development of Matrix and Element, which creates a

real sense

of community and shared ownership. And that community aspect is really what sets

Element

apart. It's not just about the technology itself, it's about the people who are

passionate about

building a more decentralized and user-centric internet. It's inspiring to see

people coming

together to create something that truly benefits everyone, not just a select few or

a big corporation.

Exactly. It's a reminder that we have more power than we realize to shape the

digital world we want

to live in. Well said. So to wrap things up, Element offers a powerful and secure

alternative

to traditional communication platforms. It's built on the open source matrix

standard,

which allows for incredible flexibility and interoperability. And most importantly,

it puts users in control, giving them the choice of how their data is handled and

who they trust

with it. If you're looking for a way to take back control of your online

communication

and join a community that's building a better digital future, Element is definitely

worth

exploring. And if you need help navigating the technical side of things, remember

our sponsor

Safeserver is there to guide you. They can help you set up your own server or

choose a hosting

solution that meets your needs. You can find them at www.safeserver.de. Thanks

again to Safeserver

for supporting this deep dive. And thank you for joining us. We hope this

exploration of Element

has sparked your curiosity and inspired you to explore the possibilities of a more

and sovereign digital world. Until next time, keep diving deep.

and sovereign digital world. Until next time, keep diving deep.