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