we stopped offering identity server a long time ago because of the privacy concerns the whole concept raised and the fact the only non-Sydent option at that time was basically abandoned (ma1sd). The situation was basically 2 bad decisions: either lock in with Sydent or don't use an identity server at all.
Considering the low interest in the identity server functionality and the amount of concerns around the concept, we took the latter bad decision - that way we don't offer a self-hosted identity server but don't limit customers in using the matrix.org's one (even with their own Matrix server). That seems like an acceptable trade off. After all, even Sydent's README contains the following:
> Do I need to run Sydent to run my own homeserver?
>
> Short answer: no.
>
> Medium answer: probably not. Most homeservers and clients use the Sydent instance run by matrix.org, or use no identity server whatsoever.
Matrix.org is the hugest public Matrix server, plus $100k is not just infrastructure costs, but development and maintenance of the bridges as well. As an etke.cc developer, I can assure you that development, maintenance, and operations even a small bridge is no joke.
t2bot's costs look like infrastructure and operation costs, not development and maintenance.
Disclaimer: I'm Aine of etke.cc, we offer managed Matrix servers with numerous different components, including bridges. Some of the components (like Postmoogle - email bridge) are developed and maintained by our team.
at the same time, they (Element) focus on bigger customers, where they can make bigger money and then fund the Foundation.
On the contrary, etke.cc focuses on small, independent Matrix servers that could work as a single-user server, and as a small company/community internal server, and even a public server. Our focus is to be sustainable and to provide a way to own your communications in a hassle-free (or, at least, less painful) way.
So, our goals are just different.
Disclaimer: I'm Aine, one of the etke.cc developers
Hi Aine! I actually migrated to etke.cc when that happened, and have been really happy with your services.
I do get that the goals are different, and to be honest, I'm still not sure whether my post/annoyance is justified. EMS is within their rights to do what they want, and sure, single users/small instances like me may not be worth their time. I would just think that if they are still struggling to fund large public servers, I wouldn't turn own even smaller instances until I am financially solvent.
"plain matrix" sounds a bit wrong - we put great effort into maintaining numerous of components of the playbook, including bridges, so it has a lot to offer. Alternatively, you can just get a managed server on https://etke.cc
Disclaimer: I'm Aine of etke.cc, and MDAD is our project
I'm sorry, bad choice of words. I didn't mean to imply that it's worse in any way. I use it myself. Uncustomized? Vanilla? Upstream? IIRC Beeper has patched various things.
Alternatively, you can just get your server managed by https://etke.cc - the developers of the MDAD paybook - and not worry about the server part at all
If there was a way to deploy there and make a snapshot of it that could be cloned to my own server, change DNS settings (to point the domain to my own server and re-grab the ssl certs) and be good to go.. I'd jump on that.
especially with the addons setups offered, that could be nice.
I'm Aine of etke.cc, and yes, we can ease your pain by managing the server part of the matrix on your behalf, be it on-premises or hosted in the cloud by us.
Another option is https://etke.cc - truly FOSS managed hosting, both on-premises and cloud, huge list of supported components, priced by complexity, not users.
The definitive guide about sending emails that covers everything, from parsing recipient email and finding recipient SMTP server to ‘Email has been sent’ notification.
Considering the low interest in the identity server functionality and the amount of concerns around the concept, we took the latter bad decision - that way we don't offer a self-hosted identity server but don't limit customers in using the matrix.org's one (even with their own Matrix server). That seems like an acceptable trade off. After all, even Sydent's README contains the following:
> Do I need to run Sydent to run my own homeserver? > > Short answer: no. > > Medium answer: probably not. Most homeservers and clients use the Sydent instance run by matrix.org, or use no identity server whatsoever.
PS: I'm Aine, one of the etke.cc developers