To the people here that host a synapse server, how do you handle registration?
Do you use the new matrix authentification server? How does that work?
If not, registration works via element web, where you can have a captcha to avoid a bot swarm. However the only accepted captcha in the synapse config is recaptcha. Have you read the news? Well, we will have to change the captcha method. I think I read somewhere it was possible to use hcaptcha on elementweb however the setting does not exist in synapse, or I did not find it.
How do we do?
Open registration if and only if you are ready for routine maintenance, creating cleaning schedules, applying spam filters, balancing resource usage, etc. Not to discourage, but for you to know what you really want. If server is for friends and family, just leave registration closed.
My recommendation, as someone hosting a public server is to first host the server for yourself, play for some time, join some rooms on other servers, then invite friends, then if you feel ready and willing open it to the public.
Matrix Authentication Service is good to have, as you can use next-gen Element X which is most polished app as for now.
Thanks but my instance is already open for registration. Goal is to have ease of use here, it’s already hard enough to make people switch messenger apps.
edit: btw Element X works also without MAS? Or you mean just for the registration?
Element X requires MAS for registration by design, but login is whatever for now. They’re very adamant about making the app MAS-centric.
Also, open registration will get your instance banned from matrix.org homeserver afaik. Probably not an issue if you don’t plan to federate with them, but worth noting.
No federation issue atm, server has been up more than 2 years now.
If by “open registration” you mean that anybody with your domain name can just go and create an account with no extra verification, then that’s interesting. Good to know.
Yes that is what I mean.