I'm writing to make propose a small addition to the #fedora IRC channel by bridging it with the fedora matrix room.

What is Matrix:

Matrix is an open protocol for group communication, a federated alternative to Slack and Discord. Other free/libre and open source software options include Rocket Chat and Mattermost. Those have not gained as much momentum, and do not support federation. The reference client for Matrix is called Riot and has native support for Android, iOS, GNU/Linux, as well as a web interface.

Proposal details:

Authorize a bridge between matrix and freenode, so that users on either side are represented on the other, and all messages are accessible through each. Ops will still be able to kick/ban users normally, so there is little risk for the community. As it stands, #fedora-devel is already bridged, and there are already users in the #fedora freenode channel using matrix to connect. Creating an official bridge doesn't to my knowledge produce additional risk, but it provides benefits to the community.

Advantages:

• Allow Matrix users to take advantage of Matrix features such as persistent room history on channels that are already officially logged
• Provide a friendly interface for less-technical newbie programmers to join the community
• Optional ability to bridge with other fedora channels such as twitter or rss feeds
• Desegregate existing fedora community on matrix and freenode (currently some matrix users connect to the IRC channel and matrix room separately, or just one or the other)
• Officially claim/reserve fedora room names on matrix.org

Possible concerns:

• How will matrix features will look to IRC users? If a user sends a file, instead of showing it embedded, it will just send a text link
• What if the matrix service goes down? Just as if it were to go down now, the users currently connected through it would be temporarily disconnected
• What if the community or ops decide they don't like it? It can easily be switched back off.
• Will unidentified users be able to sneak in through the bridge? Nope

Please let me know what you think! All that would be needed is someone with ops to be in the channel and a bot will msg them asking for permission to bridge.