matrix-registration VS Signal-Server

This does exactly that https://github.com/ZerataX/matrix-registration

You don't even need to create usernames/passwords in advance - you can just send your friends custom one-time URLs, which will allow them to enter their own desired usernames and passwords.

https://zeratax.github.io/matrix-registration/

On another note, yesterday I set up my own matrix-synapse [0] homeserver along with a token-based registration page [1] with nginx+lets encrypt as a reverse proxy. I spent ~1 hour setting it up on a fresh Ubuntu 20.04 VM.

I then on-boarded my wife, brother, father and mother without issue. I just sent them a text with screenshots and detailed instructions on what to do. Everyone's in, and we have E2EE group chats going. Within ~20 minutes of sending instructions everyone was participating in chat.

All clients are Element [2] right now, though I plan on trying Weechat [3] this week.

Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this easy to do after seeing all the complaints on HN. I subscribed on Patreon yesterday and wish you all the best of luck!

[0] https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse

[1] https://github.com/ZerataX/matrix-registration

[2] https://element.io

[3] https://github.com/poljar/weechat-matrix

> They could at least BSL the server code and allow others to verify the server code and host but not compete.

This is exactly what they do (except they use AGPL): https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/service/src/main/java/org/whispersystems/textsecuregcm/push/APNSender.java for APNs push notification payloads

git clone https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server.git

yes it is available here https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/service/pom.xml

You could also start your own signal server, but with blackjack, and hookers

The fact that it locks you into using their servers, does not distribute on F-Droid (only Google Play OR an APK with an insecure update mechanism), and has a completely closed-source "abusive message filter" module server side, that could functionally be used for censorship, storing messages for future decryption, or any other number of nefarious purposes - we have no idea since it's not open source (https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/.gitmod...).

Additionally, you cannot distribute branded forks or Signal, and if you do fork it, your fork is not allowed to connect to Signal's "official" OWS (open whisper systems) servers - hostility to federation should be viewed with prejudice and suspicion at the very least, it suggests a vested interest in a single point of failure (or control), which goes against user interests.

Further reading: https://drewdevault.com/2018/08/08/Signal.html

It’s actually the signal server that isn’t reproducible because of the abusive message filter that’s in a private repository. It’s clear as day here: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server