# Conda Community Chat using Element

*A one page guide.*

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Note: The definitive (and maintained) copy of this document is now [on the conda community forum](https://conda.discourse.group/t/one-page-guide-conda-community-chat-using-element/173).

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The conda ecosystem has migrated from Slack and other platforms to [Element](https://element.io/) for community chat. Please join us.

### Links

* **[Main conda chat room](https://app.element.io/#/room/#conda_conda:gitter.im)**: bit.ly/conda-chat-room
* **[Conda space](https://app.element.io/#/room/#conda:matrix.org)**: links to all conda-related chat rooms bit.ly/conda-chat-space
* **[conda-forge space](https://app.element.io/#/room/%23conda-forge-space%3Amatrix.org?via=matrix.org)**: links to all CF-related chat rooms bit.ly/cf-chat-space

### Technology

* **[Element](https://element.io/)**: A **chat client** that works with the Matrix protocol. Element is also available as a web site.
* **[Matrix](https://matrix.org/)**: An open **protocol** for chat.
* **matrix.org** and **gitter.im**: Matrix-compatible **chat providers** that host conda community chat rooms.

Element enables you to connect to and participate in conda community chat rooms hosted on the (matrix-compatible) matrix.org and gitter.im services.

Think of this as similar to email: Email clients (like Outlook or [Thunderbird](https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/)) use email protocols to connect you to email providers (like your school or employer). Element does this for chat.

### Structure

* **Rooms**, such as the [main conda chat room](https://app.element.io/#/room/#conda_conda:gitter.im), are where chat happens.
* **Spaces** group related rooms together. Spaces can also link to other related spaces.

All known conda-related chat rooms are linked to from the [conda space](https://app.element.io/#/room/#conda:matrix.org). conda-forge has [it's own space](https://app.element.io/#/room/%23conda-forge-space%3Amatrix.org?via=matrix.org), which is linked to from the conda space.

### Get started

1. [Download and install Element](https://element.io/download), **or** go to [Element's web interface](https://app.element.io/#/welcome).
2. Create an account:
* Set **Host account on** to **matrix.org**
* Create a new account from scratch or connect with your GitHub, Google, GitLab, Facebook or Apple account
* You may be asked to validate your email.
3. Once inside Element you will see an empty **People** list and an empty **Rooms** list.
* *Open* this [conda Community Space invite link](https://matrix.to/#/#conda:matrix.org) in a new tab in your browser
* *Click* **Continue**
* On the **Choose an app to continue** page, *click* **Continue** underneath **Element**.
4. If you have Element installed then your browser will prompt you to open the element link with Element. Otherwise, you can click **Continue in browser**.
5. In the popup, *click* on **Join**.
* And now you are in the conda space.
6. You can now review and join any of the rooms listed. Some good places to start include:
* **conda/conda**, the main chat room
* **conda-forge/conda-forge.github.io**, for conda-forge discussion
* **mamba. org/Lobby**, all things mamba
* Any other rooms that are relevant to you.
7. Start participating! Posts can include Markdown.

### More about Element and Matrix

* [A short guide to getting started](https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2022/11/getting-started-to-matrix-chat-for-beginners.html)
* The [Element User Guide](https://element.io/user-guide) for all the details of setting up and using Element. If you prefer video and have 25 minutes then [check out this video from Techlore](https://youtu.be/2Qgy43j-3lA).
* [Gitter is going fully native Matrix in Feb. 2023](https://blog.gitter.im/2023/01/16/gitter-is-going-fully-native-matrix-in-feb-2023/)