Just spent 6 hours trying find out and solve why my Matrix instance is showing: {"errcode":"M_NOT_FOUND","error":"Not found"} when trying to access images. I did not notice this problem before, because Matrix/Element caches images locally using blobs, but realized this after uploading images to IRC via heisenbridge.

I first thought I had messed up my S3 Object Storage. Then thought I messed up my filesystem. Then I thought I made a mistake in yaml configs. But it was none of that.

It's a while since I installed my Matrix server and completely forgot on how I set up my S3 Object Storage. It seems it is literally not documented. Like at all. Just like the half of Matrix and Synapse.

I ended up debugging literally anything and everything without any solution. After turning all stones I even asked ChatGPT and it started to run in loops in despair. Finally ended up reading synapse changelog here one bit by bit: element-hq.github.io/synapse/l…

It seems, I have upgraded in some point. And wow, in between of upgrades the whole thing has broken. I mean it runs without erros, but it's broken. No deprecated warnings in the log, no warnings in release logs. Left a comment here: github.com/element-hq/synapse/…

My solution was to add in homeserver.yaml:
enable_authenticated_media: false

What I hate about Matrix is:

- Nothing is documented
- Nothing is explained
- Everything is complicated to set up

Each upgrade and extension is like building and tinkering for hours and hours and hoping for the best.

I don't know why I keep using Matrix. Guess I like being hurt all the time.

#Matrix #Element #MatrixSynapse #SysOps #Servers #API

So, you're using decentralized non-corporate-owned social media because you don't want your online identity and activity tracked and held by some corporation, and even possibly a government-influenced owner (TikTok?).

I've opened an #XMPP (#Jabber) messaging server, which is based on the same principles as whatever application you are reading this on. XMPP is completely decentralized, open source, free, and volunteer run.

Also, neither member identity nor messages are stored on the server. There is no centralized control over the network. You sign up by first choosing a server. Your ID looks like an ActivityPub ID (example: support@chat.between-us.online).

Besides end-to-end message encryption, there's optional #OMEMO on-device encryption. No centralized messaging app (other than Signal) offers an encryption option this strong. There's video calling, file transfer, and both public and private chat rooms/groups. There are many messaging applications available for all operating systems.

You provide no personally identifiable information when you sign up, not even an email address. You only pick your ID and provide a password (which cannot be changed or recovered as the server does not keep identity information, so don't lose it and be sure it can't be guessed). If you delete your account, through the messaging app, there is no record of your account having existed on the server.

If interested, you can sign up on the messaging application (use chat.between-us.online as the server) or via the website at between-us.online, which also provides additional information about XMPP and how to use it.

A note about #Matrix. Don't @ me about Matrix. This message is only to announce an XMPP (Jabber) server option. I am not advocating XMPP over Matrix. I use Matrix as well. It ticks all the same boxes. This is just an announcement about an XMPP server.