# How to Join the XMPP Server

Welcome! We're moving from Discord to XMPP for better privacy and control. This guide will help you get set up in 5 minutes.

## What is XMPP?

XMPP is like Discord, but:
- **Privacy-focused** - No tracking, no ads, no data mining
- **Self-hosted** - We control the server, not a corporation
- **Open source** - Free software you can trust
- **End-to-end encrypted** - Your messages are secure (OMEMO encryption)

You get all the important features: group chats, DMs, file sharing, voice/video calls, message history, and mobile apps.

---

## Quick Setup Guide

### Step 1: Get Your Account Credentials

You'll receive:
- **Username:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
- **Password:** (a temporary password - change it after first login)
- **Server:** `yourdomain.com`

### Step 2: Install a Client

Choose based on your device:

#### **Android** (Recommended: Conversations)
1. Open Google Play Store
2. Search for **"Conversations"** (€3.99) or **"Monocles Chat"** (free)
3. Install it
4. Open the app and tap **"Create Account"** or **"Add Account"**
5. Enter your credentials:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
6. Tap **"Connect"**
7. Done! You'll see your contact list and can join rooms

**Why Conversations?** Best XMPP client, supports all modern features, active development, one-time payment.

---

#### **iPhone** (Recommended: Monal)
1. Open App Store
2. Search for **"Monal"** (free)
3. Install it
4. Open the app and tap **"Add Account"**
5. Choose **"XMPP"**
6. Enter your credentials:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
7. Tap **"Save"**
8. Done! You'll see your contact list and can join rooms

---

#### **Linux** (Recommended: Dino or Gajim)

**Option A: Dino (Modern, GNOME-style)**
```bash
# NixOS
nix-shell -p dino

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install dino-im

# Arch
sudo pacman -S dino

# Fedora
sudo dnf install dino
```

1. Open Dino
2. Click **"Add Account"**
3. Enter:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
4. Click **"Connect"**

**Option B: Gajim (Feature-rich)**
```bash
# NixOS
nix-shell -p gajim

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install gajim

# Arch
sudo pacman -S gajim

# Fedora
sudo dnf install gajim
```

1. Open Gajim
2. Go to **Accounts → Add Account**
3. Choose **"I already have an account"**
4. Enter:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
5. Click **"Connect"**

---

#### **Windows** (Recommended: Gajim)
1. Download Gajim: https://gajim.org/download/
2. Run the installer
3. Open Gajim
4. Go to **Accounts → Add Account**
5. Choose **"I already have an account"**
6. Enter your credentials:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
7. Click **"Connect"**

---

#### **macOS** (Recommended: Monal)
1. Open Mac App Store
2. Search for **"Monal"** (free)
3. Install it
4. Open Monal and click **"Add Account"**
5. Choose **"XMPP"**
6. Enter your credentials:
   - **Jabber ID:** `yourname@yourdomain.com`
   - **Password:** (the one provided)
7. Click **"Save"**

---

### Step 3: Join Group Chats

Once connected, join our community rooms:

#### **In Conversations (Android):**
1. Tap the **"+"** button (bottom right)
2. Select **"Join group chat"**
3. Enter: `#general@conference.yourdomain.com`
4. Tap **"Join"**

#### **In Monal (iOS/macOS):**
1. Tap **"Chats"** tab
2. Tap the **"+"** button (top right)
3. Select **"Join Channel"**
4. Enter: `#general@conference.yourdomain.com`
5. Tap **"Join"**

#### **In Dino/Gajim (Desktop):**
1. Click **"Join Group Chat"** or press `Ctrl+J`
2. Enter: `#general@conference.yourdomain.com`
3. Click **"Join"**

#### **Available Rooms:**
- `#general@conference.yourdomain.com` - Main discussion
- `#random@conference.yourdomain.com` - Off-topic chat
- `#tech@conference.yourdomain.com` - Tech discussion
- `#gaming@conference.yourdomain.com` - Gaming chat

---

## Features Guide

### **Sending Messages**
Just type and hit Enter. Markdown-like formatting works in most clients:
- `*bold*` → **bold**
- `_italic_` → _italic_
- `` `code` `` → `code`

### **Sending Files**
- **Mobile:** Tap the attachment icon
- **Desktop:** Drag and drop files, or click the attachment button
- **Size limit:** 100MB per file

### **Voice/Video Calls**
- **Gajim/Dino:** Click the phone/video icon in a 1-on-1 chat
- **Conversations:** Tap the phone icon in a contact's chat
- **Monal:** Limited support (text chat is primary)

### **End-to-End Encryption (OMEMO)**
All DMs are encrypted by default. For group chats:
1. Open the room
2. Enable OMEMO in settings
3. Everyone in the room needs OMEMO-capable clients

### **Push Notifications**
- **Mobile:** Works automatically (Conversations, Monal)
- **Desktop:** Enable system notifications in client settings

### **Message History**
The server saves your messages for 1 year. When you log in on a new device, you'll see recent history automatically.

### **Changing Your Password**
Most clients have a "Change Password" option in account settings. Or ask an admin to reset it.

---

## Comparison: Discord vs XMPP

| Feature | Discord | XMPP |
|---------|---------|------|
| **Group chats** | ✓ Servers/Channels | ✓ Rooms |
| **Direct messages** | ✓ | ✓ |
| **File sharing** | ✓ (25MB free) | ✓ (100MB) |
| **Voice/video** | ✓ | ✓ (varies by client) |
| **Screen sharing** | ✓ | ✗ (not yet) |
| **Message history** | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Mobile apps** | ✓ | ✓ |
| **End-to-end encryption** | ✗ | ✓ (OMEMO) |
| **Self-hosted** | ✗ | ✓ |
| **Open source** | ✗ | ✓ |
| **Privacy** | Poor (data mining) | Excellent (self-hosted) |
| **Ads/tracking** | Yes | No |

**Bottom line:** XMPP has 90% of Discord's features, but with 100% more privacy and control.

---

## Troubleshooting

### **Can't connect?**
- Check your username is `yourname@yourdomain.com` (not just `yourname`)
- Verify your password (no typos)
- Make sure you have internet connection
- Try a different client (sometimes mobile works when desktop doesn't)

### **No push notifications on mobile?**
- Enable notifications in phone settings
- Conversations: Needs Google Play Services OR UnifiedPush
- Monal: Should work automatically

### **Can't join a room?**
- Make sure the room address is correct: `#roomname@conference.yourdomain.com`
- Check if you're connected (green indicator)
- Try typing the full address instead of using autocomplete

### **Messages not syncing across devices?**
- Make sure "Message Carbons" is enabled (usually automatic)
- Gajim: Preferences → Advanced → Message Carbons

### **Voice calls not working?**
- Check microphone permissions
- Desktop only: Gajim and Dino support calls (Conversations on Android too)
- Make sure both parties are using compatible clients

### **Someone's messages show a warning icon?**
- OMEMO encryption issue
- Their device hasn't verified yours yet
- Usually safe to trust on first contact (like Signal)

---

## Getting Help

- **Join the support room:** `#support@conference.yourdomain.com`
- **Contact an admin:** Message `admin@yourdomain.com`
- **XMPP documentation:** https://xmpp.org/getting-started/

---

## Tips for Discord Refugees

### **Mental Model Shift:**
- **Discord Server** → **XMPP Room** (group chat)
- **Discord Channel** → **XMPP Room** (each room is independent)
- **Discord DM** → **XMPP Chat** (works the same)
- **@mention** → `@username` (type @ then start typing their name)

### **Things That Work Differently:**
- **No bots (yet):** XMPP has bots but not Discord-style
- **No custom emoji reactions:** Standard emoji only
- **No roles/permissions:** Room moderators exist but simpler
- **No status games:** You can set a text status but no "Playing Valorant" integration

### **Things That Are Better:**
- **E2E encryption:** Your messages are actually private
- **No spying:** Server admin (me) can't read encrypted DMs
- **No data mining:** Your info isn't sold to advertisers
- **Lightweight:** Apps use less battery/RAM
- **Decentralized:** If this server dies, you can move to another XMPP server

### **Learning Curve:**
- **Day 1:** Feels weird, where are my Discord features?
- **Day 3:** Okay, this works pretty well
- **Week 1:** I like how lightweight this is
- **Month 1:** Wait, Discord had ads? And no encryption?

---

## Creating Your Own Rooms

Want to create a private chat room?

#### **In Conversations (Android):**
1. Tap **"+"** → **"Create group chat"**
2. Choose **"Create new channel"**
3. Enter room name (e.g., "secret-plans")
4. Tap **"Create"**

#### **In Gajim/Dino:**
1. **"Join Group Chat"** → **"Create New Room"**
2. Room address: `yourroom@conference.yourdomain.com`
3. Click **"Create"**

#### **Room Privacy:**
- **Public:** Anyone can join
- **Private:** Invite-only (set in room config)
- **OMEMO-enabled:** End-to-end encrypted (enable after creation)

---

## Migrating from Discord

### **Export your Discord data (optional):**
Discord doesn't have a good export tool. If you have important messages:
1. Use DiscordChatExporter (third-party tool)
2. Save channels as HTML/JSON
3. Upload to file sharing if needed

### **Telling people you switched:**
```
Hey! I'm moving to XMPP for privacy reasons.

Add me: yourname@yourdomain.com

What's XMPP? It's like Discord but self-hosted and encrypted.
Get the Conversations app (Android) or Monal (iOS).

I'll still check Discord occasionally, but I'm mainly on XMPP now.
```

---

## Why We Switched

- **Privacy:** Discord mines your data, XMPP doesn't
- **Control:** We own the server, not a corporation
- **No ads:** Self-hosted means no monetization pressure
- **Open source:** Auditable code, community-driven
- **Decentralized:** Not dependent on one company staying solvent
- **Better security:** E2E encryption actually works
- **Lightweight:** Less resource-heavy than Discord

Discord is convenient, but we're trading convenience for privacy and autonomy.

---

## Welcome to XMPP!

Once you're connected, say hi in `#general`! We're a small community, but we value privacy and open-source software.

If you have questions, ask in `#support` or DM an admin.

Enjoy your freedom from surveillance capitalism. :)