MIT Matrix frontend: matrix.mit.edu
MIT Matrix Synapse server: matrix-synapse.mit.edu (check version)
Testing server: uplink.mit.edu
[matrix] is a privacy-oriented decentralized chat protocol, like if Discord were more like Signal, and then decentralized like Mastodon.
The Matrix protocol specification is maintained by The Matrix Foundation. There are different implementations of the Matrix spec, and the most popular (probably 95% at the time of writing) is Matrix Synapse (mostly Python, some Rust). The MIT Matrix was/is piloted by rgabriel and runs Matrix Synapse (at matrix-synapse.mit.edu), with a synapse module written by rgabriel that coordinates directory lookup with IS&T's People API.
To log into a Matrix homeserver, users using frontends, such as phone apps, web apps, and desktop clients. The web app served at matrix.mit.edu is Element, for example. There are others, such as Cinny or FluffyChat that some users may prefer.
The MIT Matrix project is part of the Uplink project, intended to bridge the many different platforms that students may use (e.g., WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, Zephyr, Matrix, Mattermost), so that students don't have to sign up for new accounts to join a group chat for classes.
Spaces & rooms
While Discord has "servers" and "channels", Matrix has "spaces" and "rooms". Rooms may belong to spaces, or they may not.
SIPB space
The SIPB space is public, and accessible at #sipb:matrix.mit.edu.
Most of the channels are already bridged to the corresponding Mattermost channels and Zephyr classes/instances.
Creating a room in the SIPB space
For now... to create a room in the SIPB space, go to the Mattermost and create a room with the desired name.
Invite the matrix-bridge bot to the channel, which invites rgabriel, who can add it to the SIPB space and set up the canonical name for Zephyr bridging.