Ubuntu is mulling a switch to Matrix from IRC to handle real-time discussions from its key development teams.
Canonical’s Robie Basak has begun a discussion on the Ubuntu Developer Mailing list regarding a potential switch, in an effort to find consensus for or against such a move. But he urges devs in favour not to abandon Ubuntu IRC channels just yet.
“First let’s discuss, and if we decide to move, then we can pick a date to move the “official” place for realtime Ubuntu developer conversation,” he writes.
If Ubuntu’s development discussions — that is, discussions between approved Ubuntu developers, Canonical engineers, etc — do switch to Matrix, it won’t have a major effect on end-users since those discussions aren’t ones we take part in!
Also, a switch to Matrix would not mean the wholesale end of Ubuntu’s IRC channels (and bridging is possible). Basak’s posit is simply about settling on which platform Ubuntu developer teams make their primary place of realtime contact.
Consolidating communication has benefits for developers: avoid fragmentary discussions, ensure contacts are reachable, and, with everyone ‘on the same page’, speed up decision making—potentially boosting the distribution’s development efficiency.
Why Matrix?
Matrix is increasingly ubiquitous in open-source circles. GNOME uses it, KDE embraces it, Linux Mint migrated last year, Mozilla a few years before, and it’s already widely used by Ubuntu community members and developers.
Which is why a poll Bask conducted within Canonical shows support for considering a switch:
I conducted a poll of Ubuntu Developers within Canonical in July 2024. Of those who answered, 10 were in favour of moving (including myself), 1 was against, and 6 wanted further discussion.
Robie Basak, Canonical
IRC remains unmatched in many areas but is, rightly or wrongly, viewed as an antiquated communication platform. IRC clients aren’t pretty or plentiful, the syntax is obtuse, and support for ‘modern’ comforts like media sending, read receipts, etc., is lacking.
To newer, younger contributors IRC could feel ancient or cumbersome to learn.
Though many of IRC’s real and perceived shortcomings are surmountable with workarounds, clients, bots, scripts, and so on, support for those varies between channels, clients, servers, and user configurations.
Unlike IRC, which is a centralised protocol relying on individual servers, Matrix is federated. It lets users on different servers to communicate without friction. Plus, Matrix features encryption, message history, media support, and so, meeting modern expectations.
No decision has been made yet.
But given that most of Ubuntu’s IRC channels sit comatose beyond their mandated meetings involving distro devs, I’d be surprised if consensus at Canonical wasn’t in favour of moving to Matrix – and pretty soon, at that!
Do you see merit in a switch to Matrix, or are you an ardent IRC’er unwilling to /quit? Let me know down in the comments!