# Chat introduction

Anyone can access chatrooms at [[domain virtual-assembly.org]].

You can create a personal [[account]] to access the chat service directly.

You can access the service indirectly via another Matrix chat service.


## Clients

Matrix chat is accessed with any of several [Matrix clients].

Recommended chat client is [Riot],
available in both desktop and mobile flavors.

You can use several clients at once.

[Matrix clients]: <https://matrix.org/docs/guides/faq.html#usage>
  "Introduction to common Matrix clients"

[Riot]: <https://riot.im/>
  "Riot - recommended Matrix client"


## Setup

Members can create an account locally at the [[domain virtual-assembly.org]].
Guests may connect indirectly from another Matrix network.

To create a local member account,
tell your Riot client to use the [[chatserver matrix.virtual-assembly.org]]
(some Riot clients call it "Custom server" or "Home server").
Then request to create a new account,
providing your email address as proof of membership
(but do **not** provide a phone number).

Guests (and members too) can connect from outside -
i.e. using an account created at some other Matrix network -
and from there join our [Reception] room.

[Reception]: <https://matrix.to/#/!JQkKPpdjWWQjaeABiV:matrix.virtual-assembly.org>
  "Reception - our room to chat with visitors"


## Rooms

All rooms are listed in a public room list.

You can join rooms each with different topics.

You can address everyone in a room by tagging your message with "@room".

You can mention a room in chat by writing its name starting with a "#".


## Communities

Matrix communities is a way to help limit view on rooms.

In Matrix clients supporting it,
You join a community either from a link in the topic of corresponding general room,
or via a listing of all communities.

You can mention a community in chat by writing its name starting with "+".