Choose a server on the Try Matrix page is confusing

[spantaleev]

The flow on /try-matrix/ seems to be like this at the moment:

1. Choose a client
2. Choose a server
3. Register and start chatting

I expected the 2nd step (Choose a server - /ecosystem/servers/) to show a list of public servers you may choose from.

It however lists server implementations (Synapse, Dendrite, ..). Perhaps this step should have been named Choose a server implementation to self-host. It may remain Choose a server, but also offer alternatives:

• choosing a public server from some list, instead of self-hosting
• getting hosted by the various Matrix Hosting companies specializing in this

Most of the server implementations listed on the Choose a server page are of dubious completeness and usefulness, especially to new users.

I suppose the point is to get users to ultimately self-host one of the implementations. To do that they're supposed to go to the repository URL and find the self-hosting instructions from all the stuff there? I suppose linking directly to self-hosting instructions via some "How to self-host" button would make the intention clearer and assist new users better.

Also, some indicator of each server implementation's maturity or usefulness (how light it is; how well it federates; can it run bridges or not; etc.) would let people actually make an educated choice more easily.

[thibaultamartin]

Thanks for the issue, I agree with everything you reported! Eventually I want the "Choose a server" to link to a public instance picker (tracked in #1570), which I didn't get to yet :)

The point is not necessarily to get users to self-host, but to allow users to pick a server freely without giving them the impression that they need to use matrix.org. But point taken: the message needs to be refined in the meantime 👍