HipChat and Slack alternatives
A Question of the Client
Unlike HipChat or Slack, InspIRCd is just a server. The developers don't offer a matching client, and why should they? All platforms have the choice of a number of IRC clients: M-IRC for Windows and the cross-platform command-line program irssi
are just two examples.
This plethora of clients is both a curse and a blessing. With a wealth of alternatives, not only is the choice of client imposed on the user, but various functions will be unavailable. IRC is a plain text product with no automatic previewing of links, so although clients can integrate features on their own, achieving a consistent behavior can be problematic. For example, client A might show text prefixed with the tag <code>
in fixed-pitch font without wrapping, whereas client B might display such a tag as normal text.
Another problem you'll encounter is with file sharing: IRC doesn't offer a way to store files for download. The exchange of files in IRC occurs via DCC (Direct Client-to-Client). The name itself suggests that a direct connection must be established between the two clients for the exchange to work. However, virtually all popular firewalls prevent such connections – and reconfiguring the firewall isn't the only challenge, because port forwarding also needs to work properly if one of the two clients goes online via NAT.
Data exchange via DCC has almost completely disappeared from the everyday life of larger IRC networks for this very reason. Very few administrators want to poke holes in their firewall.
Web-based IRC clients such as Kiwi IRC [8] (Figure 2), which operate on the same host as InspIRCd, provide a possible solution. You can even enforce their use at the InspIRCd level, meaning a completely homogeneous client landscape can exist. However, such a setup again requires installation and configuration work. The result is an easier way for customers or suppliers to get in direct contact with individual employees. All it takes is a suitably prepared link to the web IRC client.
Mattermost
The data protection problems experienced by HipChat and Slack were noticed by many community members several years ago, giving rise to IRC protocol alternatives. Mattermost, written in Golang and React, is a typical example: Its authors promote it as a "modern Slack alternative." In fact, Mattermost, Slack, and HipChat have unmistakable similarities: All three services offer a native web interface that can be used without an additional client, and each has native clients that can be run on desktops.
The appearance is always the same: Typical convenient functions such as previewing web links are standard, as are stylesheets that show source text with correct formatting. Unlike HipChat and Slack, Mattermost can be run locally, which means that use of the service doesn't automatically mean data is outsourced to external servers.
High Installation Overhead
Mattermost doesn't make it easy. The instructions for common Linux distributions on the program website extend over many screens, starting with the installation of a database – the Mattermost developers recommend PostgreSQL.
Mattermost also needs its own disk space for large files. For example, if you load a large file during an ongoing chat, the file automatically ends up in a separate data directory. It can then be downloaded by other chat users.
Once the database is up and running, you still have plenty of setup work left. Installing Mattermost itself is the next item on the list. As with InspIRCd, you can search in vain for pre-built packages for popular server distributions. Operating the service will inevitably lead to downloading a tarball, which then needs to be unpacked on the target host. The Mattermost configuration file, written in JSON, is where you can store the data for logging into the PostgreSQL database.
The third step involves installing Nginx: The developers recommend running Mattermost behind a firewall. In the setup, Nginx serves as a proxy server that accepts incoming connections and forwards them to the Mattermost server. Because Nginx also works as an SSL terminator, Mattermost can be operated as an SSL service with upstream Nginx. When the PostgreSQL, Mattermost, and Nginx trio are ready, the next step is the final configuration: Administrators can do this work in the Mattermost web-based System Console.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.