Comm

Description of the Application "Comm"

Comm is a private messaging application designed specifically for communities. It combines the best features of platforms like Discord and Signal, offering a unique blend of robust communication tools and strong privacy controls.

In Comm, each community is hosted on a keyserver. This means that you can set up a keyserver either on your own laptop or in the cloud. However, it's important to note that Comm does not provide hosting services for these keyservers. The reason behind this decision is to ensure that your data remains secure and out of reach from any third parties, including Comm itself.

To join an existing community, you don’t necessarily need a keyserver. However, if you wish to create a new community, having a keyserver is mandatory. Keyservers play a crucial role in enabling Comm to offer advanced features typically associated with corporate cloud servers, all while maintaining user privacy.

Each community within Comm is structured as a tree of chat threads. These threads function similarly to channels in Discord, but they can also be nested within one another, providing a flexible and organized way to manage conversations. Additionally, Comm introduces "sidebars," which are akin to threads in Slack. Sidebars are dynamically created in response to messages within a parent thread, allowing for focused discussions on specific topics.

Beyond standard chat functionalities, Comm comes equipped with a library of apps to further customize your community experience. For instance, we’re launching with a Calendar app to help manage schedules and events, and we have more exciting apps in the pipeline. With Comm, you get the best of both worlds—robust communication tools and unparalleled privacy.