I run a Synapse server for just my family. It's great.
Matrix
An open network for secure, decentralized communication
How was the setup? I fairly advanced, but love it when it just works.
Kindof a pain. I use the Docker container, but then run another Postgres server that it connects to. You also need a TURN server, but I use a hosted version, since it's something that my family actually uses like twice a month. Oh, then you need a domain setup, I use Cloudflare to punch the whole into my home network...
Just thinking about it makes me tired. haha. But I did it all once, and now I just upgrade the Docker container every couple months. Been running smoothly for a few years now.
If you wanna chat about it, I'm on Matrix! lol. @phil [colon] kulak.us
thanks for the offer - i will keep working down the conduit race and see where i end up. if i end up on synapse, and need some help, i will definitely hit you up!