[matrix] rooms listed on this page are thought to satisfy the following criteria:

1. The content is primarily text. (When people have face to face conversations, the interaction is verbal, not multimedia.)
2. Posts for each topic are presented chronologically.
3. For each post, the poster is identified in some way (so that you can get to know each poster by his or her posts).
4. Replies can identify either the poster or the post being replied to.
5. Posts are retained for at least a month (so that a complete record of a particular conversation exists throughout its life).
6. Order is somehow maintained (e.g. by moderation or incentives such as punishment) to minimize bad behavior.
7. In particular, there is no spam, including paid advertisements. (Exception: A chat room that expressly invites particular kinds of "on topic" ads.)