PSA if you are an Element (matrix) user, the latest update seems to have removed the installed client.
Presume it’s related to this:
https://lists.opensuse.org/archives/list/factory@lists.opensuse.org/message/SGOO4SVJYZHC4Y4TSN4WD3XLUTGSHJMF/
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… am i the only Element chat user round here?
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i use element on leap 16.0 as well, what can we do? that thread never got additional answers and responses? whats the final state on this matter? how to run element on opensuse after all? 
The maintainer requested the deletion of the project from factory 8 days ago:
You can use the flatpak or webclient as described/offered at the Matrix website:
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matrix/element is not the official owner of that project on flathub/flatpak.
what is the actual problem about building element for opensuse though, they cant even build it on tumbleweed any more? what happened? too bad
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You didn’t pay anything for it or?
If a maintainer decides that it is no longer possible to build a package, it is his right (and duty as described in the reason for the deletion), to remove a package from factory.
Even if the package is still buildable, a maintainer has always the right to stop the provision of a package for countless reasons. You didn’t pay anything, openSUSE is no commercial product, software is mainly maintained by volunteers and enthusiasts.
Step up and maintain it or use the provided official solutions as described in the link above.
The same applies for the package which was built for openSUSE by a packager. The rpm package for openSUSE and the flatpak are built by community maintainers. Both use the same upstream source code. It is easy to verify. As Matrix/Element link to the flatpak, it is kind of official.
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of course everybody can just do anything as they please. that isnt the point, is it? i was wondering if there was something that special about suse as a platform and distribution that makes it hard for a maintainer.
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@abittner I don’t have an issue maintaining 60+ packages in the openSUSE products… That may change as still need to get up to speed with the new git work flow, but haven’t need to at present…
I just use the web version, works fine with the openSUSE server https://chat.opensuse.org/.
In this case it’s seems to be clear the Maintainer had difficulty with nodejs.
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You would have to see if you can find out the maintainers reasons for stepping away.
Which, maybe you can, https://lists.opensuse.org/archives/list/factory@lists.opensuse.org/thread/EAUPSKVSJLHIY3RQJPUXEY2H76SVVP63/
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After some time I wanted to use Element again and did some searching and found:
https://build.opensuse.org/package/show/home:jejb1:Element/element-desktop
Did add the repo and installed it, things work again.
That is element-desktop 1.12.10 from Feb this year, so reasonably up-to-date.
On using a private repo
Private repo are typically not recommended, see for instance here.
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i confess i jumped over to Neochat.
i tried to them swap to the Element flatpak, but the silly web-authenticated signon would fail to authorise a new client so i stuck with neochat.
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