So I understand this instance is integrated with XMPP and also vaguely understand XMPP is a chat protocol? It would be great if someone could point me towards a simple explanation around anything else important, I’m a bit lost and the only ‘chat thingy’ I use are messenger apps (is that even the same?)
Almost. XMPP is a protocol, and a “messenger app” would be an XMPP client, for instance Conversations. All your messenger apps use some protocol. Most of them use a proprietary protocol meant to be used inside the app’s “walled garden”. XMPP being an open protocol, it’s meant to be used by different clients.
Why is XMPP relevant to solarpunk? XMPP is quite old and thus, very resource-efficient. However, the X in it stands for extensibility, meaning that you can also do “modern chat stuff” with it.