> The admin panel is at https://github.com/element-hq/element-admin

I think author uses regular synapse install and there is no apt package for element-admin, manual build would be required with no update process.

> Element Web & X support captions - i think this is honestly the worst of both worlds

if app_old has features A,B,C,D and app_new has A,C,D,E it frustrates both groups of users. Which app are you actually supposed to use? Having feature parity with the old app is essential before moving on with newer features. And I am still waiting for that to tell people to switch.