Poll: Switching from WhatsApp • Hacker News Board

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#161

Post by nwotnagrom » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:28 PM UTC

Definitely I think its between Telegram and Signal. With Signal, there is definitely that comfort level of knowing that your information/chats are secure, but I have found it to be slightly less user friendly in terms of setting up chats/group chats etc. Its also not as widely used compared to Telegram.

With Telegram, I have been using it more recently and found it to be even effective in a work-setting for group chats, sharing files etc. Its basically a Slack and the fact that it is available on multiple platforms also has made it very appealing.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#162

Post by JaumeGreen » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:28 PM UTC

gbrown_ wrote: post #24

Sadly the inertia of WhatsApp is something hard to escape. I would/do choose Signal with a few of my tech savvy friends. But the majority of people I know use WhatsApp, and consequently so do I.

That's been like that for a long time, several times a month I receive a notification that someone I know comes into Telegram, and even my close family is going into Signal bit by bit.

But yeah, here whatsapp is the biggest one still and too many people are using it.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#163

Post by Erazal » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:29 PM UTC

I've been using Signal for years now and although it still has its flaws (requirement for a phone number, PIN number debacle), it is IMHO the best alternative and I've moved my sginificant other, friends and families towards it.

Combined with signal-cli (https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli.git) you can easily set up your own files & messaging upload. For instance, I've created an automatic upload to a Google Photos album for my family group chat and they love it !

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#164

Post by bluGill » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:29 PM UTC

Forget about them all and send a regular SMS message. If the above doesn't work for essentially no cost then your phone provider needs to get it's head out of it's rear and stop raping you... There is no excuse for the way phone companies charge...

If you need anonymous, then none of the above really work either.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#165

Post by Fnoord » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:29 PM UTC

dhsysusbsjsi wrote: post #20

I spent a lot of time testing Signal and it’s come a long way. One great advantage over WhatsApp is emoji reactions on messages like Slack does to avoid the dreaded “haha” taking up threads. Signal seems to support all media I threw at it, and has an awesome MacOS desktop client. Downsides were no web search for group icons (a great feature of WhatsApp) and live location sharing. Overall I am happy to have nearly all…

> Signal seems to support all media I threw at it, and has an awesome MacOS desktop client.

Which one are you referring to? Signal Desktop is just an Electron application AFAICT.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#166

Post by chrisblackwell » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:30 PM UTC

apexalpha wrote: post #155

Where is the "Don't switch" option? Because as much as I hate that Facebook bought them, they're part of what I would call "critical social infrastructure." Asking to leave WhatsApp is like cancelling your contract with your ISP and going offline just because you don't like the company.

I am forced to use the ISPs in my area due to only 1 or 2 alternatives. This is not the case with online communication.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#167

Post by S53Vflnr4n » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:30 PM UTC

Have to keep in mind that WhatsApp's customer base is not the western world, but mainly growing economies like India and African countries. WhatsApp recently rolled out Payments feature in India. In fact WhatsApp for Business is pretty good for SME to conduct business in India. Some of the shops that I went to India has paperless receipts and digital payments thru WhatsApp and UPI. They ask your WhatsApp number by default and sends you the receipt on WhatsApp. I find that very convenient as a customer. The horse has left the barn. Good luck asking people to switch to Signal or Telegram there. Switching to others will only help in making a political statement but wont help in mass adoption at least in those countries.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#168

Post by robjan » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:31 PM UTC

Bellamy wrote: post #70

I like Threema because it works and the business model simple. Pay a few bucks and get it forever.

The business model is unsustainable and relies on constantly growing the userbase since there is no recurring revenue.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#169

Post by nono-no-no » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:31 PM UTC

But why is Signal not as polished and more importantly, can we do something about it? Would it help if we fund it? https://www.signal.org/donate/

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#170

Post by emsy » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:32 PM UTC

apexalpha wrote: post #155

Where is the "Don't switch" option? Because as much as I hate that Facebook bought them, they're part of what I would call "critical social infrastructure." Asking to leave WhatsApp is like cancelling your contract with your ISP and going offline just because you don't like the company.

That’s not a good comparison. There are many alternatives to WhatsApp and it’s not a „critical“ infrastructure. In contrast, you sometimes can’t choose your ISP and internet is much more critical.