I'm crazy - but for quite a long time I am thinking about setting up something like my own instance of jabber and give credentials to my loved ones... Maybe there are better alternatives than jabber, as long as I can host it myself.
Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
261–270 of 972 posts
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#262Earlier quoted context omitted.
At this point the game has changed with social apps; I’m including messaging as “social.” It is easier than ever to rebuild the important parts of your social graph on Signal, Clubhouse, Snap, IG, whatever platform you need. I talk to the same friends via Twitter DM, WhatsApp, IG, signal, hangouts and iMessage. Open access to contact books and APIs have made this so easy. I can leave WhatsApp and my network will find…
That doesn't apply to me or anyone I know. I know a handful on signal and telegram but the vast majority are on WhatsApp with a smaller number on messenger. People can contact me on signal but I mostly use WhatsApp for group chats and I'm not so important that everyone will install a newaapp just to include me in a group chat.
I used to have the same thinking, lurked on Signal for a while, then suddenly all my contacts started to show up.
Even my 14 year old got all her friends on Signal (without my direct influence) because they are very aware of instagram/FB addiction and want to stay away from it.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#263The problem with switching from Whatsapp is that it's not you alone who has to switch, it's everybody else. If you have a way to make all my family, friends and colleagues, let me know
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#264Earlier quoted context omitted.
The question is "To which app are you going to switch?", not "What are you using?" It may take a long time and huge effort to switch, but people are starting to do it.
> The question is "To which app are you going to switch?" And a reasonable answer is "your assumption is wrong, I don't plan to switch at all". I have no doubt that some people will switch, what I'd like to know if that movement is niche or mainstream.
No.
I'm sorry, but that is a different question, and you're welcome to ask it. This type of thing is a bloody epidemic on the internet, where people will ask a question; "Do I use Atom or VS Code?" and millions of idiots will pile on saying "Just use Emacs". Aaargh! Just stick to the confines of the question! Too many discussions have gotten derailed on stack exchange, reddit, microsoft answers...nowhere is safe.
These kinds of sermonising replies would still be OK if the author first spent some time answering the question on its own merit and then talked about alternatives. Otherwise, it's preachy and irritating.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#265Earlier quoted context omitted.
Note that normal Telegram chats are not end to end encrypted. You have to start a “secret chat” for that.
Telegram gets a lot of flak for this, but if what they're saying here is true, I believe that it's a pretty sane architecture: https://telegra.ph/Why-Isnt-Telegram-End-to-End-Encrypted-by... Definitely a better alternative to WhatsApp in any case.
That page starts by claiming that Signal doesn't do backups which is false.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#266Where 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.
Also missing a "I'm not switching because I've never needed to use WhatsApp" option. My social circle has been on Signal for years and WhatsApp never caught on.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#267Signal. That would be the main one I'd consider moving to given the overlap it already has with WhatsApp in my neck of the woods.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#268The problem is not finding a nice alternative. The problem is that everybody's contacts are on Whatsapp. How do you make THEM switch?
Make it easier to switch, is the answer. That was my thought process evaluating alternatives this morning. Signal is apparently lauded by the privacy crowd, but I took one look at it and said "no way is Mum going to use this". I went with Telegram because the usability was good, WhatsApp-like functionality, and I saw a few people I know already on it - non-techies in particular, which is vital if we're going to disru…
What gripes did you run into with Signal? Most of my friends (tech or non-tech) use Signal, so I'm really curious.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#269Earlier quoted context omitted.
if with Telegram "the privacy, security, and governance story is not great though", why would you migrate from WhatsApp to Telegram in first place? I personally have all 3 (Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram) and use all three with different groups and scenarios. For example: - With my mom and grandmom: WhatsApp - Group of friends from jiu-jitsu: WhatsApp - Work Colleagues and friends working with Network Security: Signal…
It's about time someone made a unified messenger client that combines all these conversations and hides the detail of which service you are using to talk to friends.
I agree with you. However it won't solve the problem of privacy regarding Facebook. Other issue that I see here, people want an unified messenger, with a great user experience, 100% secure, open-source, multi-platform, free (as in beer) and no monetization included. I'm sometimes shocked that here - hacker news - people underestimate the price of good software development, infrastructure and maintenance.
Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp
#270Earlier quoted context omitted.
At this point the game has changed with social apps; I’m including messaging as “social.” It is easier than ever to rebuild the important parts of your social graph on Signal, Clubhouse, Snap, IG, whatever platform you need. I talk to the same friends via Twitter DM, WhatsApp, IG, signal, hangouts and iMessage. Open access to contact books and APIs have made this so easy. I can leave WhatsApp and my network will find…
I don't think this is true. Sure, you can maybe get your close friends or close family to switch. But I don't think my landlord or my distant relatives will install Signal just because I don't want to use WhatsApp anymore.
What about SMS? It's free for most plans.