Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

Post by ufo » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 7:00 PM UTC

metafunctor wrote: post #500

rodolphoarruda wrote: post #470

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in Brazil as well. Everybody uses Whatsapp. It is now so entrenched into society that it turned to be part of its popular culture. When people say "I'm part of a group of old car enthusiasts", they meant they are part of a Whatsapp group in which they discuss old cars. Countless online services and apps were replaced by Whatsapp over the years, from the top of my head: all IMs, customer service apps, e-commerce (…

I'm having a hard time understanding how WhatsApp could be convenient enough to replace most online services and apps. Do you send text messages with some magic keywords to order at Burger King, or is there a person on the other end reading it, or how does that work? How do you pay? How do you browse the menu? I don't understand.

Post by CodeGlitch » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 7:02 PM UTC

Post by tao_oat » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 7:05 PM UTC

s_dev wrote: post #463

FiloSottile wrote: post #232

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a reminder, Telegram groups are not encrypted at all, and 1:1 chats are not encrypted by default, so while WhatsApp might see your contacts, Telegram can see most of your messages.

As a reminder encrypted messages aren't easily searchable -- this is a simple trade off and not some dark pattern default. Many Telegram users are away of it's quirks and how it operates differently to other IMs. Any tool will do damage in the hands of a bad workman. A good way to infer Telegram is reliable is how many despotic tyrants and corrupt countries ban it.

Post by z3ncyberpunk » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 7:08 PM UTC

raziel2p wrote: post #339

incrudible wrote: post #323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like to think the problem is that "the nerds" have failed the rest of the people. People used to listen to us about computer stuff. Then computers became usable without us. Then smartphones arrived. We gladly were relieved of our obligations, but also of our influence. It's too late to go back. People are already used to the trade-offs, convenience rules above all. People may be "sort of concerned" about privacy, b…

Eh, it's not like "the nerds" can build a better product in terms of UX anyway, and definitely can't market it better. Besides, who says "the nerds" are trustworthy anyway? They keep arguing among each other about which operating system or programming language is best, and why should we take their advice when software security vulnerabilities keep being discovered? Not disagreeing with your point - it's become too ea…

Post by benhurmarcel » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 7:15 PM UTC

csmattryder wrote: post #383

shiftingleft wrote: post #268

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What gripes did you run into with Signal? Most of my friends (tech or non-tech) use Signal, so I'm really curious.

So one of the key differences was that when I loaded Telegram, I had a list of contacts ready to go, people who already had Telegram. I sent a message to a few people via iMessage using the "Invite Friends" menu item. When I tried Signal, I saw an empty list and had to add numbers / find people myself. Not much in the way of onboarding IMO. My complaints are likely met with "duh, that's how it works, idiot", I believ…