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Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#811

Post by arpyzo »

jokethrowaway wrote: post #497
qwertox wrote: post #468

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish the EU would force messaging systems to also support interactions with XMPP or other similar open standards. There's nothing in their way to expect such a thing, except the lobbyists.

Why would you want your government to mandate how technology works? Sounds like a recipe for disaster and the perfect way to stifle innovation

Let's rewrite this to illustrate a point:

Why would you want a small, self-interested, unaccountable group of private investors to mandate how technology works?

Sounds like a recipe for disaster and the perfect way to stifle innovation

Depending on the particulars of your government, perhaps it looks more appealing now.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#812

Post by rglullis »

tgsovlerkhgsel wrote: post #776
rglullis wrote: post #228

From the listed alternatives, only Matrix is the one that actually solves the issue of not having to trust our communications to any single monopolistic entity. You could add XMPP there as well, but it really doesn't matter. What does matter is for us to start pushing for openness and start evangelizing/helping others to adopt anything that puts us back in control of our communication. This is the one thing to fix, a…

"Element's client is not "nice": we can fix it" No, we can't. Because the time aspect matters, and if you want people to switch now, the client has to be polished now, not "when it's done". And right now, it's a mess.

How hard is it to understand that "switching" is not a discrete action?

It does not have to an all-or-nothing proposition. Do it in stages.

Try this: first get yourself to use it with a few friends. See for yourself what use cases work well and what use cases don't. Bonus points if you collect this feedback and give to the team. Bring your close contacts to use it and try to make your default app, but don't beat yourself or swear it off when you can.

Upon new release, try the use cases that were failing and see what progress has been made.

Best case, you end up realizing that the new system is not as bad as you thought and you are ready to jump out of a shitty locked-in network. Worst case you spent some time learning about a free system and you are more informed and able to help those that know of no alternative and think that being spied on and manipulated is just a given.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#814

Post by kureikain »

Matrix is really great as a protocol They can do call , photo uploadinf etc.

But be careful with them. I have lost message with them. One client show the message, the other wont. And a scary room update process. I always scare of losing message with their Element client.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#815

Post by nmlnn »

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.

Do people not realize they can run more than 1 messenger app at a time?

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#817

Post by rglullis »

redkoala wrote: post #627
rglullis wrote: post #330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Last I checked, my phone and my computer do not require me to use only messaging app. WhatsApp is "critical" now only now due to its network effects, but you can transition away to something else. Right now I have maybe a dozen friends and family members on my matrix server. I helped them set up the app, configured their communick accounts, made a few video calls to ensure it was working, etc. Current step is to help…

One issue is the fractured nature of alternatives would mean limited network effects, if one group moves to Matrix, and another to Signal, and another to Telegram, that means juggling multiple alternatives depending on the groups one is part of.

While less than ideal, even in that case Matrix has an advantage: bridges. Matrix servers can be setup with bridges to allow communication with other protocols, so matrix users can reach telegram or signal contacts without switching clients.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#819

Post by rglullis »

mattl wrote: post #700
rglullis wrote: post #330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Last I checked, my phone and my computer do not require me to use only messaging app. WhatsApp is "critical" now only now due to its network effects, but you can transition away to something else. Right now I have maybe a dozen friends and family members on my matrix server. I helped them set up the app, configured their communick accounts, made a few video calls to ensure it was working, etc. Current step is to help…

Nobody is going to get their whole family circle to move to Matrix.

Not with that attitude, you won't. ;)

Seriously, though. See my other responses. Switching does not need to be an atomic operation, also learn about Matrix bridges.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#820

Post by chinathrow »

incrudible wrote: post #323
jbotz wrote: post #283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I don't know where parent is located, but here in Brazil they are pretty much right. Everybody has WhatsApp... it's assumed that if you have a phone you have WhatsApp. A lot of financial transactions are conducted by doing a bank transfer and then sending the receipt via WhatsApp. The schools send essential messages to parents via WhatsApp. During lockdowns, stores were taking delivery orders via WhatsApp. What…

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…

No, the nerds have not failed us.

The founders of WhatsApp has failed us by selling for FU money. I was happy paying them a fee in the beginning.

Then authorities have failed us by aproving the merger.

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