@joelanman Signal is centralized. Centralized services are vulnerable to enshittification, as demonstrated by Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook.

The solution is to use a #federated platform like #XMPP instead.

The easiest way is to use it is to install Quicksy from the Play Store, App Store, or F-Droid - https://quicksy.im

For more curious users, here's a guide to XMPP, with client, server, and public channel recommendations.
https://contrapunctus.codeberg.page/the-quick-and-easy-guide-to-xmpp.html

@contrapunctus @joelanman This is the whole problem with #XMPP. You say "Signal is centralized. Centralized services are vulnerable to enshittification, as demonstrated by Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook." Don't necessarily disagree with that. But then you say, "The solution is to use a #federated platform like #XMPP instead. Ask your contacts to install Quicksy from the Play Store, App Store, or F-Droid." And my response would be, "I've never heard of Quicksy. How do I know it's free of malware? How do I know if I can even use it?"

But THEN you put the cherry on top: "Here's a user-oriented guide to XMPP, with client, server, and channel recommendations."

WTF??? I don't need a "user-oriented guide" to install #Signal. Client, server, and channel recommendations? Why the f... do I need those? You seem to think I want to have to read a bunch of crap and then try to figure out how how to make sense of it. And I don't. Very few people do. I want something I can just install and that is easy and intuitive to use. Private and secure is also great (and Signal gives you that, for now), but I don't want to have to learn a bunch of geek stuff when there are solutions I can just install and have up and running in two to five minutes.

And that is how probably 99% of people feel. I use Linux and I STILL don't want to have to mess around with any of the available XMPP servers. Until the #XMPP proponents understand that, they are just spitting into the wind (and coming off as a little preachy in the process).

@maple @joelanman

> "I've never heard of Quicksy. How do I know it's free of malware? How do I know if I can even use it?"

The people who say that to me usually get a brief explanation about freedom-respecting software, and why it's the only kind of software you can trust.

And people usually trust something when their technical friend (= me) recommends it. More so when it's the only way to reach said friend.

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@maple @joelanman You don't NEED a guide to start using #XMPP 🤦‍♀️

I recommended Quicksy for whoever wants to get started in under a minute.

The guide is for somewhat technical users who probably want to learn more, set up multiple clients, and join some public channels. (You know, like Mastodon starter packs? Ever heard of those? 🙄)

Get out of here with your willful misinterpretations.

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