VictorFeb 4
dansup

The Great Migration 🚀

X ➡️ https://joinmastodon.org
IG ➡️ https://pixelfed.org
FB ➡️ https://friendi.ca
TikTok ➡️ https://joinloops.org
YouTube ➡️ https://joinpeertube.org
WhatsApp ➡️ https://signal.org

Ethical. Federated*. Open.

Spread the word ✨

* - I know signal isn't federated, consider @matrix or @xmpp alternatively

Feb 4 at 1:00pmWeb
Show threadMykFeb 4
@dansup Add
Discord/slack -> @matrix
Show threadSalvaFeb 4
@dansup Whatsapp -> @xmpp
Show threadBuageFeb 4
@dansup Signal is good but i'd say Session is the best in my opinion
Show threadkitkatFeb 4
@dansup Signal isn't federated or open -> Matrix/XMPP
Show threadMartina NeumayerFeb 4

@kitkat Client app is open source, but not the server part. It isn't federated and additionally is very dependent on the aws infrastructure.

@dansup

Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4
@MartinaNeumayer @dansup @kitkat Molly, a fork of Signal that, among other things, has already removed Signal's dependency on Google's Firebase Cloud Messaging by replacing it with UnifiedPush and their own MollySocket service, is also working to implement an open-source version of the server under the code name Flatline: github.com/mollyim/flatline-pl…
Show threadMartina NeumayerFeb 4

@csolisr Yes I know about it. But the problem with Molly is that, that they doesn't support older android versions anymore. If I remember correctly, the lowest system version on which the app can be installed is 11. Anything older isn't supported, which is pretty big unfortunate for many people.
Btw.. Original Signal also offers two different versions of their app without google blobs included and with UnifiedPush. They are available on their page and from F-Droid repositories.

@dansup @kitkat

Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4
Hold up, mainstream Signal has finally integrated MollySocket then?
Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4
Never mind, there is a version of Signal without Google libraries, but instead of using UnifiedPush like Molly does, Signal falls back to direct WebSockets, which requires much more battery consumption in the background unfortunately. github.com/signalapp/Signal-An…
Add another way to receive notifications · Issue #13290 · signalapp/Signal-Android

Hi, It seems weird that Signal still relies on GCM/FCM for notifications. Even with Signal APK downloaded from the website, and having whitelisted Signal in DNSfilter (personalDNSfilter | F-Droid -...

GitHub
Show threadpr06lefsFeb 4
@dansup I knew about John Mastodon, but now John Peertube?
Show threadNéuroFeb 4

@dansup friendica is horrible. just horrible, the other apps are great, but still have weird flaws. like in mastodon, if I see a post that is really really really really long it takes forever to scroll past it, especially if this person spams. there is no "see more" text to a long text. and in mastodon just replying to you, is a small window to the left of the post.

peertube won't won't without money for the creators, somehow.

Show threadKalonFeb 4

Its really too bad but it seems like Friendica isn't coded efficiently.

To a large degree Mastodon is working the same way, but the focus on friends first make it a better entry to the Fediverse for those coming from Facebook.

Really wish it performed better. Perhaps people smarter than me will get around to a complete rewrite. Probably in Rust.

@Drahngis

@dansup

Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4
Friendica is a dinosaur that predates Mastodon and prides itself on being hostable in any web host that accepts PHP with versions as low as 7.4. A Rust rewrite would no longer be Friendica, unfortunately. There's also the zillion forks of it (Hubzilla, Zap, Osada, Streams to name a few) and those, too, are still based on PHP.
Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4
However! Friendica very recently released a new version that finally does something about the slow queries, by adding a cache for network channels. It also includes a few quality-of-life improvements. friendi.ca/2026/01/27/friendic…
Friendica 2026.01 released – friendica

Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 4

As a user of Friendica for the last two years, I would have certainly agreed with you just a pair of weeks ago. Fortunately, the latest version of Friendica finally included the option to cache network channel data, at long last solving the problem of having to wait upwards of 30 seconds for the network tab to open. The "see more" option is an add-on for some reason, two in fact depending on which implementation you want to use, and either of them must be first enabled by the instance's administrator.

I also agree that there must be some way of making PeerTube natively compatible with subscriptions and "superchats", if we want YouTubers and livestreamers to be capable of using it as an actual replacement for their YT/Twitch channels. The only payment methods I've seen enabled for PeerTube as plug-ins are all cryptocurrency-based unfortunately.

Show threadëRiCFeb 5
@csolisr I just found that one does not need to join a PeerTube instance! You can find them here on mastodon and follow like that 👍
Show threadhrastFeb 5
@csolisr superchats? Overlaid chats?
Show threadCarlos SolísFeb 5
Superchats are a capability of YouTube streams to have specific users pay to have their messages "stick" to the chatbox for a certain amount of seconds. Something similar to Twitch, which uses "bits" (an internal currency) to get channel perks.
Show threadhrastFeb 5
@csolisr how about (also) ability to accentuate your message in that way for free?
Show threadshadowwwindFeb 4
@Drahngis @dansup the long text thing is a client issue, there are multiple clients that solve that. I believe the Webinterface collapses long text. Moshiodon certainly does.
Show threadJens LjungkvistFeb 5

@Drahngis @dansup

I’m compelled to agree about Friendica. Installed it a few weeks ago to power a non-federating site for my family but it’s really confusing and it looks like it’s not actively worked on anymore.

But I am thinking in regards to “replacing FB” to actually just use Mastodon but get the group functionality from something like Lemmy or NodeBB.

In the simplest of functions the hashtag is a group.

Show threadKIP/JΛYCHØU ⁂ ⚡   Feb 4

@dansup

And
Pivix To Misskey
Misskey To Sharkey
Reddit To Lemmy

Show threadBenFeb 4
@dansup signal isnt open source or federated, is it?
Show threadMiggiFeb 4
@ben @dansup It's open source
Show threadArcaneChatFeb 4

@dansup

> Federated

Signal??? really???

more like The Great Joke 🤡

Show threadPseudo-intellectual White ManFeb 4
@dansup In what possible sense of the word is signal federated? I genuinely was unaware of this.
Show threadRadiation CrazinessFeb 4
@pwm It's not; that's why there's an asterisk by it with a note at the bottom.
I'm guessing he added it as there's not really a federated messaging platform at the level of WhatsApp yet.
Show threadPseudo-intellectual White ManFeb 4
@techindepth27 oh the post got edited, I see.
Deltachat would be a sane suggestion in its place imo as it runs over email. Alas.
Show threadRadiation CrazinessFeb 4
@pwm Looks interesting, I don't think I've heard of Deltachat before. By far the biggest issue with new messaging apps is you have to get everyone you're talking to to switch too and I just got most of them to get Signal so I don't think I'm going to be able to get them to switch again lol
Show threadPseudo-intellectual White ManFeb 4
@techindepth27 Deltachat provides an interface and equivalent (if not better) encryption to signal/telegram/whatsapp. You can run their dedicated chatmail suite of software or even point the thing at any email server with imap (I host my own using maddy this way). Which is pretty strong for adoption imo because everyone has email already.
I use the hell out of it for internet people and cannot recommend it highly enough.
But yeah, the main problem of setting up software to talk to people is that you largely only get to talk to people already using it. As before, that's partially solved by the fact that everyone has email so the only barrier is installing an app, but even that's too much friction for many.
Show threadPevin KinelFeb 4

@techindepth27 @pwm just wanted to say that actually Delta's onboarding mechanism is the simplest and fastest i've seen. Start it the first time, write your name and that's it. Because it's not linked to a phone number nor pre-existing email, you don't have to go hunting for a confirmation link/code. Made the transition super smooth for a bunch of friends here

@delta

Show threadElisabettaFeb 4
@dansup I have been using Matrix on FluffyChat and Element X instead of WhatsApp and it's just amazing. I prefer it to Signal.
Show threadHoward Chu @ SymasFeb 4
@dansup @matrix @xmpp signal still just crashes on startup on my Huawei phone. It apparently uses google APIs so it certainly isn't escaping from BigTech.
Show threadRadiation CrazinessFeb 4
@hyc I've used it just fine on a De-Googled Pixel running GrapheneOS without G Play Services. Might be something specific with Huawei, but I have no clue
Show threadzetabetaFeb 4
@hyc @dansup @matrix @xmpp
huawei uses harmonyos, which may not be compatible with android.
older phones used android.
Show threadHoward Chu @ SymasFeb 4
@zetabeta this is a P60 Pro on de-googled Android.
Show threaddamianwalshFeb 4
@dansup LinkedIn → ? Someone should do that, just sayin’
Show threadGeorge BFeb 4

@dansup @damianwalsh

I found one a couple of weeks ago and made an account but lost the URL and it seems to be completely unsearchable.

Maybe someone else will post it in the replies but that isn't really a good sign.

Show threadharbeiderFeb 5
@damianwalsh @dansup Maybe https://nolto.social/ ?
Nolto - Professional Social Network

A professional social network that runs on the ActivityPub federation protocol, focusing on privacy, accessibility, and a healthy user culture.

Show threadUlmoFeb 4
@dansup @matrix @xmpp I wish people would use Simple X en masse instead of WhatsApp.
Show threadadbFeb 4
@dansup fixed one of the images for you
Show threadLeo Schuldiner 🤘🏼Feb 4
@dansup I would add Odysee instead of Youtube 🤓
Show threadBloodaxeFeb 4
@dansup @matrix @xmpp Part of me wish I had all of these services, but just one identity/login between them.
Show threadanon_4601Feb 4

@dansup

#WhatsAppAlternatives #METABoycott #USAboycott

European privacy-friendly options, I’m not an expert. What do you think about these? Did I miss anything?

🏆️ SESSION 🇨🇭*
Focus on high anonymity.
Decentralized network , easy to use.
No phone, ID or email required
Open Source. FREE

🏆️ SIMPLEX 🇬🇧*
Focus on maximum privacy
No user IDs or phone numbers required.
Open Source. FREE

🎖️ THREEMA 🇨🇭***
Very popular in Germany
Uses anonymous 8-digit Threema ID. Proprietary code (but audited) 1 time 5€

DELTA CHAT 🇩🇪 *
Super easy to use, user can open an account just with a nick name. No user IDs or phone numbers required.
Open Source. FREE

ELEMENT / MATRIX 🇬🇧*
Perfect for secure communication.
Federated (choose your server).
Communicate with anyone using Matrix protocol applications. Open Source. FREE

SIGNAL 🇺🇸 🚫 ***
Requires a Phone, metadata concerns ‼️
FREE

*Open Source
**Proprietary
***Hybrid 50%-50%

Comparison by
https://
eylenburg.github.io/im_comparison.htm

Show threadbjoernFeb 4

@anon_4601 @dansup #deltachat does not require a phone number nor you have to provide your address nor a SIM card is required.

you can use it even without a phone.

it uses SMTP/IMAP under the hood, with a random address. nothing is persisted on the server, for metadata, see https://delta.chat/en/help#message-metadata

Delta Chat: FAQ

What is Delta Chat? Delta Chat is a reliable, decentralized and secure instant messaging app, available for mobile and desktop platforms. Instant creation of private chat profiles with secure and i...

Show threadanon_4601Feb 4

@r10s @dansup

Oh wow. Okay, thst's just great!
When I opened Deltachat some time a ago, an email address was require.

However I just tested this by installing DeltaChat on a LinuxPC and opened an account just by entering a nickname.

You're absolutely right, nothing is required at all. Thank you for pointing this out to me, I'll fix my post right away!
Thanks again.

Show threadSupper extraordinaryFeb 4
@dansup Thank you!
Show threadÆrionFeb 4

@dansup
> * - I know signal isn't federated, consider @matrix or @xmpp alternatively

How about pointing to https://quicksy.im/ rather than Signal? And @snikket_im for those who prefer #selfhosting ?

#Quicksy is by far the easiest way to get into #XMPP, and it behaves like WhatsApp (and Signal) users expect, with automatic contact discovery.

We need truly open instant messaging, not more walled gardens. However much good Signal has done for privacy in IM, it is *not* the golden answer to WhatsApp, Telegram, and all the other monolithic platforms.

@daniel
@matrix @xmpp

Quicksy

A spin-off of the popular Jabber/XMPP client Conversations with automatic contact discovery. Sign up with your phone number and Quicksy will automatically—based on the phone numbers in your address book—suggest possible contacts to you.

Quicksy
Show threadÆrionFeb 4

@dansup

@matrix @xmpp

Show threadChristian TietzeFeb 4
@dansup I forgot about Friendica when researching FB alternatives for community org! Thank you!
Show threadLars Buhl SchamaitatFeb 4
@dansup @matrix @xmpp What about Olvid instead of Signal? Any experience? (We are testing it at home these days.)
Show threadAlex05Feb 5
@LaBuS @dansup @matrix @xmpp
Looking for more privacy? With #Olvid, you get advanced control over your data. 🛡️
For location sharing, you can choose between Google Maps, #OpenStreetMap, or even use your own custom OSM server. 📍
The same level of control applies to ephemeral messages—check out how it works: https://www.olvid.io/faq/ephemeral-messages/
#Privacy #CyberSecurity #OSM #FOSS
🔥 Ephemeral Messages - Olvid FAQ

Ephemeral messages allow you to program automatic deletion of messages for each discussion.

Show threadDickWhitmanFeb 4
@dansup But what if “we” don’t want the people left on X? 😉
Show threadmHttFeb 4

@dansup @matrix @xmpp

digg ---> reddit

whops wrong decade!

Show threadGustavoFeb 4

@dansup Matrix crypto is bad. There are so many people recommending Signal alternatives with BAD cryptography just because it's not federated (some are even Signal forks with removed security features! ) that makes me urge two things:

One: pressure Signal into becoming federated.

Two: make people aware that there are plans to add E2EE to Mastodon and, IMHO, it will be better than Signal in some parts (e.g. on Signal you have to check safety numbers to see if no one is tampering with your connection, on Mastodon it will be automatic, like WhatsApp, but open-source, unlike WhatsApp).

Show threadRejZoRFeb 4
@dansup @matrix @xmpp Reddit -> Lemmy
Show threadëRiCFeb 5
@rejzor @dansup @matrix @xmpp https://join-lemmy.org
Lemmy - A decentralised discussion platform for communities

Lemmy

Show threadUltrasonicMadness (he/him)Feb 4
@dansup I'm not convinced that an ethical version of #TikTok is possible - the entire premise is loss of time and cognitive function to a mini-parade of utterly inane rubbish.