Now that Skype will shut down, i see a good chance to geht my family to switch to a better solution. In order to even have the chance to be accepted instead of just switching to teams i think it has to check the following goals:
- easy to use
- reliable
- direkt calling (called device will just ring)
- multi paltform (iOS, Android, iPad, Windws)
- group calls
- free to use (unfortunately)
I tried:
- Jami: unfortunatly was unreliable in my first two device test
- Jisti Meet: no direct calling
- Signal (already failed to convince all family members a view years back switching from Whatsapp, mabye this can be an new chance. But Videocalling infortunately is too often unreliable)
I moved my family successfully to Signal a few years ago, and so far I’ve only very rarely encountered issues with video calls
That’s what I wanted to say as well. Not only national video calls but also regularly calling across the globe in video group calls, no problem whatsoever.
It wasn’t easy to establish back in the day, but since Skype is no alternative anymore, it should be a very good argument in favor of signal.
Only downside I had today: can’t have the same account on two Android devices. Desktop (Linux in my case) no problem to Link to my signal app on my android phone, but I was not able to use it on my android tablet today. Or was it just me, and there is a way?
Signal has worked fine for me
I personally use signal. Never had problems with video calls or anything really.
Signal should work, at least through my experience. It would also serve as a chat and stories alternative.
Signal is the way to go, been successful in moving my family, two friend groups and girlfriend. Any other closed source non encrypted messagers will collect all your family informations, news, pictures. This should be convincing enough for them
Hello,
You could give a look at simplex (https://simplex.chat/) ; it seems to be a possible alternative to signal, mostly focus on protecting user’s privacy. Yet in my experience it doesn’t allow (yet?) a call between multiple devices simultaneously.
An other alternative would be to use xmpp protocol using a jabber like server and apps. The advantage being that there is a lot of servers and even more apps, and that not every family members need to use the same… but if you are the one going to help them install, setup and upkeep, you may see mulyiplicity as a down side.
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I just told everybody I’m out if it isn’t on signal. Which, fortunately, also got me out of a few group chats - nice
Matrix. Self-hostable, and basically everything you’re looking for. Just can be a real PITA to setup TURN/STUN.
I’ve been looking for an alternative as well. My gaming friends always use Skype when we play together. We started a million years ago when Skype was huge and everyone had it and since it kept working, we kept it around.
We tried a lot of stuff, but nothing just works the way Skype always did. Why did MS have to be bitches and get rid of it.
Mumble has a very small footprint and exceptional voice quality. It’s intended to use while gaming as well.
Looks good, but video chat is a must have. We like to give each other the middle finger often.
I’ve been using jitsi meet for video calls for years now, that should work just fine.
Thanks, I’ll look into it. It doesn’t seem that easy but might be an option
Yeah I remember it was not that easy to set up, but it’s gotten a lot easier recently. I switched from the native to the docker install last year and was surprised to have it all back up and running in an afternoon…
In my opinion Signal as easy to use and Matrix if need some advanced skills :D
I’m in the process of setting up matrix / synapse for this case. Usability is yet to be determined because I need to recruit a sibling or two to test it out more, but I do have calls working on the element x app. Definitely not for the light hearted based on all the config options and possibility of federation.
I host a Nextcloud for my family and it came with Nextcloud Talk which works fine
Why not Signal? it’s like WA. My family were able to accept it in the end, and it’s easier now than years ago.
Controversial take:
When Signal came up WA sucked, wasn’t secure. Nowadays they adopted the same E2EE that Signal uses and there isn’t much difference privacy-wise. Of course I still prefer not to feed the Zuckerborg, but WA objectively isn’t as bad as it was back then.
edit: apparently the E2EE does not apply to media and document attachments, and all metadata, so you might still want to consider who you entrust with that.
Controversial take
Meta still collects all the meta data it gets it’s hands on. Also WhatsApp is completely closed source and proprietary. You will never know if they properly encrypt your stuff and if the private keys really never leave your device. You still have to trust Zuckerberg that he properly protects your data … from him.
meta data
private keys
Don’t get baited into tech talk: it’s a strategy. We do not control WhatsApp, anti-libre software.
WhatsApp fails to include a libre software license text file. We do not control it, anti-libre software.
These victims will believe anything WhatsApp tells them but you can dodge their scam.
WhatsApp being not as bad as it used to be is a low bar that doesn’t really speak to any sort of reliability or trustworthiness
Eating a different turd still tastes of shit.
Beeper is a good, easy solution. And it has a few platforms that might entice your family (FB, x, Whatsapp, signal, etc). It’s basically matrix with a bunch of bridges preset up… it can be self hosted if you really want to be privacy focused… I like it as it makes the login experience much easier than a traditional matrix app (like it just email them a code each login)
wire
