I really struggle to keep in touch with folks. One of the factors for this is that I don’t use many of the mainstream apps folks use to communicate online. Specifically, Facebook or Whatsapp.

So… in hope that folks will start using some of the tools I use, and therefore help me in terms of keeping in touch, I wrote the article below, reposted from my work blog.

Update 23/02: I’ve being testing “Wire“. Really like what they doing, more on that once I’m sure I’m keeping it.

Updated: 03/03: I’ve re-written the post below, so it differs now from the post on my work blog.

Communicating in 2017

WhatsApp. Facebook. The bane of my life and the only way some folks communicate.

And well, I guess that’s ok. But personally, being aware of the issues around privacy, it’s not ok for me. 

I really do understand that you probably don’t appreciate why I do this or just don’t get it. And that’s ok, I understand. It’s just “easier” to use FB or Whatsapp cause, well everyone else does.

I respect that and I’m not saying you must not use these services. What I’m asking is that you respect my choice not to.

I’ve updated this post today after a few experiences over the past while where I’ve received some really frustrated comments from friends and that look that says “you being a little silly about this aren’t you…”. I feel a little hurt by it to be honest. This is my choice, I’m choosing to stand by ideals I believe in. I’m not asking you to make the same choices, just to respect mine.

So here is my challenge to you.

If it’s important to you. You can contact me using any of the services I mention below. You don’t have to stop using any service you already use, just install another app, all of 5 mins of your time.

Messaging

I think this is the big one, where the biggest change can happen.  I use the following for messaging:

• Email. It really is a better solution for all but those times when you want to instantly “chat” to someone (or need encrypted messaging) and my preferred method of communicating when I need to action something. Want to meet for dinner next week. Organising a trip away?  Email me! It’s also great in terms of being able to archive important discussions for referring back to at a later date.
  Email is not perfect. But if you give it some TLC, you’ll find it’s truly useful and utterly indispensable. Email is also the ONLY truly federated and open communication standard we have left. I.e. if you have a google email address you can email someone that has a yahoo email address no problem. An example of non-federated – you cannot send a whatsapp message to someone if they don’t have whatsapp… you see the problem…?
• Telegram is really is a drop-in replacement for Whatsapp in terms of messaging. I’d call this a compromise solution. Still not fully open code and practices that fully protect your data and privacy, but “better” than Whatsapp/Facebook.
• Signal is “best of breed” for security, privacy. It’s a messaging app that allows free messgaing to other Singal users, but also handles your SMS’s if you want it to. It’s like whatsapp but without selling your data and giving away your privacy.
• Wire is new, I’m still evaluating it. But it does free messaging and calls. They seem to be on the right track in terms of open code, privacy and data protection.

For both Signal and Telegram, if you have my mobile number you should be able to chat to me right away. For Wire you need my username, so drop me a message and I’ll send that to you. Same for my mobile number if you need it.

Links:

• Signal Website (Android | iOS)
• Telegram Website (Android | iOS)
• Wire Website  (Android | iOS | Computer)

Voice Calls

I use the following for voice calls:

• My mobile phone for local calls
• Wire Website  (Android | iOS | Computer) – Does video and conference calls.
• Skype for video calls to friends or video conferencing, for receiving work calls (anywhere in the world with a decent Internet connection) and making international calls. – NOTE – I think I’m slowly moving away from skype  due to concerns over privacy and the stability of the platform.

So get in touch 🙂