This is an update to my 2017 post on how to keep in touch with me. Hope you find it helpful!

Communicating in 2017 2018 2019 2020

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. (See here, here,  here and will just search online – PS Facebook owns Whatsapp)

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 1 min 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 messaging to other Signal 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. I’ve tested this last year and could not really find a use case for it that Skype does not already fulfil. I.e. It’s much the same as skype and has the same issues around privacy etc. Also few people use it so it’s really not a useful replacement.

For both Signal and Telegram, if you have my mobile number you should be able to chat to me right away. If you don’t have it, drop me a message and I’ll send that to you.

Links:

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

Voice Calls

I use the following for voice calls:

• My mobile phone for local calls
• If you in the UK, you can use my work landline number: +441212 880 082. That will ring through to me or you will be able to leave a message.
• 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.

So get in touch 🙂