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Whatsapp vs Signal - Why aren't more on signal?

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  • 06-01-2019 3:10am
    #1
    Suckit
    Registered Users Posts: 11,215 ✭✭✭✭


    I don't get why more don't join signal.
    I get that there is viber, wechat, kakaotalk etc. as alternatives to whatsapp, and wire as an alternative to Signal. (Matrix also)

    But Signal is made by the same guy (team) that developed whatsapp and have added some features (they are also missing some).
    With signal there is no way to 'emphasise' text (*Bold* _Italic_ ~Strikethrough~) etc.
    But they have better privacy.

    Other than that they are almost identical. (Signal doesn't allow privately shared images/videos into the maistream of your device). Signal allows disappearing messages timed to your choice also.
    There is also a lot more advantages that I am sure are explained online already..
    This may be one
    - http://blog.awok.com/signal-vs-whatsapp/

    Is it a case of the people that grew up with it still using signal, and the older folk that are used to it not wanting to change?


«13

Comments

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    #2
    lertsnim
    Registered Users Posts: 9,724 ✭✭✭lertsnim


    I've never heard of Signal until now.


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    #3
    Wheety
    Registered Users Posts: 5,510 ✭✭✭Wheety


    lertsnim wrote: »
    I've never heard of Signal until now.

    This.


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    #4
    Blacktie.
    Registered Users Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭Blacktie.


    Never heard of Signal and WhatsApp has a absolutely gigantic lead on them. Good luck getting all your friends to convert to another messaging platform when WhatsApp does a good enough job already.


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    #5
    vectorvictor
    Registered Users Posts: 745 ✭✭✭vectorvictor


    There's already too many ways to communicate. WhatsApp at this stage is pretty universal - very rare I'd look to message someone and find they're not on it.

    Never heard of Signal but I do know the last thing I need is another messaging app.

    What's really needed is something that brings everything together into one clean single page interface to end having to remember who's on WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger , SMS only etc..


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    #6
    flexcon
    Registered Users Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭flexcon


    Never heard of Signal.

    I do use telegram with some people though. I am slightly concerned that since WhatsApp is owned by Facebook there is a risk to leaking data but it's sorta unfounded on proof and only going on whats happened so far with Facebook in the news.


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    #7
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    I could never understand WhatsApp over Viber. WhatsApp always depends on an active internet connection on your phone, whereas you can still send Viber messages from your laptop or whatever even if your phone is dead. On top of that, there's features like Viber Out and editing messages.

    At this point, it will be very difficult for WhatsApp to be knocked off its perch.


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    #8
    Johnnyhpipe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 748 ✭✭✭Johnnyhpipe


    Like everyone else who’s posted above - never heard of it and don’t seem to need it.

    I wonder when/if WhatsApp will die out though like bebo/myspace? Everything has its time but it seems to be incredibly popular!


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    #9
    mrcheez
    Registered Users Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    vectorvictor wrote: »

    What's really needed is something that brings everything together into one clean single page interface to end having to remember who's on WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger , SMS only etc..

    I sort of have that via my smart watch where I get all messages in the one app and respond to all using the one app regardless of what app was used to send/receive on the phone.

    Of course it requires all the apps are installed on the phone, but it's a glimpse into the future as I don't generally notice any longer how a message came to me as I just use my watch mainly to respond via voice.


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    #10
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    flexcon wrote: »
    Never heard of Signal.

    I do use telegram with some people though. I am slightly concerned that since WhatsApp is owned by Facebook there is a risk to leaking data but it's sorta unfounded on proof and only going on whats happened so far with Facebook in the news.

    If you're thinking it, they are doing it. The problem is getting the evidence.


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    #11
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,651 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    I'm considering going back to smoke signals, or perhaps semaphore and carrier pigeons.


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    #12
    LotharIngum
    Registered Users Posts: 210 ✭✭LotharIngum


    A friend of mine decided to stop using WhatsApp.

    He sent everyone a last WhatsApp with a link to signal and explained why he was leaving WhatsApp and that he would now be on signal.

    Everyone just decided, one bloody messaging service is enough and didn't bother with signal.

    After about two weeks he tried to get us all to leave signal again.

    Then after another week he was feeling left out as no one went to signal and hes back on WhatsApp.


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    #13
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    I wish I could convince more people use telegram, it's really good, the best of them IMO


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    #14
    Sirius Boner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 412 ✭✭Sirius Boner


    Basil3 wrote: »
    I could never understand WhatsApp over Viber. WhatsApp always depends on an active internet connection on your phone, whereas you can still send Viber messages from your laptop or whatever even if your phone is dead. On top of that, there's features like Viber Out and editing messages.

    At this point, it will be very difficult for WhatsApp to be knocked off its perch.

    Viber is today's bebo unfortunately, it's more about stickers and aimed at the tween market these days


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    #15
    LotharIngum
    Registered Users Posts: 210 ✭✭LotharIngum


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    I wish I could convince more people use telegram, it's really good, the best of them IMO


    But its bad enough that you need to have both viber and WhatsApp installed without more messaging apps.
    If the majority are happy with WhatsApp then you are fighting a strong current trying to everyone else to add a new client because you like it more than WhatsApp.


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    #16
    lsjmhar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Signal is a great system. Matrix however allows bridging between systems so it will eventually (probably) be an all-in-one messenger.

    I use telegram as it has a desktop client for texting. So long as you are using a company's server you're messages are never private. How do you know that these companies don't hold The keys to decrypt your communication.

    The best option is to set up a private xmpp server and get all your mates on Conversation. However, they would need to be able to trust you with their messages. You would need to write up a policy on GDPR and they would need to sign it and ...............!!!!!


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    #17
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    LotharIngum wrote: »
    But its bad enough that you need to have both viber and WhatsApp installed without more messaging apps.
    If the majority are happy with WhatsApp then you are fighting a strong current trying to everyone else to add a new client because you like it more than WhatsApp.

    I'd drop WhatsApp in the morning as I don't trust their security at all. It wouldn't cost me a thought. Nor would I care if people couldn't contact me. I've not got Viber. I have a few on Telegram, I'd be happy to keep that one


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    #18
    McMurphy
    Registered Users Posts: 13,365 ✭✭✭✭McMurphy


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    I wish I could convince more people use telegram, it's really good, the best of them IMO

    I have been on telegram since last March.

    A few colleagues and myself are on it for specific communication and for support, I find it good myself.


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    #19
    LotharIngum
    Registered Users Posts: 210 ✭✭LotharIngum


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    I'd drop WhatsApp in the morning as I don't trust their security at all. It wouldn't cost me a thought. Nor would I care if people couldn't contact me. I've not got Viber. I have a few on Telegram, I'd be happy to keep that one


    That's what my friend said.
    But it turned out he was the only one who ended up having a problem in the end.
    When there were were a few meetups and he asked why we didn't contact him and people just said they sent messages to the WhatsApp group and if he wasn't on it that was his problem he resisted for a little while, but eventually he didn't want to be left out.

    I was quite happy to contact him passing on messages at first but I just got sick of being a relay and I stopped.


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    #20
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    People are on WhatsApp so that's the one to use. No point in being on one that you can't message people on. I did delete Viber about a year ago when it got too spammy with stickers and all. Just told anyone who messaged me on it to get WhatsApp or SMS me.

    Hangouts was the best of the lot for me as it was the only one to properly sync across everything without messing about with QR codes and it had a tablet app but now that it's not pre installed on Android phones nobody has it any more. They're killing it this year anyway.


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    #21
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Never heard of Signal.

    I wish people would realise IM can be delayed through poor data connection. So don't use it for time crital communication.


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    #22
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    beauf wrote: »
    Never heard of Signal.

    I wish people would realise IM can be delayed through poor data connection. So don't use it for time crital communication.

    Always have read receipts turned off anyway.


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    #23
    LotharIngum
    Registered Users Posts: 210 ✭✭LotharIngum


    Patww79 wrote: »
    Always have read receipts turned off anyway.


    First thing I do when installing anything.
    God I had the way people expect you to get back to them immediately when they senmd you a message


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    #24
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    LotharIngum wrote: »
    First thing I do when installing anything.
    God I had the way people expect you to get back to them immediately when they senmd you a message

    And 'Last Seen' off on WhatsApp too.


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    #25
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    LotharIngum wrote: »
    First thing I do when installing anything.
    God I had the way people expect you to get back to them immediately when they senmd you a message

    If I'm not getting the message till I walk back into coverage I don't think that makes much difference. even when I have coverage I don't reply immediately unless it's needed.


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    #26
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    beauf wrote: »
    If I'm not getting the message till I walk back into coverage I don't think that makes much difference. even when I have coverage I don't reply immediately unless it's needed.

    Yes but others can see that you've received and read the message but not bothered replying, how rude! :-)


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    #27
    Suckit
    Registered Users Posts: 11,215 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    I knew signal was not as popular, but I hadn't realised it was because it was so unknown/unheard of. The OP was mainly me thinking aloud, but I thought Signal was better known than it is.

    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    I wish I could convince more people use telegram, it's really good, the best of them IMO
    I use Telegram, but mainly only for groups like Music, bargains, forum chat and support groups, some blogs too but to a much lesser extent.
    It's just not something I ever consider for direct messaging with people. Not sure why.
    Barely open discord anymore.


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    #28
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,396 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    Like everyone else who’s posted above - never heard of it and don’t seem to need it.

    I wonder when/if WhatsApp will die out though like bebo/myspace? Everything has its time but it seems to be incredibly popular!

    I’d say it’s more likely that Facebook messager will be integrated into WhatsApp


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    #29
    demanufactured
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭demanufactured


    Far too many messaging apps about these days.
    I stretch as far as Facebook messenger.


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    #30
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    Yes but others can see that you've received and read the message but not bothered replying, how rude! :-)

    1st world problems in fairness...


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    #31
    dubrov
    Registered Users Posts: 3,558 ✭✭✭dubrov


    Suckit wrote:
    I knew signal was not as popular, but I hadn't realised it was because it was so unknown/unheard of. The OP was mainly me thinking aloud, but I thought Signal was better known than it is.


    It's not because it's unknown. It's because it was late to the party. Signal is only unknown because no one is using it.

    Whatsapp has pretty much hoovered up the whole market already. Peuple are very slow to change.


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