Global Swtich Day - Join The Fediverse

element is more of a discord replacement than messenger.

I would argue the opposite. Trying to use it as a Discord replacement is a nightmare, if you ever actually try it. You can use the comet app to fix that but it doesn't fix that it's a crazy slow protocol that collects all the metadata and is almost entirely controlled by the corporate entity that runs the matrix.org server.

My recommendation would be SimpleX.

Yeah, I've been recommending Signal to people to get them off Messenger and WhatsApp.

When suggesting switching now, today, in the near term, always present this as a 'new canvas', a new beginning in which we collectively will recreate what we want from what we left behind, and build forward to what we collectively desire. The lemmiverse I entered 2.5 years ago is not the place we have created up to this point. My early kbin content is more or less gone, I think, sigh, but so what. This is an opportunity, not an impediment. For example, because of the shambles IG creates when one exports one's content, I've been sorting out my less favored content, and sorting in my more favored images while also adding new on Pixelfed. One may wish to ask one's self, what do I want in my Fediverse, and what am I quite happy to leaving behind?

On top of that, I've seen a few of these posts over the last few hours, and it seems like they all have different recommendations for alternative apps.

I've seen at least three replacements for WhatsApp already, Signal, Element, and another one I've forgotten the name of. The one based on email. If I'm getting confused, imagine how a 'normal' person is going to feel.

Pixelfed has some wonderful third party apps. Like Impressia. They are definitely good enough.

I agree on loops.

Fluffychat works for matrix with a more signal vibe.

Yeah this is the third of these that I've seen. Why not just

Messenger/Whatsapp > Signal

Discord > Matrix/Element

I searched for Loops in the Google Play Store but it's not there...

I’ve been using matrix/fluffychat as a texting replacement with my friends.

It can work fine. Fluffychat UI works great.

But I think signal is just more practical to get people to switch too, and also more secure than Matrix, because of manual encryption.

@jayk @ekZepp I wish they wouldn't push the groups aspect so much, though I suspect that's a tactic to get people into the groups when their friends aren't all on it. Signal has the same problem of being in the hands of a few, and Matrix/Element actually supports multiple devices better anyway. It is just fine as a Messenger replacement.

First thought was “I’d prefer signal over element”. Your comment reminded me that element is federated.

Matrix as a whole is still federated and decentralised

Why would ActivityPub something I need in a messager? Not that savvy in all this stuff, but privacy seems the biggest concern here. So far I am happy with what signal has on offen.

Maybe it is more of a problem in these pictures to focus so hard on the fediverse instead of just good, open and free (as in foss) alternatives?

Ok, post any good alternative here. 👍

All you can do is check their interest and inform them. And switch yourself. Make yourself less available on the platform you are avoiding.

The single most common excuse for not shifting to the Fediverse has been in my experience, "I can't leave because everyone is still there." I've been dragging encouraging people to move towards Signal and the Fediverse for years now. Gentle persistence appears to be the way.