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

incentsitive

LotharIngum wrote: »

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.

He probably realised that nobody cared enough about staying in touch with him to download another app to do so.

Patww79

Patww79 wrote: »

Hangouts was better at this as it didn't look like it was designed for a 3 year old like Viber is.

I don't mind the design of Viber. The purple might not be to everyone's taste, but it's a nicer design than Whatsapp, and more customisable.

I was an extremely heavy user of Hangouts, and still use it with a group of my Android modding geek buddies. They're about the only ones still using it, though.

OldMrBrennan83

Basil3 wrote: »

I don't mind the design of Viber. The purple might not be to everyone's taste, but it's a nicer design than Whatsapp, and more customisable.

I was an extremely heavy user of Hangouts, and still use it with a group of my Android modding geek buddies. They're about the only ones still using it, though.

It never had a chance once it went off the list of preinstalled apps manufacturers had to bundle. Actually these days they probably can't force any to be bundled, in the EU anyway.

Me and the Mrs always used Hangouts as I'd have been on a Windows PC or tablet a lot but now that it's going we've just started to use Whatsapp.

Lucas Hood

Never hears of signal till now.

Not one of my contacts are on it.

Wish more used telegram. Telegram x is brilliant app.

Cienciano

demanufactured wrote: »

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

I agree with the first bit. Pretty much everyone uses whatsapp, I know 1 person who still use viber and of course my parents who are in their late 60's still use SMS messages.
But facebook messanger is something I would never have on my phone. I've never had any facebook app, first thing I do with a new phone if facebook is preinstalled is disable the app.

Dravokivich

Sirius Boner wrote: »

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

I used to get a ton of spam on Viber and only used it once for someone to send me something, because they used Viber.

It was just so bizarre. I'd rather just stick with the one thing. If someone isn't on whatsapp, I'd just send an sms instead. Not a big deal really.

Del2005

Cienciano wrote: »

I agree with the first bit. Pretty much everyone uses whatsapp, I know 1 person who still use viber and of course my parents who are in their late 60's still use SMS messages.
But facebook messanger is something I would never have on my phone. I've never had any facebook app, first thing I do with a new phone if facebook is preinstalled is disable the app.

WhatsApp is a Facebook app.

OldMrBrennan83

Del2005 wrote: »

WhatsApp is a Facebook app.

Not in the sense that it runs the battery down on your device to the same extent the main Facebook or Messenger apps do.

GBX

Whatsapp is owned by Facebook. It wasnt started by them. Its quite different to the FB Messenger as Patww79 has said.

OldMrBrennan83

I'm sure Facebook get lots of data from it, it's why they bought it and why they're in business at all, but at least so far the app itself has been left alone for the most part and didn't go visit like Viber or something.

That said, ads surely can't be far away.

Cienciano

Del2005 wrote: »

WhatsApp is a Facebook app.

I know that, I'd move to signal tomorrow if everyone else would. But it hasn't had data breaches and sold information taken from it. I'm sure it will, and I'm also sure if Signal or whatever got popular facebook would buy it.

seligehgit

Anybody got a workaround for the apparent inability to install signal desktop on a windows 10 32 bit OS?

RangeR

seligehgit wrote: »

Anybody got a workaround for the apparent inability to install signal desktop on a windows 10 32 bit OS?

Signal is compiled into a 64bit package. It just won't work on a 32bit Windows.


Can you backup your data and install 64bit Windows over your 32bit? You will lose all data as a fresh install would be required.


Alternatively, use a virtual machine with 64 bit windows in it. Not really usable as a daily driver, though.

seligehgit

RangeR wrote: »

Signal is compiled into a 64bit package. It just won't work on a 32bit Windows.


Can you backup your data and install 64bit Windows over your 32bit? You will lose all data as a fresh install would be required.


Alternatively, use a virtual machine with 64 bit windows in it. Not really usable as a daily driver, though.

Thanks very much but I'd prefer not go through the hassle of a backup and installation of windows 64 bit.

Squeeonline

The strangest thing in this thread is trying to figure out why someone would be running a 32bit os in 2021?

Riesen_Meal

Squeeonline wrote: »

The strangest thing in this thread is trying to figure out why someone would be running a 32bit os in 2021?

And why none of my contacts want to free themselves from WhatsApp...

AndrewJRenko

Fieldog wrote: »

And why none of my contacts want to free themselves from WhatsApp...

My older teen tells me none of the buddies are using WhatsApp now. They're not using Signal either - all Snapchat or Instagram.

Squeeonline

I managed to encourage a couple groups to move to Signal. Many people signed up for it after the T&C debacle a couple months ago, so now it is down to me to message people there rather than whatsapp.

Unfortunately, the main holdout in my life is the misses who doesn't think signal is pretty enough to use.

Also my parents, because it took long enough to get them to use whatsapp instead of sms and landlines to call. Especially with them in another country, it's not like I can grab their devices and force the switch for them.

Hector Savage

RangeR wrote: »

Signal is compiled into a 64bit package. It just won't work on a 32bit Windows.


Can you backup your data and install 64bit Windows over your 32bit? You will lose all data as a fresh install would be required.


Alternatively, use a virtual machine with 64 bit windows in it. Not really usable as a daily driver, though.

seligehgit wrote: »

Thanks very much but I'd prefer not go through the hassle of a backup and installation of windows 64 bit.

afaik if you reinstall windows, your old windows will get backed up to a windows.old folder.

Also you need 64 bit OS, 32 bit is way out of date...

Tec Diver

I am moving my chats to Signal or Telegram. I find Telegram handles groups better. I do still have some WhatsApp groups, but I'm not joining any more, and actively reducing the amount of them, along with disabling all notifications.
On Android, I use Signal instead of the normal SMS application, which it handles really well.

If you're happy with WhatsApp, stay with it. If not, move.

KildareP

Hector Savage wrote: »

afaik if you reinstall windows, your old windows will get backed up to a windows.old folder.

Also you need 64 bit OS, 32 bit is way out of date...

Careful! This is only if you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, or reset Windows using the built-in recovery tool.

Going 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice versa) requires a full format of the disk which wipes everything and Windows 10 to be installed from scratch from a USB or DVD.

RangeR

KildareP wrote: »

Careful! This is only if you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, or reset Windows using the built-in recovery tool.

Going 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice versa) requires a full format of the disk which wipes everything and Windows 10 to be installed from scratch from a USB or DVD.

Indeed. And besides, the windows.old folder is just that. It's a backup of the old C:\Windows. There are no user files or programs in there. It's useless to most people, excepting maybe a version downgrade.

Invidious

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

My older teen tells me none of the buddies are using WhatsApp now. They're not using Signal either - all Snapchat or Instagram.

WhatsApp and Signal at least have the advantage of encryption, which Snapchat and Instagram do not.

RangeR

Invidious wrote: »

WhatsApp and Signal at least have the advantage of encryption, which Snapchat and Instagram do not.

And unfortunately, the majority don't care about encryption. They only care about how to contact their friends.... and get likes for their content.

human 19

LotharIngum wrote: »

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.

Yep. non-techhie family members. the same reason we are still on facebook instead of diaspora.