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I don't understand all this recent Signal bashing here on HN. I have been using Signal for some time now on a daily basis and I haven't had real usability issu

by uselpa 10y ago

I don't understand all this recent Signal bashing here on HN. I have been using Signal for some time now on a daily basis and I haven't had real usability issues. We cannot hold OWS responsible for the insecurity of our operating systems, the nature of today's cloud or hardware infrastructure, the choices we make for comfort reasons, and what not. What they do is provide us with, and I think most of us would actually agree, a secure messenger that is both free of charge and best of breed, or close to. And as with every open source project, it's their project, but you're free to fork it and provide us with something better if you don't agree with their choices. So if you need a secure messenger now, because you need or want privacy, Signal is an excellent option, free of charge, open source. What are we actually complaining about? I don't know moxie but it seems that he's actually open to suggestions and offers if you're willing to provide some manpower as well. Then he has his convictions but still offers to discuss them constructively. Again, what is there to complain about? As for myself, I contact support if I have a question or issue, and they have been very helpful. I donated to the project, also because they are supported by http://freedom.press http://freedom.press, and I value a free press. And even though I am absolutely not interested into the giphy thing (I'm on iOS so I haven't really seen it yet), I'll open an issue on github if I want Signal to change. And I invite everybody to support the project in this way, and make sure that the projects that are actually supporting our interests don't get abandoned in favour of comfortable-to-use data-hogs like Facebook, WhatsApp or Telegram.

subliminalpanda 10y ago
Personally speaking I would have much rather have a feature in Signal that allows me to send documents or attachments from my various cloud providers rather than a gif search.
iamnothere 10y ago
This may not be true of everyone, but my own criticisms of Signal are meant as a constructive critique, and not as "bashing." Signal occupies a valuable spot in a new market, and we all win if it continues to improve. Think about what is at stake. Many people working in politics, law, human rights, and other areas absolutely need a way to communicate securely, especially when their causes don't align with the interests of those in power. If you're wondering why people are so passionate about having a more secure platform, that's why. In this case, it's important to be forgiving if people seem hostile or overly critical.
darklajid 10y ago
I'm one to claim that Signal isn't for me on a regular basis. Can't find the link right now, but I confessed a good while ago that I somehow hold Signal to another standard. Currently I'm backing off, trying to reduce my critical comments. It's a great project, and it probably should be more widely adopted. For me? I feel this is a weird uncanny valley effect for IM solutions. It's not ugly as shit, but it's also not quite there yet and that leads me to leash out at Signal every now and then (keywords for me: lacking federation, phone number is a crappy _mandatory_ identity). Now, that's really not fair. I don't complain about WhatsApp as much as I complain about Signal. It's a double standard and I understand that - but can't help myself here.

by uselpa 10y ago

subliminalpanda 10y ago

Personally speaking I would have much rather have a feature in Signal that allows me to send documents or attachments from my various cloud providers rather than a gif search.

iamnothere 10y ago

This may not be true of everyone, but my own criticisms of Signal are meant as a constructive critique, and not as "bashing." Signal occupies a valuable spot in a new market, and we all win if it continues to improve. Think about what is at stake. Many people working in politics, law, human rights, and other areas absolutely need a way to communicate securely, especially when their causes don't align with the interests of those in power. If you're wondering why people are so passionate about having a more secure platform, that's why. In this case, it's important to be forgiving if people seem hostile or overly critical.

darklajid 10y ago

I'm one to claim that Signal isn't for me on a regular basis. Can't find the link right now, but I confessed a good while ago that I somehow hold Signal to another standard. Currently I'm backing off, trying to reduce my critical comments. It's a great project, and it probably should be more widely adopted. For me? I feel this is a weird uncanny valley effect for IM solutions. It's not ugly as shit, but it's also not quite there yet and that leads me to leash out at Signal every now and then (keywords for me: lacking federation, phone number is a crappy _mandatory_ identity). Now, that's really not fair. I don't complain about WhatsApp as much as I complain about Signal. It's a double standard and I understand that - but can't help myself here.