4 ms·

Counting number of options I might have when trying to do a video/voice call with someone: 1. Facetime 2. Skype 3. Hangouts 4. GoToMeeting 5. Slack 6. Fac

by n00b101 10y ago

Counting number of options I might have when trying to do a video/voice call with someone: 1. Facetime 2. Skype 3. Hangouts 4. GoToMeeting 5. Slack 6. Facebook 7. WhatsApp The fragmentation / lack of standards we had with IM is now a reality in video/voice calling as well.

tonyplee 10y ago
Also line, wechat and webex, iMessage. IMO, competitions, choices with communication SW are very good for all users. I like all the apps, options, free, ads, paid, webbase, mobile, etc. No need for unified standard.
- stephenr 10y ago
  The standard being referenced in the comment you replied to is about a standard protocol, not a single "standard" app. Think the web/browsers.
bmatt 10y ago
Also tried Zoom (zoom.us) which worked quite nicely for small groups.
notatoad 10y ago
fragmentation carries some negative connotation, but in this context it's a great simple way to maintain some division between your communities. my skype account gets given out to customers and various random people i need to connect to at work. video calls with co-workers happen using hangouts. whatsapp is for family. i don't really want to merge all of those contact pools into a single app.
- stephenr 10y ago
  If we used standard/open IM/AV call protocols (lets say XMPP, and XMPP Jingle) you would just have two accounts, just like you have a personal and a work email address. You can then choose to either: - use a client that supports multiple accounts/profiles (either one at a time or multiple concurrent logins); or - use two separate apps. "I want to keep my private and work life separate" is not a good defence of fragmentation. By your logic, we should encourage every single email provider/software vendor/project to use their own subtly different protocol, and require the use of their own client software.
- manigandham 10y ago
  Apps != accounts You dont have to merge anything. I'm sure you have multiple email accounts for work and personal use don't you?

by n00b101 10y ago

tonyplee 10y ago

Also line, wechat and webex, iMessage. IMO, competitions, choices with communication SW are very good for all users. I like all the apps, options, free, ads, paid, webbase, mobile, etc. No need for unified standard.

stephenr 10y ago
The standard being referenced in the comment you replied to is about a standard protocol, not a single "standard" app. Think the web/browsers.

bmatt 10y ago

Also tried Zoom (zoom.us) which worked quite nicely for small groups.

notatoad 10y ago

fragmentation carries some negative connotation, but in this context it's a great simple way to maintain some division between your communities. my skype account gets given out to customers and various random people i need to connect to at work. video calls with co-workers happen using hangouts. whatsapp is for family. i don't really want to merge all of those contact pools into a single app.

stephenr 10y ago
If we used standard/open IM/AV call protocols (lets say XMPP, and XMPP Jingle) you would just have two accounts, just like you have a personal and a work email address. You can then choose to either: - use a client that supports multiple accounts/profiles (either one at a time or multiple concurrent logins); or - use two separate apps. "I want to keep my private and work life separate" is not a good defence of fragmentation. By your logic, we should encourage every single email provider/software vendor/project to use their own subtly different protocol, and require the use of their own client software.
manigandham 10y ago
Apps != accounts You dont have to merge anything. I'm sure you have multiple email accounts for work and personal use don't you?