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The article actually proposes an alternative: Matrix, and Matrix is, in fact, a good piece of software, with federation options. I tend to agree with most part
by pmlnr 8y ago
The article actually proposes an alternative: Matrix, and Matrix is, in fact, a good piece of software, with federation options.
I tend to agree with most parts of the article, especially the lack of federation options.
My real pain point with Signal is that there is no real desktop application for it - no, a connected web interface is not a desktop application. For example, XMPP with OMEMO can be used simultaneously from Android Conversations AND Pidgin - same account, same messages (yes, it needs XMPP Carbons on the server), e2e.
- Vinnl 8y agoWhat do you mean by a "connected" web interface? And what would being a desktop application bring it? Signal Desktop is somewhat buggy, not that full-features, and doesn't integrate that well with the rest of my OS, but otherwise it's working fine, and I can use it simultaneously with my phone. (But I can also use it with my phone turned off, which I love.)
- pdkl95 8y ago> but otherwise it's working fine It doesn't work at all for me, because it requires a mobile phone number, which I don't have (a phone + any monthly subscription fee doesn't fit in a tiny fixed income budget).
- Vinnl 8y agoI don't think that has anything to do with the desktop app specifically?
- pmlnr 8y agoIt does. Desktop app is desktop, end of story - no GSM connection and/or phone number should be required.
- Vinnl 8y agoIt sounds like you'd also be against requiring phone numbers if they didn't have a desktop app...
- pmlnr 8y agoA phone app requiring a phone number is reasonable; it doesn't matter if I like it or not. On a desktop app, it's not reasonable to ask for a phone number. Ask for something else; email, for example.
- eropple 8y agoGoogle Voice numbers are free. Is that perfect? No, but if you want another unambiguous identifier, it's going to cost. Moxie does not have a lever that can move the world; if you think you do, you are probably well invited to haul on it.
- pdkl95 8y ago> if you want another unambiguous identifier, it's going to cost Nonsense - my XMPP addresses are free, globally unambiguous, federated, and support 3 types of end-to-end encryption. A phone number is patently unnecessary. The only reason to require a phone number is to tie the encrypted packets to a known identity.
- eropple 8y agoAn identity that everyone else already knows, yes. I figured that was so obvious as to not require elaboration.
- velosol 8y agoI understand you may not have a phone number at all, but Signal doesn't actually require that you have a mobile phone number at all. It can be a landline or VOIP line that can receive a call and you get a voice verification. Of course many don't want to tie their communications to some other identifier and that's fine but that does mean that Signal isn't for those people.
- genericid 8y ago> My real pain point with Signal is that there is no real desktop application for it Signal is open source, you can write your own -- just kidding. Moxie Marlinspike wants to lock you into his client as Facebook, Google and their ilk lock you into theirs.[1] [1]https://github.com/LibreSignal/LibreSignal/issues/37#issuecomment-217211165 https://github.com/LibreSignal/LibreSignal/issues/37#issueco...