4 ms·

Legit question: What are the alternatives to Skype? Although it's become much less relevant for IM purposes, it's still my to-go application for ad-hoc video c

by m000 6y ago

Legit question: What are the alternatives to Skype? Although it's become much less relevant for IM purposes, it's still my to-go application for ad-hoc video calls with friends and family. Mostly because (a) it has an actively maintained desktop client, (b) it is offered as a standalone service, (c) it is home-user friendly (won't splash you with meeting and calendar buttons like zoom).

javagram 6y ago
FaceTime, Facebook messenger/instagram video calling, Google hangouts or whatever their new chat and video app is called, and since 2020 Zoom as well got a lot of home user adoption.
vel0city 6y ago
Signal now has video calling through their desktop application. (a) its actively maintained (b) unsure about requirements of "standalone service", but its stand alone as its only a chat service (c) its just a messaging client, no calendar/meeting kind of stuff Other than that I've had good success with web-focused services like Google Meet and Jit.si. There isn't a desktop app but to an extent that's been a win. All you need to do is email/text a link to your chosen friends and its all in their browser using web standards (or semi-standards, no plugins at least for modern FF/Chrome/Edge). No accounts, assuming they have a modern browser there's no software to install, just click and go.
- m000 6y ago
  Thanks for the pointer to the Signal desktop app! It looks pretty close to what I had in mind. As for the definition of a standalone service: One that doesn't tightly integrate with other offerings/ecosystems. Skype is kind of ok because other than connecting with your MS account, it doesn't promote other offerings. Also Microsoft's business model is not based on collecting and selling your data, at least not in the same extent as Google/FB. Web-focused services work ok if you're comfortable with the web. But for parents, grandparents etc., I feel that a standalone client with a simple interface is more foolproof.

by m000 6y ago

javagram 6y ago

FaceTime, Facebook messenger/instagram video calling, Google hangouts or whatever their new chat and video app is called, and since 2020 Zoom as well got a lot of home user adoption.

vel0city 6y ago

Signal now has video calling through their desktop application. (a) its actively maintained (b) unsure about requirements of "standalone service", but its stand alone as its only a chat service (c) its just a messaging client, no calendar/meeting kind of stuff Other than that I've had good success with web-focused services like Google Meet and Jit.si. There isn't a desktop app but to an extent that's been a win. All you need to do is email/text a link to your chosen friends and its all in their browser using web standards (or semi-standards, no plugins at least for modern FF/Chrome/Edge). No accounts, assuming they have a modern browser there's no software to install, just click and go.

m000 6y ago
Thanks for the pointer to the Signal desktop app! It looks pretty close to what I had in mind. As for the definition of a standalone service: One that doesn't tightly integrate with other offerings/ecosystems. Skype is kind of ok because other than connecting with your MS account, it doesn't promote other offerings. Also Microsoft's business model is not based on collecting and selling your data, at least not in the same extent as Google/FB. Web-focused services work ok if you're comfortable with the web. But for parents, grandparents etc., I feel that a standalone client with a simple interface is more foolproof.