4 ms·

> Don’t use it because others force you (WhatsApp). That's probably the worst example you could provide. The only utility of WhatsApp is because others use it.

by sofixa 2y ago

> Don’t use it because others force you (WhatsApp). That's probably the worst example you could provide. The only utility of WhatsApp is because others use it. If you want to communicate with those others, that's your one and only option. You might have luck convincing some of your social contacts to move to a different chat tool, maybe, but there's around zero chance you'll be able to convince all of them.

4ggr0 2y ago
I was able to convince all of my friends and family to use Signal so that they can chat with me, the rest just uses SMS, Telegram, Threema or something else to communicate with me...haven't had WhatsApp since 2021.
- ho_schi 2y ago
  Mostly Signal here :) SMS works fine and E-Mail is instant thanks to Push-Mail. Nearly no force on, others. Both standards. If they tell you the will cut the contact with you if they cannot force WhatsApp on you…that tells something about your relationship. Real friends would send letters if asked so. Right? Some would even visit you. I think WhatsApp is a example because it shows the power of (uninformed) masses. Thanks to software incompatibility it spread everywhere and force the others to use it. Same for software which runs only on Windows, it is the incompatibility of Windows, which uses the power of masses (applications without a port) as lever.
zelphirkalt 2y ago
That is why it is good advice. You inform other people about what WA is and does and ask them to use other tools and you do your part in fighting the network effect. If everyone did that, we would get rid of lots and lots of bad products. The advice is good, if you are steadfast enough or in a situation, where you can make the change. Many more people are than think themselves they are. They need to realize it though. They need to become informed citizen and informed about alternatives.

by sofixa 2y ago

4ggr0 2y ago

I was able to convince all of my friends and family to use Signal so that they can chat with me, the rest just uses SMS, Telegram, Threema or something else to communicate with me...haven't had WhatsApp since 2021.

ho_schi 2y ago
Mostly Signal here :) SMS works fine and E-Mail is instant thanks to Push-Mail. Nearly no force on, others. Both standards. If they tell you the will cut the contact with you if they cannot force WhatsApp on you…that tells something about your relationship. Real friends would send letters if asked so. Right? Some would even visit you. I think WhatsApp is a example because it shows the power of (uninformed) masses. Thanks to software incompatibility it spread everywhere and force the others to use it. Same for software which runs only on Windows, it is the incompatibility of Windows, which uses the power of masses (applications without a port) as lever.

zelphirkalt 2y ago

That is why it is good advice. You inform other people about what WA is and does and ask them to use other tools and you do your part in fighting the network effect. If everyone did that, we would get rid of lots and lots of bad products. The advice is good, if you are steadfast enough or in a situation, where you can make the change. Many more people are than think themselves they are. They need to realize it though. They need to become informed citizen and informed about alternatives.