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There are a few similar projects, but they all have some differences (afaik): Firechat [1]: closed source, only group chats, no crypto Bluechat [2]: only grou

by Nutomic 11y ago

There are a few similar projects, but they all have some differences (afaik): Firechat [1]: closed source, only group chats, no crypto Bluechat [2]: only group chats Pinwheel Messenger [3]: only messages to direct neighbors (no routing) In contrast, Ensichat is for 1 on 1 chats, uses mesh routing and signs+encrypts messages. Are there any other, similar projects? [1] http://firech.at/ http://firech.at/ [2] https://github.com/AlexKang/blue-chat https://github.com/AlexKang/blue-chat [3] https://github.com/n8fr8/gilgamesh https://github.com/n8fr8/gilgamesh

erikb 11y ago
Which was the one used in the Hong Kong demonstrations? And if there's an app that misses a feature I would guess adding the feature should be less work than writing a completely new app that has all the features plus the new one. Especially 1-on-1 chat is a subproblem of n-on-n chat. Make a max 2 people "chat room" and you're done. "No crypto" is a feature, btw. It's very very very unlikely that a small open source project can get the right talent to make a secure chat app. Also I'm no expert but it might be impossible technically, with how the App infrastructure is designed and the flash storage that can't delete data at all and can't predictably overwrite it. So if everybody who tries it fails you do your users a favour by not trying and openly telling them that it's not secure. Tell them to use a Laptop and PGP emails for these usecases.
rakoo 11y ago
Please don't forget the Serval Project (http://www.servalproject.org/ http://www.servalproject.org/) that meshes over Wifi and does end-to-end encrypted voice, text and data transfers, has some serious backing (ie not a single developer on their free time), and is open source. I think I like Wifi more because it allows true meshing on long distances, and the Serval project uses simple phones with the application as routers.
- erikb 11y ago
  What I never really get is why meshing protocols not use any connection available. SMS, GSM, 3/4G, Wifi, Bluetooth, QRCode+Cam could also be used to sync chat histories to some degree. Being flexible about the path should have a huge impact on the resilience of a mesh network. Also using the option to 3/4G helps to overcome the beginning when few people use it.

by Nutomic 11y ago

erikb 11y ago

Which was the one used in the Hong Kong demonstrations? And if there's an app that misses a feature I would guess adding the feature should be less work than writing a completely new app that has all the features plus the new one. Especially 1-on-1 chat is a subproblem of n-on-n chat. Make a max 2 people "chat room" and you're done. "No crypto" is a feature, btw. It's very very very unlikely that a small open source project can get the right talent to make a secure chat app. Also I'm no expert but it might be impossible technically, with how the App infrastructure is designed and the flash storage that can't delete data at all and can't predictably overwrite it. So if everybody who tries it fails you do your users a favour by not trying and openly telling them that it's not secure. Tell them to use a Laptop and PGP emails for these usecases.

rakoo 11y ago

Please don't forget the Serval Project (http://www.servalproject.org/ http://www.servalproject.org/) that meshes over Wifi and does end-to-end encrypted voice, text and data transfers, has some serious backing (ie not a single developer on their free time), and is open source. I think I like Wifi more because it allows true meshing on long distances, and the Serval project uses simple phones with the application as routers.

erikb 11y ago
What I never really get is why meshing protocols not use any connection available. SMS, GSM, 3/4G, Wifi, Bluetooth, QRCode+Cam could also be used to sync chat histories to some degree. Being flexible about the path should have a huge impact on the resilience of a mesh network. Also using the option to 3/4G helps to overcome the beginning when few people use it.