Go switch to Signal.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/a25736/signal-app-guide-how-to-use/
yeah, I'll wait.
You aren't in danger today, but someone you know will be prolly within the next 2-4 months, and using Signal could *literally* save their life.
Plus, you can send extra big gifs to your contacts, and it has encrypted calling.
Seriously, stop waffling and go switch, it will import your texts and nothing changes for your non-Signal contacts.
@eryn My wife and I started using Signal once I made up my mind to quit using Facebook.
Hey, you.
Yeah, you, reading this.
I am speaking directly, and uniquely, to you.
I love you.
Help me get people to switch to Signal.
Use any means necessary, within the moral bounds of "literally trying to save lives".
Some of my friends are gonna feel like I'm being super pushy, and I'm gonna tell them to suck it up and save a life.
If you, and I, and everyone else convinces just *one* person per day, everyone on earth will be converted to use Signal within 16 days, give or take a week.
chat app discourse Show more
So, here is my ask:
Until the Quadrantids meteor shower ends on January 17, 2018, I want you, personally, to do this with me.
Help me start saving lives. In the next two weeks, by expending literally less than 10% of our day, we can make a significant, measurable improvement in our 2018 quality of life.
68,719,476,736 <-- 8^12 (eight people per month, 12 months)
8,000,000,000,000 <-- appx number of people on earth
20,922,789,888,000 <-- (1 person per day, 16 days)
@eryn
May I ask how spending less saves lives? This is a legit question.
this is one of the core tenents of socialism.
We value eachother more than we value our hypothetical moneytokens from the Filthy Capitalists.
I will do my best to respond to anyone who has questions or comments or criticisms, but I will also be very firm and direct about my purpose here.
Short of you being willing to tell me, directly, these words with absolute sincerity:
"Yes, I firmly believe that my objection is more important than the safety and health of your friends and loved ones. I'm okay with them dying."
I will hound you. I will push you. I will be blunt with you.
I will also be kind.
Please be kind to eachother, loves.
This effort is dedicated to Neil Gaiman, who inspired my heart to resist dispair many times in the last few months, and to @TipsyTentacle who will always live, bright and happy, in my memories.
https://neverwear.myshopify.com/products/brand-new-neils-new-year-wish-2-illustrated-by-david-mack
THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
THIS IS A USE OF THE E-MEME-GENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM.
ADDITIONAL MESSAGES TO FOLLOW.
I did that math wrong. That last one is supposed to be labeled "16!" not...what it is. Sorry.
#factsmatter
16 days of doubling two is 65536 people. Still neat, but not a "win".
@eryn in Wire you can sign up without phone number. Same in Riot/Matrix. But Signal is something.
@eryn Any idea on whether Signal's computer app form is in any way affected by the chip issues?
@ruth tl;dr - yes, it's affected.
@eryn /deep sigh, thanks.
@eryn What have you found is the best way to convince someone to start using a new app like Signal? Often, most people I try to tell about it just think that I'm being paranoid or that cyber security isn't much of a big deal.
@eryn Doesn't support Linux... is it more secure than Wire?
@eryn (Then again, I *think* Wire only "supports" Linux in the sense of having a web UI... so as long as Signal has one of those, it's probably a near-equivalent.)
@woozle @eryn Please excuse us for jumping into your thread, we've used Signal for a long time, it does have a linux client, sort of basic, only supports direct to other Signal clients, no external SMS, but hey, it's a WIP.
Signal uses a cellphone number, but only because it needs SMS confirmation on initial setup. We're trying to get it working, free, using the iNum +8831500 international, non-country code specific prefix to include direct to SMS, so far it's a bit fraught for little old New Zealand, lack of support from local telecoms providers, but for continental US/Canda it's probably easier.
Will post whenever we get int'l compliant results.
@woozle @eryn Even if you you don't support Edward Snowden's opinions, he's an extraordinary magpie for finding tech that does it right, and Signal is right up there on his must have list.
And even if encryption is only "meh" on your list of concerns, just the good, solid code aspect of it really deserves consideration, well in our opinion anyway.
@sophieactual Sorry for delay - was off doing other things.
I was impressed by Moxie's idea for an SSL CA alternative several years ago, so yeah, willing to take seriously any project he's behind.
Thanks for the rec and the info ^.^
@eryn I do use Signal, but I'm wondering what happens if I have marked a contact as being a Signal user and I don't have a data connection. Can I still send SMS?
Using Signal could have saved the lives of some of my LGBTQ/kinky/furry/etc friend's lives in 2016-2017.
Please go download it once you finish reading that.
If you need Signal to stay safe, you need the person on the other end of the connection to be safe for you to contact.
This is not about you...!
This is about keeping everyone you and I and everyone else cares about safe from modern threats to their lives.
Inoculate this cause of death.
That's how we win.