In light of what’s happened to Durov and possibly seeing Telegram compromised, I’m doubling my efforts to find a new main messenger. Before you start, not Signal as it’s a bad fit for the needs of me, my family and friends.
So what do I need?
- The ability to run on multiple devices. Me, my family and friends all have multiple Android devices.
- The ability to run on desktop. Linux and Windows.
- Built in sticker repository. What can I say, I like to lazy flirt.
- Animated Emoji. I like my messenger experience vibrant.
- Material You. Again with the vibrancy, but also, it’s a sign of modernity.
- Phone number linking. My family and friends are lazy as hell.
- Synchronized chats. I don’t mind self hosting a bridge, but the ability to see messages on multiple devices is a must.
- Voice Messages
- Video Calls
- Group Video Calls
Can anyone recommend anything?
Because none of the examples you listed have end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy for one, including IRC. Also, IRC specifically is very confusing to even make a username on and keep it, let alone know how to do anything else on.
We have never used Discord or Slack, specifically because they don’t have e2ee, but at least they have, from what we understand, a pretty simple sign up process and good UI/UX.
I admit that is inherently an insecure form of communication. I don’t see a problem if you’re using PGP though. And at least IRC can be self hosted. I suppose one can use a private Matrix instance too.
What problems are you having in signing up for IRC? Just use a client for your OS? I didn’t find it especially hard when I did it, I’m part of a few channels for Linux. Just treat it like you treat any group chat. If there’s bots there will also likely be a page with instructions/wiki
Unless you’re using PGP on Discord and Slack too I don’t understand how you’re not disgusted by them.
Yes, this is why we use matrix over IRC due to e2ee. PGP last we checked doesn’t have PFS, sadly.
We remember when we used IRC having to remember all those silly commands for nick bots wasn’t exactly good UX.
We said that we don’t use Discord/Slack for that reason, so yes, we are disgusted by them too.