Debacle
I totally agree, that #Jabber is not always a smooth experience. It highly depends on selection of server, which client is in use, how is the network etc. I even wonder, if positions of stars and planets might play a role 🙂
But what would be the alternative? Either we invest our time, energy, and money into free and federated technology, such as #XMPP, or we give up on our #digitalSovereignty.
Gold gab ich für Eisen
@debacle @frankie I don't even mention setting up own server. When we are talking about communication software, it should be easily accessible, without requirements of solemn wows, degree in computer sciences or even long troubleshooting, otherwise the audience will be marginal, if any.
1. One need to get a client. On mobile it would be most probably #Conversations or some its forks of different degree of weirdness. Conversations requires either to pay them immediately or use #Fdroid. It is not bad to pay or donate them (though I am not happy about giving google my card) but it raises the entrance limit immediately. On desktop, one would have to mess up with a bunch of clients, from which only #Gajim and #Dino seem to be more or less modern (and quite probably one will need to install cutting-edge version from flatpak or whatever).
2. Well, then server. Well, there are reasonable, advice or research is necessary.
3. Troubleshooting and fine mistakes. E.g. #Conversations fails to ask microphone permission when somebody calls in, it just throws error. Yes, it is minor issue, but how many people will say "it doesn't work, it is buggy, why should I?" (recall, on that point the potential new user has already made a lot of research and possibly even paid some money). Again, #Conversations follow some weird barely understandable for me ritual on adding new contacts, I couldn't just add a contact and write to it.
Just to conclude, #xmpp is not a smooth experience for any non-geek.
Debacle
You are right, that setting up a modern #XMPP server has some "funny" aspects: You need the right DNS entries, you want to have an HTTP server, and there is #TURN for #Jingle.
But I didn't understand the post by @frankie in the way, they were promoting selfhosting.
For most "non-geek" people I suggest (for #Jabber as for email or fediverse/Mastodon) to select a trustworthy server. E.g. a local internet club, a cooperative or a small company. There are many free and paid options.
Gold gab ich für Eisen
@frankie Sorry, but this is just not true. Setting up #xmpp ecosystem is quite elaborated task, especially when you mean #jingle calls (I wonder if whoever ever managed to get them working).
frankie
After my old "smartphone" went off, I can't communicate anymore with friends on PC, as both #signal and #telegram force me to scan "QR" with mobile device. I don't want to depend on a smartphone anymore!
I took some time testing different options and I'm now bringing my friends to #xmpp - stable, reliable protocol, you can use any clients you want either on PC or phone, and allows easy encryption and calls!
After moving from twitter to #fediverse, it is time to desert centralized apps, people!
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