this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2024
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I tried SimpleX but the VPN kill switch on my phone prevents syncing with my computer.

I use telegram primarily as a note taking app with sync features.

Occasionally I send files to friends, so having easy set up for tech illiterate would be great.

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[–] mipadaitu@lemmy.world 64 points 2 months ago (7 children)
[–] Sparkega@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago (6 children)

So easy to setup my tech illiterate parents could do it.

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[–] jeena@piefed.jeena.net 31 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I think Matrix is the way to go because you can host your own server and be completely self hosting without a 3rd party involved.

[–] kali@fedia.io 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

To add to this, XMPP is much cheaper to host and offers basically the same features when it comes to what OP needs. I host Prosody and it uses so little resources you could probably get it running on the cheapest server you could find.

[–] jeena@piefed.jeena.net 6 points 2 months ago (3 children)

It's probably 15 years ago I used XMPP the last time. Back then there were many compatibility problems between the apps and especially on the mobile phone with push notifications, etc. There were problems sending media and VOIP calls were non existent outside of the Google clients.

My guess is that some of those things improved but I have not heard anyone in my circles using it, especially since Matrix became a bit more popular, most of the Open Source projects on IRC also moved to Matrix.

[–] kali@fedia.io 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, XMPP has changed a loooott since then.

XMPP's main problems at the moment are clients, in my opinion. There's 3 main clients for PC; one is 100% python (including frontend) and breaks semi-regularly, one does not officially support Windows and thus cuts out a large portion of the community + doesn't have as many features as others, and one lacks features and looks extremely outdated. The state on iOS is even worse as well, and Android is fine but could be better.

If you're considering XMPP again, I'd recommend waiting a few months for Prose https://prose.org/ to fully release, it looks like it'll improve the experience a lot.

[–] anthony@programming.dev 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Can you provide names of these clients you’re mentioning?

[–] kali@fedia.io 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Python: Gajim Doesn't support Windows: Dino Outdated: PSI+

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

Dino is nice in GNOME as it's native Gtk which gets you a nicely integrated and modern look and feel. It's a little low on feature but fully usable.

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[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I've gone this route. Not for the faint of heart. If you're not self-hosting savvy, but you know someone that hosts a server, absolutely sign up with them. Or use a local public server like pikaviestin.fi, which provides accounts for finnish citizens.

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 7 points 2 months ago

This. I‘m hosting a couple matrix servers and have many friends who have a ton of issues. It really depends on the admin and how tech savvy everyone involved is. If you cant be arsed to understand how key sharing works and check out which is the best client for you, matrix might bot be the best choice. I love it, personally but I suggest it rarely since tech illiterate users tend to get really upset about a free product not matching their insane standards.

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[–] darkstar@sh.itjust.works 23 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Telegram as a note taking app?..... Now that's one I haven't heard before

[–] BarrierWithAshes@fedia.io 24 points 2 months ago (3 children)

You'd be surprised what people have been doing with Telegram's 'unlimited storage'.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 5 points 2 months ago

A gmail strat

[–] Rose@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 months ago

Must be why France wanted Durov.

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[–] terminal@lemmy.ml 19 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Just a heads up about people’s suggestions on signal. If you don’t open your desktop client often and it needs to be logged back in it will not sync your latest notes to self messages (perhaps other messages too).

[–] akilou@sh.itjust.works 29 points 2 months ago (1 children)

To be clear, this is a feature, not a bug

[–] terminal@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 months ago

This is true.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Signal?

edit / wait - an alternative for telegram as a note taking app??

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There's a note to self feature in Signal

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)
[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I don't disagree, but taking notes in Signal gets you syncing automatically which is convenient and something OP asked for 🤷

[–] MadBob@feddit.nl 2 points 2 months ago

And you'll have fewer apps installed on your phone, which is something I've come to value lately.

[–] ExtravagantEnzyme@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago

Standard Notes is my go to for notes 100%. It's all about privacy through encryption and is FOSS. Plus for this specific scenario, it also allows for notes export.

https://standardnotes.com/download

[–] TheDorkfromYork@lemm.ee 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Friends used telegram so I had the app installed. It was easier to store documents in telegram than in one drive or proton drive, so telegram became my go too. Obviously not the best setup, but it worked and was easy. I'll try out Signal and Matrix, but continence is a big factor in my choice.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 4 points 2 months ago

Proton drive has free tier. Not sure if it is as easy as tele for doc storage but holy-shit tele really doing it.

People rave about it.

[–] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 2 months ago (4 children)

I was a Signal defender (although I still use it because it's better than Telegram or WhatsApp) but now I'm more pushing for DeltaChat, Matrix and XMPP.

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[–] jjlinux@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] heftig@beehaw.org 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (5 children)

Signal is not available for Android tablets, which was a deal breaker when I tried to move my family off Telegram.

[–] dwindling7373@feddit.it 6 points 2 months ago (6 children)

Tablets can't run mobile apps?

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[–] GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 months ago

What do you mean? Modern Android apps work on all kinds of devices. Maybe the Android version on the tablet is too old?

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[–] AnotherWorld@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Unfortunately the Signal recommended by many people may not work for you, it cannot work on multiple mobile devices at the same time, for example on a smartphone and tablet.

I don't understand why no one recommends Jami? It's the only messenger that works without a server at all. And yes, it has the ability to forward messages to itself (to use as a note) and works on any devices at the same time.

[–] nutbutter@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I am using Signal on two android phones, one android tablet and a linux PC. What do you mean it cannot work on multiple devices?

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[–] tranarchist@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 months ago

signal is the simplest alternative, it's actually better than telegram since it doesn't save data

[–] poVoq@slrpnk.net 8 points 2 months ago
[–] SnokenKeekaGuard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Well signal also has the note to self.

People will hate this, but WhatsApp is probably the second best and convenient to most people. (But if your friends are willing to get signal, do it.) In fact it was always better than telegram, there I said it.

Also there's many great note taking apps that have a sync feature. Joplin for one.

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[–] sin_free_for_00_days@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 months ago

I just have some syncthing shared folders with friends/family. It may be a little weird to set up, but once there, it's seamless.

[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 months ago

I use Joplin for notes.

[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Honestly? For that limited use, there's really no need to switch.

However, if you're willing to do a little extra effort, Join, by joao apps can do what you're wanting. The notes is easy as pie. Sending files to your own devices is easy. Then you just need a different file sharing method for others.

It's not a 1:1 replacement, obviously, but sending files via email, or other methods, when it's only occasional isn't something that needs to be part of a messenger service that you aren't primarily using for messages in the first place. Keeping all your eggs in one basket isn't always as good.

[–] debacle@framapiaf.org 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

@TheDorkfromYork

YMMV, but my minimum requirements were:

  1. Federated just like lemmy or mastodon or email, so I can choose a server or even selfhost.

  2. First class clients for Linux available, not only Android/iOS, no Electron bloatware.

  3. No phone number involved.

That rules out Signal, Whatsapp and some more. Matrix fits. However I prefer #Jabber a.k.a. #XMPP. Matter of taste, I guess 🤷

PS: "Note to yourself", incl. file upload, is supported by all servers and most clients, AFAIK.

[–] cpontvieux@piaille.fr 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

@debacle @TheDorkfromYork I'm still waiting for #gajim 1.9 to be available under #archlinux … (I don't want to install the flatpak). Yes #xmpp is the way and #quicksy help me convert some people.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 2 points 2 months ago

Snikket seems nice as well.

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[–] simonweiss@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I know that habit of using messenger app for notes :) Try [matrix] using Element or SchildiChat. It's e2eencrypted and federated, and even supports markdown formatting in messages. Also some Slack features are included. The only issue for non-techy person might be verifying sessions - just be sure to use the same client on all devices.

[–] TCB13@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Maybe Joplin...

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