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Comment by Daniel_sk | Hacker News Reader

I moved 10 of my non-IT (male, age ~30-35) friends from FB Messenger group chat to Signal. None of them had any problems setting it up, none had any questions during the setup. I just invited them to the group after they created accounts (you can also use an invitation link) and the chat continued on Signal. No one has looked back at FB Messenger and we are not missing any functionality. I am slowly spreading in my circles and so far with only positive feedback.

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What is happening here is interesting. Almost like facebook messenger has lost its network effects. Its so easy to install Signal and get setup, and there is a compelling reason to leave Facebook's ecosystem. I previously assumed the network effects were so strong no one could leave Facebook without being a hermit. It turns out people who actually want to contact me will actually bother to install Signal and join me.

Yup, my wife just move a large group of non-technicals from Facebook Messenger to Signal. No problems, thus far!

The problem is, you have to "be that guy."

I have to. But in this case it's not a social network, I don't care if the rest of world uses WhatsApp. I don't need a "network effect". I am fine when the people around me use it. So I achieved my personal goal and while I am happy if more people will join, it will not impact my own usage.

He means you have to be "that guy" that people actually listen to and would switch apps for.

Well, if no one listens to you why even make the effort to keep in touch. That's a different problem and solved by Twitter and similar

Um, I'm not being literal about "listening". I mean a person who is popular enough that if they leave a platform others will follow them.

I have to be that guy for the family chat list as well. So I already have practice.

I think the possibly big letdown at some point might be the non-intuitive or non-existing message backups. Getting started with and using Signal is great but the backup functionality stops me from recommending it to non-technical friends.

Facebook messenger history is online and doesn't need to be thought about. I'm fearing there will be a fair bit of resentment once the non-technical Signal users change devices and realise that all their messaging history got lost in the process.

Signal is working on better backup solutions.

I've managed to do the same as well - the pushback has been minimal at best. I'm more surprised at how many "X is on Signal!" messages I've received from completely non-technical friends.

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