[meruru]

>The thing I like about Signal is that I can use it for regular texts as well as encrypted communications.

Can you expand on that? I'm afraid I don't quite understand the advantage here. Also, have you tried Silence for sending encrypted SMS?

[cmroanirgo]

I presume they meant that the app sends a normal unencrypted message to clients without Signal. (The user is clearly informed when this will happen). This means you can use Signal as your default SMS app and as your friends start adopting Signal, you'll automatically start sending encrypted messages. It's how I'm using it and appreciate it.

[meruru]

That's what Silence does. It is in fact the SMS part of Signal standalone.