[Frost1x]

>Me making it difficult to be reached does not mean they’re not my friends.

Is phone and SMS considered 'difficult' now? Everyone I know simply uses SMS and phone calls.

I suppose if you have globally distributed friends groups, this could be difficult, otherwise I don't see why. You give up a few features and it's not the most secure but it's a viable alternative almost everyone has access to.

[woutr_be]

Well, I live abroad, my family and friends have various group chats on WhatsApp and Messenger. I can’t blame them for not wanting to include me, since it would cost them quite a bit of money to text or call me.

Plus, phone calls are quite different from general text messages. Messages allows anyone to reply on a time they’re free for it.

So in general, yes, SMS is considered difficult, in my situation.

The main thing that WhatsApp and Messenger gave me was the ability to stay in touch with anyone I knew, wherever they lived. SMS just doesn’t cut it; huge fees and no groups. There’s really no alternative.

[manquer]

Doesn't email and mailing groups not exist any more ?.

It is kind of funny as every Andriod or iOS phone user effectively gets an email account as part of their access to the platform so it not like this generation doesn't have email.

Also everyone uses email for app registrations, bank accounts and for some formal communication so it not like they don't know how to use either.

It seems we have forgotten that we did live abroad and kept in touch via tools with no vendor lock twenty years ago, telecom (SMS/phone) was lot more expensive then as well.

Ultimately use what you like if you find WhatsApp more useful sure, however forcing a vendor locked in platform on to others I find is incredibly rude.

I am not forcing you to lock into a vendor when I call/SMS/email you.

[woutr_be]

Email does exist, but it just doesn’t feel the same. I don’t feel like I’m having a real time conversation when using email. Email is not instantaneous, so making plans can take a couple of hours, compared to a couple of minutes.

I haven’t forgotten the days of SMS/email, it’s just that instant messaging made things a lot easier.

[cvwright]

They’re not difficult, but they are far less convenient.

If you want large groups/numbers of people to do something, you have to make it as easy and frictionless as possible for them.

[woutr_be]

I just don’t understand those arguments. It’s like agreeing to carpool with a group of friends, then suddenly you decide to move to another town. They’re not bad friends for not wanting to pick you up, it’s just not convenient anymore.