Stay in Touch
I hope you’ll continue to stay in touch. You can reach me directly via email at rob [at] attrell [dot] ca. Please note that any other email addresses for me are no longer active. If you don’t have my phone number, feel free to email me to get it, and turn on RCS messaging on your phone if you haven’t already.
Why I’ve Moved to Decentralized Social Media (and away from big tech to connect to people)
I’ve decided to leave behind big tech algorithmic or VC-funded social media and messaging platforms in favor of more decentralized and independent options. Since I’ve already gone through this process quite a bit, at the moment the platform of note that I’m leaving is Facebook Messenger.
Here are a few reasons why I’m doing this:
- Data Ownership and Privacy: Decentralized platforms allow users to have greater control over their personal data. Unlike traditional social media, where data is often sold to third parties, decentralized networks ensure that you own and manage your data, deciding what information to share and with whom.
- Censorship Resistance and Freedom: These platforms are less prone to censorship and manipulation. They provide a space where content is not governed by algorithms designed to promote certain posts or products. This means more authentic interactions and a greater diversity of content.
- Community Governance: Decentralized social media often operates on community-driven governance models, giving users a say in how the platform is run and what features are prioritized.
RCS Messaging
Since Apple added support for RCS messaging as a replacement for old and outdated SMS messaging with Android phones, I am looking to use this more for staying in touch with important people in my life.
For detailed instructions, you can visit this guide on setting up RCS messaging. I’ll leave a short summary of how to set this up below:
What is RCS Messaging?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is an advanced messaging protocol that enhances traditional texting with features like high-resolution photo and video sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and more. It works over your data or Wi-Fi connection, providing a richer and more interactive communication experience compared to standard SMS.
Setting Up RCS Messaging
To make sure we can still text, here’s how you can set up RCS messaging on your phone:
For Android Users:
- Open the Google Messages app.
- Tap on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
- Tap on “Chat features.”
- Toggle on “Enable chat features” and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
For iPhone Users (iOS 18 or later):
- Ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.
- Go to “Settings” > “Messages.”
- Toggle on “RCS Messaging” under the “Text Messaging” section.
- Check if your carrier supports RCS by going to “Settings” > “General” > “About” > “Carrier.” If it shows “Voice, SMS & RCS,” you’re good to go.
References
[1] Messaging with RCS on Android: What You Need to Know | Android
[2] What is RCS and how is it different from SMS and iMessage? – Engadget