How I (don't) use Facebook
[[!meta date="2012-10-01"]]
[[!tag msg blog editorial]]
Dear Facebook friend,
I like you and I want to chat with you, just not on Facebook!
My Facebook account is there to reach you where you are, but I do not
hang out there. Please join me at Free and Open spaces instead - via
email, IRC or Jabber...
Good old email
If you cannot be bothered with change, then simply email me!
My email address is dr@jones.dk like always :-)
Simple webchat
If you are in a hurry and do not use Jabber yet, then try use my
Simple Groupchat.
Use guest login if you are not a user at jones.dk.
Proper Jabber
Jabber is similar to email: You need 1) an account somewhere, 2) some
client application setup to use that account, and 3) the address of
those you want to connect.
- Register an account at e.g. Indonesian http://jabin.org/ or
some
other
server.
- Install a Jabber client program...:
- on Windows try install Gajim from http://gajim.org/.
- on smartphone try app from https://imo.im/.
- on Ubuntu try use the Me menu in top right corner.
- on Debian try install Pidgin: aptitude install pidgin.
- Invite me as your friend/buddy: my Jabber ID is jonas@jones.dk
- Tell your friends to do the same! :-D
Geeky IRC
Many computer geeks hang out on IRC. I find it ugly and clumsy to use,
but most of my techie friends are there, so I recommend going there to
discuss technical matters.
On OFTC my nickname is jonas, and I often
hang out at the chatroom #debian-devel (plus a few others).
Why not Facebook?
Facebook is a closed system: all activities happen at one central place.
Email, Jabber and IRC are open protocols, exchanging between many Free
systems (and some non-free ones as well).
Imagine having an overprotecting mother, who allow you only to meet
your friends at one spot in town - where she can look after you.
You maybe have no secrets from your mom, but probably still appreciate
the option of being alone - to have some privacy.
Facebook is that one spot in town. Jabber is "let's go meet somewhere".
Regards, Jonas
