Is a Free Software Whatsapp front-end possible?
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I don't use whatsapp and I don't think it's a good idea considering they store a lot of information about its users, but I noticed it also has a webchat version. I tried to access it and nothing loads, suppose it needs Javascript. I wonder if it is possible to have a Free front end for it, or a free software app version. That way it would basically be the same as using say... Gmail with Thunderbird. Not perfect but better than nothing if you really need it.
Thanks.
I am a translator!
This might be what you are after (a pidgin plugin). I haven't tested it.
github.com/hoehermann/purple-gowhatsapp
Thanks.
Well, it's a start at least. I wish there was something more self contained that I could suggest people to use instead of the proprietary app, but this is a start. Of course I won't get people to install pidgin on their smartphones and installing this plugin to do what they can do with the app, but it's a start. Maybe soon we will have a replacement for the official app.
Recently I helped a friend moving from Facebook app (which is heavy and as many permissions) to a free software alternative (SlimSocial). I know Facebook is evil, but this friend really needs it, and at least can now use it in freedom and have more control over what is given to Facebook due to less permissions. Also cool the fact that it's easier on battery usage ;)
So I got to think, could there be something similar to whatsapp?
I guess we will still have to wait a little. BUt it's a start.
Thanks I had not found anything.
I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the code Pidgin uses to inter-operate with proprietary chat networks comes in the form of libraries (eg librpurple) that can also be used by other software. So in theory, someone could fork the UI from a free code chat app with a similar feature set (Conversations? Wire? Riot?) and modify it to use purple-gowhatsapp to connect with WhatsApp users. However, these kinds of unofficial gateways into walled gardens networks can never be as reliable as the official apps, and given the recent announcement that FB are planning to merge WhatsApp and FB Messenger, purple-gowhatsapp will probably need regular modifications to keep it compatible.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/12/facebook-whatsapp-european-commission-charges-misleading-merger-claim/
In the long term, the best solution is to convince your friend to install free code chat apps that connects over a non-proprietary network (eg XMPP, Tox, Jami), and to work on convincing the people they want to chat with to use them too. If they only need text chat and not voice/ video, the pool of potential replacements is many times larger. I've managed to get a bunch of my family and friends using Wire, who are least open to third-party clients connecting to their server, and are working on server>server federation (possibly even using XMPP) ...
https://github.com/wireapp/wire-server/issues/631
... which is why I'm so frustrated by the problems I'm having trying to use Wire on older devices
https://trisquel.info/en/forum/wire-no-longer-working-32-bit-abrowser-trisquel
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