Organizing on different platforms: Pros and cons: Difference between revisions
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<p>The following page responds to a request asking for advice on switching organizing platforms. This question has also been raised by others around the world to meet various activist needs. The original request to the HUB was regarding intergenerational challenges when choosing a platform, thus, lived experience is welcomed to improve this page. This page compiles content on general organizing platforms, and platforms for online documentation. The information included comes from reviews of each platform, plus the HUB team's personal experience using each for organizing purposes. | <p>The following page responds to a request asking for advice on switching organizing platforms. This question has also been raised by others around the world to meet various activist needs. The original request to the HUB was regarding intergenerational challenges when choosing a platform, thus, lived experience is welcomed to improve this page. This page compiles content on general organizing platforms, and a quick note on platforms for online documentation. The information included comes from reviews of each platform, plus the HUB team's personal experience using each for organizing purposes. | ||
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=Organizing platforms= | =Organizing platforms= | ||
== Whats app <ref>https://www.extracatchy.net/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-whatsapp/</ref> | == Whats app <ref>https://www.extracatchy.net/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-whatsapp/</ref> == | ||
Suggested uses: | Suggested uses: | ||
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*Can hold video calls with up to 32 people (though you need to manually add anyone after 15) | *Can hold video calls with up to 32 people (though you need to manually add anyone after 15) | ||
*Desktop and mobile apps, plus web version available | *Desktop and mobile apps, plus web version available | ||
*Can share files up <span></span>to 100MB in size | *Can share files up <span></span>to 100MB in size<br> | ||
*GIFs, stickers, emoji and message formatting options | *GIFs, stickers, emoji and message formatting options | ||
*Can back up data on cloud (not as good for privacy, good to retrieve messages if you need to redownload the app) | *Can back up data on cloud (not as good for privacy, good to retrieve messages if you need to redownload the app) | ||
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== Signal <ref>https://www.ticktechtold.com/pros-and-cons-of-using-signal-app/</ref> | == Signal <ref>https://www.ticktechtold.com/pros-and-cons-of-using-signal-app/</ref> == | ||
Suggested uses: | Suggested uses: | ||
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*Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members | *Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: | {| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 1121px;" | ||
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| style="width: | | style="width: 470.828px; background-color: rgb(187, 145, 183); height: 40px;" | '''Pros''' | ||
| style="width: | | style="width: 624.172px; background-color: rgb(187, 145, 183);" | '''Cons''' | ||
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*Secure, open-sourced, end-to-end encryption. Metadata information of users is private, does not collect extra data on users. <br> | *Secure, open-sourced, end-to-end encryption. Metadata information of users is private, does not collect extra data on users. <br> | ||
*Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | *Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | ||
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*Can choose between voice or text messages | *Can choose between voice or text messages | ||
*No limit to the number of people who can join group chat | *No limit to the number of people who can join group chat | ||
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*Occasional problems with sending and receiving (though very infrequent) | *Occasional problems with sending and receiving (though very infrequent) | ||
*Less well known; may need to convince people to give it a try | *Less well known; may need to convince people to give it a try | ||
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== Discord == | == Discord <ref>https://www.mobileappdaily.com/product-review/discord-app</ref> == | ||
Suggested uses: | Suggested uses: | ||
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*<span>Can be overwhelming to some; many </span>messages, servers, and channels to keep up with. There are options to limit notifications to reduce overwhelm. | *<span>Can be overwhelming to some; many </span>messages, servers, and channels to keep up with. There are options to limit notifications to reduce overwhelm. | ||
*Requires payment for higher-quality video and audio | *Requires payment for higher-quality video and audio | ||
*A bit of a learning curve when getting started. See discord's [https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045138571-Beginner-s-Guide-to-Discord beginner's guide]. | |||
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*Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions | *Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions | ||
*Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | *Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | ||
*Free to use (unless you'd like messages stores more than 90 days) | |||
*Ability to save and archive conversations and messages (in paid version) | |||
*Ability to integrate with other tools, apps | |||
*Desktop and mobile apps, plus web version available | |||
| style="width: 794.266px;" | | | style="width: 794.266px;" | | ||
*Fees involved for use if you'd like messages stored for more than 90 days. | *Fees involved for use if you'd like messages stored for more than 90 days, and fees increase the more people you have active in your workspace. | ||
*A bit of a learning curve when getting started. Slack offers an [https://slack.com/help/articles/360059928654-How-to-use-Slack--your-quick-start-guide extensive tutorials page], with video tutorials, to support this. | |||
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*Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions | *Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions | ||
*Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | *Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling | ||
*Free to use | |||
*Can create disappearing messages (messages that delete after a certain period of time) | |||
*Desktop and mobile apps available | |||
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*Not very familiar; may need to convince people to give it a try | *Not very familiar; may need to convince people to give it a try | ||
*More difficult to install due to encryption features | |||
*A bit of a learning curve when getting started | |||
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=Tools for online documentation= | = Tools for online documentation = | ||
The most commonly used option for creating and storing documents is google drive. This may be a suitable option that has the benefit of many people being familiar with it, if you are not dealing with sensitive information. However, privacy concerns for google are increasing. Even if you are not dealing with sensitive information, it may be worth switching to a more secure alternative. We recommend trying [https://cryptpad.fr/ cryptpad], which is the most similar to google drive, or Skiff (fewer document types). Both are end-to-end encrypted, so they are more secure than google. | |||
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Latest revision as of 16:19, 14 May 2024
The following page responds to a request asking for advice on switching organizing platforms. This question has also been raised by others around the world to meet various activist needs. The original request to the HUB was regarding intergenerational challenges when choosing a platform, thus, lived experience is welcomed to improve this page. This page compiles content on general organizing platforms, and a quick note on platforms for online documentation. The information included comes from reviews of each platform, plus the HUB team's personal experience using each for organizing purposes.
We have included suggestions for encrypted (secure) and open platforms. Security may or may not be a concern based on the types of actions your group organizes, and who is involved. See our page on Legal information for activists for more on performing a risk assessment to determine which platform is right for your needs.
Onboarding onto a platform
No matter which platform you choose, we highly suggest creating a document, video, or offering 1-1 how-to sessions for people who may need support joining and using the platform you're organizing on. Do not simply offer a video/document that the platform offers to learn it's use; tailor this to how your group uses the platform to improve clarity and comprehension.
You may also consider using the 'buddy system' to pair up new members, or people who are new to using the platform, with someone who is more familiar to support them in learning the ropes.
Organizing platforms
Whats app [1]
Suggested uses:
- Communication with others outside the Global North; one of the more commonly used platform in the Global South
- Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening (if security isn't an issue)
- Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
| Pros | Cons |
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Signal [2]
Suggested uses:
- Good for organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
- Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening
- Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
| Pros | Cons |
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Email/protonmail
Suggested uses:
- Outreach to those outside your regular membership (i.e. those not involved in organizing directly, but that show up to your actions and/or support your group to a less frequent/engaged extent).
- Sending lengthy messages
- Suggest switching to protonmail if your group is organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
| Pros | Cons |
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Facebook messanger
Suggested uses:
- Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
- Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening (if security isn't an issue)
| Pros | Cons |
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Discord [3]
Suggested uses:
- Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
- When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc).
| Pros | Cons |
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Slack
Suggested uses:
- When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc)
- Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
| Pros | Cons |
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Keybase
Suggested uses:
- Organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
- When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc).
- Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Tools for online documentation
The most commonly used option for creating and storing documents is google drive. This may be a suitable option that has the benefit of many people being familiar with it, if you are not dealing with sensitive information. However, privacy concerns for google are increasing. Even if you are not dealing with sensitive information, it may be worth switching to a more secure alternative. We recommend trying cryptpad, which is the most similar to google drive, or Skiff (fewer document types). Both are end-to-end encrypted, so they are more secure than google.
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.