I'd like to hear opinions please about WhatsApp, which has been recommended to me. Much conflicting info on t'internet. :-\
It's a cross between text messaging and Pandora's box.
In essence, it's just another more sophisticated and easier to use version of the SMS text service. You can send text, photos, video, and attachments (including the Tuesday night cartoons). You can also make VOIP (voice over Internet phonecalls) phone calls. Instead of using your minutes, or costing you money, it uses your data and the internet connection, or your wi-fi connection to make the phonecall. The recipient does need to have WhatsApp too.
The reality is that once every bugger realises you have WhatsApp installed (they can see your number in their WhatsApp), you'll get an endless stream of drivel and crap coming through in the form of attachments, photos and TikTok videos. (About 10% make it to Tuesday night Zoom). I have the notifications turned off. This prevents me from losing it and driving the phone through the nearest breeze block wall with an available hammer.
To be fair, many WhatsApp users are considerate and use it for mostly functional reasons, and it's useful for sharing family pics/info.
It's sophisticated text messaging.
Most people use it these days for social interaction in preference to texting.
I use it all the time for communicating with family/friends.
I get absolutely no spam or messages from people I don't know and no ads (which can be annoying on Fb Messenger).
You can set up group messaging and send photos, videos, music, website links, links to eg email and spreadsheets etc.
I wouldn't be without it.
Cheers
Martin
Partly depends what you intend to use it for...
It's good as a Group chat service (one of the better ones for that).
Picture messaging is good and depending on what data/messaging you have in you phone contract may be noticeably cheaper.
Video calling is good if both parties have a decent WiFi or 4G GSM signal (better than MS Teams over the same connection) but ropey over a poor signal and does seem to eat data faster than Skype.
For one-to-one conversations, it's no real advantages for the majority over regular SMS text messaging with the disadvantage of needing a data connection.
Some critics will flag the connection to Facebook. While it is owned by the same parent company, you do not need a Facebook account to use it.
It's a poorly written chat/messaging app that got bought out by Facebook and amazingly made worse. Lots of people use it because it (before Facebook bought it) promised privacy for all users, but it's now just another Facebook data collection app. Like the Facebook app, it's also incredibly power hungry and bad for your phone's battery.
Avoid if possible.
I use it on my phone and my iPad. I have a few groups on it, one family and one friends. We organise Christmas meals and get togethers using it. The transmissions are encrypted so if you are planning a coup d'etat it will be safe to do so using WhatsApp.
you can install Whatsapp on both your phone and your computer.
Quote from: emjaybee on July 07, 2022, 04:20:36 PM
The reality is that once every bugger realises you have WhatsApp installed (they can see your number in their WhatsApp), you'll get an endless stream of drivel and crap coming through in the form of attachments, photos and TikTok videos.
I've never had that problem. If someone wants to WhatsApp you, you have the option to refuse, and to make contact with someone through WhatsApp they have to approve your request. That's how it's worked for me, I only get WhatsApp messages from people I know.
(Or does it work differently in the UK? I'm in the EU.)
Quote from: keithfre on July 07, 2022, 05:10:54 PM
Quote from: emjaybee on July 07, 2022, 04:20:36 PM
The reality is that once every bugger realises you have WhatsApp installed (they can see your number in their WhatsApp), you'll get an endless stream of drivel and crap coming through in the form of attachments, photos and TikTok videos.
I've never had that problem. If someone wants to WhatsApp you, you have the option to refuse, and to make contact with someone through WhatsApp they have to approve your request. That's how it's worked for me, I only get WhatsApp messages from people I know.
(Or does it work differently in the UK? I'm in the EU.)
No, that's how it works in the UK.
Quote from: joe cassidy on July 07, 2022, 05:09:10 PM
you can install Whatsapp on both your phone and your computer.
I find that very useful, as typing on a mobile is a nightmare AFAIC!
Quote from: keithfre on July 07, 2022, 05:28:42 PM
Quote from: joe cassidy on July 07, 2022, 05:09:10 PM
you can install Whatsapp on both your phone and your computer.
I find that very useful, as typing on a mobile is a nightmare AFAIC!
Also available for iPads/ Android tablets
Quote from: port perran on July 07, 2022, 04:29:54 PM
It's sophisticated text messaging.
Most people use it these days for social interaction in preference to texting.
I use it all the time for communicating with family/friends.
I get absolutely no spam or messages from people I don't know and no ads (which can be annoying on Fb Messenger).
You can set up group messaging and send photos, videos, music, website links, links to eg email and spreadsheets etc.
I wouldn't be without it.
Cheers
Martin
Ditto for me. We all use it in our family and most of my friends do to. Mainly for text messaging and sending photos but occasionally for voice calls and video calls too. Really handy when you have poor network connection but have wifi available. No down side at all, just positives.
The photos are bigger too on a computer screen.
We use it for messaging among the family - better than SMS because you can send photos and videos easily. Also, one of our neighbours set up a mutual-support group for our street during the first lockdown which proved so useful that it is still very well used. All very civilised - there has only been one occasion when it got a bit heated but it was defused quickly. We recommend it.
I can't agree with @zwilnik (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8) that it is power hungry. I've found no difference myself.
Cheers,
Chris
Thanks All,
It looks to be relatively useful, especially as my mate Rob is rubbish at picking up e mails on his tablet. I installed it last night and sent him a couple of messages, and even then I had to ring him up to see if I'd done it correctly and, stone me, he hadn't looked at his phone either ::)
Not being entirely sure what I'm doing, I mail pics to my phone from my laptop (which is where they are all stored) and then store them on the phone from the e mail. Vids are an entirely different matter as I make my steam/diesel tour clips in HD and the sheer size in Mb means WhatsApp won't do them.
I'm not entirely convinced I'll be keeping it and if, as mentioned, I start getting a load of unwanted ads etc I'll just uninstall it. It happens to be free which, using pay as you go, is a benefit :)
I, my wife and 2 (grown up) children are members of many Whatsapps groups. To my knowledge none of us has ever had any kind of dodgy post, spam or advertising post. Nor do we ever complain that the app is power hungry. I'd say go for it NN.
\just seen that you have so give it a fair chance.
Wouldn't be without it, Mick. Our family use it multiple times daily. It's great for sending pics of the grandkids and stuff. We took pics of Sydney Harbour last night and sent them to the Bealettes straight away.
As Martin says, wouldn't be without it. I've never had any problems with it, either.
Recommended.
Never heard of people being spammed with lots of random stuff on WhatsApp. It's excellent, the easiest way to communicate with people across platforms and operating systems. As said, you can use it on your computer, either in your browser or via the WhatsApp Web download, and then send pics directly from your computer.
I was using it to send pics back to Australia both times we met up, Mick.
Only thing with it, you need to proof read before you send, cos it won't allow editing after that.
You can delete the message if the error is that heinous though.
I have a sneaking suspicion that it still shows up on my daughters display, though!
But yes, you are correct.
It's the best thing, Mick, really. Been using it for nearly 10 years!
My pics that download quickly onto the NGF ate Whatsapp pics!
You can delete for you or delete for everyone. It shows "message deleted" regardless, but she won't see the message if you "delete for everyone".
Another advantage is that when abroad, provided you have wifi, you can send photos and messages home foc, whereas SMS can be expensive. Just remember to keep roaming OFF.
Mick,
I have been using WhatsApp for a long long time, like others have said no problems with it whatsoever, certainly no spam unlike SMS. Member of many WhatsApp groups, couldn't do without it now.
I've been using it for a couple of years and have never received any spam via it (many may spam emails and SMS in that time!).
It was invaluable for keeping in touch with parents/grandparents during lock-down. My now six year old prefers a video call to a standard phone call.
I've not noticed it draining battery.
You won't find any instant messaging system that can cope with HD video of more than a couple of seconds in length. Better to load it to YouTube and send the link via WhatsApp or send the file via WeTransfer or similar.
Steven B.
Quote from: busbar on July 08, 2022, 02:20:20 PM
Another advantage is that when abroad, provided you have wifi, you can send photos and messages home foc, whereas SMS can be expensive. Just remember to keep roaming OFF.
Thanks, but as I don't have a passport I'll not encounter that.
Quote from: Steven B on July 08, 2022, 03:34:45 PM
You won't find any instant messaging system that can cope with HD video of more than a couple of seconds in length. Better to load it to YouTube and send the link via WhatsApp or send the file via WeTransfer or similar.
I'll use FlickR as I do with e mail, thanks
Unlike normal text messaging, I especially like the fact that you know the status of the message you sent with the "ticks"
1 grey tick= message has successfully left your phone.
2 grey ticks= message successfully received by receipient's phone
2 blue ticks= message read by receipient.
Also free video calling over wifi if at home.
I also fall into the camp of "Wouldn't be without it"
Here's a typical Whatsapp post from yesterday, especially for Mick (cos I know he likes children :D)...
GrandBealette's third birthday party. Mrs Bealman reads her the card while Bealman and Japan Bealette look like they're having a ton of fun in the background:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/255-170722061258-124236767.jpeg)
The lady in the foreground is my son-in-law's grandmother, who is 93 and doing quite alright, for the record!
Notice the beer in her right hand :thumbsup:
Quote from: Bealman on July 17, 2022, 06:19:20 AM
Here's a typical Whatsapp post from yesterday, especially for Mick (cos I know he likes children :D)...
The only child I see is the male one stood up at the back :P
I'll bet the pic loaded quick, though, cos it's off Whatsapp.
Quote from: Bealman on July 08, 2022, 01:43:13 AM
I was using it to send pics back to Australia both times we met up, Mick
Therein lies a problem, cos my Galaxy A12 puts 0044 in front of every contact I have in Whatsapp.
Therefore if, for example, I want to send a message/pic to George his contact number is +61.......... but when my phone puts 0044 in front the number becomes nonsensical and nothing goes through :doh:
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 29, 2022, 09:21:48 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 08, 2022, 01:43:13 AM
I was using it to send pics back to Australia both times we met up, Mick
Therein lies a problem, cos my Galaxy A12 puts 0044 in front of every contact I have in Whatsapp.
Therefore if, for example, I want to send a message/pic to George his contact number is +61.......... but when my phone puts 0044 in front the number becomes nonsensical and nothing goes through :doh:
Just a guess, but if you have George in your contacts list, try checking that his country is set for his address (rather than just in his phone number). It might be it's trying to be 'clever' and assumes he's in the UK, so 'cleverly' corrects the number you use.
I didn't have any success sending you stuff either, Mick, but that was a while back. I'll have another shot at it.
Quote from: zwilnik on October 29, 2022, 09:48:56 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 29, 2022, 09:21:48 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 08, 2022, 01:43:13 AM
I was using it to send pics back to Australia both times we met up, Mick
Therein lies a problem, cos my Galaxy A12 puts 0044 in front of every contact I have in Whatsapp.
Therefore if, for example, I want to send a message/pic to George his contact number is +61.......... but when my phone puts 0044 in front the number becomes nonsensical and nothing goes through :doh:
Just a guess, but if you have George in your contacts list, try checking that his country is set for his address (rather than just in his phone number). It might be it's trying to be 'clever' and assumes he's in the UK, so 'cleverly' corrects the number you use.
Just tried that but it failed again. Thanks anyway :thumbsup:
Nah, it's solvable. I love a problem! :thumbsup:
Found this Reddit post after a search. Looks like you have to create 2 numbers in your contacts
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsapp/comments/camb41/whatsapp_is_automatically_adding_the_wrong/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsapp/comments/camb41/whatsapp_is_automatically_adding_the_wrong/)
Not sure I'm following that :dunce:
They seem to be someone from abroad who visited the UK and during their stay Whatsapp put +44 in front of the numbers of all their contacts, which they can manually correct although a PITA
Hopefully not stating the obvious but you have removed the first 0 haven't you? So if George's number was 07123456789 it should be entered as +617123456789
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 30, 2022, 05:42:33 PM
Not sure I'm following that :dunce:
They seem to be someone from abroad who visited the UK and during their stay Whatsapp put +44 in front of the numbers of all their contacts, which they can manually correct although a PITA
Yes, I think the gist of it is once you start putting the country code in front (or it decides yours is +44 for instance) it automatically drops that in front of anything starting in 0 as it assumes you're in the same country. So the 'fix' is to create 2 numbers for each contact, one with and one without their country code.
As Trainfish suggested though, it's worth checking the numbers haven't been entered with a leading 0.
Quote from: Trainfish on October 30, 2022, 05:47:38 PM
Hopefully not stating the obvious but you have removed the first 0 haven't you? So if George's number was 07123456789 it should be entered as +617123456789
Nah. After the +61 the number begins with '2'
Quote from: zwilnik on October 30, 2022, 05:55:45 PM
Yes, I think the gist of it is once you start putting the country code in front (or it decides yours is +44 for instance) it automatically drops that in front of anything starting in 0 as it assumes you're in the same country. So the 'fix' is to create 2 numbers for each contact, one with and one without their country code.
I used to do a lot of international travel, and used the same solution mentioned above. A PITA, but it did work. This was for regular phone calls and SMS though, so not sure if Whatsapp is just picking up the phone's numbers from some central db, or just obeying its own rules.
Quote from: zwilnik on October 30, 2022, 05:55:45 PM
So the 'fix' is to create 2 numbers for each contact, one with and one without their country code.
I fail to see how that would work. If, for example, George's number is +61 2 123456789 and my phone sticks 0044 in front it becomes 0044 +61 2 123456789 and we know that doesn't work.
If I alter his number to just 2 123456789 and my phone sticks 0044 in front it becomes 0044 2 123456789 and, Shirley, that is a nonsense UK number rather than a pukka Aussie one?
Mick,
Try it as 0061 instead of +61, that is how international calls are stored in my address book, just a thought
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 31, 2022, 10:56:30 AM
Quote from: zwilnik on October 30, 2022, 05:55:45 PM
So the 'fix' is to create 2 numbers for each contact, one with and one without their country code.
I fail to see how that would work. If, for example, George's number is +61 2 123456789 and my phone sticks 0044 in front it becomes 0044 +61 2 123456789 and we know that doesn't work.
If I alter his number to just 2 123456789 and my phone sticks 0044 in front it becomes 0044 2 123456789 and, Shirley, that is a nonsense UK number rather than a pukka Aussie one?
it's down to how the bug in WhatsApp is interpreting the numbers. It may be recognising it correctly if the length with the international code on is correct in one copy vs a shorter version in another. WhatsApp isn't the best bit of programming in the world so it's likely whatever causes it, is some weird and strange bug that requires weird and strange workarounds.
Quote from: Nbodger on October 31, 2022, 11:37:44 AM
Mick,
Try it as 0061 instead of +61, that is how international calls are stored in my address book, just a thought
That's how I first had it, Mike. I changed it to +61 as a friend's missus said she had no problem using hers that way.
The fix mentioned having 2 numbers listed on the contact (one with the country code), not just modifying the single number on the contact. So it's possible WhatsApp spots the longer one as having the correct code already.