"I don't know what oralfloss means by this. I imagine mbasic mode is some
sort of mobile mode? In any case I doubt facebook even releases the source of
all the code you run through their server. Much less give you the ability to
copy or modify it."
Mbasic mode is a mode where no scripts are needed, and it is purely
server-side. There's no proprietary javascript or anything of that nature. If
you think server-side code is a major concern, you should stop using the
internet entirely.
"I don't see how this could respect your freedom. Without further explanation
I would say it does not."
This also goes for just about any website. If it's not my computer that is
being used, then there is no problem. With your logic it would be bad to use
just about any website on the internet.
"As far as I understand (I have never used this), facebook chat does not use
XMPP. Rather, it emulates it so you can connect to it using Pidgin. This
means you can only chat to other facebook users. So, it is not XMPP and not
an open standard. Rather, a proprietary chat that interfaces with Pidgin
through some sort of API."
IRC is a chat that runs on tons of different clients, most of which are free.
Are you going to say that's a bad thing too just because you can't see what
happens on every server?
"I just refuse to opt-in to "monopolistic/gated virtual community"
practices."
There is a big difference between this and using proprietary software. I
don't understand how you can call it "gated" just because you can't use
facebook to send something to someone on a completely different client.
"Monopolistic" is also a wrong term for this case because there's obviously
hundreds of other different social networks as if enough haven't been
mentioned in this thread already. Nobody is reliant on Facebook.
"Maybe I'm too strict about it. Who knows."
Obviously you are, because with your logic, nobody would be able to use any
sort of data transfer unless they could see everything that happens
server-side. That is proposterously and practially impossible.
"The result is I have very few people I can chat with. For now. I would
rather dedicate my time to convincing a few of them to run a real XMPP than
use fb myself. I have convinced 2 people so far. Not very good :("
I can see why.
