What about good old IRC
There are several mobile IRC apps around, not to mention embedded chats on websites that work just as well if you don't want to download an app.
"The thing is, Discord is a place where most people are. "
^ This is sort of the lynchpin of the entire Web2.0 exodus. The herd mentality is strong. But, to break out of it someone has to be first. You can't start a community by just expecting it to already be there when you arrive. I think the best strategy would be to start small, find a couple friends who also don't like Discord and get a small chat going. Then share your (hopefully positive) experience with others. People need to be shown an alternative, just saying "Discord bad" won't change much at all. Also telling people about an alternative is not as good as actually using and promoting that alternative (note to self lol)
I agree about being the change that you want to see, but it's so hard to find new resources that have even a small community. I am here because I am longing for that life on the Internet before most of us went to the same three websites/apps. Anyway, do you have any IRC apps that you recommend? Or, any websites with IRC chats you use?
In reality, you as a dev has to be where the people are.l Your customers.
I doubt, even if i would like it, that people would use IRC. It is a little more complicated than Discord.
Most of the Devs (Indie and big devs) are on Discord.
I didn't hear a lot of problems but yes, they monetize the platform quite well.
It could change in years time but for now, i don't see many alternatives.
I am mostly silent on Discord.
That isn't really the point of the original post which was mainly addressing privacy concerns. I totally understand the feeling of being pulled toward whatever has the biggest audience, especially if you are trying to make a living. But I think the struggle to monetize every corner of our internet lives is actually part of the problem (discord or any other service would not bother doing shady stuff without an incentive). You can still be a developer and want to chat with people without it being a brand mission.
I do agree with what you are writing.
I think i am personally rather disappointed about where the internet has gone. There isn't much magic left, when i started using it in the 90s. Like or not Like, you personal credit is what seems to matter. Plus adds that follow you. I just used Shutup 10 which made Windows a little dumber. I lost convenience but won more peace.
I only have very view channels on Discord. Mostly devs but i hardly look inside.
Personally i tend to go more opensource because that way, there is less spying. There are a lot of good alternatives out there to replace Discord. Revolt - Find Your Community
Thanks for sharing.
I actually have a space at Neocities.
True, i have DuckDuckGo for searches.
The point is, there are options. Like always there are.
Your share looks nice. It looks a little odd on my 27 inch widescreen. lol but i will try it out.
The only thing i can add of wisdom is, that your are a product on the web. To 99% at least. So it is harder to escape this fact and very few people are trying to be invisible to potential cookie hunters.
Again, thanks for sharing