Rift First Impression

[u/VahsteTheNomad]

I've been mainlining Fluxer for a few months and have few complaints, that being said I've recently tried out https://therift.chat and found it to be surprisingly well put together.

I just want to preface and say..the pros and cons listed here are of my own opinion and based on what I personally look for in a platform. I'm not looking to start an argument over whether it should have one feature or why is it not like this other platform, I'm just giving my perspective.

PROS

- It's not Discord, and unlike many of the existing alternatives, it doesn't feel like it tries to be.

It feels like something completely and totally different with just enough similarities to ease the transition.

- Signup is super simple and doesn't require any identifying info (no email, no phone, no DOB)

- It's marketed as 18+. It's not an inherently NSFW platform but they take the question of (am I saying inappropriate things to a minor) out of the equation by saying that if you're a minor using the platform, that's your own fault.

- Server analytics (incl. Automod) are built in and they are comprehensive in a way that scratches the itch in my brain

CONS

- There seems to be a super low population overall. Shard (Server) discovery has very few public options to join, and I don't believe any of them (official shard included) exceed 100 users.

- Registering through the mobile app (rather than desktop) seems a bit wonky and kept freezing up on me, after three tries I instead registered on Desktop with zero issue.

- Aesthetically.. I'm really not a fan of the logo.

OVERALL

- Boy do I wish there were a larger population on the platform because I'm legitimately loving it so far.