There's a fundamental assumption here: that there is a better way. I'm not saying there isn't, but there's a pretty good existence proof that Signal is the best combination of security & simplicity we can put together.

I would agree with this statement from the article: "there should be a tool that is fully free software (as defined by the GNU GPL), that respects users' freedoms to freely inspect, use, modify the software and distributed modified copies of the software. Also, this tool should not have dependencies on corporate infrastructure like Google’s (basically any partner in PRISM), that allows these parties to control the correct working of the software."

There are such tools. None of them are as easy to use as Signal. So for now, I recommend Signal. I can't, in good conscience, recommend anything else... and given the author doesn't speak to what they recommend, I'm curious about what their recommendation would be.