Jabber: Instant Messaging at Its Best

Jabber: Instant Messaging at Its Best

nstant messaging services are really just turbocharged e-mail systems. While the protocols, clients, and servers are very different, the result is very similar to an on-the-fly exchange of short e-mail messages. Of course, many instant messaging systems have gone far beyond this, integrating with video conferencing software, allowing voice messages, avatar-based chat, and many additional features. Jabber is one of the most quickly growing instant messaging applications. It offers users a wide range of platform support and easy extendibility; its open-source nature makes it a perfect platform for developers who are looking to create a custom solution.

In fact, next to the Linux operating system, Jabber represents the most successful open-source project to hit the big time, and it’s only been available for a few months. Overall, the Jabber project has shown the true strengths of the open-source development model. A loose-knit group of programmers came together to create a truly extraordinary product. Jabber offers just the right mix of new features and wide platform support, while also providing an easy upgrade path and simplified communication with users of other systems via its transport server system.

If you’re a developer looking to contribute to a good open-source project, or if you are in the market for a new and improved way to handle instant messaging, Jabber is definitely worth a close look. The rest of this story explains why.

Proprietary Nature of Most IMs a Major Issue
The biggest problem with the many existing instant messaging platforms is their proprietary nature. Users of one system cannot communicate with those of another system. In the end, users are forced to run multiple clients on their machine and keep track of who is on which service. Also, the providers of these proprietary services rarely develop clients for any but the most popular operating systems. Linux users, for instance, don’t have a vendor-supplied client for AIM, MSN, or Yahoo. Instead, developers must develop clients for these unsupported platforms (such as GAIM or GICU), often with vastly reduced functionality.

As far as platform support goes, there are Jabber clients for most any platform out there. Several client packages are available for Linux and Windows environments, and there is one for Macintosh–even a client for the Newton MessagePad! In its current state, Jabber allows users to connect to servers and exchange messages with other Jabber users. Various Jabber clients (such as Gabber and Jarl for Linux, and WinJab and JabberIM for the Windows platform) offer different features, and each is at a different stage of development.

Integrates Easily
Jabber is designed to easily integrate with other instant messaging systems. Currently, there is support for the ICQ and AIM protocols from America Online, Yahoo! Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and others. While it’s always great for users to move from these other systems to Jabber, we can’t all convince our grandparents to switch once they’re actually hooked up to one of these systems. Also, many companies standardize on one of the existing systems, and the migration to an in-house Jabber-based system takes time. But the ease with which users can communicate with multiple instant messaging systems via a Jabber client can help this process along greatly. The benefits of Jabber can be realized, while users continue to communicate with those outside the company as they always have.

This interoperability with other Instant messaging systems is one of the biggest strengths of Jabber. By handling translations on a server with which all other Jabber clients and servers can communicate, there is no need to alter the end-user’s Jabber client configuration or distribute a new version of the Jabber server whenever a new service is added. Instead, the new service can be added, and users can add users of that service to their roster.

In the background, some nifty procedures take place. A “transport” server works to translate messaging information coming from a Jabber server to a foreign instant messaging protocol, such as ICQ. To other users on the ICQ network, the Jabber user appears to be just another ICQ user. That person will have an ICQ account number, and their client will be set up to log in to ICQ in addition to Jabber when they are online.

Anyone Can Set It Up
Jabber clients, servers, and transports communicate via XML (Extensible Markup Language). Jabber doesn’t rely on a centralized server to keep the system running. Anyone can set up their own Jabber server and transport servers. And new Jabber clients don’t need to deal with the headaches of communicating with various other messaging systems. They simply encode the message, send it along to a server, and it is translated to the other messaging system via a transport server.

By standardizing on XML, Jabber has become the most highly flexible and easily customizable messaging system around. And since new messaging systems can be added to Jabber by simply bringing up another transport, the development costs for Jabber clients and servers is minimized.

Of course, everyone who connects to the system needs a unique user ID. With Jabber, this ID looks very similar to an e-mail address. The Jabber ID is composed of a username and the hostname of the Jabber server, looking like “[email protected]” or something similar. In many cases, this can be identical to a user’s e-mail address, greatly simplifying things for those who want to give their Jabber info to friends and business contacts.

Lots of Subprojects
There are quite a number of Jabber subprojects, ranging from clients and servers to custom-built transport server applications and various Jabber development tools. The Jabber movement seems to be quickly picking up speed, with more than 50 active subprojects currently in the works and an increasing number of Jabber client and server downloads.

devx-admin

devx-admin

Share the Post:
Software Development

Top Software Development Companies

Looking for the best in software development? Our list of Top Software Development Companies is your gateway to finding the right tech partner. Dive in

India Web Development

Top Web Development Companies in India

In the digital race, the right web development partner is your winning edge. Dive into our curated list of top web development companies in India,

USA Web Development

Top Web Development Companies in USA

Looking for the best web development companies in the USA? We’ve got you covered! Check out our top 10 picks to find the right partner

Clean Energy Adoption

Inside Michigan’s Clean Energy Revolution

Democratic state legislators in Michigan continue to discuss and debate clean energy legislation in the hopes of establishing a comprehensive clean energy strategy for the

Chips Act Revolution

European Chips Act: What is it?

In response to the intensifying worldwide technology competition, Europe has unveiled the long-awaited European Chips Act. This daring legislative proposal aims to fortify Europe’s semiconductor

Revolutionized Low-Code

You Should Use Low-Code Platforms for Apps

As the demand for rapid software development increases, low-code platforms have emerged as a popular choice among developers for their ability to build applications with

Software Development

Top Software Development Companies

Looking for the best in software development? Our list of Top Software Development Companies is your gateway to finding the right tech partner. Dive in and explore the leaders in

India Web Development

Top Web Development Companies in India

In the digital race, the right web development partner is your winning edge. Dive into our curated list of top web development companies in India, and kickstart your journey to

USA Web Development

Top Web Development Companies in USA

Looking for the best web development companies in the USA? We’ve got you covered! Check out our top 10 picks to find the right partner for your online project. Your

Clean Energy Adoption

Inside Michigan’s Clean Energy Revolution

Democratic state legislators in Michigan continue to discuss and debate clean energy legislation in the hopes of establishing a comprehensive clean energy strategy for the state. A Senate committee meeting

Chips Act Revolution

European Chips Act: What is it?

In response to the intensifying worldwide technology competition, Europe has unveiled the long-awaited European Chips Act. This daring legislative proposal aims to fortify Europe’s semiconductor supply chain and enhance its

Revolutionized Low-Code

You Should Use Low-Code Platforms for Apps

As the demand for rapid software development increases, low-code platforms have emerged as a popular choice among developers for their ability to build applications with minimal coding. These platforms not

Cybersecurity Strategy

Five Powerful Strategies to Bolster Your Cybersecurity

In today’s increasingly digital landscape, businesses of all sizes must prioritize cyber security measures to defend against potential dangers. Cyber security professionals suggest five simple technological strategies to help companies

Global Layoffs

Tech Layoffs Are Getting Worse Globally

Since the start of 2023, the global technology sector has experienced a significant rise in layoffs, with over 236,000 workers being let go by 1,019 tech firms, as per data

Huawei Electric Dazzle

Huawei Dazzles with Electric Vehicles and Wireless Earbuds

During a prominent unveiling event, Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications powerhouse, kept quiet about its enigmatic new 5G phone and alleged cutting-edge chip development. Instead, Huawei astounded the audience by presenting

Cybersecurity Banking Revolution

Digital Banking Needs Cybersecurity

The banking, financial, and insurance (BFSI) sectors are pioneers in digital transformation, using web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) to provide seamless services to customers around the world. Rising

FinTech Leadership

Terry Clune’s Fintech Empire

Over the past 30 years, Terry Clune has built a remarkable business empire, with CluneTech at the helm. The CEO and Founder has successfully created eight fintech firms, attracting renowned

The Role Of AI Within A Web Design Agency?

In the digital age, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in web design is rapidly evolving, transitioning from a futuristic concept to practical tools used in design, coding, content writing

Generative AI Revolution

Is Generative AI the Next Internet?

The increasing demand for Generative AI models has led to a surge in its adoption across diverse sectors, with healthcare, automotive, and financial services being among the top beneficiaries. These

Microsoft Laptop

The New Surface Laptop Studio 2 Is Nuts

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a dynamic and robust all-in-one laptop designed for creators and professionals alike. It features a 14.4″ touchscreen and a cutting-edge design that is over

5G Innovations

GPU-Accelerated 5G in Japan

NTT DOCOMO, a global telecommunications giant, is set to break new ground in the industry as it prepares to launch a GPU-accelerated 5G network in Japan. This innovative approach will

AI Ethics

AI Journalism: Balancing Integrity and Innovation

An op-ed, produced using Microsoft’s Bing Chat AI software, recently appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, discussing the potential concerns surrounding the employment of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. These

Savings Extravaganza

Big Deal Days Extravaganza

The highly awaited Big Deal Days event for October 2023 is nearly here, scheduled for the 10th and 11th. Similar to the previous year, this autumn sale has already created

Cisco Splunk Deal

Cisco Splunk Deal Sparks Tech Acquisition Frenzy

Cisco’s recent massive purchase of Splunk, an AI-powered cybersecurity firm, for $28 billion signals a potential boost in tech deals after a year of subdued mergers and acquisitions in the

Iran Drone Expansion

Iran’s Jet-Propelled Drone Reshapes Power Balance

Iran has recently unveiled a jet-propelled variant of its Shahed series drone, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s drone technology. The new drone is poised to reshape the regional

Solar Geoengineering

Did the Overshoot Commission Shoot Down Geoengineering?

The Overshoot Commission has recently released a comprehensive report that discusses the controversial topic of Solar Geoengineering, also known as Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). The Commission’s primary objective is to

Remote Learning

Revolutionizing Remote Learning for Success

School districts are preparing to reveal a substantial technological upgrade designed to significantly improve remote learning experiences for both educators and students amid the ongoing pandemic. This major investment, which

Revolutionary SABERS Transforming

SABERS Batteries Transforming Industries

Scientists John Connell and Yi Lin from NASA’s Solid-state Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety (SABERS) project are working on experimental solid-state battery packs that could dramatically change the

Build a Website

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?

Are you wondering how much it costs to build a website? The approximated cost is based on several factors, including which add-ons and platforms you choose. For example, a self-hosted

Battery Investments

Battery Startups Attract Billion-Dollar Investments

In recent times, battery startups have experienced a significant boost in investments, with three businesses obtaining over $1 billion in funding within the last month. French company Verkor amassed $2.1