Re: [OS:N:] Using Open Source Instant Messaging

[Todd Warner <taw redhat com>]

Setting up a jabber server is fairly simple. I had an issue
with their log-file exploding on me when a repetive error
occurred, but other than that, it runs quite nicely.

Psi seems to be the most robust client for Linux. Gaim also does jabber,
but not as nicely.

Some advantages:
o jabber is an open protocol (i.e., a company doesn't own it).
o all connections can be SSLed... so security is tighter.
o gpg can be used (not sure what clients support this, gabber *almost*
  does), so people can have absolutely secure communications.
o jabber is very extensible. As they like to say... jabber is not
  *just* an IM system... it can lots more (but not sure what
  is available via turn-key).
  - example: xmlrpc over jabber opens the door to lots and lots
             of applications.

Integrating "a schools student information system with instant
messaging" using Jabber is very doable.

The folks at jabber.com have made jabber their business. They
specialize in catering to people specifically with your needs.
Wouldn't hurt to talk to them.


On Tue, 18 Mar 2003, Jonathan Moore wrote:

> 18 months ago I attended the Technology and Learning Conference in Atlanta. One
> of the presenters, the Tech Director for Georgia Tech U mentioned the idea of
> integrating a schools student information system with instant messaging. The
> idea would be that each student would automatically have a "buddy list" of all
> the students in each class. I have been researching how on might go about doing
> this and as a result discovered http://www.jabber.org. It allows you to run your
> own open source IM server and has clients for pretty much every platform. There
> are even some gatewaying options to talk to users of other IM systems.
> 
> 1. Is anyone running a Jabber server and clients? If so what has your
> experience been?
> 
> 2. Has anyone used this as proposed by the Georgia Tech director to integrate
> for student use? If so how has this gone?
> 
> 3. Even if you haven't done either what do you think of the possible educational
> applications for Instant Messaging (esp in regards to using open source software)?
> 
> 
> 

-- 
____________
 /odd Warner                                    <taw {redhat,pobox}.com>
          Bit Twiddler - Operation Cheetah Flip - Red Hat Inc.
---------------------gpg info in the message headers--------------------
"It's not having what you want; it's wanting what you've got."
    -Sheryl Crow