As I'm sure you've all seen by now, one of the projects accepted for SoC this year will be to implement an XMPP module. The module will allow your website to send instant messages to users in much the same way that it currently sends e-mail. The idea is that short and/or frequent messages shouldn't clutter your inbox, and can go to your IM client instead. I've got quite a bit to do before I can start writing code for this, but in case anyone is anxious to supply ideas, ask questions, whatever, feel free to do so.
On the original proposal someone mentioned communications with AIM, MSN, and a few other networks. I haven't looked into this yet, so I have no idea if they have configured some gateways that would translate XMPP traffic to their own protocols. If anyone knows for certain, please post here. The biggest service that uses XMPP is Google Talk, and of course, you can also set-up your own jabber servers. In fact, if you want to send messages to AIM users, for example, you can always configure your own gateway, but that will require you to install some additional software on your web server. One of the main goals I have for this project is to minimize system requirements for this functionality. You will not be required to run your own jabber server, or make any other major changes to your hosting environment. If you run Drupal on a shared hosting plan, you should still be able to take advantage of this module (at least that's the idea :).
I should also note that I plan on implementing this functionally not only as a Drupal module, but also as a completely separate PHP library. If you're writing your own PHP software, you'll be able to use this library to send IMs. That means I have not just the Drupal user interface to worry about, but also a library API that would be used by other developers. If there is any specific functionary you might be interested in, please let me know.
My classes at the university are keeping me busy for now, but when I have a free weekend I'll set-up a website where I'll be doing most of the development and testing. A few of you have already volunteered for testing (thank you), and anyone else is also welcome to join in. I'll have my own jabber server running soon as well, for now I'm trying to find a good VPS host that runs FreeBSD.
Any questions/comments/ideas, please post here.
-Max
Comments
Transports
So their is some jabber transport software to communicate with other IM networks. For instance, MSN or AIM. I have no idea how well they work, and I imagine it would also mean that they were installed with the jabber server that someone would want to use.
This is a really cool project and I'd be happy to help with testing as well.
Update
Just a quick update... First of all, I now have a website where most of the testing will be taking place. Anyone is welcome to come by, the url http://soc2007.mxwerx.com.
As for the question of transports, I've just finished configuring my own XMPP server using Openfire, and by the looks of it these guys came up with a module that gives you access to AIM, MSN, and a few other networks. I tested out the AIM transport and everything works fine, the only issue I ran into was an echo whenever I sent a message to an AIM client. Not a big deal, and this was certainly much more convenient than what I had to go through before this module existed. So that answers the question about sending messages to other networks, however, you will need to run your own jabber server if you want to do something like this. I currently have no plans to implement this functionality in PHP server that'll be writing, but you will get a choice as to which server you use.
-Max
interested in this project
Hi Max,
I've just sent you a contact mail via drupal.org as well, just before I found this page. I am working with a client on some Drupal/Jabber interaction and have an interest in your project. I'll have a look over your project page and diagrams and would be interested in chatting with you a bit about your plans for this project. Please feel free to reply to my earlier message with either an email or an IM/Jabber ID and perhaps we can chat soon. I am a programmer and sysadmin by trade and would be happy to get into all of the fun, gory technical details with you :-)
Thanks and looking forward to your progress,
Justin
hello
And I just sent you a reply before getting notification of this post :)
Yea, have a look through that site. Not much there yet, just some basic info and what I anticipate making of this project. My jabber id is max [at] mxwerx [dot] com.
-Max
Need Help on Xmpp_server
Hello justin,
I need your help on how to configure xmpp_server and iam facing problem in that and if you can help me than it will be great
thanks
Need help regarding the jabber integration
Hello,
There is a need for me to integrate jabber chat in my application.
There is a jabber server running, i need to use the class.jabber.php file for the integration.
My question is,
1). While i was logging into my application - it is also logged into the jabber server and it is connected -- no problem.
2). my question is how to use the php_class_jabber file in the application. I am not using any external jabber related clients, i need to develop a same in my application itself.
So, i need to know whether each time i need to connect to the jabber server (as i mentioned i will be logged into the jabber server when i was logging into the application itself).
3). How to retrieve message from the jabber server - can you provide any clue regarding this.
Thanks and Regards,
Sri
Xmpp_server
hey anybody out there can help me in setting up the xmpp_server module on my website , i need a brief information on how it works