Anybody Interested?

[NOTE: I apologize if this has been brought up before.]

I have been wondering if it would be possible to have a Blitz-made, Blitz-titled instant messaging program for the Blitz community?

I know that some people would rather use IRC or Trillian or other programs, but I thought it would be neat to have an actual Blitz community IM.

If the idea is accepted, I would gladly like to help work on the client end.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

I've had a rummage around previously, and there are some nice libraries available to plug into :-)

But is it worth the hassle? I didn't think so at the time, as I am happy enough to use Adium/Trillian/Skype.
...and I didn't think the "challenge" of this one was worth my time (at the time).

Still... if you want a hand, I might be interested in getting involved in something where I don't have to do all the work :-p
(... although there'd need to be defined coding standards and whatnot... heh... so you may not want me on-board ;-)

If you're talking about OO coding, then OO coding it is. If you're not talking about OO coding, you're going to have to elaborate. :P

I kind of like this idea, but aren't there one or more existing Blitz IRC channels? The real challenge isn't a lack of tools for communicating, it's getting a large enough number of people to actually use any of them.

SpaceAce

No, probobly not. No point in reinventing the wheel imo when there's already hundreds of different wheel shapes and sizes.

There should be a listing though that we can register and add our screen-names for aim,skype,msn,yahoo, and the irc address (I wasn't even aware there was irc channels for blitz...).

Perhaps a web-based irc client on the home page that links to an official blitz channel?

The most official unofficial blitz chat room is in my sig. It's been going since before this website!

But what I'm talking about is an IM that allows only registered Blitz users to log in (possibly with the same username and password as the site?). AIM, Skype, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC are not "Blitz-only."

I'm not really getting it.

Why would anyone want an IM client which restricts the users on it? That means they need to use two IM clients. One for Blitzers, and one for non-Blitzers. Why not just the one for non-Blitzers and not bother with yours?

What's the attraction of "Blitz-only" anyway? Several of those IM clients you named are invite only. I think all of them except for IRC. So it's not like ICQ where people you don't know can pester you.

How would you ever be able to validate BB.com usernames and passwords in the first place?

With all the programs and scams around at the moment to try and capture people's usernames and passwords, why would anyone in their right mind want to intentionally enter their BB.com username and passwords into an IM client run by a third party?

All I am talking about is a BlitzBasic Instant Messenger. That's it. Nothing else. The features would possibly include site updates, product updates, list of online and offline users, list of users viewing the site, more detailed user profiles, one-on-one live chat, and group live chat.


I wasn't planning on creating the server. I was hoping on the slim possibility of BRL creating a web-based or whatever server that when given a username and password it would see if they are in the database.

I know -what- it is, I don't know -why- it is. Regardless, you've ready the sticky "Warning! Trojan" thread at the top of this forum, right?

can i quote that at 72dpi please just to make it stand out more ;)

Heh.. I don't think so.

And there was me thinking you were talking about a plain-old IM client... written in Blitz... just because it could be. ah....

If you want some kind of identification system you could force signups to give a valid email with only one email allowed per account.

You should use one of the existing IM protocols.

and whilst im typing in my bb account details is there a form to post my credit card number?

Irc is plenty good, and there would be no doubt abuse of the system.

I think he means actual coding style (includes SuperStrict?), tabbing, using full typenames, etc.

That's the thing :-)

Well, I think I've found my answer to the first question I asked. Thanks anyway.