As of June 8th, 2002, the UFies.org, the official UserFriendly hangout, is running it's own Jabber server.
From the JSF page:
Jabber is an open, XML-based protocol for instant messaging and presence. Jabber-based software is deployed on thousands of servers across the internet and is used by over a million people worldwide. The protocol itself is managed by the Jabber Software Foundation...
Basically what this means is that jabber is yet another instant messanging system. However, unlike many of the other ones out there, jabber is open source, not propriatery, and doesn't have to resort to dirty tricks like shutting out competition. In fact, Jabber has almost the opposite goal, that is staying open and accessable to anyone.
Quickstart:
The JUD is the Jabber Users Directory, a directory that other users can search for friends or associates in. If you wish, you can add yourself and your information to the UFies JUD.
The UFies jabber server uses as many of the cool features that jabber has that could be used. Part of the beauty of jabber is that it is extendable (though not in the Microsoft type of extendable), but I have used the main "core" set of features and extensions. A short list of these are:
One of the great abilities of jabber is to use "transports", which allow the Jabber server to talk to other instant messanging systems. These are selectivly installed by your friendly neighborhood server admin (that'd be me), and allow someone on jabber to communicate to someone on say, ICQ (assuming they are signed up for that system). This is similar (in a non-similar way) to clients like trillian that allow a user to access many different IM systems. The difference here is that this is implemented on the server level, and is completely independent of the client. All you need is a normal jabber client and it is all taken care of.
So what does this mean to you? If you have a friend or 14 on ICQ you can talk to them through jabber, just by adding them to your roster. Ditto with any of the other IM systems listed above. I've verified most of them work, but if there are bugs, let me know (or message me by my JabberID of arcterex@ufies.org).
If you'd like to contact people on other IM systems, you first must register with the transport. To do this, first you must add the transport. This will vary from client to client. In gabber choose "Browse agents/IM systems" from the "Services" menu. In Exodus select "Jabber Browser" from the "Tools" menu. Select Register for the service, put in the selected information (usually a "screen name" and password), and voila! The transport should show up as an "active" contact in your list, and you will have the ability to log in or out of it.
Now you are registered with that IM system, and as far as (for example) ICQ knows, you are logged in through your normal ICQ client. Messages bound for you via ICQ will come to your jabber client as <UIN>@icq.jabber.ufies.org. To add an ICQ buddy into the jabber roster:
After the user has been added you can reply, talk, chat, and do whatever with them that you would normally do.
No support will be given. This is a server I put up for myself and my friends' use, and if it breaks, blows up, kills your goldfish, makes your computer do funny things, or make your wife leave you, not my fault. Read the docs listed in the links section. Ask on the IRC channels, email support, bitch at your ISP or company for blocking the Jabber port (5222 and 5223 FYI).
Only as a last resort, or of something is actually broken with the server, email me or send me a jabber message to arcterex@ufies.org or arcterex@jabber.org
UFies
Jabber
Jabber Sites
Jabber Programming
