I'm starting to JEP-ize my ideas of "Jabber Environments", mostly because DotGNU <http://www.dotgnu.org> has shown interest in using the concept to fit into Jabber and help develop it.
Problem: Jabber is growing. Fast. It used to be an "open source IM system", but is now getting into RPC, advanced "identity", and secure e-commerce transactions. With this explosion in specifications, options, and features, users and developers will begin to get lost and productivity will drop. Something must be done to head this off before it happens. Solution: The trick is to get the benefits of a "close-knit platform" without giving up any of the features or possabilities of Jabber. This can be done by creating "sub-Jabbers", or "Jabber Environments", that package together select bits and pieces of the greater Jabber platform. They not only package the standards and features, but could standardize common interfaces for clients or provide development tools and documentation. Definition: "Jabber Environment" A carefully defined sub-set of the Jabber standards to clarify and package an aspect of Jabber to end-users, developers, and retailers. Examples: To preserve Jabber's "roots", a Jabber Environment could be created that encompasses the text-based IM features, called "Simple IM" possibly. Another could be created that encompasses VoIP, video conferencing, and email-like functionality into a complete conversation environment (possibly called "Crown" <http://www.theoretic.com/crown>, *nudge, nudge*). Finally, Norbert Bollow of the DotGNU Project <http://www.dotgnu.org> has expressed interest in having dotGNU create a Jabber Environment or two to operate under. Questions: 1. Should all functionality in a Jabber Environment be restricted to standards adopted by the Foundation? This would disagree with some people, but would prevent "embrace and extend" hijacking tactics. 2. Should Environments be allowed to be run and maintained by outside organizations? This would complicate matters and possibly introduce politics, but enables flexability and encourages adoption by outsiders. Comments? -- /\ -- Adam Theo, Age 22, Tallahassee FL USA -- //\\ Theoretic Solutions (http://www.theoretic.com) /____\ "Software, Internet Services and Advocacy" /--||--\ Personal Website (http://www.theoretic.com/adamtheo) || Jabber Open IM (http://www.jabber.org) || Email & Jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED] || AIM: AdamTheo2000 ICQ: 3617306 Y!: AdamTheo2 "A free-market socialist computer geek patriotic American buddhist." _______________________________________________ jdev mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.jabber.org/listinfo/jdev
