What is Jabber?

Over the years, as I've gained friends on the Internet, I have started to use more than one instant messaging program. I started with ICQ because it was the only one around and then expanded due to the preferences of my friends. One person refuses to use MS programs, another person likes the telephony features of MSN Messenger, and another person had YM installed at work. So, I have a collection of programs that I use every day. It can get crowded on my desktop when I have several windows flashing with messages. Just be careful and make sure your cursor is in the correct reply box. I've had messages mixed up before and I see a lot of head scratching going on.

Rather than having all the various programs open and operating, there is a new instant messaging system which will allow you to use all the services under one program. This system is called Jabber. After downloading one of the Jabber programs (like Winjab or Hot Jab), you create an account on the Jabber server and use it to send and receive messages. The Jabber server translates the protocols of Yahoo Messenger or ICQ or MSN for you.

Just like other instant messaging programs, you have a contact list (roster) and you can sort it according to the various services or keep one list. You first have to register each instant messaging service and then the individual contact lists will transfer over to the Jabber program. To activate each person on your contact list, you have to subscribe to each one. By subscribing, you can track the online status of each person.

Once all the setup is done, you can start communicating with your contacts using the windows on your Jabber program. If you have any of the other services open, you are logged off the those services. When your contact receives a message, he/she has no way of knowing you are using a Jabber program. Your message shows up in their normal window for the instant messaging service selected. The contact list (roster) is stored on the Jabber server so you can use another computer and download the roster.

For the last 2 days, I've been trying out two programs, "Winjab" and "Hotjabber". Both of them have their little quirks. With "Hotjabber", I was able to register Yahoo Messenger and ICQ, but not MSN Messenger. On "Winjab" I could register Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger and not ICQ. I decided to go with "Winjab" because most of my contacts are on Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger. I just leave ICQ open and communicate through it. If I choose, I can go log off any of the instant messaging services on Jabber and go over to the regular service and sign in. This may be the way you'll have to do it if you want to use telephony features.

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