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AJAX Based IM’S - A Hollistic Technical Preview
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Ajax based IM’s are the latest craze in web society. For starters AJAX is Asynchronous Java Script and XML. The instant messengers developed using this technology is fast recieving well acceptance as many websites are coming up with ready to be used modules (toolkit) for developers to develop their own Messengers or messenger modules on their personal website (Check out AboutUs section of WATblog.. U can find one). This article is a hollistic technical view of such messengers (ebuddy.com, meebo.com, koolim.com etc)
One should understand that AJAX based IM’s are client side / web based developments rather than server side. The messengers use XMLHTTP Request Objects (Javascript Object with XML interface), to communicate commands between the Server and Client.The communication is done in terms of Client Action Codes and Server Action Code. Based on the Server Action Code (Most of the time its to retrieve new messages recieved), the Request Object pings (Communicates the Server Action Code) the server through a PHP Script (I have no idea on PHP 
). The server queries the dynamic Message Database server (Linked to respective messengers like Yahoo or GTalk or MSN etc. The Dynamic Database is constantly updated based on messages from the real Messenger Server (ie Yahoo, MSN etc) as well the AJAX based Applets which the user is using. The Data (I mean Chat data) is transferred to and fro between applet and servlet in a data interchange format called JSON (Java Script Object Notation) The Data is actually a string with first N number of bytes having Client Action Codes and other Information and then followed by the Message. Similarly when we message back the data is passed with similar data. Check the Diagram in the link below should give you a hollistic Idea of such messengers.
Some examples Where one can see such messengers used in Websites are
- Social Networking Sites
- Websites like Shaadi.com, Matrimonial.com etc.
- Messengers like e-buddy, koolim, meebo etc.
The other advantages are like one can customize the messengers by adding Flash Plugins, CSS etc.
Please find more details of such Objects and Classes in the below websites:
1. Prototype Windows: http://prototype-window.xilinus.com/
2. MD5 script: http://pajhome.org.uk/crypt/md5/
3. XHConn class: http://xkr.us/code/javascript/XHConn/
Though the messengers on Social Networking sites and Messenger Customized Personal Websites are understood, but the business model for websites like www.meebo.com, www.e-buddy.com etc are still to be analysed.
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I am a big fan of web based IM, i use koolim.com at work since the rest are blocked. (lol)
I use koolim also.
the diagram is pretty informative …….
very nice, i also use koolim.com at work.
koolim is a very nice app.
you should all use koolim.com