Why have we decided to create such a website ?

That's good question. We started using very popular Polish Gadu-Gadu IM network to communicate ages ago. But in the course of time, communicator begun to be quite "heavy" for system resources and network servers were down very often. We didn't want to be "addicted" to only that one particular network. Looking at the Internet we found Jabber which generally gave us a good way out from that whole situation. Additionally using Jabber we were able to stay in previous network and stay in touch with our friends! It also provided us an alternative way of communication in case when Gadu-Gadu's servers were down as we were connected to different network which Jabber was. So we could continue our conversation without any disruptions. Everyday we were discovering new features which Jabber offered and we started thinking why not to make our own Jabber server. So we did that. We made our own server which is our private one, only for our own use and our own purposes... and our friends obviously :). We wanted to give them a try in other way of communication, as well as a reason to give up with other IM networks. Recently we noticed a big change, when Gadu-Gadu released new version of application and old clients couldn't communicate "network number" (as Gadu-Gadu uses numbers as usernames) is higher than 17mln. People started having big problems and started looking for an alternative way in communication. We also had to patch our our Jabber server (exactly only Gadu-Gadu transport on it), which allowed us to communicate with those users. We had to install Gadu-Gadu application just for test purposes to check if our patch is working and we noticed then, the application itself takes constantly something like 30-40% of CPU usage and 100MB of memory (generally... too much as on communicator ONLY). A lot of people use script/flash blockers to disable or adverts displayed in, but as far as we know it's against the rules and you still need to go to the Internet, try to find out how to block it, install extra software... That's not the point in communication, isn't it ?

NOTICE!

If you use your communicator for sending files or voice chats then neither Jabber or any IM network transport doesn't allow you to do it. Some transports allow file transfer but not all of them. Transport is just only a transport, it has to guarantee only a basic communication, it means for example chatting, other people status informations.

Why ? Because Jabber is completely separate protocol, different standard. It's the same like you would try to send a file from MSN to Skype. Simply impossible.

Of course you can send files from Jabber to Jabber as well as chat or have a voice chat.

What is Jabber ?

Jabber is an open protocol XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) based on XML, which allows messages exchanging between users.

Why Jabber ?

Nowadays everything is overloaded by Flash and pointed to adverts. Communicator softwares are following such a fancies and doing exactly the same. Fulfill everything by adverts to any blank space on the screen. Developers simply forgot what they should be designed for. Originally they were used to keep people in touch, but in the course of time they became to be multitask applications which can deliver many many features (listening to music, radio, watching TV). These many unwanted were more then there should be. Every single thing draws our computer resources what in effect slows them down. There wouldn't be anything wrong with it if we would have a choice if we want to install TV plugin or whatever, but we don't have a choice. Currently such a communicator can "eat" 100MB of our memory and load CPU just after firing it up.

Fortunately we've got Jabber. It's able to gives us everything, what old sort of communicators could give to us. Additionally we can setup it to suits our needs. Without unnecessary overloading our hardware. The truth is that everyone can have his/her own server and communicate with the others without any problems and in fact stop being attached to 3rd party companies, with staying in touch with all of your friends from other networks.

Advantages of using Jabber ?

• Protocol is open.
• Easy syntax of username (similar to your email address for example user@jabber.domain)
• Network is not centralized so if one server is down it doesn't cause any disruption in whole network. We can switch ourselves to other server/account and carry on.
• Server can use SSL encryption. Additionally you can use PGP and GPG encryption in your client software.
• Server can have multiple "transports" which allow you to use other network using Jabber and stay in touch with your friends from networks like ICQ, MSN, AIM, Gadu-Gadu, etc. Also the point is, transports are not plugins for some client software like Konnekt or Miranda. Thank's to that your roster is stored on the server and you can have an access to your roster from any place on the earth and basically from any device (even mobile phone).
• Bots are available with many services from following up your favourite RSS channels to post your thoughts to your blog directly from your client.
• A lot of Jabber clients with XMPP support like PSI, Pidgin, Kopete, Miranda, Jajc, Konnekt, WTW, Meebo (brilliant web based client) and many many more. Everyone can find something interesting.
• As long as you use Tlen, or GTalk you don't have to change anything, it's Jabber already.
• There are a lot of clients available for mobile phones without paying for any subscription, for example Slick, Palringo, Bambus, Papla, mTalk, Instango.
• You choose your way of communication.

OK, that's all... what now ? I suggest to go to "How to start ?" :).