SL Messenger

How much interest is there in an IM program that can communicate with SL *without* having to be logged in with the SL client?

I started a prototype last night, but it's going to take quite a bit of work to finish, so I wanted to find out how much interest there is before I spend a ton of time on it.

There's already an AIM-to-SL bridge out there somewhere; you might want to look at the sales of that.

It might be interesting if it somehow linked up to SL. I know the profiles contain IM contact infor for folks (if they gave it). But I just use Trillian to manage messaging, myself...

By the way, I did post in SL Answers about the "Jabber-to-SL bridge" that was mentioned at some point, and it seems to have fallen off the BLOTTD completely, so I wouldn't advise anyone to wait for that. (I would definitely like to see it happen, mind.)

Is this not something that reverse engineering could help with, I wonder?

I'd absolutely love one. Especially if I could participate in group chats.

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!

Oh and nice new AV Burke!

Thanks. Been meaning to update it but I remembered to while I had photoshop open.

All this and more is already in development ;0

why don't you all just use xfire o.O it works with SL

xfire is a messenger designed for gamers, it throws a small window up in the game yuo are playing that lets you chat with people who aren't in game.

It works with almost ANY game.

Lots of reasons:

Xfire doesn't interoperate with SL's in world IM system
Xfire requires everyone to have a copy of Xfire
Xfire isn't available for Mac or Linux users

It's like suggesting we all just use Yahoo Messenger instead of SL's IM system. The good news is I've heard on more than one occasion that LL is working on converting the SL's native IM to Jabber (open source IM protocol).

Meh. I just use my aMSN to track email.

To add some more detail:

1. This is not tied to AIM, MSN, or any other chat network. The libSecondLife library lets you actually log in to the SL servers without using the actual SL client. Once you've done that, you can post and receive messages to the world just like the SL client.

2. This will be free.

3. You actually have an avatar in-world, so you could (in theory) put your av in a populated area and listen to in-world chat. However, you'd be blind, since you can't see what's going on around you. Based on my testing, it appears that you log in to your home area.

Not that I like MSN, but integrated MSN messanger inside SL would be awesome. I have used once inside Lineage II game and it is pretty cool since you can stay in touch with people outside SL.

But for awhile we will have to use SL Windowed to obtain the same result. Can anyone tell me how much performance I lose by using a windowed SL instead of full screen?

Depends on your computer, but my SL pretty much uses 100% of my CPU all the time, unless it's minimized.

Where SLMessenger is handy is when you're on a computer where you can't install SL: I actually built the prototype last night while I was in class. I can't install third party software on the computers at my university, but writing my own programs is kosher.

Since SLMessenger is pretty small, you could just put it on a memory card or a flash drive and run it from that. It doesn't actually need to be "installed".

If we log into our home area, could you make so I can speak from my AV? This would be great for issuing commands remotely

I'd love to be able to talk to my friends online while I am at work! This would be great, as a couple of them live in other counties.

Actually, Yes. As soon as I realized that a visible avatar is created when you log in, I added in handlers for local chat.

Here's the big problem: if your login point is a busy location, you'll be a "zombie" avatar. so I'd suggest setting home to somewhere out of the way. Also, when you log in, you're in the default avatar and outfit. If you're normally a male figure, this looks kind of funny.

I'm still working on one problem: the IM's don't "stick", that is: every time you send an IM, it opens a new window on the SL client. I'm not sure what's causing that, so I have to play with it a little more to figure it out.

Dr Tardis, if you have any questions visit #secondlife on EFnet or join the mailing list of libsecondlife.. The issue with avatar apeparance and IM windows has been partially worked out ;0

Oh, Someone PLEASE suggest this to the Lindens. FREQUENTLY!!!

I would Love to be able to do this

Angel.

You needen't contact the lindens ;0 the libsl is on the job ;0

Yes, I think there are quite a few people making individual IM clients now (seems it is the standard "first test project" for libsl now - I am guilty myself). I am sure someone will package up a nice client for general consumption. Incidently - any interest in a PocketPC client?

Free = I'm all for it!

PLZ MAKE THIS IM MAC FLAVOUR K THX

Er, I mean ...
Yes. I could find the use in such a tool. Are there any plans for an Apple or Linux version?

Yes!!!

I have my account email address set to my GMail, and firefox uses a tool to alert me when i have a new GMail. Then i reply to it. I also keep all messages so i can easily IM them later.

But Yes.. FORE THE LOVE OF MIKE! We need a offline messenger/friends list thingie.