by TimStone » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:48 pm
Silvio,
First, I do search .. a lot. In fact, with FWH, my first search is always on this forum.
Normally I would agree with you about the IP issue and the server. However, if you install AIM ( AOL Instant Messenger ) on your computer, you go through AOL's server. Since this program is always running on my computer, it works out well for me. Its pretty transparent in the background, doesn't use a lot of resources, and pops up instantly when someone wants to chat.
AOL-AIM now has a SDK ( software development kit ) that allows you to create a client rather then use theirs, or you can actually add it to your application. Then, when someone wants to chat, rather then go to a website or have AIM installed, they can click a button in your application and be connected to a specified other user ( my tech support AIM account ).
I could just push my clients to all install AIM, but this eliminates that step. Anyway, AOL is the IP server that does the negotiation for the connection, and it responds to the request with a connection, my custom away message, or a not-online message.
The SDK and license, like AIM, is free. The only downside is that I don't program in C so translating it to xHarbour/FWH would be more of an effort. So, back to my original inquiry, I wondered if someone has already done this ...
Tim