[JDEV] Cool ICQ style messages - see the typing

[Dennis Noordsij]

On Thursday 25 January 2001 02:07, Mark Zamoyta wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm thinking of adding the ICQ style of messaging (where you can see the
> other guy type and backspace instantly) to my Jabber client.  What's the
> best way to do this?
>
> I could send small messages through Jabber, but would I get disconnected
> for sending too many messages, or would things get backlogged?
>
> I could establish a direct connection between clients, but I'd like to
> avoid that if possible.
>
> I'd appreciate any input!
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

Well, most of ICQ is peer-to-peer, whereas with Jabber everything goes 
through the server. Also, those ICQ messages are small UDP packets, a Jabber 
packet for sending this one character would still be a substantial XML 
packet. (btw I do like the XML protocol, I am not dissing it :-)

As-is, I'd say you can't really afford to do this. What you can do however (I 
think Winjab does it) is, as soon as a person *starts* replying - send *this* 
to the other user.

For example,
I send you a message, and 2 seconds later the window flashes "Mark Zamoyta 
has started replying" .. 2 more seconds and I get your message. it's still 
nifty :-)

Regards,
Dennis