[jdev] Publishing arbitrary meta-data

[Peter Saint-Andre]

On Thu, May 19, 2005 at 12:07:36PM +1000, Steve Smith wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm just learning the Jabber protocol and JEPs with an eye use as a
> coordination tool for other software.  I'd like to run some thoughts
> past the wizards to see if I understand things correctly:
> 
> I'd like to be able to associate a set of multicast addresses with a
> chat-room (to allow optional video conferencing capability).  There
> seems to me to be two methods of doing this: Use the service-discovery
> extension method (i.e. JEP 128) with some arbitrary form fields, or use
> the pub-sub mechanism.  Could someone clarify the relationship between
> these who mechanisms for me?
> 
> Using the pub-sub method seems to require an existing format; should I
> define my own with the intention of getting it into a JEP at some point,
> or can arbitrary data-forms be published to a node?

You can publish arbitrary data forms to a node, but my sense is that
service discovery extensions will probably solve your problem. Will you
be dynamically updating the multicast addresses? If so, you might want
to investigate the idea of pushing updates through your existing chat
room. In a way, a chat room is like a specialized pubsub venue, so you
could send messages with attached data forms through the room. But I may
be misunderstanding your application....

Peter