New service: Runbox Chat (beta)

Geir · 11 May 2007, 07:51 AM

Runbox is extending its services with Runbox Chat (beta), in line with our philosophy to allow complete communications freedom.

Runbox Chat is a basic instant messaging service running on open source software, and is compatible with Jabber, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, ICQ, and IRC.

To try Runbox Chat, log in here with your Runbox username and password:

Runbox Chat (beta)

Note: If you host your domain with Runbox, log in with username%domain.com.

Once logged in you can configure the interface by clicking Preferences in the top left-hand corner, and register accounts from other services such as MSN and Yahoo after selecting the tab "Gateways". When connecting to accounts from other services, existing contacts will show up in your Runbox Chat roster.

Contacts can be added by clicking the plus sign in the lower left-hand corner, which will open a new window. To add contacts from other services, use the format username%domain.com and select the corresponding service from the drop-down menu.

To join a group chat, click the group icon. In the new window that opens, enter the chat room and server you wish to connect to. To join an IRC chat, use the format channel%servername.com in the "Room" field, and enter "irc.runbox.com" in the "Server" field.

Have a go, and please post your feedback.

- Geir

carverrn · 12 May 2007, 01:39 AM

Supported Browsers and Platforms

Windows XP/2000/ME/98/95:

* MS Internet Explorer since version 5.0
* Netscape version 6 & 7
* Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2 and derivatives

Mac OS X:

* Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2
* Camino 0.7
* Support for safari coming soon...

Linux:

* Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2 and derivatives

Does not work with the Opera browser.

Regards,
Rich

Geir · 12 May 2007, 08:16 AM

In case some of you are wondering why you should use Runbox Chat instead of a regular instant messaging client, here are some advantages.

It's accessible directly from your browser, so there's no extra software to download, install, or run.
It lets you connect with contacts on virtually all other services (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, etc) from within your browser.
You can start multi-user chats hosted by Runbox and join any other MUC or IRC chatroom.
It's running on open source software based on standardized protocols (Jabber/XMPP), which is the most flexible, extensible, and compatible instant messaging standard available.

We hope you'll find it useful.

- Geir

petrs · 12 May 2007, 04:00 PM

forgive my ignorance, but any chance to use the messenger to chat w/ google talk users? I am pure user, but I though that google talk can we used w/ jabber-type of chats too...

che · 13 May 2007, 06:02 AM

This service is only available via http?

Liz · 13 May 2007, 09:32 PM

Yes, that is part of the point - if you have the various chat clients available, you probably don't want to go via runbox to use MSN/AIM etc, other than to consolidate.

We will make it possible to launch the chat straight from the webmail, also.

Liz

Liz · 13 May 2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrs

forgive my ignorance, but any chance to use the messenger to chat w/ google talk users? I am pure user, but I though that google talk can we used w/ jabber-type of chats too...

If it is compatible, then we'll certainly look into it.

Liz

petrs · 13 May 2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz

If it is compatible, then we'll certainly look into it.

Liz

there you go -- http://www.google.com/talk/otherclients.html. also, I was wondering if you plan to release instructions how to use stand-alone chat clients w/ runbox chat?

che · 13 May 2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz

Yes, that is part of the point - if you have the various chat clients available, you probably don't want to go via runbox to use MSN/AIM etc, other than to consolidate.

We will make it possible to launch the chat straight from the webmail, also.
Liz

Well, there are multiprotocol clients (like pidgin, kopete, etc.) and jabber/xmpp-only clients (emacs-jabber, gajim, etc.). I prefer the latter and only switch to the first when the jabber server is down or has problem with its transports.

Having the same user@domain for each service (e-mail, JID, SIP etc.) is nice.

But I think web-only jabber is garbage...

Gtalk uses jabber/xmpp and therefore the servers are interoperable.

carverrn · 13 May 2007, 11:09 PM

We are using JWChat, an open-source web-based Jabber client:

Quote:

JWChat - Jabber Web Chat

JWChat is a full featured, web-based Jabber™ client. Written using AJAX technology it relies on JavaScript and HTML at the client-side only. It supports basic jabber instant messaging, roster management and groupchats based on the MUC protocol.

JWChat is an advanced instant messenger (IM) just like AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger or ICQ. This means you can manage your contacts, communicate with other users in 1:1 chat sessions or join a groupchat room for collaborative communication. Unlike other IMs you can use this with your web browser without having to install any additional software at all. For a list of supported browsers see the features page.

All of your settings, bookmarks and your contact list are stored on the server side. This means that you have access to your personalized client from almost any computer as long as it's got access to the internet.

A benefit of a web-based client is that it may work at locations where other clients don't due to firewalls or proxy-servers.

che · 14 May 2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carverrn

We are using JWChat, an open-source web-based Jabber client:

A benefit of a web-based client is that it may work at locations where other clients don't due to firewalls or proxy-servers.

So Runbox is depraving to a web-only service?

Btw. when is the new imap server ready?

Geir · 19 May 2007, 07:35 AM

We're working on direct client access.

It should be possible to connect directly to/from Google Talk, but they use some sort of dial-back authentication that might be causing trouble... We're looking into this as well.

And we're working on the new IMAP server, but it's very difficult to predict a date of deployment. We've patched the newest Courier IMAP version for use with the Runbox system, but we still have some issues to iron out.

- Geir

NashTax · 23 May 2007, 07:16 AM

Having problems logg ing here

digp · 23 May 2007, 08:17 AM

you should spend more time on your email offerings

Geir · 23 May 2007, 05:10 PM

NashTax: Could you be more specific, please? Do you get an error message?

- Geir

11 May 2007, 07:51 AM	#1
Geir The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,938 Representative of: Runbox.com	New service: Runbox Chat (beta) Runbox is extending its services with Runbox Chat (beta), in line with our philosophy to allow complete communications freedom. Runbox Chat is a basic instant messaging service running on open source software, and is compatible with Jabber, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, ICQ, and IRC. To try Runbox Chat, log in here with your Runbox username and password: Runbox Chat (beta) Note: If you host your domain with Runbox, log in with username%domain.com. Once logged in you can configure the interface by clicking Preferences in the top left-hand corner, and register accounts from other services such as MSN and Yahoo after selecting the tab "Gateways". When connecting to accounts from other services, existing contacts will show up in your Runbox Chat roster. Contacts can be added by clicking the plus sign in the lower left-hand corner, which will open a new window. To add contacts from other services, use the format username%domain.com and select the corresponding service from the drop-down menu. To join a group chat, click the group icon. In the new window that opens, enter the chat room and server you wish to connect to. To join an IRC chat, use the format channel%servername.com in the "Room" field, and enter "irc.runbox.com" in the "Server" field. Have a go, and please post your feedback. - Geir

12 May 2007, 08:16 AM	#3
Geir The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,938 Representative of: Runbox.com	In case some of you are wondering why you should use Runbox Chat instead of a regular instant messaging client, here are some advantages. It's accessible directly from your browser, so there's no extra software to download, install, or run. It lets you connect with contacts on virtually all other services (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, etc) from within your browser. You can start multi-user chats hosted by Runbox and join any other MUC or IRC chatroom. It's running on open source software based on standardized protocols (Jabber/XMPP), which is the most flexible, extensible, and compatible instant messaging standard available. We hope you'll find it useful. - Geir

12 May 2007, 01:39 AM	#2
carverrn Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,606 Representative of: Runbox.com	Supported Browsers and Platforms Windows XP/2000/ME/98/95: * MS Internet Explorer since version 5.0 * Netscape version 6 & 7 * Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2 and derivatives Mac OS X: * Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2 * Camino 0.7 * Support for safari coming soon... Linux: * Mozilla (stable) since version 1.0.2 and derivatives Does not work with the Opera browser. Regards, Rich

12 May 2007, 04:00 PM	#4
petrs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 134	forgive my ignorance, but any chance to use the messenger to chat w/ google talk users? I am pure user, but I though that google talk can we used w/ jabber-type of chats too...

13 May 2007, 06:02 AM	#5
che Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 58	This service is only available via http?

13 May 2007, 09:32 PM	#6
Liz The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 4,652 Representative of: Runbox.com	Yes, that is part of the point - if you have the various chat clients available, you probably don't want to go via runbox to use MSN/AIM etc, other than to consolidate. We will make it possible to launch the chat straight from the webmail, also. Liz

19 May 2007, 07:35 AM	#12
Geir The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,938 Representative of: Runbox.com	We're working on direct client access. It should be possible to connect directly to/from Google Talk, but they use some sort of dial-back authentication that might be causing trouble... We're looking into this as well. And we're working on the new IMAP server, but it's very difficult to predict a date of deployment. We've patched the newest Courier IMAP version for use with the Runbox system, but we still have some issues to iron out. - Geir

23 May 2007, 07:16 AM	#13
NashTax Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 37	Having problems logg ing here

23 May 2007, 08:17 AM	#14
digp Master of the @ Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,326	you should spend more time on your email offerings

23 May 2007, 05:10 PM	#15
Geir The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,938 Representative of: Runbox.com	NashTax: Could you be more specific, please? Do you get an error message? - Geir