Phim
What is Phim?
Phim stands for "Phi Messenger". It is a protocol, client and node (server), for an IM (Instant Messenging) system. It is designed to allow complete decentralization, but also have the ability to centralize to any degree desired.
Phi of course refers to the number phi - the Golden Ratio. The history of it seems to be quite rich, and I couldn't think of any better names anyways. It has been found in all sorts of mathematical relationships, and now it is in the name of a IM system. Now it just needs to be incorporated into the GUI of the client somehow (perhaps a golden (rectangle) window ;).
Isn't there already mature projects like this (ie Jabber)?
Probably. I am not sure if all of my ideas have been done in existing solutions. I have not looked at Jabber's protocol specifications or even how it works in general aside from the project about page or any other IM system remotely like what I envision, nor do I plan to. And even if everything is done already, who cares? The more the merrier. Just because something isn't original, doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.
What is the current status?
Development has begun, as of January 20th, 2006. A copy of the current source code is avaliable from the CVS. There is also a nightly tarball of the entire CVS provided by SourceForge.
Why Java?
Why not Java? There isn't anything wrong with it. Perhaps one day I will work on a C++ port, I don't know. However, I would like to expand my knowledge of programming to include Java, so this is a great project to learn all about it. If you happen to be interested in developing a Phim client and/or node in another language, be sure send me a line.
