[TigerC10]

Well you wanted an instant messenger program that people could install. That what I'm making. However my instant messenger is written in Java - meaning you can run it in Windows/Mac/Linux without having to make "special" versions. It'll also be open source so you can be sure that it has security in place.

If you choose to have it remember your username and password for future logins, it will store the password with an MD5 encryption. It also transmits this password over networks with MD5 so that no one monitoring can actually get your password.

There is no database connection info in the client, and there is no server utility program to listen for IM connections. Instead the client sends your username and password to PHP scripts on the server, the PHP scripts double check your information to make sure it's correct and then spit out the information you need (such as friend lists, messages, etc). This may cause a strain on the webserver, but without actually making and testing it I don't now how much of a burden it will be. Since it's just pulling down text and not images, I think it should be okay. At launch I'll recommend this mod not be used on forums with hundreds of active members.

The friend list is tied into vBulletin 3.7's friend list. There's also going to be a contact list as well (compliant with the 3.6- stuff, for people you add to your contacts but who you haven't officially become "friends" with). If someone isn't online, you can send Private Messages to them.

The "buddy icons" will be tied into vBulletin's avatar system.

There will *not* be any form of file transfer or picture sharing, at least not at this stage. I've considered adding a plugin system for it, but if I do decide to it won't be in the first version. Maybe if I get enough donations I can build those things in.