Herp specific IM network?

So I do some webhosting on the side as some of you know and I like to play with new things such as server type apps and what not. I have recently setup a Jabber type IM server and just playing around with it a bit. I've not used Jabber much honestly but its a very robust and versatile IM protocal and there are all kinds of clients for it.

My question to you folks is to see if there would be an interest in a herp specific IM network. Yes I know there are all the other IM services out there already. If your like me you might even use just about all of them and manage them from one central IM application. This Jabber based IM connection would fit easily into most IM manager softwares.

My thoughts: First this is NOT in any way shape or form to take away from this or any web forum. My initial rough draft thoughts are to provide this network of herpers for those possibly seeking a more immediate responce or emergency type help or questions. Also group chats would be easily available on specific subjects at any given time.

Why is this better than any other IM service that you can already use? Well who knows maybe it won't be. Its just that it could be limited to herp keepers and would be supported by a site with easy and fast access to others who enjoy the hobby or perhaps need help fast as mentioned above.

If there is an interest I would need some people interested in helping to get things going, do testing, and essentially help build this network.

I would be interested in helping. I also think it is a great idea!


-Andre

i like the idea...look forward to seeing its progress :)

Cool keep the feedback coming! Just thought I would say again to those thinking it or for the site admins...I don't see this sort of thing infringing on forums but maybe even something to incorporate. Forums have their place and their benefits over a chat network and I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Cool keep the feedback coming! Just thought I would say again to those thinking it or for the site admins...I don't see this sort of thing infringing on forums but maybe even something to incorporate. Forums have their place and their benefits over a chat network and I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon.

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Speaking of which - and without the intent to steal any fire - the Humid Hide should be back soon and Judy and I have been coordinating a more predictable future schedule for it.


I have used Jabber here at work for a few years - it is the only official supported client the IG has approved. It's pretty decent and is used frequently to fill corporate and contractor-specific IM needs. Our distribution is repackaged but I dont think the standard client is heinous with bloatware liek AOL/Yahoo clients have become. Nor do I know how well it might incorporate with trillian (or if it does).

It could be incorporated here as much as yahoo/aim IM's have (providing an ID slot for folks to indicate their contact info for that particular medium) but no I dont't see them going anywhere anytime soon either.

I think its a great idea. I also dont think it would take away at all from the forum. As was said earlier, both have their place. I would deffinatly be interested in helping.

great! keep voting...feel free to vote no if that's how you feel I put up the "dork" so i know its not personal...in most cases LOL!

Edit/add: I've also already secured a domain name...if this project doesn't go through I'm not out much. I won't post it untill/if I get permission from the site admins and there is no point yet as there is nothing there to even show. I will start looking for people to work with however to help in testing some functions and features of the IM system itself which has already been up and running.

Great idea! I love to help others count me in.:)

Yeah count me in. I would love to help as it would be great to talk to other bp.net people more frequent.


-Andre

sounds good to me too. i'll help if i can...

I voted yes and that I would help...... if needed.

I voted you were a dork, just because I couldn't resist, but in reality it is an interesting project and I would be happy to assist in testing for you. :)

my only concern is this... how would people know who the people with knowledge are? in a forum, at least you have an idea of who has knowledge and who doesn't. sometimes it's just going by their join date... but still you get an idea of how long they've been keeping herps for.

in a chat situation, with an emergency... how would you know if the person giving out the information has the knowledge behind them?

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

my only concern is this... how would people know who the people with knowledge are? in a forum, at least you have an idea of who has knowledge and who doesn't. sometimes it's just going by their join date... but still you get an idea of how long they've been keeping herps for.

in a chat situation, with an emergency... how would you know if the person giving out the information has the knowledge behind them?

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Depending on how integrated that system is with the forum here, you could require that they use the same handle for both arenas.

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

Depending on how integrated that system is with the forum here, you could require that they use the same handle for both arenas.

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There would be no way to integrate that kind of system with the forum.

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Originally Posted by JLC

There would be no way to integrate that kind of system with the forum.

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I think it would have to be more of a mandatory enforcement by the person running the IM...when you registered a nickname, you'd have to register with the same one you used here. Something similar is used at an unrelated forum I frequent, and the admins of the messaging system boot folks who try to register with the wrong nicks. They have it cross-referenced with the e-mails on the forum profiles. Reduces malicious behavior, imping, etc. Not so much a physical integration as man-powered one. :-)

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Originally Posted by JLC

There would be no way to integrate that kind of system with the forum.

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Correct.

What domain will this be running off Tek?

Just want to clear some things up for you guys. What I have in mind *could* be in some ways integrated into forums. That is totally depent on forum communities themeselves. This network if it takes off will be open to anyone, and is not in conjuction or relation to any one forum or online comunity already in existence unless said communities *choose* to be involved.

I am getting a pretty good number of people who sound like they would like to help. The first part of the testing will honestly not be all that difficult on the user end. I will most likely start out with a handfull of users and simply have them connect to the IM server. Those users would be free to "play" and chat with others...probably not all that exciting. This step will be mostly on my end seeing what sort of impact the server has if any with the first few users as well as testing admin functions and features.

To answer some of the other questions about how do we know who is who and what not: This will be open anyone but in reality it is my hope that word will travel within existing communities so the chances of someone "just hoping on" are slim to none. Some of the testing I mentioned above will involve how to setup user groups and "staff" such as admins and lower level "helpers". Guidelines will have to be written and there will be methods of communicating who abusers are with actions to follow.

It is my intention to keep away from a forum that is for herp discussion as I know this will infringe on existing communities. I will need a way however to dynamically display info and manage things on the site so a forum may be implemented but for the sole purpose of supporting this network -not for herp discussions, we have great forums such as this one for that. I have ideas for a "directory" of sorts for looking up specific users or those participating in say an emergency help team for example. The possibility also of a way to determine who has the knowledge to help other individuals with accurate info. Forum site admins could suggest those they see clearly up on their knowledge and ability to help others...even if just as representitives of said forums. To start I think the IM network will rely on the site for much of this but I have yet to really unleash the power of the IM server so we'll see how it goes.

I may start the forum soon as a place for those interested to submit suggestions and talk about testing and what not. I would like to hold off on the site address until there is something actually there to get us started...as well as give this forum's admins another chance to tell me not post it :P now knowing that a forum will be open for communication on the project. I will be looking for a good team of people to help get this going from all angles such as web programmers and such. I don't think there will be any shortage of those willing to be the ones offering the help this network is meant to deliver :)

Seems like an interesting idea, although I'd be a little careful. Jabber tends to be pretty sweet on resources, but I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot poll if you're running a web server on it as well (I've seen 15 minute load averages at 5.0+).

If you need any help let me know :).

I keep my equipment pretty tight but thanks for tip. I've done alot research and still doing more on the software I've chosen to use for testing. If you have some tech knowledge would love to have you on board once the site is up.

Be more than happy to help :). Just let me know when you get things running.

I have a site started and it is forum based. There is absolutely no herp discussion taking place on it. Its sole purpose is to get this project going and may seem a bit technical for some but I would still invite everyone interested to check it out and keep an eye on it for development. I have tidbits of information on it now...but not a whole lot. The first goal is to get a team and divisions going of people willing to help out. If you go to the site expecting get info on how to try the service out you won't find it there just yet. I want this to be as organized as possible so nothing will be rushed...and who knows if there will even be a large enough user interest to make it worth while.

All that said I would like to formally ask the Admin Council permission to post the web address. Should you guys/ladies wish to preview before making your decision I will gladly present the url via PM. I know Smulkin in an earlier post asked directly what the domain would be but now with a little bit more info out about it I am asking specifically this time for consent.

Just as an aside note...BP.net is the first forum I am requesting to present this to. You guys presented the most participation in the poll and comments out of 4-5 forums I went to. Besides that you guys are all awesome anyway even if we have to agree to disagree sometimes ;)

Shoot me a PM with some details.

With consent from the man himself here is the link:

www.Herp-IM.net

Again not a whole lot there yet but your free to submit your input and suggestions as well as keep an eye on the progress of the project.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

With consent from the man himself here is the link:

www.Herp-IM.net

Again not a whole lot there yet but your free to submit your input and suggestions as well as keep an eye on the progress of the project.

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This link wouldn't work for me...
I voted your idea as a good one and potentially quite helpful for the growing herp community. Let me know if I can help at all! :gj:

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Originally Posted by starmom

This link wouldn't work for me...
I voted your idea as a good one and potentially quite helpful for the growing herp community. Let me know if I can help at all! :gj:

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This thread hasn't been active in over a year. I think the Herp IM network is on hold for a while..due to "life"...ya know?

Great Idea I would love to help.:gj::banana::gj:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

This thread hasn't been active in over a year. I think the Herp IM network is on hold for a while..due to "life"...ya know?

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Oh jeez~ I hate it when I forget to look at the thread date! :oops: Thanks for the head's up :gj:

Yeah it was bumped up to the top for me as well! I checked the date though and was throughly confused.