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XMPP for all Nerdica.Net Users


!Nerdica Forum

As yesterday already pointed out, I worked on enabling XMPP for all Friendica.Net users. A short test showed that this was successful, at least as far as I could test it.

So, what's this XMPP stuff is all about?

What is XMPP?
XMPP, or formerly known as Jabber, is a protocol for instant messaging. You can read the XMPP article in Wikipedia if your interested in details.
XMPP is similar to Friendica in that it is a federated protocol as well as email is. So, there is no central server infrastructure like for Facebook, but basically everyone can run his/her own server, if wanted. But you don't need to! There are hundreds of free XMPP servers out there where you can register an account. As an user of Nerdica.Net you already have an XMPP account with the same address as your Friendica account: <username>@nerdica.net.

How can I use XMPP?
There are multiple options.

1) Within your profile settings you can find XMPP addon in Friendica. Just activate it and enter your login/password again. You'll need to enter the BOSH URL as follows:
https://jabber.windfluechter.net:5281/http-bind

2) You can also visit this site which is my main XMPP server on the same server, but a different virtual machine. There you can also enter your Nerdica.Net account in the format of <username>@nerdica.net and your password to login to use an XMPP client in your browser window.

3) On your PC or laptop you can install a XMPP or multiprotocol client like Pidgin, Gajim, Jitsi or whichever client you like. Again, just enter your <username>@nerdica.net and password and have fun!

4) For your mobile usage you can install ChatSecure from Apples AppStore on iOS devices or Conversations from Googles PlayStore. Both a state-of-the-art clients for mobile.
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Why should I use XMPP?
You are already using a free, open and federated network when
you use Friendica on this node. You are doing this because you enjoy the benefits of it. Not being dependent from a big company that just want to sell your personal data is a good thing in itself. Google, Facebook and others have also used XMPP for their instant messengers in the past, but decided at some point to close it down and make proprietary messengers out of this to lock you in their own infrastructure. From then on you needed a Google Talk account if you wanted to chat with your friends at Google, or a Facebook account when your friends used Facebooks messenger.
With a free, open and standardized protocol like XMPP you are no longer locked in by a company. Instead you have the freedom to choose the best solution for your secure communication with your friends! Help to keep the Internet free and open by using federated, open and standardized protocols and software!

Ok, but what's the downside of this?
Honestly, I can't imagine of any downside. Maybe the only one is that there is no central directory of contacts and you cannot easily find your friends by looking up their names or phone numbers in an addressbook. But from the privacy aspect viewed even this is more a positive thing.

So, feel free to test it out! You can even have a group chat, a so called multi-user conference (MUC). I've setup on for you at support@chat.nerdica.net - feel free to join! 😀

Update: changed address of support chat to new MUC alias. Please update your bookmarks/contacts.