Proteus (instant messaging client)
Encyclopedia
Proteus is an instant messaging
client
for Mac OS X
that supports multiple protocols through the libpurple
library. It is written using OS X's Cocoa
API
.
's XMPP
and AIM
client iChat
, although iChat uses the standard Unified design incorporating brushed metal
, while Proteus uses an older Aqua design theme that lacks brushed metal. However it has support for more types of networks than iChat, and can also group multiple conversations in one window using tabs. Proteus fails to support some features of the AIM network, such as embedded images, and has limited support for file transfers. It currently has no audio or video conferencing abilities.
Proteus uses libpurple to connect to multiple services. Libpurple is maintained by the Pidgin
project. The Proteus developers work on the interface of Proteus, without working on the connections. Other projects, including competitors Adium
and QuteCom, also use libpurple.
Version 4.15b6 runs on 10.3.
As of version 4.2.1, the entire code base seems to be released under the GPL.
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
client
Client (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
that supports multiple protocols through the libpurple
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
library. It is written using OS X's Cocoa
Cocoa (API)
Cocoa is Apple's native object-oriented application programming interface for the Mac OS X operating system and—along with the Cocoa Touch extension for gesture recognition and animation—for applications for the iOS operating system, used on Apple devices such as the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and...
API
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
.
History
Proteus was originally developed by Justin Wood, then in 2004 Defaultware took over development. As of August 2006, Proteus has changed hands and is no longer maintained by Defaultware.Design
Proteus's interface vaguely resembles that of AppleApple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
's XMPP
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol is an open-standard communications protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML . The protocol was originally named Jabber, and was developed by the Jabber open-source community in 1999 for near-real-time, extensible instant messaging , presence...
and AIM
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time. It was released by AOL in May 1997...
client iChat
IChat
iChat is an instant messaging software application developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its Mac OS X operating system. It has audio, video and screen-sharing capabilities as well as text messaging...
, although iChat uses the standard Unified design incorporating brushed metal
Brushed metal (interface)
Brushed metal is a discontinued graphical user interface design used in Apple Computer's Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh computers. The first of Apple's applications to sport this look was the QuickTime Player released as part of QuickTime 4.0 in 1999.Apple's Human Interface Guidelines...
, while Proteus uses an older Aqua design theme that lacks brushed metal. However it has support for more types of networks than iChat, and can also group multiple conversations in one window using tabs. Proteus fails to support some features of the AIM network, such as embedded images, and has limited support for file transfers. It currently has no audio or video conferencing abilities.
Proteus uses libpurple to connect to multiple services. Libpurple is maintained by the Pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
project. The Proteus developers work on the interface of Proteus, without working on the connections. Other projects, including competitors Adium
Adium
Adium is a free and open source instant messaging client for Mac OS X that supports multiple IM networks, including Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ, and XMPP. It supports many protocols through the libraries libezv , MGTwitterEngine , and libpurple...
and QuteCom, also use libpurple.
Supported protocols
- OSCAROSCAR protocolOSCAR or Open System for CommunicAtion in Realtime is AOL's flagship instant messaging and presence information protocol. Currently, OSCAR is in use for AOL's two main instant messaging systems: ICQ and AIM....
including AIMAOL Instant MessengerAOL Instant Messenger is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time. It was released by AOL in May 1997...
, ICQICQICQ is an instant messaging computer program, which was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company Mirabilis, then bought by America Online, and since April 2010 owned by Mail.ru Group. The name ICQ is a homophone for the phrase "I seek you"...
and .Mac services - XMPPExtensible Messaging and Presence ProtocolExtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol is an open-standard communications protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML . The protocol was originally named Jabber, and was developed by the Jabber open-source community in 1999 for near-real-time, extensible instant messaging , presence...
- .NET Messenger Service.NET Messenger ServiceThe .NET Messenger Service is an instant messaging and presence system developed by Microsoft in 1999 for use with its MSN Messenger software and used today by its current instant messaging clients, Windows Live Messenger and Microsoft Messenger for Mac...
, commonly known as MSN - YahooYahoo! MessengerYahoo! Messenger is an advertisement-supported instant messaging client and associated protocol provided by Yahoo!...
- Bonjour
- Gadu-GaduGadu-GaduGadu-Gadu is a Polish instant messaging client using a proprietary protocol. Gadu-Gadu is the most popular IM service in Poland, with over 15 million registered accounts and approximately 6.5 million users online daily. Gadu-Gadu’s casual gaming portal had some 500,000 active users at the end of...
- Lotus SametimeLotus SametimeIBM Sametime is a client–server application and middleware platform that provides real-time, unified communications and collaboration for enterprises. Those capabilities include presence information, enterprise instant messaging, web conferencing, community collaboration, and telephony capabilities...
System requirements
Proteus 4.2.1 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.Version 4.15b6 runs on 10.3.
Controversy
Proteus is based on the GPL licensed libpurple library. However, the developers did not originally share the source code for Proteus. The developers of Proteus claimed that they were in compliance with the GPL by running an RPC-accessible daemon process to link to libgaim. As such, the developers released the source code to the imservices module (their modified libgaim) while keeping the rest of their application proprietary. It is unclear whether this is a legal way to circumvent the GPL.As of version 4.2.1, the entire code base seems to be released under the GPL.
See also
- Comparison of instant messaging clientsComparison of instant messaging clientsThe following tables compare general and technical information for a number of instant messaging clients. Please see the individual products' articles for further information. This article is not all-inclusive or necessarily up-to-date...
- Comparison of IRC clientsComparison of IRC clientsThe following tables compare general and technical information between a number of IRC client programs. Please see the individual products articles for further information.- General :...
- List of XMPP client software