We repeatedly get questions regarding plans for chat on the Agenda. We are investigating chat client solutions, but we do not have an anticipated timeframe for introducing a web-based chat client. However, it will be based on Jabber Conference which is available now.

For techies, Jabber is a set of open-source chat protocols based on XML. It allows for interoperabiltiy of differing chat services. For non-techies, it is a free chat service that requires you download a stand alone client. There are free clients (see Recommended Clients in the opposite column) and many places to get a free Jabber account. Any Jabber account can talk with any other Jabber account, regardless of who provides the service. For more information, see Jabber.org.

• No Ads!
• No Chatbots telling you how hot you are.
• Stand-alone client means you are only limited by your client. Many clients have plug-ins for news, time, iTunes controls. They have skins so you can change it visually. Some even combine your other chat clients so you can have Yahoo!, AIM and MSN all in one place.
• You can make friends in a Jabber conference, then add them to your buddy list. Your buddy list is available even when you are not in the chat room.
• You can have a private conference room. Just give it a name and invite as many friends as you want.
• We can add special conferences just for women, for gay organizations, or anyone else.

It is open-source, meaning we don't have to re-engineer our chat every time a company is bought or service fees are increased. While Jabber does not contain many of the features of proprietary chat systems, it is quickly being adopted on the web as a standard for text-based messaging. It is being adopted in a variety of chat clients, including the newest version of iChat.

We can give you a Queer Agenda Jabber ID. Unfortunately, our current webhost doesn't allow for auto-sign up, so it all has to be manually. We would love for you to use one of our ID's though, so if you have time to be patient, let us give you one. Click the link in the opposite column to request a Jabber account with The Agenda. If you don't want to be patient, we completely understand.

Jabber.org has a list of public servers. Many Jabber clients, such as Psi, allow you to create a Jabber ID (JID) simply by typing in one of the public servers on the Jabber.org list and selecting register. Remember that you can get your account from anywhere and still use it to chat on The Agenda. That's the magic of open-source chat.

Sign-up for the Agenda. Then you can come back here to request a Jabber Account.

conference.jabber.thequeeragenda.com

Agenda





Also, you and your friends can create your own chatrooms. Give it a name you all know, and then invite your friends to join in. Remember everyone must have a Jabber ID and client!

Psi
Miranda
Yabber
Trillian Pro

Adium X
Psi

Gaim

More Clients at Jabber.org

We are working on more documentation for our Jabber Conferencing. In the meantime, feel free to email us questions about setting up an account, different clients or connecting to a conference. We will be happy to steer you in the right direction.

Test your Jabber account by sending us a Jabber message to info@thequeergenda.com.