= = = server supported = = =

- Reading time: 1 minute / whole rubric: 24 minutes -

Delimitation:

  • Server-based Messengersystems (“condition”) need appropriate servers for usage - e.g. for contact list, message forwarding, groups or chat room management.
  • Server-supported Messengersystems (“possibility”) basically work without servers - however, servers can be used for special functions (like buffering of messages).
  • Serverless Messenger systems (“abandonment”) are completely decentralized and organized without servers.

Overview


Echo-Protokoll

The Echo protocol is used by Goldbug (desktop client) or Smoke (Android client), for example, and is the main component of the “Comparison of the big 7 (open source) messenger systems”. The project is entirely volunteer-driven and is not paid for by third parties.

In a nutshell: Very interesting, comprehensive, coherent. Unfortunately, however, many special and technical terms; many abstract and also strange designations in the explanations (molecules, …); seems confusing and complicated for nominal users at first sight. So far no contact to German contact person possible / no German forum.

  • decentralization: direct/mesh (P2P, no separate servers)
  • positive: some anonymity
  • positive: german user manual
  • negative: NO german project page

More information: >> here <<

Scuttlebutt

The protocol “SecureScuttlebut /SSB (short: Scuttlebutt)” has a likewise very interesting approach and also relies on decentralization.

  • Decentralization: direct (P2P, no separate servers required)
  • positive: some anonymity
  • positive: ingenious concept (specialized in offline functionality)
  • positive: built-in support for TOR
  • negative: NO german project page/help
  • negative: in the beginning you have to download very large amounts of data
  • negative: maximum of 7 participants in “closed groups”

More information: >> here <<