Are we there yet? Yes, almost, quiet down back there! (Patreon)

We've reached feature parity with the couple of other AIM and ICQ servers out there, except of course those features are implemented correctly. Within a week or so we'll be able to start alpha testing and after that, beta testers will be allowed on.

Currently we're implementing multi-server support and it will be built in completely from the start and will be completed within a day. This will allow us to launch with multiple server instances running, making it to where we won't run into congestion or latency issues as we expand, and allows us to test multiple servers from day one to avoid any potential future problems.

The above information is in regard to the OSCAR protocol, and as mentioned in the last post, this is the protocol that most AIM and ICQ clients use that you are probably familiar with.

TOC will follow soon and the Java sources to TIC and AIM Express will be released to supporters if you want to mess with it -- they'll be in a public repo. Those are the TOC and TOC2 clients that were ran as Java applets in browser but can be run as Java programs with some changes. 

We don't have the sources to ICQ Webbie which is the Java TOC2 client for ICQ which is almost as powerful as an OSCAR ICQ client. Attempts to decompile weren't great because it's obfuscated to a point where it would take too much time to deal with right now. However, we'll put up the class files anyway (or you can have them now if you want, just message us) so if anyone wants to try, they can, so we can make it into a good open client. It'll be good to have this because it has TOC2 ICQ-specific extensions which are totally undocumented.

TOC is much easier for developers to mess with, it's more like the IRC protocol than OSCAR. We will also provide libraries for TOC/TOC2 in many languages, though they are implemented at different levels because they are open source projects saved from a long time ago and done by outside developers, but we will take over managing the projects and welcome contributions so we can provide access in all sorts of ways.

TOC is really good for bots and also it'll be fun to see if someone implements a JS websocket version as well.

Escargot One (as opposed to Escargot Classic which is running now, and yes it's a play on Xbox One since it wasn't the first version either, hehehe) is also progressing as well, with no projected timeline just yet, but it won't be long. 

It's worth noting that Escargot One is a total rewrite and is far more flexible, faster, and more stable than what is running currently, and will allow us to expand it much easier and include other features currently missing (more on that another time).

As mentioned in our last community update, AOL will come after AIM/ICQ because of how things will link together, so it's on the horizon, but we're not at that point yet. You can read that post for other details on our roadmap and what we're working on.

Some of you have asked about the email Patreon award. As I mentioned to those who asked, we are waiting until modernization is complete before we can start working out how to award that. Modernization is essentially how we're updating our databases to make it to where we can add more features and expand more easily and clear out a lot of junk from the Escargot Classic era. If you joined NINA and Escargot after January 18th, you don't need to modernize your account, but if you joined NINA and Escargot before that, and haven't modernized yet, it's very important that you do -- click here for more info.

Having said that, because email servers cost money, at first we'll only be able to offer forwarding, that is to say you@escargot.chat will automatically be forwarded to whatever email address you choose. As we can afford to finally launch email servers, and we will have to because for AOL support so it won't be long, then you'll have an inbox available to you when you login to the web site -- or via IMAP and SMTP in your favorite email client.

Your email address will be username@escargot.chat, @escargot.live, and @nina.chat you can use all three and they'll go to the same inbox or be forwarded to the same place. Even after we provide email inboxes, you'll be able to keep forwarding if you want, as having yet another inbox isn't ideal for everyone.

And again if you have another reward, such as the mention/link on the donation page and it hasn't been awarded, feel free to message us. Additionally feel free to message us any questions you may have. We're working on a way to more better track the awards given so even if you do nothing at all, we'll bother you eventually about your rewards ;-). We want to make sure you all get what's comin' to ya.

Thank you again for your support!

- NINA and Escargot