Conference Tools in GAIM

Synopsis: I propose a plugin for GAIM that allows users to connect for online conferencing, providing tools including whiteboard, collaborative text editing, and file sharing within the conference group. This plugin would allow users to connect to contacts on any of GAIM's supported instant messaging networks and could be expanded to include new tools and features in the future.

Benefits: I intend for this plugin to be a uniquely convenient and flexible conferencing system, which many users will find preferable to existing conferencing software. It will take advantage of GAIM’s multiplatform availability and ability to connect to multiple networks, allowing a wide range of people to connect to a conference without all having an account on the same instant messaging service or the same type of computer. It will also allow the casual user to enjoy whiteboard for drawing with friends or students working on a group project to collaborate on a text document from the convenience of an instant messaging program that many are already familiar with.

Project Details: The plugin would add a submenu to the conversation menu in each messaging window, from which users could choose to initiate a new conference with the contact or invite him or her to an existing conference if present. Each conference would be named and represented by a window with buttons to access the individual "conference tools". Upon connection, the plugin would attempt to establish a direct connection with each other participant, but if that fails due to users behind routers or with other complications, data can be sent indirectly through another user. The conference tools initially would consist of a whiteboard, collaborative text editor, and file sharing system. Each of these would be opened in a new window when activated.

The whiteboard would be a relatively simple, allowing users to draw vectors and enter text that all conference members would see. Additional features may be added to the whiteboard at a later time.

The collaborative text editor would display a cursor character for each person editing the document, and show changes in realtime. Initially the editor would only support plain text.

The file sharing system would display a list of all the files offered by users in the conference and allow each user to select and deselect files for offering to other users. Files from the list could then be selected and downloaded.

While each tool would be relatively basic for this project, there is enough functionality for users to do useful (or entertaining) things, and it is a starting point from which other contributors can expand and improve to make a more powerful conferencing system.

Project Schedule: I can begin work as soon as the project is approved, but for the purpose of this schedule I will assume June 24th. Dates below are estimates.

June 24th - Begin working with mentor to become familiar with GAIM plugin programming.

July 5th - Finalize design details and begin coding.

July 14th - Begin testing connections and minimal functioning.

Fix bugs and add features.

July 25th - Begin beta testing.

Fix bugs and add features.

August 1st - With any luck, project will be complete as described.

Remainder of August - Plugin will be released online, and improvements will be made in response to user feedback as appropriate.

Bio: I have always been fascinated by computers, and interested in programming since a very early age. I taught myself Quick Basic and Visual Basic, and was creating simple games and software for Windows by age 13. Soon after, I began offering my creations for download on my website, and in 2002 I moved to my current domain, GreenBlooded.com. There, I showcase some of my recent creations in Java as well as a few of my older Visual Basic programs and many other things.

I have just completed my freshman year as a Computer Science major at Clemson University. My overall GPA is 3.87, and I had the highest grade in my class for both of the computer science courses I took. My grades demonstrate my commitment to learning and getting work done quickly for class, but programming is also something I enjoy doing in my free time as seen on my website.

This project would teach me a lot because it involves many things I have never done before. I have never developed for any platform other than Windows or DOS before, and I have never written a plugin or modification for existing software. I also do not currently know C or Perl, but I am confident I can learn and use either within the given time frame with help from a mentor. This project would also provide me with the experience I need to make other contributions to the open source community in the future.