[Adium-devl] AOL opens up AIM

[Eric Richie]

On 3/5/08 9:59 PM, "Andre-John Mas" <ajmas at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> I just looked at the FAQ and saw:
> 
>    We tried to make the Open AIM Program as restriction-free and
> flexible as possible. But in order to help protect our network and
> users, certain rules apply.
> 
>      * We ask that you incorporate two value-added features of the AIM
> service into your application. The full list that you can pick from is
> listed in our Additional Feature Requirements webpage.


Advertising
Buddy Info
Expressions and Buddy Icons
AIM Start Page
AIM Toolbar

Libpurple handles Buddy Info and Buddy Icons so this should be covered
(possibly need to add a link to their awful expressions... But whatever.)

>      * Although we have removed many restrictions on usage and
> development, we still do not permit developers to build Open AIM
> applications that are interoperable with other IM networks. (Multi-
> headed applications are now allowed). Please refer to the Developers
> License Agreement for additional details.
> 
> The second point is confusing, since it says "we still do not permit
> developers to build Open AIM applications that are interoperable with
> other IM networks", yet "Multi-headed applications are now allowed".
> Are the any multi-headed applications taht aren't interoperable with
> other networks. Also does this mean that reversed engineered stuff is
> technically more open that the official open API?

Interoperable in this case doesn't mean multi-protocol clients, but instead
refers to MSN <-> Yahoo! type interoperability.  So no building fully
compatible transports for other protocols.

-Eric