Open Source Resources for Web Application Developers

Anologue is an approach to ad hoc, linear dialogue in realtime. With anologue you can quickly and easily engage in an anonymous (or not) linear dialogue with any number of people (within reason). There is no accounts or installations required. Your “chat room” is created by the time this link loads.

Best of all: Anologue is open source. built with php 5.3.1, using the most non-heinous, totally rad lithium framework, couchdb, jquery, a few other scripts as well as some classy, original and established iconography for ui; all coming together for the conversational goodness you’re about to experience.

Requirements: PHP 5.3, CouchDB, rad-dev account
Demo: http://anologue.com/add
License: BSD License

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Nurph puts Real-Time Chat on your website. ‘Nurph’ any URL by entering it in the URL Box, or by using the Bookmark, and Nurph puts a real-time chat on top of the page. There is no installation required. Just enter a URL, promote it and chat.

You can also promote your Nurph URL across the Web, email, Facebook and Twitter. For example, how about linking to Nurph on your Twitter profile? When people visit your Twitter profile, they can click your Bio URL, Login via Twitter, and join your virtual hangout to chat with you in real-time!

Nurph has just launched in public beta testing. You can start Nurphing right away but please note that the service may be subject to change.

Requirements: -
Demo: http://nur.ph/
License: License Free

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This is Chat2, which is an update to original Chat Room published on CSS-Tricks. In some ways, the technology is the same. We employ PHP to talk to the server, jQuery to keep the chat rolling, and the chats themselves will be stored in .txt files just like the first version.

There are some new features in Chat2. Usernames are now unique to users currently chatting. You can see a “currently chatting” user list. And there are multiple rooms for chatting available now.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://css-tricks.com/examples/Chat2/
License: License Free

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iJab is an Ajax-based web based instant messaging program for XMPP/Jabber. It is free software and users can run their own instant messaging without limitations or software cost, complimenting the XMPP philosophy of a distributed network. iJab is interpreted purely by the client webbrowser. It runs solely in a browser and does not require downloading or installation of additional software.

iJab also developed iJabBar, a Facebook styled web chat client. Do you need integrating IM into you website or hosting your own IM service? iJab might be suitable for you.

Requirements: -
Demo: http://www.ijab.im/demos/
License: GPL License

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Video conferencing typically requiring cumbersome downloads, logins, and endless contact lists, it too often becomes a service that is slow and unreliable.

Tinychat delivers dead simple video conferences without the extraneous ad-ons and inconvenience, making video conferencing an accessible, uncomplicated experience. You can have up to twelve people in a room with HQ video, protected by passwords and moderators, share your desktop with them, and your conferences can be recorded and embedded on your website.

Tinychat is the ultimate meeting solution for those who want to meet without stress and hassle. The Developer API is available and able to return information in both JSON and XML about a specific room as well.

Requirements: Firefox, IE, Safari, and Chrome
Demo: http://tinychat.com/
License: License Free

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Nettus has published a tutorial of “How to Create A Simple Web-based Chat Application“. In the tutorial we will be creating a simple web-based chat application with PHP and jQuery. This sort of utility would be perfect for a live support system for your website.

The chat application includes a login and logout system, AJAX-style features, and will also offer support for multiple users. Also, you can work off this and build a multiple chat rooms, add an administrative backend, add emoticons, etc…

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/javascript-ajax/how-to-create-a-simple…
License: License Free

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Everyone loves the Gmail and Facebook inline chat modules. This Gmail/Facebook Style jQuery Chat Module enables you to seamlessly integrate Gmail/Facebook style chat into your existing website.

You can see the chat box displays at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. You can keep the chat boxes open and stores state (data) even when pages are browsed/refreshed. It will display “Sent at…” after 3 minutes of inactivity. You can also minimize and close chat boxes easily.

This chat script can be used for free under LGPL-style license for non-commercial purposes. However, you need to purchase a license for commercial purposes.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://anantgarg.com/2009/05/13/gmail-facebook-style-jquery-chat/
License: LGPL License

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Web Messenger is an open-source live support software allowing visitors of your site to chat with your operators. It makes easier to communicate with existing and potential clients. It will significantly increase conversion rates and online sales of your web site.

You can place the button of Web Messenger at your site. Your visitors click the button and chat with your operators who help them. This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the terms of the Eclipse Public License v1.0.

Requirements: PHP 5.0+, MySQL 5.0+
Demo: http://openwebim.org/demo.php
License: Eclipse Public License v1.0

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toksta* is a free instant messenger, which is easy to implement and customize. toksta* IM enables your users to chat via text chat or webcam in real time – without having to switch to programs like Skype, MSN or ICQ! The toksta* IM runs directly in the web browser and each user can be chatted with via his profile – no matter what he is doing in your social networking site at the time. Since the IM opens in a new window, your users can also continue to surf on your site while chatting.

The toksta* IM can be integrated into any social networking site based on PHP, Ruby or JSP. No installations or additional logins of any kind are necessary on the part of your users. It is absolutely free of charge. Hosting and traffic costs are assumed in total by toksta* and you will not be liable for any licensing or usage fees.

Requirements: -
Demo: http://www.toksta.com
License: License Free

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JibberBook is an easy-to-use, open-source guestbook built with PHP5 and JavaScript. It aims to create a pleasant user experience while giving you much flexibility. JibberBook is open source under an MIT license so you’re free to use it where ever you want. It has the following major features.

Spam Protection
Stop spammers in their tracks with extra protection from Akismet. Spend more time doing what you want and less time managing your guestbook without the use of an ugly Captcha box.

Storage Options
If you don’t like the quick and easy default XML storage, you can switch to MySQL. Simply replace a file and fill out your database information.

Usable Interface
Users with JavaScript will experience a user-friendly interface enhanced by the light-weight library, Mootools. The interface gracefully degrades, and functionality will remain the same for users without JavaScript so you don’t miss a comment.

Requirements: Mootools Framework
Demo: http://jibberbook.com/demo/
License: MIT License

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