Google Hires Gaim's Main Developer

astrab writes "According to Dirson's blog, Google's just hired Sean Egan (the main developer of Gaim open IM client), just the same day Yahoo! and Microsoft plan to link their respective proprietary IM networks." From the post: "While Yahoo! and Microsoft link their proprietary networks for Instant Messaging, Google bets on Open Protocols to make information universally accessible ... Currently, Google uses XMPP/Jabber specs, but they claim to be supporting open server-to-server federation, and work "to hear from other people in the communications industry about how best to build a federation model that is open, scalable". In fact, there are this month several tests with firms like EarthLink, Sipphone or PeopleCall. "

Comments

Webcam

[niskel]

This would be great if it somehow sped up development of webcam support in Gaim in Linux. Or even webcam support in some new Goolge IM client for Linux. Asking people to use netmeeting is sortof a pain especially if they are behind firewalls.

Re:Webcam

[Vidael]

Setting aside the corporate necessities for video conferencing; video over IM clients is a great way for families to interact when members are a great distance away. Text and voice is good to a point, but getting to actually SEE your loved ones (in a non-static picture) fulfills a deeper need. I'm sure a psychologist could better explain that than I could.

The fact that, in your opinion, video is a "stupid addition" is absolutely irrelevant in today's society.

Don't be Tom Smykowski

[Ctrl Alt De1337]

Before everyone assumes everything with Gaim will be instantly different, remember that a couple Firefox developers got hired by Google, and nothing much changed with that project. I mean, Microsoft hired the founder of Gentoo, and look how much has changed there (practically nil).

In short, if anything this is good because ensures that Gaim will not die. Google hired a dev, they didn't somehow buy the whole project.

Re:Burn me down!!!

[Monkelectric]

I was the second team member on a very popular linux distro ... I also make a very decent salary writing windows software. Does this mean I'm sold out to the man? Or does it mean I need to eat and buy my family food and shelter?

Or am I supposed to donate all of myself, and my families welfare for your ideals? Look at the founder of Gentoo, Daniel Robbins ... The guy stepped down when he was 40k in DEBT living his ideals.

Could it also be that the way to chang the system is to work inside it? I have influence over products, IT, and software decisions from this position I wouldn't have mooching off my folks and writing OSS software in the basement.