btChat
bluetooth adhoc communication
News
[December 14. 2004] Moved to GAIM 1.1.0
[July 08. 2004] First IM/chat enabled version released!
[June 07. 2004] The next version is nearly ready
Introduction
btChat is a bluetooth based chatting/IM (instant messaging) system
The idea behind btChat is to have a instant (zero configuration) chatting/IM system which can
be used nearly every where without need for an network infrastructure.
Who needs a instant messaging system for a range of 10 meters? Think about class rooms, a conference auditorium or any other
event where you sit close to each other but can't talk. In these locations you don't want and can't configure any kind of
chat or messaging system.
Functionalities
- chatting / IM (instant messaging)
- bluetooth environment monitoring (real world buddy list)
Screenshots
Contact
Download
Currently only for Linux, but a Windows version is in the works.
You need BlueZ (the Linux bluetooth stack) running in order to use
btChat!
btChat follows the client-server model, this means you have a local server (which does all the bluetooth stuff) and you have
a client which presents the user interface. The server is very simple just download it (link below) and follow the
INSTALL instructions. The user client currently is a GAIM plugin, GAIM is
a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Linux and other platforms. GAIM was chosen because of it's nice
appearance and good documented plugin API.
Downloads
If you allready have GAIM >= 1.1.0 you can just download the binary plugin and follow the
INSTALL file. Also skip the second part of the online Install instructions.
Install
btchatd (btChat daemon)
tar xvzf btchatd_xxx.tar.gz
cd btchatd/src
make
make install (as root)
gaim + btchat (user client)
tar xvzf gaim-xxxx.tar.gz
cd gaim
./configure --prefix=/usr (for Debian)
make
make install (as root)
rm /usr/lib/gaim/libgg.* (as root)
Using btChat
configure BlueZ
set PSCAN ISCAN RSWITCH SLAVE ACCEPT like shown below, don't
set AUTH and/or ENCRYPT
hci0: Type: USB
BD Address: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx ACL MTU: 192:8 SCO MTU: 64:8
UP RUNNING PSCAN ISCAN
RX bytes:384 acl:0 sco:0 events:17 errors:0
TX bytes:309 acl:0 sco:0 commands:16 errors:0
Features: 0xff 0xff 0x0f 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Packet type: DM1 DM3 DM5 DH1 DH3 DH5 HV1 HV2 HV3
Link policy: RSWITCH HOLD SNIFF PARK
Link mode: SLAVE ACCEPT
Name: 'collin'
Class: 0x120300
Service Classes: Networking, Object Transfer
Device Class: LAN Access, Uncategorized
HCI Ver: 1.1 (0x1) HCI Rev: 0x20d LMP Ver: 1.1 (0x1) LMP Subver: 0x20d
Manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio (10)
make sure hcid and sdpd are running
setup GAIM for btChat
create a btChat account with any username and password
set the proxy settings to no-proxy
running btChat and GAIM
start btchatd
start gaim, select the btChat account and connect
ToDo
- porting: Java/MIDP 2.0, Windows and PocketPC
- support for channels (IRC like)
- formation of private networks
Feedback
How does it work
As described above btChat is divided into a client and a server, both running on the same host. The server btchatd
does all the bluetooth stuff (connecting other nodes, etc..). The client (GAIM) just connects to the local btchat server.
The server regularly scans for other bluetooth devices and checks if they also run btChat. All btChat nodes automatically connect
each other to span an adhoc network (a bluetooth pico/scatternet).
some btchatd facts
- accepts one user client connection on: 127.0.0.1:2222
- publishes an SDP service with the 16bit UUID 0x2222
- listens on the first available RFCOMM channel for incoming connections from other btChat nodes
Do you like my software and the fact that it is free? Consider a donation, thank you!
updated: Wed Dec 15 03:51:01 CET 2004
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