The Accept API
The Accept API basically has two parts. The first part is the
Jabberbeans section, this is the XMPP-based API. Remember that
at the core, Accept is an XMPP/Jabber implementation, but with a
SIP plug-in. So it is in this section that you can read, create
and send XML packages between clients. Developers can also
access the roster and listen for packet transfer and presence
information (e.g. user status). This is the heart of what's
going on message-wise.
The second section of the API is the Accept Framework API
(currently at version 1.0). This is where developers can access
the core Accept functions. Things like session management,
application registry access, object caching and thread
management.
I would recommend for anyone interested to first familiarize
themselves with the Jabber/XMPP paradigm. A thorough
understanding is required to really be proficient with Accept
customization. All-in-all, the API looks accessible and
customizable. They provide some sample code and Antepo appears
to have a strong support infrastructure to empower
developers.
Conclusion
Until the IM wars of 2003 are over, and that may be a while,
some of us still want to implement IM and collaboration
applications, and an interoperable and customizable IM server is
just what the IT doctor ordered. While there are viable
proprietary solutions, anyone looking for a standards-based IM
solution, Antepo Accept appears to be a standout in its class.
Accept is a SIP-XMPP interoperable enterprise IM solution that
is highly customizable and built on the simplest (XMPP) of the
two solutions. Antepo does not provide pricing information
publicly, so for further analysis as to whether this is the best
solution for your needs, I recommend visiting Antepo's Web
site.
Drew Falkman is
the author of the JRun Web Application Construction Kit and co-
author (with Ben Forta) of Reality ColdFusion: J2EE Integration,
both published by Macromedia Press. Over the past 6 years, Drew
has developed over 150 Web applications in all sizes using
ColdFusion and Java. Currently Drew consults, speaks at events,
writes for numerous publications, and teaches courses at
Portland State University. His latest project through his
consulting company, Veraison LLC, was a real-time cattle auction
using Flash Remoting and Flash Communication Server. In
addition, Drew is a member of Team Macromedia, a certified
ColdFusion Developer and a certified Macromedia instructor.
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