I think protocols are better than platforms. Links to follow along at home: Open OSCAR Server on GitHub: https://github.com/mk6i/open-oscar-server, OSCAR Protocol definition (via Archive.org): http...
AIM, MSN, Yahoo…Tom Scott made a point once, specifically about MSN messenger but it applies to that entire era: those were superior to Facebook messenger and any smartphone-first messenger designed since because it was possible to log off. Logging onto MSN (or Yahoo or AIM) meant you were idle enough to chat so saying hi wasn’t an imposition. Since ~2010 it always has been.
AIM, MSN, Yahoo…Tom Scott made a point once, specifically about MSN messenger but it applies to that entire era: those were superior to Facebook messenger and any smartphone-first messenger designed since because it was possible to log off. Logging onto MSN (or Yahoo or AIM) meant you were idle enough to chat so saying hi wasn’t an imposition. Since ~2010 it always has been.