Make Your Own Google Bot

Chat bots can be fun or useful, but until now, deploying and maintaining a chat bot for Google Talk was difficult. Google has announced a new XMPP API that makes it easier to build your own chat bots with the Google App Engine.

The XMPP support lets you create apps that exchange messages with users on any XMPP system, including of course Google Talk, but any Jabber network. Where it gets really interesting is the built-in XMPP support for the fast-approaching Google Wave, which will be rolling out to a larger beta group at the end of September. This means that you’ll be able to use the XMPP API to build bots that interact with your Waves.

For all the details, read the API release notes.

Share Your Location via GTalk

The growing popularity of mobile phones with GPS and other location technology led to the recent launch of Google Latitude — a cool tool that lets you choose to share your geographic location with your contacts. 

Now Google has announced a couple tools that let you share that information — with fairly generic location — with your contacts via Gmail and Google Talk. 

Note that Latitude is not yet supported by all phones, even if they have built-in GPS. Access Latitude on the iPhone and today you’ll get a “Coming Soon” message. Didn’t those go out of style in the 90’s, shortly after “Under Construction” pages?

Currently Google Latitude will work with Android-powered devices such as the T-Mobile G1, most color BlackBerry phones, most Windows Mobile 5.0+ and Symbian S60 (Nokia) smartphones. And soon (we are promised) the iPhone. 

But if your phone is supported, you can setup Google Latitude, then give the Google Talk location status a try.

What does Google Talk Location Status actually do? Not much, really. It auto-detects your location and then changes your Google Talk status to the city you are currently in. In other words, no need to worry that Google will rat you out when you tell the missus you have a late night at the office.  

And for those privacy freaks who are worried that Big Brother is watching, remember this: just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they are not out to get you.

And for those of you who can’t share enough, you can also check out the new Google Public Location Badge that you can embed on your blog or web page. Pretty much the same idea as Google Talk Location Status, but with a pretty map to go with it.

Digsby

Digsby is a multi-protocol instant messaging program that adds social networking and email notification integration. Digsby’s IM support is extensive. Digsby connects to AIM, WLM (MSN), Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber and Facebook Chat.

Social network support includes Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn, giving you the ability to update your status and get live updates from your contacts.

And Digsby gives you email notifications for Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, AOL, IMAP and POP3 mail accounts. If you need to connect to multiple networks, Digsby is worth a closer look.

Background

Digsby began as Steve Shapiro’s school project as he worked on his MBA at Rochester Institute of Technology. The project grew to a team of developers, now operating as dotSyntax LLC. After two years of development, Digsby was first released in a private beta in February 2008, and to the public in March 2008. Since that time, Digsby has quickly grown to become one of the most popular multi-protocol IM programs on Windows.

Customization

One of Digsby’s great features is the ability to personalize the look. You can create or download new skins to change the entire look of Digsby.  You can switch the chat theme, load custom emoticon and sound sets.

Requirements

Currently Digsby is only available on Windows (XP or Vista), but Mac OS X and Linux versions have been promised.

Installation Notes

In late 2008, the Digsby installer was changed to include a number of “utilities” of dubious value. Most of these additional utilities are adware supported. Installation of these additional programs is fortunately optional, but be cautious to read each installation screen carefully and choose decline for these “extras.”

Useful Links

• Digsby – official site
• Digsby Blog – official Digsby company blog
• Digsby Forums – official Digsby support forums
• Digsbies.org – fan site with a feature wish list, skins, conversation themes, emoticon  and sound sets
• irc://irc.freenode.net/digsby – IRC chat with the digsbies; frequented by the developers
• Digsby Widget – embed this on your blog and visitors can chat directly with you