A java logo & link would go here if Sun permitted it

Palaver is a multi-platform IRC client, supporting a pluggable architecture. Other IRC clients support 'scripting' in an attempt to let users customise their client. The problem with scripting is that it cannot change the basic appearance of the client, or add new functionality. The scripts also have full access to system resources - a malicious script could wipe out your hard drive's contents, or allow other users to access you computer. Palaver overcomes these problems by: Using a well known, clean, programming language (Java) rather than a custom scripting language. Providing the ability to totally re-write the user interface and add new features. Providing security: Plugins are more restricted than applets - they cannot access any system or network resources by themselves.

paláver(-ah'v-) 1. n. conference, (prolonged) discussion, esp. between savages and traders etc.; empty words, talk, cajolery. 2. v.i. & t. use many words cajole. [Port. palavra f. L(PARABLE)] SOURCE: Australian pocket Oxford dictionary

Some info:

This software is under development, and as such, has certain limitations:

• Some features have been disabled (in particular, security for filesystem IO)
• There is no user or developer documentation. However, all the plugins use the standard ircII commandset.

Features:

• Multi-platform: Runs on Windows 9x/NT, MacOS, Linux, ...
• Safe: Plugins are not able to access system resources on their own, a bug in a plugin will not crash the system.
• Small: The core, including several plugins, is only 200k.
• Completely pluggable: Plugins are not limited to just changing the appearance of the user interface.
• Supports simultaneous connections to many IRC servers.
• Supports multiple plugins at once.

Minimum system requirements:

• A java runtime environment (JRE 1.4.1 recommended, get it from java.sun.com)
• Access to the internet

Compatibility:

NOTE: Individual plugins may not be cross-platform/cross-version compatible. Eg. JFC/Swing-based applications are not compatible between JDK/JRE 1.1.6 and JDK/JRE 1.2.x. It is up to plugin authors to ensure maximum compatibility of their plugins.
The Palaver core (excluding JFC/Swing based plugins) has been tested on:

• Linux (x86): JDK/JRE 1.3.x, 1.4.x
• MacOS: pending
• Sun/Solaris: JDK/JRE 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.6
• Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/XP: JDK/JRE 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.2.x, 1.3.x, 1.4.x, 1.5.x
• Microsoft JVIEW 4.79.2405 (win98)

Version History:

19/03/06	Palaver 0.41 released Core changes:Added server channel list handling rather than forcing plugins to do it. Plugin changes:Modified plugins to use new channel list events. Added channel list window to XGUI.
17/10/05	Palaver 0.40 released Core changes:Fixed channel join problem on some new IRC servers
17/10/05	Palaver 0.35 released Core changes:Plugin installation/security simplified - plugin jar files are now just placed in a "plugin" directory Plugin changes:XGUI upgraded & fixed for JDK 1.5.
21/06/03	Palaver 0.34 released Core changes:Fix OOB error message on completion of dcc get. Plugin changes:Fix DCC get/send in XGUI plugin causing disconnects.
23/02/03	Palaver 0.33 released Core changes: Can now determine if an IRCconnection has been disconnected. Changed handling of unimplemented numerics. Added away command and support for receiving initial channel topic/modes. Plugin changes: Addition of initial channel topic/modes, focus/layout fixes to XGUI plugin for Java 1.4
11/03/00	Palaver 0.32 released Core changes: DCC now supplies file size for both send/receive. Minor changes to plugin verification. Plugin changes: Added missing ctcp time to all plugins, XGUI now supports drag 'n' drop for DCC send.
20/02/00	Palaver 0.31 released Minor DCC enhancements to the core and the XGUI plugin.
17/12/99	Palaver 0.30 released - out of beta as it's useable enough for everyday use. :-) Core changes: Added support for having a default plugin and an "executeable" jarfile. Added preliminary DCC send/get support. Improved protection against malicious plugins. Plugin changes: Removed "beta" watermark from XGUI, added DCC send/get support to XGUI.
11/11/99	Palaver 0.29 beta released Core changes: Added commandline switch to set UI level supported, check support for UI. Plugins now run in their own thread (for security reasons). Added basics for fine-grained plugin security. Minor improvements to API. Plugin changes: Created 'BasicParser' class for parsing user input. Tunnel plugin correctly sets initial frame bounds. Fixed coloured text and ctrl-f4 closing wrong windows in XGUI.
17/10/99	Palaver 0.28 beta released Core changes: Moved packages to reflect proper domain, show a stacktrace if plugins crash when told to exit, flush cached information when re-joining channels. Plugin changes: Added 'save' command to HTMLGUI plugin, usability improvements to tunnel & XGUI plugins, fix extra private windows appearing in XGUI plugin.
09/09/99	Palaver 0.27 beta released Core changes: Added confirmation dialog for DCC requests, misc internal changes and bugfixes. Plugin changes: Switched to JDK/JRE 1.2.2 for Swing-based plugins, added Tunnel plugin, which can be used to 'connect' channels across different IRC networks, various look & feel improvements in XGUI plugin.
20/08/99	Palaver 0.26 beta released - It's been a while, but I was overseas for JavaOne, then building a new PC. Anyway, this version is a fairly major update. Core changes: Modified plugin loading to enable multiple plugins, increased protection against badly written plugins, plugins now notify the shell when to exit rather than having to delay exiting their 'go()' method, CTCP type is now always uppercase, added method to determine supported plugin UI type. Plugin changes: added generic /ctcp command to all plugins, removed wait/notify code for exiting, misc UI bugfixes for XGUI plugin.
06/06/99	Palaver 0.25 beta released Core changes: Added DCC chat. Added generic CTCP, CTCP TIME & CLIENTINFO. Plugin changes: Added "/action" as an alternative to "/me" in plugins. XGUI plugin improvements: Added styled/coloured text, DCC chat, background-chooser, misc bug fixes & improvements.
16/05/99	Palaver 0.24 beta released - XGUI plugin improvements: Fixed focus traversal, swing mnemonic bug workaround, font chooser is now a modal dialog, more look & feel improvements.
08/05/99	Palaver 0.23 beta released - Bugfixes to connection/disconnection detection. Fix for dodgy IRC servers sending fake MOTD messages. Look & feel improvements to XGUI plugin.
25/04/99	Palaver 0.21 beta released - Added initial configuration screen to XGUI plugin. Misc bug fixes/improvements to XGUI plugin.
15/04/99	Palaver 0.20 beta released - XGUI plugin improvements: added window # icons to internal windows. Alt+window # switches to that window
05/04/99	Palaver 0.19 beta released - small bugfixes / changed batchfiles.
04/04/99	First public release (0.18 beta)

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