Protocol for SYnchronous Conferencing

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PSYC in the TCP / IP protocol stack :
application PSYC
transport UDP TCP
Internet IP ( IPv4 , IPv6 )
Network access Ethernet Token
bus
Token
ring
FDDI ...

PSYC ( Protocol for SYnchronous Conferencing ) is an expandable open network protocol for messaging and decentralized mostly text-based conference calls (also called chats or chat systems). PSYC is thus related to Internet Relay Chat and the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP).

It was originally created with the aim of overcoming the performance limits of IRC networks, but has developed further for the transmission of different content and for other purposes in which an efficient distribution to several participants is required. PSYC has a decentralized structure similar to XMPP, but also offers multicast distribution strategies borrowed from the IRC , which is why messages are delivered to several participants more efficiently. This is used in chat rooms, but also in the case of changes in presence , a customary expression of one's own form of presence in instant messaging to all acquaintances, as well as in the distribution of subscribed news ticker services.

PSYC has clear strengths in the interserver area, i.e. in the operation of a potentially global communication infrastructure, but disadvantages in the client area. Another disadvantage of PSYC is that, despite its age, it is still being dramatically changed and developed, but the current status is usually poorly documented. Other protocols offer more planning security due to standardization.

It is recommended to use PSYC as a hybrid in the XMPP network with support for IRC and XMPP clients in order to use all three technologies optimally.

properties

Multiple interfaces and protocols

Existing communication systems can be integrated into the PSYC network relatively easily, since the PSYC infrastructure assigns its recipients simple fixed addresses. Sending a message to one or more human recipients, regardless of whether and where they are online, is reduced, for example, to sending a few lines of text in a permanently addressable TCP connection or, if there is trust, as a UDP packet.

Intelligent conference control protocol

Another feature of PSYC is its minimalist conference control protocol, which controls the logic and politics of chat rooms, e.g. B. makes the allocation of access or participation rights freely programmable. At the same time, the delivery of messages can be optimized using multicast protocols. The server therefore typically does not bear the burden of the actual communication, unless you want it to.

Decentralized self-determination

Conceptually, the PSYC network is more similar to the WWW than an IRC network: the owner / administrator can operate their own, equivalent PSYC server on every computer on the Internet - without hierarchies and without special authorizations for administrators, except for the right to decide which rooms and people to host . If an administrator abuses his power, his users simply switch to another PSYC server. Thus, there is direct competition and administrators are advised to behave in accordance with the usual conventions.

social network

PSYC is expanded to also serve as social software , e.g. B. with web-based profiles. The difference to other chat platforms is that thanks to the decentralization of PSYC, the user himself retains control over his data.

Other properties

  • Unique addressing instead of local database: Instead of setting up an IRC-like database of people and status, URI- compliant addresses are assigned , just like on the web . This can also be used to reach people in XMPP networks, for example.
  • The protocol is not based on XML but on a simpler text form ( RFC 822 ).
  • Friendcasting: Messages can be sent within the Freundeskreis or to the Freundesfreundeskreis.
  • Configurable notifications: messages, software updates, incoming e-mails, changes in a wiki, etc. can be distributed to the persons concerned.
  • Decentralized identification: Similar to OpenID , a URL-based identity is used instead of a login (with a user name and password).
  • Strategies for spam avoidance (planned feature)

History and software

The PSYC protocol was first published in 1995 by Carlo v. Loesch publishes. The software - implementation is operational since 2005, with the "incomplete" versions were productive since 1997 in use. The most popular implementation is the psyced server , which, in addition to PSYC, also masters XMPP , IRC , Telnet , HTTP , SMTP , WAP and communication with applets . Other relevant implementations are the Firefox extension PsycZilla , as well as the client psycion implemented in Perl and many small applications included in perlpsyc .

PSYC has been used over the years by T-Online , Gruner + Jahr , MTV for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006 and other occasions for temporary high-load chats. It is still used at Magix . In the private sector, the protocol ekes out a niche existence with a few hundred followers (as of 2011).

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Protocol for Synchronous conferencing version of 1994/1995 . Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  2. PSYC Timeline: first PSYC prototype in 1994, Internet Draft from 1995 . Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  3. Archived copy ( memento of the original from July 19, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.mtv.de
  4. Archived copy ( memento of the original from October 30, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / about.psyc.eu
  5. http://www.mtv.pl/news/MTV-NETWORKS-INTERNATIONAL-ANNOUNCES-FIRST-EVER-LIVE-SIMULCAST-OF-MTV-EUROPE-MUSIC-AWARDS-ON-MOBILE-TV-391582/
  6. Archived copy ( memento of the original from July 21, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.buha.info