One of the most popular Ajax-based applications/extensions, AjaxIM, recently got a major upgrade. For those that haven’t heard of it, AjaxIM is a Prototype-based instant messaging client that you can include in your web applications.

It uses AJAX to create a near real-time IM environment that can be used in conjunction with community, intranet, and social websites. No refreshing of the page is ever needed for this “web application” to work, as everything is updated in real-time via JavaScript.

Author Josh Gross really went to town completely overhauling both the server-side and client-side code. The changes for AjaxIM v3.2 include:

  • Major overhaul of the code: everything (PHP and JS) is now object-oriented instead of procedural
  • Many functions modified to make better use of the Prototype library
  • Multiple language support (need translators!)
  • PHP-based sessions implemented, so the username and password isn’t sent on every message request
  • Buttons no longer separate images; buttons are now boilerplate images + text
  • Proper theming system — themes are bundled into folders instead of all over the place
  • New dark theme!
  • Buddylist database structure converted to be in a separate table
  • Ability to block/unblock users
  • Userlist added, now displays all users in a chatroom
  • Room list added to the “join room” dialog
  • Basic (beta) admin panel added. Supports searching for users, banning, kicking, and making/removing admin