XMPP get invisible Instant Messenger users

Question

Hi all,

I was thinking about writing a simple XMPP-based application to the list of my contact list from the variety of Instant Messengers (Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AIM, ICQ). Any advice how to get started with getting the list of users that are on invisible status?

Nicholas

Answer 1

Any advice how to get started with getting the list of users that are on invisible status?

Most of the times it is not possible to detect this.

Answer 2

Invisibility is a XEP that explains a use case for Privacy Lists as defined in XMPP IM (RFC 3921).

All it does is block all outgoing presence from the user. This is a server-side construct, which means you will not know who is invisible unless you hack away at XMPP. This is supposed to be a privacy consideration, so you should not know whether a user is online or not. Take a look at the XEP to familiarize yourself with the concept, and take a look at the RFC if you are unfamiliar with privacy lists.