Hubz debuts; Web-based instant messaging

If you’re running a Web site, or you have an Intranet site, and you’re interested in adding instant messaging capabilities with a Macintosh flavor, check out Digi-Net Technologies Inc. The company has announced the release of Hubz, a Web-based instant messaging solution that the company said is specifically designed for the Mac OS.

The software is Java-based, and it enables visitors on the same site or the same page to see and interact with each other without needing to use any special software, plug-ins or client side applications (except, of course, a Java-compatible Web browser).

Digi-Net president Robert Parker explained that there aren’t many other instant messaging solutions designed specifically for Mac users. “Hubz brings a completely new approach to instant messaging and we believe that its features and benefits speak directly to the Mac community,” he said.

According to the developer, significant features of Hubz include:

Instant Messaging — Site visitors can interact with any other visitor through familiar text-based instant messages

Population Awareness — Only product available that allows users to see who exactly is on any given page at any given moment.

Expanded Buddy List — Every site visitor instantly becomes part of user’s online buddy list

No Downloads Necessary — Site visitors do not need to download any software or install any plug-ins. Visit a Hubz-enabled site and simply start interacting and chatting.

Total Community Package — A critical part of Digi-Net’s total community package that also includes messaging and bulletin board components

The administration component allows you to kick and ban users. The software also supports Digi-Net’s Enclave Community Suite, providing further administrative integration.

Digi-Net offers Hubz either as a software license you can use on your own server, or through a Managed Hosting Option that puts all of the hardware, software, bandwidth and infrastructure issues in Digi-Net’s hand’s instead.

More details, screenshots and more are available from Digi-Net’s Web site.