In computing, SIMPLE (Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions) is an instant messaging (IM) and presence protocol suite based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Like XMPP, and in contrast to the vast majority of IM and presence protocols used by software deployed today, SIMPLE is an open standard. RAM (Random Access Memory) Look up computing in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. ... In computer and telecommunications networks, presence information is a status indicator that conveys ability and willingness of a potential communication partner - for example a user to communicate. ... The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an application-layer control (signaling) protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or more participants. ... Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol, or XMPP, is an open, XML-based protocol for near real-time extensible messaging and presence events. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ...

SIMPLE applies the SIP to the problems of:

• Registering for presence information and receiving notifications when such events occur, for example when a user logs-in or comes back from lunch.
• Sending short messages, analogous to SMS or two-way paging.
• Managing a session of real-time messages between two or more participants.

As of 2006, SIMPLE was IETF work in progress, taking place in the SIMPLE Working Group. Some parts have been standardized, e.g. RFC 3428. Other parts, in particular IM sessions, are still under discussion. However, several implementations are already available, notably including the Microsoft Windows Messenger. In computer and telecommunications networks, presence information is a status indicator that conveys ability and willingness of a potential communication partner - for example a user to communicate. ... This article describes the technical methods for providing the text messaging service. ... Message in its most general meaning is an object of communication. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is charged with developing and promoting Internet standards. ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... Windows Messenger is a (now deprecated) proprietary instant messaging client included in Microsofts Windows XP operating system. ...

SIMPLE is not the only IM protocol suite being developed within the IETF. XMPP, which is at the core of the Jabber IM system, was also standardized by IETF. Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol, or XMPP, is an open, XML-based protocol for near real-time extensible messaging and presence events. ... Official logo of the Jabber Software Foundation Jabber is a collection of open, real-time communication technologies built on the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). ...

Despite its name, SIMPLE is not simple. It is defined by about 30 documents or more than 1000 pages (7 times more than HTTP 1.1, 15 times more than SMTP and IRC).

See also

• SIP Communicator

SIP Communicator is an audio/video Internet phone and instant messenger that supports some of the most popular instant messaging and telephony protocols such as SIP, Jabber, AIM/ICQ, MSN and soon others like Yahoo and IRC SIP Communicator is completely Open Source / Free Software, and is freely available under...

External links

• SIMPLE Working Group: Drafts Status Pages
• Rich Presence - A New User Communications Experience Technology White Paper