Project: Hotline
What is the project about?
The project is a modern recreation of the classic Hotline software, a suite of applications from 1997 that allowed users to join or host online communities. This new version is built for modern Apple systems (iOS, macOS) using Swift and SwiftUI.
What problem does it solve?
It aims to bring back the decentralized, community-driven online experience of the original Hotline, which offered features like chat, messaging, forums, and file sharing, all without centralized control or subscriptions. It provides a way to connect to existing Hotline servers that are still running today.
What are the features of the project?
- Connecting to Hotline trackers and servers.
- Multiple trackers.
- Multiple Server Connections.
- User accounts and bookmarks.
- Customizable user profiles (name, icon).
- Privacy settings and autoresponse.
- Displaying server agreements and banners.
- Public chat and private messaging.
- User list with icons and administration.
- Reading and posting to news and message boards.
- Browsing, downloading, and uploading files.
- File Info.
What are the technologies used in the project?
- Swift
- SwiftUI
What are the benefits of the project?
- Provides a modern client for accessing the existing Hotline network.
- Offers a decentralized, community-focused online experience.
- Reusable Swift code for the Hotline protocol and client components.
- Cross-platform support for iOS, iPadOS and macOS (with a single codebase).
- Revives a classic piece of internet history.
What are the use cases of the project?
- Connecting to and participating in existing Hotline communities.
- Creating new online communities using Hotline servers (requires separate server software like Mobius).
- Sharing files, chatting, and engaging in discussions in a decentralized environment.
- Experiencing a retro-style online community platform.
