How facebook and gmail chat works

[Neofriend]

I am quite curious to know what's happening in facebook and gmail chat?
How can any website achieve that?

I've read these links, helpful but am not able to make my own system. Where to start and make one myself?

http://technophiliac.wordpress.com/2008 ... hat-works/
http://blog.jwchat.org/jsjac/#dl
http://www.jabber.com/CE/JabberHome2

Am sure we have a lot of smart people here

[Neofriend]

for example, i've seen this framework too http://ajaxim.com/

But its still not clear about either the system is just the front end or its a complete chat system.

Am sure it must not be very difficult, but just a detailed kick start needed in the right direction

[Neo]

The second link of the first post seems to be the best option to have your own chat system similar to FB. The link in your 2nd post is also very interesting. If you could try out one of them, I'm sure you can get the complete idea.

Good luck!

[Neofriend]

Can you explain the system Neo? I mean, you really explain things well. please...

[Neo]

I do not have any practical experience on this. Knowing the theory and applying it are completely two different things according to my principles.
Nepster is the expert on this subject and I have asked him to give you some guidelines.

[Neofriend]

That sounds great, welcome Nepster!

Well, what am confused about specifically is how to have a facebook like chatting system. I have no issues using ajaxim for that. I don't want to build everything from scratch as its no point in reinventing the wheel.

But are they (ajaxim.com) offering just the front end or the complete sytem. And yes, I want this in ASP.NET.

Please let me know, very interested.

Thanks.