What is Acid?

Acid is a Windows internet client that is being developed by Eric Friedman as free software under the GNU General Public License. It is a general internet client, which means that it does not intrinsically support any protocols. Rather, support for protocols is provided through "pluggable protocol" libraries, which implement the logic required to communicate with different types of servers.

The goal of Acid is to allow users and developers alike to work with Acid and the interface it provides, not with specific protocols. Acid - as a general client - supports features such as simultaneous connections to multiple servers, automated file transfer management, and support for scripting via COM Automation interfaces. These features are automatically available for new pluggable protocols developed for Acid. Scripts written to, say synchronize a folder with files on a server, will work with any protocol written for Acid.

What protocols are/will be available for Acid?

Acid will ship with pluggable protocols for the Hotline and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) protocols. The Hotline Protocol plug-in supports all of the standard Hotline 1.2.3 - 1.8.5 features. Additionally, a plug-in will be included that adds support for Hotline trackers to Acid's Search feature.

Where can I get Acid?

Acid is still under development. We are in a particular need of testers who have experience in scripting applications. However, anyone can sign up for beta testing by sending email to Aaron Brager [abrager@users.sourceforge.net], the testing coordinator, with the following information:

The OS that Acid will be running under (i.e. 95, 98, NT, 2000, etc.)
Basic computer specs (e.g. 300mhz Pentium II, 64MB RAM, 9.1GB hard drive, etc.) or Emulated Computer Environment (i.e. VirtualPC, RealPC, VMWare, etc.)
Internet connection speed (i.e. 56k, ISDN, cable, xDSL, etc.)
An explanation stating why you believe you should be allowed to test Acid. This can be as long or as short as you would like it to be.
Where did you hear about Acid? If you were directed here by another website, please provide a link to that website.

Furthermore, please direct any feature suggestions you may have for Acid to Eric Friedman [ebf@users.sourceforge.net], the lead developer. Please include a detailed description of the feature in question in addition to a short explanation as to how the feature will be useful to you and other Acid users.