# Esmska

> Program for sending SMS over the Internet

**Wikidata**: [Q11880355](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11880355)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/esmska

## Summary
Esmska is a free software program designed for sending SMS messages over the Internet. Developed by Kamil Páral, it is written in the Java programming language and released under the GNU Affero General Public License. The software is open-source, with its last stable release, version 1.9, published on May 17, 2015.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Kamil Páral
- **Programming Language:** Java
- **License:** GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later
- **Latest Stable Version:** 1.9 (released May 17, 2015)
- **Category:** Free Software
- **Primary Function:** Program for sending SMS over the Internet
- **Source Code Repository:** https://github.com/kparal/esmska
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/122rvkwh

## FAQs
### Q: What is Esmska used for?
A: Esmska is a software application that allows users to send SMS text messages over the Internet rather than through a cellular network.

### Q: Is Esmska free to use?
A: Yes, Esmska is classified as free software distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later, which allows users to run, study, change, and distribute it.

### Q: What technology is Esmska built on?
A: The program is built using Java, an object-oriented programming language, and is hosted on GitHub.

## Why It Matters
Esmska represents a specific category of desktop utility software focused on bridging internet connectivity with traditional telecommunications (SMS). By utilizing the Java programming language, the software is platform-independent, making it accessible on various operating systems that support Java runtime environments. Its significance lies in its classification as "free software" under the AGPL license, which distinguishes it from proprietary messaging clients. This licensing ensures that users retain the freedom to inspect the source code and modify the application to suit their specific needs, a critical feature for software that handles personal communications.

The project serves as a case study in independent software development, maintained by developer Kamil Páral. While the last stable release was in 2015, the availability of its complete source code on GitHub ensures that the software remains a resource for developers studying Java-based communication tools or implementing SMS gateways. The application provided a graphical interface (as evidenced by screenshots on LXDE desktops) that simplified the process of sending messages via internet gateways, offering an alternative to mobile phone contracts or web-based interfaces.

## Notable For
- Being an open-source solution for internet-based SMS messaging.
- Implementation in Java, ensuring cross-platform compatibility.
- Licensing under AGPL-3.0-or-later, specifically designed to ensure freedom for network users.
- A comprehensive development history spanning from version 1.0 (August 2011) to version 1.9 (May 2015).
- Availability of code and releases via GitHub, facilitating community access and transparency.

## Body

### Technical Specifications
Esmska is an object-oriented application written in Java. As a free software project, its source code is publicly available. The project is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/kparal/esmska`. The software is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later, ensuring that all users have the right to run, study, modify, and distribute the software.

### Development History
The development of Esmska was active primarily between 2011 and 2015. The project timeline includes distinct releases and updates:

- **Initial Release:** Version 1.0 was released on August 28, 2011.
- **Rapid Iteration (2012-2013):** The software saw frequent updates, moving from version 1.1 (December 3, 2011) through versions 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 by December 2013.
- **Maturation (2014):** Three distinct versions were released in 2014: version 1.6 (December 20, 2013), version 1.7 (June 23, 2014), and version 1.8 (July 2, 2014).
- **Final Stable Release:** The last stable version, 1.9, was released on May 17, 2015.

### Visual Identity
The project has established visual branding, including a specific logo hosted on Wikimedia Commons (`Esmska-128.png`). Screenshots of the application running on the LXDE desktop environment (dated 2013) confirm the existence of a graphical user interface.

## References

1. [kparal/esmska](https://github.com/kparal/esmska)
2. [Release 1.9. 2015](https://github.com/kparal/esmska/releases/tag/v1.9)
3. [Source](https://github.com/kparal/esmska/wiki/Changelog)
4. [Source](https://github.com/kparal/esmska/releases/tag/v1.9)