# Sideband

> cross-platform LXMF client

**Wikidata**: [Q114595952](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114595952)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sideband

## Summary
Sideband is a cross-platform LXMF client enabling instant messaging on Android, macOS, and Linux. It leverages the Reticulum Network and is free software licensed under GNU GPLv3.

## Key Facts
- Functionality: Instant messaging client for LXMF protocol
- Platforms: Supports Android, macOS, and Linux operating systems
- Licensing: GNU General Public License version 3.0 (copyleft)
- Programming Language: Python
- Developer: Mark Qvist
- Version History: Active development with releases from 0.1.6 (July 2022) to 0.3.0 (November 2022)
- Network Dependencies: Requires Reticulum Network infrastructure
- Software Classification: Free software application
- Copyright Status: Copyrighted under open-source terms

## FAQs
### Q: What messaging protocols does Sideband support?
A: Sideband uses the LXMF protocol for instant messaging and integrates with the Reticulum Network infrastructure for decentralized communication.

### Q: Can Sideband run on Windows?
A: No, current official platforms are limited to Android, macOS, and Linux, with no Windows support documented in the source.

### Q: How does Sideband handle offline connectivity?
A: As an LXMF client, it supports asynchronous messaging through the Reticulum Network, enabling communication in offline or intermittently connected environments.

## Why It Matters
Sideband addresses critical needs for decentralized, cross-platform messaging in environments with unreliable internet infrastructure. Its compatibility across Android, macOS, and Linux ensures consistent user experience across devices while operating without central servers. By implementing LXMF over Reticulum, it enables secure, off-grid communication - essential for disaster response, remote communities, or privacy-conscious users. The free software licensing model further empowers communities to adapt the tool for specialized use cases, democratizing communication technology.

## Notable For
- Cross-platform compatibility among Android, macOS, and Linux
- Implementation of LXMF protocol for asynchronous messaging
- Integration with Reticulum Network for decentralized infrastructure
- Open-source development under GNU GPLv3 licensing
- Python-based architecture facilitating accessibility and extensibility

## Body
### Overview
Sideband is a cross-platform instant messaging application built to support the LXMF messaging protocol. It operates as a client-server architecture within the Reticulum Network ecosystem, enabling asynchronous communication in challenging network conditions.

### Technical Architecture
- Programming Language: Python
- Licensing Model: GNU General Public License v3.0
- Developer: Mark Qvist
- Platform Support: Android, macOS, Linux (confirmed via GitHub repository)
- Protocol Implementation: LXMF (LXMF) and Reticulum Network integration
- Network Layer: Designed to function with intermittent connectivity

### Version History
- 0.1.6 (July 6, 2022): Initial documented release
- 0.1.7 (July 8, 2022): Incremental update
- 0.1.8 (July 8, 2022): Bugfix release
- 0.2.0 (October 4, 2022): Major feature update
- 0.2.1 to 0.2.5 (October 6-19, 2022): Point releases
- 0.3.0 (November 3, 2022): Latest documented release

### Software Classification
- Instance Of: Free software (Q200719), Application software
- Copyright: Copyrighted with copyleft licensing
- Distribution Model: Open source, self-hosted repository

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Sideband",
  "description": "cross-platform LXMF client",
  "url": "https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband",
  "additionalType": "application"
}

## References

1. [GitHub](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/blob/main/LICENSE)
2. [GitHub](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband)
3. [Release 0.1.6. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.1.6)
4. [Release 0.1.7. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.1.7)
5. [Release 0.1.8. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.1.8)
6. [Release 0.2.0. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.0)
7. [Release 0.2.1. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.1)
8. [Release 0.2.2. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.2)
9. [Release 0.2.3. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.3)
10. [Release 0.2.4. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.4)
11. [Release 0.2.5. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.2.5)
12. [Release 0.3.0. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.3.0)
13. [Release 0.4.0. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.4.0)
14. [Release 0.4.1. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.4.1)
15. [Release 0.4.2. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.4.2)
16. [Release 0.5.0. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.5.0)
17. [Release 0.5.1. 2022](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.5.1)
18. [Release 0.5.2. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.5.2)
19. [Release 0.5.3. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.5.3)
20. [Release 0.5.4. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.5.4)
21. [Release 0.6.0. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.6.0)
22. [Release 0.6.1. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.6.1)
23. [Release 0.6.2. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.6.2)
24. [Release 0.7.0. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.0)
25. [Release 0.7.1. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.1)
26. [Release 0.7.2. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.2)
27. [Release 0.7.3. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.3)
28. [Release 0.7.4. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.4)
29. [Release 0.7.5. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.5)
30. [Release 0.7.6. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.6)
31. [Release 0.7.7. 2023](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.7)
32. [Release 0.7.8. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.8)
33. [Release 0.7.9. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.7.9)
34. [Release 0.8.0. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.0)
35. [Release 0.8.1. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.1)
36. [Release 0.8.2. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.2)
37. [Release 0.8.3. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.3)
38. [Release 0.8.4. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.4)
39. [Release 0.8.5. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.8.5)
40. [Release 0.9.0. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.0)
41. [Release 0.9.1. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.1)
42. [Release 0.9.2. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.2)
43. [Release 0.9.3. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.3)
44. [Release 0.9.4. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.4)
45. [Release 0.9.5. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.5)
46. [Release 0.9.6. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.6)
47. [Release 0.9.7. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/0.9.7)
48. [Release 1.0.0. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/1.0.0)
49. [Release 1.0.1. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/1.0.1)
50. [Release 1.1.0. 2024](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/tag/1.1.0)