Sorry, seems like this has been close for a long time right? Am I just stringing you guys along?
It's just so hard to find a few minutes here and there within which to make meaningful progress.
And funny how when you are about to put your code in front of other peoples' eyes how there is suddenly a hundred things to do! I am ripping the heart out of the networking code and re-doing it right now

Otherwise, I am just pushing to get the initial version of the code onto the project site. Here is my plan:
-network recode and test
-a little bit of config gui stuff, saving properties etc...
-more testing with various clients and repalert demo plugin
-push the code up
-publish a pre-alpha jar for anyone who wants to test
-i18n coding
-take a pass at doc/web/javadoc/programmers guide
-improve the ant build.xml
-better packing for win/mac/linux
I hope people don't think there is going to be all sorts of wonderful functionality soon. The initial stuff is ONLY the platform for building the wonderful stuff later. The RepAlert demo plugin doesn't do very much, and in fact, it might not be doing the right thing. It's really for developers to see how to build a plugin.
I hope the TB GUI plugin is not too far behind this. I am hoping that if the companion is solid and out there, that people will discuss plugin's and start building them. Channels/rooms is a good one. The UTC/GMT/FIBS time thing might be a great idea (Click on a user and see their time, if that's possible), all sorts of things. But, the TB GUI is the ONLY plugin I have in the works and on the horizon at all. I have some ideas for the ChouetteBot GUI, and that is where I am headed.