user7433: I am planning to build an open source web based client for FICS. I enjoy playing at http://chess.com, but don't like the fact that it is a closed service. So, I need something similar, but for FICS.
What I am wondering about is, if something already exists for this. Wouldn't want to end up with duplicated effort.
Also, is it something that the chess community would use? What is the most popular way that people connect to FICS?

user825: There are already open-source clients for FICS. The default web client that you see when you open the FICS website is the Jin Chess Client. Jin is an open source Java implementation, so you can use it via Java Applet. There might be other open-source web platforms that I'm not aware of, but Jin is enough for you to get started.
I'm not so sure what you want to do with Jin. It's working and it's fully functional. However, it's not a web application and feel a bit old-school. If you're committed, you should consider creating a JavaScript/CSS/HTML5 FICS web application. It'll be more beautiful and modern. Look at lichess.org, it's absolutely stunning. It would've been better if it connects to the FICS server. Maybe you can do the job?
While I don't have statistics for FICS client usage, I believe web application is the way to go.

user749: Mobialia is a decent modern FICS client that works on the browser.

user-1: A nice looking FICS client can be accessed from the browser at :
https://www.freechess.club/
You can also download a desktop application.

7433: <p>I am planning to build an open source web based client for <a href="http://freechess.org/" rel="noreferrer">FICS</a>. I enjoy playing at <a href="http://chess.com" rel="noreferrer">http://chess.com</a>, but don't like the fact that it is a closed service. So, I need something similar, but for FICS.</p>

<p>What I am wondering about is, if something already exists for this. Wouldn't want to end up with duplicated effort.</p>

<p>Also, is it something that the chess community would use? What is the most popular way that people connect to FICS?</p>
 825: <p>There are already open-source clients for FICS. The default web client that you see when you open the FICS website is the <a href="http://www.jinchess.com" rel="nofollow">Jin Chess Client</a>. Jin is an open source Java implementation, so you can use it via Java Applet. There might be other open-source web platforms that I'm not aware of, but Jin is enough for you to get started.</p>

<p>I'm not so sure what you want to do with Jin. It's working and it's fully functional. However, it's not a web application and feel a bit old-school. If you're committed, you should consider creating a JavaScript/CSS/HTML5 FICS web application. It'll be more beautiful and modern. Look at lichess.org, it's absolutely stunning. It would've been better if it connects to the FICS server. Maybe you can do the job?</p>

<p>While I don't have statistics for FICS client usage, I believe web application is the way to go.</p>
 749: <p><a href="https://chess.mobialia.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mobialia</a> is a decent modern FICS client that works on the browser.</p>
 -1: <p>A nice looking FICS client can be accessed from the browser at :
<a href="https://www.freechess.club/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.freechess.club/</a></p>

<p>You can also download a desktop application.</p>
