AOL Inststant Messenger Plug-in ... in development

**JWise1203** · 09-04-2006, 12:27 PM

A few months ago there was a request for a AOL Instant Messenger plug-in. I have begun development on this and have most of the backend code completed.

I am looking for suggestions on the following:

1. What features would you like to see in the plug-in?

Currently I am implementing the following:

- Displaying Connection Status. With sign-on / sign-off options.
- Displaying buddy list with refresh option
- Send and receive instant messages
- Set away messages

2. I am new to skinning and am learning as I go. Could those more experienced reccomend a good layout? Screenshots prehaps?

**mbkowns** · 09-04-2006, 02:54 PM

Add a direct Connect button!!!!!!!!
My friends and I always direct connect and send images and sounds. I had started some skins on mp3car if you look for aim you might find my varios threads on this.

thanks

**Yellow-Snow** · 09-22-2006, 10:06 AM

Anyone still working on this?

**JWise1203** · 09-22-2006, 10:15 AM

I am still working on it. Depending on how much time I have, I would like to have a alpha release out next week sometime. I will post screenshots this weekend hopefully.

**Yellow-Snow** · 09-22-2006, 10:27 AM

Sweet!

**JWise1203** · 09-22-2006, 10:40 PM

As promised, I wanted to post a screenshot of the current look/feel of this plugin. I am looking to get feedback since this is the first plugin/skin that I am writing. Once I finalize the skin I will post a working screenshot with an alpha release shortly afterwards.

Here is a brief description of what I plan to add into the plugin by it's offical 1.0 release. (I will be releasing builds before that time):

Top bar
-----------

Empty left area - Display current status of connection to AIM server
Disk icon - Save current messages to file (XML Format?)
Eye icon - Set Away Status
Circular arrow icon - Initiate a file transfer with the buddy you are chatting with in the current conversation

Default Centrafuse Full Screen Icon
Default Centrafuse Close Application Icon

Main Area
-----------

Thin bar - Current buddy you are chatting with
Big box - Message text
Left/Right Arrows - Scroll through current conversations
Up/Down Arrows - Scroll through messages for current conversation

Side Bar
-----------

Black Square - Display buddy icon for the buddy you are chatting with in the current conversation
Keyboard icon - Send message within current conversation
AIM buddy icon - Display buddy list and provide button to start new conversation
Sunburst icon - Connect/disconnect from AIM service

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know what you guys think.

Now for the screenshot:

**mbkowns** · 09-22-2006, 10:55 PM

Wheres the direct connect button otherwise it looks good!

**JWise1203** · 09-22-2006, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by mbkowns

Wheres the direct connect button otherwise it looks good!

Good point ... I will be adding this as well.... however, since I am doing this at an API level (not just skinning AIM itself) this will be the most complex feature to add ... since I will need to handle each sound and image ... then display each in CF.

I decided I wanted to integrate at a low-level for three reasons...

1. Speed.
2. Clean interface that's entirely touch-screen friendly.
3. Thought it would be a good base project to then tackle other plugin ideas.

**mbkowns** · 09-23-2006, 12:01 PM

Sounds good so get aim chatting then add other cool features liek direct connect.

**JWise1203** · 10-01-2006, 09:49 PM

Just wanted to give a quick update.

I am almost ready to release the first version of the plug-in. I am working on figuring out one last issue, prehaps someone could help me with. For detail on the issue see my post here:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...570#post936570

Once I get that working and finish some things on the skin, I post the plug-in. Shouldn't be to much longer now.

One other question for those who have skinned plug-ins, what is the best approach to easily create the different versions of a skin? For instance, I have created the plug-in based off of Onyx WS Night. I also want to make the Day and Blue skins as well.