AOL Inststant Messenger Plug-in ... in development

JWise1203 · 09-04-2006, 11:27 AM

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, 01:54 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, 09:06 AM

Anyone still working on this?

JWise1203 · 09-22-2006, 09:15 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, 09:27 AM

Sweet!

JWise1203 · 09-22-2006, 09:40 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, 09:55 PM

Wheres the direct connect button otherwise it looks good!

JWise1203 · 09-22-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote: 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, 11:01 AM

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

JWise1203 · 10-01-2006, 08:49 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.

ccrobin · 10-02-2006, 09:46 AM

Since many will be driving with this running, having pre-defined responses available would be a very good idea. Perhaps when a message comes in, a box pops up with buttons for "YES", "NO", and one to jump to the OSK.

Just a thought...

JWise1203 · 10-09-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ccrobin

Since many will be driving with this running, having pre-defined responses available would be a very good idea. Perhaps when a message comes in, a box pops up with buttons for "YES", "NO", and one to jump to the OSK.

Just a thought...

Good thought.... not too sure of the best way to implement this though. For instance... what if you have two conversations going and once, you get one reply and then another ... how would that be handled ... and when your parked I assume this would not need to be turned on. I guess I could use a toggle button for that though.

Ideas?

justintime · 10-11-2006, 06:52 AM

I agree with ccrobin that you need to add predefined text commands.

YES
NO
IM WIRITING FROM MY CAR
CANNOT TALK NOW, WILL CONTACT YOU LATER
I JUST CRASHED
DAMMIT
etc...

midiwall · 10-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by justintime

YES
NO
IM WRITING FROM MY CAR
CANNOT TALK NOW, WILL CONTACT YOU LATER
I JUST CRASHED
DAMMIT
etc...

YES DEAR, I'LL GET MILK ON THE WAY HOME

JWise1203 · 10-12-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by JWise1203

what if you have two conversations going and once, you get one reply and then another ... how would that be handled
Ideas?

Anyone have a suggestion on handling the situation above?