Download DeskPRONow that 3.1 beta is out in the open, our work on the infamous instant chat plugin has started once again. We thought we’d venture out of the norm a bit. We’re being all web-2.0 about it (sorry, but you just know I had to use the term sometime).
The tech side of things is being created as a client-side app using Adobe AIR. This basically allows us to create a desktop application using the stuff we know best (HTML and Javascript). AIR has some added benefits over a normal browser. We can write preference files, use local SQLite databases, work with the clipboard… All sorts of neat things. And the added benefit of only having to debug under a single environment will save me from banging my head against the IE icon.
Since the user-side of things is much simpler, it will work in any modern browser without the need to download additional software. Everything is AJAX-driven, no olden-days of continuous refreshes. Our prototype looks very similar to a normal chat window you might find in AIM or MSN, minus nudges, video emotions and other annoying “features”.
By using generic web technologies like HTML and Javascript (perhaps Flash in the future) with the power of AJAX to get and send data, you don’t need to have any special server software like chat daemons; and your techs and users don’t need to load up special chat Java applets or anything like that. Everything can just work.
I’m not going to say what features we are actually planning since they will undoubtedly change. But the spec we have now is pretty cool. When we get further along I’ll try and post more about it.
– Christopher Nadeau
Hey everyone,
After months of hard work, we’re ready for some beta testers to break DeskPRO 3.1. You can download this beta version from the members area. For all of the curious amongst us, I’ve added a new section to the site about the new features in this version. Also read that page for links to the bug tracker where we’d like you to report any bugs.
Download. Enjoy. Break stuff!
– Christopher Nadeau
Hiya folks,
The other Chris got the crazy idea in his head to start up a company blog. “It’s so crazy, it might work!”, we said. And here we are!
If you’re interested in the goings-on of DeskPRO then you should stay tuned. We’ll give you the inside scoop, reveal new features, and give you the pleasure of hearing our rants about why such-and-such should be thrown out the window.
I hope the others can pop in when they have a chance but it looks as though I’ll be the main blogger here. Being the crazy developer I am, most of my posts will be talking about new features we plan to unveil in DeskPRO. At the time of this writing, version 3.1 is just around the corner. Too bad we didn’t start the blog a couple months ago, I could have leaked so many cool screenshots for you.
So here’s to months and months of happy blogging action!
– Christopher Nadeau