Aristo Instant Messenger

We just added a cool new feature to our aristo framework, embedded instant messaging! Pretty typical feature but here's what our gui looks like.

Now when we first heard requests for this component I was a little skeptical. It's pretty much a given that at some point ALL software applications get a request to add an instant messenger and email capability; you could be programming a calculator and eventually you'll get this request. Our I.M. does have a couple key differences.

   1. This is an internal only application. Staff can't be chatting to their friends and family through this messenger.

   2. This is an automatic application. Users don't have to start another app to get the messenger going. It's always on when they're in PBS.

   3. This is an embedded component.  Because we're running in a Terminal window we have to work whithin our existing UI space (aka the terminal window, no extra desktop apps allowed).

   4. Because we're embedded there are some very cool extensions we can add for sending "information" in our software between users. More on this in the next couple weeks.

Here's a quick primer on how this works.

Users now have a messenger icon in their system tray whenever they start Aristo. At login this icon will notify users that they are connected to the aristo messenger (this notification will also point out the fact that there is something new in their software).

Users can right click on this icon to either send a message to a specific user or send a broadcast message. Message windows are pretty much like any other I.M. solution and can be minimized while users are doing actual work. New messages cause the conversation windows to highlight until the user views them.

The more interesting aspect of this component will be HOW we can use it as a tool within our software but we've definitely heard this request a lot and our users should be happy to see we've reacted.