Clarification

Clarification

• Pedro Pinto

  Inky wrote:

  As I see it the protocol will still be "closed", hence it's an API, not a documentation. The API will let us interact with Messenger itself, it won't let us build our own applications like a robot or 3rd party client on top of the protocol. Also, I think it doesn't go any further than Games & Activities.. Licensing a robot will still cost hundreds/thousands of dolors a month. Too expensive for almost anyone. I wish MS would do something about that.

  
  
  Yes, I understand that, but like Jonathan said the idea is to allow more 3rd party applications and as quote Mess.be:
  
  

  Mess.be wrote:

  Together with the release of the API, Microsoft is organizing a worldwide competition in which users can vote for the best homemade apps submitted by coders. [...] The competition will start on September 12th and will be open to individuals aged 18 years or older.

  
  
  

• Hatem Rabie

  Well, yes, but you could remake bot2k3 as an activity :)

  Not seeing that issue with IE here..

  
  
  

• PPrabhu.NET

  Well, I think the idea is they don't want people re-doing what's already in Messenger.  Since the API does allow receiving/sending IMs, files et al, I think they want you to use that instead, not just because they don't want you treading on their own turf, but because it keeps user experience consistant (yadda yadda yadda).

  I think there's still plenty of ideas whch aren't covered under these restrictions, although to be fair, I wish some of them were more relaxed (I'd love to make a "doodle pad").  Although if I'm guessing, I think we'll see people do games for the most part though.

   

  
  
  

• Jim_Martin

  Pepper wrote:

  How exactly I dont see how you could impliment all its advanced features like Ink/Handwriting etc (just a few off my mind, had some more but realized thats secretly just for BETA testers), into a activity.

  You can use flash for psuedo-inking.You really have to think web-wise for these activities and be creative.

  
  
  

• A_Y

  How exactly I dont see how you could impliment all its advanced features like Ink/Handwriting etc (just a few off my mind, had some more but realized thats secretly just for BETA testers), into a activity.
  
  OT: Working fine in IE, i'm importing a CD. Also works fine in Firefox and Opera, dont see your problem.
  
  

• captain_semtex

  Well I think encryption would be fine, given that translation is an example in the documentation.  Photo Sharing is probably out of the question -if- it works like the current Photo Swap (aka, some sort of flickr viewer/sharer would probably be fine -- wow I'm giving out my ideas).  I'm sure more clarification is forthcoming.

  I believe the source mention was to validate needs for specific permissions; I believe this is mainly for flash (or other ActiveX-enabled activities).  However, I think they're trying to avoid someone throwing in something malicious into something that appears to be legitimate.

  For the actual contest anyway, Flash/ActiveX isn't allowed, so that's not an issue there :)

  
  
  

• emari

  JonathanKay wrote:

  Pepper wrote: True, but it's probably just easier to have it how it is now, because you'd have to muck around with Flash and Flash Variables. That would also mean that the BOT2K3 Application would be transfered to the client. And it's closed-source. And I dont think Inky or Nick will/could be bothered doing it the "new way". I hope that made sense. To be fair, I really wouldn't expect them to and I like it the way it is now.  However, it is a possibility and not to mention an idea for other people .

  
  
  Agreed then
  
  

• zhaounknown

  Yeah, I just wonder as it appears to be really broad. For example, how about encryted messages Or what about a really easy to use photo sharing tool for family and friends What about a fancy logging utlility Other than games, those sorts of things seem to be off.. which I think is a shame, and a mistake considering the Google Talk service is open to all of that, when MSN Messenger is clearly a superior service from a finish standpoint for the time being.
  
  The other confusing part is, for these questions, how does a person find out before spending the time to make it and then submit it For example, lets say an encrypted widget or logging... what is the turn around on even getting an answer - as it appears you have to make it and then hope for the best.
  
  Finally, it appears to be rather open ended when looking at what will be needed when you finish the app. For example, it states in the SDK docs that you may be required to submit your source code... That is a death knell for many things. I have already heard the conspiracy theorists, not so incorrectly suggest, that by doing so an app can be submitted, rejected for the sole purpose of taking the idea and putting it into the actual app. In other words a more formalized way of getting ideas, code etc. to take. While I am not saying this is true at all, what I do suggest is the way the system is structured makes it certainly appear that it could be and is a PR snafu. Imagine if Windows development was run this way.
  
  Ben
  
  
  

• Andy_1979

  Jonathan,
  
  My question is what sort of apps like add-ons are you even allowed to make Looking at the documentation - take a look at the restrictions:
  
  

  Activity API Restrictions
  Your MSN Messenger Activity must not contain any functionality that would normally be controlled by the MSN Messenger client. This includes (but is not limited to) the following items:

  • Instant messaging
  • File transfer (for example, digital photos or sound files)
  • Audio conversation capabilities
  • Control of a Web camera or use of a video conferencing session
  • Application sharing
  • Creation of a white board space

  That is take directly from the help file. Moreoever, you have to submit any application so that the Messenger group can enable it... how long will that take The most important though are the restrictions listed above - what sort of app are you allowed to make It would seem to me most of the add-ons you see out there are out of the running. Some others I have talked to also seem to agree. What do you think
  
  Ben
  

  
  
  
  

• Brian Cordell

  True, but it's probably just easier to have it how it is now, because you'd have to muck around with Flash and Flash Variables. That would also mean that the BOT2K3 Application would be transfered to the client. And it's closed-source. And I dont think Inky or Nick will/could be bothered doing it the "new way". I hope that made sense.
  
  

• Elver

  To be fair, I really wouldn't expect them to and I like it the way it is now.  However, it is a possibility and not to mention an idea for other people .

  
  Definitely an idea, and it's great they are opening up MSN Messenger development :)
  
  As for BOT2K3, no it will stay the way it is, but this will open up some opportunities for us (new ideas, etc). As for ink etc, it's possible -- I've already looked into things like it for MjSN. It's a matter of time rather than intelligence :P
  
  I bet you this API will be popular ;)
  

• Jim Galasyn

  Pepper wrote:

  True, but it's probably just easier to have it how it is now, because you'd have to muck around with Flash and Flash Variables. That would also mean that the BOT2K3 Application would be transfered to the client. And it's closed-source. And I dont think Inky or Nick will/could be bothered doing it the "new way". I hope that made sense.

  To be fair, I really wouldn't expect them to and I like it the way it is now.  However, it is a possibility and not to mention an idea for other people .

  
  
  

• Zim

  Yes, although the protocol itself you don't have to worry about, which is part of the coolness of this.

  Yes, the idea is to allow more third-party apps.

  
  
  

• T. McClung

  As I see it the protocol will still be "closed", hence it's an API, not a documentation. The API will let us interact with Messenger itself, it won't let us build our own applications like a robot or 3rd party client on top of the protocol. Also, I think it doesn't go any further than Games & Activities..
  
  Licensing a robot will still cost hundreds/thousands of dolors a month. Too expensive for almost anyone. I wish MS would do something about that.
  
  OT:
  This whole edit box thing stinks. Just typing makes IE garble up 99% of my CPU. What happened to the nice and light weight edit boxes with regular BBCode
  
• Clarification