Hi there, > my client wants a custom IM application for his website. I > downloaded a free > IM app from macromedias website, the only thing is finding a way > to get the > application window to pop-up on User B's computer when user A on > a different > computer tries to IM them. Can this even be done using ColdFusion > and if so > could anyone lead me in the right direction. > > Thanks,
This is an interesting question. The problem arises because the very thing the web is good (i.e. stateless, and therefore scalable connections), makes it difficult to use a service like IM (which by it nature is a stateful app.) Once a browser makes a request from a website, it gets the current page content and displays it, and then disconnects (well its meant to, MS IExplorer ignores this sometimes). [assuming no Java Applets etc.] So how do you get around this? There are a few options : a) request a page every x seconds - the usually why to do this is to use JavaScript, in a frame or iframe, to call page.cfm to check for any messages b) Have a frame containing a page that is cfflushed every time a message is posted... (Don't like this myself, keeps a connection open) c) Use a technology like Java Applet / ActiveX - that can manages state in a different manner d) get your clients to use a IM system like AOL etc. and use CF to send message to them, that way. (Look at Bens Book J2ee/MX for an example using Jabber www.jabber.org) As you can see there is no right way. All have their pro's and con's. Just like all the great questions in life .. WG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?forumid=4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?method=subscribe&forumid=4 FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Your ad could be here. Monies from ads go to support these lists and provide more resources for the community. http://www.fusionauthority.com/ads.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
