Aware IM application > native desktop application?

hpl123

Hi support,
I have an idea/suggestion for a distribution option for Aware IM. I have been looking through the Sencha.com website and read about the "Sencha Desktop Packager" (http://www.sencha.com/products/desktop-packager/). The desktop packager takes a Sencha web application and packages it as an application that can be run on a single computer as a standalone "native" desktop application. The idea/suggestion is to integrate this option in Aware IM so one could distribute an Aware IM application as a desktop application. There might be some restrictions on this desktop application and some changes would have to be made so the desktop application would work 100% locally/native for a individual user but after this is done, there would still be most features etc. left and that would be enough for many applications. The application would work exactly as a standard e.g. Windows application.

When it comes to having this option in Aware IM, Awaresoft could possible have an addon for/to the developer license where the developer would purchase this capability for their Aware IM version.

I am not suggesting at all to change directions from what Aware IM is today (creating web applications etc.) and is not intended to "slow down" Awaresofts development of core Aware IM features but i think having this option in Aware IM would be valuable. If this distribution option would exist it would probably greatly increase the number of developers as one could then develop and distribute a single desktop application. I know i would use it, it would open up my options greatly when it comes to the type of applications i want to develop.

Just an idea/suggestion. Other users, please pitch in if you think this would be interesting and Awaresoft is this something viable?
Thanks

aware_support

Thank you for the suggestion. However, nothing stops you from running an Aware IM application locally now. Just point your browser to localhost. This would work exactly as any desktop application, except that the UI is driven by the browser.

hpl123

Hi support,
Yes i know about the way to do this but the other solution would enable developers to actually create a full product (application) and distribute/sell it as an native application. This is not possible with the current solution.

Thanks

aware_support

Unfortunately, Aware IM is much more than just Sencha and I am not sure whether this approach will work at all. The benefits to the end user will be relatively marginal anyway - it will run fractionally faster, that's all. However, we'll keep the idea in mind - maybe there's more to it than meets the eye.

hpl123

Ok, thanks. It might be possible to use the current runtime distribution option and build from that?
The custom runtime builder could create a installation package with installer, agreement etc. and when the user installs it, the package installs the application as a automatic/running service (or hiding the Aware IM server startup window/options). The application itself would work for 1 user on 1 computer only.

Again just my thoughts and thanks for considering this. Aware IM is such a fantastic and unique product and the option to create a native desktop application would be great. Also, I think it would be great from a developer perspective to enable a developer to develop and sell great applications.
Regards