Protocols/MSNP/Activities/SDK/Overview
Overview of MSN Messenger Activity API
MSN® Messenger Activity API allows developers to build applications that take advantage of the multiuser communication functionality provided by MSN Messenger. Developers can design applications using this simplified connection model.
The application in the Activity window is a Web page that interacts with MSN Messenger through the application programming interface that is defined in this software development kit. Your Web page can provide any functionality that can be present in a normal Web page.
You start an Activity from either the Games or Activities button that appears on the toolbar of the Conversation window in MSN Messenger version 7.0 (and later). Or, if you prefer, your Activity can be excluded from the MSN Messenger menu completely. For example, you might want only selected users that you notify to use the application. Instead of including your application on the toolbar buttons of MSN Messenger, you can use the mechanism in Increasing MSN Messenger Activity Usage to provide access to the application.
In MSN Messenger versions 6.0 and 6.1, your Launch Site application is accessed using the Launch Site button on the toolbar of the Conversation window. In MSN Messenger version 6.2, your application is accessed from the Fun & Games button on the toolbar of the Conversation window.
Click the Games or Activities button to show a list of activities or games. You can start an Activity from these buttons, depending on which area you selected for the Activity.
Click an item in the Games or Activities listing to launch the item. You must be in a conversation with another user in order to launch a multiuser application. The remote user must accept an invitation in order for both sides to launch the application. If you select a single-user application, the item will launch in the Conversation window, without sending an invitation.
Applications that run in this space are running in the Activity Window. The Activity window supports DHTML and runs the same as an Internet Explorer version 5.01 browser window.
