Until Microsoft start shipping with Java built in, it can be hard enough just getting a good streamlined install process for your users, without having to keep updating it each time you upgrade your application. redACT helps make that, and many other things much easier. With automatic updating, a common install structure for Linux, OS-X, Solaris, and Windows Java just gets easier. Add in features to make your application easily extended with plug-ins and you are really onto something. Leveraging the power of Java to dynamically add new components to your architecture, a powerful but easy to implement with messaging and architecture, and an incredibly low overhead of using the framework (implement two methods for a single interface) and you have a winning combination.
redACT Framework
Auto-Update
redACT implements a simple-yet-powerful update architecture. Simply place an XML file on your web-server, and redACT applications can check for the latest version, even tailoring themselves to particular versions of Java or an Operating System. The best thing about it? Your application (or you) doesn’t even have to know about it.
Plug-ins
You know what to expect from a chat tool! Pick your font preferences, either from a pre-built pick list or from the “anything you want” color chooser. Smilies (of course), set your status so people know what your up-to, and oh yes, all your buddies! If the server your connected to is integrated with vBulletin, you’ll even be able to recognize your forum buddies from their avatars. As well as open chat, there’s the PM (Personal Message) system allowing you to chat away without bothering anyone else (ahem!).
Pimp My App
redACT supports a “publish/subscribe” extensibility architecture. What does that mean? It means any application can publish parts of itself (GUI objects, messages, or actions) to be discovered, and potentially extended or over-ridden by plug-ins. This delivers an extremely low level of cohesion, meaning that if you decide to change your application, you may not have to change the plug-ins at all. It also reduces the commitments required of plug-ins. After all, normally you would like people to extend your app, not dread learning how to!
redACT Java 1.4.2+
Download the SDK and follow the supplied instructions
Coming Soon...
We are still finalizing the licensing arrangements for redACT. We can say it will not be Open Source, but we are currently not planning to charge for it’s use/distribution. We would also like to allow the application some time to prove itself in the “wild”. The first redACT application was release in May 2006 (eRation Chat Client 2.1c).
