Shared Web Applications

Shared web applications are SamePlace's most unique feature.

Most IM clients let you interact with people in just one way: chatting. Some provide you with a whiteboard. Maybe a game or two.

Not only SamePlace gives you a good start of extra apps (chessboard, shared cursor, synchronized map, S5 presentations), it also does so in an unusual way: SamePlace loads applications from the web.

What does this mean for you?

  • You're able to access applications as they're created, without client upgrades.
  • You can immediately interact with your contacts. You don't need to sign up to services and re-re-re-create your social network.

And what does it mean for developers?

  • Developers can create applications with no need of permission or distribution from a central entity. Just upload your code to a server, give out the URL, and you're set.
  • Developers don't need to re-invent authentication, account management, or special technologies for real-time push of data -- these are already in place courtesy of XMPP, which has been doing that reliably for almost a decade.

Show me!

If you want to try for yourself, read on. If you want to just sit back and watch a demo, have a look at the videos here or at the very first (October 2006) videos here.

How to use shared web applications

Example: a game of chess

Let's say you want to play chess with your friend Joe.

Right-click on his nickname in the contact list and choose Games -> Chessboard from the resulting menu.

On Joe's browser, a notification will appear telling him that you want to meet on the chessboard page, and he'll be able to accept or decline. Once he accepts, you can start playing!

Another example: the shared cursor

Ever found yourself trying to point out part of a web page to someone on the other side during a chat? "The bright red rectangle under the pink triangle, no, not the one on the bottom..."

Next time, try this. While both of you are on the same web page, from the shared apps menu choose Virtual Workplace -> Shared Cursor and have the other side do the same. (Different than chessboard, there is no new page load here, so the other side won't receive an accept/decline request)

Voilà, no more clunky verbal directions, now just move the mouse pointer over what you want and your contact will see it.

Resources