LiveScratcher: "A modular extension platform for Messenger"
TheBlasphemer's latest project is an add-on for Windows Live Messenger that will add the ability to quickly add new features or functionality. The name is a made up combination of Live Scriptable Patcher. It is something I'm personality interested in and so should any developer for Windows Live Messenger. In a recent post on his blog TheBlasphemer expanded on its recent development:
For now I'm aiming for something that is on-par with Messenger Plus!'s scripting, but once I reach that I hope to keep expanding and surpass it greatly. One of the advantages I have is the extensibility. Each package can export certain functionality, and as such anyone is free to extend the API as they wish. Someone could make a package solely dedicated to communicating with facebook or twitter, and other developers can then use those packages from their scripts, for example creating a script that keeps your facebook or twitter friends updated on how many contacts you have.
I suggest giving the full post a read to know and understand the features LiveScratcher will offer. If you think you may use the program any time drop TheBlasphemer a message or comment and you may be able to beta test the application. Make sure to subscribe to the RSS feed so not to miss any future updates.
StuffPlug 4: A no-show?
Details of an upcoming StuffPlug are rather difficult to find, simply because the program is not activity being developed. It should be noted TheBlasphemer attends a prestigious university and undertakes a demanding course and this takes a lot out of his time. LiveScratcher is being developed in his summer break and it will most likely be the case StuffPlug will receive no updates this year. With it being over 18 months since StuffPlug 3.5.590 was released and no compatible program available for Windows Live Messenger 2009 it simply may be the case of making the current version compatible. Below is his response when I asked him this very question:
StuffPlug 3 was a pretty big mess to start with. I could cope with minor upgrades like 8.0 to 8.5. I relied heavily on certain stuff in messenger that got taken out or majorly overhauled in Messenger 9, like the UIFile parser or the way data binding worked, that I would need to re-write so many parts of StuffPlug3 to get it to work. I think it's better to start from scratch on something new.
I then asked him if he could see himself having time for StuffPlug. His response is as follows:
Well, I'm trying to. Lately I'd been very busy juggling between University and having a social life, but I've got one month holiday (= this month, July) where I haven't planned anything else, and hope to get some major work done. Staying at my parents (= no need to worry about food, laundry, or other distractions) definitely helps to.
I'm not sure what happens after July though.
Maybe I'll end up staying motivated as I've got something more tangible at that point, maybe I'll be too busy with uni and social life as before, I never really know for sure.
In a recent interview with mynetx he had this to say when addressed about StuffPlug 4:
Yes, hopefully at some point :) My slogan while developing is "Hmm, I wonder if I can do this better ...
We must appreciate that unlike Patchou with Messenger Plus! Live, TheBlasphemer does not devote all his time into StuffPlug and this obviously limits its development. Still however, the fact that he still wants to continue and is willing to make time for the program is nothing but a positive thing. In short StuffPlug is still alive, but it may be a while before it starts kicking.
Until then Messenger developers in particular can get excited about LiveScratcher, something which shall provide a worthwhile asset to anyone wanting to add inspiration to Microsoft's IM client.
Source: LiveScratcher: Now what? Visit TheBlasphemer's blog to stay in the know about upcoming developments
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