Messlabs Source Code

Messlabs Add-in is written in VB.NET 2005 and uses the Messenger client API as well as a modified version of the older Messenger API created by TheSteve of Fanatic Live, which allows you to access the Windows Live Messenger API without Windows Messenger getting in the way.

Messlabs Add-in also serves as a solid example of how you can bypass the limitations of the Messenger Client API which prevent you from accessing files and the internet.

Download the source code here

There are several things you should know before starting:

1. The MessengerAPI must first be registered with the .NET GTC cache. You can do this by running the batch file at:
Messlabs Addin 0.2.1 Open Source\MesslabsAddin\bin\Release\SynchronizeAPICache.bat

2. Every time you compile/build a new version of Messlabs Addin and you want to use it in Windows Live Messenger you must add the new version to the .NET GTC cache. You can do this by running the batch file at:
Messlabs Addin 0.2.1 Open Source\MesslabsAddin\bin\Release\SynchronizeCache.bat
It helps to have a shortcut to this file on your desktop. After that you must close and reload Windows Live Messenger.

3. In this source code there is a second project called MesslabsAddinTester, you can use this to test the Messlabs add-in without going into Messenger. If you want to use MesslabsAddinTester you must do several things:

  • Disable the 'Sign this assembly' option by right clicking MesslabsAddin in the solution explorer, going to properties, going to the signing tab, and unticking the 'Sign this assembly' checkbox. Note: You must sign the assembly when you want to use the Addin through the Messenger Addin interface.
  • Comment all references to mMsgr inside the Initialize method in MesslabsAddin.vb
  • Comment the following lines in the Login function inside MesslabsAddin.vb:
    mFriendlyName = mMsgr.LocalUser.FriendlyName
    mPersonalMessage = mMsgr.LocalUser.PersonalStatusMessage
    StartMessengerPoller()

4. I have also included the Messlabs installer. You will need the NSIS [nullsoft scriptable install system] to modify and compile

And thats all I can think of right now, the rest is pretty straight forward.

Enjoy
Copyright (c) Messlabs 2008