Chat + IM Client and Server

I need a custom chat and IM desktop application created for me. I need both the client and server coded. The client side application should have an excellent GUI that is simple to use for the user. It should use an MDI based form with the IM buddy list dockable to the right or left side of the MDI form and the chat rooms/channels open up as new forms within the MDI form. I have attached a text document that goes over the basic requirements for the application. Please note that these are not all the features/functionality I would want in the application, but is a majority of them and is certainly all the 'big' ones. There is no real way to know before hand everything you want in a program so some small additions may arise so please plan on that in your bid request. Bidders must be able to communicate in well spoken english. Bidders MUST include a bid amount. If you do not include an amount with your bid then I will ignore you as you obviously did not read this. ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables): a) For web sites or other server-side deliverables intended to only ever exist in one place in the Buyer's environment--Deliverables must be installed by the Seller in ready-to-run condition in the Buyer's environment. b) For all others including desktop software or software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Friday Sep 29, 2006 3:31:39 PM: Hey All, I have received a lot of great bids and it seems that almost everyone is capable of building an application that has the features that I want. I have decided that both client and server should be done in C, C++, or C# -- I have decided against a java client/server so if that was your bid you can reply back and tell me you can't do it or you can alter your bid. Since there are quite a lot of bids for this project and a lot of them look good it is going to come down to four things: 1) how well you communicate 2) the price of your bid relative to my budget 3) your understanding of what I desire and your ability to adapt to changes made once the project has been accepted as well as how diverse (programming wise) you are. 4) your ability to create a great looking GUI for the client app. Since it seems that everyone can handle the server part (in their own way) . If you are serious about this project please create a sample chat GUI (non functional) and upload it to me. You can send me a screenshot or the actual executable -- but do not send me the code. I am going to try to make my decision within the next few days. If you have already sent me a GUI sample of one of your chat programs -- there is nothing against you but so far nothing I have seen has been up to my standards of quality. A sample of kind of what I am looking for is [login to view URL] (but certainly not that advanced!). Pretty much I just want your basic MDI form based chat client. The IM portion of the program (buddy list) should be able to be docked to the left or right side. The advertising system banner should be fixed at the top of the client and it should always show (can't be covered up). The user should be able to select if they want IM windows to open up in a tabbed en vironment inside the MDI form or outside the MDI form (but still tabbed ala GAIM). The app should be skinnable (I do not mind purchasing Skin Controls if that speeds things up). Extra attention will be paid to coders who can allow a user to right click any chat window and click "undock" which will open up the chat channel in a window OUTSIDE the MDI form and close down the window in the MDI form. The user can then "dock" that window by dragging it to the edge of any other application running (ie: if a person has party poker open they can undock a chat window and drag it over and dock it to the bottom of the party poker client and it will stay there and act almost as part of that (minimize when you minimize the app in question, etc..).. Now that you know what I want out of the GUI please consider everything, alter your bids if you need, and or drop out of bidding if you need. I do have high standards of quality when it comes to this GU I and if you can not provide what I am looking for it will lead to problems down the road. Please also consider the fact that if you do a great job with this not only will I consider giving bonuses, but you will also get to do all the upgrades and follow up work with this app which in time will wind up being 20-50 times more then the initial bid. I want to make my decision in the next few days so keep that in mind. Thanks and I wish all of you the best of luck. * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Monday Oct 2, 2006 12:40:48 PM: Hey All, First I want to thank everyone for bidding on this project. I want to say that due to a new anti-online-poker bill that was just passed in the USA I am going to hold off selecting a coder on this project, until I figure out how it is going to effect my company. ## Platform Server must run on a Windows 2003 server and install itself as a Windows 2003 Service. Application must run on Windows 2000, Windows XP if possible it should also run on Windows 98/ME with .NET installed. Coder is also responsible for creating the installer for the application.. the installer should also create it so that links on websites that are pchat://somechannelhere should launch the app and auto connect to channel somechannelhere