We need a developer to create an RSS alert system which will then display a (single) feed to the user. The system will poll at a user specified interval, usually every minute.
The system shall be created using Microsoft .NET as a manager application. C# / C++ preferred, however professional Visual Basic will be considered after a code review of previous projects. Test platforms include Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vistat. Special attention should be paid to 64 bit platforms, however as a .NET “managed application” I do not see that these platforms will present any special challenges.
The Alert System should store the data using the Jet engine for data storage – alternatives will be considered if you have a good business case for them.
The protocol can be adjusted as required.
On the first install, the system should ask for a username and password. The system should then call a special URL with the username / password passed in the headers (HTTP BASIC auth) to register the application – a unique identifier will then be returned, or a 403 forbidden if the system cannot be registered. On error, a dialog should be presented to the user telling them to contact support, and Ok will then exit the application.
The username, password, unique id, window size, position, and options / preferences shall then be stored in the registry.
The API URLs will be compiled into the application – how do we change these later if necessary?
On every call further call to the application, the username, password and UID will then be sent to the system. Be prepared for additional status messages including “moved”
API:
register
check for new messages (returns messages if they are available, as RSS)
read – send a callback notification w/ message id when the message is read (shown in the pane)
Anything we missed?
Gracefully handle errors – including Forbidden, connection errors, etc.
Proxy support required (through Windows or directly in the application)
Please see video for details.