iConnectDesktop Desktop Menu and Applications Software

iConnectDesktop is the ISP’s presence on the desktop that provides a permanent menu with options for the user to access and manage their Broadband or dial-up service. It provides links to the ISP’s site for service and billing enquiries, advertising and promotion, including a usage meter and home networking.

ISP Configurable Menu Items

The iConnectDesktop menu is totally configurable via a configuration file that stores details for buttons, button skins (look and feel) and hyperlink information including:

• Button title.
• Button icon.
• URL.
• Button order.
• Sub-menu button.

Desktop Menu

The iConnectDesktop provides a non-obtrusive toolbar style desktop menu with the following default items:

• My Email – opens the default email client.
• My Browser – opens the default web browser.
• Connection Manager – opens iConnectMonitor.
• Contact ISP – opens a sub menu with:
  • Service Inquires (web link).
  • Billing Inquires (web link).
• Usage Meter (web link).
• Today’s Promotions (web link).
• Home Networking – add-on products (web link).

Value Add Panel

In addition, the value-add panels offer enhanced functionality to the user. These panels can be downloaded via HTML, or specialised components can be integrated into iConnectDesktop including:

OPEN-Configurable Menu Items

Links to OPEN-installed applications that can be started by the user.

Skinable User Interface

For example, the main colour of buttons, fonts, highlights and shadows, sub-menu item colours, and the desktop background. The skins change the overall appearance without changing the menu items.

ISP-Branded Skin

A specific ISP-branded skin can be set following agreement with the ISP.

Configuration via Published API

A number of XML configuration files (skin files, ISP menu settings, usage meter and message panel file format) and their usage.

Messages Panel

The Messages Panel can display ISP-wide global messages to the user by downloading a message file from the ISP. iConnectDesktop checks for new versions of the messages file periodically.

Music Player Panel (for Windows Media Player)

Standard media controls (Play, Stop, Volume, Mute etc), a play list, and means to add, delete and reorder tracks.

Usage Meter Panel

A dynamic graph of a user’s usage populated with data from the ISP. The graph can show:

• Number of MB used this month.
• Current MB limit this month.
• Date and time of month rollover.

More Information

For further information about iConnectDesktop, contact OPEN Networks at iConnect@opennw.com

Also see our Broadband Products page