System Overview


1: The first task in implementing the system is to run the manager module and set up an environment. The MM is packaged in a self executing jar file and is run on the server machine. This allows an environment to be created/saved/opened and edited. Environments are saved as files in a buildings directory on the server machine.
2: The Main Server Application is started. This application does not have a GUI and only prints the message 'Main Server started' to standard output.
3: The Chat Server Application is started and also just displays a message 'Chat Server Started Waiting for users...'.
4. The File Server Application is started and displays the message 'File Server Started Waiting for users...'
5: The Client side application is run on each client machine and interacts with the Server applications on the server machine using Java Sockets.

After a successful log in the client's room properties are downloaded from the server.

Each user has the individual properties that were allocated in the Manager Module and colour, image and location are different in each client application.
The left and right cursor keys allow the client to face a different wall in the room.
Each Wall holds a different utility.

East Wall

The east wall contains the visit room function which allows another user's room to be visited.
Clicking the door which is actually a JButton opens the panel to manage file upload and download. Clicking a button on the panel changes the view showing the visited room's colour and owner's image Clicking a room button displays a list of files in the selected user's directory that are available for download.
Clicking the upload button allows files to be chosen with a file chooser dialog. The buttons on the visit room panel display the room owner's colour and mouse over displays a tooltip with the room owner's name.
Files are uploaded to the users directory on the server.
Files can only be downloaded from the owners directory which has been selected in the panel.

South Wall

This button is a working clock and today's date is displayed on a label.
On clicking the clock button a Task Manager allows task lists to be created/edited/saved and opened. New tasks have today's date added allowing simple editing. Clicking the status button opens/closes a colour coded pop up menu which allows the status of each room to be set. The files will be uploaded to the server so the lists can be shared with other clients.
A standalone version of the Task Manager Application is available to download for free at Sourceforge

North Wall


The Chat Server has to be running to allow clients to connect. A new thread is created for each client connection. When facing the north wall a telephone button is clicked to connect to the chat server and a combo box displays with a list of users currently logged onto chat. When a selection occurs, the send message field grabs focus. Clicking the send button sends the messages typed here to the selected user.

East Wall


The document manager allows RTF and text files to be opened, edited and saved. Local HTML files can be viewed. It also enables Internet browsing. A print facility would enable hard copy of documents

Manager Overview Login Overview Chat Overview Files Overview Client Overview System Overview