Tips & Tricks: How to prevent users from uninstallation of IM clients?

Sometimes security policies of a company require to prevent users rights to uninstall instant messenger software from their local PC. Our software already offers an option that prevents users from existing the IM client application. That can be done via "RestrictExitProgram=1" setting in the Setup.ini configuration file and Setup.ini Configuration Tool. Both of them are available for download at www.bopup.com But there is no option to disable uninstallation of the application from Programs and Features panel (Add/Remove Programs (ARP) in earlier Windows versions). But that's possible too.

Since setup packages of Bopup IM client software are provided in MSI files then it is possible to use command line options for msiexec launcher by putting standard Windows Installer properties. In order to disable Remove option in the Control Panel "ARPNOREMOVE=1" (in upper case) must be used. Thus the command line that launches the setup package and installs it with no disabled remove option in ARP should be the following:

msiexec /i bopupmes.msi ARPNOREMOVE=1

Bopup Observer client observer.msi package name must be specified instead of bopupmes.msi

There are so many options, and it is even possible to set IM server name by putting "IMSERVER=" property (in upper-case letters) to set a name/address of Bopup Communication Server. 

Yes, there is a little problem to use the command line options if the IM client applications are deployed/upgraded via Active Directory Group Policies (GPO). So we plan to add a new option to the setup.ini configuration file to support uninstallation through it.

New versions of the IM clients added minor but useful updates

We released new updates for Bopup Messenger and Bopup Observer clients which add a few useful changes and improvements. See below the additions and fixes in the lastest versions of the IM clients.

Added option to send idle away message as automated response to incoming personal messages

The messenger client added a useful option that allows to automatically send responses to incoming personal messages. This is possible if idle away check box is enabled because automated replies can include only current idle away message.

Fixed error with displaying single quote sign (') in the conversation that became a double quote sign

Both clients, the messenger and observer, fix annoying issue with displaying a single quote sign (') in a text of messages in conversations. This sign became shown as a double quote (") which brought problems an important data has been sent. That was not a server or data transmission problem because the client modified the text itself in order to properly save it into message archive stored locally on a user's computer.

Fixed issue when outgoing message was not shown in the conversation

We also found and fixed another weird problem in the messenger client when outgoing instant message has not been shown immediately in the conversation chat. Get the new version to solve that issue.

Improved Message History module

New updates of the IM clients are shipped with improved message history viewer. It fixes problems with selection and display of a huge number of messages and file transfers for a future review, saving to a file or printing.

Download Bopup Messenger version 6.3.2 and Bopup Observer 5.3.2

"User is typing message..." event is now supported!

We glad to inform our customers that new versions of Bopup IM suite are now available for download. Both the communication server and messenger software come with major versions because we did a lot of work, added useful improvements and fixed many issues. See what is new below.

User typing event
Firstly we need to say about very useful function. Maybe it is known from public messenger when users can see in their conversations that another one is currently typing a message or reply. Year, this adds interactivity interactivity and improves usability. When we see that the reply is being typed we do not close chat window immediately. And now our software provides that support too!

Download and update both the server and client parts in order to be able to use this function. The "User is typing message..." event appears every time in a conversation dialog of Bopup Messenger client. Delivery of this instant notification event is controlled on Bopup Communication Server and you can disable it from the Options dialog box by switching to Messaging tab.

Displaying a huge amount of messages on the server history
Management Console of the communication server fixes issues with showing a great number of messages and file transfers selected from a Message History. That issue also related to displaying some profile pages for account, group and/or news messages. Now data is displayed quickly and with no error even you select thousands records.

Fixed installation of the IM server with built-in SQL Server
Another important issue was installation of Bopup Communication Server with it's built-in database server on latest versions of Windows. Sometimes the setup fails to complete because no connection to the SQL Server could be established. That was a security problem because Windows requires a stronger password for built-in 'sa' account for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express that shipped with the IM server package. We did that.

Forget about duplicate versions of the messenger software in Add/Remove Programs panel 
Our customers that distribute and deploy new updates of the IM client using the communication server faced with the problem that previous version of the software might not be properly removed from Add/Remove Programs if the update was initiated under non-administrator user account in Windows. That was too old problem that we know about. Now the messenger software removes it's previous version during an upgrade with keeping all settings and message history.


Adding File Transfers to a messenger local history
Both Bopup Messenger and Bopup Observer clients fix error with adding and saving received and sent transfers to Message History. Now al file transfers are properly archived for a future review.


Download Bopup Communication Server version 4.2, Bopup Messenger 6.3 and Bopup Observer 5.3

Bopup IM clients added useful improvements when third-party authentication is used

We glad to inform our customers that new updates of Bopup Messenger and Bopup Observer clients were released. New versions added great improvements if the messengers connected to the communication server using third-party authentication, i.e. by entering custom logon name and password.

Now it is possible to control "Remember me on this computer" option and also to close established session with the IM server and log out from the main menu in the messenger by showing "Login" page.

Another great addition is displaying current account name in a title of main window if third-party authorization is used.

Download Bopup Messenger 6.2.0 and Bopup Observer 5.2.0

Bopup Scanner version 2.1.8 comes with minor improvements

Our Bopup Scanner application does not relate to Bopup IM suite. It is a free network scanner that lets you easily and quickly scan your LAN and show MAC with IP addresses, workstations names and even logged users on remote computers. The scanner depends on NetBIOS protocol installed over TCP/IP and supports multiple network adapters (cards) installed on a local computer.

New version of Bopup Scanner software fixes minor issues and opens Options dialog box on it's first startup to allow to choose network interface to use for a scan and IP range, if it is needed.

Download Bopup Scanner version 2.1.8

New version of the communication server fixes Management Console if it is installed in administration mode

New version 4.1.8 of Bopup Communication Server is available for download at Download Center. This release fixed issues with the Management Console when it manages a remote instance of the IM server, i.e. installed in the Administration mode. It might hang up when some data on the server is changed, for example new setup package of IM clients uploaded, server settings changed or branding image (logo) is selected.

Download the latest version 4.1.8 of Bopup Communication Server

The IM server enables the "Hide Organizational Units that are not available to users" option

New version of Bopup Communication Server is available for download. The version 4.1.7 implements the "Hide Organizational Units that are not available to users" on the Contact List tab of the Options dialog. That setting was added in a few releases ago but was not available for change and was grayed out. It enables a rebuild of Organizational Units structure in the user's Contact List shown in the messenger if some of units are not available due to user's Organizational Unit permissions. It can be important and useful to customers that want to hide and to do not show other units to users if they are not available.

The new version also fixes issue with disappearing users in the console if their parent Organizational Unit is moved.

It is easy to upgrade existing version of the server to the new one. Just launch a setup wizard of the new installation package to automatically upgrade the software to the latest version with keeping all application's settings and history.

Download Bopup Communication Server version 4.1.7

Major security update for Bopup Communication Server

We released new version of the communication server 4.1.6 which fixes a security issue with creation of user accounts from instant messaging clients. User were able to create any IM accounts and connect to the server even it's option restrict that. This issues appears only if Active Directory (LDAP) integration feature is enabled on the server.

This fix has a high-priority level so we advise our customers to update their existing software as soon as possible.

New versions of the IM client software are also available, and Bopup Messenger 6.1.5 and Bopup Observer 5.1.5 are ready for download. These updates add a support for new hidden option named "DisableRememberMeOption" that can be now found in setup.ini settings file and Setup.ini Configuration Tool. It lets disable "Remember me on this computer" checkbox on the "Log in" tab in the messengers if the client software is used on shared or public computers, for example.

Get software updates from Download Center

IM Server improves a restore of SQL backups and printing Message History

New version 4.1.4 of Bopup Communication Server has been released on January 27, 2013. It is a not mandatory update but it fixes and improves some useful features of the software.

What's new:

Added new option in the SQL Database Maintenance dialog to restore database backups created on another server

The SQL Database Maintenance dialog of the Management Console adds a new check box that says the console that a SQL database backup (that is intended for restore) was created on another SQL Server and/or another instance of the communication server. It is very important because in that case the backup will be restored with WITH REPLACE option.

Added UAC verification to control status of the IM service

Now the Management Console checks token of administrator account (UAC) under which it is running in Windows Vista and later. If there is no necessary rights to control the IM service from the Welcome page then appropriate message is shown and starting/stopping options for the service are unavailable. In order to control the service the Management Console must be launched with "Run as administrator" option selected from context menu in Windows.

Improved showing and printing Message History containing long messages

New version of Bopup Communication Server fixes issues with displaying and printing long text messages in Message History. We removed scrollbars in the edit boxes that contain the message text and now each conversation is shown and moved to a printing device in whole.

Download Bopup Communication Server version 4.1.4

B Labs wishes you a Happy and Prosperous 2013 year!

Hi everyone! This is our first post in new year and we would like to congratulate our existing customers and future clients on joining to new 2013! We wish all our users a Happy New Year and hope that it will make you and your business more prosperous and successful. We believe that new 2013 year will bring great news and things in different area including our IM software too. We plan to release our first mobile IM client application for Android platform within the next two months. Hope you will enjoy it because it lets move the communication to a new level. Thanks for staying with us!

Great updates of the IM software!

Today is the time to release great updates both of the IM server and messenger software. We released new releases of Bopup Communication Server version 4.1.3, Bopup Messenger 6.1.3 and Bopup Observer 5.1.2

What's new:

Automated rebuild of Contact Lists on the IM server works better and smoothly
The latest version of the communication server improves function of rebuilding users' contacts when some minor or great changes occur in user structure. Now status of Contact Lists are changed in the db even administrator declines immediate rebuild if users are moved to another Organizational Unit, accounts enabled/disabled or permissions have been edited for some OU. This gives a possibility to rebuild contacts manually from the Options dialog when all changes in the console are done.

Update contacts in the messenger on-the-fly
Another great addition in the software is automated delivery of newly built Contact Lists to connected users when the contacts have been manually and automatically re-organized in the Management Console. In this case the server notifies online users and force them to retrieve their Contact List again. Now rebuilt buddy lists are shown in the messenger instantly without it's restart and reconnect.

Send files faster and do not want for a recipient's response
The server adds new option that extends File Transfer functionality. It allows to transmit files and folders immediately on the server first even the recipient is online. Thus the sender has to do not wait while the recipient accepts or declines the transfer because the server receives it instantly. The new option can be found on the File Transfer page of the Options dialog box in the Management Console.

Fixed saving and restoring positions of the messengers on Desktop
Since prior versions of the messenger software added function to show the IM client on the Taskbar some our customers were experience issues with showing messenger windows on user's desktop. The new updates fix those issues that occurred if user closes minimized window from Taskbar.

No invalid text appended on sending graphic "smiles" in messages
Bopup Messenger fixes error when strange symbols appended and displayed on recipient's side after some graphic smiles.

Receive and find received files and documents easily
The latest versions of the messengers add new settings on the File Transfer tab in the Options dialog that allows to create sub-folder to place a received data and includes sender's name. In addition to existing option that create the same subdirectory named current date it is easy now to find files and documents received in the past. By the way, that setting are now moved to user's interface and available on the File Transfer page.

Conversations include group messages too within received private messages
The latest version of Bopup Messenger shows group messages too within personal messages received from selected contact when you open a conversation dialog (sending message window). Group messages sent by that user are marked with green color while personal messages received from him are red and ours messages are always blue.

Download latest versions of the IM software now

Bopup IM Live Chat is changed but working again

We were experiencing troubles with our Live Chat function on the website in the past few months because the messenger form stopped working in the middle of August 2012. That was very annoying issue and problem for us and our customers. Since our Live Chat feature was based on Windows Live Messenger platform we tried to find some references on Microsoft's website and support forums. But nothing and no one helped us.

We also noticed that a lot of Windows Live platform has been changed in the past months, like live.com, outlook.com websites, and thought all the time that the issue we are having with the Live Chat form is a temporary problem. But we were in wrong...

Confirmed: Microsoft To Kill Windows Live Messenger in 2013
Microsoft has officially confirmed that the company will discontinue Windows Live Messenger in 2013, moving all users over to Skype in Q1. This move will include migrating Messenger’s 100 million users to Skype’s platform.

That's the reason why we were having troubles with our Live Chat website form all the past time — Microsoft is slowly killing services related to Windows Live Messenger platform.

Today we migrated and started to use a new Live Chat feature, it looks simply and works like the form from Microsoft. Thus our Live Chat function has been restored and now available on our websites again. Welcome!