SimLink

Shared control of virtual experiments via Instant Messaging

SimLink is a system for deployment and use of Java based downloadable plugins within the BuddySpace instant messaging system. It also supports a mechanism to 'share state' in the group chat environment of BuddySpace. This means that we can design a plugin whose current state is synchronized in all participants of a group chat session. For example, one of sample plugins provided, allows participants to play a networked game of Chess, and additionally progress of the game can be viewed by participants not involved in the game. In practice, SimLink allows multiple users to share control of simulations and other software at much lower bandwidth penalty than 'raw' screen-sharing would entail.