Cell Phones while IMing

Simple idea, and it seems scriptable to me. If, as part of the instant-messaging function, one's avatar came equiped with a cell phone that could be automatically whipped out and used when sending/receiving instant messages, it would make Instant Messaging seem something other than mind reading. After all, people in the RW get to talk on cell phones, why shouldn't we? One could script this as an option, for those who would like to remain totally wireless. It would make IM'ing more distinquishable from conversing as a means of communicating. And I must say the feel of IMing in SL reminds me of talking on my cell in the RW.

Think about it. Someone is talking to you at an event and an IM comes in from a friend. Of course we should be able to select or program our own ring, so we don't all go for the IM box when we hear a ring in a public area. You say excuse me to the person you're conversing with, pull out your cell phone (open your IM box) and talk to your friend who is IMing you from some other part of the world. Maybe you even say, "I'm busy now, can I call you right back?" If you're away and somebody IM's you, the caller just, well, leaves a message. It would be totally cool.

Abelardus of Ash

You might want to look at this thread.

Nothing new under the sun I guess. I still do like the idea, especially, as I say, if it is optional. Would this be something a citizen could build and script (and sell) -- cell phones that tie in to your IM behavior? Or would it have to be system-wide I wonder?

list llGetClientWindowList(key id)

Must have PERMISSION_USER_INTERFACE (automatically granted for attachments).

Returns a list of window types currently open:

WINDOW_INPUT
WINDOW_HISTORY
WINDOW_SCRIPT_EDITOR
WINDOW_INSTANT_MESSAGE
WINDOW_INVENTORY
WINDOW_NOTECARD_EDITOR
WINDOW_OBJECT_EDITOR
...

Delays script for 0.5s (since it has to communicate with the client).

That would let you write something like this:

timer()
{
  list windows = llGetClientWindowList(llGetOwner());
  if(llListFindList(windows, [WINDOW_INSTANT_MESSAGE]) == -1)
  {
    llSetLinkAlpha(LINK_SET,ALL_SIDES,0);
    if(anim_playing) llStopAnimation("Cellphone");
    anim_playing = 0;
  }
  else
  {
    llSetLinkAlpha(LINK_SET,ALL_SIDES,1);
    if(!anim_playing) llStartAnimation("Cellphone");
    anim_playing = 1;
  }
}