Mercury Encrypted Communicator

	MECOverview

MEC sets itself apart from other Instant Messengers in several key ways, the most valuable being: 1) its encryption 2) its multiple functionality 3) its inviting and friendly interface 4) ease of use 5) user customization of use of screen real estate 6) skinability 7) published blueprints	Mercury Communicator is an encrypted instant messenger with multiple built-in functions. Security There will be three types of encryption that the user will be allowed to choose from. 1) user generates own session key based on pseudo randomness. - this is the weakest version due to limited security on end user workstations. 2) user generates a partial session key, we generate the other side. -this is medium secure. 3) we generate the full session key. This is the strongest version due to our rigorous development and improvements to the underlying architecture. Session keys are updated at random intervals anywhere from 30 seconds to an hour. Currently we are using Open SSL for encryption but are planning to switch over to RSA/X.509 before the open beta. The "blueprints" for the communicator will be made public when the open beta is released. There are two reasons for doing this: 1) this is the only way to be accepted as a standard in the internet community. 2) to coin a phrase from a security guru, "a safe is not secure just because a safecracker doesn't have the blueprints. A safe is secure when the safecracker has the blueprints and still can't get in". Users will be able to digitally sign their messages and file transfers via a certificate service such as Verisign. Functionality and Intuitive Interface Chat windows and rooms, media play and file transfer are currently being implementd as are animations and mouse events. Future features will include streaming media, video conferencing, secure cash and credit card transactions and secure stock trading. The media player window, when not being used for streaming media or video conferencing can be used for sponsor advertising and self promotion. Media can be shared with others on the net without it being downloaded. (streaming) Cosmetic 'bells and whistles' will include sounds to accompany clicks and events as well as the 'docking' of the individual modules. Users will be able to choose from a gallery of images to customize their user identity. Designers and developers will be able to create their own skins for the communicator thus adding to its popularity. Our team will provide a selection of themes for the mainstream user to choose from. This will be a cross platform application supported by Windows, Mac and Unix.

The Mercury Encrypted Communicator, a labour of love, is being built with the needs of the user in mind and will be remembered for its intuitive use. (and fish) : )

*version updates will be posted as completed		Testers- please report any problems to: bugsy@mercuryfn.com
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