In this release of LCS I have focused on ironing out some of the show stopping ‘bugs’ which have crept into the code in previous versions. There’s also a handful of small/quick wins off my apps roadmap (public roadmap coming soon).
But wait…. Why the big jump in version numbers? I hear you say.. Well, I have now changed my setup package to an MSI, this is aimed at my plans for rapid/mass deployment. As MSI’s ignore the last digit of the version number, it meant deploying updated version was messy. v0.0.1.0 was a ‘private’ release to help resolve an issue for one of the BETA testers. Changes have now been merged into v0.0.2.0
So here’s a breakdown of whats new:
- Introduction of status icons in systray context menu
- Resolved issue with reply box remaining disabled for some users
- Implemented start with windows options
- Improved file delete routines even more, to iron out issues some users experienced
- Implemented button to restart Lync client
- A handful of users had reported the app was forcing an auto answer, this is now resolved.
- Introduction of status icons in system tray menu
- Ground work for Auto Answer for future release
- Fixed auto update ’16bit’ setup.exe issues
- Introduction of keyboard shortcuts for menu items
All of the other features still stand:
Features
- Custom Status – This application eases the pain of creating 4 custom status options for the Microsoft Lync Client. Rather then just telling your contacts you are away or busy, you can now give them more insight into what you are on with.
- Linked Personal Notes – Now when you switch to a status, a predefined personal note will also apply
- Linked Locations – Now when you switch to a status, a predefined location will also apply
- Automated(Canned) Responses – Upon selecting a custom status, the application is capable of intercepting conversation requests and replying (automatically) with your predefined response.
- Exception Lists – Sometimes you don’t want your automated responses going to every contact in your list, the application works with a list of predefined addresses which it won’t respond to.
- Frequency of response – Much like Microsoft Outlook, you can prevent (if you want) the recipient receiving multiple copies of your ‘canned’ response in a 24 hour period. Alternatively, you can set the app to reply every time.
- Call handling – Upon selecting a custom status, the application is capable of intercepting voice call requests and handling them (automatically) with your predefined response.
- Reject Call – The app is now capable of automatically rejecting calls, sending them to voice mail if set up.
- Call Forward – The app is now capable of automatically forwarding incoming calls to your defined recipient.
- On both counts it’s still possible to honour the exception list, allowing calls from your predefined contacts from bypassing the rules and passing through.
- Tools – The application also contains a tool set for some often required ‘tweaks’/file manipulations to resolve some of the niggles we come across in our Lync environment.
- Lync Cache Cleaning – Lync caches information locally to aid with performance, this can often cause delays when information is updated on other clients or centrally.
- Photo Cache Cleaning – The application enables the end-user to ‘point and click’ clear down the Lync Client photo cache. Very useful when diagnosing photo synchronisation issues.
- Contact Cache Cleaning – The application enables the end-user to ‘point and click’ clear down the Lync Client Contact cache cleaning. This saves having to remove all the users login information, but often helps clear spurious contact list issues. Such as people’s status’ being listed incorrectly.
- Appear Offline – The application gives the end-user the ability to enable a hidden Lync feature, the ability to appear offline.. This is especially useful if you are out of the office and need to make calls, but do not want to receive calls/IM’s
- Force GAL Download – The application enables the end-user to override the delay of download for the GAL, very handy during a rebuild of an end users machine.
- Backup GAL – The application makes backing up the local copy of the GAL a point and click process. This comes in handy when migrating a user from one machine to another.
- Lync Cache Cleaning – Lync caches information locally to aid with performance, this can often cause delays when information is updated on other clients or centrally.
As always, please let me know if you discover any bugs – or have suggestions for features. If you already have a key for the app you can download the MSI here, use the built in ‘Check for updates’ functionality or If you don’t yet have a key please use this link: