Communicating from website to desktop application (not vice-versa)

Question

I am designing an application such that it will have to react to certain actions required by the website, mostly the same way Last.FM client does (if you have used one)

The way Last.FM client works is that, it will register a custom protocol in Windows (lastfm://) and on their website, they use that protocol to trigger certain action on the player, e.g.:

lastfm://artist//similarartists

will actually direct any Last.FM client running to load up similar artists.

I would like to do the same thing for my application.

Is this a good idea? Is there any good alternatives to send a message from a website to a desktop client in this manner?

Answer 1

I think it's a great idea ... I've often wanted to see more applications that do this because the integration between web and local makes for a great experience (if you ignore any spammy related qualms)

Answer 2

So what you are really asking is how to register a custom protocol in Windows?

MSDN has the official answer

From this SO discussion

Answer 3

Yes, it's a great idea, if you want to send a message from a website to a desktop without polling, custom protocls are probably the only way.

Answer 4

@Joel @arul What about the potential for spams and leaks?