Desktop Component activated by alerts from website.

I'm an Internet Programmer / Freelancer who needs help with a project needing a desktop component. My client's needs are flexible, so I'm looking to shape the deliverable based on what is possible to do, for the minimum price. Here's an excerpt of the preliminary functional spec I delivered to the client: --- The user will download an executable (either an .exe. or a .zip archive) from a website. This executable will contain a program which installs itself onto the users system. The program will automatically create an icon (or Active Desktop item)on the user's desktop. Ideally, we need to have an item in the system tray (runnning in the background). Once this program is installed, it will need to constantly queue a website for alerts. My idea was to just expose a password protected ASP page on their website which store a query to check if thier are current alerts on in the database. The query will return True or False. If it returns false, nothing happens on the users desktop. If it returns true, the query return includes an http address, and triggers an icon in the system tray to flash 'red' indicating a new alert. When the indicator is clicked, it opens the url returned by the query in a new browser window. Notes: If there is no internet connection present, the program should run idle in the background. However, it should be constantly checking for a connection and trying to fetch that query page mentioned above. --- I will be responsible for developing the server-side query mentioned in the spec. What I need is for you to develop the desktop component. I will provide any and all Style requirements and/or graphics for both the installer and installed program. As mentioned above, this spec is flexible. I'm interested in hearing creative suggestions on how to deliver this program with maximum efficiency. ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form, of which successfully recieves and processes a test query from a test production server, as well as sufficiently-commented, complete source code of all work done. 2) Installation package that will install the software (in ready-to-run condition) on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) Complete ownership and distribution copyrights to all work purchased. ## Platform All PC's running Windows 98, ME, NT4, NT5(2000), and XP PC's with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and later. ## Deadline information I'd like to see progress by 10/25/02. This can be in the form of current state of source code, or test executable.