============================================================================ $VER: Auto Message README File, v3.01 (24-Jan-97) by Dotoran! ============================================================================ What is AutoMessage? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Auto Message, v3.01, is a program that will allow your users to create a short message that will be displayed to the next user who logs onto your bbs. In addition, a file can also be created for automatic display when the next user logs off of your bbs. Within the file itself, the user can view, create, or edit either of the two messages. The SysOp has the ability to set certain variables which will affect the way Auto Message functions on their bbs. How do I install it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Installation is as easy as 1, 2, 3: 1: Place the "AutoMessage/" directory somewhere in your system, preferably somewhere in your DOORS: directory. 2: Add this line to your "sys.welcome" file: {#1doors:AutoMessage/AutoMessage 1} ^ ^ Control Q Note the "1" here. 3: Add this line to your "sys.end" file: {#1doors:AutoMessage/AutoMessage 2} ^ ^ Control Q Note the "2" here. 4: Add the following line somewhere in Menu # 2 of your "bbsmenu" file: AUtomessage `3- | {#1doors:AutoMessage/AutoMessage 0} ^ ^ Control Q Note the "0" here. Note1: Capitalize the "AU" only in the name. Note2: The `3- stands for Access Groups who can USE the "AU" command. You can also add "AutoMessage" as a "single-user-only ARexx" door directly into your DOORS: section. And that's it! What about Sysop Configurability? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, ok, it's not quite as easy as 1-2-3 if your a SysOp who likes to have a bit of control over what their programs do. If the SysOp designated in the CNet Config enters the AutoMessage file, he or she will see an extra command available: "S"ysOp Config. Pressing "S" will load the 5 line config file into the CNet editor. Below is a description of each line. SFlag - Defaults to: 1 ~~~~~ This variable tells what will happen when AutoMessage is entered from the "sys.welcome" file. If set to a 1, the current SignOn message will be displayed and the user will be asked if (s)he wishes to create a NEW SignOn message for the NEXT user who signs on. If set to a 0, the MENU will be shown to the user and they can choose WHAT they wish to do. LFlag - Defaults to: 1 ~~~~~ Simple. Same as for SFlag, but affects what happens during "sys.end". SDFlag - Defaults to: 2 ~~~~~~ This variable tells AutoMessage which format to use when displaying the SignOn AutoMessage. Possible values are 0, 1, and 2: 0: Letter Style: Sign(Log) On(Off) Auto Message Date of Creation Dear Current User, The AutoMessage Text displayed here. - Handle Who Wrote Message (Press ENTER Dude!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1: Memo # 1 Style: To: Current User From: Handle Who Wrote Message Date: Date of Creation Re: Sign(Log) On(Off) Auto Message The AutoMessage Text displayed here. (Press ENTER Dide!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2: Memo # 2 Style: To: Current User Date: Date of Creation Sign(Log) On(Off) Auto Message The AutoMessage Text displayed here. - Handle Who Wrote Message (Press ENTER Dude!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LDFlag - Defaults to: 2 ~~~~~~ This variable functions exactly like SDFlag, except it deals with how the LogOff AutoMessage will be displayed. See SDFlag for valid values. EDLines - Defaults to: 15 ~~~~~~~ This variable states the MAXIMUM number of editor lines to allow when creating or editing the AutoMessages. Note, however, that if the user's account specifies a value SMALLER than this value for their "Editor Lines", then THAT value will be used instead. Other Created Files ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the initial runs of this file, you'll see three additional files stored inside the "AutoMessage/" directory: Mess.data - Contains info on HOW the text should be displayed. Mess.SignOn - The text used for the "sys.welcome" Auto Message. Mess.LogOff - The text used for the "sys.end" Auto Message. Is that all I have to do? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yup! Your all done! The next user who signs onto your bbs will see the AutoMessage, or will be allowed to create an AutoMessage. I hope you enjoy this mod as much as I do. Thanks for downloading it! Info on HOW this program works: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This program functions differently depending on HOW and WHEN it was entered. There are three possible ways this file could have been run: 1: From SignOn, via the "sys.welcome" file: In this case, the file would operate ONLY upon the SignOn message. If you specify a 0 value for the SFlag, the MENU will be shown to the user, but all items in the menu will ONLY affect the SignOn message. 2: From LogOff, via the "sys.end" file: In this case, the file would operate ONLY upon the LogOff message. If you specify a 0 value for the LFlag, the MENU will be shown to the user, but all items in the menu will ONLY affect the LogOff message. 3: From the BBS, via the "AU" command, or from within the PFILES: In this last case, when the MENU is displayed, LINE menus will be shown to the user, so that work can be done on EITHER or BOTH of the messages. To DELETE an AutoMessage, use the Edit feature. Once placed in the CNet editor, use the .N(ewtext) command to erase the contents of the editor, then use the .S(ave) command to SAVE the empty editor. AutoMessage will catch the mistake and ask if you wish to DELETE the AutoMessage in question. ============================================================================ Visit Dotoran's CNet Amiga Web Page - http://www.bluemoon.net/~dotoran ============================================================================