Informer™ lets you leave voice messages for your co-workers and/or roommates. It includes the talking date-and-time stamp (requires Apple's PlainTalk TTS (Text-To-Speech) extension or Informer’s InformerSpeak file), audio and visual notification methods, and is System 7 Savvy and System 6 compatible.
SPEECH SYNTHESIS WITHOUT PLAINTALK:
If you cannot for some reason obtain Apple's new PlainTalk extension and would still like to use the talking date-and-time stamp, simply put the included InformerSpeak file into the same folder as the Informer™ application.
If your copy of Informer™ did not include the InformerSpeak file, you can get a copy of InformerSpeak from wherever you originally obtained the Informer™ application, from the sumex-aim.stanford.edu ftp site, or directly from the author with a disk and SASE*.
TIPS:
• The InformerSpeak file is separate from the Informer™ application because for those who do not need the talking date-and-time stamp or would prefer to use PlainTalk, it would be a waste of disk space and downloading time. Users can therefore throw away or compress InformerSpeak as they please.
• Informer™ recognizes aliases of the Preferences and InformerSpeak files, provided that the name of the files do not include the "alias" suffix (e.g. "InformerSpeak", not "InformerSpeak alias").
• If you have a Macintosh® without a hard disk and would like to conserve energy and prevent wear on the hard disk, Informer™ is small enough that you can boot off of an 800K disk containing a minimal System 6.0.x and the Informer™ application.
• If you are running System 7 or MultiFinder and would like to increase the recording length of a message, increase the preferred application memory size on the Get Info window in the Finder. Keep in mind, however, that the recording length of a message is ultimately limited by the actual available memory, or by space on the startup disk if the "Limit Length to Disk Space" option is set.
• To shrink and simplify the main window, click on the small lever that is located below and to the right of the memo box. To return the window to its original size, click on the lever again.
• The keyboard equivalent of clicking on the Stop button is command-period or the escape key.
• Make sure that the Macintosh's owner's name is set. You can set it easily from the Advanced menu, although you usually set it through the Sharing Setup control panel in System 7, or through the Chooser desk accessory in System 6.
Informer™ is shareware. To register, send in your name, address, any e-mail addresses, and $10 U.S. or equivalent. Cash is acceptable.
If you would like a disk full of other programs by the author, send in a disk with a SASE*.
Please send suggestions and bug reports to the author.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
The author is dedicated in supporting registered users through any of the addresses provided below:
From all e-mail services: takeuchi@uhuru.uchicago.edu
E. Kenji Takeuchi NJM
5542 S Harper Ave
Chicago, IL 60637-1830
U.S.A.
Your business is greatly appreciated!
WHAT'S NEW SINCE LAST BETA VERSION?
For those who having been using the BETA version of Informer™, you may like to know that the following changes have been made in this second BETA version:
• Enhancements:
- The new InformerSpeak makes the talking date-and-time stamp recite a little bit smoother.
- InformerSpeak has been separated from the application.
- The record panel now centers on the main monitor.
- Inserts "you" in the memo box if the Macintosh's user's name is not set.
• Added Features:
- A Stop button is now available.
- The window can instantly be resized with the new lever.
- The Macintosh owner name can now be easily set from the Advanced menu.
• Bug Fixes:
- The custom ring alert bug has been fixed.
• Color:
- Color logo (only on monitors with at least 256 colors).
- Color Apple Menu icon in the preferences section.
- Color flashing notification icon.
• Compatibility:
- Now compatible with System 6.0.4 or higher (but System 6.0.7 or higher is still required to record messages).
- This version's preferences file is fully backward compatible with the beta version.
