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╓─────┐ ╥ ┬ ╓─╥─┐ ╓──┐ ╓─╥─┐ ╓──┐ ╓─╥─┐ ╥──┐ ╥
║ │ ║ │ ║ ║ │ ─── ║ ║ │ ╟──┤ ║ ╟─ ║
╟─────┤ ╙──┘ ╨ ╙──┘ ╨ ╨ ┴ ╨ ┴ ╨ ╨──┘ o
║ │ v1.30 - Documentation
╨ ┴
╒═╕
│G┐═╕ Written by Darrell Harder - 1:153/9117
╘═╛Q│═╕ Copyright (c) 1997 Game Quest Software
╘═\S╕ All rights reserved
╘═╛
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Contents Of Documentation▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1) Disclaimer 5) Features List 9) Un-installing
2) Upgrading 6) Future Features 10) Registration Policy
3) Introduction 7) External Files 11) Problems
4) Quick Test 8) Installation 12) Credits
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Disclaimer ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
There is no guarantee with this program other than it will take a
small portion of space from your HD. Very small at that. :-) Use it at your
own risk.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Upgrading ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Check the AUTOMATE.HST history file for changes first!
Upgrading from v1.20 to v1.30. Overwrite your old Auto-Mate! files
to these new ones and run Install. Then edit AUTOMATE.CTL file to match any
previous settings. Note that Seconds settings has now changed to Minutes.
Upgrading from v1.10 to v1.20. Overwrite your old Auto-Mate! files
to these new ones and run Install. Then edit AUTOMATE.CTL file to match any
previous settings.
Upgrading from v1.00 to v1.10. Overwrite your old Auto-Mate! files
to these new ones and run Install. Then edit AUTOMATE.CTL file to match any
previous settings.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Introduction ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
"Auto-Mate" was created for SysOps who need to automate OS/2 programs
on detection of a semaphore file. Hence the name "Auto-Mate". Once Auto-Mate
detects a semaphore file on the hard drive, Auto-Mate will then release itself
and allow the software you have arranged to run.
Now SysOp's or anyone who needs a method to automate their favorite
software via a simple batch file that creates a Semaphore now has it all.
Auto-Mate will sit idle on your OS/2 desktop using little or no CPU time
and wait until a semaphore file is detected which in turn executes your
program. Can be run via the Desktop using the Folder Icons or from a OS/2
session. The choice is your's.
Auto-Mate! The Name says it all!
As time goes on expect new features with more options and increasing
configuration flexibility.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Quick Test ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Extract the files into the directory in which you want to store the
Auto-Mate files. Run INSTALL.EXE from an OS/2 session. Edit the AUTOMATE.CTL
control file for the setting you choose and in a OS/2 session run AUTOMATE.EXE.
This will give you an idea as to what it can do for you. I use it with InJoy.
A great PPP/SLIP Dialer from Bjarne Jensen. You can use it with almost any
OS/2 program. If not let me know about it. :-)
Or easier yet... run INSTALL to create the folder and icons on the
desktop.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Features List ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ Easy installation. Creates a folder on your desktop and all Icons. :-)
■ Easy configuration. Start up your favorite text/ascii editor and edit the
AUTOMATE.CTL control file with the options. Can also be edited from the
folder by clicking the Icon.
■ Fully Multi-Node aware. (If not, send me a report with the problem!)
■ Full flexibility to allow semaphore detection from anywhere of your choice.
■ Will run almost any of your OS/2 software.
■ You can run as many Auto-Mate! programs as you like.
■ Keeps track of the number of times Auto-Mate! has been run on Screen.
■ Aggregation of Events on Screen and Data Log File
■ Uses very little or no CPU time.
■ Ability to run events at preset intervals.
■ Auto-Start utility when you don't want to have to shut everything down to
start Injoy without Auto-Mate!
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Future Features▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ Ability to Hold or Release the started session.
■ Ability to launch DOS programs.
■ More ideas as I can think of them. Or even better, send me yours.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ External Files ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Files included in archive:
──────────────────────────
AUTOMATE.CTL........................... - Control Options File
AUTOMATE.DOC........................... - Documentation and Installation
AUTOMATE.EXE........................... - Auto-Mate! OS/2 Executable
AUTOMATE.FIN........................... - Purchasing Considerations
AUTOMATE.HST........................... - Auto-Mate! History
AUTOMATE.ICO........................... - Auto-Mate! Program Icon
AUTOMATE.REG........................... - Auto-Mate! Registration Form
AUTOSTRT.EXE........................... - Auto-Start! Push start Auto-Mate!
AUTOSTRT.ICO........................... - Auto-Start! Program Icon
FILE_ID.DIZ............................ - File Identification Description
GQUEST.TXT............................. - Game Quest BBS Information File
INSTALL.EXE............................ - Install to create the Desktop Folder
RAR_REG.FRM............................ - RAR Registration Form (Just in case)
Files created by Auto-Mate:
───────────────────────────
AUTOMATE.ERR........................... - Error Tracking Log File
AUTOMATE.DAT........................... - Aggregation Event Tracking Data File
AUTOMATE.LOG........................... - Program Tracking Log File
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Installation ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Copy all the files into the directory of your choice. Then run the
INSTALL.EXE program. Edited the AUTOMATE.CTL control file and make the changes
you need. Once you run AUTOMATE.EXE in a OS/2 session or from the Desktop Icon,
check to see where the semaphore file is going to be created and then type in
ECHO Auto-Mate! > SEMAPHORE.SEM in the directory in which you have setup in the
AUTOMATE.CTL file. That is providing you have the name SEMAPHORE.SEM as your
semaphore file name. :-) I have tried using REM > SEMAPHORE.SEM in an OS/2
session and for some reason it will not work all the time. So make sure you
try the Echo method first. However, using REM > SEMAPHORE.SEM from a DOS VDM
works fine.
The AUTOMATE.EXE and AUTOMATE.CTL files may be copied to anywhere of
your choice and multiple copies can be run at the same time as long as they
are not in the same directory. Just use the Left Mouse Button to click on the
Auto-Mate! icon, click on Copy and create another Icon. From here you will
have to know OS/2 or use the online help. (F1) This way you can use the mouse
to spawn Auto-Mate! using preset Icons and makes things fast. Once Auto-Mate
is up it will run once it detects the Semaphore file.
Basically, Auto-Mate! will be able to run in with so many different
configurations that it is up to you and your imagination to utilize Auto-Mate!
to it's full potential. If you wish to send me your tricks using Auto-Mate!
please send me a complete readme.txt and I will try to include it in this
archive.
Using Auto-Mate!, InJoy and PMMail
──────────────────────────────────
Having Auto-Mate! launch or spawn InJoy is a great way to allow you
hands free operation or retrieving your mail without ever having to be home.
This is only one of many ways you can utilize Auto-Mate! on your system for
your needs. Here is my setup using Auto-Mate!, InJoy and PMMAIL.
First you must have InJoy setup using the "Autostart per host" feature.
Go to "Change"->"Autostart Per Host" and fill out the required information.
Check the box for "Close at Disconnect" and then hit "Add" and then "Save".
Once you have done that, go back the main InJoy menu and go to "Change"->"OK"
and then set the "Time out xxx Secs" to about 180 seconds or 3 minutes. This
will give ample time for PMMail to connect to your host's SMTP server or
inactivity delays. In other words, experiment with the Time out settings and
use what works for you. Then go to "Disconnect Actions" (Located on the same
menu as the "Time out xxx Secs" settings.) ->"Exit InJoy at..." and mark
"Idle Timeout." This will force InJoy to Exit once the Timer Expires.
If you need additional information about the InJoy settings please read
the InJoy Documentation.
Second we have to setup PMMail to check the Mail on start up. Start up
PMMail and go to "Account"->"Account Settings"->"Preferences"->"Start up
actions" and then tag "Fetch Mail" and "Send Queued Messages". Remember to
save your messages using F5 or the message will not be queued to auto send
on startup.
If you need additional information about the PMMail settings please
read the PMMail Documentation.
Third we have to edit the AUTOMATE.CTL control file to activate lines
7 & 8. Set Line 7 to YES and Line 8 to the interval between executing InJoy.
Then just start up Auto-Mate!. A good suggested setting for the interval is
around 60-480 minutes or about 1 to 4 hours. You can set it to whatever you
feel is good for you. Set it to around 4 minutes for testing purposes and then
change it once you are satisfied that everything is working.
Time Settings
─────────────
Don't be shy about playing around with the time intervals in InJoy
or Auto-Mate! The above examples are only guidelines and you are encouraged
to experiment for your system. If you have a fast computer like a P133 and
32 Megs of RAM you can try my personal settings.
InJoy Time Out - 45 seconds
Auto-Mate! - 120 minutes
With InJoy set to time out after 45 seconds the total time it takes
to connect and do a mail run with PMMail and hang up is around 2 minutes. That
means that over a 24 hour period I am only using about a half hour of internet
time per day. Increasing the Auto-Mate! Time Interval to 240 minutes will cut
that in half again.
Clever Tricks
─────────────
Now... everything should be working great. Here are few things to keep
in mind when using this setup. Because you now have InJoy set to such a low
time out setting there is a trick you can do that will allow you to still use
InJoy when you want to surf the net without Injoy hanging up. First you have
to start up the PM-Ping. Then enter in your Host's ID and set the Interval to
less than the setting you are using in InJoy. Now when you are dialed in using
InJoy you can quickly start the PM-Ping and Injoy will remain active. <G> Then
if you want Injoy to hang up on it's own you just close the PM-Ping and allow
InJoy to time out again. I tested this with setting the time out setting to 45
seconds under Injoy and a setting of 30 under the PM-Ping. This allowed me to
still keep the InJoy settings without having to always change them. :-) Then
to hang up just close PM-Ping.
Have Auto-Mate! setup so that it will only dial out once an hour and
don't want to shut it down and start up Injoy Manually? No sweat! Auto-Mate!
has taken care of that too. Click the Auto-Start! Icon and it will create the
semaphore file that you have setup in the AUTOMATE.CTL control file and
Auto-Mate! will take right off again. :-) You can also manually do this by
referring to the beginning of the Installation chapter. Auto-Start is not
limited with use of InJoy. The above is provided as an example usage. If you
choose, you may use Auto-Start to create a semaphore to start Auto-Mate! for
any reason you wish.
Not So Clever Moves
───────────────────
Do not start up an Internet connection while Auto-Mate! is running
unless you KNOW for sure that Auto-Mate! will not start up your PPP Dialer.
Why? Because OS/2 does not like any 2 programs accessing the same COM Port at
the same moment and unpredictable things may occur.
The Timed Interval Setting
──────────────────────────
There is something you should know about how the Time Interval Setting
actually works. Lets say the interval is set to 30 minutes. Auto-Mate! does not
run every 30 minutes as defined in your AUTOMATE.CTL control file. What it does
do is run every 30 minutes starting at midnight. In other words if you started
Auto-Mate! at 10:15 with a setting of 30 the first run would be at 10:30 and
then next would be at 11:00 and so on. It does this because of the plans I
have in the future for Auto-Mate! and because all calculations are based on
midnight. This is when all time moves ahead like the weekday, date etc...
What is a semaphore file?
─────────────────────────
A semaphore file is nothing more than a 0 byte file used for programs
to run events or avoiding share violations. A good example would be in a
multi-tasking environment like a multi-node BBS where you do not want to have
a program write to a file at the same moment. If the program detects a
semaphore it may then avoid a sharing violation or a crash of the system.
Semaphore files are used in many environments as a means to rescan events such
as Front Door or Intermail does to check on messages. Many BBS software authors
use these semaphore files when they need to run their own specific tasks.
Having Troubles?
────────────────
First thing is check the AUTOMATE.ERR for any problems. It may be
something as simple as a configuration problem. Any any OS/2 error messages
will be re-directed into the error log file.
Contact me and I'll fix you up. Anything that is not in this DOC then
please let me know so I can correct the matter. :-)
Words of Wisdom
───────────────
Windows.... don't you think you have enough panes already?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Un-Installing ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Remove all the AUTOMATE.* files and that is it. Simple... Keep a
backup of the original archive someplace safe in case you need it again. :-)
Or.. drag your folder over to the Shredder on your desktop and instant gone.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Registration Policy ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Auto-Mate! is a shareware product. Shareware is a distribution marketing
method that permits potential buyers to thoroughly evaluate a computer program
prior to purchase. Auto-Mate! is NOT free, and it is NOT in the Public Domain
as a freeware program.
This means that you may evaluate Auto-Mate! for a single period of not
more than 30 days to see if it meets your needs. After the 30 day trial period
is over, you must either register Auto-Mate! or stop using it in it's entirety
and remove it from your HD.
■ What to do if you want to register
────────────────────────────────────
Keep reading on wards and follow up on "Registration Price" and then
complete the AUTOMATE.REG form.
■ What to do if you don't want to register
──────────────────────────────────────────
If you do NOT want to register, you must stop using Auto-Mate!
completely, and erase it in it's entirety from your system's hard drive.
■ Registration Benefits
───────────────────────
1) Registration of Auto-Mate will leave a warm, fuzzy, good feeling knowing
that you support the programmer and his products. :-)
2) The 20 second unregistered delay and message will be replaced with
"Registered to <Your Name>". :-)
3) Registering will also unlocked the 1 hour time limit that Auto-Mate! will
remain active before closing down.
■ Registration Price
────────────────────
Registration is only $10.00 US and is good for all future releases. If
you are using Auto-Mate in a Commercial environment then the price is $50.00.
Once you register it is valid for all future versions. You will never have to
pay another fee for Auto-Mate!
Auto-Mate! License Policy
─────────────────────────
Auto-Mate! and the associated documentation are Copyright (c) 1997
Game Quest Software, all rights reserved. The software may not be circulated
in any incomplete or modified form, nor sold for profit, without written
permission of the author. It is also to noted that usage of Hex editors,
Decompilers and other means of changing the software from it's original format
is strictly forbidden.
We strongly prefer that the files be distributed in the format originally
released: AUTOM###.EXE (### = version) with the RAR-SECURITY envelope as
created by the author. If you must distribute the AUTOM###.EXE archive in
another archive format, please archive the AUTOM###.EXE as one file inside the
other archive and include the FILE_ID.DIZ from the original AUTOM###.EXE
archive. Re-archival of the software as separate files means losing the RAR
security envelope and will be a breach of the distribution method this author
chooses for his software to allow others to evaluate his software.
Any corporation, institution, government agency or business may use the
unregistered shareware version of Auto-Mate! only for evaluation purposes
and only for a thirty day period. After the thirty day period, you must either
register Auto-Mate! or discontinue its use. While you are in the process of
registering Auto-Mate!, you may continue to use the unregistered program until
you receive the registered version.
You may NOT distribute the registered version of Auto-Mate!
Registering is easy. Send your monies in US currency to:
Snail Mail - Darrell Harder
Box #45527
Sunnyside Mail PO
Surrey, B.C.
V4A 9N3
Canada
Please check the AUTOMATE.REG file for other information regarding plastic.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Problems ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have any problems, questions or suggestions, the best way to
contact me is by writing in a PCBoard support conference. I am sure that if
you can't get a hold of me through my Fidonet Address, you can reach me there.
I am and will be more than happy to have constructive criticism for this
program and any and all ideas will be considered. :-)
Please send me your feedback and advise on Bugs and future enhancements!
Where you can reach me:
───────────────────────
The latest release of Auto-Mate! can always be FREQed via 1:153/9117
using the magic word AUTOMATE. Or E-Mail me and ask for it. :-)
E-Mail - gremlin@uniserve.com
WWW - http://users.uniserve.com/~gremlin
Fido - 1:153/9117
BBS/Fax - (604)535-1077
Voice - (604)535-9758
Snail Mail - Darrell Harder
Box #45527
Sunnyside Mail PO
Surrey, B.C.
V4A 9N3
Canada
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ Credits ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
InJoy - 32bit OS/2 PPP/SLIP Dialer by Bjarne Jensen
Web - http://www.fx.dk/injoy/index.html
Support - injoy@poboxes.com
- Here you can always get the latest InJoy Dialer and Auto-Mate!
- Thank-you! Bjarne for sharing your Web Site with Auto-Mate!
PMMail - 32bit OS/2 PM Internet E-Mail Client - Southside Software
Web - http://www.southsoft.com/pmmail.html
Support - pmmail@southsoft.com
Phil Crown - pcrown@airmail.net
Web - http://web2.airmail.net/pcrown/
- Thanks for getting me started! You inspired me to take a good
look at REXX and this is the result.
Auto-Mate! - OS/2 REXX utility to automate OS/2 tasks using a simple semaphore.
Web - http://users.uniserve.com/~gremlin/gq-soft.html
Support - gremlin@uniserve.com
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ The Original Idea ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I needed a way to run InJoy via activation of a semaphore file. This
handled it so well I expanded on it to run almost any OS/2 program using a
simple semaphore. :-)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
▐▒▒▒▒▌ End Of Documentation ▐▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▌
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────