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Magnum One
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Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso
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pautolog.arc
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READ.ME
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1990-03-17
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3/17/90
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PAUTOLOG is a simple utility that creates an auto-logon file for the PRODIGY
service.
Technostuff / How It Works
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All versions of the PRODIGY service reception system software (RS.EXE)
released so far have an automatic keystroke insertion feature that can be used
to automatically log into PRODIGY. When RS.EXE is started, it looks in the
current directory (usually \PRODIGY) for a file named KEYTRACE.AUT. If this
file is present, then RS.EXE reads data from this file and inserts keystrokes
when the system is waiting for keyboard input.
The format of KEYTRACE.AUT is very simple: two bytes for each keystroke.
For most characters, the first byte contains the character's ASCII code and
the second byte must be 0 (NUL). For other keys (i.e. arrow keys, F-keys, etc.)
the first byte must be 0 and the second byte contains a code for the key (I
haven't experimented much with these, but I'm fairly sure that the codes are
the IBM Extended Scan Codes with the high bit set...)
Auto Logon Files
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PAUTOLOG.EXE uses a PRODIGY ID string and a password string to create a
KEYTRACE.AUT file for autologon to the PRODIGY system. You can supply your
ID and password to PAUTOLOG on the command line or answer prompts. Help is
available through the /? command line option.
W A R N I N G - An autologon KEYTRACE.AUT file will log whoever runs PRODIGY
(from your machine) directly into your PRODIGY account. This
security breakdown is probably why this feature hasn't been
officially documented. Be careful of where you put or leave
your KEYTRACE.AUT file!
Disclaimers
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1. If your kid uses your KEYTRACE.AUT file, logs into your account, orders
300 toasters from Sears, and sends nasty e-mail to your friends, I'm not
responsible. (Sympathetic maybe....and I'll accept a free toaster, if you
insist).
2. Prodigy has mentioned (announced?) that the next version of the Reception
System software will have some sort of AutoLogon feature - probably some
more secure solution. This new software may not read keystrokes from
KEYTRACE.AUT...
PAUTOLOG.EXE Program Files
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In addition to the executable, I have included the source and make file
for PAUTOLOG. You are welcome to make changes and improvements for your own
use, but please label any changes obviously if/when you redistribute anything
containing my code or docs.
The original program was built by Microsoft C v5.10.
This program is freeware. Please don't charge anything for this program -
I don't mind a moderate ($5-$10) charge for diskettes and handling if someone
wants to distribute this.
Other Thoughts
--------------
KEYTRACE.AUT doesn't have to stop after it logs into PRODIGY. IF you can
exactly predict the sequence of keystrokes needed, you can have KEYTRACE.AUT
go through any sequence of actions on PRODIGY. About the only useable actions
that I can think of are to a) send MAIL or BBS messages, or b) to access and
print stock quotes. Maybe there are other possible actions - I don't utilize
all of the PRODIGY service.
Most actions on PRODIGY are not suitable for KEYTRACE.AUT automation since
they require a different number of keystrokes depending on changing numbers of
menu items or data items. And, alas, KEYTRACE.AUT has no logic capabilities
to, say, print only the new mail items. An intelligent macro facility would
be nice, but it would bypass the consumer's viewing of ads - the main revenue
for PRODIGY, so I don't expect it.
Credits
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Any questions, comments, simple ideas, diatribes, etc. should be directed
to my PRODIGY id, either publicly or privately.
Rich Taylor
ID = PFTM42A
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PRODIGY is a registered service mark and trademark of Prodigy Services
Company.