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B M R
Broadcast Message Receiver
for
Netware and OS/2
BMR - Broadcast Message Receiver for Netware and OS/2
User's Manual
Introduction
============
BMR is an OS/2 PM hosted utility for use with Novell Netware
LANs. It's purpose is to intercept those often annoying "popup"
messages that result from other users and/or the network software
"sending" you messages. Instead of a VIO popup screen
interrupting your work every time a message is received, BMR
collects these message and displays them in a scrollable listbox
display.
In addition, messages can be sent to one or more users using BMR.
Users are selected from a "drop down" or a listbox (depending on
the runtime mode selected). Multiple users and/or groups may be
targeted at one time. Outgoing messages are recorded in the
receive listbox for later reference, and may be resent if need
be.
BMR has some useful configuration options, too. First, there are
five different interfaces to choose from. Each interface has the
same basic functionality, but varies in the size and type of
controls. You can change to the "next" interface mode simply by
pressing the ">" button. In addition, an "Option" button lets
you control other features. You may control the "beep" alarm
that sounds when new messages are received. You may turn all
message reception off, or simply accept messages but notify the
sender that you are "away". The message that is "returned to
sender" is also configurable, so it's easy to say what you want
(for example, "Nick is away until 12:00".) Finally, the amount
of information given to you when group messages are sent is
configurable.
Configurable options are stored in a file called BMR.INI and are
restored the next time BMR is invoked.
This IS a shareware package, and does require a registration fee
if you choose to continue using it after 30 days. The
registration fee is currently $15 US for individual users. For a
server license (aimed more at company purchases), the fee is $35
for any number of users on a single server. When you register,
you will be sent the latest "registered" version of BMR. This
version will no longer display the startup screen present in the
non-registered version.
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IMPORTANT: READ THE READ.ME FILE FOR NEW FEATURES AND BUG FIXES
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BMR User's Guide Page 1
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
======================
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD "AS IS" AND
WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY
OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE
VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS
PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE IS OFFERED.
GOOD OPERATING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY
TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER
MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY
OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT
OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.
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BMR User's Guide Page 2
Major Features
==============
o OS/2 PM specific. Other platforms may be supported if a
need is present.
o Multithreaded design.
o Received messages are captured into a scrollable listbox.
The listbox is cleared only by user command.
o Multiple modes - several dialog box front ends are available
to accommodate as many users as possible. Pass BMR a simple
single digit number parameter from 1 to 5 (e.g., "BMR 2").
Modes can be switched from within BMR, also, and your last
selected mode will be remembered and set as your start-up
default.
o Focus-sensitive beeper alerts you to new messages ONLY if
BMR does not have the "focus", if desired. In addition, the
alarm can be made to always beep, or to never beep.
o Sends messages, too. Target users/groups are selectable via
a drop down list or full listbox. You may also send
messages to the console.
o Resend any previously sent/received message simply by
clicking on any message displayed in the received listbox.
o A configurable "return to sender" message may be sent to any
user trying to send you messages. It's easy to inform
people that you are away for some time or in a meeting. You
may also simply "cast off" and choose to receive no messages
(sending is *always* possible).
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BMR User's Guide Page 3
Installing BMR
===============
Unpack the BMR_100.ZIP file into an appropriate directory
("\BMR", for instance). All BMR files should be kept together in
the same directory.
Unpacking BMR_100.ZIP is all that's involved in installing BMR.
We suggest creating an icon for BMR and placing it either on the
WPS desktop or in your startup folder.
BMR does require a PC running OS/2 and attached to a Novell
Netware network. At this time, BMR is a 16-bit application and
thus, it should be functional with OS/2 1.3. This remains
untested. The development and test system consisted of OS/2 2.0
and 2.1 betas attached to a Novell 3.11 network server.
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BMR User's Guide Page 4
Using BMR for the First Time
=============================
BMR's user interface consists mainly of one screen. This screen
contains a user selection list, the received message listbox and
4 buttons. This simplicity makes BMR easy to use, even without a
manual.
User List
---------
The User List contains the names of all account names on the
server, as well as the console and any groups. Any messages sent
from BMR will be received by the users selected here. The
behavior of this listbox depends on the mode of BMR. In mode 2,
the User List is a standard drop-down combo box, in which one
user name may be selected. In modes 1 and 3 - 5, the User List
is a multiple-selection list box, in which any number of user
names may be selected. All selected users will receive any
messages sent from BMR.
Send Box
--------
This box is where you type messages to be sent. A message may be
up to 50 characters long. If you try to type beyond 50
characters, BMR will beep and stop accepting keystrokes. The
Send Box keeps the focus even when you click other areas of BMR
with the mouse.
Receive Box
-----------
This list box displays all messages sent or received by BMR.
Messages that you sent will be displayed in the form:
Message Text->YourAccountName
while messages received by you will be displayed in the form:
YourAccountName: Message Text
In addition to these messages, you will also receive error
reports. If a user is not logged on, not accepting messages, or
away, you will be notified in this list box.
Selecting any message in the Receive Box with the mouse causes
the text to be copied into the send box, so that you can resend a
message or forward one. The User Name will be stripped from the
message, and only the text copied.
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BMR User's Guide Page 5
The OPTION Button
=================
Pressing this button will display the Configuration Options entry
screen. There are three switches and one text entry field on
this screen. These fields provide flexible control over the
message "beeper", your message receiving state and the amount of
detail BMR displays back to you as groups are expanded. In
addition, you may define a short text string to send to any user
that attempts to contact you while you are marked as unavailable.
Each field on this screen is described below.
Beeper
------
This is a checkbox field that controls the "beeper" alarm that is
sounded when any new message is received. It initially defaults
to "checked". Clicking on the button or its text will toggle
through the three possible states: clear, checked or solid. If
this box is clear, beeping is totally disabled and you will hear
no audible signal as messages are received. If checked, the
beeper is enabled in "no focus" mode. If a message is received,
BMR will sound the alarm if and only if it does not have the
current WPS focus (you're currently working with a different
application). If marked solid, BMR will always beep upon a
message reception, whether BMR is currently the active window or
not.
Return to Sender
----------------
This checkbox allows for three different modes. The initial
default mode is for the checkbox to be clear, which is normal
receive mode. All incoming messages will be received and
recorded in the message listbox. If this box is checked, BMR
goes into "user is away" mode. All incoming messages are
accepted and displayed in the message listbox, but a return
message is automatically returned to the user who originated the
message. This message identifies you by user name, followed by
the text that you define in the next "text entry" field. If this
checkbox is marked as solid, you are in "cast off" mode. The
result is the same as if you had used the Netware "Castoff"
command line utility. All users sending you messages will be
notified that you are not accepting messages. Netware will
reject the messages before they get to BMR, so you will not see
any messages appearing in the received message listbox.
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BMR User's Guide Page 6
Return to Sender Notice
-----------------------
This is a text entry field that identifies the message you wish
to send when you are marked as unavailable. BMR will append this
message to your user name, identifying you as the "sender". For
example, if you fill this field with "is unavailable until 3:30",
anyone sending you a line message will immediately be sent a
message that states (using "Nick" as the login name):
"Nick - is unavailable until 3:30".
This message is send automatically if and only if the "Return to
sender" checkbox is in checked mode.
Report Group Expansion
----------------------
This checkbox is used to indicate how much information you wish
to see reported to the receive listbox when groups are expanded.
If left clear (unchecked), no expansion information is displayed.
Group messages are sent "blind" and you are not informed of the
user names that were sent to, and all error reporting (e.g., "not
logged in") is suppressed. If the checkbox is checked, then
groups are still not reported by individual names unless an error
occurs. In this case, users that are not logged on, are not
accepting message, or are unable to see your message for whatever
reason are listed in the receive listbox. If this checkbox is
solid, then complete reporting is enabled. In this mode, the
"send" to each user is reported to the receive listbox, as well
as any error conditions that occur.
The CLEAR Button
================
This button allows you to clear both the SEND message box and the
RECEIVED listbox. When you press CLEAR, BMR checks to see if any
text is currently present in the SEND message entry box. If
something is there, BMR clears only that text. If no text exists
in the SEND message box, BMR clears the RECEIVED message listbox.
Simply double clicking on the CLEAR button insures a completely
clear state.
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BMR User's Guide Page 7
The MODE Button [>]
===================
This button may be pressed to change the main BMR dialog box to
the next "mode". For example, if you load BMR initially with no
parameters, MODE 1 is invoked. You may press the MODE button one
time to see MODE 2, then press it again to see MODE 3. When the
last MODE is reached, BMR will set the mode back to MODE 1.
Each dialog mode works in basically the same way. The difference
is mostly in the overall size of the dialog box and the fields it
contains. Once you find the mode option that suites you the
best, simply exit BMR with that mode active. BMR saves the
current mode and screen position in the BMR.INI file, and will
restore your previous state upon reentry.
NOTE: If a mode parameter is specified to BMR on startup (e.g.,
"BMR 3"), then this mode overrides the mode saved in BMR.INI.
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BMR User's Guide Page 8
CONTACTING THE AUTHORS
======================
Authors: John Lathem and Nick Knight
You may contact either one of us in a number of ways.
Unfortunately, we can't provide a phone number at this time.
US Mail: John Lathem Nick Knight
4278 W. 223rd Street 1823 David Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44126 Parma, Ohio 44134
Fax: (216) 734-1836 (ZSpace - John Lathem)
Fido netmail: 1:157/200 to "Nick Knight" or "John Lathem"
Fido Echomail: Echomail messages are discouraged.
Direct BBS: You can leave a message to either of us on
the PC-Ohio BBS (216) 381-3320. This is
Fidonet system 1:157/200 and Fidonet netmail
can be sent to this address.
Internet mail: john.lathem@pcohio.com
nick.knight@pcohio.com
Compuserve: You can contact Nick Knight here. Send mail
to user ID - 76066,1240.
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BMR User's Guide Page 9