AutoMate 3.5 Help

Contents

The following Help Topics are available:

License Agreement

Ordering Information

Introducing AutoMate

Installation

The Main Control Screen

Creating AutoMated Procedures

Constructing Macros

Creating Reminder Messages

Receiving Reminder Messages

Launching Tasks

Managing Your Tasks

Late and Incomplete Tasks

Keeping Track of Your Task Agenda

BASIC Scripting

Tips and Tricks / Troubleshooting

Special Settings

Specifications and General Information

For Help on Help, Press F1

AutoMate is a trademark of Unisyn Corporation.

The contents of this document are copyright 1996, Unisyn Corporation.


LICENSE AGREEMENT

UNISYN DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION.  SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  IN NO EVENT WILL UNISYN BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE  INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT EVEN IF UNISYN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN PARTICULAR, UNISYN SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DATA STORED OR PROCESSED WITH THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING THE COSTS OF RECOVERING SUCH DATA.  aS A RESULT, THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE LICENSED AS IS AND YOU, THE LICENSEE, ARE ASSUMING THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO ITS QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Unisyn. The software described in this document is furnished under this license agreement. The software may be used or copied only under the terms of the agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. No part of this manual may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Unisyn.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.

US GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject  to restrictions as set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of  the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at  25 2.227-7013. Contractor / manufacturer is

UNISYN

7034 Summitrose St

Tujunga, CA 91042

Copyright and Trademark Acknowledgements

The AutoMate software, the contents of this help file, and the Unisyn logo are trademarks of Unisyn Corporation.

Windows, Windows 95 Windows NT, and Microsoft Exchange are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

This manual and the AutoMate software is copyright © 1995-97, Unisyn Corporation.  All worldwide rights reserved.


INTRODUCING AUTOMATE

AutoMate enables you to set up different events or "tasks" to be carried out automatically without any help or intervention.  You can set up a task to run at specific times and intervals such as daily, weekly, only on weekends, only on weekdays, every four hours, every three weeks etc. The scope of the tasks that AutoMate allows you to set up can range from simple routine operations like running Scandisk on your hard drive every Friday to extremely complex chores involving multiple applications, DDE conversations etc., that each individual person or businesses needs will dictate.  The power contained in AutoMate is such that it has been left open to the user to decide what is important and what needs to be done.

You may set up two different types of tasks : Procedures and Reminders.

Procedures are tasks that involve a series of steps, called a Macro, that are carried out in order of construction.  These steps can be comprised of a number of powerful operations, such as recording and playing back mouse movements and clicks, launching specific applications, sending keystrokes to a particular application, communcating via DDE commands and requests with DDE enabled server applications, playing sounds, restarting or shutting down Windows, switching focus between separate windows or applications etc.

Reminders are tasks that you set up remind or inform you or your co-workers of something at specific times.


INSTALLATION

To Install AutoMate in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0:

1. Insert the AutoMate CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

2. From the Windows 95 desktop select the Start Button, and then the Run option.

3. At the Open prompt of the Run dialog box, type d:\Win95\setup where a is the letter of your CD-ROM drive.

4. Select OK

The Tray Icon

AutoMate installs itself in Windows 95 as a Tray Icon.  A Tray Icon is a miniature icon that resides on the lower right hand side of the Windows 95 Task Bar.  To access AutoMate, simply click the Icon the represents AutoMate.  A menu will appear with these four options:

1. Exit - Select this option to exit AutoMate

2. Open - Select this option to view AutoMates Main Screen

3. Help - Select this option to view this help file

4. About - This option displays the version number of AutoMate (click anywhere on the screen to close this dialog)

Installing under Windows NT 3.51:

AutoMate may be installed and will run under Windows NT3.51, however there are some things to be aware of:

The pop-up menus will not come up, such as the menu that appears when the New button is selected and the local menus that appear when the right mouse button is clicked on the task list etc.  This is easily worked around by simply using the menu options instead.


THE MAIN CONTROL SCREEN

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar allows you to control AutoMates functions and properties.

File

View Log File:  	Use this option to view the Autolog.log file located in your AutoMate directory.  If you don not have Notepad installed, you will need to open this file manually.

Exit:  	Select this option to exit AutoMate.

New

Procedure:  	Use this option to create a new automated procedure.  Selecting this menu option will launch the Task Wizard.

Reminder:  	Select this option to set up a new reminder message.  This will start the Schedule a Reminder setup form.

Options

Launch Now:  	Select this command if you wish to launch a specific procedure or reminder manually outside of its scheduled date and time.  This command is only available if you have a task highlighted in your task list display.

Properties:  	Selecting this option will bring up the Properties dialog.  From this form, you can manipulate and edit the specific details of your tasks.  This command is only available if you have a task highlighted in your task list display.

Calendar:	The AutoMate calendar function will show you an organized list of your task agenda.  Use the calendar when scheduling new tasks to avoid conflicting launch times.

Delete:	Use this command with caution!  This will remove a selected item from your list of tasks permanently.  This command is only available if you have a task highlighted in your task list display and the Properties dialog is not in use.

Task

End Task:	If you are running a task and decide that you would like to end it early, select this command.  You may see a message telling you that the task was prematurely terminated from an outside source.  Disregard this message.

Clone Task:	This useful feature allows you to completely duplicate an existing AutoMate reminder or procedure.  Simply select the task that you would like to duplicate and then use the Clone Task funtion.  Your new task will appear as Copy 1 of {Name of Task}.

Help

Contents:	This option will display the AutoMate help file.  You may press the F1 key at anytime to access this help file from AutoMate.

About:	This option will display copyright and version information.

Speed Buttons

The Speed Buttons are provided to allow you to quickly access various vital functions and commands of AutoMate.  The buttons all represent commands that are also accessible from the Menu Bar.  The commands that are contained in the array of speed buttons are: New, Delete, Launch Now, Properties, and Calendar.

Task List

The Task List lists any tasks that have been or are scheduled to be launched.  To select a task from the task list, simply click it with your mouse or other pointing device.

Last Scan Display

This display will keep you informed of when the last time that your task list was scanned for scheduled events.  This display will remain blank until you have created at least one task.


CREATING AUTOMATED PROCEDURES

Automated procedures allow you to set up re-useable specific tasks that carry out and perform a desired function.

The purpose of these automated procedures is to allow you to perform tasks on your computer when you are not present or do not wish to perform them yourself.  Automated procedures will save an individual or corporation many hours of time and resources if taken advantage of properly.  The examples provided in this manual are an extremely limited attempt at providing you with a few ideas to start with.  The true power and value contained in AutoMates procedures will only be realized when applied to you or your organizations individual needs and requirements.

The following are the steps required to set up an automated procedure.

Starting the Task Wizard

To start the task wizard, either select New from the Menu Bar and then move down to and select Procedure, or select New from the Speed Buttons and then select Procedure.

Name your task

Type in the name of the new task.

Enter all detailed information

In the text box below the Task Name information, AutoMate provides a place to store lengthy details that you may wish to associate with the procedure.  You could store phone numbers, addresses, directions, dates, names, or anything else that would be important to know about when examining this task later.

Select Next.

How Often

Task Frequency

If you only want your procedure to take place once, leave the Once option selected.  If you would like to set up a specific interval by which the procedure will be launched, select the Every check box.

Minutes:	If you would like your task to take place every x minutes, select this option.

Hours:	If you would like your task to take place every x hours, select this option.

Days:	If you would like your task to take place every x days, select this option.

Weekdays:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekdays, select this option.  Weekdays are Monday - Friday, and not Saturday or Sunday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekdays, and started it on Friday, it would run on Friday, then skip Monday and Tuesday, and then run again on Wednesday, etc.

Weekends:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekends, select this option.  Weekends are Saturday and Sunday, and not Monday - Friday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekends and started it on Wednesday, it would run the first time on the Wednesday and then next on the following Saturday, and then on Sunday.  It would then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday, and then run on the weekend for both days, then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday, etc.

Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x weeks, select this option.

Bi-Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x Bi-Weeks, select this option.  Bi-Weeks are two complete weeks.  So if you were to have a task scheduled to launch every 3 Bi-weeks, it would launch the first time, and then skip six weeks, and then launch on the same day of the week that it was originally scheduled.

Months:	If you would like your task to take place every x months, select this option.

Quarters:	If you would like your task to take place every x quarters, select this option.  A quarter is three months.

Setting an interval

Enter the interval by which you wish this task to be launched in the Every ___ text box.

Select Next.

First Launch Dates and Times

The time and date shown in the First Launch Date and First Launch Time labels is that of when the Task Wizard was started.

Setting the First Launch Date

To Set the first launch date you may either enter it manually or use the built in Calendar.

If you enter the date in manually, you will need to make sure that it is in the mm/dd/yy format, where mm is the two digit number of the month (07), dd is the two digit number of the day (23), and yy is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example: 07/23/96.

To use the built in calendar, select the button labeled Set Date.

Using the built in Calendar

Change Month:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the name of the month to change the displayed month.

Change Year:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the year to change the displayed year.

Set Current Date:	Select this button to quickly revert to todays date.

When you are done choosing a first launch date, either select the button labeled OK, or double click on the number of the day that you wish to select.

Setting the First Launch Time

To Set the first launch time you may either enter it manually or use the built in Clock.

If you enter the time in manually, you will need to be sure that it is in the hh:mm AM/PM format, where hh is the two digit hour (09), mm is the two digit number of the minute (00), and AM/PM is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example: 09:00 AM.

Using the built in Clock

AM Button:	Select this button if you want the first launch time to be before 12:00 noon.

PM Button:	Select this button if you want the first launch time to be after 12:00 noon

Minute Hand:	Click and drag the minute hand with the left mouse button to set the minutes after the hour.

Hour Hand:	Click and drag the hour hand with the right mouse button to set the hour.

When you are done choosing a first launch time, select the button labeled Ok.

When you are done editing these settings, Select the button labeled Next.

For help on Constructing Macros, click here.

Saving your Procedure

The last step in the Task Wizard will display you settings before saving the procedure in to the task list.

Check to make sure that everything displayed is correct before selecting Finish to save your procedure.


CREATING REMINDER MESSAGES

AutoMates reminder messages can keep you informed and up to date with the important events in your life.

Everyone has important events in their life that they need to reminded of - someones birthday, that important meeting at the end of the week, the deadline for a project, etc.  With AutoMate, you can schedule yourself detailed reminder messages just as you can set up procedures to take place automatically with certain frequencies and intervals.  Again, the examples provided in this manual are an admittedly limited attempt at providing a few ideas to start with.  The real value of AutoMate can only be known when it is set up and customized to you or your organizations needs.

The following are the steps required to set up an automated procedure.

Starting the Reminder Setup Form

You can start the reminder setup form two different ways:

1. Select New from the Menu Bar, and then select Reminder.

Or

2. Select the New speed button and then select Reminder.

Scheduling a first date for the reminder to launch.

You may either use the built in calendar by selecting the button labeled Set Date, or manually type in the date.

If you enter the date in manually, you will need to make sure that it is in the mm/dd/yy format, where mm is the two digit number of the month (07), dd is the two digit number of the day (23), and yy is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example:  07/23/96.

Using the built in Calendar

Change Month:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the name of the month to change the displayed month.

Change Year:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the year to change the displayed year.

Set Current Date:	Select this button to quickly revert to todays date.

When you are done choosing a first launch date, either select the button labeled OK, or double click on the number of the day that you wish to select.

Scheduling a first time for the reminder to launch.

To Set the first launch time you may either enter it manually or use the built in Clock.

If you enter the time in manually, you will need to be sure that it is in the hh:mm AM/PM format, where hh is the two digit hour (09), mm is the two digit number of the minute (00), and AM/PM is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example:  09:00 AM.

Using the built in Clock

AM Button:	Select this button if you want the first launch time to be before 12:00 noon.

PM Button:	Select this button if you want the first launch time to be after 12:00 noon

Minute Hand:	Click and drag the minute hand with the left mouse button to set the minutes after the hour.

Hour Hand:	Click and drag the hour hand with the right mouse button to set the hour.

When you are done choosing a first launch time, select the button labeled Ok.

Setting the launch frequency

The launch frequency is by default set to once. You may set up your reminder message to launch at specified frequencies such as weekly, every three hours, once a month etc.

To specify a frequency other that once, select the button labeled Set Frequency.

Reminder Frequency

If you only want your reminder to take place once, leave the Once option selected.  If you would like to set up a specific interval by which the reminder will be launched, select the Every check box.

Minutes:	If you would like your task to take place every x minutes, select this option.

Hours:	If you would like your task to take place every x hours, select this option.

Days:	If you would like your task to take place every x days, select this option.

Weekdays:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekdays, select this option.  Weekdays are Monday - Friday, and not Saturday or Sunday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekdays, and started it on Friday, it would run on Friday, then skip Monday and Tuesday, and then run again on Wednesday  etc.

Weekends:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekends, select this option.  Weekends are Saturday and Sunday, and not Monday - Friday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekends and started it on Wednesday, it would run the first time on the Wednesday and then next on the following Saturday, and then on Sunday.  It would then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday, and then run on the weekend for both days, then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday etc.

Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x weeks, select this option.

Bi-Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x Bi-Weeks, select this option.  Bi-Weeks are two complete weeks.  So if you were to have a task scheduled to launch every 3 Bi-weeks, it would launch the first time, and then skip six weeks, and then launch on the same day of the week that it was originally scheduled.

Months:	If you would like your task to take place every x months, select this option.

Quarters:	If you would like your task to take place every x quarters, select this option.  A quarter is three months.

Setting an interval

Enter the interval by which you wish this task to be launched in the Every ___ text box.

When you are finished setting the frequency for this reminder, select the button labeled OK.

Entering a subject for the message

Type in the subject of the reminder in the text box labeled Regarding.  The subject of the message will appear as the name of the task in the task list on the main control form.

Entering detailed information pertaining to this message

Type in any pertinent information associated with this task in the Message text box.  This information could be names, addresses, phone numbers, directions, or any other information that you would like to be presented with when this reminder is launched.

Select the button labeled OK to save the reminder.

Note: 	If you do not modify the first launch time, it will remain at the exact time that you started the Reminder Setup Form.  You will need to set a new time if you would like this task to take place sometime in the future.


MANAGING YOUR TASKS

Once you have one or more tasks set up in the task list, you will most likely need to edit and view their specific settings and information at some point in time.  AutoMate stores all of the details of your tasks in the Properties Form.  The Properties Form is accessible either with the Menu Bar by selecting Options and then selecting the Properties, or with the Speed Buttons by selecting the button labeled Properties.

Note:	You must have a task highlighted before you can view its properties.

Settings

Task Type

This label specifies whether a task is a procedure or a reminder message.

Task Name

This is the name of the task that appears in your task list.  You may edit it here.

Disable Task Option

Use this option to temporarily disable a task from processing.  If this option is selected the task will not be automatically launched at its scheduled date. You may still launch the task manually with this option selected.  This option is always off by default.

Reactivate Option

(Applies to Procedures Only)

Durting the execution of an automated procedure, this setting will automatically establish a focus on the last application that was launched before sending commands.  This option is useful if you are to be working on the computer that is processing automated procedures when they are scheduled to happen.  Setting this option to true will ensure that the commands that AutoMate sends when processing a macro sre ent to the appropriate window, and not the simply the window that is in the foreground at the time.

Macro

(Applies to Procedures Only)

This area displays the macro information for the displayed procedure.

Edit Macro

(Applies to Procedures Only)

Select this option to edit the macro for the displayed procedure.

Note: 	If you decide to launch your procedures application in a minimized state, you may not perform a macro on it.

Frequency

From this section of the Properties form, you can manipulate the frequency, interval, next launch date, and next launch time of your tasks.

Changing the launch Frequency

If you only want your procedure to take place once, leave the Once option selected.  If you would like to set up or change the specific interval by which the procedure will be launched, select the Every check box.

Minutes:	If you would like your task to take place every x minutes, select this option.

Hours:	If you would like your task to take place every x hours, select this option.

Days:	If you would like your task to take place every x days, select this option.

Weekdays:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekdays, select this option.  Weekdays are Monday - Friday, and not Saturday or Sunday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekdays, and started it on Friday, it would run on Friday, then skip Monday and Tuesday, and then run again on Wednesday  etc.

Weekends:	If you would like your task to take place every x weekends, select this option.  Weekends are Saturday and Sunday, and not Monday - Friday.  This means that if you set up a task to run every three weekends and started it on Wednesday, it would run the first time on the Wednesday and then next on the following Saturday, and then on Sunday.  It would then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday, and then run on the weekend for both days, then skip two weeks of Saturday and Sunday etc.

Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x weeks, select this option.

Bi-Weeks:	If you would like your task to take place every x Bi-Weeks, select this option.  Bi-Weeks are two complete weeks.  So if you were to have a task scheduled to launch every 3 Bi-weeks, it would launch the first time, and then skip six weeks, and then launch on the same day of the week that it was originally scheduled.

Months:	If you would like your task to take place every x months, select this option.

Quarters:	If you would like your task to take place every x quarters, select this option.  A quarter is three months.

Setting an interval

Enter the interval by which you wish this task to be launched in the Every ___ text box.

Setting the Next Launch Date

The date shown in the Next Launch Date label is the currently scheduled next launch date.

To set the next launch date you may either enter it manually or use the built in Calendar.

If you enter the date in manually, you will need to make sure that it is in the mm/dd/yy format, where mm is the two digit number of the month (07), dd is the two digit number of the day (23), and yy is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example:  07/23/96.

To use the built in calendar, select the button labeled Set Date.

Using the built in Calendar

Change Month:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the name of the month to change the displayed month.

Change Year:	Use the two arrows on the sides of the year to change the displayed year.

Set Current Date:	Select this button to quickly revert to todays date.

When you are done choosing a next launch date, either select the button labeled OK, or double click on the number of the day that you wish to select.

Setting the Next Launch Time

The time shown in the Next Launch Time label is the currently scheduled next launch time.

To Set the next launch time you may either enter it manually or use the built in Clock.

If you enter the time in manually, you will need to be sure that it is in the hh:mm AM/PM format, where hh is the two digit hour (09), mm is the two digit number of the minute (00), and AM/PM is the two digit number of the year (96).  For Example:  09:00 AM.

Using the built in Clock

AM Button:	Select this button if you want the next launch time to be before 12:00 noon.

PM Button:	Select this button if you want the next launch time to be after 12:00 noon

Minute Hand:	Click and drag the minute hand with the left mouse button to set the minutes after the hour.

Hour Hand:	Click and drag the hour hand with the right mouse button to set the hour.

When you are done choosing a next launch time, select the button labeled Ok.

Detail

Content

This area displays the information that is stored with a task.

For Procedures: This is where you may store any information that is pertinent to the particuler procedure.

For Reminders: This is where the Message section is stored.

Clear All

Select this option to clear the the Contents area.

General Preferences for All Tasks

Late Task Notification Option

Select this option if you would like AutoMate to notify you of any tasks that were not processed at their scheduled dates.

Manual Launch Advance Option

Select this option if, when you launch a task manually,  you would like the next scheduled dates and times of your tasks to be automatically advanced as if they had been electronically processed by AutoMate.


Prompt Before Launching Procedures

Select this option if you wish to be warned before an automated procedure is to be launched.  This option is especially useful if you plan to be using the computer when procedures are scheduled to be launched and want to screen them before they execute.

Play a Sound when a Reminder is Launched

Select this option if you would like AutoMate to play a Wave file when a reminder message is launched.  Select Browse to search for the specific sound to play.

Scan Interval Adjuster

Slide the Scan Interval Adjuster back and forth to set the interval between scans for scheduled tasks.

The interval range is between 1 and 60 seconds.

Disabling All Tasks

To disable all automatic task processing, slide the Scan Interval Adjuster all the way to the right.

Disabling All Tasks

To disable all automatic task processing, slide the Scan Interval Adjuster all the way to the right.

Properties Form Controls

The Property form has a standard set of controls that are available at all times.  These controls are:

Previous and Next

Select these buttons to move forward and backward to the next or previous task in the list.

Note:	Each time you select the Previous or Next buttons, all changes for the current task are saved automatically.

Apply

Select this button to save your changes without closing the Properties form.

OK

Select this button to save all changes and close the Properties form.

Cancel

Select this button to abandon your changes for the current task and close the Properties form.


LATE AND INCOMPLETE TASKS

Sometimes your tasks will not get processed on time.  There are a number of possible reasons for this:  Your computer may not have been on, your system may have been busy, AutoMate may not have been running, etc.

By default, you will be notified of all late tasks.  If you do not wish to be alerted of late tasks, start the Properties form, select the All Tasks section, and make sure that the option labeled Notify me if any Tasks are not completed by their scheduled date is not checked.

If you have the Late Task Notification option checked, and AutoMate finds any tasks that were not completed by their scheduled dates, you will be presented with the Incomplete Task Form:

Late Task Notification Option

Select this option if you do not wish to be alerted of any incomplete tasks from this point on.  You may edit this setting again later in the Properties form if you wish.

Incomplete Tasks

This list displays the tasks that AutoMate found to be incomplete.  You may choose which tasks to deal with from this list by selecting them with you mouse.

Reschedule Button

Select this button if you would like to individually reschedule a task from the Properties form.  If you do not have a task highlighted in the task list, the first task is processed.

Advance All Button

Select this button if you would like the next scheduled dates and times for all of the tasks in the list to be advanced as if they had been launched once  The new dates and times for each task in the list will be displayed as you select this option.  You may Advance All as many times as you wish.


KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR TASK AGENDA

Using the Calendar

It is important to keep track of when your separate tasks are scheduled to avoid any launch conflicts.  After you have a several items in your task list, you may wish to view a condensed report of all next scheduled dates and times.  To do this, you can use the built in Task Calendar.

The Task Calendar will provide you with all of your tasks names, their frequencies, intervals, and next scheduled dates and times.

To view the Task Calendar, either: (1) Select Options from the Menu Bar, and then select Calendar, or (2) Select the Speed Button labeled Calendar.

Note:	It is important that you do not have any procedures scheduled for the same time.  If one procedure is running and another procedure is scheduled for a time between the start and finish of the first procedure, the second procedure will not be processed and will be marked as incomplete.


SPECIFICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Configuring AutoMate to run automatically at the start of each Windows Session

It is recommended that AutoMate be kept in the Windows Startup group so that it will be automatically activated at the beginning of every Windows session to ensure that your tasks are performed on schedule.

To configure AutoMate to automatically run when Windows starts:

Windows NT with the Windows 3.xx Shell

1. Open the Program Manager Group containing the AutoMate icon either by highlighting the group name and pressing <enter>, or by double-clicking on the group or group name.

2. Open the Startup Group, making sure the two groups dont overlap.

3. Place the mouse cursor over the AutoMate icon, hold down the <Ctrl> key, then press and hold down the left mouse button, while dragging the AutoMate icon into the Startup Group.

4. Release the mouse button and <Ctrl> key.

If you would like AutoMate to run Minimized whenever Windows starts:

5. Highlight the text underneath the AutoMate icon in the Startup Group, then hold down the <Alt> key and press <Enter>.  A dialog box will appear.

6. Select the Run Minimized check box.

7. Select OK.  The next time you start Windows, AutoMate will be running minimized on your desktop.

Windows 95 and Windows NT with the Windows 95 Shell

1. Click once with the right mouse button on the Start Button and then select Open.

2. Double click on Programs folder.

3. Double click on the AutoMate folder and then make sure the StartUp folder is in view.

4. With the right mouse button, click on and drag the AutoMate icon onto the StartUp folder.

5. Release the mouse button.  You will see a list of options, select Create Shortcut Here.

If you would like AutoMate to run Minimized whenever Windows 95 starts:

6. Double-click on the StartUp folder.

7. With the right mouse button, click the AutoMate shortcut icon.  You will see a list of options, select Properties.

8. A form labeled AutoMate Properties will appear, select the Shortcut Tab.

9. You will see a list of options, select the Run drop down menu, and the select the minimized option.

10. The next time you start Windows 95, AutoMate will run minimized automatically.

System Requirements

 An IBM personal computer or compatible running Windows 95 or Windows NT.

 A 3.5 floppy disk drive.

 A hard disk drive with a minimum of 5 MB free space.


RECEIVING REMINDER MESSAGES

The Reminder Form

When AutoMate scans the list of tasks and finds a Reminder Message for scheduled the corresponding date and time, the Reminder form will be launched.

ReSchedule Button

Select this button to launch the Properties form in order to schedule this reminder for a different time and date.

Snooze Button

If you wish to delay this message for a given amount of time, select the Snooze button.

You will be presented with a list of available times to delay this message.  Select the amount of time that you wish to delay the reminder for and then select the button labeled OK.


LAUNCHING TASKS

There are two ways that your automated tasks may be carried out:  Automatically and Manually:

Automatically

When you set up a task in the Task Setup Wizard, a launch time, date and frequency are established.  These settings are what AutoMate looks at each time it scans the list of tasks.  The Scan Interval Display will show you when the last time the task list was scanned.  When AutoMate scans the task list and finds that a task has been scheduled for this time and date, the task will be launched.  The way a task is carried out varies according to the way it has been set up to run.  It may be a simple reminder message, it may run minimized and take no more that a couple seconds to perform, or it may run maximized and continue performing actions for hours.

Note:	The interval at which AutoMates scans the list is by default set to every ten seconds.  You may adjust this interval or turn off all automatic processing from the Properties form (see Managing Your Tasks).

Manually

Even if you have a task set up and configured to run at a specified date, frequency, and interval, there may be times when you wish to supersede the automatic processing of AutoMate and manually launch your task at a different date than that of its designated schedule.

Launching a Task Manually

To launch a task manually from AutoMate, you may either:

1. Select (highlight) the task from the task list.

2. Select the speed button labeled Launch Now.

Or

1. Select (highlight) the task from the task list.

2. Select Options from the menu bar and then select Launch Now.

Ending Tasks Prematurely

In almost all cases, it is a good idea to allow a task that is in progress to run its course and terminate naturally, although there may be times when, under special circumstances, you will need to terminate a task before it is finished processing.  The most common circumstance under which you may need to terminate a task in progress is when an error occurs in the application that was launched.  There is no way for AutoMate to know if the application that was launched has had an error occur or is responding to directions (macros).  If your task is set up to wait for 30 minutes and the application that was launched is no longer responding, you will have to wait the entire 30 minutes unless you manually terminate the task before then.

Ending a task that is not responding:

To end a task:

1. Select Task from the menu bar.

2. Select the End Task option.


ORDERING INFORMATION

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Tips and Tricks / Troubleshooting
TIPS, TRICKS & TROUBLESHOOTING

General

1. I receive an error when first starting AutoMate.

1. Restart your computer, and try again.

2. In the settings.ini file in your AutoMate directory, change the entry Maintenance=1 to Maintenance=2.  This tells AutoMate not to perform database maintenance before loading the task list, and may solve some problems associated with start up.

3. Make sure the the file Tasks.mdb is in your AutoMate folder.  If this file is missing, you will need to re-install or obtain the file from a backup.

Procedures

1. When I launch a task, AutoMate tells me that there was an error while performing task..... etc.

 Make sure that the application that is being launched has a valid path and filename.  This can be changed in the Settings tab in the properties dialog.

 If you are launching an application that launches another program from within itself (i.e. If you are a member of MSN and the procedure launches Microsoft Exchange to send and receive all mail automatically, Exchange will load the separate MSN program and then continue).  AutoMate will by default attempt to re-establish the focus for the first program before executing a macro, causing some procedures to fail.

To set AutoMate not to re-establish the focus before executing each macro step (see Managing Your Tasks).

2. When I launch a task with a macro, nothing happens.

 Some programs begin accepting keystrokes before they have finished loading, therefore your first macro command will not be executed.  This is most common with 32-Bit multi-tasking applications that allow you to continue working while they load.  In order to deal with this, you may need to create an initial pause before the macro executes.  To do this in the Macro Builder, select the Wait function and enter in a time that you estimate the application needs in order to load completely.  Move this macro line up to a position before the line with the command intended for this application.

3. My procedures are not occurring at their specified date and time.

 Make sure that your system date and time settings are correct.

 Make sure that the frequency and interval settings for the procedure are set for the correct time and date.

4. I am not notified if I miss a scheduled procedure or reminder.

Make sure that the Notify me if any tasks are not completed by their schedule dates. box is checked in the General section of the properties sheet.

5. When I send keystrokes to an application, it does not respond the way I want it to.

Special keys such as <alt>, <shift> and <ctrl> are case-sensitive, which means that you need to use the correct letter case to get the proper result.  In most instances, it is best to always use the lower case of the letter you are sending with these special keys.

For Example:

For alt-e Use: %e      - Not %E

7.  I am having trouble Focusing a window.

Try using less of the Windows Title in the focus command.  For example, if a window was titled Stocks - Downloading Updates, simply entering Stocks in the focus command should bring the window to the foreground properly.

Reminders

1. My reminders are not occurring at their specified date and time.

 Make sure that your system date and time settings are correct.

 Make sure that the frequency and interval settings for the procedure are set for the correct time and date.

Manually Interfacing AutoMate with Dial-Up-Networking in Windows 95

Although it is possible to use AutoMates built-in function to establish an Internet connection  (see Creating an AutoMated Procedure, under Miscellaneous Settings)  , it is also possible to do it manually as follows:

There is no file that actually "Runs" Dial-Up-Networking in Windows 95, therefore, it is necessary to use the Windows System Registry in order to actually "Run" the DUN folder. To do this:

Make sure that you are running AutoMate version 2.35 or better.

Enter the line "Appactivate = 2" in the settings.ini file located in the AutoMate directory.

(See the Help File for more info on this setting). You must restart AutoMate if you make this change to the settings.ini file.

1. Open the Windows 95 start menu (right click on "Start")

2. Double click on the "Programs" folder

3. Double click on the "Accessories" folder

4. Open the "Properties" of the Shortcut to DUN (right click, then select "Properties")

5. Select the "Shortcut" Tab

6. Select the contents of the text box labeled "Target" (should be highlighted). The text should look something like this:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48}

7. Use this line in AutoMate in the "Program to Launch" step. This will actually launch the DUN folder, not your personal connection, so it is necessary to execute a macro on this folder after it is launched in order to dial and connect.

8. In the Macro Builder:

On the first line, type the name of the connection that you wish to launch, then ~ (tilde) for enter to launch the connection, then ~ (tilde) for enter again to connect. The final macro might look something like this: myconnection~~

9. Save your procedure.


SPECIAL SETTINGS

The settings.ini file

The settings.ini file is located in the AutoMate directory.   AutoMate uses this file to store many options and settings that are not visible in the program itself.  The following is a list of the different settings and their functions:

RetroScan=1

AdvanceDate=0

Interval=15

Sound=None

Maintenance=1

Confirm=1

Connection Time Out=60

1. RetroScan

 Set this option to 0 to tell AutoMate not to report any late or incomplete tasks.

 Set this option to 1 to enable late and incomplete task reports.

2. AdvanceDate

 Set this option to 0 to tell AutoMate to advance the date of tasks as if they are manually launched.

 Set this option to 1 to disable the advancing of dates on a manual task launch.

3. Interval

 This setting must fall between 0 and 60, it represents the number of seconds between task scans.  0 disables all scanning.

4. Sound

 This is the path and filename of the sound that is to be played when a reminder is launched.  If None is entered, no sounds will play.

5. Maintenance

 This setting tells AutoMate whether or not to perform database maintenance on startup.  If it is set to 2, no maintenance is performed, if 1 is set (default), maintenance is performed.

6. Confirm

 If this entry is set to 1, AutoMate displays a confirmation message when closed.  If this is set to 2, no message is displayed.   This is especially useful when shutting down Windows automatically etc.

7. Connection Time Out

 This setting is by default 60.  It designates the number of seconds to wait when attempting to connect to the Internet with AutoMate.  If AutoMate is unable to establish a connection within this timeframe, the function Times Out and execution of commands resumes at the next line.


BASIC Scripting

BASIC Scripting is available in the professional edition of AutoMate.  This fully Visual Basic for Applications compliant scripting engine lets you integrate BASIC language support into your automated procedures.

What is BASIC Scripting :

BASIC Scripting allows you to add Basic language scripts as to your procedure. Examples of commercial applications which contain a similar facility include: Microsoft Excel, Word for Windows, and CrossTalk for Windows. In each of these applications you can write source code which is used to control the associated application.

With BASIC Scripting, you can now make decisions during a procedure, such as an if [a condition is met] / then [perform an action] / else [perform another action].  Scripting gives you full control of file I/O, Winsock (internet), case structures, OLE Automation, .dll support and much much more...

If you have ever used Microsofts Visual Basic, then scripting process in AutoMate should be very familiar.

The following is a brief overview of the major functions and features of AutoMates BASIC Scripting :

-Full support for modern BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) source code.

-Custom commands specifically oriented toward AutoMates function.

-Call Basic subroutines or functions directly from procedures, giving you the ability to customize the behavior of your automation.

-Supports the in-code creation of custom dialog boxes using standard Windows controls including: buttons, checkboxes, groupboxes, listboxes, option buttons (also called radio buttons) and text edit controls.

-Support for OLE Automation which allows the Basic language to programatically access software components from other applications.

-The ability to declare and call any Windows API function from within the Basic language.

-A built in editor and Integrated Development Environment.

The full Professional Version of AutoMate is available at 119.95.  Registered users of AutoMates Standard Edition can upgrade now at a special limited time upgrade price of only $79.95.  For more information, see Ordering Information.


Constructing Macros

Macros operate by instructing your computer to perform a given set of instructions in order to produce a desired result.

All that you need to know in order to create a macro is what you would do yourself to get what you want done.

Note:

Most keyboard shortcuts are made visible underlining the character necessary to press (simultaneously with <alt>) in order to execute the button / command / function, etc.  For example, above, you would hold the <alt> key down and press M to select the Create Macro button.

Using the Macro Builder

The new Macro Builder has a list of options called Actions that you can choose from and then add to your macro as a step.  These options are detailed below.

To choose an Action, select it using the list box on the top of the Macro Builder.

To Add the current Action select the button labeled Add

To Insert the current Action above the highlighted step select the button labeled Insert

To change the highlighted step to the current Action, select the button labeled Apply

To delete the selected step, select the button labeled Delete

To edit a step in the macro, select it with your mouse

To save your macro select the button labeled Save

To exit and abandon changes to the macro select Cancel

To move the selected step up or down in position relative to the other steps, select either the Up Arrow button or the Down Arrow button.

Macro Actions

Record Events

Select this option to record mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes and save them to a file for later playback.  You may also load a pre-recorded event file from this step.

To record events:

1.  Select the button labeled Start Recording.

2.  Select a name for the new event file in the next dialog and select OK.  As soon as you select OK, AutoMate begins recording everything you do, including mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes.

3.  When you are done recording events, select the button lableled Stop Recording.

You may use this new event file in any automated procedure now.

Note that AutoMate records and plays back events at the speed that you perform them.

Start an Appplication

Select this function to have AutoMate launch a specific preogram.  This program may be any .exe, .com, .bat, .pif or other executable file.  Use the Browse button to search your system for available file to choose from.

Send Keystrokes

Select this function to send keystrokes to a specific application.  The application must be in focus or activated in order to receive these keystrokes.  To focus a specific window, see the function Focus a Window.

All that you need to know in order to send keystrokes to an application is which keys you would press to get what you want done,  One may think that some things are not possible without a mouse,  but every good Windows program has keyboard shortcuts and hot keys that will allow you to, with the keyboard,  perform any action that can be performed with a mouse.  The secret is simply experimentation.

Most keyboard shortcuts are made visible underlining the character necessary to press (simultaneously with <alt>) in order to execute the button / command / function, etc.  For example, from the Macro Builder, you would hold the <alt> key down and press S to select the Send Keystrokes function.

Special Keys and Their Equivalents

Each key is represented by one or more characters.  To specify a single keyboard character, use the character itself.  For example, to represent the letter A, use A.  If you want to represent more than one character, append each additional character to the one preceding it.  To represent the letters A, B, and C, use ABC.  To send a space, simply press the space bar.  The plus sign +, caret ^, percent sign %, tilde ~, and parentheses ( ) have special meanings.  To specify one of these characters, enclose it within braces.  For example, to specify the plus sign, use {+}.  Brackets [ ] have no special meaning, but you must enclose them in braces as well, because in other applications, brackets do have a special meaning that may be significant.  To send brace characters, use {{} and {}}.  To specify characters that aren't displayed when you press a key (such as ENTER or TAB) and keys that represent actions rather than characters, use the codes shown below:

Key Codes

Key	Code

BACKSPACE	{BACKSPACE}, {BS}, or {BKSP}

BREAK	{BREAK}

CAPS LOCK	{CAPSLOCK}

DEL	{DELETE} or {DEL}

DOWN ARROW	{DOWN}

END	{END}

ENTER	{ENTER} or ~

ESC	{ESC}

HELP	{HELP}

HOME	{HOME}

INS	{INSERT}

LEFT ARROW	{LEFT}

NUM LOCK	{NUMLOCK}

PAGE DOWN	{PGDN}

PAGE UP	{PGUP}

PRINT SCREEN	{PRTSC}

RIGHT ARROW	{RIGHT}

SCROLL LOCK	{SCROLLLOCK}

TAB	{TAB}

UP ARROW	{UP}

F1	{F1}

F2	{F2}

F3	{F3}

F4	{F4}

F5	{F5}

F6	{F6}

F7	{F7}

F8	{F8}

F9	{F9}

F10	{F10}

F11	{F11}

F12	{F12}

F13	{F13}

F14	{F14}

F15	{F15}

F16	{F16}

Special Keys

To specify keys combined with any combination of the SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys,

precede the regular key code with one or more of the following codes:

Key	Code

SHIFT	+

CTRL (CONTROL)	^

ALT	%

To specify that any combination of SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT should be held down while several other keys are pressed, enclose the code for those keys in parentheses.  For example, to specify to hold down SHIFT while e and c are pressed, use +(ec).  To specify to hold down SHIFT while E is pressed, followed by C without SHIFT, use "+ec".  To specify repeating keys, use the form {key number}.  You must put a space between key and number.  For example, {LEFT 42} means press the LEFT ARROW key 42 times; {h 10} means press h 10 times.

Note that keystrokes must have a target application to execute upon.  This means that you cannot use System Wide keystrokes such as Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Alt+Del etc.

NOTE:  Key codes are case sensitive.  Do not use capital letters with %, ^, or + unless you specifically intend to send a capital letter.  Incorrect case may cause your task to fail.

Example

Lets say that you wanted to write a memo with Notepad, and then save that file to your hard disk.

1. While in the Macro Builder, first, you would select the Start Application option, and either enter the path to notepad.exe, ie. c:\windows\notepad.exe, or select the Browse option, and search for the file in your system.  This will start Notepad.

2.  Send the keys that will type the memo in notepad:  To do this , literally type the words.  When you come to point at which you would have hit enter to move to the next line, use ~ instead.  When you are done with the letter use the %f to invoke the file menu, then s to select save, then type the name of the file to savem then send ~ for enter again and you are done.  Although there are many commands being processed, this can all be done on the same line because no pauses or waits are required in between commands.

When this procedure is launched, the result will appear like the picture below.

The final macro appears here.

Wait

Select this function to have AutoMate wait or pause for a certain number of seconds or minutes.  This function is useful when preforming extensive operations that require a long delay in between commands.

Establish a Focus

If AutoMate is working with two or more programs at once, it is necessary to establish a foreground Focus window before sending commands to a particular program, (if the window in question does not already have the focus).

To establish a focus window, simple enter the windows Caption into the text box in the Establish a Focus dialog.  The caption of a window is located on the top right of the title bar of that window.  For example, the caption for the Establish a Focus window is literally...Establish a focus.  If Notepad is launched without a document, its caption is Notepad - Unititled.

Note: Some window captions change depending on the content and actions of their application.

Establish an Internet Connection

If you have an internet account and use Dial Up Netoworking to connect, use this function to establish your connection for on-line work.  Note that AutoMate will wait for the connection to complete before continuing with the next command.  If you are already connected to the Internet and you execute this function AutoMate will attempt simply wait the designated Time-Out (see special settings) period and then continue with the next macro command.

Miscellaneous

There are a number of miscellaneous functions that AutoMate supports. They are described below.

2. Disconnect from an Internet Connection

Use this funtion to disconnect from an Internet connection that was established with AutoMate.  Note that AutoMate cannot disconnect a connection that it did not establish.

3. Restart the computer

Use this function to shut down and restart the computer.  You will lose any unsaved information during this process.

4. Shut Down the Computer

Use this function to shut down the computer, but not restart it.  You will lose any unsaved information during this process.

5. Play a sound

Use this function to play a sound file during the execution of your procedure.  You may either enter the sound files path and filename manually, or select the Browse button to search for the file.

Send DDE Commands

The formal definition of DDE, or dynamic data exchange is: An established protocol for exchanging data through active links between applications that run under Microsoft Windows.

Dynamic Data Exchange provides a channel for two Windows applications to communicate.  Using Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), one application, referred to as the client application, can request information from, or send commands to, another application, referred to as the server application.  The server application then processes the request from the client application.  The server performs a task, such as updating data, or returning requested information to the client, such as an element of data maintained by the server application.

AutoMate is designed to act as a DDE client, with the ability to send DDE requests and commands to Server applications.  Most popular Windows applications provide support for DDE, including Microsoft Word, Symantecs ACT!, Delrina Winfax Pro and many more.

AutoMates DDE cababilities should only be used by an individual experienced with the use of DDE communications.  For more information on the DDE commands supported by a perticular software product, see the applications manual or contact the softwares manufacturer.

Run a BASIC Script

In the Professional Edition of AutoMate you can include BASIC Scripts in your macro.  To select a script file, use the button labled Browse.  To create a new Script, select the button labeled Create a New Script.

Note that this function is only available in the Professional Edition of AutoMate and is disabled in the Standard Edition.

The Right Mouse Button Local Menu

To get a list of useful commands, click the right mouse button over the macro command list.  This will bring up a series of quick commands, including:

Insert Existing Macro

Use this command to insert macro commands from an existing procedure.  To use this function, hightlight the area that you would like the additional macro data to be inserted below, right click on the macro command list, and select Insert Existing Macro.  This will bring up the Insert Macro Dialog:

Select the procedure that contains the macro data that you would like to insert and then select the button labeled OK.  The new macro data will be inserted *below* the highlighted line in the macro builder.

When you are done creating your macro, select the button labeled OK to close the macro builder and save your macro.

You will then be at the Macro step in the Task Wizard.