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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 or software 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.

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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, communicating 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.

AutoMate versus “schedulers”

It may be first instinct to group AutoMate with the class of “scheduling-type” products that have made their way into and out of the market for years now, however, that assumption would not do justice to the plethora of functions and features that make AutoMate much more than just another “scheduler”.  AutoMate provides much more that an easy way to schedule programs to run unattended - it takes that metaphor and improves on it in a number of ways, adding flexibility and benefits that empower users in a completely different manner than ever before.  The difference between AutoMate and a run-of-the-mill scheduler can be explored by looking at the difference between the word “scheduling” and “automation”.  Scheduling is a time based firing of something - that’s basically it.  Automation is the act of automatically performing something, without one having to be there, either on a time/date based schedule or on various other dynamically trigger-based, either proactive or reactive, pseudo-schedules.  Automation was, in a sense, the reason that computers were invented - it’s when the computer does the work, and you do other things.  The AutoMate software provides the user(s) with the power of automation, whether the task be something as simple as backing up your important files on a weekly basis, or something as complex as handling enterprise network system administration or responding to and acting according to various environmental changes in a group of systems.

Here are a few of the major points that set AutoMate apart from the rest and provide for an exceptional and immediate return on investment:

•	Unlimited power coupled with a well planned easy to use interface.

•	AutoMate allows you to create and play back powerful automated procedures where series of events and actions that you would perform to accomplish a given result (such as mouse, keyboard, and other events) are stored in tasks and played back on demand.

•	Its as powerful as you need it to be.  Novices need not drudge through expert level features in order to get what they want done.  Power users will find the product efficiently laid out and the advanced features quickly and easily accessible when needed.

•	Provides both proactive (schedule based) and reactive (dynamic trigger and condition based) automation.

•	Complete and flexible scheduling frequencies, as well as the ability to create custom frequencies easily.

•	Fully customizable.  AutoMate may be easily customized to fit everyone’s needs, from the single user home office to enterprise network environments.

AutoMate Professional

AutoMate is released in two flavors, the major difference being in the set of functions available to the user when creating automated procedures.  In AutoMate Standard, we provide the user with a rich toolbox of basic functions that should be able to accomplish most standard tasks that don’t require any customization of conditional processing on the part of AutoMate.  In AutoMate Professional, we offer a fully Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) compatible scripting language.  With scripting, AutoMate transforms itself into a whole different animal, with the sky’s limit of functions and the power of customized scheduling, conditions-based and trigger-based processing as well as enhanced error control.  Anyone who is at all familiar with scripting will immediately realize the coupled power of an automation product with the flexibility of VBA.  VBA has been the industry standard scripting language for years in products such as the Microsoft, Lotus, and Corel Office Suites.  VBA is being integrated into more and more standard application as Windows 97 nears release.  This means that AutoMate’s powerful scripting will be a snap to use for those familiar with the VBA standard.

Conclusion

Every single user of the Windows platform would benefit from some type of automation, whether it be simple scheduling tasks to complex and intricate reactive procedures.  The AutoMate product is ready to grant users those benefits by providing an exceptional out of the box experience with a negligible learning curve.  The product is priced to move and has the momentum and quality behind it to become an industry standard that soon no one will think of functioning without.  In short, AutoMate now allows everyone to open their doors to the age of automation.


Installation

Installing AutoMate in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0

Using the System Tray Icon

Installing under Windows NT 3.51

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


The Main Control Screen

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar allows you to control AutoMate’s functions and properties. This is located at the top of AutoMate’s main control screen. Here are a list of it’s functions:

File

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.

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.

Enable Automated

Processing: 	Use this option to toggle whether AutoMate will run your tasks that are scheduled.  If this option is checked, automated processing is enabled, if this option is not checked, AutoMate will ignore any scheduled or late tasks.

Upgrade/Register:	For those of you using a demonstration or evaluation version of AutoMate, these options will allow you to “register” the demo copy in convert it into a commercial version.

Exit:  	Select this option to exit AutoMate.

View

Preferences:	Select this option to change various options that effect all tasks, such as scan interval, whether to show the prompt for tasks that are set to notify you when late, etc..

Task

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

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 function.  Your new task will appear as “Copy 1 of {Name of Task}”.

Enable/Disable:	Use this option to toggle a single tasks active state.  If a task is marked as inactive, it will not be seen by AutoMate when AutoMate scans for tasks.  If a task is marked as active, it will be processed by AutoMate when AutoMate scans for tasks.  A quick way to tell whether a task is inactive is to look for its icon as “grey”.  An active task’s icon will be colored.

Print Macro:	Use this option to print the macro for a selected procedure.  Note that you must have a default printer assigned to your Windows configuration in order to use this option.

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.

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.

Script (Professional Edition)

Load Script Builder: Use this option to access AutoMate Professional’s BASIC Script Builder.

Help

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

Unisyn’s Web Site:	This will take you to Unisyn’s web site at http://www.unisyn.com.  If this option does not work for you, you can access Unisyn’s web site by typing the same URL into your browser.

Active Help:	This option will toggle Active Help for AutoMate.  Active help displays help about the various aspects of AutoMate as you move you mouse over an area.

Tip of the Day:	This setting will show AutoMate’s tip of the day dialog.  If you would like the Tip of the Day be shown each time you start AutoMate, select the checkbox labled “Show Tips on StartUp” in the Tip of the Day dialog and then select OK.

About:	This option will display copyright and version information.  To close this box, click anywhere inside of it.

Speed Buttons

The Speed Buttons are located on the right side of the main screen and 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, and Properties.

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 AutoMate’s procedures will only be realized when applied to you or your organization’s individual needs and requirements.

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

Starting and using the Task Setup Wizard

Creating a Macro


Creating Reminder Messages

AutoMate’s 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 - someone’s 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 organization’s 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 ‘File’ and then ‘New’, 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 (99).  For Example:  07/23/99.

Using the built in Calendar

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

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 it’s properties.

Settings

Frequency

Scheduling Options

Detail

General Preferences for All Tasks

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 that are set to notify you of incompletion (the first selection of the scheduling options).  If you do not wish to be alerted of late tasks, there are two other options to deal with late tasks detailed below.  If you would not like to be notified of any late tasks, regardless of whether this option is checked under “Scheduling Options” in the task property sheet, click the “View” menu, choose the ‘General Preferences’ manu, and make sure that the option labeled ‘Notify me if any Tasks are not completed by their scheduled date’ is not checked.

Here are the three different ways that you can have AutoMate respond to late tasks:

Prompt me if this task is late or incomplete

Select this option to have AutoMate prompt you with a the “Late Task Notification” dialog when it finds a task with a scheduled date in the past.  Upon notification, you may choose to ignore further prompts for this task, or reschedule the task for a later date.  Use this option if you do not want late tasks fired at random times when the computer starts or if you need to take other action before a late task can be set to continue to run.

Run this task on startup and then reschedule

This option will immediately fire a late task upon startup and then schedule its next date based upon its set frequency and the time of this launch.  i.e.: if a task is set to run every 5 minutes and it is late, AutoMate will launch it upon startup and then schedule it to run five minutes from then.  Use this option if only the frequency of the task is important, not the times or dates that it is fired.  For example, select this if you need a task to run every 3 hours regardless of when it starts.

Continue to run this task on its set schedule

Upon startup AutoMate will advance a tasks next scheduled date and time based on its initial settings to a date in the future.  i.e.: If you had a late task that had been set to run each morning at 4:30 and you turned the system on at 8:30 in the morning, automate would advance the next launch date to the following morning at 4:30.  Use this option if the actual times and dates of launch are important as well as the frequency.  For example, select this if it is important that a task is fired, say, at specifically 6:15 every day, rather than just every day.

If you have the “Prompt Me” option checked and AutoMate finds any tasks that were not completed by their scheduled dates, you will be presented with the Incomplete Task Form, here are the options that this form presents:

Do not notify me of late tasks again

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 Main Screen as a Calendar

It is important to keep track of when your separate tasks are scheduled to avoid any launch conflicts.

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

Other ways of managing your tasks include the use of AutoMate’s Scheduling Options.  For more information on these functions, see Late and Incomplete Tasks


Specifications and General Information

System Requirements

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

 A 3.5” floppy disk drive or CD-ROM.

 A hard disk drive with a minimum of 10 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 Last Scan 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 AutoMate’s scans the list is by default set to every ten seconds.  You may adjust this interval or turn off all automatic processing from the General Preferences Form see General Preferences.

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 it’s 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 ‘Task’ 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 it’s 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 (your macro).  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

Internet (Fastest and most preferred method)

Use our convenient order form at http://www.unisyn.com/order to get your copy the same day!

You may use MasterCard, Visa, or American Express to order on our web site.  Your information is encrypted and secure during transfer.  Orders placed by this method are usually processed within a few hours of submittal.

Phone

Unisyn’s sales department can be reached at 1-213-738-1700

Fax

Orders can be faxed to Unisyn at 1-213-738-7665

Click here to print an order form

Retail

AutoMate is also available in all major retail stores and mail-order houses.  Note that the downloadable version is usually more up-to-date than those in stores due to delays in the circulation of new versions throughout the retail market.


Tips and Tricks / Troubleshooting
Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting

General

1. I receive an error when first starting AutoMate.

•	Restart your computer, and try again.

•	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.

•	Make sure 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

6.  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


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.

8. Show Tips

 If this setting is set to “0”, the Tip of the Day dialog will not be shown upon startup, if it is set to “1”, AutoMate will display tips upon startup.

9. Active Help

 If this setting is True, Active Help will be shown.  If it is False, Active Help will not appear.

10. Auto-Processing

 If this setting is True, AutoMate will process tasks unattended.  If it is False, no tasks will be processed.


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 Microsoft’s Visual Basic, the scripting process in AutoMate should be very familiar.

The following is a brief overview of the major functions and features of AutoMate’s BASIC Scripting :

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

•	Custom commands specifically oriented toward AutoMate’s 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 programmatically 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.

For more information, see Running a BASIC Script

The full Professional Version of AutoMate is available at $119.95.  Registered users of AutoMate’s Standard Edition can upgrade now at a special limited time upgrade price of only $79.95.  For more information, see Ordering 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 95 and Windows NT 4.0

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

1.	Double click on ‘Programs’ folder.

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

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

4.	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:

1.	Double-click on the StartUp folder.

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

3.	A form labeled ‘AutoMate Properties’ will appear, select the Shortcut Tab.

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

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

Windows NT 3.51 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 don’t 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.


Installing AutoMate in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0:
Installing AutoMate in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0

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

1.	From the Windows 95 desktop select the Start Button, and then the ‘Run’ option.

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

3.	Select ‘OK’


Using the System Tray Icon

AutoMate installs itself in Windows 95 and NT 4.0 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 major options:

•	Exit - Select this option to exit AutoMate

•	Open - Select this option to view AutoMate’s Main Screen

•	Help - Select this option to view this help file

•	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 may 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.


Getting Started

The Main Control Screen

Creating AutoMated Procedures

Creating Reminder Messages

Constructing Macros


Starting and using the Task Setup 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

Task Frequency

First Launch Dates and Times

Selecting Scheduling Options

Constructing Macros

Saving your Procedure


Creating a Macro

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.

Using the Macro Builder Interface

Macro Actions

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.  Make sure that the mated characters are in lower case, as applications will not respond to upper-case mated characters.


Using the Macro Builder Interface

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.

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, highlight 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.


Macro Actions

Record Events

Start an Application

Send Keystrokes

Wait

Establish an Internet Connection

Miscellaneous Actions

Send DDE Commands

Run a BASIC Script


Recording 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”.

1.	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.

2.	When you are done recording events, select the button labeled “Stop Recording” or use the hot Key CTRL+F12 to stop recording.

1.	Select the button labeled “Add” to add this step to the macro.

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

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


Starting an Application

Select this function to have AutoMate launch a specific program.  This program may be any .exe, .com, .bat, .pif or other ‘executable’ file.

1.	Use the ‘Browse’ button to search your system for available file to choose from.  When you find the file to be launched, select the button labeled Open.

1.	Select the button labeled Add to add this step to the macro.

Note:  AutoMate cannot launch Windows 95 style shortcuts.  To find the executable that a shortcut points to, select the shortcut with your right mouse button, then select properties, then the Shortcut tab.  The executable and path are in the Target box.


Sending 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 this Help File, you would hold the <alt> key down and press p to “Print Topic”.

For further information on sending keys, please see Special Keys and Their Equivalents

To send keystrokes:

1.	 Select the send keystrokes action from the list of actions in the Macro Builder.

2.	 Type the keys that you would like to be sent into the text box.

3.	 Select the button labeled Add to add this step to your macro.

Note:  (1) 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.

(2) 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

The example below illustrates the process of launching Notepad,  writing a memo with Notepad, and then saving 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, i.e. ‘c:\windows\notepad.exe’, or select the Browse option, and search for the file in your system.  This will start Notepad.  Select the “Add” button in the Macro Builder to add this step to the macro.

1.	 In this example we will establish the focus on NotePad to be sure that it recieves the keys begin sent.  To do this, select the “Focus a Window” option from the Macro Builder, then type “Notepad” (case should not matter) in the windows title area, then select “Add” to add this step to the macro.

1.	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 save then send ~ for enter again and you are done.  For example:  To whom it may concern,~~This is an example macro

1.	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.


Focusing a Window

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 window’s ‘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, it’s caption is ‘Notepad - Untitled’.

To establish a focus:

1.  Select the Establish a Focus action from the Macro Builder

2.  Type the name of the window that you would like to focus into the text box

3.  Select the button labeled Add to add this step to your Macro

Note: Some window captions change depending on the content and actions of their application.  You can enter only the first few letters of the window to be focused as long as it is enough for AutoMate to distinguish between the other windows that are present on your screen.


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	^

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.


Waiting a number of seconds or minutes

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

To wait in a macro:

1.  Select the wait action from the list of actions in the Macro Builder

2.  Select either minutes or seconds

3.  Type the number of minutes or seconds that you would like to wait

4.  Select the button labeled Add to add this step to your macro


Establishing an Internet Connection

If you have an internet account and use Dial Up Networking 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 simply wait the designated “Time-Out” (see special settings) period and then continue with the next macro command.

1.  Select the Establish an Internet Connection action from the list of actions in the Macro Builder

2.  Select the connection to use

4.  Select the button labeled Add to add this step to your macro

Note:  If you have trouble connecting to the Internet this way, you may try establishing an Internet connection manually.


Manually Establishing an Internet Connection

Although it is possible to use AutoMate’s built-in function to establish an Internet connection (see Establishing an Internet Connection) , 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:

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

1.	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}

1.	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.

1.	Now, In the Macro Builder, in 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~~

1.	Save your procedure.


Miscellaneous Actions

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

1. Disconnect from an Internet Connection

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

2. Restart the computer

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

3. 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.

4. Shut Down AutoMate

Use this option to shut down AutoMate during the course of a procedure.

5. Play a sound

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

To use a miscellaneous function:

1.  Select the Miscellaneous option from the list of actions in the Macro Builder, then select the miscellaneous action that you would like to use.

2.  Select the button labeled “Add” from the Macro Builder to add this step to your macro.


Sending 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, Symantec’s ACT!, Delrina WinFax Pro and many more.

AutoMate’s DDE capabilities should only be used by an individual experienced with the use of DDE communications.  For more information on the DDE commands supported by a particular software product, see the application’s manual or contact the software’s manufacturer.


Running a BASIC Script

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

Once you have created a new script, you may use it in any procedure that you create by:

1. 	Clicking the “Run a Script” option in the Macro Builder

2. 	Selecting the button labeled “Browse” and finding the existing script file

3. 	Selecting the “Open” button

4. 	Selecting the “OK” button in the “Run a Script” box.

5. 	Selecting the “Add” button in the Macro Builder to add this step to the macro.

Some ideas for using scripts effectively include:

•	Creating a script that connects you to the Internet all of the time by continuing to re-dial until you are successfully connected.  Here is an example:

Sub Main

      Result = "Failed"

While Result = "Failed"

   Result = ConnectTo("The Loop", 45) ' Enter your Internet Providers name in the "The Loop" area and then the amount of time in seconds that you want to give the connection before it times out automatically (usually at least 45)

   If Result <> "Connected" Then HangUp

Wend

End Sub

•	Creating a custom schedule that the standard scheduling functions in AutoMate will not accommodate.  The example below illustrates how to use a script to check for a certain day, and exit the procedure if it is that day.  In this example we are allowing this procedure to run every day except for Sunday.  It would be scheduled to run daily, however when the script finds that it is Sunday it exits the procedure.  The script step would be the first step in the macro:

Sub Main

If Weekday(Now) = 1 Then ExitProc

End Sub

•	Creating a trigger that fires a task if that trigger is met.  Triggers may include the existence of a file or set of files, the presence of a dialog or window, etc..  There are two ways for the trigger to be set up:

1. 	Schedule the task to run every minute.  Each time the task runs the script (which is the first step in the macro) executes the check for the condition.  If the condition is met, continue with the task, otherwise use the ExitProc command to end the task.

2. 	Have the script itself execute a continuous loop that checks for the condition to be met.  If the condition is met, run the rest of the task.  This option does not require that the task be scheduled for any particular date or interval - it merely requires that the task run on startup and continue until the machine is turned off (if it is turned off).  For more information on creating startup tasks, see Creating Shortcuts to Procedures

Help for constructing Scripts is available in the Script Builder by using either the F1 key or selecting help from the menu.

Note: This function is only available in the Professional Edition of AutoMate and is disabled in the Standard Edition.


Automated Procedures

Using the Task Setup Wizard

Creating AutoMated Procedures

Building Macros

Managing your task List

Dealing with late or incomplete tasks


Reminders

Creating Reminders

Receiving Reminder Messages

Managing your tasks

Dealing with late or incomplete tasks


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 today’s 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.


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’.


Print an Order Form

To print this form select File -> Print Topic.

Obtain or register your copy of AutoMate by Faxing the following information to (213)-738-7665.

You may also order by calling Unisyn at (213)738-1700.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Your Name:	Company Name:

Phone-Number:	FAX-Number:

Street:	City:

Country:	Postal Code:

E-Mail Address:

Where did you hear about AutoMate?	What version are you running?

Please specify any features that are not included in AutoMate that you would like to see in the future:

[  ] Send me the 32 Bit version of AutoMate Standard Edition for Windows 95 & NT4.0 ($39.95)

[  ] Send me the 32 Bit version of AutoMate Professional Edition for Windows 95 & NT4.0 ($119.95)

[  ] Send me the 16 Bit version of AutoMate Standard Edition for Windows 3.xx ($39.95)

[  ] I am a previously registered user of AutoMate Standard, please send me the upgrade to from AutoMate Standard to AutoMate Professional for Windows 95 & NT4.0 ($79.95)

        [  ] I currently have the demo and only need the activation code e-mailed to me (requires purchase).

___ Number of Licenses

I would like to pay with

[  ]  MasterCard

[  ]  Visa

[  ]  American Express

Credit Card Number:	Exp.:

Shipping Preference

[  ] E-Mail me a registration code (No shipping charge - be sure e-mail address above is correct)

[  ] Priority (3-4 days) (Add $12.00 for US, $15.00 for Canada, $20.00 for others)

[  ] Overnight ( Add $40.00) - U.S. Only

Allow 24 Hours for order processing.  Company PO’s are only accepted for orders of $100 or more.  Product is sent upon receipt of check or PO.  Unisyn will not grant refunds for any reason for this product.


Task 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 it’s 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)

During 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 are sent 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 procedure’s application in a minimized state, you may not perform a macro on it.


Task Frequency

From this section 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’ option.

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.

Running Tasks Manually Only

When creating a new Procedure in the Task Setup Wizard, you can specify that you would like the task to be marked as “Inactive”, which in effect, allows you to launch the task manually only.  This selection is useful for those of you who would like to create a task that will be launched perhaps by the use of a command line parameter or shortcut assignment.  See Creating Shotcuts to AutoMated Procedures.

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

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


Task Scheduling Options

Prompt me if this task is late or incomplete

Select this option to have AutoMate prompt you with a the “Late Task Notification” dialog when it finds a task with a scheduled date in the past.  Upon notification, you may choose to ignore further prompts for this task, or reschedule the task for a later date.  Use this option if you do not want late tasks fired at random times when the computer starts or if you need to take other action before a late task can be set to continue to run.

Run this task on startup and then reschedule

This option will immediately fire a late task upon startup and then schedule its next date based upon its set frequency and the time of this launch.  i.e.: if a task is set to run every 5 minutes and it is late, AutoMate will launch it upon startup and then schedule it to run five minutes from then.  Use this option if only the frequency of the task is important, not the times or dates that it is fired.  For example, select this if you need a task to run every 3 hours regardless of when it starts.

Continue to run this task on its set schedule

Upon startup AutoMate will advance a tasks next scheduled date and time based on its initial settings to a date in the future.  i.e.: If you had a late task that had been set to run each morning at 4:30 and you turned the system on at 8:30 in the morning, automate would advance the next launch date to the following morning at 4:30.  Use this option if the actual times and dates of launch are important as well as the frequency.  For example, select this if it is important that a task is fired, say, at specifically 6:15 every day, rather than just every day.


Task 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 particular procedure.

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

Clear All

Select this option to clear the Contents area.


General Preferences for All Tasks

To access a list of general options and preferences that will apply to all tasks, from the main menu select “View” and then “General Preferences”.

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.


Frequently Asked Technical Questions

Installation

Problems Starting AutoMate

Operation

Scheduling and Execution

Preferences

Pricing


Installation Questions

I have an older version of AutoMate and I want to update to the newest version - how?

You can download the latest version of AutoMate from http://www.unisyn.com/downloads.  Once this file is downloaded to your system, extract it (if it is a .zip file).  It is recommended for reliability reasons that you uninstall your previous version of AutoMate before installing a new version.  If you need to save your existing tasks, copy the files "tasks.mdb" and "tasks.ldb" into a separate folder for later use  (note that this is only possible for those upgrading from version 3.2 or later - if you have a version previous to 3.2, you must start with a new set of task files).  To begin the installation, run (double-click) the self-extracting executable file that you downloaded.  This file will be named something like "automate.exe".  After the installation is complete:  If you have saved your old "tasks.mdb" and "tasks.ldb" files before the installation, you may now re-copy them into the folder in which you installed AutoMate.

I run the self-extracting installation file, but nothing happens.

1.  Check to make sure that you have at least 20mb free on the drive that has windows installed on it (usually c:), even if you are installing to another drive.  AutoMate's installation needs to un-compress it's files into your root drive's windows\temp folder temporarily before installing.  These temporary files are deleted after installation is complete.

2.  Look in your windows/temp folder for a file called "setup.exe".  If this file is present, try running it.  Sometimes there is an error while trying to run the decompressed installation files from the self-extracting installation.


Problems Starting AutoMate

When I run AutoMate I get an error on startup.

1.  Check our web site to make sure that you are running the latest version of AutoMate (http://www.unisyn.com/downloads).  If you are running a version previous to our latest, please uninstall your current version (using add / remove programs in control panel) and  install the latest version as the error may have been fixed.  If you still receive an error on startup that is not remedied by the solutions below, please report the problem using our technical support services located at http://www.unisyn.com/support.

2.  Make sure that there are no applications running at all (this includes all "Tray Icon" applications, virus scanners, and applications hidden from view).  You can check to make sure that there are no open applications in Windows95 by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del to view the task list.  Once you are absolutely sure that nothing else is loaded, run the AutoMate installation program again.

3.  Try re-starting Windows in "Safe Mode".  To do this, hit F8 when you computer displays the "Starting Windows 95" message on boot-up.  Choose "Safe Mode" from the available options.  Once Windows is loaded in Safe Mode, try installing AutoMate again.

1. 	Try changing your video driver to the standard Windows VGA driver and re-running AutoMate.  We have had rare reports of problems with older or faulty video drivers causing problems with AutoMate.  If this applies to you, contact your video driver manufacturer for an updated or fixed driver.

I get an error when I attempt to access a task’s properties

This error is causes by a conflict many popular “Crash Protection” utilities, such as Symantec’s Norton CrashGuard™ and CyberMedia’s First Aid 97™ Crash Protection mechanism.  Unload these utilities from memory and restart AutoMate - your errors should be gone.


Operational Questions

Building and Running Macros

I am having trouble getting AutoMate to send keystrokes to my application.

1.  Neither AutoMate nor any other Windows applications to our knowledge can send keys to a DOS based application (yes, we are working on a solution to this, but from what we have been told by the powers that be, it is not possible).

2.  Try adding an "Establish a Focus" command directly before the send keys command in the Macro Builder in order to be sure that the program that you intend the keys to be sent to is the foreground application and will receive them.  In order to be effective, the focus command must be the exact step before the keys are sent.  This is good practice regardless of whether you are having trouble sending keys.

3.  If you have special characters, such as "%", "^", or "+" (alt, ctrl, or shift) in your command, be sure that the mated characters (i.e. "f" in %f) are lower case.  Your applications are case sensitive to these commands and will not react properly if an upper case character is sent with an alt, ctrl, or shift.

4..  You do not need to enclose anything in quotes when sending keystrokes, unless of course you want quotes to be sent as keys.

What is the special key code for a space?

There is none.  If you need a space to be sent, simply type a space.

What are the special key codes for closing windows, maximizing, minimizing, etc.?

To get a list of common windows commands and their shortcut keys, try typing alt+space in any open window - this will bring up the common window controls. They are:

Close: %{f4}	(alt+F4)

Maximize: % x	(alt+space+x)

Minimize:  % n	(alt+space+n)

Move:  % m	(alt+space+m)

Size:  % s	(alt+space+s)

Occasionally, when I tell AutoMate to connect to the internet I get a busy or other error message that prevents my task from completing - how can I get around this?

This is covered in the Professional Edition of AutoMate.  Use of the BASIC Scripting in the Professional Edition will allow you to check for and respond to certain conditions that may occur during your procedures.  View the Scripting Additions document that is installed with AutoMate Professional for more information on implementing this process in the Professional version.

Here is an example script that may be used to ensure connection to the Internet:

Sub Main

      Result = "Failed"

While Result = "Failed"

   Result = ConnectTo("The Loop", 45) ' Enter your Internet Providers name in the "The Loop" area and then the amount of time in seconds that you want to give the connection before it times out automatically (usually at least 45)

   If Result <> "Connected" Then HangUp

Wend

End Sub

For more information on scripting, see the help file in the Scripting Assistant, or the Scripting Reference Manual that is installed with AutoMate.

I have a recorded set of events that worked for a while, but now fail.

This happens due to a number of changes in the original environment in which you recorded these events.  Some possibilities include the changing of a windows position from that position at which it was at when the events were originally recorded, changing screen resolution, changing icon position, etc. .  We recommend creating your procedures with as little dependency on recorded events as possible.  Use the other options as much as you can to ensure reliability of your macros.

How can I join two Macros together, or call one macro from within another?

This function requires the Professional Edition of AutoMate.  Use the custom command "LaunchProc" from within a BASIC Script to call procedures from within each other.  View the Scripting Additions document that is installed with AutoMate Professional for more information on this process.


Scheduling and Execution Questions

I have created my macro but I want to create a shortcut to run it, run it when I start Windows, or run it from a command line.

Click here for more information about creating shortcuts to tasks and running tasks from command lines.

I have created my macro but nothing happens when I run it.

When you create a step in a macro for a procedure, you will need add each step before it will be stored in the procedure.  To add a step, select the "Add" button in the macro builder on the upper right corner.  When you have added a step, it will appear in the lower list of macro steps with an icon and a description of the step.  When you have completed all of the steps in your Macro, select "Save".

I have scheduled my procedure / reminder to run at a specific time and it did not run.

1.  Check the task's properties (under frequency), to make sure that your procedure was or is scheduled for the correct date.

2.  You may have a corrupt task database - download the latest version of AutoMate from http://www.unisyn.com/downloads (there are special functions in version 3.5h and later that will hopefully prevent this from happening again).  If this does not solve the problem, please use our technical support services at http://www.unisyn.com/support.

I would like to schedule a task to run on a schedule not supported in the standard scheduling options (such as every day except Sunday).

This will require the Professional Edition’s scripting capabilities.  Here is an example of how to create a task that runs every day but Sunday.  You may apply this example to many different situations.

Here is what you will do to create a task that runs everyday except Sunday:

1. 	Set your task to run daily (every 1 days)

1. 	As the first step in the task, have a BASIC script check to see if it is Sunday, if it is, use the ExitProc command to exit the procedure, if it is any day other than Sunday, continue with the procedure.

Sub Main

If Weekday(Now) = 1 Then ExitProc

End Sub

This example uses the constant "Now" which always returns the current date and time. The weekday function returns in numerical sequence (1=Sunday, 2=Monday....), the number of the day of the week.  This example uses the weekday function to check for Sunday (1) and  exit the procedure it this returns true.  For more information on scripting, see the help file in the Scripting Assistant, or the Scripting Reference Manual that is installed with AutoMate.

I am not notified of any late tasks

1.  In the task properties, under General, make sure that the "Notify me of any late or incomplete tasks" option is checked.  You should re-start AutoMate after you make this selection for it to become active.

2.  If the above option is checked, and AutoMate has been restarted, you may have a corrupt task database - download the latest version of AutoMate from http://www.unisyn.com/downloads (there are special functions in version 3.6 and later that will hopefully prevent this from happening again).  If this does not solve the problem, please use our technical support services at http://www.unisyn.com/support.


Questions about Preferences

I don't want AutoMate to prompt me when I shut it down.

First, shut down AutoMate.  There is a file called settings.ini located in the folder that AutoMate was installed.  Open this file and find the entry called "Confirm".  This will read something like  "Confirm=1".  Change the setting to 2 and save the file, then re-start AutoMate.


Pricing Questions

How is AutoMate priced - are site licenses or bulk discounts available?

Here are a list of the current bulk prices and site license discounts for AutoMate.  Note that these prices are subject to change at any time and you will be billed according to the current pricing matrix if applicable.  For the latest bulk pricing, please see our web site at http://www.unisyn.com/automate/pricing.htm, send e-mail to automate@unisyn.com, or call Unisyn at 213-738-1700.

AutoMate Standard Edition Pricing

No. Of Units	Price Per Unit

1	$39.95

2	$34.97

3-5	$31.99

6-10	$27.99

11-25	$23.99

26-50	$19.99

51-75	$15.99

76-100	$13.99

AutoMate Professional Edition Pricing

No. Of Units	Price Per Unit

1-4	$119.95

5-9	$95.95

10-24	$83.95

25-49	$71.95

50-74	$59.95

75-99	$47.95

100-500	$35.95

Please call 213-738-1700 for pricing on greater quantity than listed here.

How do I order?


Creating Shortcuts to Procedures

Command line arguments are accepted for manual launching of tasks.  To manually launch a task from the command prompt, simply specify name of the procedure (or reminder) after the path and filename of automate.exe.

For example:

"c:\program files\unisyn\automate.exe" sample procedure

(Quotes are needed only around the path and filename to AutoMate, the name of the procedure should not have quotes around it.)

The example above would start AutoMate, launch the Sample Procedure that is included, and then terminate AutoMate.  The name of the task should not be case sensitive.  There are many useful functions that are possible with this feature:

1.	Create shortcuts to AutoMated Tasks on your Desktop and then just double-click whenever you need them to execute.

1.	Create shortcuts to AutoMated Tasks and place them in your StartUp Group for AutoMated "StartUp Tasks".

1.	More knowledgeable users and consultants can now set up shortcuts to AutoMated tasks for less knowledgeable users to conveniently run.

Use the following steps to create a shortcut to a task:

1.	Start Explorer and move to the folder that automate.exe is located in.

1.	With the right mouse button, click and drag the automate.exe file onto the desktop (or the folder that you would like the shortcut to reside in).

1.	Let go of the mouse button and select “Create Shortcut Here”.

2.	Right click the new shortcut icon and select “Properties”.

3.	From the properties dialog, select the “Shortcut” tab.

1.	In the “Target” area, enter the name of the task that you would like this shortcut to run by typing the name of it outside of the quotes, with a space in between the quotes and the name of the task.  i.e.: "c:\program files\unisyn\automate.exe" sample procedure.

1.	If you would like to assign a system-wide HotKey to this procedure, type it in the “Shortcut Key” box.

2.	Select “OK” .

You may now launch this procedure either by double clicking on it or typing its assigned hotkey (if any).

If you would like this task to be run each time you start Windows, move or copy it into your StartUp program group.


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.


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

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

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


Selecting Scheduling Options

Prompt me if this task is late or incomplete

Select this option to have AutoMate prompt you with a the “Late Task Notification” dialog when it finds a task with a scheduled date in the past.  Upon notification, you may choose to ignore further prompts for this task, or reschedule the task for a later date.  Use this option if you do not want late tasks fired at random times when the computer starts or if you need to take other action before a late task can be set to continue to run.

Run this task on startup and then reschedule

This option will immediately fire a late task upon startup and then schedule its next date based upon its set frequency and the time of this launch.  i.e.: if a task is set to run every 5 minutes and it is late, AutoMate will launch it upon startup and then schedule it to run five minutes from then.  Use this option if only the frequency of the task is important, not the times or dates that it is fired.  For example, select this if you need a task to run every 3 hours regardless of when it starts.

Continue to run this task on its set schedule

Upon startup AutoMate will advance a tasks next scheduled date and time based on its initial settings to a date in the future.  i.e.: If you had a late task that had been set to run each morning at 4:30 and you turned the system on at 8:30 in the morning, automate would advance the next launch date to the following morning at 4:30.  Use this option if the actual times and dates of launch are important as well as the frequency.  For example, select this if it is important that a task is fired, say, at specifically 6:15 every day, rather than just every day.

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


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.