Bug which caused program to hang when message exceeded screen size has been
fixed.
Messages can now be up to 100 lines.
Added an improved method of choosing the application to launch on exit.
CHANGES SINCE VERSION 1.2:
--------------------------
Bug which caused program to crash when there wasn't enough memory or
resource not present has been fixed.
Bug which caused garbage to appear on blank lines on large screens has been
fixed. (Thanks to Steven Cirillo for notifying me of the problem.)
CHANGES SINCE VERSION 1.3:
--------------------------
Text to be displayed is now formatted before being drawn.
WHAT IS MACWELCOME?
-------------------
When this program is run, it displays on the screen a message (up to 100 lines of 255 characters each). This in itself is not all that useful. However, when used as the startup application, MacWelcome functions as a "startup note." This is VERY useful in environments where several people are using the same Macintosh: you can use MacWelcome to remind each user of important procedures to follow, etc.
WHEN IS IT USEFUL?
------------------
An example: If you have Vaccine (an elegant virus protector by Don Brown of CE Software) installed on your hard disk, you might want to remind other users not to blindly allow alteration of resources: "If a dialog box appears asking for permission to add a CODE resource to a file, DO NOT PUSH 'Granted'!!"
Another example: If you are using a RAMdisk, you might want to have MacWelcome display instructions for changing the size of the RAMdisk and recommended sizes for particular applications: "After you click 'OK' [in MacWelcome], hold down the Option key until the 'Change RAMdisk Size' dialog appears."
HOW DOES IT WORK?
-----------------
When it's started up, MacWelcome opens the file "WelcomeMessage", reads it, and displays its contents (or the first 100 lines, anyhow) on the screen. It then displays an OK button and waits for the user to read the message and click OK. (Simple, no?)
WHAT'S THIS "WelcomeMessage" FILE?
----------------------------------
It's simply a TEXT file (one created by a text editor like MockWrite or by saving as "TEXT" in a word processor like MacWrite). Unlike previous versions of MacWelcome, version 1.4 formats the text in the "WelcomeMessage" file before displaying it. That is, MacWelcome will adjust the length of each line for you, depending on how wide your screen is. (If you've been using an earlier version of MacWelcome, never fear: your current "WelcomeMessage" file will still work properly.) The "WelcomeMessage" file MUST be in the same folder as MacWelcome. Also, the file shouldn't be any longer than 100 lines, as MacWelcome 1.4 can display only 100 lines. NOTE: 15 lines fit comfortably on a standard Mac Plus or SE screen.
WHAT ELSE DOES MACWELCOME DO?
-----------------------------
It would be rather annoying if MacWelcome prevented you from using a "turnkey" type of system, where a users simply turn on the Mac and find themselves in Excel or dBase Mac, for instance, rather than in the Finder. In fact, MacWelcome allows you to specify an application to run on exiting MacWelcome-- just as though you had used "Set Startup…" from the Finder. (You can even run MultiFinder.)
Also, MacWelcome provides an option for you to change any TEXT file to its "WelcomeMessage" file (complete with its own distinctive icon). You don't NEED to do this, however, in order for MacWelcome to run correctly--only if you want the nifty icon.
HOW DO I SET THOSE OPTIONS?
---------------------------
When the message appears on the screen, hold down the command and option keys and type 'o' (the letter o, no quotes). A dialog box will appear with "On exit, launch:" and three radio buttons (Finder, MultiFinder, and Other). When you first start MacWelcome, "Finder" will probably be chosen. To change this to MultiFinder or the application of your choice, click on the appropriate radio button--the only catch is that MacWelcome has to be in the same folder as the application. (If not, you'll get an error message and will end up in the Finder.)
To change a TEXT file to the "WelcomeMessage" file, press the appropriate button on the options dialog. The standard "Open" dialog will appear, and you can choose the file to convert. (The file can be in any folder, but remember that MacWelcome won't use it as the welcoming message unless it's in the same folder as MacWelcome (or it's in the System Folder).)
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS (OR COMMENTS)?
Simple: contact me directly. The fastest way to get an answer or help is by contacting me via electronic mail on CompuServe (via EasyPlex), GEnie, or BIX (the BYTE Information Exchange). Alternatively, you can contact me by US Mail. (The addresses are below.) If you're having a problem, be sure to include a detailed description of the problem, the equipment you're using, and anything else that might be relevant (the phase of the moon, for example, or which Microsoft product you're using). Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll reply via the same service (US Mail or CompuServe) by which you sent me your question.
BIX: cklugewicz Chris Klugewicz
CompuServe: 72437,3267 2704 East Towers Drive, #508
GEnie: C.Klugewicz1 Cincinnati, OH 45238
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
------------------------
Not much, actually. Just remember that "WelcomeMessage" doesn't have a space in it, that MacWelcome needs to be in the same folder as the application it's launching, and that MacWelcome is free.
MACWELCOME IS FREE?
-------------------
Yes, it is. This is in contrast to previous versions, which were shareware. However, MacWelcome is NOT public-domain, which means you can't modify it in any way (except for your own personal use) without my written permission. Also, you may not charge ANYTHING for MacWelcome.
ANY LEGAL MUMBO-JUMBO?
----------------------
Of course:
MacWelcome™ is a trademark of Chris Klugewicz.
DISTRIBUTION NOTE:
------------------
User groups and individual users are welcome to distribute MacWelcome freely as long as the following conditions are met:
1) The program itself must not be modified in any way.
2) You MUST include this documentation (also unchanged) with the program.
3) You may not charge ANYTHING for MacWelcome, other than a reasonable service charge for disk duplication, postage and handling, etc.
MacWelcome may be uploaded to BBSes so long as the above conditions are met.
Finally, "public-domain software" distribution companies (such as Educorp) may NOT distribute MacWelcome without my express written permission. (I don't want them charging high "duplication" fees for what should be a FREE program.)
Microtech International, Inc. has been granted the right to bundle all non-commercial versions of MacWelcome (no, there haven't been any commercial versions...yet!) with its hard disk drives and removable disk drives.
NOTE TO MICROSOFT WORD USERS:
-----------------------------
For reasons known only to the programmers at Microsoft, running MacWelcome at startup causes strange and wonderful problems when you subsequently run Word. This seems VERY strange to me--since all my code is gone after MacWelcome quits--but I've been told several times now that it happens, so it must. My only advice is to quit using either Word or MacWelcome (hopefully, the former!) and wait until Microsoft joins the rest of the world in following the guidelines in Inside Mac.
ANY FUTURE PLANS FOR MACWELCOME?
--------------------------------
Funny you should ask. Yes, actually: The next version (real soon now) will be a cdev/INIT, not an application. Who knows, it might even support COLOR!
