OS/2 Shareware BBS: 8 Other/08-Other.zip/wats01.zip/WATSONTV.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1995-06-09 | 26KB | 599 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. WatsOnTV for OS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                        WatsOnTV for OS/2  (version 1.01)

               Copyright 1995 John Pedersen, All Rights Reserved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. WatsOnTV for OS/2 USER MANUAL ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                        WatsOnTV for OS/2  (version 1.01)

WatsOnTV for OS/2 (version 1.01) is a program for reading files containing TV
listings.  These files are distributed on the Internet. The sections of this
manual are:

      Γûá Important Notes

      Γûá Introduction

      Γûá The Main Window

      Γûá The Date Selection Window

      Γûá The Listing Window

      Γûá In Case of Trouble

      Γûá Trademarks and Service Marks


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Important Notes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section contains notes dealing with the What's On Tonite!  files, and
about copyrights and warranties.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.1. 1. About What's On Tonite!  (TM) files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What's On Tonite!  (TM) LITE is a free, daily electronic publication of TV
listings produced by New Century Productions Inc. of Katskill Bay, NY.  Anyone
with an Internet Email address (including CompuServe, Prodigy, America Online,
Genie, Delphi, AT&T Mail, and MCI Mail addresses) can request it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.1.1. 1.1 To subscribe ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To subscribe to What's On Tonite!  send an Internet Email message to:
[e-mail].

The "subject:"  line should be left blank, and the entire text in the body of
the message should be one of the lines below (depending on your time zone):

      subscribe eastern
      subscribe central
      subscribe mountain
      subscribe pacific


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.1.2. 1.2 Copyright ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The files which are sent out by New Century Productions Inc. are protected by
copyright.  WatsOnTV is simply a convenient way to read the files, and never
makes any changes or deletions to these files, nor does the use of WatsOnTV
convey any rights to the user.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.2. 2. About WatsOnTV for OS/2 (FREEWARE) ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The following outlines some groundrules for using WatsOnTV for OS/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.2.1. 2.1 Freeware ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WatsOnTV for OS/2 (version 1.01) is freeware.  Feel free to use it and to copy
it for others.  There is no charge but your feedback and suggestions would be
welcome.  Note that even though WatsOnTV for OS/2 is freeware, it is NOT in the
public domain, and it is copyrighted.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.2.2. 2.2 Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WatsOnTV is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability and of
fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages, direct
or consequential, which may result from the use of WatsOnTV.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.2.3. 2.3 System Prerequisites ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WatsOnTV for OS/2 runs on a PC with OS/2 2.1 or WARP installed. A mouse is
required. It also requires a VX-Rexx file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.2.4. 2.4 VX-Rexx Runtime file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WatsOnTV for OS/2 (version 1.01) requires the VX-Rexx (TM) run time library
VROBJ.DLL.  The version level of this file should be 2.0C, or 2.1B. This file
must be placed in a directory in the OS/2 LIBPATH.  This file can be downloaded
from various sites:  (The LIBPATH is defined in the CONFIG.SYS file in the root
directory of your OS/2 bootup partition.)

      a) on CompuServe GO WATFOR, and download VRO21B.ZIP from library 20.

      b) on the Internet.  You can find it at ftp.watcom.on.ca, and if you want
      more information about Watcom products you can check their web pages at
      www.watcom.on.ca.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.3. 3. Feedback ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

IMPORTANT:  Do you wish to be notified of any "fixes" or "updates" ?  It's easy
to be included in the WatsOnTV notification mailing list.

1. Just Email to:  [e-mail]

2. Make the first line of the body of your message:

NOTIFY <your email address>

(for example "NOTIFY [e-mail]")

Also, while you're at it, JMP Systems would appreciate feedback on:

      a) ANY problems
      b) Installation on your system:  easy/hard/problems?
      c) Any other suggestions?
      d) Ease of use?


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.4. 4. Support for WatsOnTV ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In case of difficulties:

FIRST, check as carefully as possible in this on-line manual.

If help is still needed, support is available for WatsOnTV by:

 Internet:                [e-mail]


 CompuServe EMail to:     John M. Pedersen, 76547,357


 Phone:                   [phone]
 Fax:                     [phone]


 Regular Mail, send to:   John M. Pedersen
                          JMP Systems,
                          RR #2,
                          Orangeville, Ontario
                          L9W 2Y9


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section covers installing WatsOnTV for OS/2 and some of the basics of
using the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.1. 1. Installing WatsOnTV ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WatsOnTV for OS/2 doesn't touch the OS/2 system INI files.  All that's needed
is to install the program files (including its own INI file, and its help
files) into a common directory.  The following outlines the "packing list" of
files, and the installation procedure.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.1.1. 1.1 Packing List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


 1.  WatsOnTV.exe   Executable file

 2.  WatsOnTV.ini   INI file which retains user
                    customizing.

 3.  WatsOnTV.sat   Alternate version of INI file with
                    Satellite channels.

 4.  WatsOnTV.hlp   Help file.

 5.  WatsOnTV.inf   Documentation file.

 6.  Put_Icon.cmd   Installation program to create a
                    program object on the desktop,
                    linked to the help file.

 7.  Testfile.msg   A simulated TV listings file for
                    test purposes.

 8.  Readme.txt     Check the Readme.txt file for any
                    addenda.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.1.2. 1.2 Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

a) Create a directory for WatsOnTV for OS/2, such as D:\WATSONTV.

b) Make sure that all the programs (listed in the packing list ) are copied
into this directory.  If you downloaded WatsOnTV for OS/2 in a compressed form,
just unzip in the directory where you intend to keep the program files.

c) In an OS/2 window, change to this directory.  Type "PUT_ICON" and press
<Enter>. This will create a program object, and an icon representing the User
Manual, on your desktop.  You can move it to another location if desired.

d) The WatsOnTV for OS/2 INI file contains a list of the networks whose
programs appear in the What's On Tonite! files.  However, the user will have to
enter their own channel designations for each network.  Those viewers who have
a satellite dish may wish to use the WatsOnTV.sat file instead, because this
file already contains many satellite channel designations.  If you wish to use
this file, begin by renaming the WatsOnTV.ini file to WatsOnTV.sav, and then
renaming the WatsOnTV.sat to WatsOnTV.ini.

e) A QUICK TEST - If you wish to perform a quick test of WatsOnTV without
actually reading files received via Email, you can use the Testfile.msg that
was included in the WatsOnTV file collection.  Testfile.msg simulates the
format of the listings files which you can obtain over the Internet.  Put
Testfile.msg into a directory somewhere on your machine, and set WatsOnTV's
"base directory" to this directory.  Now you should be able to display the
dummy listings which are contained in Testfile.msg.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.2. 2. Mouse Basics ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

a) Mouse required

WatsOnTV for OS/2 requires the use of a mouse.

b) Mouse buttons 1 and 2

In keeping with standard practice, mouse buttons are referred to as "mouse
button 1" and "mouse button 2", rather than "left mouse button" and "right
mouse button."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3. 3. Online Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Using WatsOnTV for OS/2 is quite easy and intuitive.  In addition there is
online help built into the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3.1. a) The Hint Line ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Some windows contain a "hint line" or "status line" at their bottom.  Moving
the mouse pointer over a window object will cause a brief "hint" message to
appear on this line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3.2. b) Context Sensitive Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In many cases you can get help for an item by pressing the <F1> key while the
item in question has the focus.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3.3. c) The Help Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For more detailed information, select "Help" from the menu bar on the top of
the window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4. 4. Managing your Email Listings Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

As a subscriber to What's On Tonite!, you will be receiving files containing
listings of TV programs via EMail.  The management of these files on your
machine depends on the software you are using.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4.1. a) UltiMail ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

IBM Warp BonusPak includes a program called Ultimedia Mail Lite Client for
OS/2, or UltiMail.  This mail-handling program for Internet handles received
messages by storing their headers in one directory, and the text of the message
in another directory.

WatsOnTV for OS/2 is set up to deal easily with this scheme.  Using UltiMail,
you will have set up a folder called, for example, "TVFILES".  Whenever you
receive a What's On Tonite! file, you will drop it into this folder.  The only
thing that WatsOnTV for OS/2 needs to know is the "base" directory which
corresponds to this folder.

The UltiMail version which shipped with the original issue of Warp generally
created a directory with a name of <username> in which to store mail files.
The folders created by the user to further organize their Email will be
subdirectories to this one.  Suppose the UltiMail user has set up a folder
called TVFILES in which to save their files.  The "base" directory that
WatsOnTV for OS/2 needs to retain might be:
D:\TCPIP\UMAIL\MAILSTOR\<username>\TVFILES  where D: reflects the disk drive
where the Internet features are installed.

A subsequent version of UltiMail (version 2.1) stores messages somewhat
differently.  It does NOT create as many layers of subdirectories as did the
original version.  The details of this need not concern the user of WatsOnTV;
however, it is necessary to select the correct version from the "Files source"
menu on the WatsOnTV main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4.2. b) PMMail and Others ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Other Internet mail programs, such as PMMail, will store the full received
message (without stripping the header information) in a directory specified by
the user.  Again, WatsOnTV for OS/2 only needs to know the "base" directory
which corresponds to the folder created by the user to save What's On Tonite!
files.  In the case of a PMMail installation, suppose the user has set up a
folder called TVFILES in which to save their files.  The "base" directory that
WatsOnTV for OS/2 needs to retain might be:  D:\TCPIP\PMMAIL\FOLDERS\TVFILES


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4.3. c) Specifying a file on command line ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you wish, you can launch WatsOnTV for OS/2 with a completely specified file
name in the command line and the listing window will automatically show the
What's On Tonite! file.  A user might want to do this if their file storage
system wasn't compatible with the selection system built into WatsOnTV for
OS/2, or if they were setting up some kind of automated system.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4.4. d) Deleting old files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Normally one will want to delete old What's On Tonite! files from time to time
so that the directory doesn't become too full and inconvenient to use. It is
suggested that you use your Email program to do this.  Don't delete files using
an OS/2 command window unless you are sure that this will not cause a problem
with the indexing system of the mail program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4.5. e) Time zones ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A user with a satellite system may wish to subscribe to more than one What's On
Tonite! time zone mailings.  There is no problem with this; just collect all
the files in the same folder.  When the user selects the file which they wish
to display, WatsOnTV for OS/2 is designed to show the time zone as well as the
date in the selection listbox.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. The Main Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In normal usage, the main window will appear when you start WatsOnTV for OS/2,
and the "Pick date" button may be selected (clicked) to move onto the next
window.  However, if the WatsOnTV for OS/2 program is newly installed, and
needs some setup information, the "Pick date" button will not be enabled.
Instead, the "Files source..." menu will be opened.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.1. 1. "Files source" Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

With this menu, you will select which type of email file storage system you are
using.  Regardless of the email system, WatsOnTV for OS/2 needs to know the
"base directory" that is being used. If a "base directory" has not yet been
defined, you will be prompted to define the "base directory" for this system.
The main window (or startup window) allows you to activate the "Files source"
menu and make any changes at any time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.2. 2. "Networks..." Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This menu item calls up a screen to allow the user to include or exclude
certain networks from the displayed listings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. The Date Selection Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is the window which is used to select which What's On Tonite! file that
you wish to have displayed.  WatsOnTV for OS/2 knows where to find the files
because the user defines a "base directory" which is stored in the
initialization file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.1. a) Setting a base directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The menu item "Change base directory" can be selected at any time if you wish
to change the base directory where your email software stores What's On Tonite!
files.  When you choose this menu item, you will see a window which will help
you select a base directory.  Initially it will display all the directories in
the root directory of a specific disk drive.  You may expand any desired
directory to see the subdirectories by clicking on the associated "+" sign.

When you have found the directory which you wish to designate as your "base
directory", simply double-click on it, or highlight it by clicking once on it
and then click the "Save selection" button.

You can change the selected drive by clicking on the "Change drive" button.
This will present a small window with a "thumbwheel" control.  Click the "up"
or "down" arrows until the desired drive letter appears in the window, and then
click on "Ok".


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.2. b) Selecting a file date ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When a base directory has been correctly specified, the files whose listings
are available for viewing will appear in a listbox.  Simply highlight the
desired date in the listbox, and click on the "Select date" button.
Alternatively, you can double click on the desired listbox line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. The Listing Display ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The whole idea of the WatsOnTV for OS/2 program is to create an easy-to-read
display, and to make it easier to sift through all your television viewing
choices. We can do this by first "screening" or "filtering" all the networks
that you don't receive, and those that don't interest you whatsoever.

Next, the user will easily be able to discard (into the trash basket) those
viewing selections that have already been viewed, or don't look very appealing.

When the listings are initially loaded into the display window, they are
grouped by category (e.g..  movies, series, sports,...)  However, you will be
able to sort the displayed listing to be grouped by channels, or to show the
entire list by starting times.

You will notice that the vertical separator bar between the "TITLE" field and
the "Channel" field is different than the other vertical separators.  This bar
is called a "split bar" and you can use your mouse, with mouse button 1, to
move the bar left or right to allow more room on one side, or the other, of the
listing display.

You may also notice a listing count display in the lower right corner of the
window, near the trash can.  This count reflects the number of listings
currently retained in the listing display.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1. 1. Networks and channels ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The program listings in the What's On Tonite! files identify networks with
abbreviations such as HBO, or ESPN.  For many people this will translate into a
satellite channel such as G5-15, or a cable channel.  Therefore, as a
convenience, WatsOnTV for OS/2 allows the user to add their own channel
designations for each network.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.1. 1.1 Unknown networks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When the listings are being readied for display, if a network is encountered
which is not in the exclude list, nor in the include list, you will be prompted
to add this network designation to one list or the other.  It is important to
understand that at this point it is immaterial whether or not you actually
receive or want to view this channel.  In order to properly filter your
listings, WatsOnTV for OS/2 must be aware of all the network designations in
the listings.  An "Unknown network" message will appear, to alert you to the
missing network designation.  Click on "Ok."  You will now see the "Add
network" window.  The Network designation will already be entered.  If you have
a cable or satellite channel that you wish to associate with this network, you
may enter it in the "channel" field.  Now select one of the buttons to either
include or exclude this channel from the listings which are displayed to you in
the future, and click on "Add."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.2. 1.2 The Network Filter Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The network filter performs the first level of selection for you.  Set up the
filter to discard the channels that you don't receive or that you never watch.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.2.1. a) Include and exclude networks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

On the menu bar of the Listing Window, click on "Networks..." For the
convenience of the user, this menu item is also available from the Main Window.
The Network Filter window will appear.  This contains a list of all the known
channels.  Those channels which will be included in your displayed listings
have a green checkmark beside them, and those which will not appear have a red
X beside them.  To toggle a channel between being included or excluded, simply
click on the channel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.2.2. b) Adding your own channel designation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You may have entered your own designation at the time you added an "unknown
network."  On the other hand, you can easily change your custom designations at
any time, using the Network Filter window.  Find the Network whose channel
designation you wish to modify.  Use the mouse and click button number 2 over
this network.  This will open a small editing window.  It is suggested that you
use a standard format for all of your channel designations, such as (xxxxx).
Keep the channel designation short, or else it will take up an unnecessary
amount of room on your listing window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.2. 2. Sorting the listing ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The listing is first displayed in the same order as it is found in the What's
On Tonite! file.  This order is grouped by categories (movies, sports, etc.)
with each category presented in order of program starting time.  WatsOnTV for
OS/2 offers additional types of ordering.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.2.1. 2.1 Sort by time ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 When you click on this button, the display is sorted strictly by time, with
movies, sports, series, etc., all mixed together for each time slot.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.2.2. 2.2 Sort by channel ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you click on this button, each network is grouped together. This is
convenient if you just want to see the evening lineup for a particular network.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.2.3. 2.3 Re-load listings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you click on this button, you will cause the display to be reloaded just
as when you first displayed the listing for that date.  However, if you have
made any changes to the Channel Filter, these changes will be reflected in the
new display.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.3. 3. Deleting items from display ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The more selections you can eliminate from the display, the easier it is to
study the viewing choices that remain.  There are a number of techniques you
may use to accomplish this.  It is important to note that when you "delete" an
item, you are deleting from the display only!  The item is still in the What's
On Tonite! file, and if you click on the "Re-load listings" button, the
discarded items will still be shown once more.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.3.1. 3.1 Discarding into the trash basket ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can delete an item from the listing display by dragging the item and
dropping it onto the trash basket in the lower right corner.  You can drop a
single item, or you can select multiple items and delete them all at one time.
There are two ways to select multiple items.  You can "swipe" with the mouse
(using mouse button 1 while swiping over the desired items), or you can add to
your selections by holding the Control key down while you click with mouse
button 1 on individual items.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.3.2. 3.2 Discarding with the popup menu (context menu) ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Alternatively, you can click mouse button 2 anywhere on top of the listings and
get a context menu.  This gets a context menu which allows you to delete:

      a single item,
      a selected group of items,
      or all items which precede the selected item in the list.
 The last choice is useful if, for example, it is 10 pm at night, and you wish
 to see your viewing choices for the remainder of the evening.  Simply click on
 the "Sort by time" button, and click on the last listing entry prior to 10 pm,
 and delete all choices upwards.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6. In Case of Trouble ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There shouldn't be any tricky aspects to WatsOnTV.  Included here are notes
about:

      installation
      first-time use
      other problems


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6.1. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Make sure that all the essential files are present in one directory.

Were you able to install the program icon onto your desktop?  Remember, you
must open an OS/2 window, and change to the WatsOnTV directory, and then run
the PUT_ICON.CMD program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6.2. First time use ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Does the WatsOnTV program start?  The VROBJ.DLL file must be in a directory on
your machine which is in the "LIBPATH".

Included in the standard set of files that comprise WatsOnTV is a testfile
(Testfile.msg).  Can you put this file into a directory, and set your "base
directory" to point to this directory?  Can you now display this file on your
Listings window?


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6.3. Other problems ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

1. Make sure that your WatsOnTV.INI file is undamaged.  You could rename this
file to WatsOnTV.tmp and copy back the WatsOnTV.INI file that you got at the
time of the original installation.

2. Make sure that you are trying to read a good What's On Tonite! file.  Try
selecting a different listings file and see if that loads and displays
properly.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.7. Trademarks and Service Marks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

"What's On Tonite" is a Trademark of New Century Productions Inc. of Katskill
Bay, NY.

OS/2 is a Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

UltiMail is a copyrighted program of International Business Machines
Corporation.

PMMail is a copyrighted program of SouthSide Software.

VX-Rexx is a Trademark of Watcom International Corporation, a Powersoft
Company.

CompuServe is a Registered Mark of CompuServe Incorporated.

PKZIP and PKUNZIP are Trademarks of PKWARE, Inc., WI.