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HOMERUN.TXT
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1997-03-17
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HOMERUN V1.02 GENERAL HELP
Index
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Installation
3.0 Scheduling Program Starts & Kills
3.1 Start-ups
3.2 Kills
4.0 Appointment/Message Daily Diary
5.0 Calendar
6.0 Disclaimer
7.0 Bugs and Suggestions
1.0 Introduction
Homerun allows programs to be run on any time schedule.
Homerun can start & terminate OS2, Dos and WinOS2 (Windows)
programs in a window, fullscreen or Presentation Manager as
applicable. Dos & OS2 windows can also be closed using hexadecimal
commands. Convenient red/green buttons confirm whether the
start-ups and kills are active or inactive.
If you have installed any OS2 FixPaks after Warp 3 it is recommended
that you read the file rexxsom.txt included in the Homerun directory.
The appointment/message scheduler allows simple multiple scheduling,
and has a programmable warning alarm.
2.0 Installation
Homerun can be installed from its own directory or from a floppy
drive. The installation program will install an icon on the desktop.
To install from its own directory unzip the files into a directory of
choice (default is C:\HOMERUN), and at the C:\HOMERUN>
prompt type INSTALL.
To install from a floppy, at the A:> prompt type INSTALL.
Homerun requires the runtime library file VROBJ.DLL and it is in
the hrun100.zip file. If you already have VROBJ.DLL installed, you
do not need this file. VROBJ.DLL can remain in the Homerun
directory or can be moved to a directory listed in the LIBPATH list
defined in the configuration file config.sys.
To minimize CPU time, Homerun only status checks every 20 seconds.
Between these checks there is no demand on the CPU. If you are
watching, this delay can sometimes give the impression of being slow
to respond to changes. Just remember, we are saving resources!
In 'Settings' there is a preferences file which can remove some of the
pop-up boxes for the experienced user.
Note: A 'System Proportional Italic' font is used in Homerun to
distinguish inputted data. In one test computer at 1024x768 there were
slight imperfections in the appearance of the font. I have stuck with
the italic font, but please let me know if there are other systems
with this problem, and I will change the font back to a normal font.
3.0 Scheduling Program Starts & Kills
3.1 Start-ups
Click on 'Events' in the 'Schedule' drop down menu. There are hints
shown at the bottom of most windows to assist in entering data.
There is virtually no limitation on how you can set up the start-ups.
For OS2 programs, It is best to start with the 'Default' setting and to
test your choice by clicking on 'Run now' and then 'Terminate now'
if you are using this feature. It is unlikely that incorrect set-up of a
program will crash the program, but in some cases the program may
not run as scheduled. It is wise to test the start-up by clicking the
'Run now' button before saving it to the container list.
DO NOT run Dos and Windows programs with the 'Default' setting.
Although they may generally run, Homerun does not keep track of
the session PID number and can not terminate it.
The file extension must be included in order for the search check to
work properly although the 'Terminate after X minutes' will still work
properly. For 'Dos Window' and 'Dos Fullscreen' applications (including
WinOS2 applications started in dos, the 'Terminate after X minutes'
option, keeps track of the start-up PID number and uses that that to
terminate the program. If several programs are started at the exact
same time, Homerun could grab the wrong PID number, so it is best to
stagger Dos start-ups by at least a minute.
Windows programs may only run in full screen and are tricky. Success
in making windows programs run depends on the video resolution and
other factors. Also, you should enter the directory that is the working
directory for the program you are running. For example enter:
Entry Title: Windows Eudora
Program path & file name: eudora.exe
Parameters:
Directory: c:\eudora
to run Eudora. The 'Run in a WinOS2 Window session' only runs if the
video resolution is 640x480.
Terminating of windows programs is not supported, other than you
can terminate a windows program YOU start through Dos. Although
if you were able to send a hexadecimal 'ALT-F' and 'x' via the 'Use
macro' you would think it should work.
Hints:
1. If you intend to start-up a 'Run in a WinOS2 Fullscreen session' while
you have a 'Dos Fullscreen' session active, the Dos session should be
started in the background or questionable results may occur.
2. OS2 Windows do not start in the 'Background'. Use the 'Min' box and
start minimized.
3. Fullscreen programs do not start minimized. Use the 'Background'
box and start in the background.
4. Thanks to Andy Glass who offered that:
cmd.exe /c detatch [path]/homerun.exe
will run Homerun in 4OS2.
3.2 Kills
The 'kills' use a program called 'go' written by Carston Wimmer, and
further information about this program can be found in the file go.doc.
You can send keystroke commands and hexadecimal keystrokes to a
Dos or OS2 window by activating the 'Use macro' button and
completing the entry fields. For example enter:
Window Title: DOS Window
Macro: exit
to close a dos window.
Note: This feature uses the clipboard and it must be active.
The 'Program started in an OS2 Window' check box is to be used for
programs started in an OS2 Window or started with a .cmd batch file.
For example, Maximus could be started with a batch file 'max.cmd'.
In this case the executable to be entered would be the Maximus
'maxp.exe' file and the 'Program started in an OS2 Window' box
should be checked in order that the OS2 window is closed at the
termination of (maxp.exe) Maximus.
You can enter a sequence of kills through the start-ups if desired,
using 'go' or any other kill program. For example enter:
Entry Title: Elephant
Program path & file name: go k
Parameters: elephant.exe
Directory: c:\homerun
( Hint: In this example use 'Run without using start' as the shell.)
to kill a program whose executable is 'elephant.exe'. The Directory is
the path to your 'kill' program.
The 'Fullscreen (Window) Cmd.exe Shell and kill on exit' do not use the
/C of START which is not too reliable. Rather the program 'kills' the shell
after the program is found and killed.
4.0 Appointment/Message Daily Diary
The appointment/message scheduler is quite straight forward and
contains hints in the windows to assist the new user. There is a
programmable appointment warning alarm to alert the user about
impending appointments. The appointments can be scheduled in a
variety of ways from every few minutes to yearly and beyond.
5.0 Calendar
There is a built in 50+ year calendar and access to this feature has been
conveniently located in the Calendar menu.
6.0 Disclaimer
The author makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability
of this material for any purpose. It is provided "as is", without any
express or implied warranties. The author will assume no liability for
damages either from the direct use of this product or as a consequence
of the use of this product.
7.0 Bugs and Suggestions
Should an unexpected dump occur, check the Homerun.err file for an
explanation. Please report any bugs (or suggestions) and I will take
action on them if possible and practical.