The AutoShare FAQ



AutoShare, a freeware EIMS companion application.
A list server and auto-responder for the Macintosh.
This document is copyright © 1995-1997 Mikael Hansen.


Q: What is AutoShare?

A: AutoShare is a list server and auto-responder for the Macintosh. Put briefly, a list server distributes mail to the subscribers of discussion lists, and both auto-responses and vacation notices return automated mails to users.

AutoShare supports EIMS as the mail server sending and receiving mail, and transactions between the two servers are based on the use of fast file transactions rather than the use of mail protocols. With large lists, you may want to set EIMS to re-route all outgoing mail via, say, a local Unix server (see the Sending Setup in EIMS).


Q: Why hasn't there been a web FAQ page for AutoShare until now?

A: It's not that I haven't thought of it. It's more like it was easier for me to simply update the AutoShare 1.0 Documentation and later the AutoShare 1.4 Addendum and then assume that people will take that route first... Furthermore, various information has been around for a good while by e-mail, and while it doesn't include any Q&A section per se, essential information is listed there.


Q: I prefer e-mail and would like to know more.

A: Start out by writing to autoshare@frutiger.staffs.ac.uk, which is your suitable entry point.


Q: I prefer the web and would like to browse more.

A: The starting point is http://www.dnai.com/~meh/autoshare/, which contains links to all other related web pages.


Q: How do I subscribe to the AutoShare lists?

A: Write to autoshare@frutiger.staffs.ac.uk with a body of sub autoshare-talk <name>. If you would like announcements and news about AutoShare, put sub autoshare-announce <name> in the body.


Q: Why would I bother subscribing to the talk list?

A: Because there is no other discussion list for AutoShare :) Seriously, the many people already subscribed to the list are knowledgeable and helpful. If you cannot find an answer or solution in the AutoShare 1.0 Documentation, AutoShare 1.4 Addendum, Jason Snell's AutoShare QuickStart or this AutoShare FAQ, then the list is the way to go as I currently have little time to offer support by private e-mail.


Q: How do I unsubscribe from the AutoShare beta list?

A: Write to autoshare@frutiger.staffs.ac.uk with a body of unsub autoshare-talk. Please be sure to use the same address that was originally used for getting subscribed. If you run into problems, send a note to the listmaster James Berriman.


Q: Where do I find information about EIMS, AIMS and MailShare?

A: Addresses for EIMS, AIMS and MailShare are found in the documentation.


Q: I have downloaded AutoShare, but the folder structure confuses me.

A: Please start out with the Easy Does It guide included in the Samples folder with the downloaded AutoShare, which illustrates a simple configuration. It's the closest thing to a right-out-of-the-box setup that's available. Minor cosmetic updates to a few of the documents are needed, and the EIMS configuration is a must of course.


Q: The AutoShare 1.0 Documentation seems overwhelming at first.

A: Please get acquainted with the Read Me First overview and then move onto the Jason Snell's AutoShare QuickStart, an excellent introduction to AutoShare.


Q: Is the list address the same as the list server address?

A: No. List server commands are sent to the list server address, and list contributions are sent to the list address. There is only one list server address per server, but the server can handle a virtually unlimited number of lists.


Q: Do AutoShare paths require a trailing colon?

A: Yes. The trailing colon properly indicates that it's a path and not a file. Don't be confused by the fact that the EIMS paths require no colon. In any event, use the Select buttons if you're not sure.


Q: I am not getting any responses from the mail server. I can subscribe, but I get no confirmation. I can unsubscribe, but I get no confirmation. I can send list server commands such as SET and WHICH, but I get no replies.

A: When you say that you can subscribe, unsubscribe etc, I assume that means that AutoShare properly processes the message and updates the subscription list file. It may be that the path for the Incoming Mail folder isn't set up right. Have you tried to use the Select button? Otherwise, you may want to check the contents of a file arriving in the Incoming Mail folder and whether EIMS processes the file.


Q: I'm trying to set up a mailing list. I have followed the QuickStart guide, but everytime I sent something out I get a reply that says "No document available". Does anyone have a clue what might be wrong?

A: Check that the documents are placed properly in their folders, the Docs folder in particular, and that the domain for the Bounce account is configured correctly. Be sure to include your domain with the bounce address. In a multi-domain environment, apply the AutoShare Hosts file as well.


Q: I have an auto-reply account which returns a default document. The problem is that the document looks all chopped up when it is sent. It looks as though it skips every other paragraph in the file.

A: You need to wrap the file with a hard return (CR) at the end of every line. The author of AutoShare was lazy when he wrote that part of the code and just never got around to enhancing it.


Q: What's the big deal about scripting anyway?

A: Scripting is about programs talking with each other. Not just within one and the same Mac, but across an entire AppleTalk network. From home you can dial up to a network via AppleTalk Remote Access and direct server software such as AutoShare through simple scripts written in AppleScript. File Sharing does not have to be turned on, no software with a cryptic command line interface is needed, and no separate software controlling and taking over the server's monitor is called for.


Q: But I prefer an application with an attractive user interface.

A: The AutoShare Admin is what you're looking for. It communicates with AutoShare through scripting and as such may be used for both local and remote administration.


Q: The Admin keeps asking for the FaceSpan extension, although it is installed.

A: If the Admin is asking for the FaceSpan extension, even though you have installed it in the System 7 savvy Extensions folder and restarted the Mac, try the complete Admin with a built-in FaceSpan extension. You can download it from here.


Q: Where is AutoShare.68k?

A: If you get the Where is AutoShare.68k? dialog repeatedly when starting up the Admin application, rename the AutoShare application on the disk to AutoShare.68k. When AutoShare and the Admin are on the same Mac, it applies to the running AutoShare, and if the Admin is running remotely, it applies to the AutoShare simply residing on the remote disk (perhaps preferably in the same folder as the Admin) for reading the AppleEvents dictionary.


Q: Is a CGI able to communicate with AutoShare?

A: Yes. A CGI (Common Gateway Interface) may talk with AutoShare via Apple events. The Scripts folder inside the Samples folder contains a simple CGI written in AppleScript.


Q: The AutoShare Talk list must be have dealing with many more questions and answers besides the ones above?

A: Yes, most definitely! The list contributions are available via the archives. For a list of archives, write to autoshare@frutiger.staffs.ac.uk with a body of index autoshare-talk and obtain individual archive files thru the GET command. The AutoShare Talk archives are also directly available at http://frutiger.staffs.ac.uk/autoshare/archives/. If you want a particular Q&A included in this AutoShare FAQ, please mail it to me, and I'll add it. Thanks!


Last updated on September 8 1997 by Mikael Hansen