Technotools/Technotools (Chestnut CD-ROM)(1993).ISO/os2tools/alrmpro1/english.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1992-10-11 | 23KB | 727 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About Alarm Pro ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Alarm Pro Information Manager

WalkerWerks
572 Sabine
Memphis, Tn. 38117
[phone]
Compuserve 70304,2705
(C) Copyright 1992 all rights reserved


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Welcome to Alarm Pro version 1.0. With Alarm Pro you have a DeskTop clock,
personal information manager, and event schedular. It maintains a database of
events with up to 200 events scheduled per day. Send yourself reminders, notify
groups of meetings, or have applications run unattended at the proper time.
This is a fully 32 bit OS/2 2.0 application. It will not run on version 1.x.
Menu Help

Brought to you by:

WalkerWerks
572 Sabine
Memphis, Tn. 38117
[phone]
Compuserve 70304,2705


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This program is provided as is. The author accepts no liability for damages, or
loss of income caused directly or indirectly through the use of this program.

This program is SHAREWARE all rights and priviledges provided by law are
reserved by WalkerWerks and the author. Registered users will receive a
registered copy and one update when available.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Registering ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Alarm PRO

This program is not FREEWARE. Registeration is $45 U.S. per copy. Site licenses
can be negotiated on request. Registered users will receive a registered copy
and one update when available. The Shareware version may only be used for a 60
day trial period.

Note:  Please include a personal contact and the version number you are
registering.
Send Registration to:

Bryan Walker DBA WalkerWerks
572 Sabine
Memphis, Tn. 38117
Compuserve 70304,2705


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Calendar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The calendar displays the current month. Each day is displayed as a button. To
select a given date press the corresponding button. To move to other months use
the  button to move forward one month at a time and the  button to move
backward.  The  and  buttons will move you forward and backward,
respectively, by years. The  button will return you to the current month and
year. Once you select a date you will go to the schedule event or todo list for
that date, depending on where you selected the calendar option.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Scheduling Events ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every event starts here. In this dialog you enter the time and date for the
event. You also specify the type of event and the frequency. Your choices here
will determine the options that follow for completing the setup of a new event.
Options for this Dialog.

o Hour

  Sets the hour for the selected event. Use 12 or 24 hour time depending on
  your setup.  With 12 hour format use the AM PM buttons.

o Minute

  The minute for the selected event.

o Month

  The month in which the event is to occur. For daily\weekly recurring events
  this will be automatically updated when the event is scheduled.

o Day

  The day on which an event is to occur. Automatically updated for daily\weekly
  events. Monthly events will enter the day on another dialog.

o Year

  The year for an event to occur. This is completed automatically for monthly
  and daily\weekly events.

o Personal or All

  If you entered a system name for your copy of Alarm Pro select Personal to
  have the event only scheduled on your system. All will cause any system using
  the active event file to have the event scheduled. See Setting Search Files
  for more on the System Name.

o Reminder or Application

  Select reminder to schedule a message or application to start an program at
  the given time.

o One Time or Recurring

  Select wether the event is to occur only one time or should happen at
  specific intervals. Recurring events can be scheduled Annually, Monthly, one
  or more times a Week, or Daily.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Application ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You have requested to schedule an application for launching at a given date and
time. Enter the application name complete with drive and path in the first edit
field.  Any parameters to pass to the program go in the second edit field.  The
working directory is entered in the last edit field. A working directory is the
active directory for an application, such as being in your DOC directory and
starting your word processor even though the program is in another directory.

 The parameter and working directory information is optional. To locate a
specific program select the search button. This displays a dialog to allow you
to scan through your system for the correct application. If you select an
application it will automatically be entered into the Program field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.2. Reminder ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Type the reminder text in the displayed Edit field. This text will be displayed
at the selected time and date along with an audible alarm to get your
attention.

The CUST button will bring up the list of contacts and allow you to tag a
Customer to the reminder. This is the same as selecting the Cust check box in
the ToDo list. However the ToDo list reminders are only one time. For repeating
events such as Birthdays schedule the reminder here and set the recurring
frequency.

o Recuring Events

  Click the button corresponding to the type of recurring event you want to
  schedule.

o Day of Week

  Select the day(s) of the week for an event to occur on.  Select from 1 to all
  7 days for the given event. Select by clicking the appropriate buttons to
  black.

o Day of the Month

  Enter the day of the month for a monthly event to occur on. For end of the
  month events enter 31. Alarm Pro will automatically account for months with
  less days.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.3. Setting Search Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Alarm Pro will search up to 3 event files for scheduled reminders and
applications. Enter the three files in the provided Edit Fields. The first
event file is where all ToDo reminders are placed if they are not marked for
"ALL".  Use the search button at the end of each field to assist in locating
event files. Entering the name of a file that does not exist will create that
file.

The System Name edit field is used to schedule personal events. Enter a name
that will be unique among the users sharing event files. If "ALL" is not
selected the event will be scheduled with this name. Only the system(s) with
this name will schedule these events. If you do not provide a system name every
event will be scheduled as "ALL".


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Editing Events ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Database dialog provides access to all scheduled events. The system will
retrieve events from the first database in your search list or the last
database opened. Use the NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons to move through the
scheduled events. All events are displayed but you cannot save changes to
events that are scheduled under another personal name. The number of events and
selected event, the system name, and the event type are listed to the left. The
active event database is listed at the top of the dialog. You may change any
information in the Edit Fields and the radio buttons for the days of the week.

The action buttons are listed below. If a particular action is not valid that
button will be disabled.

o NEXT

  Move to the next record in the database.

o PREVIOUS

  Move back to the previous record.

o DELETE

  Delete the displayed event.

o SAVE

  Save the changes made to this record.

o EXIT

  leave the event editing dialog.

o HELP

  Display this help panel.

o OPEN

  Search for and edit another event file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Setting System Time ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Click on the appropriate field to change (ie. Hour, minute, or second). Once
the field is highlighted press the up and down arrows to change the value.
Select SET to accept the changes and reset the computers system time and date.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Clock Settings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Preferences dialog allows you to set the preferences for the different
parts of the clock face. Select the part to change by clicking on the radio
button for that part (i.e. Second Hand). Then click on the desired color for
that part. In addition you may elect to have the title bar display the date or
digital time.

To change the size of the clock use the mouse to drag the edges of the window
to the desired size. Move the window to your prefered position on the screen.
When you save the changes the size and position will also be saved.

Note:  The changes are automatically saved if you shutdown OS/2 or Alarm Pro.

The Setting Options are as follows:

o Background

  Click on this radio button to change the color of the rectangular background.
  Then click the desired color from the color options below the Clock Parts
  group.

o Face

  Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's circular face.

o Hour hand

  Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's Hour Hand.

o Minute hand

  Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's Minute Hand.

o Hour Tick Marks

  Click on this radio button to change the color of the Hour Marks.

o Display Format

  Chose from an analog or digital clock. The digital clock has both 12 and 24
  hour formats available.

o Title Bar Display

  Choose the desired date format for displaying the current date in the
  titlebar.  If the clock is minimized this will display as the icon text.

o Hourly Chime

  Click on this checkbox to activate or de-activate the hourly chime option. If
  active Alarm Pro will produce an audible sound at the top of each hour.

o FRQ

  Enter the frequency for the hourly chime. The default is 545Mhz. Any value
  from 37 to 3000 is valid.

o DUR

  Enter the duration for the hourly chime. The default is 400. The value is in
  1/100 seconds.

o CNT

  Enter the number of chimes (beeps) to sound each hour. The default is 2.

o Listen

  Press this button to hear the settings you have chosen for the hourly chime.

o Working Directory

  This is the default directory for the system default databases. These
  databases are created when no others have been opened. This is also where all
  searchs for files begins when a SEARCH or OPEN button is selected.

o Minutes to Return

  Reminders have a RETURN button which acts much like the "snooze" button on an
  Alarm Clock, causing the reminder to come back again in a few minutes. Enter
  the number of minutes to wait before the reminder returns.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Types of Events ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Alarm Pro currently has 2 types of events. Reminder messages that pop up to
remind you of important information and applications (programs) that can be
scheduled to start unattended at specific times on a one time or recurring
basis.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Glossary ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Definitions for some commonly used terms in the help text:

o Accelerator keys - Key stroke combinations that carry out a command such as
  saving changes.

o Alt+ - Carry out actions through Accelerator Keys by holding the ALT key down
  at the same time as pressing the designated text key.

o Application - The executable file such as CMD.EXE. Most applications end with
  .EXE although some may end with .COM.

o Box - The rectangular areas where text is to be typed in. Such as the line
  where you enter your reminder text.

o Button - The rectangular gray blocks with commands such as Save. To carry out
  the command without using the mouse you can TAB to the button or press Alt+
  the underlined letter.

o Click - The act of placing the mouse pointer (arrow) on a button and pressing
  the left mouse button to select the item.    It is also possible to click on
  a button by moving the focus to that button and pressing enter or pressing
  ALT+ the underlined letter.

o Command Line - Options sent to an application by entering them at the prompt
  behind the name of the program such as COPY A:\*.*. Here A:\*.* would be the
  command line.

o Dialog Box - The rectangular areas that appear on the screen asking for
  information or notifying you of errors or messages.  The Event Schedule is an
  example of a common dialog box type.

o Edit Field - See Box.

o Field - See Box.

o Focus - An item has the focus if keystroke and mouse actions will take place
  against it. When an edit field has the focus a vertical bar cursor appears.
  When most types of buttons have the focus they are surrounded by a black
  broken line. The window that has the current focus is usually brighter on the
  edge (frame) than the other windows appearing on the PC's screen.

o Path - The complete name of the directory where a file or program physically
  exists. This can include the drive letter. The syntax is D:\dir\subdir where
  D is the drive letter.

o Program - See Application.

o Radio Button - The small circle to the left of a word such as AM. Commonly
  used to select one or more choices from a group of common options. If the
  circle is one color (usually gray) the item is not selected. If the center is
  darkened the item has been selected.

o TAB - Pressing the tab key to move you to the next item such as a Field or
  Button. Pressing the Shift and Tab key together will move you backwards
  through the items.

o Text Field - See Box.

o Window - Most rectangular areas on the screen are actually windows, however
  the term usually implies the main window for an application.  Areas that can
  be sized and have the system menu and minimum and maximum buttons along the
  top of the programs display area are considered WINDOWS.

o Working Directory - The directory where you started a program. Often programs
  are physically located in one directory and run from another directory so
  that the data (such as word processor documents) are seperated from the
  program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Keys Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

At any Window Alt + the Underlined letter for an option will select that
action.  Alt + a letter means to hold the ALT key down and while still down
press the desired letter.

From the clock you can go directly to a menu option using the accelator keys
defined for that option.  They are

o ALT + A Display the Program Information ABOUT BOX.
o ALT + C Display the Contact Menu.
o ALT + D Bring up the ToDo list for today.
o ALT + E Display the Event Menu.
o ALT + H to toggle the menu and controls off and on.
o ALT + R for instructions on registering Alarm Pro.
o ALT + S to schedule an event.
o ALT + T Display the ToDo menu.
o ALT + U Display the Utilities Menu.
o ALT + V View\Edit the contact list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Starting Applications ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Starting OS/2 and DOS executables is straight forward and only requires that
you enter the path and name in the program field. For .CMD and .BAT files the
necessary changes are taken care of by Alarm Pro.

Windows programs must be handled differently. Instead of entering the desired
program in the program field you must enter the path and file name for
WINOS2.COM. Pass the program's name and parameters in the parameters field for
WINOS2 to start the application.

Note:  All applications are started in the background. DOS and Windows programs
are, by default, full screen so will not be immediately visible. Use the Window
List to switch to the new program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Todo Reminder file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You have selected to post a reminder to "ALL". Select the event file to add the
event to. If the event is scheduled for today other users of this file will NOT
schedule the event unless they restart Alarm Pro. To select the file click the
Radio Button beside the desired file name.

To schedule an event in a file your system does not search choose the OTHER
button. This event will NOT be scheduled by your copy of Alarm Pro.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. ToDo ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The todo list allows you to record up to 100 items of importance daily. List
your meetings, important events, etc. here.
The Controls are:

o Hour

  The hour for the ToDo item. This is required for the entry to be saved. If
  you are using 12 hour format also select the PM button for items from 12 noon
  till 11:59 pm.

o Min

  The minute for the item.

o PM

  Check if the item occurs between 12 noon and 11:59 PM. This will not appear
  if you are using 24 hour format.

o Note

  Your reminder of what the item is.

o Cust

  Checking this box will display a list of the current contact database. Select
  the desired contact. The record will be attached to the item. Now selecting
  the View Cust Detail button will display the contact information.

o All

  Select this BEFORE checking reminder to have a reminder scheduled for "ALL".
  When checked the list of Event files searched by your system will be
  displayed. You can then select the file to schedule the reminder in.

o Notify

  Check this to automatically add the item to your reminder events. If you
  selected all above it will be added to the selected file. If it is a personal
  reminder it is automatically added to the first event file searched by your
  system. The contact detail (if selected) is automatically attached to the
  reminder as well.

  Note:  All reminders scheduled from the todo list are ONETIME events. Items
  marked for "ALL" will not be scheduled by other systems until midnight so any
  event for "ALL" should be for the next day or later.

o Done

  Check this when the item is to be deleted at the next database pack. Only
  items marked by you as DONE will be deleted during a Pack.

o EXIT

  Leave the todo list and save the current items in the list.

o Open

  Open another todo file. If this file is not searched by your copy of Alarm
  Pro any personal reminders using it will not be scheduled.

o View Cust Detail

  View the contact information, if one has been attached to the todo item where
  the cursor is currently located. This can only be activated with the mouse.

o Help

  View this help panel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. Todo Specific Date ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the month, day, and year for the desired Todo list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 17. Contact ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Maintain files of contacts and customers. You can keep one list or multiple
lists. Contacts can be tied to your todo lists entries and reminders (both
onetime and recurring).

Note:  The current contact file name is displayed at the bottom of the dialog.

The controls are as follows:

o Name

  The contact or company name. This field is required for indexing and listing
  the contacts.

o Contact.

  For company entries an optional contact name.

o Address 1

  First line street address.

o Address 2

  Second line street address.

o City

  City or province.

o St

  State or any 2 character address such as country code.

o Zip

  7 to 9 digit Zip Code.

o Phone 1

  First phone number listing.

o Phone 2

  Second phone number listing.

o Comments

  a free form note field for other information.

o Save

  Save the current contact information.

o Undo

  undo any unsaved changes.

o New

  Clear the fields and use the next changes to create a new contact entry.

o Get

  List the contacts in the current database and select one to view or edit.

o Open

  Open another contact database for use.

o Exit

  Leave the contacts View/Edit dialog.

o Help

  Display this help panel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 18. Retrieve Contacts ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This dialog displays a list of the Contact names for the active contact list.
Select a contact by double clicking on the name or using the arrow keys to move
the selection bar onto the name and pressing enter.

To Delete a contact select the contact with a single mouse click or move the
selection bar over the desired contact. Then press the Delete button.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 19. Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The menu provides a way to get to the various options for Alarm Pro. Each item
can be reached by pressing Alt+ the underlined letter of the menu item. In
addition some options have an accelator key combination that will take you
directly to the option without going through a menu. The menu also appears in
the system menu because Alarm Pro will continue to function as an icon if you
choose minimize window to desktop under the settings-window of the Alarm Pro
Desktop Object Icon.

Note:  Running Alarm Pro minimized on the desktop disables automatic lockup.

The Menu Structure:

o Events Alt+E

  The events menu including:

   - Schedule Alt+S

     Schedule reminders and applications for onetime or repetative events.

   - Database

     Edit the events database.

   - Calendar

     Schedule events by choosing the date from a virtual calendar.

   - Set Search Files

     Select up to three event files for Alarm Pro to search when it schedules
     events each midnight.

   - List Today's Events.

     Display a list of the events that will occur today.

   - Review old events.

     If Alarm Pro notified you of missed events when you started the
     application and you wanted to hold them select this to review them and
     process repetative events for the next occurance.

o Contacts Alt+C

  The Submenu of Contact options.

   - View-Edit Alt+V

     Retrieve contact detail for viewing or editing.

   - List

     List the contents of the active contact list.

o ToDo Alt+T

  The Todo List submenu.

   - Today Alt+D

     View and edit todays todo list.

   - Specific Date.

     Enter the month day and year to view a specific date.

   - Calendar.

     Use a virtual calendar to select a todo list.

o Utilities Alt+U

   - Pack databases

     Pack the active database of the listed type (event, contact, todo).

   - Clock Settings

     Set the colors, display formats, and other options for Alarm Pro.

   - Time and Date

     Set your computer's system time and date.

   - Hide Controls Alt+H

     Hide or display the title bar, system menu, menu, and minimize and
     maximize buttons.

o Help F1

   - Help for Help

     Instructions on using the OS/2 help facility.

   - Keys Help

     Listing of the accelerator keys.

   - Help Index

     Index of Alarm Pro help topics.

   - About

     Program information dialog.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 20. Day of Month ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the day of the month for a monthly event to occur on. For end of the
month events enter 31. Alarm Pro will automatically account for months with
less days.