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MacWelcome™ 1.2 instructions
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Text File
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1988-09-20
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7KB
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148 lines
MacWelcome¬ version 1.2
by Chris Klugewicz
Copyright ⌐1988 by Chris Klugewicz/All rights reserved.
(Portions copyright ⌐1986 by THINK Technologies, Inc.)
CHANGES SINCE LAST VERSION (1.1):
---------------------------------
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.
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). The only requirements
are that each line should end in a carriage return and should be no longer
than the width of your Mac's screen (Version 1.2 of MacWelcome doesn't format
the message text. I'm working on it.), and that the "WelcomeMessage" file
MUST be in the same folder as MacWelcome. Also, the file shouldn't be any
longer than 100 lines, as MacWelcome 1.2 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).
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.)
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 on CompuServe (via EasyPlex). Alternatively, you can contact me
by US Mail. (Both 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).
Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll reply via the same service (US Mail or
CompuServe) by which you sent me your question.
Chris Klugewicz CompuServe ID:
2704 East Towers Drive, #508 72437,3267
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 NOT free.
MACWELCOME IS NOT FREE?
-----------------------
No, it isn't. It's shareware, which means you can try it for a reasonable
length of time (up to 21 days); if you don't find it useful, just erase all
your copies of it and that's that. However, if you DO find it useful, send
$6.00 and your name and address to
Chris Klugewicz
2704 East Towers Drive, #508
Cincinnati, OH 45238
In return, you'll receive the latest version of MacWelcome on disk.
WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A PROGRAM I ALREADY HAVE?
----------------------------------------------
Aside from the fact that it's ethically questionable, using shareware programs
without paying the shareware fee discourages developers like me from working
on programs like MacWelcome. This, in turn, will decrease the number of
inexpensive, useful applications available for the Mac and drive already high
software prices even higher (as shareware is replaced by conventionally
marketed software). Besides, $6.00 is very reasonable.
ANY LEGAL MUMBO-JUMBO?
----------------------
Of course:
MacWelcome¬ is a trademark of Chris Klugewicz.
You may use this software on only one computer at a time, but you may make
as many copies (for personal use only, of course) of the software as you
like. If you want to use it on more than one machine at a time, you must pay
the shareware fee for each machine. (That is, if you want to use it on two
computers at the same time, you should pay $12.00.) For larger installations
with many computers, a site license fee may be negotiated; contact the author
for details.
DISTRIBUTION NOTE:
------------------
User groups and individual users are welcome to distribute MacWelcome freely
as long as the following conditions are met:
1) You MUST include this documentation (unchanged) with the program.
2) You may not charge anything for MacWelcome, other than a reasonable
service charge for disk duplication, postage and handling, etc.