Centaurus LanPopUp (Version 2.2)

Copyright (c) 2000 Centaurus Software Design, All Rights reserved

This file contains important information about the LanPopUp program. Please read this entire file, from top to bottom.

Table of Contents

01. General Description

02. General Overview

03. Program Operation

04. System Configuration

05. Sending a Message

06. Receiving a Message

07. System Requirements

08. Program Files

09. Installation

10. Getting Help

11. Revisions

12. Uninstalling

13. Program Registration

14. Copyright Notice, Distribution License, and Warranty

01. General Description

LanPopUp is an unlimited multi-user, network peer-to-peer broadcast messaging system that is very easy-to-use and has a simple streamlined approach to sending messages to participating computers on a local area network. The user interface remains intuitive and uncluttered. The program w as originally created for an elective telephone service call center, where there was a need to convey network status information to all call center personnel.

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02. General Overview

All LanPopUp users must have full access to a fileserver folder (LanPopUp) and the LanPopUp software must be installed on each of the participating PC’s.

Any LanPopUp user can be set to work in one of two different modes of operation, the Client or the Administrator. The Client mode of operation can only receive messages, while the Administrator mode of operation can send and/or receive messages. The mode of operation can easily be changed at any time, reinstalling the software is not necessary. Messages are sent to selected member groups or individual users. The capability exists to setup 16 system wide groups. LanPopUp users (clients and administrators) can be assigned to one or more groups. A user must be logged on to receive messages; thirty-two unread messages can remain in queue for each user.

When a message is sent, the message is saved in the LanPopUp\Messages folder on the server, then a broadcast message is sent to the LanPopUp users, which contains who the message is intended for, along with the name of the message file to open. The actual message text is not sent. This keeps the broadcast message rather small.

User profiles are not pc dependent which enables the user to roam to different PCs and their individual profile will follow them.

The LanPopUp program uses the WinSock User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to send messages. This is a connectionless protocol and there is no explicit connection. D ata is sent across the network without worrying about whether a data connection has been made. Think of it as a radio broadcast. The broadcaster does not know if anyone is listening, but will still sent the signal. The recipient will only hear the broadcast if he's tuned into the proper channel, or in our case, the port.

On all forms which contain list boxes, you can use the Home key to bring you to the top of the list, the End key to bring you to the bottom of the list, the Page Up or the Page Down keys to move incrementally thru the list, or the up/down arrow keys to move one list item at a time.

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03. Program Operation

When you log on to your computer, a note will be placed into your system tray. The color of this note indicates the current mode of operation for the participating PC. Red indicates the Client mode, and Blue indicates Administrator mode. Left clicking on this icon will bring up the LanPopUp program.

Admin Mode Only:

To select a menu item on the menu bar with the keyboard, press ALT key to select the menu bar and the letter that is underlined in the menu name that contains the command you want. In the menu that appears, press the letter underlined in the command name that you want.

By placing your mouse over the icons on the tool bar, you will receive information on the command button function. These icons are: New Message, Save Message, Save Message, Clear Message, Print Message; send or message, Cut Text, Copy Text, Paste Text, Delete Text, Message Stamp Text, Font Size, Font Color, Set Bold, Set Italic, Set Underline, Left Justify, Center Justify, Right Justify, Send Message, and Exit.

There are several special control keys. These are as follows:

Ctrl+Alt+S Global System Setup: UDP Socket, Message Retention Days, User Groups,

Users (Login Names, User Name, Notify Mode (Flash Task or Set Foreground), User Mode (Client or Admin), and Add to User Send List. (Admin and Client mode)

Ctrl+Alt+X Unloads the local LanPopUp program. (Admin and Client mode)

Ctrl+Alt+C System Control: (affects all pc’s that have LanPopUp loaded) Unloads LanPopUp, Force User Log-Off, Force Computer Reboot, and Force Computer Shut Down. These operations can be performed on selected groups or users. Use with caution, a password is required. (Admin mode only)

You can set the local User Defaults: These are the message text which is used whenever sending a new message (Font size, color, bold, italic), Text Stamp (for signing your name), Incoming message sound, Selected send message type (Groups or Users)

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04. System Configuration

Enter the system setup mode by using the control key sequence “Ctrl+Alt+S” (The LanPopUp program must be active). This can be done from any PC that has the software installed and loaded. The system configuration form allows you to setup or change the following:

Global Configuration: UDP Socket - WinSock User Datagram Protocol (UDP) socket used to send messages.

Message Retention Days – Number of days from the current day that instant messages will remain in the messages folder.

Time Format – Time format of incoming message time stamp, 12 hr (2:30 pm) or 24 hr (14:30).

Global Groups: Global group names – Names of global groups (16 max). The 1st group is predefined as “All Users”, and cannot be changed. Users can be assigned to these groups for receiving group messages.

Users: Login – User Login name.

Name – User Name (not necessary, but makes user maintenance easier if you use codes for a login name).

User mode – User mode of operation, Client or Admin.

Notify mode – User mode of message notification, Flash Task or Set Foreground.

Group Membership – Group or groups that a user belongs to. You can select groups by clicking on the list item.

User Send List – Add Login name to Login Send Message List.

Plan your installation before setting up groups and assigning users.

If a user is not added to the database, they will default to the “All Users” group and receive any messages sent to that group.

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05. Sending a Message

Messages can be formatted and are editable using standard editing procedures. When you create a new message, it will initially use the message formatting as set up in the User Defaults, but these can be altered. You can set the font size (10 to 24), font color, set text bold, set text italic, set text underline, and set text alignment (left, center, or right). The message font is set as Arial and cannot be changed. We believe it’s one of the easiest fonts to read.

All messages are saved in the LanPopUp\Messages folder. Messages can be composed and immediately sent as a instant message or saved for sending later. All instant messages are saved in an yyyymmddhhmmss.rtf format. They will remain in the LanPopUp\Messages folder for the period of time as specified by the Message Retention Days value. This enables the ability to place messages for in queue for users.

To save a message, enter the text, click the Save icon (or on the menu bar, select File, Save Message, give the message a name, and click Save. To open a message file, select the Folder icon (or on the menu bar, select File, Open Message, select the desired file, and click Open. The ability exists to preview saved messages if you check the Preview checkbox on the Open File form. You can also check the Show hidden message files to preview instant messages that have been previously sent and are within the time period as specified by the message retention days.

After you have created (or opened a previously saved message), click the Send icon (or on the menu bar, select Send Message). You will be presented with the Send Message form. Depending on your system configuration, you will have a listing by Group or Login (user login name), but you can select the other. Select the groups or logins that you wish to send the message. You can do this by either clicking on the list item, or using the up and down arrows and using the space bar to toggle the desired selection. Then, click send.

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06. Receiving a Message

The method of notification depends on the Notify Mode setting. If the Notify Mode is set for Flash Task, then program name will be added to your task bar and will begin to flash, indicating that it requires attention. If the Notify Mode is set for Set Foreground, the LanPopUp form will popup (in your face). You can set the Incoming Message Sound, and the alert sound will play every time there is an incoming message. If you like, you can add additional wav files in the local LanPopUp folder, then use “User Defaults” from the menu bar to select the sound you would like to use (Admin Mode only).

The program will hold up to 32 messages in queue. By confirming a message read, the current message is removed from the queue and the next message is displayed. Each message indicates it source; the user who sent the message, along with the date and time it was sent. You cannot go back to a previous message after confirmation.

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07. System Requirements

A PC with a Pentium 100 MHz processor (or higher)

Windows 95/98/NT/2000

At least 16 MB of RAM

At least 16 MB of disk space

800 x 600 or greater resolution monitor with a 256-color setting or better

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08. Program Files

These system files will be installed in your \windows\system folder if they do not exist, or if the existing installed files are older versions:

Msvbvm60.dll Visual Basic 6.0 Virtual Machine

Msvcrt40.dll C Runtime Library Forwarder DLL

Richtx32.ocx Rich Text ocx

Mswinsck.ocx Winsock Control

Olepro32.dll OLE Property Support DLL

Oleaut32.dll OLE 2.20

Stdole2.tlb OLE 2.20

Asycfilt.dll OLE 2.20

Comcat.dll Component Category Manager Library

These files are installed in the selected user installation folder (LanPopUp):

LanPopUp.exe Program file

LanPopUp.wav Notification wav file

This file will be created in the selected user installation folder (LanPopUp) when you run LanPopUp for the 1st time.

LanPopUp.ini Initialization file

These files will be created in the selected shared network folder (LanPopUp) the 1st time you enter the System Configuration form:

LanPopUpSys.ini System initialization file

LanPopUpGrp.dat Group data file

LanPopUpUsr.dat User data file

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09. Installation

Create a shared network folder called “LanPopUp”. Unzip the LanPopUp22.zip to this folder. Two files will be extracted; SetupLanPopUp.exe and LanPopUp.htm, which is the help file. All PC LanPopUp installations must be done from the shared network folder.

To install the software, run the SetupLanPopUp.exe for each PC that you want to install the LanPopUp program. The setup program will install the necessary program files.

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10. Getting Help

We are very interested in feedback about the LanPopUp program. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or difficulty in installing or using this program, you can contact us via email. Our address is support@centsoft.ws. We will respond within 24 hours.

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11. Revisions

There are no current revisions for this release.

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12. Uninstalling

To remove the LanPopUp program from the users pc, activate the LanPopUp program by clicking on the LanPopUp icon in the system tray, and then load the program by the control keys Ctrl+Alt+X. This will unload the program, Next, run the Unstall program that is located in the same folder where the program was installed (default LanPopUp). To remove the program and supporting files from the file server, delete the shared LanPopUp folder.

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13. Program Registration

This program is an unregistered version for evaluation use only. It is distributed as Shareware, which is based on the honor principal allowing you to try before you buy. You may use this program for a trial period of 30 days at no cost. After this evaluation period, you will no longer be able to send messages until the program is registered. To register, send a request for registration by selecting Help, About, and then double clicking on the registration email address. Include within the body of the email, your name, mailing address, and email address. We will reply back with registration instructions. Upon receiving your request for registration and the one time registration fee of $199.00, you will receive a registration key with instructions to register the program. This will eliminate this registration reminder screen from appearing every time you start the program, and enable the ability to send messages.

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14. Copyright Notice, Distribution License, and Warranty

Copyright Notice: Centaurus LanPopUp,

Version 2.2, Copyright © 2000, Centaurus Software Design,

All Rights reserved.

Distribution License (Zip file):

Centaurus LanPopUp may be freely distributed via Online Services or Shareware Venders, provided that the LanPopUp22.zip file is not altered in any way.

Warranty:

The Centaurus LanPopUp program is believed to be accurate and reliable. The authors assume no responsibility for its use. This software is provided as is and without warranties as to performance, or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which this program may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The user must assume the entire risk of using this software.

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