Centaurus
LanPopUp (Version 2.3.2000)
Copyright (c) 2000-2001
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
02. General Overview
08. Program Files
09. Installation
10. Revisions
11. Uninstalling
12. Getting
Help
13. Copyright Notice and Warranty
LanPopUp is a unique
unlimited multi-user, real-time broadcast messaging system for local area
networks. The program has a simple
streamlined approach for sending and scheduling informational messages and
reminders to participating users or groups.
The user interface remains intuitive and uncluttered and is quickly
mastered by all users. Fast
dissemination of information aids to the success of the business and provides
productivity gains. This program does
not attempt to replace email systems, but rather to provide a means of
providing on-the-spot information to all participating
personnel.
This program was originally
designed for an inbound call center of an elective long distance telephone/ISP company
that required the ability to convey network status information to all call
center personnel.
The LanPopUp program uses
the WinSock User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to send messages. This is a connectionless protocol and there
is no explicit connection. Data 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.
All LanPopUp users must have full access to a common shared LanPopUp folder (usually located
on a file server) and the LanPopUp software must be installed on each of the
participating computers. There is no
limit to the amount of users that can participate.
LanPopUp can be configured to use one of two different system wide
profile types, Computer Name or Login Name.
When the profile is set for
Computer Name, all profiles stay with the computer, regardless of the login
name. This is usually used when you
have multiple users at the same computer performing the same function. When the profile is set for Login Name, the
user profiles are not computer dependent, but user dependent, which enables the
user to roam to different computers on the LAN and their individual profile
will follow them.
Any LanPopUp user can be set to work in one of two different modes
of operation, Client or Admin. The Client mode of operation can only receive
messages, while the Admin mode of operation can send and receive messages. The mode of operation can easily be
changed at any time and reinstalling the software is not necessary. Messages can be sent to selected member
groups or individual users. The
capability exists to setup 16 system wide groups. Users (clients and administrators) can be assigned to one or more
groups. A user must be logged on to the
network to receive or send messages.
All messages are saved in
the LanPopUp\Messages folder. All
instant messages are saved in an yyyymmddhhmmss.rtf format and 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 queue messages for the users. All instant messages that are sent use a signature type, Computer Name or
Login Name. This includes closing text in the message (“From:
username, date @ time” or “From: computername, date @ time”). This aids in providing accountability for
sent messages.
The ability exists to
create and save a message to be sent.
You can also schedule the saved message to be automatically sent at a
later time or at different time intervals if you have installed the LanPopUp
Scheduler program.
When a user
logs into their computer, the program looks in the users local LanPopUp.ini
file. This file contains information as
to where the common shared LanPopUp folder exists. It then looks for the LanPopUpUsr.dat file in this shared
folder. If you do not have a
connection to the LAN, the program will terminate. This is by design. Laptop
users may be mobile and not connected to the LAN. When the program loads, a
text note icon will be placed into your system tray. The color of this icon indicates the current mode of operation
for the participating user. Red
indicates the Client mode, and Blue indicates the Admin mode. Left clicking on this icon will bring set
the LanPopUp program visible.
When a user sends a message, a UDP broadcast message
is sent over the LAN. This message contains information about who sent the message, who
the message is intended for, the date and time the message was sent, and the
name of the message file. The actual
message text is not sent. This keeps
the broadcast message rather small. Any
computer that is running the LanPopUp program will receive this broadcast
message. The incoming broadcast message
is then parsed to determine if the message should be acted upon. If the message is for the logged on user, or
if the user is a member of a group that the message is intended for, message
processing will continue.
There are several special
control keys. These are as follows:
Ctrl+Alt+S – Opens the System Configuration window.
Ctrl+Alt+X - Unloads the
local 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 function you wish to perform.
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 (sent or
received), Cut Text, Copy Text, Paste Text, Delete Text, Font Size, Font Color,
Set Bold, Set Italic, Set Underline, Left Justify, Center Justify, Right
Justify, System Configuration, Scheduler, Send Message, and Exit.
You can set User Defaults.
These defaults set the outgoing message
text (font size, color, bold, italic, etc.), Incoming message sound, and the
send message default type (Groups or Users).
On all windows 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. Left
click with the mouse to make the selection, or if you wish to make multiple
selections, hold down the control key while clicking on the desired list items.
To print a message, click
on the desired message to print (outgoing or incoming), and then select File,
Print Message, or click on the printer icon.
Hot keys can perform most
command functions; this is accomplished by pressing Alt key plus the associated
underlined character of the command button.
03. System Configuration (Admin and Client mode)
Enter the system setup
mode by using the control key sequence “Ctrl+Alt+S” (The LanPopUp program must be
active and have the focus). This can be
done from any computer that has the software installed and loaded. If the program is not registered, you will
not be prompted for a password, however, if the program is registered, you will
be prompted for a password. This
password is unique to each installation and will be provided upon program registration. The system configuration window consists of
four tabs, Global Configuration, Group Configuration, User Profiles, and LAN PC
Control.
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.
Scheduler PC – The PC, if
any, which will be running the Scheduler Program.
Time Format – Time format
of the incoming message time stamp, 12 hr (2:30 pm) or 24 hr (14:30).
Profile Type – Login Name
or Computer Name.
Signature Type – Login
Name or Computer Name (The signature is automatically added to the end of any
instant message).
Show most recent message
1st – This sets the most recent message visible when you have
multiple messages in the message queue.
Backup data files – This
enables you to backup the 3 LanPopUp data files to the common shared
LanPopUp\backup folder. They are
identical to the data files, except that the file extension .dat is changed to
a sequence number (001, 002, 003, etc.).
Group Configuration:
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 one or more of
these groups for receiving group messages.
By default, any user that does not have a profile will receive any
messages sent to the group All Users.
User Profiles:
Login and Name or Computer and Description (depends on the global
configuration Profile type).
User mode – Sets user
mode of operation; Client or Admin.
Notify mode – Sets user
mode of message notification; Flash Task bar or Set Foreground (in your face
popup).
Group Membership – Group
or groups that a user belongs to.
User Send List – Add
Login Name or Computer Name to the Send Message List. This enables the ability to send a message to an individual user.
LAN PC Control:
Unloads LanPopUp, Force User Log-Off, Force Computer Reboot, Force
Computer Shut Down, Shell Application, Play Wav File, and send Dialog Message
Box (Information, Exclamation, Question, or Critical), These functions will not
affect the PC you are using unless you check the check box for Enable control
message on this PC.
When using Shell Application or Play Wav File, if the file does not
exist in LanPopUp folder or your search path, you must provide the full path to
the file. If the file is not found,
nothing will happen on the users PC.
These operations can be performed on selected groups or
users. These functions were added to
LanPopUp to aid in managing the computers on a LAN. Use with extreme caution, you could shut down all computers on a
LAN that have the LanPopUp program loaded with just a few clicks of a mouse. A password is required and will be provided
if requested.
04. Sending a Message (Admin mode only)
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 Admin User Defaults, but these can be altered on
the fly. You can set the font size (10
to 24), font color, text bold, text italic, text underline, and 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.
To create a message,
click on the new message icon, or select File, New Message. Messages can be composed and immediately
sent or saved for sending later. You
can also drag and drop text and images into the outgoing message text box.
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 window. 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 window.
Depending on your Admin User Defaults configuration, you will have a
listing by Group or Login, but you can select the other. Now select the users that you wish to send
the message. If you wish to send to
multiple users, use the Ctrl key and click on the desired users. Then, click send.
05. Scheduling a Message (Admin
mode only)
To use message
scheduling, the LanPopUp Scheduler program must be running on a PC somewhere on
the LAN. This PC must be logged on to the
network and have access to the common shared LanPopUp folder.
When you select the
Scheduler window, the LanPopUp program will attempt to communicate with the
scheduler program. If it is successful,
then you will receive a status message indicating that the Scheduler is
active. If the scheduler program is not
running, or is unreachable, you will receive a status message indicating the
Scheduler is not active (you can still add or update scheduled messages).
To schedule a message to
be sent at a later time or at different time intervals, you must 1st
create the message and save it. Then,
select the Scheduler, the schedule type (Once, Days, or Daily), and set the
desired time settings. Next, select the
previously saved message file and the users that you want to send the message
to, then click Add. You can also update
previously saved scheduled records or delete them.
Upon closing the
Scheduler window, a message is sent to the Scheduler program to refresh the
scheduler listing.
When a scheduled message
is sent, it first checks for the existence of the previously saved message
file. If the message file does not
exist, or is unreachable, then the File Status of the scheduled message will be
labeled Unavailable.
06. Receiving a Message (Admin
and Client mode)
All messages received for
the logged on user are added to the users message queue. The method of message notification depends
on the users Notify Mode setting. If
the Notify Mode is set for Flash Task, then the LanPopUp program name will be
added to your task bar and will begin to flash, indicating that it requires
attention. If the users Notify Mode is
set for Set Foreground, then the LanPopUp window will be set in the foreground,
(in your face popup). Message
notification takes place every time a message is received, even if there are
already messages in the message queue.
After deleting the
current displayed message, the next message in queue, if any, will be
displayed. The ability exists to move
previous and move next though these messages that has not been deleted. Each message that is received, has a
signature that indicates who originated the message; along with the date and
time it was sent.
An alert sound will
play every time there is an incoming message.
In the Admin mode, you can add additional wav files in the local
computers LanPopUp folder, then use User Defaults from the menu bar to select
the sound you would like to use.
For users running in the Client mode of operation, deleting the last
message in queue will automatically close the LanPopUp window.
A computer with a Pentium
166 MHz processor (or higher)
Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000
At least 32 MB of RAM
At least 10 MB of disk space
Network card, with the
TCP/IP protocol installed and bound to the network card
800 x 600 or greater
resolution monitor with a 256-color setting or better
These system files are
installed in your windows system folder if they do not exist, or if the
existing installed files are older versions:
Msvbvm60.dll – Core
Visual Basic 6.0 Virtual Machine
Richtx32.ocx - Rich Text
OCX
Riched20.dll – Rich Text
Edit Control
Dlgobjs.dll – Dialog
Objects Automation Library
Mscomctl.ocx - Common
Controls ActiveX Control DLL
Mscal.ocx - Calendar
Control
Mswinsck.ocx - Winsock
Control
Olepro32.dll - OLE
Automation
Oleaut32.dll – OLE
Automation
Stdole2.tlb - OLE
Automation
Asycfilt.dll - OLE
Automation
Comcat.dll - Component
Category Manager
These files are installed
in the selected user installation folder (LanPopUp):
LanPopUp.exe - Program
file
LanPopUp.ini -
Initialization file
LanPopUp.wav -
Notification wav file
These files will be
created in the common shared LanPopUp folder the 1st time you enter
the System Configuration window:
LanPopUpSys.ini - System
initialization file
LanPopUpGrp.dat - Group
data file
LanPopUpUsr.dat - User
data file
These files are installed
in the selected user installation folder (LanPopUp) if you install the LanPopUp
Scheduler:
LanPopUpSch.ini –
Initialization file
LanPopUpSch.exe – Program
file
This file will be created
in the common shared LanPopUp folder the 1st time you run the
LanPopUp Scheduler:
LanPopUpSch.dat – Scheduler
data file
09. Installation (step-by-step)
Step 1 - Create a common
shared folder (usually on a file server), called LanPopUp. All participating users must have
full access to this folder. Unzip the LanPopUp23.zip to this folder. Nine files will be extracted, data1.cab,
data1.hdr, data2.cab, Ikernel.ex_, layout.bin, setup.exe, setup.ini, setup.inx,
and LanPopUp.htm (this help file). All
installations should be done from this common shared LanPopUp folder. The setup program uses this location to set
the data path for the LanPopUp client initialization file (LanPopUp.ini).
Step 2 - To install the
software, from the computer where you want to install LanPopUp, run the setup.exe
from the common shared LanPopUp folder.
The setup program will install the necessary program files and create
the clients LanPopUp.ini file (do this for each computer that you want to
install LanPopUp). If you choose to run the
setup program from a different location other than the common shared LanPopUp
folder, you will have to edit the
default shared folder location, or choose browse, to select the shared common
folder during the installation process.
During the installation process, a shortcut to the LanPopUp program will
be placed in the Programs Startup group.
Step 3 -
Activate the program by left clicking on the icon in the system tray. Click on the program title bar to make the
window active, and then use the key sequence Ctrl+Alt+S to bring up the System
Setup window (you can do this from any workstation the has the LanPopUp program
running).
Step 4 - Set the Global Configuration:
1. UDP Socket, accept the default.
2. Message Retention Days, accept the default.
3. Scheduler PC, if you will be using the LanPopUp Scheduler, set
this field to the computer name of the PC that will be running the scheduler.
4. Time Format (12hr or 24hr), sets the format that is used to
time stamp the message that is sent.
5. Profile Type (Login Name or Computer Name), set for
Computer Name if all profiles stay with the computer regardless of the login
name, or set for Login Name if all profiles are not computer dependent, but
user dependent, enabling the user to roam to different computers on the LAN and
allowing their individual profile to follow them.
6. Signature Type (Login Name or Computer Name), sets “From:
username, date @ time” in the message closing text, where username is the login
name or the computer name.
7. Click Update
Step 5 - Define global group names (Administration, Call Center,
Tech Support, etc.), and then click Update.
Step 6 - Define users profile: (Captions will change depending on
global configuration Profile Type), Do this for each user that
you want to set up.
1. Login name or Computer name.
2. User Name or Computer Description (this is not
necessary, but makes user maintenance easier if you use non-descriptive login
or computer names).
3. User mode, Client or Admin.
4. Notify mode, Flask Task Bar or PopUp (set
foreground, in your face).
5. User Send List, enables individual users to be
listed on the send list.
6. Group Membership, select groups that a user
belongs to.
7. Click Add.
If a users profile is not
added to the database, they will default to the All Users group and will
receive any messages sent to that group.
Whenever a user record has been added or updated, a
message is sent to that user causing the users profile to be reloaded.
Step 7 – If you will be using the LanPopUp Scheduler program, you
must install the LanPopUp Scheduler on the PC that will be running the
scheduler. This PC must have access to
the common shared LanPopUp folder, and must always be logged on to the
network. Both the LanPopUp and LanPopUp
Scheduler programs use the same system files.
The scheduler will automatically run when a user logs on to the
computer that has the LanPopUp Scheduler installed (It will place a clock icon
in the system tray).
Note: There can only be one running instance of the LanPopUpSch
program. If this is not the computer
that has been set in the global configuration as the Scheduler PC, you will
receive an error message when the program starts.
Version 2.2.2021
1. Modified GetUserName
and GetComputerName functions to allow ASCII characters 32 ~ 127.
2. Enhanced the System
Configuration window.
3. Enhance the Send Message
window.
4. Enhanced the System
Control window.
5. Fixed registration key
entry problem.
6. Added the ability to
read previous or next messages.
7. Remove restriction of
32 messages in queue.
8. Added the ability to
schedule messages for later delivery (LanPopUpSch).
Version 2.2.2022
1. Increased System
Control Shell Application & Play Wav File fields to 128 characters.
Version 2.3.2000 (current
release)
1. Added password
function for entering the System Configuration window (only functional when
LanPopUp is registered).
2. Relocated the LAN PC
Control window to the System Configuration window.
3. Added the option “Show
most recent message 1st”, to the Global Configuration window.
4. Added Users Profile
auto-update function. It is no longer
necessary for a client to reload LanPopUp to update the users profile.
5. Utilize InstallShield
for program installation.
If you do not have the
current version, you can go to www.centsoft.ws/lanpopup.htm,
download the current version, and unzip the LanPopUp23.zip to the common shared
LanPopUp folder. To install the current
version, from each computer where LanPopUp has been installed, run the
Setup.exe from the common shared LanPopUp folder. The setup program will install the necessary program files.
Note: You do not have to
uninstall any previous versions, any updated files will be replaced and any new
files will be added. Data files are not
disturbed. There is no additional cost
involved with these updates.
If you have installed
previous versions of LanPopUp you should delete the previous setup programs,
LanPopUpSetup.exe and LanPopUpSchSetup.exe, from the common shared LanPopUp
folder if they exist, as they are no longer required.
If you wish to uninstall the LanPopUp Client:
Unload the
LanPopUp program; click on the LanPopUp icon in the system tray, click the
title bar to make the window active, and then use the key sequence Ctrl+Alt+X
to unload the program. Now click Start,
Settings, Control Panel, and then Add/Remove Programs. Select LanPopUp and click Change/Remove.
If you wish
to remove the LanPopUp Scheduler:
Unload the
LanPopUp Scheduler program; click on the LanPopUp Scheduler icon in the system
tray, click the title bar to make the window active, and then use the key
sequence Ctrl+Alt+X to unload the program.
Now click
Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then Add/Remove Programs. Select LanPopUp Scheduler and click
Change/Remove.
If you are completely removing LanPopUp from your LAN, you should
delete the common shared LanPopUp folder.
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.
13. Copyright Notice and Warranty
Copyright Notice:
Centaurus LanPopUp,
Version 2.3, Copyright ©
2000-2001, Centaurus Software Design,
All Rights reserved.
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.
You
have rights for all updates, which may contain fixes and/or enhancements. These are free and there will never be any
charges. We provide, via email, updated
information to all users: those who have registered the program, and for those
who have expressed interest in the program.
If you do not wish to receive information on these updates, please let
us know and we will remove you from our users list.