Agendas menu
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New agenda |
Create a new agenda. To add steps, highlight your new agenda on the left listbox, and choose Steps from the menu- then whatever you want to add |
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Save agendas |
Saves your currently selected agenda steps |
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Copy |
Copies all the agenda steps to another, new agenda |
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Delete |
Removes the agenda from AutoWinNet |
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Schedule Agenda to run later |
Launches Scheduler so you can plan to run this agenda at a later time |
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Run agenda now |
Launches the selected agenda, and runs those steps |
The steps menu is by far the most complex thing in AutoWinNet95. I tried to make it as simple as possible, but with so many features, that becomes very difficult. Each step and its parameters are listed below:
File Download
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FTP Site |
Site the file is located at (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account. |
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Path and filename |
Where the FTP file is located, path included (eg: /pub/games/newgame.zip)
Note : You can use wildcards. But your wildcard must have a period in the filename (file.zip). Filespecs like "file*" are not allowed, but "file*.*" would be ok. Also remember that Internet filenames are case sensitive. Valid examples of wildcards:/pub/upload/*.txt /incoming/loafer??.zip |
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Download Dir |
Local drive and directory to store this file. (eg: c:\download\myfiles) |
File Upload
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FTP Site |
Site the file is destined for (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account. |
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Local file(s) |
Local file you are uploading, path included (eg: c:\web\newfile.zip)
Note : You can use wildcards. But your wildcard must have a period in the filename (file.zip). Filespecs like "file*" are not allowed, but "file*.*" would be ok. Also remember that Internet filenames are case sensitive. Valid examples of wildcards:c:\upload\*.txt e:\cdrom\music??.zip |
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Remote path and filename |
Where the FTP file is destined for, path included (eg: /pub/games/newgame.zip)
Note : When uploading multiple files, only specify a pathname. Any filename placed here during a wilcard upload will be removed by AutoWinNet95 |
Make remote dir
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FTP Site |
Site where the directory is located (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account |
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New Directory Name |
What to name this new directory Note: You can relative path the new directory (eg: html_updates/mynewpath) |
Delete remote dir
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FTP Site |
Site where the directory is located (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account |
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Directory to delete |
Which remote directory to remove Note: You can only remove directories with no files in them. Use Delete Remote File if necessary before this step
Note : Wilcards are NOT allowed for deleting remote directories |
Rename remote file
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FTP Site |
Site where the file is located (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account |
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Old Path and filename |
Currently existing remote file (eg: /pub/myfile.zip) |
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New Path and filename |
New name for that remote file (eg: /pub/renamed.zip) Note: You can use this step to move files across directories on the remote system (eg: /pub/myfile.zip -> /users/Dave/download/cool.zip) |
Delete remote file
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FTP Site |
Site where the file is located (eg: ftp.cdrom.com) |
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User Name |
Usually 'anonymous' unless your provider has given you a login ID |
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Password |
If the above is 'anonymous', then use your Email address here. Otherwise, fill in the password for your FTP account. |
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Path and filename |
Filename to delete. If you logged in as anonymous, you probably don't have rights to delete the remote file
Note : You can use wildcards. But your wildcard must have a period in the filename (file.zip). Filespecs like "file*" are not allowed, but "file*.*" would be ok. Also remember that Internet filenames are case sensitive. Valid examples of wildcards:/pub/upload/*.txt /incoming/loafer??.zip |
Send new message
Click here for detailed help on sending messages and navigating the new mail dialog
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To |
Who to send it to (eg: dave@provider.com). Each address must be separated by a comma. You can also press the "…" button to the right for mailing lists. Valid examples:
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Subject |
Whassup Dave?! |
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CC |
Carbon copies to send (eg: dave@provider.com). Each address must be separated by a comma. You can also press the "…" button to the right for mailing lists. Valid examples:
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BCC |
Blind carbon copies to send (eg: dave@provider.com). Each address must be separated by a comma. You can also press the "…" button to the right for mailing lists. Valid examples:
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Attachments |
You can add unlimited file attachments to your message (both binary and text). Once added, they are displayed at the bottom of your message. Select one, then right click for an action menu.
Note : You can drag and drop file attachments from Windows95 Explorer or File Manager into the attachment box! |
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Mailing lists |
You can access your mailing lists by pressing the "…" button to the right of TO, CC, BCC fields. These are Eudora-style lists - one address per line. |
Get personal mail
Checks your mail server to see if you have anything waiting. AutoWinNet logs:
You can optionally launch your own personal mail reader if you have mail waiting!
To do this:
Cleanup server mailbox
This removes all mail waiting for you on the server.
Why would you need this?
Use Quick Mail
Click here to learn about Quick Mail
Email tech support
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Subject |
What your problem is |
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Message |
Give me details about the bug you found, or whatever problem you are having |
How do I handle multiple mailboxes?
See Multiple Mailbox section for details
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Nickname |
Each different Email account can have a "nickname" assigned to it. So if you have two Email accounts, one from MailBank, and one from your local provider, you could call the first: Mailbank - Dave And the second: Local Internet The nickname merely identifies the two different mailboxes |
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Server |
Your POP3 server for this mailbox |
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Username |
User name to login |
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Password |
Password needed to login |
Download web page or file
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WWW Site/File |
Site and path/filename to download.
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Download directory |
Where to place the downloaded file |
Post CGI Web Command
Note: CGI posting should only be used by intermediate to advanced web users.
For a detailed explanation of CGI posting, please click here.
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Location |
Web site and CGI filename to post command.
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Parameters |
CGI parameters to send, in name=value pairs, and without spaces. |
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Save Output As |
Where to place the resulting HTML file |
Fetch weather maps
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Download all weather maps |
Selects all the possible weather maps to download |
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(list of maps) |
Choose from the following AccuWeather maps to fetch:
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Store maps in Directory |
Where to place these. As a default, they will be put in a subdirectory of your AutoWinNet location called 'Weather Maps' |
Get Headline news
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News to get |
Choose which topics interest you from the listbox (you can select more than one) |
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Store in directory |
Where to place the downloaded html file |
Post Usenet News Article
This allows you to post a news article to a newsgroup, similarly to sending an Email, but much more public. You can optionally attach multiple file attachments, etc using the Email-like editor.
Post Usenet File(s)
Important: Files are posted in UUENCODed format, and larger files are NOT split up. Everything you post will be sent as a single file ( [1/1] format ), so please avoid posting huge files.
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Newsgroup |
Which Usenet discussion group to place your message
Note : You can have a file called GROUPS.TXT in your AutoWinNet95 directory containing your favorite Usenet binary groups. Pleae keep this file small, otherwise it will take four days to load the program! |
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File(s) to post |
Directory and filespec for uploading to the Usenet. Wildcards are supported. Valid examples:
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Subject |
Text to be displayed in the subject line (before the filename). If you chose "My favorite girls" as your subject, it will appear:
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Work Offline |
If you run many offline events
(eg: Copying local files, unzipping various archives, etc), this step can prevent AutoWinNet from unecessarily dialing your provider.
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Dial the Internet |
Dials, connects and login to your Internet Provider. Normally, this is not necessary since AutoWinNet automatically performs a connect before starting your agenda. However, you can use this step with Work Offline (above) for a greater level of customization. |
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Go offline |
Disconnect (hangup modem if needed) from your Internet Provider |
Zipfiles are merely compressed, single archives that contain multiple other files.
I have included Zip functionality to help people that do lots of archive management, in an attempt to make their
life easier. It is also useful for creating and maintaining file backups, handling downloaded Zip archives, etc.
AutoWinNet uses the PkZip 2.04 (r) high compression standard. As a default, maximum compression is used on all files except other archives (.zip, .zoo, .cab, .arc, etc)
For a complete explanation of Zip files and how they work, go here: Infozip home page
Or download the most popular Zip management program, WinZip: Winzip home page
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Add files to new or existing Zip |
Add filespec or file list specified to Zip. Each file is added separately. |
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Freshen files inside a Zip |
Only local files in the filespec or file list that have changed,
and are different than the same file currently stored in your Zip archive will be added.
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Update files inside a Zip |
Same as Freshen, but any new files that didn't exist before are added.
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Extract files from a Zip |
Extracts any files inside your Zip to the local drive you specify |
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Delete files inside a Zip |
Deletes the specified files from inside your Zip |
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Action |
Zip action to perform (pick from the list) |
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Zip file |
The Zip archive to modify by adding, deleting, extracting |
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Filespec |
What files to add, delete or extract to your Zip archive |
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Extract to |
If extracting files from a Zip, local directory to extract them to |
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Use full pathnames when adding/extracting |
When adding, this will store files plus pathnames. So instead of myfile.txt, the
Zip archive will have \mydirectory\myfile.txt
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Stay online for XX minutes
Hang out online and do nothing for a specified amount of time. This was added in case you're dialed up, and launch a program. Normally, when AutoWinNet95 gets done with his agenda, he hangs up. But if you just started your mail program to grab waiting Email, then you probably want to stay online for a couple of minutes to let it finish.
Run local program
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Program to run |
Location of your program (eg: c:\eudora\weudora.exe) |
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Parameters |
Any extra command-line parameters the program needs
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Method of launching |
Windows95 allows 3 different methods of launching a program:
Rather than explain the techno-babble of what's their difference, remember the rule:
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File Control
File Control is an advanced method of managing files on your computer on the fly between agenda steps. It allows:
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Delete steps |
Removes the selected steps from your agenda (you may highlight multiples) |
Agent and Gravity newsreaders
™ and MicroPlanet Gravity™ newsreaders are undoubtedly the best available on the Internet. Rather than writing a low quality newsreader myself, I decided to launch their newsreaders, and optionally "press some buttons" on it for you. The following functions are supported: (if you are unsure what these functions do, see Forte's Agent™ or MicroPlanet's Gravity™ documentation for details)Forte Agent
MicroPlanet Gravity
On the Technical side
(programming geeks only)For any data processing guys and gals in AutoWinNet-land, I present the "Technical Side", which covers a variety of topics throughout the help file…
Most everything is self-explanatory, except the newsreader remote control. I frequently get questions on what's the Find window box for, wait seconds, and Send message. Normally, users don't need to worry about this, since I fill those in for them. But.. if you feel like hacking a bit, here's how it works:
Find window is the newsreader window's CLASS, not window text. I chose that method because both readers will change their window heading based upon the currently selected group, plus Agent allows you to change the default heading in its configuration. That will obviously cause a serious problem when attempting to locate its window text.
So… window class is used.
Wait seconds is how many seconds to pause between launching the program, and pressing the buttons. Normally, thirty seconds is sufficient. However if your databases are twenty megabytes and you never delete any newsgroup messages, a longer time may be required.
Send message is the menu item's ID. You technical windows guys will know what that is, but for the new folks:
Everything in your Windows environment is actually a window, with a unique identifier so the system knows which is which. Even little things like text, buttons, pictures, frames … they're all windows. And inside a window are other windows, called child windows. When you press a button on a dialog, the parent window receives a mesage from the operating system that button ID 4356 was pressed (or whatever the number is).
Then it responds accordingly (goes and fetches your email).
Essentially, what I did was open Gravity and Agent in a dialog editor, and located the unique ID's of those menu options you see above. Then, when the time comes, I launch the newsreader, and send the parent window those particular ID's, thus it appears you opened the program and actually selected that menu item.
So, in summary, don't type anything into those fields unless you know exactly what you're doing ;-)
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Launch notepad |
Starts NOTEPAD for editing |
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AutoWinNet95 Scheduler |
Starts up the scheduler, so you can schedule AutoWinNet95 to perform your favorite agendas while you're away |
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Enter Registration |
Starts NOTEPAD for editing |
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Visit our home page |
Starts up your web browser, and brings up my AutoWinNet web page (you must be connected to the Internet). Here you can get ordering information, see other great products I have created, etc. |
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Export agendas to Text file |
View your agendas in plain text format, or use this to store them to a floppy for backup purposes |
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Export agendas to INI file |
Some of our power users like to manually edit their agendas using search and replace. Use this feature to export agendas from the registry to an easy to edit INI file |
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Imort agendas to Registry |
Some of our power users like to manually edit their agendas using search and replace. Use this feature to import agendas from the INI file you just edited, back to the registry where AutoWinNet can use them again |
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Configuration |
Setup AutoWinNet for use - required |
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Edit address books |
Manage your personal address books (used when sending mail). You can add, delete, or edit any existing books |
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Edit Zip file lists |
Zip file lists allow using multiple files from multiple directories in Zip steps
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Delete log file |
When the log file becomes too large, you probably want to delete it and start over |
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View last mail run |
See info on your last Check Mail agenda step. You will be given how many messages you had on the server, total size, and last time AutoWinNet checked your mail |
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View log file |
View the logfile (contains a log of everything AutoWinNet95 has done) |
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Explore AutoWinNet directory |
Starts Windows95 Explorer, and points to AutoWinNet directory |
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Explore Web Downloads directory |
Starts Windows95 Explorer, and points to default Web Downloads directory |
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Explore Headline News directory |
Starts Windows95 Explorer, and points to default Headline News directory |
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Show Toolbar |
Shows the toolbar at the top, near the main menu |
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Show Statusbar |
Shows statusbar at bottom of main dialog |
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Show Row mode on steps |
Allows full row selection on steps listbox |