******************* Description ****************************

As with most LAN's, the one that I am involved with has a message
that is displayed to the screen when each user logs in. LanMsg
was created to make the job of updating this message much easier
than using a text editor.

To set the system up use LANMSG EDIT to fill the data files with the
information you want. Some of the data files have been setup with
data that you may, or may not want to use.

Then each morning run LANMSG UPDATE to create the new text file to
be displayed upon logging into the LAN. It is also a good idea
to copy LANMSG.TXT to a directory that everyone has rights to so that
they will be able to access it.

The most simple way we have found to update the LAN message each
day is to append it to the automated back up procedure for the LAN.
Simply add the line LANMSG UPDATE to the batch file that kicks
off the nightly backup of the LAN. The only thing to remember
is that LANMSG UPDATE must run on the same date as it will be
displayed. If it is run on the day before the date will be wrong
at the top of the screen.

I hope that this system works as well for you as it has for us.




******************* Operations ****************************

LanMsg is a very simple program to use.

To run the program type LANMSG with one of two parameters EDIT or UPDATE.

EXAMPLE:

"LANMSG UPDATE"

This will create a file called LANMSG.TXT that can be displayed
to the screen in the system login of your network.

"LANMSG EDIT"

This will allow the modification of the MSG data files.

There are five data files that may be modified. Do not use
dBASE to modify them this may corrupt the indexes.

The data files used by LanMsg are as follows:

GREETING.DBF - This contains a greeting for each day of the week
, it is displayed as the second line under the date.

MSG.DBF - This hold the message in a memo field that will be
displayed in the main portion of the screen. The current
that is marked with "Y" will be used.

THOUGHT.DBF - This file contains a though for each day of the year.

EVENT.DBF - This file contains any significant events and their
dates. The next 3 events in line will be displayed
on the login screen. This is a good place to put
birthdays.

FOOTER.DBF - This file holds the footer line displayed at the very
very bottom of the screen. This option will become
functional when LanMsg is registered.