README file for SpreadMsg Software 4.0

SpreadMsg Lite is the FREE version of Compuquest, Inc's award-
winning SpreadMsg software. It provides automated rule-based 
messaging to alpha pagers, digital cellular and GSM phones, 
PDA's, or email.  The Lite version features an Email scanning 
agent that searches the user's email waiting at their ISP, 
examining it for user-specified content, for mail from a specific 
person, for mail containing specific words in the "subject", etc. 
If the user rules are satisfied, the wireless (or email) message 
is created and delivered.  Also provided is a sampling of other 
SpreadMsg software features available in the other registered 
versions of the software. In those features, Message Data is 
captured in real time from computer files, internet pages, 
spreadsheet data, other applications running on the user's PC,
or live streaming financial data containing stock, option,
index, futures, and currency data from the Quote.Com QFeed 
datafeed.  Again, user rules and filters are applied, and 
SpreadMsg turns the captured data into e-mail or wireless 
messages. You can trigger message delivery based on rules such 
as any change in data value, data above or below a specific 
numeric level or range, textual content match, periodic 
time interval, and more.  


**** INVITATION TO JOIN E-LIST
For tips, assistance, and the latest info from the
developers as well as other users, you are invited
to join the SpreadMsg EMail list.

To subscribe, send a blank email to:
spreadmsg-subscribe@onelist.com   or,

or, use your browser to go to:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/SpreadMsg


IMPORTANT ITEMS

1) VERSION INFO: PLEASE READ THE "VERSION
   NOTES" SECTION AT THE END OF THIS FILE

2) This software need the Microsoft VB5 runtime
   files to be installed on your computer. If
   you are not sure you have them, or want to
   know what they are, or to download them, go
   to http://www.compuqestinc.com/vb5rt.html

   
   

CONTENTS

1. Description and Purpose
2. Installation
3. Status, Registration, and Distribution
4. Contact Information
5. Further Help and Features Description
     Basic Operational Overview
     Message Delivery Rules and Conditions
     Timed Interval Delivery
6. Application Examples
7. Important Website Links For Support, FAQ and Info
8. Software Removal
9. Release Notes


-----------------------------
Obtaining the Latest Versions
-----------------------------

The latest versions of all Compuquest software product
Free and other Trial Versions may be found at:
http://www.compuquestinc.com/softup.html




--------------------------
Description and Purpose
--------------------------


    SpreadMsg 32-bit Software for Windows 95/98 and 
                      NT4.0 Platforms

SpreadMsg software, designed and manufactured by 
Compuquest, Inc., automatically captures cell data values 
from your workbook or spreadsheet application, and/or 
streaming internet-delivered realtime financial data 
delivered by Quote.Com. Then, it turns them into e-mail 
messages, or wireless messages delivered to pagers, 
PCS/GSM digital cellphones,  and other devices. The 
messages are formed according to your rules and content 
specifications. You can trigger message delivery 
based on rules such as any change in data value, 
data above or below a specific numeric level, textual 
content match, periodic time interval, and more.
Would you like to know:

When your stock has gone over or under a certain price?
If a file on your computer changes or contains specific text?
If the NASDAQ has gone up xx points above yesterday's close?
If a device on your network is having problems?
If your security system or HVAC controller is starting to fail?
If your future or currency has hit your limit buy price?
If your custom-calculated spreadsheet value has reached xxx?


...SpreadMsg software CAN DO ALL THIS AND MORE!


Monitor Stocks, Mutual Funds, Futures, Currencies, & More
Receive Alert Messages via E-Mail, Pager, Cellphone, etc.
Your Custom Rules Determine Content and Time of Message Delivery


Today, spreadsheets, and their newer namesake, "workbooks", 
are being used in ways that are much more powerful 
than in the past. Interfacing to other applications, 
attaching themselves to realtime data gathering, 
process control, and financial quote retrieval, are just 
some of the new uses. Add in the connectivity to LAN or 
larger network, and the realtime link from spreadsheet 
to data source is almost limitless.

And, internet delivery of realtime financial 
information is enabling new frontiers of investment 
analysis and user participation. SpreadMsg supports 
realtime internet datafeed from Quote.Com, a leading 
provider of these innovative new services. In the same 
way as spreadsheet data, SpreadMsg will use and 
process data items from the Quote.Com realtime 
datafeed as a datasource for messaging features. 


--------------
Installation
--------------

The zip archive file from which you obtained this README 
file also contains the file SPDMLxxx.EXE (the "xxx" are
version numbers). This is a self-installing executable
file. Place it in a temporary directory, then execute the 
file, either by typing the filename from a DOS prompt, 
or using the File/Run dialog from Windows. You may 
select a directory where you would like the program 
to be installed.

(If your installation of SpreadMsg is from a single 
executable file, the "archive" portions of the above 
paragraph do not apply).


---------------------------------------
Status, Registration and Distribution
---------------------------------------

The SpreadMsg software contained in this module 
is the Free, "Lite" version of Compuquest, Inc.'s
SpreadMsg software. Please see the "Versions" section
below for details on features contained in this "Lite" 
version, and other versions. 

You may upgrade from the Lite version to the /EM or
PRO version of SpreadMsg software at any time.

Upgrading to a registered version is easy, and may
be done at our website or simply call Compuquest at 
1-630-830-2700. In either case, please have your 
userinfo number (found through the SpreadMsg Main
Screen, under the Options/Registration menu item), 
and credit card (MasterCard or Visa) info ready. 
Once your registration is processed, we will email 
you the registration codes you need to personalize 
and upgrade your SpreadMsg software.

Distribution of the entire zipfile "SPDMLxxx.ZIP", or the
single-file executable "SPDML.EXE" is fully permitted
without restriction. Incomplete or other partial distribution
of the internal component parts of the zipfile is not 
permitted in any form or media.


---------------------
Contact Information
---------------------

If you have questions, comments, or other communications
regarding this product, please contact:

Compuquest, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
366 S. Main St.
Bartlett, IL 60103

voice 630-830-2700
  fax 630-830-0877

email: support@compuquestinc.com
  URL: http://www.compuquestinc.com

The main internet product page may be found at:
http://www.compuquestinc.com/spmsgl.html


---------------------------------------
Further Help and Features Description
---------------------------------------

An online WINHELP-compatible set of help files are included.
Also, the "tooltip" help included throughout should
make the program very easy to use (if you don't know about 
these, they are pop-up text help messages that appear if you
click on a text-window, or position your mouse above a button 
and just wait about 2 seconds - the help or explanation 
message will appear...).  


	Basic Operational Overview

The user begins by setting up the communications 
parameters they will be using for messaging. 
Depending on features used, and message types chosen, 
this may include modem port and communication settings, 
wireless message service access data, 
alpha pager PIN number, outbound email server 
addressing data, and email message delivery address. 
Testing facilities are available to the user, so
that these setups can be operationally verified 
quickly.

Next, the user may define up to 10 "Selections" 
from either DataSource - spreadsheet data, or 
data from Quote.Com realtime internet datafeed.

Once defined, checking the "Start Link" will establish 
connection for each chosen Selection, between the 
DataSource and SpreadMsg. A copy of the current 
value of the DataSource is shown, and visual indication 
of the established link is provided, until cancelled. 
This data is maintained in real time, and will be 
updated instantly upon any change from the DataSource.

Online operation (message delivery) is engaged by clicking 
a "START Messaging" button. The user may enable display 
of message delivery progress, or disable this feature. 
Also, a disk logging capability provides timestamped 
history of each message, and is stored to disk for audit 
trail or later retrieval. While still in offline mode, 
the user will continue receiving real time updates and 
display for each Selection of DataSource data, so long 
as that Selection remains activated.


	Message Delivery Rules and Conditions

A high level of flexiblity is afforded to the user for 
definition of the conditions under which message delivery 
occurs. Also, since in many cases, the DataSource data 
may consist only of a raw value, that does not serve 
well as a message by itself, provisions exist for the 
user to specify text that will precede, and additional 
text that will follow, the actual data itself, when the 
message is delivered. For example, let's imagine that a 
spreadsheet cell Selection was monitoring a real time 
update of a manufacturing process temperature value, or 
perhaps the Quote.Com DataSource was chosen for a 
Selection to monitor the realtime price value of IBM stock. 
In each case, the actual DataSource value may only be a 
single raw number, such as 72, or 148, but by adding 
the before and after text elements, the message delivered 
might read:

Acid bath HCL Vat 4 now at 72 degrees Celcius,  ...or 
Today's high price for IBM has reached 148 this hour 
 
See how much more valuable and descriptive the 
additional text is?
 
Limits may be put on message delivery, so that once 
the desired Selection Rules are met, (and should 
they be met repeatedly, such as a stock breaking 
out), the user will not receive a large number of 
message deliveries.

Message delivery choices allow the user to specify the 
method(s) to use, for each Selection. The user may 
choose from E-Mail message, dialout message to wireless 
device, such as alpha pager, Digital celfone, PDA, 
etc., or both. Individual Selections may be temporarily 
"de-activated so that no delivery occurs.


 
Delivery rules are different, depending on whether the 
selected DataSource contents are a numeric value, or
textual content. Here are the differences for each case:
 
 
Textual Data: The user may select filtering rules,
which are applied to the DataSource realtime data: 
 
deliver the message whenever the data changes in 
any way, or... 

deliver the message if the dataa "contains" any 
user-specified symbol, word, or phrase, or... 

deliver the message if the data does NOT contain 
specific content 
 
 
Numeric Data: The user may select filtering rules based on: 
 
deliver the message if the data value is equal to a 
specified amount, or... 

deliver the message if the data value is greater than a 
specified value, or... 

deliver the message if the data value is less than a 
specified value 

 
 
	Timed-Interval Delivery

Alternative to the logic and content based rules, the user 
may choose to have message delivery performed at specific 
repeated intervals of 10, 15, 30 , 60, 120 or 240 minutes.
 
 
As you can see, the above features of SpreadMsg  
software provide powerful, comprehensive, and flexible 
ways to monitor your data, and stay informed, through 
wireless messaging and/or email delivery, of exactly 
what is important to you.


----------------------
Application Examples
----------------------

Here are just a few of the many uses for SpreadMsg:

* Provide alerts when manufacturing machine tolerance 
limits are reached

* Monitor stock, mutual funds, futures, or currencies for 
alert conditions

* Quality or yield level process control

* Monitor network, LAN, ISP, or other enterprise performance

* OSHA and other environmental standards alerting

* Hospital, chemistry, biotech -- lab experiment tracking 
and alerting


-------------------------
Important Website Links
-------------------------

Tech Support and FAQ:    http://www.compuquestinc.com/support.html
SpreadMsg Product Page:  http://www.compuquestinc.com/spsmgl.html
Online Ordering:         http://www.compuquestinc.com/onlord.html


-------------------------------
Removal of SpreadMsg Software
-------------------------------

Should you desire to remove this software from your
computer, do the following:

From Start Menu, go into Control Panel.
Select Add/Remove Programs, open it.
Select SpreadMsg from the program list.
Click Remove



---------------
Release Notes
---------------

Ver 4.0.3
  Improve Dialout message delivery for multiple msg and sessions
Ver 4.0.2
  Correct API declarations causing errors under NT
Ver 4.0.0
  Add EMail Filtering and Forewarding Agent with
    automatic email scanning from user's ISP
  Split into 3 versions: Lite (Free), /EM, and PRO
  Improve Dialout delivery of long messages
  Allow Dialout Blocklength adjustment
  Parse long messages to split on word boundaries
    when delivered by dialout method
Ver 3.3.2
  Add feature to provide auto-activation for all DataSources (was
    only for DataSource = Quote.Com)
  Fix bug causing Selection 1 DataRule to default "empty"
  Correct DataSource File Read error which dropped last char
Ver3.3.0
  Major feature addition: support for Files as a DataSource. Files
    on your PC, or elsewhere on your network are sampled every
    5 seconds. Your rules are applied, and messages are created
    and delivered as specified.
  Fix bug with error trapping when defining spreadsheet file
  Add delivery method choice to Immediate Message Feature
Ver 3.2.1
  Fixed bug causing message delivery interval to
  default to incorrect value
Ver 3.2.0
  Add "automation" features to allow and improve unattended
  operation. These separately user-selectable options are:
  * Provide auto-login to Quote.Com upon startup
  * Auto-activate datasource link selections on startup
  * Auto-start messaging for active selections on startup
  * Provide overall time window in which to allow messaging
  * Remove "save data" prompt on exit to allow auto-shutdown
Ver 3.0.5
  Misc. internal technical refinements and speed enhancements
Ver 3.0.4
  Tolerate case where user enters a letter instead of numbers
  for numeric compare values <g>
Ver 3.0.3
  Fix error message window bug 
  Clear Status Window on Exit From Comm Definition Screen - this
   could be confusing to users, with past message remaining after
   altered Comm settings are made, but not yet tested
  Change Summary Window background color to Blue when a Selection
   having a Delivery Limit has reached its limit (was cyan)
Ver 3.0.0
  Add support for Quote.Com as DataSource.
  Expand Selection Choices from 1 to 10
  Add E-Mail as Message Delivery Method Choice
  Add Max-Limits to message delivery for each Selection  

Ver 2.5.0
  Add message queue for improved handling of new messages generated
   while "old" message is being delivered.
  Add selective enabling for link activation. Activation not allowed
   until proper cell and filename data is present.
  Add tech support diagnostic aid for port/modem setup in Setup Menu


Ver 2.2.0
  Fix bug that allowed control characters in spreadsheet data display.
  Add help and error-traps for Cell row-column definition and entry.


Ver 2.1.5
  Add auto-timeout for intro screen

Ver 2.1.4
  Enhance international locale compatibility

Ver 2.1.3
  Re-issue due to potential error in 2.1.2 zipfile

Ver 2.1.2
  Initial online distribution release




Other Notes:

      if you have any problems with this file, either 
      with download or installation, the very latest version
      is always available at the Compuquest, Inc. website
      http://www.compuquestinc.com
 
 
Version Notes:

SpreadMsg software is supplied in three versions, the 
free "Lite" version, and two registered versions: an 
"/EM" version, and the "Pro" professional version. 
Below is a detailed breakdown of the features present 
in each version. This HelpFile covers all features and 
capabilities of SpreadMsg  software, so it is important 
to observe version differences as you are using your 
particular software. You may upgrade from any version 
to any higher version at any time.


SpreadMsg Lite

SpreadMsg Lite is provided with a no-cost license - its FREE!

It contains a full-featured E-Mail Agent, but it is 
limited to a single "rule template" (the user-specified 
content and filter logic used to scan waiting e-mails).

The rest of the data-capture and rule-based logic of 
SpreadMsg software is present in the Lite version with 
the following restrictions: you may send unlimited Test 
Messages to either your pager or other wireless device, 
and also to the email address you specify. Realtime, 
rule-based messages from DataSources are displayed 
on-screen, identical in content to what is actually 
delivered in the Professional Version, except that 
multi-line messages are shown only up to the first 
line break..


SpreadMsg /EM

SpreadMsg /EM is for users who primarily want the features 
of the SpreadMsg E-Mail Agent. All capabilities of the 
E-Mail agent are included, and there are provisions for 10 
separate rule templates that may be saved and automatically 
loaded and re-activated at each time the software is run. 

The rest of the data-capture and rule-based logic of 
SpreadMsg software is present in the Lite version with the 
following restrictions: you may send unlimited Test Messages 
to either your pager or other wireless device, and also to 
the email address you specify. Realtime, rule-based messages 
from DataSources are displayed on-screen, identical in 
content to what is actually delivered in the Professional 
Version, except that multi-line messages are shown only up 
to the first line break..

The /EM Version is a registered upgrade, and registeration 
details may be found in the Registration section.


SpreadMsg Professional

SpreadMsg Pro is the top of the line in the SpreadMsg 
software family.  The E-Mail Agent allows up to 50 rule 
templates in simultaneous operation. All other data-capture, 
rule administration, and messaging capabilities described 
in this HelpFile are available in the Pro Version.

The Pro Version is a registered upgrade, and registration 
details may be found in the Registration section.









Trademarked items mentioned herein are the properties of
their respective owners.

(end)