This is a corrected version that DOES actually allow you to send voice messages* to
another Mac on a network. I most humbly apologize to those who downloaded the previous version expected to send voice mail. Unfortunately, I did not test the program extensively enough to realize that it would not work. I had it working from one program to another on the SAME computer, but was not in an environment where I could actually test the program on a network.
(For programmers: the Apple Event contained only a handle to the sound data, not the data itself. This is fine for programs on the same computer, but lousy on a network. The A-Event now sends the actual data.)
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* But very short ones, not much more than 5 seconds or so -- if anybody has any clues why this is, please tell me. You see, even though I record for 10 or 20 seconds, the Apple event is not sent due to error -92 : AppleTalk data length too long -- I need to research a little more for this one.
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What it is:
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speedMessage is a short program that I created to quickly send a message to the only other Macintosh that was connected to a tiny network at work (which consisted of 2 Macs and a LaserWriter ). It seemed to me to be illogical to spend a great deal of money for a mail package when I only had one other person who could even receive messages. Hence, this program. It allows one to establish a link with another copy of the program running on another Mac on the network or a copy running on the same computer as the original (or even with itself!). Once this link has been established one simply composes one's messages and sends them to the other "mail box". (For our purposes at my place of employment, the two of us involved renamed our copies of speedMessage to something like "Scott's In Box" or "Jane's Mailbox" for easy recognition.)
How to use it:
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To use speedMessage you must make a copy of the original and place it on the Macintosh to which you would like to send messages. I would recommend placing it in the System:Startup Items folder so that it launches when you turn your Mac on (it won't hog all your RAM either).
When you want to send a message, bring the speedMessage application to the front and select
'Send Message' from the File menu. You will be presented with a dialog box into which you type your message (255 chars maximum). Once you have composed your message, click in the 'Send' button in the dialog, or click 'New Recipient' to establish to where the message should be sent.
(If you click 'Send' and no link has been established, speedMessage will ask if you want to establish one. If so, click 'Yes' and the program will present you with the option.) To establish the link, once you see the dialog which presents a list of available Macintoshes and potential recipients, simply double click on the recipient with whom you wish to interact (or select that recipient and click 'OK'). Briefly, a dialog will appear indicating whether the message was sent or not.
This program will run in the background and if you receive a message, it will definitely let you know. A voice will announce the arrival of the message and a dialog box will also appear to inform you of the pending communique. If you decide that the voice annoys you (!), you may turn it off by selecting the 'Voice Off' option in the Edit menu. To turn the voice back on, select 'Voice On' from the same menu. (The option toggles each time you select it.) Once you have been notified of an incoming message, you must bring speedMessage to the fore before the message will pop up on your screen
Voice!
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This version of speedMessage now allows you to send a short vocal message across the wires.
To do this, select 'Send Message' from the File menu. A dialog box appears, much as before, where you may either type in a text message or, if you click the 'Voice' button, record your own voice and send it. Please note that presently you cannot send both a text and voice message (another future enhancement? hmmm). If you click 'Voice', a familiar recording dialog will appear. Click on the 'Record' button to begin recording and on the 'Stop' button to cease. You may listen to your message by clicking the 'Play' button. To remove the dialog so you may send the message click either 'Cancel' (which will NOT preserve your recorded message) or 'Save' (which will). You will return to the Send Message dialog from where you may click the appropriate options to send the recording or text. Please note that if a recording is present, speedMessage will send the sound and bypass any text you may have typed. To send a text message you must not have recorded a sound message.
Possible Future Enhancements: (?)
• I would like to add the capability of sending one message to several Macs.
I would appreciate notification of any bugs in the program, for although it has been tested and used extensively on a Mac IIci and a Mac IIsi (as well as my LC at home), I am certain that a bug or two will pop up somewhere, somehow -- although I'd obviously rather one didn't.
I know there are improvements to be made, but I thought the basic (and working) program would be useful in the interim.
I may be reached at the following address and phone number:
Scott A. Johnson
3916-12 Newport Avenue
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Phone: (219) 483-0180
Alternatively, you may send E-mail to DevScott on America Online.
NOTE: This application is "Freeware" and may not be sold to anyone under ANY circumstances. Please feel free to distribute this program to your friends, family, etc.; however, please include this documentation in any such distribution.
DISCLAIMER: The author is not responsible for the use of this application beyond it's intended purpose. Nor is the author responsible for any litigation that may result by the sending of 'unseemly' messages to one's colleague across the hall.
