Msg++ 0.1 Preview
Added an alarm, so you never miss a TV program again. Better handling of peoples names. Added extra email alert in the taskbar notification area. More consistent icons. Even better email control. Working on a roadmap for releases up until 1.0, if anyone wants to set up and run a message board on Msg++ then let me know. Source code line counts etc. are available on the web here.
This program wants you to report bugs and give feature suggestions, improvement can only come through constant complaining
Home page: www.nmitchell.co.uk/programs/msg++/
Support email:neil__mitchell@hotmail.com
Msg++ is Copyright Neil Mitchell 2002
Overview
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Contributors and contributions required
Version History
License - Pyramid Distribution
Source Code - Multiple Versions
Msg++ is a replacement for the MSN Messenger interface, with extra features. It integrates well with Messenger Plus!, and contains extra functionality that can not be added to Plus!
Msg++ has many features including personalised icons, profile information, offline contact list, hierarchical groups, event history and compacted logging.
Messenger Plus! is available from http://www.patchou.com/msgplus/.
I have found a bug in Msg++, what shall I do?
I really wish this wasn't frequently asked, but in the unlikely event that you do find a bug that you believe is the fault of Msg++, read on. First check you have the most recent release of Msg++, and if the problem still persists email me. Please give me as much information as possible. If you can crash Msg++ then it is MY fault, without exception (some exceptions apply).
I think this software is worth money, and lots of it!
I really wish this was frequently asked, but for the moment just keep your money. If you are a commercial organisation then get in contact with me, I will accept cheques in either Euros, Sterling or Dollars.
Your program promises hierarchical folders, how?
To make folders of contacts as subfolders, rename them to "Parent Folder-Sub Folder", that way all your contacts in this group will be in a subfolder of "Parent Folder", called "Sub Folder". Of course, why stop at just one level deep?
What is the relationship with Plus! and Msg++
I use Plus! all the time, I have only tested while using Plus!, this program is 100% compatible with Plus! Msg++ is completely separate program.
The options dialog recommends I don't use speech - does it not like me?
No, it doesn't like your computer. Msg++ has the option of speaking your alerts to you if you have Microsoft's Speech Kit installed, it is a free download and as soon as I find it I'll put a link here. Not having this option should not effect Msg++ in any other way.
Can I have the source for Msg++?
Yes, but read the license conditions listed under Source Code.
How big is this program, how many line of code?
As I write this ReadMe the program is 33 objects and 3359 lines. To find out the current stats on the code go to the Sourcerer page for Msg++.
I have just downloaded the code, how does it work?
Correctly, efficiently and with style. Feel free to have a play around with it, but if you don't know how to program quite well I wouldn't bother being too adventurous. The program is written in Visual Basic 6.0 and requires features not found in Visual Basic 5.0, it also won't work in Visual Basic.NET. Some bits of it require C++ knowledge, some bits require HTML and JavaScript knowledge, all of it requires a warped imagination.
Your installer does auto-updating, and is only 25Kb, can I use it or have the source?
The installer is still very early technology, but will be available at some point in the near future, email me if you need it, or want to discuss it. The source code will NOT be available in full, because it uses BlueZip technology which Blue Perfection very kindly let me use. The BlueZip code takes about 7Kb of space when compiled, and provides complete unzip support, and is amazingly easy to use (compare and contrast with Info-ZIP's 170Kb nightmare).
Is there anyway to squash the pictures in the profile?
Yes. Click on the cog on the toolbar (Options) and go to Profiles. There are lots of other easy options while you are there.
Can you write a feature to flood people?
Yes, with ease, but I'm not going to.
The contributions that I would like, if anyone feels like helping are:
A message board, to sort out what needs doing to the program, and helping people use the program properly.
A decent help file of some sort.
If you want to contribute then get in contact with me, if you can think of something that needs doing that I haven't mentioned just let me know, especially if you are volunteering to do it.
0.1 - Not yet released, this is a preview release.
Features that were added, patched or changed during this preview period include:
Support for the UTF8 standard, allowing profiles with non US-ASCII characters.
Ability to resize the picture in the profile.
You can now use Outlook for emails, or use websites for people who don't have hotmail accounts.
Spelling and grammar improved in numerous areas.
Very funky installer.
Flooding prevention.
This part of the license refers to the binary program file release only, in an unmodified form.
The Msg++ Program is distributed under the Pyramid License, if you continue to use this program for over 30 days you are required to contact a minimum of 5 people you know on first name terms, and recommend Msg++ to them, with a personal comment and information on how to obtain Msg++. These
must all be people that you think would benefit from Msg++ and are not currently aware of it.
If you do not have 5 friends then I am very sorry, and you are absolved from this requirement.
This part of the license refers to the source code for the program, and any graphics or information files included with it.
The Msg++ source code is distributed under the Multiple Versions License. You may freely download and modify the source code to Msg++ for personal use. If you choose to distribute either the program or the source code you must do so on a not for profit basis, and notify me by email (so I can go and download a copy :-)).
If you decide to distribute any modified executable versions (and you are encouraged to do so) then you must clearly inform people obtaining a copy that the program is a modified version of Msg++, and include instructions on how to obtain the original version of Msg++. You must also state which parts of the program have received modification, and to what extent.
If you wish to distribute the source code of your new version (and I don't care if you do or not, personal preference) then you must mark clearly through the use of comments any changed portions. The source code must be distributed either under the Multiple Versions License or the GPL. You must also follow all the conditions for distribution of the executable version, including but not limited to notifying me of the download location.
If you wish to have your changes integrated into Msg++ then email me the source code and I will have a look at it. This may not be possible for all changes, and may take a while. If you intend to work towards this then if you let me know first I can advise on how to undertake this.
If you are interested in using the full version of Msg++, a modified version, or small part for commercial gain email me first, and we can try and work something out.
I disclaim everything. The contents of this ReadMe and/or the actions of this program might be totally inaccurate, inappropriate, damaging, misguided, or otherwise perverse - except for my name (you can probably trust me on that).