MPanel
Adeveloper
Jars Rated
Java Message Panel Applet
Version 2.0 August 14, 1999
Copyright (c) 1999, 1998, 1997 All rights reserved
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Author: Stephen LaPalme
Email: sl@Adeveloper.com
http://www.Adeveloper.com/
File: readme.txt
Doc Last Revised: August 15, 1999
Code Version: 2.0
Code Last Revised: August 15, 1999
Ver 1.0 Date: March 16, 1997
Author: Stephen LaPalme
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Adeveloper Java Applet Message Panel Version 2.0
Copyright (c) 1999, 1998, 1997 Free Ware, All Rights Reserved
We believe this applet (Adeveloper Message Panel Version 2.0) to be the
only applet on the Internet capable of displaying the true visitor IP
address and without the use of an additional script.
I MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THIS SOFTWARE,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
I SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED THROUGH THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL
DAMAGE, OR MONETARY LOSSES. I SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF FITNESS OF USE FOR ANY PURPOSE.
Permission to use this software (compiled class file) and its documentation
for NON-COMMERCIAL and or COMMERCIAL purposes without fee is hereby granted.
This software (Java Message Panel Class) and its related documentation may
not be sold by any second party without written permission from the Author.
This software is distributed as Copyrighted Free Ware enjoy :-)
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Massage Panel Features
August 15, 1999
True IP Address
1998 Microsoft and Netscape incorporated browser security schemes
to prevent an applet from obtaining the true IP address and domain.
The Adeveloper Message Panel works around the browser security barrier
and displays the true IP address, not the local host "127.0.0.1"
reported by most of the newer browsers.
We believe this applet (Message Panel Version 2.0) to be the only applet
on the Internet capable of displaying the visitors true IP address and
without the use of an additional script. If you know of any other applet
on the Internet capable of displaying the visitors true IP address and
without the use of an additional script then please notify Steve at
sl@Adeveloper.com.
If another applet is proven to read the true IP address the claim of
being the only applet on the Internet will be removed. We have held
this position publically since March of 1998 with only one report. The
report of another applet was a site that had downloaded and implemented
our inhouse beta test panel. If you know of another applet with these
abilities please let us know - thank you.
The Adeveloper message does NOT store any data or information about
the visitor or system on the hard drive or any other storage medium.
The Message Panel does NOT read, write or use cookies. The Message
Panel does not transmit or receive any information or data to or from
the Internet.
The message panel only displays the visitors information to the visitor
and on the visitors machine. Due to the strict adherence of not storing
or transmitting any information (IP address and domain) we feel that the
Adeveloper Message Panel is a SAFE applet that respects the privacy of
the Internet community.
Hundreds of hours went into finding a solution around the newer browser
security barrier. Do not email asking for an explanation of how this
applet works, or for the source code, or request that we modify the
applet so that it will communicate information to a JavaScript, for
obvious reasons the answer is a polite "NO"...
Version 2.0 Features
The Java(tm) Message Panel applet graphically displays text messages
specified in your HTML document using applet parameters. The panel displays
up to ninety-nine different messages. The panel messages are displayed
in sequence and continually repeated.
The panel applet width, height, frame size, text color, background color,
upper frame color, lower frame color, bold or italic text are all
controlled from your HTML document using applet parameters. Each line of
text is automatically centered in the display panel frame. For each message
displayed you specify the time period in milli-Seconds (1/1000 Second) to
display the message.
The panel applet displays the visitors date and time in real time with day
of week, visitor domain, and the true visitors IP address. The panel accepts
a URL address parameter that enables the panel to load a new page or location
when the panel is either left or right clicked with a mouse. Multiple panels
may run simultaneously on a single web page all displaying different messages,
each characterized by its own applet parameters.
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Panel Applet ZIP File
The panel applet is distributed in a single PKZIP file named MPANEL2.ZIP.
The zip file includes eight files:
readme.txt This file - ASCII text instructions using
the Java Message Panel applet.
mpanel2.cla Message Panel - Compiled Java class 13,482 bytes.
Must be renamed to "mpanel2.class"
example1.htm Example - No embedded copyright displays
default message(s).
example2.htm Example - Panel applet with no default parameters.
example3.htm Example - Same as example2 but uses default parameters.
example4.htm Example - Real time clock with and without frame.
example5.htm Example - Message Panels using white background.
example6.htm Example - Six Message Panels showing panel features.
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MESSAGE PANEL QUICK START
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1) Create a new directory on your hard drive "C:\MPANEL2"
2) Copy the "mpanel2.zip" file to the new directory "C:\MPANEL2"
3) Unzip the "mpanel2.zip" file into the new directory "C:\MPANEL2"
4) Rename the class file "mpanel2.cla" to "mpanel2.class".
5) Start your Internet browser, log onto the Internet.
6) Use File Open to load the example file "example6.htm"
7) If the example file panels display correctly proceed to step 9.
8) If the message panels in example6 are not working please check
the following:
a) Is your browser Java enabled? If the panels display correctly
at Adeveloper.com then your browser is Java code enabled.
b) Is the class file ("mpanel2.class") in the same directory as
the example file?
c) Is the class file named exactly as "mpanel2.class" all lower case?
9) Using the Message Panel on your Web page. Block copy the following
text (code block) into your Web page locating it where the panel is
to be displayed. This code configures the Message Panel to display
five messages. If you do not want the panel centered horizontally
remove the HTML center tags <CENTER> and </CENTER>.
<!-- This represents an HTML comment and all occurrences may be removed -->
<!-- START OF COPY -->
<CENTER>
<!-- Message Panel applet tag -->
<APPLET CODE="mpanel2.class" ALT="Java Message Panel Applet" HEIGHT=48 WIDTH=580>
<!-- Copyright Parameters -->
<!-- These lines must not be altered in any way -->
<PARAM NAME="copyright1" VALUE="Adeveloper Copyright (c) 1999">
<PARAM NAME="copyright2" VALUE="http://www.Adeveloper.com/">
<!-- Address (URL) loaded when the panel is left mouse clicked -->
<!-- This line may be omitted or changed to reflect your URL -->
<PARAM NAME="url" VALUE="http://www.Adeveloper.com/">
<!-- These apply to all messages displayed -->
<PARAM NAME="frame" VALUE="6">
<PARAM NAME="bold" VALUE="1">
<PARAM NAME="italic" VALUE="0">
<!-- Optional Default Message Parameters -->
<!-- Use these to eliminate common message parameters -->
<PARAM NAME="def_dly" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="def_msgCol" VALUE="green">
<PARAM NAME="def_bgCol" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="def_upFrCol" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="def_lowFrCol" VALUE="gray">
<!-- Number of lines to display -->
<!-- This must match the number of parameter messages -->
<PARAM NAME="lines" VALUE="5">
<!-- Message 1 - basic text message -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_1" VALUE="Welcome to my Home Page!">
<PARAM NAME="dly_1" VALUE="3500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_1" VALUE="green">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_1" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_1" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_1" VALUE="gray">
<!-- Message 2 - basic text message -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_2" VALUE="Greetings">
<PARAM NAME="dly_2" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_2" VALUE="red">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_2" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_2" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_2" VALUE="gray">
<!-- Message 3 - displays the visitor domain -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_3" VALUE="domain">
<PARAM NAME="dly_3" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_3" VALUE="blue">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_3" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_3" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_3" VALUE="gray">
<!-- Message 4 - displays the visitor IP address -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_4" VALUE="ip">
<PARAM NAME="dly_4" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_4" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_4" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_4" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_4" VALUE="gray">
<!-- Message 5 - displays the real time date -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_5" VALUE="date">
<PARAM NAME="dly_5" VALUE="4000">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_5" VALUE="yellow">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_5" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_5" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_5" VALUE="gray">
<!-- This closes the applet tag -->
</APPLET>
</CENTER>
<!-- END OF COPY -->
10) Make sure that the Message Panel class file "mpanel2.class" is in the
same directory as your Web page and that the file is named correctly
as "mpanel2.class" all lower case.
11) Start your browser, use File Open to load your Web page. The Message
Panel should be working. If it is not check step 10 again and make
sure that the copied code block was not altered.
12) If the panel is working running locally on your hard drive then proceed
to the next step and configure the panel for your Web page.
13) The message panel is configured using applet parameters. Each parameter
has a NAME and a VALUE. Each message to be displayed is controlled by
six parameters: message string, message delay, message color, background
color, upper frame color, and lower frame color.
<!-- This is a message parameter group -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_#" VALUE="This is the message...">
<PARAM NAME="dly_#" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_#" VALUE="green">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_#" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_#" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_#" VALUE="gray">
Add a message - block copy a group of the six message parameters.
Delete a message - delete a group of the six message parameters.
Always renumber the message parameters after changing the number of
messages to be displayed. The message parameter group at the top
is numbered "1" increasing downward up to the max message of "99".
After renumbering the message parameters edit the "lines" parameter
to reflect the number of messages to be displayed.
14) Edit the Message Panel applet parameters to configure the panel for your
page. For details on parameters please refer to the following applet
parameter sections of this document:
o MESSAGE PANEL APPLET PARAMETERS
o MESSAGE PANEL DEFAULT PARAMETERS
o MESSAGE LINE PARAMETERS
15) The Message Panel supports default parameters. Default parameters
enable you to reduce the number of applet parameters that must be
specified to configure the panel. There are default parameters
for message delay, message color, background color, upper frame color,
and lower frame color.
Take each parameter and find the most common occurrence and make that
the default parameter. As an example say that your panel displays five
messages. Three of the messages use the color green. Make the default
message color green and delete all the green message color parameter
lines. See example two (no default parameters) and example three (with
default parameters) for an example of using the default Message Panel
parameters. Also see the "MESSAGE PANEL DEFAULT PARAMETERS" section
of this document for details on using the default parameters.
In the example the code block above that you copied to your page uses
the same frame colors and background colors in all five messages. In
this case you may remove the following three parameters from each message
to be displayed.
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_X" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_X" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_X" VALUE="gray">
16) Start your browser, use File Open to load your Web page. Repeat steps
13 through 16 until the Message Panel is configured for your Web page.
When changing applet parameters with some older browsers it is sometimes
necessary to use File Open each time you would like to view an applet
parameter change, rather then using the browser RELOAD button.
17) Upload to your Internet server the "mpanel2.class" file and any edited
Web pages that use the panel class. The Java class file "mpanel2.class"
file must be uploaded to your server using the binary (8 bit) transfer,
this is true with all Java applets.
18) Make sure that the Message Panel class file "mpanel2.class" is in the
same directory as the Web pages that displays the panel.
Advanced users the Message Panel supports the "CODEBASE" parameter.
The code base parameter allows the class file to be located in a
directory other the page using the applet.
19) Make sure that the Message Panel class file name is exactly as shown all
lower case "mpanel2.class". The panel will not work if the class file
name is exactly as "mpanel2.class" - all lower case.
20) Start your browser and load the page that displays the message panel.
If the panel is not operating check steps 12 through 19.
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MESSAGE PANEL NOTES
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Message Panel Does Not Work
Certain HTML errors can cause Java applets (Message Panel) and or animated
gifs to not work correctly. Before incorporating Java applets on your site
make sure that your HTML is error free. There are a number of excellent
online HTML error checkers that will parse your site and send a report to
you. Online HTML code checker links can be found at Adeveloper.com in the
"HTML TOOLS" section.
Version 1.0 of the Message Panel was released for download March 16, 1997.
March 1997 to September of 1997 Adeveloper received 1100 emails related to
problems implementing the message panel. Most of the emails (99.7%) where
form people not reading the supplied documentation, or typing errors with
the class file names and applet parameters, or having HTML errors in the
Web page displaying the panel, or people just wanting someone to develop
their web site free of charge.
The Message Panel works and is on servers all over the world including many
of them commercial sites. If your server (ISP) supports Java and long
file names the Message Panel will run on your site.
If you need help developing your page or on the use Java applets please
reference the resources listed at Adeveloper.com There are a number
of development resources listed at Adeveloper that provide tutorials and
help for virtually any aspect of Web page development. We spent many hours,
providing this unique applet for you to use FREE of charge so please do not
write asking for us to develop your web site.
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Message Panel displays Incorrect Time Zone (Hour)
The Message Panel displays the visitors time and not the time of the
server that served the web page.
The newer browsers use a time zone (TZ) environment variable that sets the
Java time zone. People viewing your site will see the correct time as the TZ
variable only effects their system and the time displayed by their system.
If you see an incorrect time displayed by the message panel it is the viewing
system that is in need of setting the "Time Zone" environment variable.
The TZ environment variable is set in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
Eastern Time ---- SET TZ=EST+05EDT
Central Time ---- SET TZ=CST+06CDT
Mountain Time --- SET TZ=MST+07MDT
Pacific Time ---- SET TZ=PST+08PDT
For more information on the TZ environment variable please reference
http://www2.hursley.ibm.com/goserve/$GoSer50.htm
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Using The Class Files Locally On Your Hard Drive
The Message Panel applet may be run locally on your own system (hard drive)
with or without a live connection to the Internet. If you are not connected
to the Internet the panel may require a long time to start, possibly a few
minutes. After the panel starts the domain and IP address are displayed as
"Unknown".
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Using The Class Files On Your Internet Server
When transferring (uploading) the "mpanel2.class file to your host server
the file name may be changed by the transfer. After uploading the class
file "mpanel2.class" to your server you should do a directory listing and
make certain that the class file name is correct "mpanel2.class", all lower
case.
If the class file name was changed by the upload process, rename the file
back to "mpanel2.class" all lower case. Class files must always be uploaded
to your server using the BINARY (8 bit) mode of transfer.
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MESSAGE PANEL APPLET PARAMETERS
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Applet Parameters
Applets use parameters (PARAM) to pass parameters (VALUES) from your HTML
document to the Java Message Panel. All applet parameter NAMES and VALUES
must be included between the HTML applet tags <APPLET ....> and </APPLET>.
The Message Panel applet contains many parameters that provide flexibility
for characterizing the panels operation and appearance. Each parameter
consists of two parts a NAME and a VALUE. The NAME is the name of the
parameter and the VALUE is the value of the parameter. The parameter names
and values are case sensitive and must typed exactly as shown.
All parameter names and values are ASCII text and must be enclosed in quotes!
Please note that failing to close a quote or miss typing a parameter name or
parameter value may cause the Message Panel applet to do strange things - like
skipping a message or displaying a message line in a color different from what
is expected.
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Java Message Panel Colors
The Java Message Panel enables the setting of colors for the message text,
panel background, upper frame, and lower frame colors on a per message basis.
The color names must be typed exactly as shown below - character case counts.
The color "darkGray" is displayed as black on some browsers even when in the
256 color display mode.
black, white, lightGray, gray, darkGray, green, yellow
blue, red, cyan, orange, pink, magenta
The upper frame color covers the left and upper sides of the panel applet
frame. The lower frame color covers the right and lower sides of the panel
applet frame. To make the frame appear sunken into a page use a dark color
on the upper frame and a light color on the lower frame. Likewise to make
a frame appear to stand off of a page use a light color on the upper frame
and a dark color for on lower frame. To make the frame disappear set both
the upper frame color and lower frame colors to the same color as the message
background color.
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Message Panel Applet Tag
<APPLET CODE="mpanel2.class" ALT="Java Message Panel" HEIGHT=48 WIDTH=600>
<!-- Message Panel Parameter List - Configures panel -->
<PARAM NAME="..." VALUE="...">
<PARAM NAME="..." VALUE="...">
<PARAM NAME="..." VALUE="...">
<PARAM NAME="..." VALUE="...">
<PARAM NAME="..." VALUE="...">
</APPLET>
The first example line above is the opening Java applet tag. The CODE
parameter calls the Java message panel applet class "mpanel2.class".
The class file "mpanel2.class" must reside in the same directory as the
document calling the panel.
For advanced users the Message Panel now supports the CODEBASE parameter.
The code base parameter is specified in the applet tag line and allows
the class file "mpanel2.class" to be located in a different directory.
The ALT parameter specifies the text that will be displayed if the
viewing browser does not support Java.
The HEIGHT specifies the height of panel applet in pixels. If you do not
specify a height parameter the default value is undefined. The valid range
of the height parameter is 5 to 768 pixels. Always specify a height
parameter when using the Message Panel applet.
The WIDTH specifies the width of the panel applet in pixels. If you do not
specify a width parameter the default value is undefined. The valid range
of the panel width parameter is 5 to 1024 pixels. Always specify a width
parameter when using the Message Panel applet.
The last example line above </APPLET> closes the applet tag and must always
be included.
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Message Panel Copyright Parameters
The panel applet does not require a link back to the site "Adeveloper.com"
to run at your site. The panel applet does require that two copyright
parameters be specified in the calling HTML document between the
<APPLET> tags. The two copyright parameter lines must be typed exactly as
shown character case and space(s) count.
<PARAM NAME="copyright1" VALUE="Adeveloper Copyright (c) 1999">
<PARAM NAME="copyright2" VALUE="http://www.Adeveloper.com/">
If the two copyright parameters are exactly as shown above the panel will
display the messages specified in your applet parameters. If the
copyright parameter lines are not exactly as shown or missing the Message
Panel displays a default message sequence advertising the Panel and
Adeveloper.com. See example one ("example1.htm") to view the message
panel displaying the default messages sequence due to missing copyright
parameters.
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Panel Applet Frame Size
<PARAM NAME = "frame" VALUE = "7">
The "frame" parameter specifies the Java Message Panel frame width in pixels.
If you do not specify a frame parameter the default frame width is 0 pixels
(no frame). If you do not want a frame set the frame width to zero or set
the upper and lower frame colors to the panel background color. The frame
width parameter effects character height, each pixel in frame height reduces
the character height by two pixels (top and bottom frame). The "frame"
parameter applies to all lines displayed by the Message Panel.
URL Address For Single Mouse Click:
<PARAM NAME = "url" VALUE = "http://your.address.com/">
The "url" parameter is optional and specifies a URL address that is loaded
into the viewers browser when the Message Panel is left or right mouse
clicked. If no "url" parameter is specified then no action is taken when
the panel is mouse clicked (cursor over applet panel with mouse button
clicked).
Panel Bold Text Enable Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "bold" VALUE = "1">
The "bold" parameter specifies whether text is displayed as bold or normal.
To enable bold text specify a value of "1", to display text normally specify
a value of "0". If you do not specify a bold parameter then all messages are
displayed normally (no bold). The "bold" parameter applies to all messages
displayed by the panel.
Panel Italic Text Enable Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "italic" VALUE = "1">
The "italic" parameter specifies whether text is displayed as italic or normal.
To enable italic text specify a value of "1", to display text normally specify
a value of "0". If you do not specify an italic parameter then all messages
are displayed normally (no italic). The "italic" parameter applies to all
messages displayed by the panel.
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MESSAGE PANEL DEFAULT PARAMETERS
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<!-- Optional Default Message Parameters -->
<!-- Use these to eliminate common message parameters -->
<PARAM NAME="def_dly" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="def_msgCol" VALUE="green">
<PARAM NAME="def_bgCol" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="def_upFrCol" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="def_lowFrCol" VALUE="gray">
Default Message Delay Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "def_dly" VALUE = "2000">
The "def_dly" parameter specifies a default delay to be used for all text
message lines that do not include a delay parameter ("dly_#"). The "def_dly"
parameter specifies the number of milli-Seconds (1/1000 of Second) in that
a message is displayed. If the default delay parameter is omitted then the
default delay is two and one half seconds ("2500"). The minimum value for
the delay parameter is "10" or 0.01 Seconds. The maximum delay is "32767"
or 32.767 Seconds. The example above specifies a message delay of two
Seconds.
Default Message Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "def_msgCol" VALUE = "white">
The "def_msgCol" parameter specifies the message color to be used by all
message lines that do not include a message color parameter ("msgCol_#").
The "def_msgCol" parameter specifies the color of text message displayed.
If the "def_msgCol" parameter is omitted the default message color is white.
Default Message Background Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "def_bgCol" VALUE = "black">
The "def_bgCol" parameter specifies the message background color used by
all message lines that do not include a background color parameter ("bgCol_#").
The "def_bgCol" parameter specifies the color of the message background.
If the "def_bgCol" parameter is omitted the default background color is black.
Default Upper Frame Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "def_upFrCol" VALUE = "white">
The "def_upFrCol parameter specifies the upper frame color used by all
message lines that do not include an upper frame color parameter ("upFrCol_#").
The "def_upFrCol" parameter specifies the upper frame color (left and top frame
sides). If the "def_upFrCol" parameter is omitted the default upper frame
color is white.
Default Lower Frame Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "def_lowFrCol" VALUE = "black">
The "def_lowFrCol" parameter specifies the lower frame color used by all
message lines that do not include a lower frame color parameter ("lowFrCol_#").
The "def_lowFrCol" parameter specifies the lower frame color (right and
bottom frame sides). If the "def_lowFrCol" parameter is omitted the default
lower frame color is black.
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MESSAGE LINE PARAMETERS
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<!-- This is one message line group -->
<PARAM NAME="msg_#" VALUE="This is the text to display...">
<PARAM NAME="dly_#" VALUE="2500">
<PARAM NAME="msgCol_#" VALUE="green">
<PARAM NAME="bgCol_#" VALUE="black">
<PARAM NAME="upFrCol_#" VALUE="white">
<PARAM NAME="lowFrCol_#" VALUE="gray">
Message Line Parameters
Message Text Line Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "msg_#" VALUE = "Your message...">
The "msg_#" parameter specifies the text message to be displayed.
The pound sign (#) in the parameter NAME must be replaced by a number "1"
through "99" representing the message line number. Each panel message line
is automatically centered both horizontally and vertically within the panel
frame.
The font size used is automatically selected dependent on the panel applet
height and the panel applet frame height. If the "msg_#" parameter is omitted
a blank line is displayed. If the message (text) line is too long to fit
within the panel width specified then the text message is chopped on both ends.
Be careful of the real time date message as the length of the text line
displayed varies with the day of the week "Wednesday" being the longest.
Display Time and Date Message Text Line Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "msg_#" VALUE = "date">
To display the time and date in real time pass the message string "date".
The time and date are displayed for the number of milli-Seconds specified by
the message delay parameter. If the Seconds change during the display of
the time and date then the panel display is updated with the new time. The
actual time and date displayed originates from the client browser (visitors
time).
Some newer browsers use a time zone (TZ) environment variable that sets the
Java time zone. People viewing your site will see the correct time as the TZ
variable only effects the time displayed in the viewing browser. The TZ
environment variable is set in the AUTOEXEC.BAT startup file.
Eastern Time ----> SET TZ=EST+05EDT
Central Time ----> SET TZ=CST+06CDT
Mountain Time ---> SET TZ=MST+07MDT
Pacific Time ----> SET TZ=PST+08PDT
The Message Panel should be Y2K (year 2000 compliant) and has been tested
for correct roll over for the time and date display. Specifying a "date"
message counts as one message line.
Display Visitor Domain Message Line Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "msg_#" VALUE = "domain">
To display the visitor domain pass the message string "domain". The visitor
domain is displayed for the number of milli-Seconds specified by the message
line delay parameter. Specifying a "domain" message counts as one message
line. If the browser viewing the Message Panel is not on the Internet the
panel displays "Domain Unknown Host".
Display Visitor IP Address Message Text Line Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "msg_#" VALUE = "ip">
To display the visitor IP address pass the message string "ip". The visitor IP
address is displayed for the number of milli-Seconds specified by the message
line delay parameter. Specifying an "ip" message counts as one message line.
If the browser viewing the Message Panel is not connected to the Internet
the panel displays "IP Unknown Host".
Message Delay Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "dly_#" VALUE = "2500">
The "dly_#" parameter value specifies the number of milli-Seconds (1/1000 of
Second) to display a message. The pound sign (#) in the parameter NAME must
be replaced by a number "1" through "99" representing the message line number.
If the delay parameter is omitted the default delay message parameter is used.
The minimum value for the delay parameter value is "10" or 0.01 Seconds. The
maximum delay value is "32767" or roughly 32.8 Seconds.
Message Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "msgCol_#" VALUE = "white">
The "msgCol_#" parameter specifies the text color of the message to be
displayed. The pound sign (#) in the parameter NAME must be replaced by a
number "1" through "99" representing the message line number. If the
"msgCol_#" parameter is omitted then the default "def_msgCol" color parameter
is used.
Message Background Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "bgCol_#" VALUE = "black">
The "bgCol_#" parameter specifies the message background color. The pound sign
(#) in the name parameter must be replaced with a number "1" through "99"
representing the message line number. If the "bgCol_#" parameter is omitted
then the default "def_bgCol" color parameter is used.
Upper Frame Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "upFrCol_#" VALUE = "white">
The "upFrCol_#" parameter specifies the upper frame color. The pound sign
(#) in the name parameter must be replaced with a number "1" through "99"
representing the message line number. The "upFrCol_#" parameter value
specifies the upper frame color (left and top frame sides). If the "upFrCol_#"
parameter is omitted then the default "def_upFrCol" color parameter is used.
Lower Frame Color Parameter:
<PARAM NAME = "lowFrCol_#" VALUE = "gray">
The "lowFrCol_#" parameter specifies the lower frame color. The pound sign
(#) in the name parameter must be replaced with a number "1" through "99"
representing the message line number. The "lowFrCol_#" parameter value
specifies the lower frame color (right and bottom frame sides). If the
"lowFrCol_#" parameter is omitted then the default "def_lowFrCol" color
parameter is used.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 2.X
For people following the development of the Message Panel we apologize
for this release (Version 2.0) not including the features listed below.
The development time spent to display the true IP address far exceeded
the total time planned for this release of the Message Panel, or for that
matter the complete Message Panel project.
The features listed below will be incorporated into the panel in two
upcoming releases. Message Panel Version 2.1 will incorporate all
features necessary to support foreign languages. Message Panel 2.2
will incorporate the time zone and graphical enhancements.
Version 2.1 - Support for foreign languages
o Optional parameters for the seven day of the week strings ("Monday")
allowing the Message Panel to be configured for other languages.
o Control of the Message Panel time and date display including the order
of the time and date components and their separator characters enabling
the Message Panel time and date displays to be configured for other
languages.
Version 2.2 - Time Zone and graphical additions
o An optional time zone parameter that makes the Message Panel display
time in a specified time zone as opposed to the viewers time zone.
o Separate URL parameters for left or right mouse clicks.
o Bold text enhancements specified on a per message basis.
o Italic text enhancements specified on a per message basis.
o Optional transparent message panel frame and or background.
o Optionally specify colors in their Red Green Blue levels (0 to 255).
? Optional font size specified on a per message basis.
? Optional text position (X and Y) specified on a per message basis.
"?" --> Dependent on class file size not all of the above features
may be implemented in Version 2.2 The goal being to keep the
Message Panel class file under 18K.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISION HISTORY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 2.0
August 15, 1999 Version 2.0
1) Major code changes to work around ALL of the newer browser security
schemes of local host "127.0.0.1".
2) Message Panel "copyright1" parameter changed to accept the
years 1999, 1998, and 1997 as "Adeveloper Copyright (c) 1999">
3) Edits to documentation (this file: readme.txt)
4) Edits to all example files.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 1.3
March 7, 1997 Version 1.3
1) No code changes.
2) New Email address: sl@Adeveloper.com
was: sl@cyberTours.com
3) Minor edits to documentation (this file: readme.txt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 1.3
November 8, 1997 Version 1.3
1) The site Adeveloper now has a domain on the World Wide Web
"Adeveloper.com" or "adeveloper.com". This revision changes the
"copyright2" parameter and the example files to reflect the new domain.
VALUE="http://www.Adeveloper.com/"
VALUE="http://www.adeveloper.com/"
2) Removed the following Message Panel "copyright2" parameters
VALUE="http://www.cyberTours.com/~sl/"
VALUE="http://www.cybertours.com/~sl/"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 1.2
November 4, 1997 Version 1.2
1) Version 1.1 of the Message Panel displayed incorrectly or not at all
if the frame width parameter was set to zero and the panel was viewed
using Windows NT 4.0 running Internet Explorer V3.02 - fixed.
2) The Message Panel "copyright2" parameter may be either of the following:
VALUE="http://www.cyberTours.com/~sl/"
VALUE="http://www.cybertours.com/~sl/"
3) The default "frame" parameter is now 0.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 1.1
October 26, 1997 Version 1.1
1) Bug fix: Version 1.0 of the message panel displayed the hour incorrectly.
"12:XX" was displayed as "00:XX" for both AM and PM - fixed.
2) The Message Panel now supports 99 messages, version 1.0 supported 25.
3) Load URL now requires one left mouse click, Version 1.0 required two
left mouse clicks.
4) The Message Panel now requires one class file "mpanel.class", Version 1.0
required two class files ("TPanel1.class" and "visitorLocation.class").
5) The class file name has been simplified - shorter and all lower case
characters.
6) The new "mpanel.class" is smaller in size and loads faster then Version 1.0.
7) A number of code enhancements have been applied to make the panel code
smaller faster and less demanding on the viewing browser.
8) The message panel now supports the CODEBASE parameter for specifying a
a different directory for the class file.
9) The copyright lines have been changed and are shorter, they now reflect
the new site "Adeveloper" (http://www.cybertours.com/~sl/).
10) Example files are now included with a white background.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage Panel Version 1.0
March 16, 1997 Version 1.0
1) Version 1.0 First release :-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End-Of-File
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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