Instant Messaging

If you are using ezCart 2001 via a TCP/IP connection, you can communicate with other users who are also connected to the same host rcServer via the IP Message Dialog. You can send text messages to all connected users or send a private message to one selected user. Each message is limited to 80 characters in length, including spaces. You will also receive messages, which are displayed in this dialog, either those sent as part of a broadcast message to all users or a private message from another user to you only.

To use the messaging feature, click on the [Open IP message dialog] button on the main display. A dialog similar to the following will be displayed:

Display Roll-Up

To help with screen clutter, this dialog has a "roll-up" feature. Click on the Windows [Minimize] button and the dialog "rolls up" - only the title bar is displayed. To "unroll" it, click on the Windows [Maximize] button.

To truly minimize the display, click twice on the [Minimize] button. The first click will "roll up" the display, the second will minimize it. To restore the display, click on the [Maximize] button once to restore it to it's "rolled up" state, then again to make the full display visible.

Messages

The Messages area displays messages sent and received in chronological order. The time of the message, the user who sent the message, and the message text is displayed for each message. The messages window can be scrolled up and down, left and right as needed.

Messages are not retained when you exit ezCart 2001.

Send a Message

The text of the message you wish to send is entered in the Message Text to Send edit control. You control whether the message is sent to all users or to just one user by checking or un-checking the Private Message check box.

All Users

A message you've entered is sent to all users connected to the host rcServer when the Private Message check box is not checked. After typing the message, click on the [Send Msg] button.

Private Message

A message is sent privately to only one user when the Private Message check box is checked and you have selected a user from the Connected Users list by clicking on one of the user names. After typing the message, click on the [Send Msg] button. It will be sent only to the selected user - other connected users will not receive the message.

A private message is private only in the sense that it is not sent to connected users other than the one you select. Be aware that the host rcServer application records and displays all message traffic among connected users, including private messages. The rcServer administrator would therefore be able to see any messages declared as "private" by ezCart 2001. In addition, the message is sent as standard text, non-encrypted, so the message content could be intercepted if you are connecting to the host rcServer via the Internet.

Beep on Message

Because you might not always have the messaging dialog displayed or may have it "rolled up", you can have ezCart 2001 "beep" when a new message is received. Enable this feature by checking the Beep on Message check box.

The "beep" volume is controlled by the Windows audio volume setting on your PC. Some PC's do not implement this feature well and the sound may be very low level or even non-existent, depending on whether or not you have a sound card installed and/or and adequate PC speaker.