NOTICE - A system notice facility for VMS 4.x

  This is a notice facility based on the old DECUS program NOTICEUTL.  This
system allows a system manager or operator to enter system-wide notices
easily and uniformly.  Notices are then displayed to the designated users
when the login via a call to SHOWNOTE from SYLOGIN.COM.

  This system is written in Pascal.  Notices are added using callable EDT.
Notices can be directed to specific USERNAMEs or terminal devices directly
or through MAIL compatible distribution lists.  Additionally, pre-existing
notice text files can be used.  Notices can be repeated ALWAYS, DAILY, or
ONCE.  The subject of the notice is displayed preceding the notice in
reverse video with all significant words capitalized.  This system runs
on a VAXcluster and handles record locking.

  Notice text files are stored in thier own directory and can be edited
while the notice is active.


  To install this system:

	o Copy NOTICE.EXE and SHOWNOTE.EXE to SYS$SYSTEM 
	  (SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE] on a VAXcluster)

	o Create a directory to contain the system notice text files:

	  	$ CREATE/DIR ddcu:[NOTICE]/OWNER=[SYSTEM]

	o Define a system logical name to point to this new directory:

		$ DEF/SYS/EXEC SYS$NOTICE ddcu:[NOTICE]

	o Install SHOWNOTE /OPEN/HEADER/SHARED/PRIV=(READALL)
                                                        
	o Create the initial (empty) notice data file:

		$ notice :== $notice
		$ notice create
		Notice> exit

	o Add the SYS$NOTICE logical name to your site-specific login
	  command procedure (SYS$MANAGER:SYSTARTUP.COM).  Also add the 
	  installation of SHOWNOTE.

	o Add the following lines to the bottom of your system-wide LOGIN.COM
	  (SYS$MANAGER:SYLOGIN.COM):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$	mcr shownote
$	if f$type(notices_displayed) .nes. "" then -
	  if notices_displayed .eqs. "NO" then goto leave
$	inquire cont "    Press return to continue"
$
$ leave:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  The notice system should now be installed.  Those who should be allowed
to add notices must have write access to the notice directory (either by
UIC, SYSPRV, BYPASS, or an ACL on the directory itself), and they should
define the NOTICE symbol in their LOGIN.COM:

	$ NOTICE :== RUN SYS$SYSTEM:NOTICE

  For further (albeit minimal) help, go into notice and type HELP.
	                                           

Written by Derrell Piper
    120 Rosenau Hall (201H)
    University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    (919) 966-5106

  DERRELL@UNCSPHVX.BITNET
  hobbit@ecsvax.UUCP