Hi Steve, I've done something like this. It's integrated as part of a larger Intranet application, so unfortunately it's not that easy to separate the code for you, but here's a brief run-down of the logic.
I added a database table called "system_notices". In this table are at least 4 initial fields you need: Notice_key (PK, "autonumber") User_id (indexed) Notice_url (min 255 characters) Notice_read (bit or boolean type of some kind) --- When creating a new message, I insert the message in a separate table (fairly straight forward), and then insert a new notice with the message recordkey in the "system_notices" table, the record might look like the following: Notice_key "65(some autonumber)" User_id "bob" Notice_url "messages.taf?record=45" Notice_read "0" Then, in the same TAF as your logon, after successfully logging on, check the table with something like: SELECT Notice_key, Notice_url FROM system_notices WHERE User_id = "bob" AND Notice_read = 0 >From this resultSet you could build an HTML table of links or use JavaScript to automatically pop open the links. One trick with the link is to add the "Notice_key" to the message URL, so it might look like "messages.taf?record=45¬icekey=65". Because then, when the message is being opened - the message TAF then knows to go and flag the Notice record as "Notice_read = 1" so that the next time the check is run - it won't open the same notice again (or you could delete the notice record as well). --- Some extra things to think about are: ~~ Having notices for things like a Reminders or automated system messages (cron) or link exchanges, in addition to user messages. ~~ Checking for message regularly after logon. This is a simple model that works well for during Logon, but adding notice checks during other times would be helpful too, so that people could receive messages while in the system. I do with this with a special <IFRAME> that I have embedded as part of my Intranet application while loaded in an MSIE Explorer Bar. In the attached screen-shot you see my Witango application as a custom toolbar in MSIE (bottom of window) and the <IFRAME> is the little green bar. The <IFRAME> actually checks the Notice table every 15 seconds so users can exchange messages anytime and the notice arrives (dialog center of window) almost instantly. Of course, you don't need an Explorer Bar to make it work. Using normal HTML Frames will work too, or some logic with certain TAFS that are loaded regularly. By the way, I built a generic MSIE Explorer Bar installer for anybody that is interested - works with any kind of web-application, but only with MSIE 5.x or higher on Windows. Hope this helps, and close to what you are looking for. Cheers.... Scott Cadillac, XML-Extranet - http://xml-extra.net 403-281-6090 - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well-formed Development -- Extranet solutions using C# .NET, Witango, MSIE and XML -----Original Message----- From: Campbell Steve [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 7:11 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Witango-Talk: Offtopic..messages Off topic and one that I am not for sure is possible. Fiirst off haven't posted in a while, but still enjoy this great list! Secondly, the question. I have a users portal that is pretty nice. It contains a lot of different data from many different tables. I want to include in my user portal the abiliity to leave a user a message. That is, when the user logs in and authenticates, they will see if anyone has left them a message. I don't want to use email, I don't want to sue forums. Has anyone had this situation or has anyone ever seen a taf that would do this? Maybe just leave a message for another user that populates a database and then it shows until a paramter is met and then it shows Inactive? Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks Steve ________________________________________________________________________ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Go to http://www.witango.com/maillist.taf ________________________________________________________________________ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Go to http://www.witango.com/maillist.taf
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