Pop up messages

[Guest]

I am interested in finding out if there is any such thing as having the
ability to send pop messages to different users on the database without
necessarily using email function. I have a DBS that I share with employees.
The access it by logging into it own their computers. Is there a function
that they can send me a message and me them...something similar to instant
message and that I can respond back to them?

 

[Rick Brandt]

I am interested in finding out if there is any such thing as having
the ability to send pop messages to different users on the database
without necessarily using email function. I have a DBS that I share
with employees. The access it by logging into it own their computers.
Is there a function that they can send me a message and me
them...something similar to instant message and that I can respond
back to them?

As long as you are all running the file, yes. You have form's timer event check
for the presence of new data in a shared table. When you find data in the table
newer then the last time you looked you display it to the user. You also give
that user the ability to add new stuff to the same table and that will trigger
other people's timer event to show that data to them.

You can elaborate on that basic idea to make messages user-specific (recipient
wise).

 

[Guest]

OK! Great! So how do I do it? Where do I start first?

 

[Rick Brandt]

OK! Great! So how do I do it? Where do I start first?

Well, (up to now) you have given no clue as to your level of expertise with
Access. So some basics for non-user specific messages (walk before you run).

You need a table with a memo field to hold messages and a DateTime field that
defaults to Now() so that each message is time-stamped Lets say that field is
named MessageTime.

You need a form that opens hidden at application startup that has a Timer event.
You have to decide how often you will check for new messages. As an example
lets say you want to check every 10 seconds. That would require a
TimerInterval property of 10000.

The code module for the form would have a module level variable of type DateTime
that will hold the Timestamp of the last time the table was "checked" for new
data. That will be compared to the newest record in the table to see if it is
new or not. We'll call that variable LastChecked.

In your code in the Timer event you have something like...

Dim LastMessage as DateTime

LastMessage = DMax("MessageTime", "TableName")

If LastMessage > LastChecked Then
(code to display the message)
End If

LastChecked = Now()

Is that enough to get you started?

 

[Guest]

Yes! I will do it. I guess you can say I'm not beginner and not quite
intermediate. What I have is self taught and mostly not with the coding.
But I do understand what ur saying and will give it a try.

 

[Guest]

Ok...so this is what I did to understand you -
1. Setup a table with fields Message (memo) and MessageTime (datetime
w.default now())
2. I made a form from the table for users to type in messages.
3. Created another form with TimeInterval 10000 and with the Timer Event
Code as you stated below

Ok, so my questions are -
1. How do I state the following in the (code to display message) part?
(Popup or become visible to me (the Admin) when a new message appears.)
I tried - If LastMessage > LastChecked And CurrentUser = "myname" Then
Me.Visible = True
2. Then, do I need a field on the form called LastMessage and LastChecked
or is that a part of the event?

basically, what I would like (if it's possible) is for users to type a
message that they need something to be done. Once they push save the form
becomes visible to me and either I can resend a message or something.

Obviously, I am a very basic user....but THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help!

 

[Rick Brandt]

Ok...so this is what I did to understand you -
1. Setup a table with fields Message (memo) and MessageTime (datetime
w.default now())
2. I made a form from the table for users to type in messages.
3. Created another form with TimeInterval 10000 and with the Timer
Event Code as you stated below

Ok, so my questions are -
1. How do I state the following in the (code to display message)
part? (Popup or become visible to me (the Admin) when a new
message appears.) I tried - If LastMessage > LastChecked And
CurrentUser = "myname" Then Me.Visible = True
2. Then, do I need a field on the form called LastMessage and
LastChecked or is that a part of the event?

basically, what I would like (if it's possible) is for users to type a
message that they need something to be done. Once they push save the
form becomes visible to me and either I can resend a message or
something.

Obviously, I am a very basic user....but THANK YOU SO MUCH for your
help!

The hidden form with the Timer Event can be the same form used to read and send
messages (though it doesn't have to be). Actually that would simplify things
quite a bit.

Give the hidden form a RecordSource of...

SELECT TOP 1
FROM TableName
ORDER BY MessageTime DESC

Whenever the form is opened or Requeried, it will display the newest message.
The TimerEvent then just needs to be...

Me.Requery
If Me!MessageTime > LastChecked Then
Me.Visible = True
End If
LastChecked = Now()

For the user to reply all you need is a standard GoToNewRecord button. They
enter the new message and you provide a [ Send ] button that does...

Me.Dirty = False
Me.Visible = False