Automatically updating Windows CE Channel Information using the Windows 95 Plus! System Agent

Applies To:

• Windows CE 2.0
• Handheld PC Professional
• Handheld PC 2000
• Palm-Size PC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2
• Windows 95 Plus!

Overview:

By default the Channel Wizard application lacks the ability to automatically synchronise Channel content based on a schedule. This functionality was later added into ActiveSync as a module for Internet Explorer's Off-line Folders service, however this functionality only interoperates with the Pocket PC.

This article discusses how to setup automatic synchronisation using the Windows 95 Plus! packs System Agent service

More Info:

Original Windows 95 lacked a scheduling facility. Functionality was added to Windows 95 in the form of the System Agent in the Windows 95 Plus! Pack. With the release of Internet Explorer 4.0, a permanent service was added to the operating system in the form of the Internet Explorer Active Desktop Shell's Task Scheduler Service.

In order to make use of the newer Task Scheduler you must upgrade your Windows 95 Install to use the HPC:Factor Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 installation. This will upgrade the Windows Services manager to make use of the updated components.

How-to Guide:

1. Determine if System Agent is installed. Go to Start >Programs > Accessories > System Tools. If System Agent is listed then it is installed. If System Agent is not already installed, install Microsoft® Plus! for Windows® 95, making sure to select the System Agent component. Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95 is a product separate from Windows 95 and can be purchased at a software retailer.
2. Open System Agent from Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Agent.
3. From the "Program" menu Choose "Schedule a New Program...."
4. In the "Program:" field enter the Mobile Channel Wizard instructions you would like to schedule.
   
   
   
   For example entering:
   "c:\Program Files\Mobile Channel Wizard\wceocw.exe" -c http://www.hpcfactor.com/default.asp -s -k 1000 -l 0 -m -u
   into the "Program:" field will create a Mobile Channel out of http://www.hpcfactor.com/default.asp
   
   The -letters that follow "c:\Program Files\Mobile Channel Wizard\wceocw.exe" are options which effect the Mobile Channel that is created. In the above example
   
   • [-c http://www.hpcfactor.com/default.asp] begins the creation of the Mobile Channel at the starting page http://www.hpcfactor.com/default.asp
   • [-s] places the channel in synchronisation options
   • [-k 1000] downloads a maximum of 1000 kilobytes
   • [-l 0] in addition to the starting page (http://www.hpcfactor.com/default.asp) download 0 levels of links
   • [-m] specifies that sound and images are to be included
   • [-u] causes unrestricted following of links
   
   
   NOTE: The [-c URL] and the [-s] are both required options. The default settings when other options are not used are: to have unlimited download size, in addition to the starting page download 0 levels of links, do not download sound and images, and to limit followed links to pages within site and below the starting page (selected in -c).
   
   Below is a listing of options that can follow after "c:\Program Files\Mobile Channel Wizard\wceocw.exe":
   
   

   Usage: "c:\Program Files\Mobile Channel Wizard\wceocw.exe" [-c {URL}] [-s] [-k {n}] [-l {n}] [-m] [-p {directory}] [ [-o] | [-u] ]
   -c {URL}	starting page to begin download (required)
   -s	Automatically subscribe to generated channel (place in channel synchronisation options) (required)
   -k {number}	Maximum download size (KB) (default is unlimited)
   -l {number}	in addition to the starting page, number of levels of links to download (default is 0)
   -m	download Images and Sounds (default is not to download Images and Sounds)
   -p {directory}	path to publish to generated CDF into
   -o	limit followed links to pages within site (default is pages within site, and below the starting page selected in -c)
   -u	unrestricted link following (default is pages within site, and below the starting page selected in -c)
   -?	help

   
   
   
5. Click the "When to Run" button.
6. Select how often you would like the Mobile Channel to be updated, and click "OK".
7. If prompted with the "Do you want to postpone this program until its next scheduled time" dialogue, press 'No', so that the channel will be created immediately.

Follow these steps for each Mobile Channel Wizard channel for which you would like to schedule automatic updates.

Notes for Modem Users

If the Mobile Channel Wizard has been scheduled to run during times when the computer is not already connected to the Internet, the user will be prompted to connect. To avoid manually stepping through the connection process, try either of the following options:

• Schedule updates to occur only when modem is connected. This may mean leaving modem connected if scheduling of frequent updates is desired, or scheduling updates less frequently.
• Checkmark the "Save password", and "Connect automatically" boxes. This will allow "Dial-up Connection" to automatically make a connection without user intervention.
  

To automatically disconnect after updating the Mobile Channel take the following steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer from under Start > Programs > Internet Explorer > Internet Explorer or by double clicking on the desktop icon.
2. Under the "View" menu choose "Internet Options...".
3. Select the "Connection" tab, and press the "Settings..." Button.
4. Checkmark the "Disconnect if idle for X minutes" box. In the minutes dialogue select how long after downloading the Mobile Channel, the computer should disconnect.
   Note: This will break connections any time the computer is idle for the specified amount of time.

Acknowledgements:

The information in this article was in part originally published by the Microsoft Corporation.