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The Remote Automated Information Manager, or "RAINMAN", is a set of tools and processes that allow information providers to create, modify and remove information stored on America Online. RAINMAN has the distinction of being fairly easy to use.
Through ARC there is a RAINMAN feature available designed to make it easier for you to manage your online RAINMAN content areas.


You create a script, or a text file of instructions, on your local computer system. Once you create the script, you send it to RAINMAN, which reads the script and performs the commands as instructed. The following is a brief introduction to RAINMAN. For more detailed information, consult Bringing Information Online Using RAINMAN.
You have the option of having AOL automatically display the "external IDs" of RAINMAN objects while you are online. (External IDs are the names you give your objects when you create them via RAINMAN.) Viewing external IDs is also known as "View Rights."


== Concepts and Terms ==
'''What is the benefit to me?'''


=== Groups ===
"View Rights" will allow you to easily track the external IDs that you need for your RAINMAN scripts. Instead of having to write down your IDs, you can now have them displayed on your forms as you navigate through your area on AOL.


A group is an area where RAINMAN stores the information that you send. There may be only one information provider per group, but there may be more than one group per information provider. Who can use RAINMAN and whether objects are date/time/ID stamped are configured in the group. Groups are set up and maintained by the ARCHelp staff. The content of the group, however, is controlled by the information provider.
'''What is "View Rights"?'''


=== Objects ===
"View Rights" is the ability to see the RAINMAN external IDs for all of the RAINMAN objects on AOL. The RAINMAN group number and external ID of each object will appear in the title bar of the window or in the listbox of a collection.


An object is any item that you can include in a RAINMAN group. Each object must be given an external ID, a three to eight character designation which must be unique within the group. This ID may contain letters, numbers, dollar signs ($), and underscores (_). The types of objects are:
Note that even though you will be able to see all RAINMAN object IDs, you will only be able to modify objects in groups for which you already have RAINMAN publishing rights.


'''Pages.''' A RAINMAN object that can contain text and/or graphics and/or a list box.
'''How do I get "View Rights" turned on for me?'''


'''Tokens and Arguments.''' A command that makes RAINMAN Plus perform an action.
You can request to have View Rights turned on or off for a screen name via a Form Driven Mail request form. This request form is available from keyword ARC > Tools > RAINMAN Plus.


'''Conference Rooms.''' Areas where members can conduct real-time conversations.
'''What else do I need to know?'''


'''Auditoriums.''' An area where up to 500 members can come to hear a speaker.
Things to keep in mind:


'''Message Boards.''' An area where members write notes that other members can read and answer.
* You may request to have the right turned on or off via the same form.
* We will only turn View Rights on for screen names which already have RAINMAN publishing rights.
* Please allow 7-10 business days for the right to be turned on or off.


'''Software Libraries.''' Areas where members can upload and download files.
With View Rights the external IDs are displayed at the far left of your Window title and listbox titles. This "pushes" the display of the actual title to the right. This is a display issue only for screen names with View Rights.  


'''Search Databases.''' UNIX-based online searchable databases.
View Rights does not change the title of any Window or listbox link, but in some cases, for a screen name with view rights, the titles will be pushed to the right and will appear to be cut off. Since this may be an inconvenience for you, please consider this issue before requesting View Rights for your screen name.


'''Form.''' A form in American Online's retriever database.
'''Examples'''


'''Old Form.''' An America Online library record.
Keyword ARC > Support with View Rights.


'''Old Search Database.''' Stratus-based online search database.
* Missing: articles/tech_viewrights_on.gif


== Links and Positioning ==
Keyword ARC > Support without View Rights.


A link establishes a connection between an object and an existing page. You may either define an ID for a link (a number from 1 to 256) or RAINMAN will automatically assign one for you. You may also specify the time at which to insert or remove the link. An object may have more than one link. However, there should be at least one link.
* Missing: articles/tech_viewrights_off.gif
 
In addition to establishing a link to a page, you may also define the position of that object within the collection. This position can be either absolute, defining the object's exact location within the list box, or it can be relative to another object within the list box.
 
== Delimiter ==
 
A typical RAINMAN command looks like this: \CREATE. The backslash (\) is a delimiter that tells RAINMAN that the next word is a command. You may change the delimiter if the use of a backslash conflicts with the nature of the information you are uploading. You can change the delimiter to any combination of up to three characters. The change of your delimiter will be in effect for that script only.
 
== Writing a Script ==
 
The following are sample scripts which demonstrate basic processes that can be performed with RAINMAN. Items contained within angle brackets <> indicate information that you need to provide.
 
=== Creating a Page ===
<pre>
\CREATE PAGE
\HEADLINE
\FORM <#>
\FIELD <#> TEXT
 
\INSERT LINK
\POSITION IN PAGE
</pre>
This script creates a page, assigns it a headline and text, and places it within an existing page. The ID in the first command must be unique within the group. The text in the \HEADLINE command will appear in the title bar of the article's window. The number <#> in the \FIELD command indicates to which field the following text is displayed. TEXT is a parameter of the \FIELD command. Also, remember to hit the return key after the TEXT parameter and before the text. The collection in which you place this collection must already exist.
 
=== Creating a Page with Graphics ===
<pre>
\CREATE ARTICLE
\HEADLINE
\FORM 113
\FIELD 3 TEXT
 
\FIELD 1 TEXT
 
\FIELD 11 TEXT
 
\BINARY 5
</pre>
This script goes a step further than the previous one. We defined which form we wanted to use with the \FORM command. You can find the form definitions in the "Forms Catalog." The various \FIELD # TEXT commands specify which text goes to which field.
 
The \BINARY command is actually a flag for the RAINMAN Grinder tool which will need to be run on this script. See RAINMAN Grinder for more information. Scripts for graphic articles will need to be submitted via e-mail. Graphics may also be processed with the Visual RAINMAN tool. See the Visual RAINMAN information page.
 
== Submitting a Script ==
 
=== Interactive RAINMAN ===
 
In order to use Interactive RAINMAN, you must first sign on to America Online. Go to keyword INTERACT and type or paste your script into the RAINMAN Command Interface field and then click execute. Once RAINMAN has processed your script you will receive feedback that details what was created and any errors or warnings that were generated.
 
=== E-Mail ===
 
You submit scripts via e-mail. In order to do this, compose a new mail message and address it to RAINMANSys. You may either type the script in the body or attach a file containing the script to the message. Send the message. RAINMAN processes the script upon receipt and replies in a mail message that details what was created and any errors or warnings that were generated.
 
For further information and/or training in the use of RAINMAN Plus, please contact your producer or review the information available at keyword: ARC under "ARC Training."


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Revision as of 20:47, 2 October 2020

 
AOL-Files Articles Downloads FDO91

Through ARC there is a RAINMAN feature available designed to make it easier for you to manage your online RAINMAN content areas.

You have the option of having AOL automatically display the "external IDs" of RAINMAN objects while you are online. (External IDs are the names you give your objects when you create them via RAINMAN.) Viewing external IDs is also known as "View Rights."

What is the benefit to me?

"View Rights" will allow you to easily track the external IDs that you need for your RAINMAN scripts. Instead of having to write down your IDs, you can now have them displayed on your forms as you navigate through your area on AOL.

What is "View Rights"?

"View Rights" is the ability to see the RAINMAN external IDs for all of the RAINMAN objects on AOL. The RAINMAN group number and external ID of each object will appear in the title bar of the window or in the listbox of a collection.

Note that even though you will be able to see all RAINMAN object IDs, you will only be able to modify objects in groups for which you already have RAINMAN publishing rights.

How do I get "View Rights" turned on for me?

You can request to have View Rights turned on or off for a screen name via a Form Driven Mail request form. This request form is available from keyword ARC > Tools > RAINMAN Plus.

What else do I need to know?

Things to keep in mind:

  • You may request to have the right turned on or off via the same form.
  • We will only turn View Rights on for screen names which already have RAINMAN publishing rights.
  • Please allow 7-10 business days for the right to be turned on or off.

With View Rights the external IDs are displayed at the far left of your Window title and listbox titles. This "pushes" the display of the actual title to the right. This is a display issue only for screen names with View Rights.

View Rights does not change the title of any Window or listbox link, but in some cases, for a screen name with view rights, the titles will be pushed to the right and will appear to be cut off. Since this may be an inconvenience for you, please consider this issue before requesting View Rights for your screen name.

Examples

Keyword ARC > Support with View Rights.

  • Missing: articles/tech_viewrights_on.gif

Keyword ARC > Support without View Rights.

  • Missing: articles/tech_viewrights_off.gif