Chicago  ACT! USER GROUP

Meeting Date: March 1998

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

It’s official! ACT! 4.0 is now shipping. At first glance, ACT! 4.0 is more like an enhanced version of ACT! 3.0 rather than a total overhaul of the program. But look a little closer and you’ll see that ACT! 4.0 sports some nifty new features and a new look. In a nutshell, ACT! 4.0 contains an improved Internet interface, tighter integration with e-mail and faxing, the addition of SideACT! – a mini scheduling program, and enhanced synchronization. Plus, Symantec has thoughtfully included a multimedia description of ACT! 4.0’s features on the CD ROM along with the software.

To run ACT! 4.0 for Windows 95/NT you’ll need Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, a PC with 80486 or higher microprocessor, a CD-ROM drive, 8 MB of RAM and a minimum of 30MB of free hard disk space though Symantec states that 40MB of hard disk space is required for a typical installation. When you purchase ACT! 4.0, you’ll also get a free copy of ACT! 3.0 for Windows 3.1.

ACT! 4.0 for Windows 95/NT will be available through Symantec's network of authorized resellers for an estimated retail price of US$189.95. Current ACT! users can purchase ACT! 4.0 upgrades for US$89.95. ACT! 4.0 for Windows 95/NT will be available through Symantec's network of authorized resellers for an estimated retail price of US$189.95. Current ACT! users can purchase ACT! 4.0 upgrades for US$89.95.

Stay tuned as ACT! 4.0 will surely be the subject of much hot discussion over the coming months.

Also, remember: ACT! User Group meeting notices are now available via e-mail. To receive e-mail notification of meetings, simply send a message to info@etechsys.com. We’ll add you to our e-mailing list.

MEETING FEATURE: The Portable Office - ACT! Faxing and E-mailing

Okay, you’re at a three day conference, there’s a break between panel discussions and you figure ‘this would be a great time to check in with the office’, right? Wrong! Everyone, it seems, is heading for the bank of four phones outside the restroom. Well, if you’ve packed your cellular phone, you’re in good shape. If you’ve got your laptop PC with you, too, you can even do more – like fax and send and retrieve e-mail messages without any "hardwired" connection to a phone line. Jim Koretz, ACT! Certified Consultant, showed us how at our March meeting.

Getting Started

The first step is to obtain and configure the necessary hardware and software. Assuming you are using a laptop PC with Windows 95, you’ll first need to get a PCMCIA cellular-ready modem. (Jim uses a Megahertz XJ56K.) In addition to a cellular phone with a modem jack (such as the Nokia 2160) you’ll need a special cable to connect the modem to the phone.

Next you’ll need some fax software. Jim recommends Winfax Pro for seamless operation with ACT!. The latest version (8.03) is best though Winfax 4.0 will work with ACT!, as well. Another option is Microsoft Fax (free with Windows 95). While other fax software can be used, fax numbers have to be entered separately in the fax software’s own address book (even if they are already in ACT!) and it will not be possible to perform broadcast e-mail from within ACT!.

System Configuration

Finally, you’ll need to configure your system. Start by configuring your modem by executing the (Windows) commands: START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL, MODEMS, DIALING PROPERTIES. If your cellular phone operates from a different area code, create a new profile within the ‘Where I am’ dialog box. Also, configure your modem for cellular connection by going to the Modem Properties General Tab and clicking on the PROPERTIES button. Go to the Connection Tab and click on the ADVANCED button. Select the Cellular Protocol check box.

Similarly, configure Winfax to work with the cellular network (WINFAX, SETUP MODEM, PROPERTIES, CELLULAR TELEPHONE, 4800BPS SETTING). Note that the bandwidth limitations of cellular networks make communications at speeds greater than 4800 baud unreliable.

But Can I Send E-mail?

It’s also possible to send and receive e-mail messages via laptop PC and cell phone. Eudora (e-mail software) is a good fit with ACT!. Use Windows Explorer (START, PROGRAMS, WINDOWS EXPLORER) to create a separate modem profile for cell phone based e-mail communication. Click on Dial Up Networking and Make New Connection. Although speeds of 9600 BPS are sometimes possible, 4800 BPS represents a more realistic setting. This is why Jim recommends setting the maximum speed to 4800 BPS. You’re ready to go. Now you can send and receive e-mail and even browse the Web (albeit slowly). Given the slower connection speed, consider limiting the size of (received) e-mail files to something like 40Kb and save the large downloads for another time.

· It is not a good idea to drive while attempting to send faxes or e-mail(!)

· Check the strength of the cellular signal before attempting contact. The signal must be strong for a stable connection.

· Selling Tip: Send a fax or e-mail ‘thank-you’ immediately after meeting with a prospect from the parking lot.

OPEN FORUM:

Q: Can you explain what PC Anywhere does?

A: Sure. PC Anywhere allows you to tie two PCs together via a phone line. It works like a remote control for your PC. For example, you could use your laptop to retrieve files from your desktop PC in the office. Or you could (while at home) direct a PC at the office to print out a report for a coworker to take to a meeting. You can also use PC Anywhere to troubleshoot problems on a far away computer!

Q: A while back we discussed "signature fonts" (converting your signature into a font which could be used in any word processing document) and "logo fonts". Where can I get more information?

A: Check out www.skillnet.com.

OUR NEXT MEETING

will be Tuesday May 12, 1998. We will discuss Eudora e-mail software and describe how to use it and configure it for use with ACT!. We’ll also update you with the latest ACT! news and information from Symantec and, of course, will answer your ACT!-related questions during our Open Forum Q&A session. The meeting will be held at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts Lecture Hall located at 201 Schaumburg Court (just off Schaumburg Road, between Plum Grove and Roselle Roads).

The ACT! User Group (a SIG of the C.C.S.) holds meetings on the second Tuesday of the month, eight months out of the year. User Group meetings are free and open to all C.C.S. members. Call E Tech Systems at 847-352-4770 to get meeting notices or e-mail us at info@etechsys.com.

E Tech Systems is an ACT! Certified Consulting firm and Symantec Authorized Training Center. E Tech has installed, configured, and customized ACT! for dozens of companies and trained hundreds of ACT! users. Alan Lee can be reached at E Tech at 847-352-4770 or via e-mail to alee@etechsys.com

© Copyright 1998 by Alan M. Lee. Other nonprofit computer user's groups may reprint this material providing credit is given the author and C.C.S. Future rights for publication reserved by Alan M. Lee. ACT! is a registered trademark of Symantec Corporation.

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