epAssist Personal Assistant - version 2.0 - Build 523  (October 2000)
Golden Crater Software


Overview
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epAssist Personal Assistant is an Electronic Assistant or 'Agent' that will execute tasks on your behalf at your request.  The assistant communicates to you and you to it though eMail or a bar docked at the top of your desktop. epAssist strives to allow you access to information and functionality of your desktop computer no matter where you are -- home, away, though your pager or handheld -- and in the simplest way possible.  The simplest way we can think of is speaking to it as you would any human.

Imagine checking office email from a 2-way pager, or from your home computer.   "Please send unread messages without attachments."

The important document you require is unreadable on the floppy you copied it to. "Send the document called (Important Contract.doc)"

Your address book is on your office desk. "What is the cellular number for (Joe)?"

Your computer has a Voice Modem that you use as an answering machine. It also places voicemail as messages in your email inbox.  Check your answering machine from anywhere.

Imagine accessing the security camera mounted inside your house while you are on vacation on a different continent.  "Send a security image of the house."

Your co-worker tells you of a great program.  From work, ask your home computer to download the file for you. "Download file (http://www.goldencrater.com/epAssist/setup-epA.exe)"

You are on the phone and you need a quick calendar of the current month.  "Show me a calendar."


 
What is epAssist Personal Assistant?
------------------------------------

epAssist Personal Assistant is an Electronic Assistant or 'Agent' that will execute tasks on your behalf at your request.  The assistant communicates to you and you to it though eMail or a bar docked at the top of your desktop. Requests such as "Please send unread messages" or "Please send me this file" can be handled.

Imagine your machine at work being watched by your trusted personal assistant.  You could be at home, on the job site, in a hotel, or emailing though your palmtop.  Have your assistant send you your unread email (but please don't send attachments, the modem is too slow,) save a document on your hard drive, and then print it out on the company printer.

epAssist (using plugins created by Golden Crater) will never send any unsolicited messages from your email account. epAssist will never remove a message from your email account. epAssist does communicate to your email account using the MAPI programming protocol.  Many packages support this interface.  Some examples of supported email applications are Microsoft's Outlook product line, Netscape's Communicator products, and Qualcomm's Eudora.


Why create epAssist Personal Assistant?
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A couple of years ago, I was working at a firm as a developer.  Several times, I would throw a bunch of code files on a floppy and bring them home to work on.  All too often I would discover I would need some other file.  This would result in me calling a co-worker and asking them to e-mail the file. epAssist became my personal assistant.

The same company had a policy of sending a form email after the nightly update of files, letting us know when the data was ready for copying and processing. Of course we all had a batch file we ran in the morning. epAssist began watching for that message and started the copy and processing for me.  Every morning I would come in to a machine that was up-to-date and ready to begin work.


What about Security?
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There are several levels of security incorporated into epAssist. 

First is your assistant's name.  Most plugins will not activate unless addressed to your assistant.  Your assistant will only read messages with its name in the subject.

Second, changing program properties can be protected by a password.

Third, you may list email addresses you wish your assistant to accept messages from. Anyone else's requests will be denied.

Fourth, if you request that a file be sent though the mail, that file can be compressed in the ZIP format.  This format supports password encryption.  epAssist supports two passwords -- one for inbound zip files, another for outbound. The password is set in the properties beforehand.  This way the password is never transmitted though email.

Fifth, individual plugins can be enabled and disabled. This can be changed  ONLY though program options.  There is no plugin to enable plugins remotely.

Sixth, third party plugin writers (using the proposed SDK) will not have access to your mail username and password.  That information stays encrypted within the main program.

While we can't guarantee your system will be completely safe, we have tried to close as many loopholes as possible.  Please keep this in mind and use at your own risk.  We cannot be responsible for loss, damage, or security issues arising from the use of this program.


Why should I register?
----------------------

epAssist, as installed, is free for you to use.  Registering will unlock extra functionality and allow you to use additional plugins. There is a free, fully-functional version available -- supported though ads.  You have a choice when you download.

Some options will activate upon registration.  This includes "Begin Minimized" and "Activate on Startup" options that can automatically cause your assistant to activate between certain times.

When you register, please ensure you include your email address. We will be sending you a personalized key.  Once the key arrives in your email, 'Deactivate' your assistant, if active, and enter the property pages.  Proceed to the "Register" tab and enter the key mailed to you (cut and paste works best.)  Once you've entered your key, it will be verified and stored.  

You may wish to visit our web site (http://www.GoldenCrater.com/software/epAssist.html) and download any registered only plugins there, as these will now be unlocked on your system.  At some point, your assistant will run in a diagnostic mode, ensure all plugins are working properly and will collect version info (on epAssist only) and send the results to Golden Crater Software.  No private information has been sent (the message will probably be in your "Sent Items" basket of your email program.)  This step ensures you have up-to-date plugins, language files, and that the key is working correctly.

Once Golden Crater receives your verification message, you are eligible for updates that will be sent to your assistant and handled automatically.  Please do not open these messages before your assistant does, as your assistant will activate only on unread or unopened messages.

As of release, there are five "Registered Only" plugins:
-	Send a summary of email messages
-	Record several seconds of audio and send it. (Home security)
-	Save a video capture and send it.  (Home security)
-	Find contact information in your Global Address List.  (email & phone)
-	Notification of new email from specific names and addresses (over email or popup window)


How do I register?
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Come see us at http://www.GoldenCrater.com/software/epAssist.html


What else can it do?
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Come see us at http://www.GoldenCrater.com/software/epAssist.html


We are open to suggestions on other practical, useful plugins. Drop us a line at "information@GoldenCrater.com" if you have an idea. Please note that any suggestions submitted become property of Golden Crater Software.

We are also planning on releasing a C++ 'SDK' for creating plugins.  Please drop us a line if you or your firm is interested in developing for epAssist. Any plugins created with the SDK would remain property of the author. This route might be of interest for electronic hardware manufacturers or eCommerce sites.


Requirements
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- A system running Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000.
- 32 MB of RAM
- 10 MB free hard disk space
- eMail access (full-time connection or auto-connecting and polling without human interaction)
    - this may be on a LAN, WAN, cable-modem, ADSL, dial-up.
    - only required if you wish to use the email portion.
- eMail account that supports downloading mail to a offline email reader program. Many web based email accounts may not qualify.  MSN Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail have POP access options and can be set up to work with epAssist.
- eMail program that supports MAPI.  We suggest looking to www.tucows.com or www.zdnet.com. if you do not currently have an email reader program.


Think you've found a bug?
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If you experience something you think might be a bug, please report it by sending a message to GoldenCrater@Bigfoot.com. Describe what you did and what happened and any error messages reported. You may wish to attach a copy of the Log File.  If the bug appears to be the result of an email you sent, please forward a copy of that message with your description.


Disclaimer
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epAssist software and documentation are copyrighted, with all rights  reserved. epAssist software accompanying  your license (the "Software") may not be copied, except as otherwise provided 
in your software license or as expressly permitted in writing by Golden Crater Software.

epAssist software and documentation are Copyright 1999 by Golden Crater Software.  All rights reserved.  

All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Use of epAssist and other software accompanying your license (the "Software") and its documentation are governed by the terms set forth in your license.  Such use is at your sole risk.  The Software and its documentation (including this manual) are provided "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind and GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS  FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND AGAINST INFRINGEMENT. GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE DOES  NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED.  FURTHERMORE, GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.  NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE OR A GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY.  SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE, ITS LICENSORS OR THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS 
BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES  (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE OR A GOLDEN CRATER SOFTWARE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY.

In no event shall Golden Crater Software total liability to you for all damages, losses, and causes of action (whether in contract, tort, including negligence, or otherwise) exceed the amount paid for the Software and its documentation.


Specialized Versions
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If you are interested in developing plugins for epAssist, please let us know. The more demand, the more incentive to release the kit.

Golden Crater can produce a branded version of epAssist to fit your corporate requirements.  Please contact us.

Golden Crater is available to write customized plugins.


Golden Crater Software
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information@GoldenCrater.com
http://www.GoldenCrater.com
