Trigger A Macro On Another Computer On Network

[randallc]

Hi, I hope this is not silly question;

I have two separate computers on the network, both running macro express. I would like to trigger a macro to run on the another computer, computer2, when I'm sitting at a different desk, computer1.

 

Is this just a silly question and it should be obvious, or is it not possible? I am flummoxed. I have read the macro express book, and have not seen any reference to this. Can anyone help?

Thanks very much, Randall Clapp.

[kevin]

You are correct, Macro Express does not have any commands to do this directly. However, you can write some macros that will accomplish the task.

 

On the 'remote' computer, create a Scheduled Macro that looks for the existence of specific 'trigger' files. Then, when the files are found, run the appropriate macro.

 

On the 'local' computer, create one or more macros that map a network drive and create a 'trigger' file on the 'remote' computer.

 

Set the schedule of the macro on the remote computer for the frequency you want to check. You could check as often as every second but the more often you check the more CPU cycles you will use.

 

Here is a untested example:

 

Macro for the remote computer:

// Macro for 'Remote' computer

// Check for trigger file for MacroOne
If File Exists "MacroOne"
 Macro Run: MacroOne
 // Delete the file that triggered this macro
 Wait for File Ready: "MacroOne"
 Delete File or Files: "MacroOne"
End If

// Check for trigger file for MacroTwo
If File Exists "MacroTwo"
 Macro Run: MacroTwo
 // Delete the file that triggered this macro
 Wait for File Ready: "MacroTwo"
 Delete File or Files: "MacroTwo"
End If

Macro for the 'local' computer:

// Macro for 'Local' computer to trigger MacroOne on remote computer

// Establish a network connection
Variable Set String %T1% "AnyValue"
Network Connect: H: to \\IssServer\c
// Set the path in the Variable Modify String command to match the folder
//   and filename the macro on the remote computer is looking for.
Variable Modify String: Save %T1% to Text File

[randallc]

Hi, Kevin,

Thanks for the information and saving me thinking! I think I'm exhausted this week!

Best, Randall

[mprost]

you may also want to take a look at a program named Girder (www.promixis.com), it has a plugin (Internet event client/server) capable of doing that

 

cheers