Workgroup Messaging Message Configuration

[Robert]

I'm in a situation were I am forced to use Workgroup Messaging. I hate
going backwards...

I used it several years ago and remember that the fields in the Status
Request message were selectable (to include or exclude from the message) by
the sender/project manager - but I can't find the instructions back.

Can someone help.

thanx
robert

 

[Robert]

Well that doesn't seem to be the real problem. Apparently in Project Pro
2003, the install was only partially successful. "Workgroup" doesn't appear
on the Tools menu. Collaboration is set to Workgroup Mail. I've done a
re-install.

I know this is no longer an offically suggorted product, but do you have sny
suggestions?

thanx

 

[JulieS]

Robert,

Did you follow the instructions under
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=818337

to modify the registry?

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Robert]

Yes, and I've gone back and double checked what is in the registry.
Everything there is as listed in 818337, but still no menu item.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Robert,

Thanks for the confirmation that you have modified the registry. What
happens if you try the command Collaborate > Request progress
information? It's been a long time since I used workgroup features in
Project 2002/2003, but I believe the Tools > Workgroup commands have
been moved to the Collaborate menu.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Robert]

When I do that, I dialog opens:

"When publishing to Project Server, your project will be saved. Do you want
to proceed?" OK/Cancel

Either choice I make, the dialog box closes and nothing happens (now).

The first time I did that (yesterday), a status request was displayed as
expected. However, there wasn't any way to modify it - like changing
available fields, but I believe I could have set the date range. I was the
only resource selected. I sent the request to the resource (me) at one email
address, and expected to reply from another address. I never received the
message.

 

[JulieS]

My comments are in line.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

When I do that, I dialog opens:

"When publishing to Project Server, your project will be saved. Do
you want
to proceed?" OK/Cancel

Either choice I make, the dialog box closes and nothing happens (now).

The first time I did that (yesterday), a status request was displayed
as
expected. However, there wasn't any way to modify it - like changing
available fields, but I believe I could have set the date range.

[Julie] If I recall correctly, some modification of the email messages
was possible through Tools > Customize, Published fields. Again, I
don't recall if Status Reports had this capability.

I was the
only resource selected. I sent the request to the resource (me) at
one email
address, and expected to reply from another address. I never received
the
message.

[Julie] I don't have the system setup here to test, so the best I can do
is work from memory so, here goes: Below are the settings that I
remember having to set to make email collaboration work:

Tools > Options, Collaborate tab set to Email.
Tools > Options, General tab set to the project manager's name as set up
in the email program.

Resource email addresses specified. Resources assigned to tasks.

If I recall correctly, the process was resources had to be informed of
the assignments through Publishing first, then you could request status.
Do any of the collaboration > publish choices work?

Sorry I haven't been of more help. I'm not finding a great deal of
information. I assume you have stepped through:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329827

 

[Robert]

My best guess uninstall and reinstall. Any thoughts?

See details below.

thanx
robert

My comments are in line.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

When I do that, I dialog opens:

"When publishing to Project Server, your project will be saved. Do
you want
to proceed?" OK/Cancel

Either choice I make, the dialog box closes and nothing happens (now).

The first time I did that (yesterday), a status request was displayed
as
expected. However, there wasn't any way to modify it - like changing
available fields, but I believe I could have set the date range.

[Julie] If I recall correctly, some modification of the email messages
was possible through Tools > Customize, Published fields. Again, I
don't recall if Status Reports had this capability.

[Robert] This still works, with limited list of available fields, "Resources
can decline tasks" and "Track overtime" checkboxes.

I was the
only resource selected. I sent the request to the resource (me) at
one email
address, and expected to reply from another address. I never received
the
message.

[Julie] I don't have the system setup here to test, so the best I can do
is work from memory so, here goes: Below are the settings that I
remember having to set to make email collaboration work:

Tools > Options, Collaborate tab set to Email.
Tools > Options, General tab set to the project manager's name as set up
in the email program. [Robert] Yes

Resource email addresses specified. Resources assigned to tasks. [Robert] Yes

If I recall correctly, the process was resources had to be informed of
the assignments through Publishing first, then you could request status.
Do any of the collaboration > publish choices work? [Robert] No

Sorry I haven't been of more help. I'm not finding a great deal of
information. I assume you have stepped through:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329827

[Robert] Yes. Also, in 1998 Microsoft published "Microsoft Project 98
Support Course." Module 9 is Workgroup Features, including all about
Workgroup Mail. But is doesn't say anything about if the choices are not
available. Because most options seem to go back to the "When publishing to
Project Server, your project will be saved" message, even when Collaboration
Options is set to Email Only my best guess uninstall and reinstall. Any
thoughts?

 

[JulieS]

Hi Robert,

Yes, sad to say when all else fails, I'd uninstall and reinstall. I
wouldn't be too concerned about the mysterious references to Project
Server when trying to use the workgroup features. My *guess* is that
the messages were re-written with the change from Project 2000 (when
using email as a workgroup messaging feature was more fully supported)
to Project 2003 where the focus was much more strongly on Project
Server.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

My best guess uninstall and reinstall. Any thoughts?

See details below.

thanx
robert

My comments are in line.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information
about Microsoft Project

When I do that, I dialog opens:

"When publishing to Project Server, your project will be saved. Do
you want
to proceed?" OK/Cancel

Either choice I make, the dialog box closes and nothing happens
(now).

The first time I did that (yesterday), a status request was
displayed
as
expected. However, there wasn't any way to modify it - like
changing
available fields, but I believe I could have set the date range.

[Julie] If I recall correctly, some modification of the email
messages
was possible through Tools > Customize, Published fields. Again, I
don't recall if Status Reports had this capability.

[Robert] This still works, with limited list of available fields,
"Resources
can decline tasks" and "Track overtime" checkboxes.

I was the
only resource selected. I sent the request to the resource (me) at
one email
address, and expected to reply from another address. I never
received
the
message.

[Julie] I don't have the system setup here to test, so the best I can
do
is work from memory so, here goes: Below are the settings that I
remember having to set to make email collaboration work:

Tools > Options, Collaborate tab set to Email.
Tools > Options, General tab set to the project manager's name as set
up
in the email program. [Robert] Yes

Resource email addresses specified. Resources assigned to tasks. [Robert] Yes

If I recall correctly, the process was resources had to be informed
of
the assignments through Publishing first, then you could request
status.
Do any of the collaboration > publish choices work? [Robert] No

Sorry I haven't been of more help. I'm not finding a great deal of
information. I assume you have stepped through:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329827

[Robert] Yes. Also, in 1998 Microsoft published "Microsoft Project
98
Support Course." Module 9 is Workgroup Features, including all about
Workgroup Mail. But is doesn't say anything about if the choices are
not
available. Because most options seem to go back to the "When
publishing to
Project Server, your project will be saved" message, even when
Collaboration
Options is set to Email Only my best guess uninstall and reinstall.
Any
thoughts?