I’ve been using the SMS module for SFX for a few years now, but decided to make it a little easier to use by adding a new command. The SMS module is a telnet service that lets you send a short message. It’s great to put in an SFX cue, and send a text message at the start of intermission, or whenever else I’d like.
The new command allows assigning an address to an ID. The send command can then reference the ID instead of the address. This means that a setup cue can assign addresses to specific IDs and when the recipient of a message needs to change, only the setup cue would need to be adjusted. The send cues throughout the script can remain unaltered.
For example, let us say we need to send texts to the technical director and the stage manager at different times during the show. The setup cue could use “tech” and “sm”.
Address(tech,technicaldirector@stageoffice.net) Address(sm,stagemanager@backstage.net)
The old way to send a message to the stage manager would be to use the full address.
Send(sm,stagemanager@backstage.net,Sound ready at cue 6.0)
The new way is more concise, and easier to use.
Send(sm,Sound ready at cue 6.0)
You could always do it, but now sending a message to multiple address is easier.
Send(tech;sm,Intermission Begins)
The semicolon is used to separate multiple addressees.
Now, let’s say the stage manager gets a new phone. You would simple edit the Address line in the setup cue, and would not have to seek out every Send command referencing the old address. You could even have several set up cues that assign various addresses depending on who is working the show at that performance.
In addition, I’ve allowed the option to store groups of addresses in the SMS.INI file, to be loaded quickly from a setup cue, without having to list all the addresses in the setup cue. You might want to clear all the assigments before loading a group, but it’s not necessary.
ClearList LoadGroup(stagecrew)
That is equivalent to calling Address(id,address) for each entry in the [Group-stagecrew] section of the SMS.INI file. You can have an many groups as you want.
[Group-stagecrew] sm=stagemanager@theatre.org tech=technicaldirector@theatre.org house=housemanager@theatre.org
If you have an idea for addition to this service, and even an idea for a new telnet service, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.
