CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Installing instructions
    2a. Basic Overview of how JTPrank works
    2b. Running JTPrankServer.exe
    2c. Running JTPrankClient.exe
3. Using JTPrankClient
    3a. Connecting
    3b. Activate ScreenSaver
    3c. Activate StartMenu
    3d. Minimize Active Window
    3e. Popup DialogBox
    3f. Execute Program
    3g. HAL
    3h. Display Bitmap
    3i. Display Message
    3j. Play Sound
    3k. Navigate To
    3l. Capture Mouse
    3m. Open/Close CD
    3n. Shutdown JTPrankServer
4. Conclusion
 

INTRODUCTION
So you're a prankster eh!  Well then, you'll have a blast with this program.  JTPrank is a program that allows you to play some tricks on the computers of friends, work colleagues, family, etc.  Basically it allows you(from another computer) to control certain aspects of their computer.  For example, you can take control of their mouse, or play a sound, or start their screensaver, and much more.  JTPrank is designed only as a practical joke program and does not harm their computer.  JTPrank works on any network that supports TCP/IP, which is most LAN's and the Internet, if you are behind a firewall you will probably not be able to connect to friends using the internet.  JTPrank has been tested on the following operating systems: Windows95,98,Me,NT,2000.
 

INSTALLING INSTRUCTIONS
Basic Overview of how JTPrank works
JTPrank consists of 2 parts, JTPrankServer.exe and JTPrankClient.exe.  JTPrankServer.exe is a small silent program that is to be ran on the computer you wish to play the joke on, once ran it listens for connections(messages) from the JTPrankClient program and when it gets a message it performs the joke requested.  JTPrankClient.exe is the program that you run on your computer to send messages to the JTPrankServer program.   So in overview, to get this to work run JTPrankServer.exe on your friend's computer and then run JTPrankClient on your computer.
Running JTPrankServer.exe
The best way to run JTPrankServer.exe is to copy it to a floppy disk and then go to your friend's computer and run it, then take out the floppy and they'll never be the wiser.  JTPrankServer.exe does have one command line option -p<password>.  If you specify this option JTPrankServer will only accept messages from a client with the correct password, otherwise it will accept all connections from any client.  To run JTPrankServer with the option put the floppy in the drive, go to the startmenu, Run, then in the dialog type: a:\JTPrankserver.exe -pMyPassword.  You can change "MyPaassword" to be whatever you want as a password.  Note that once your friend reboots their computer the JTPrankServer will no longer be running, to keep it running you'll have to copy it to their computer and put it in their startup menu.
Running JTPrankClient.exe
Ok, now that the JTPrankServer is quietly running on your friend's computer, go to another computer and run the JTPrankClient.exe program.  A dialog will appear and the fun can begin.
 

USING JTPrankClient
Connecting
In order for JTPrankClient to send a message to your friend's computer it must know which computer is your friends.  So you must specify the hostname(computer name for LAN's) or you can also specify the IP address of their computer.  If you don't know either of these, you can find it out by running "winipcfg", on their computer.  Go to your friend's computer, startmenu, run, and type: winipcfg   A dialog will popup with a bunch of numbers, you want the IP Address, copy it down and you can use it in the JTPrankClient.  Another way of getting their IP is through ICQ, if your friend has ICQ you can go to detail info and it usually displays the IP address of their computer.  Once you have the hostname or IP address type it in the edit box, enter the password if you specified one when you ran JTPrankServer on their computer.  Now click the "Test Connection" button, a dialog should popup that says "connection successful".  If it doesnt connect then something is not working, either you have the hostname/ip address wrong, or you forgot to run the JTPrankServer, or possibly a firewall is preventing you from connecting.
Activate ScreenSaver
Activates their ScreenSaver, if they are typing or using the mouse it will probably only blink briefly.
Activate StartMenu
Activates their StartMenu, this can be fun, they won't be able to figure out what's going on.
Minimize Active Window
Whatever window they are using will be minimized.
Popup DialogBox
You specify a message and an ok dialog will popup with the message in it.
Execute Program
Execute program can be a little tricky.  It opens a document on their computer, including .exe's.  So basically it's like double clicking on something.  If it's a Word document it will bring the document up in Word.  If it's a MP3 file it will open the mp3 file and start playing it.  The important thing to remember here is that the file you choose must reside either on their computer or for LAN's in a shared directory.  Also you must specify the full Path to the file.  Examples: c:\windows\notepad.exe   or   \\JimsComputer\sharedfiles\funprogram.exe.
HAL
Ah HAL, this is my favorite.  Once you run this they'll really be freaked out.  Hopefully you've seen "2001 A space odyssey".  This command is in honor of that classic movie.  Try it and see what you think.
Display Bitmap
Display Bitmap will display a bitmap right in the middle of their screen.  The important thing to remember here is that the file you choose must reside either on their computer or for LAN's in a shared directory.  Also you must specify the full Path to the file.  Examples: c:\windows\somebitmap.bmp  or   \\JimsComputer\sharedfiles\bluescreen.bmp.
Display Message
Display Message paints a bright pink message(that you specify) in the middle of their screen.
Play Sound
Play Sound will play a sound(wav file) in the background.  This on can be alot of fun.  The important thing to remember here is that the file you choose must reside either on their computer or for LAN's in a shared directory.  Also you must specify the full Path to the file.  Examples: c:\windows\beep.wav   or   \\JimsComputer\sharedfiles\thisisyourcomputer.wav.
Navigate To
Navigate To will open their web browser and navigate to the web site that you specify(be nice).
Capture Mouse
Capture Mouse is also alot of fun, basically it will move their mouse anywhere your mouse is moved.  It will continue doing this until you click the "Release Mouse" button.
Open/Close CD
This fun command opens or closes their cdrom, it's great fun.  Note that if they are using the cdrom it will not work, this prevents any damage by opening the cdrom while it is in use(blue screens, etc).
Shutdown JTPrankServer
Shutdown JTPrankServer will do just that, it will close the JTPrankServer that you ran on their computer.  This is good to use to cover your tracks.  Note that once you shut it down you wont be able to connect anymore.
 

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I hope you have fun with this program, don't be too mean to your poor friends.  If you do use this program and like it, I would like to know about it.  You can email me telling me you like it, hate it, have any suggestions, etc.  My email:  [email protected]
Happy Pranking!