| Zap has a variable sensitivity which is specified in the Zap
initialization file. This sensitivity is the amount of "work" that
each process must perform each minute to be "non-idle". The formula
is:
( Direct_io * 3 ) + ( Buffered_io * 2 ) + ( Cpu_time [hundreths] )
Since VMS Mail is an extremely effecient use of the system, it
typically does not perform any direct-io's or use any cpu time.
However, one buffered-io is used each time you press the return
key. Here is where the problem occurs:
If sensitivity is set to 5 (default), then three (3) returns must
be pressed by the user in one (1) minute for the user not to be
idle. Depending on how fast you type, or how much you think about
the message while typing, you could run out of time.
Since the sensitivity is for the entire system, I do not recommend
changing it to a lower value than 5. Instead, insert the exclusion
for VMS Mail with a longer time limit, such as:
[*,*] mail all 60 message
This would allow the person to be in mail for at least one hour
before being Zapped. (A longer time limit can be used if this is
still not enough.) Remember: The exception records in ZAP.DAT
are read sequentially, so this record should be inserted before
any uic specific jobs (after system jobs: normally after the exclusion
for detached jobs).
Keith Maconi
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