How to deploy templates? URGENT!

HCL Domino Domino Forum
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I need this urgent so bear with me.

I created a template by using the method found on the Domino Help file.

The file is save as MyTemplate.ntf, which the Design properties is get to “Database Files is a Master Template, Template Name: MyGateway”

Initially I decide to deploy this customised template by copy the .ntf file to the Domino server, assign appropriate ACL, and to use this template, I created a special toolbar shortcut on each client’s Lotus Notes with this command “@Command([compose]; “servername”:“MyTemplate.ntf”;“Memo”)”. It worked perfectly apart from one problem.

The problem with this method is that the template owner is set to myself, which is the developer of this template. The user configuration; “This Mail File Belongs To:” is me (Administrator/OU). Whenever a user try to use the template to send out mail…etc, it shows the task is done by them on my behalf. I found out the reason behind this is because of the template is owned by me, not the users.

Now this isnt helping at all because the users cant do anything with their own username.

I digged the help file deeper and the only way to distribute the template is by making MyTemplate.ntf as master template and change the mail6.ntf standard template to inherit MyTemplate.ntf by changing mail6.ntf design properties to inherit from master template MyGateway.

I run ‘load design’ from Domino console and it works like a charm. This brought another issue. What if the current users is using a non standard mail template? Would I still be able to deploy my template on top of their current one without messing their own template.

Everything should be fine if the users is using the standard mail template.

I would very much appreciate if anyone could share their point, especially those Notes developer.

I am no Notes developer(but typical windows) and I am learning along the way but I need this real soon. So please help me.

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Subject: How to deploy templates? URGENT!!!

If you define your template (MyGateway) as the Master template for all your users’ mailfiles, then all your design elements will overwrite elements, the users might have used / modified themselves.

There is one exception though, in that your users can “lock” changes for those design elements where they have made changes. If you go to Designer, you’ll see the list of Forms or Views etc. The column next to “Last Modified” says “No Refresh”. The users will have to right-click on any elements and go to properties and then select the option “Prohibit design refresh…”.

Note that the Designer Help Database contains a document called “Preventing design changes”, which might provide further clues.

Hope this helps.

Pascal

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Subject: RE: How to deploy templates? URGENT!!!

Yes, from my testing with the template inheritance and etc it changes the default mail6.ntf to my customised MyGateway template. This will effect all the notes users as well. I did notice “Prohibit design refresh” setting in the properties but i didnt manage to touch on that part.

my only concern is how to deploy this MyGateway to the users the less hassle possible. if i can confirm that there is no other way to deploy my template to the users other than to inherite the mail6 template to my own template then i will have to live with it.

there is another way to do it but it is very tedious. the domino administrator can assign the specific user’s mail database to use MyGateway instead of the standard mail6 template. but this will not be so good on the admin side, as the admin need to do it one by one if more than one user need it. again i am looking for a simple deployment solution.

i need this soon. thanks again