Copyright: Copyright 1994-95 UPWARE


Index
ComRate 2.0

ComRate is a rate counter for communication charges. It can be used for any Online-Service and with any Terminal software. ComRate includes the possibility to keep an eye on a communication-port for controlling the counter automatically.

To learn how to use help, press the F1 key.

Help

How to use ComRate

Managing rates for Online-Services

Features

How to register ComRate

Information


Copyright Page

ComRate Copyright (c) 1994-95 by UPWARE

ComRate is a SHAREWARE utility, please register through Compuserve, Shareware Registration Database,

GO SWREG, Registration-ID=4381

or by postal mail, sending the form of REGISTER.TXT.

Registration is $17.- incl. package and mail.

Please send your comments, bugs or suggestions via CompuServe or postal mail

(also if you're not registered).

Thank you.

Urs Plattner

Bergstrasse 2

CH-3095 Spiegel

Switzerland

CompuServe 100517,2524


Features

- Display of current charges and time

- Minimized window showing current charges, 'Always on top'

- Watching COM-Port activities to control the counter

- Online-Services that consist of several copmonents (like phone+BBS)

  can be managed seperately (up to 3 componets for each service)

- Automatic switching between different rate times (Normal/Prime-time)

- Keeping costs in a logfile

- Keeping total amounts


How to use ComRate

Using ComRate manually

ComRate can be used without the 'Auto' option. In this case, be sure the switch 'Auto watch COM' is turned off.

Start

After having selected the right service for the session, you start counting by clicking on the Start-button. All counters, exept the Totals will be reseted to zero.

Stop

Clicking on the Stop-button stops the counter. The charges are added to both of the Total-counters.

Pause

Clicking on the Pause-button stops the counter. The charges are not added to the Totals and the displays will not be reseted when restarting the counter.

Reset

Resets the displays time and charges.

Automatic control by watching the COM-Port

Controlling the rate counter by watching the communication-port allows you to display and log all communication charges with no need of manual handling.

To activae the automatic watch-option, first choose the COMn-Port where your modem is connected to. After that turn the switch 'Auto watch COM' on.

Be sure to have selected the right Service from the Session List-Box.

MIN

Minimises the window to display only the currrent charges. To get the main dialog of ComRate when minimized, click on the button that shows the charges.

Total

There are two Total-amounts. The charges will be added to both of this Totals each time the counter is stopped. You can set a new starting date for keeping a Total for a new period by clicking on the Reset-Button. The date of this Total will be set to the actual date and the counter will be reseted to zero.

Settings

Rates

Within this Window you can maintain the rates for the services you will use with ComRate.

Always on top

ComRate will be on top of your Windows Desktop.

Minimized

When starting ComRate, the minimised dialog will appear instead of the main dialog. See also <MIN>.

Write Log

Writes date, time and charges for the communication sessions in a logfile named "COMRATE.LOG" in the working directory of ComRate.

Keep Settings

Keep settings when exit ComRate.


Rates for Online-Services

Within the Window "Setings Services" you maintain the rates for the Services you use with ComRate.

A connection with an Online-Service can consist of several components. For example the fees for a communication network (phone) plus the charges for the Online-Service (CompuServe, BBS)

A specific component can be part of more than one service. You can compose the rates of a Service by choosing the components for this Service after having entered the rates for the Service-components.

Tip

The package of ComRate contains an example of an initialisation file (comrat20.ini) which you can copy to your windows directory, to use it as a pattern for the entries before starting the program.

Service - Component

Name of the Service - Component.

Charges

Communication charges for the Service.

You can set two different rates for a Service if there is a difference between Prime-Time and Non-Prime-Time. ComRate will automatically select the right rate for the current time when counting charges. In addition you have the possibility to let ComRate count the charges per units or per hour.

Prime

Rate for Prime-Time (Standard).

Low

Optional.

Rate for Non-Prime-Time (Low).

Basic

Optional.

Basic rate, independent of connection time.

Units

Optional.

Enter a unit of time in seconds for which the Prime-Time/Non-Prime-Time fees will be charged.

Leave this entry unchanged (0.000) if the fees are charged per hour.

Non-Prime Times

Optional.

Periods of time (HH:MM) for which the Non-Prime rate is valid. You can enter two different periods as for ex. 17:00-19:00 and 21:30-08:00.

Weekend

Optional.

Select 'Weekend' if the weekend is included in the Non-Prime period.

Services

Assemble your services by choosing component services for them. Enter a name for a service (it can be the same as for a component) and then select the components of which the service is composed by clicking on them in the 'Service - Components' List-Box.

Service - Components

The Services (components) for which you have entered the rates. You can select 1 to 3 components to assemble a Service.

Help

This help.

Exit

Exit the Settings Dialog.

Example: