************************************************************************** Traveling Software, Inc, 18702 North Creek Parkway Bothell, WA 98011 (206) 483-8088 ************************************************************************* The Latest about Battery Watch =============================== version 1.00 This file contains the latest information about Battery Watch. ************************************************************************** Reminder: Be sure to mail in your registration card to ensure that you will be notified of future releases of Battery Watch AND special offers from Traveling Software. ************************************************************************** A Note About Battery Life If the battery dies before BATTERY WATCH says it time, then either the battery was not fully charged, or the battery is suffering from memory-effect. If the BATTERY WATCH indicator empties before the battery, then chances are that the program was not set to full at the time of full charge. In order for the estimates to be reliable, get in the habit of setting the battery at full when it is full and occasionally deep discharging your NICAD batteries. If you use your laptop frequently on batteries and recharge it whenever it convenient even if your batteries are not fully discharged, then it is probably a good idea to do a deep discharge once a month or at any time you notice your not getting your normal battery life. ************************************************************************** NEW ALARM FEATURE ----------------- Since the manual was written, we've added a neat new alarm option. To set the alarm option, you can type the following command line at the system prompt: BW al=# where # stands for the number of minutes that you wish to receive advance notice of your battery's failure. For example, if you want Battery Watch to notify you 30 minutes before the estimated time that your laptop battery will expire, you would enter BW al=30. Then, when Battery Watch calculates there is only 30 minutes worth of charge left in your battery, Battery Watch will cause your computer to emit a two-tone alarm twice in rapid succession. Simultaneously, your computer will display a window similar to the Battery Watch Window, but with the heading changed to Battery Watch Alarm. To reset the alarm, one of several methods may be used. If the battery is recharged, the F10 function rearms the alarm. Also you can just type BW AL=## anytime to reset the alarm or change it to another setting. ************************************************************************** BW REMEMBERS PREVIOUS BATTERY LEVELS ------------------------------------ On all laptops supported (with the exception of the T1100+ mentioned below), Battery Watch is automatically saving the existing battery level every few seconds to static RAM memory. What this means, is that you can turn your laptop off at anytime and the next time you start up your computer (and BW), Battery Watch will "remember" the last level of your battery. When your running to the airport, it's nice to know that you really do have a full charge or that somebody has chewed up two hours of your battery time without telling you! Toshiba T1100+ Users and how to save battery levels It is unfortunate that a machine as nice as the T1100+ would be missing one of the nice features needed for BATTERY WATCH to save the battery level when it is turned off, but fear not. We've included a quick utility, T11SAVE.EXE for you to run just before you turn off your machine. It will store some data on drive a: that will be read when BATTERY WATCH is installed later when power is restored. All other versions have this information saved every few seconds in various obscure RAM locations. The T1100+ just didn't have a free RAM location. ************************************************************************** Traveling Software is constantly looking for new ways to improve its software products. Over the years, our customers are the ones who have provided us with some excellent suggestions for improving our products. We encourage you to send us your comments, criticisms, and ideas. Please address your letters to: Traveling Software, Inc. Battery Watch Suggestions 18702 North Creek Pkwy Bothell, WA 98011 Or, you can leave a message on the Traveling Software BBS by having your computer call (206) 485-1736. Set your communication parameters to: 8 bit, no parity, 1 stop The BBS operates at 300, 1200, and 2400 baud. Please leave your messages in the BATWATCH area on the BBS so we will be sure to find them. ************************************************************************** You can also reach us via the GEnie world wide information network. Traveling Software manages the laptop "roundtable" and supports almost every laptop computer ever manufactured. There are also over 1,000 free public domain programs available in the laptop roundtable. Just type "laptops" after logging on. E- mail can be sent to "TRAVSOFT". For information on how to sign up for this service (1200 baud service is only $5.00 per hour) call 1-800 638-9636.