Copyright: WAOL Minimizer and Timer by Michael Krane


Installation

NOTE: This is intended to work with America Online Windows Software Version 2.xx. If you have an older version it may work, but I suggest you upgrade your WAOL software to version 2.

Installation:

Put the file waol-min.exe in your WAOL directory or any other directory you want. If you want the help file handy for reference then put waol-min.hlp in the same directory. That's it!

There are some people having trouble with WAOL starting due to incorrect WAOL installations, (a line incorrect in win.ini). If you have trouble getting WAOL started, then put WAOL-min files in your WAOL directory and it will work properly anyway.

 (To uninstall, just delete those files and the waol.ini file.)


Overview
Program Overview

This program is meant to serve two purposes only; The main thing is that it adds the ability to minimize WAOL during File Transfers. If you like to be able to use your computer while doing file transfers, then this program is for you. I do a lot of file uploads or downloads on AOL. The makers of the WAOL Software decided not to let people minimize WAOL during file transfers; (The reason is probably due to low system resources and to minimize the impact of  other programs during file transfers.) However, if you don't do disk ntensive tasks in other programs while downloading from WAOL, you should be able to allow file transfers to occur in the backround while you still use your computer. That's why I wrote this program. The other item is an AOL Timer to track online time and costs. I had many, many requests for one so I added it. Remember: The timer in this program is just aproximate times; Check your WAOL official time online through AOL.

Some Features of this program:

Launch WAOL automatically when started.
Will allow easy Minimizing and Restoring of WAOL, even during file transfers when the WAOL software normally won't allow it.
Will automatically exit WAOL and Waol-min at same time.
Timer tracks online time, monthly costs current and past 12 months, automatically stops, starts, saves, and lets you set your specific settings for billing, AutoMatic Billing Cycle Tracking, AutoMatic Sign-On at Start-Up, AutoMatic Closing after unattended sign-off, AutoMatic Timer Stop at Start-Up, Position of Display, and more.

Please Register to Enable ALL Options!!

Note: When using the WAOL-Min "D" Button to minimize WAOL, you MUST restore WAOL by clicking the "U" button. (The minimized WAOL icon will not respond to insure compatibility.)


Options
Set Options

All items that require writing to the waol-min.ini file are turned off in the shareware version. Sorry, but I have spent a lot of time and resources on this program. Please Register!

Set Rate, Time, or Monthly Charge

Set your billing information: Hourly Rate, Free minutes, and Basic Monthly Charge.

Start of Billing Cycle

Set Start of Billing Cycle so WAOL-min will automatically prompt you, reset, and save monthly costs according to your Billing Cycle.

Future Start Timer Off or On

If you don't usually sign on right away, then you may want the Timer to start turned Off. Then just manually start it when ready to sign on.

AutoClose

AutoClose when goodbye is detected means that after signing off from AOL, if WAOL-min finds the GoodBye Window on WAOL it will automatically close, save times, and exit both programs. (This is good to use if you frequently do unattended downloads and select sign off when finished.)

(Note: This is a Timer Function and will only work when the Timer is running as it would be when doing downloads; If the Timer is stopped, this will not work.)

WAOL AutoSignOn

AutoSignOn should automatically click the Sign-On buuton of WAOL when you first start it. (This is good to use if you usually sign on as soon as you start the program.)

Close this Window

Saves the Settings that were changed and closes the Option Set-Up Window.

Please Register to Enable All Options!


Contents
WAOL Minimizer (WAOL-Min)

Registering

Installation

OverView

Timer and Billing Details

Setting Options

Using The Program:

Just run waol-min.exe instead of the normal waol.exe to start America Online.
Waol-min will automatically find and run America Online.
Waol-Min will start up near the top-left of your screen and stay on top so you can always see it.
Waol-min has just 3 buttons, "U" for UP, "D" for Down, and the Timer display.

You can also start WAOL-min after WAOL is already running if desired.

(Click anywhere on Waol-min then hit F1 key to bring up this help file reference.)

Buttons:

Left Click "D" to bring Down (minimize) WAOL.
Left Click "U" to bring UP (restore) WAOL if minimized.

Note: When using the WAOL-Min "D" Button to minimize WAOL, you MUST restore WAOL by clicking the "U" button. (The minimized WAOL icon will not respond to insure compatibility.)

Right Click "U" to move the Waol-min buttons.

To Move: Grab and drag the title bar to new location.
Then Right Click "U" again to hide title bar again.
(You need to Register to Save the Position)

Right Click "D" to exit WAOL (Waol-min will exit automatically)
Right Click "D" while holding Ctrl Key to exit just Waol-min.

Left Click Timer Display to Stop (or Start) Timer

When Timer is stopped, an S will be next to the display to indicate Stopped.

Right Click Timer Display to Show or Set All Timer Functions and Options.


Timer
Timer and Billing Details Window

Registering Will Add the ability to Track Monthly Costs, Set Timer Options, Save WAOL-min Position, Enable Options such as Future Timer On/Off, AutoSignOn, AutoClose, AutoBilling Cycles, and more

Reset Time for This Session but Save Time So Far

This adds the current session time showing on the Timer to the monthly time and saves it to the waol-min.ini and then resets the Timer Display for this session to zero .

Reset Time for This Session but Do NOT Save Time

This resets the Timer display to zero. The previously saved monthly time is unchanged.

Reset Monthly Time to Zero

Resets the monthly time to zero and writes it to the waol.ini file. Current Timer is not affected. Do this at the end of your monthly billing cycle  to start new monthly tracking.

Adjust Monthly Time to Match WAOL Official Time

This Timer is just approximate times as it doesn't automatically track free area time, etc.. Depending on how you use WAOL, it can become inaccurate after a while. Use this feature to correct the previous monthly time in the waol-min.ini file. Check your billing information on WAOL and then adjust your minutes used here.

All items that require writing to the waol-min.ini file are turned off in the shareware version. Sorry, but I have spent a lot of time and resources on this program.

Time for This Session: is same as main Timer display.

Monthly Time Prior To This Session: is from waol.ini file saved earlier.

Monthly Time Including This Session: is Both above added together.

Current Monthly Bill: is derived from the rate, free time, monthly charge, and monthly time including this session. Click to see detail breakdown.

Set Options: Brings you to another Window to Set-Up Your Billing and Program Options

Show Past Bills: Shows the last 12 previous Billing Periods that were saved through this program.

Close This Window is how you close the Timer Detail Window.

About is how you contact me.

Please Register to Enable All Options!


Registration
Registration $5.00

The registration fee is $5.00 to cover costs, make you feel better, and to help keep the shareware concept going, (It takes a lot of time to write these programs and do the research. I know most people don't like to pay for shareware, that's why it costs so little. If you use it a lot, it IS certainly worth just $5.00.

Registering Will Add the ability to Track Monthly Costs, Set Timer Options, Save WAOL-min Position, Enable Options such as Future Timer On/Off, AutoSignOn, AutoClose, AutoBilling Cycles, and more.

All items that require writing to the waol-min.ini file are turned off in the shareware version. Sorry, but I have spent a lot of time and resources on this program.

I hope you find this program as useful as I do. It is released as SHAREWARE. It does NOT have any "nag" screens, but, it will let you know when you are trying to do something that requires the registered version. You can use it for thirty days as long as you agree that I am not responsible for anything directly or indirectly related to using this program. After that time, either delete the program or send the registration fee to add  the ability to Track Monthly Costs, Set Timer Options, Save WAOL-min Position, Enable Options such as Future Timer On/Off, AutoSignOn, AutoClose, AutoBilling Cycles,  use All Options , cover costs, make you feel better, and to help keep the shareware concept going, (It takes a lot of time to write these programs and do the research. I know most people don't like to pay for shareware, that's why it costs so little. If you use it a lot, it IS certainly worth it. After payment, I will send you the registered version by E-Mail.
All registered users will receive future updates if any free for one year.

Current Fees: $5.00

Send Registration to me at:

                Michael Krane
                4 Azurean Ct.
                Mt. Sinai, NY 11766

Please, Please, Please: Include your AOL E-Mail address. Files will be sent by E-Mail.
 (I will not be able to send you files if I don't have your E-Mail address.)
Also state which program you are registering!

Contact me at:

        E-MAIL: Miklk   (on America On-line)

The program has been fully tested but obviously not in every possible configuration, so PLEASE report any bugs or ideas to me at the above addresses so I can fix it.

Other Programs available from me:
VBSys Windows System Monitor (Standard Version)
VBSysBar Windows System Monitor (Bar Version)
PCECM for ProComm+ 2 Windows
VBECM for WinFax 4

 THIS PROGRAM IS DISTRIBUTED AS IS. THE AUTHOR (Michael Krane) MAKES NO  WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED  TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,  WITH RESPECT TO THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL     THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOST  SAVINGS, OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING   OUT OF THE USE OF OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS PROGRAM.


Timer
Timer Button Display

The Timer display shows the approximate number of minutes that you have been on AOL during this current session.

The Timer will automatically start up about 1 minute after starting WAOL software (Unless you set it start OFF) and should automatically stop within 3 minutes of signing off of AOL.

Left Click the Timer display to Stop or Re-Start the Timer.

You will want to manually stop the timer when going to a free area, working offline with mail, etc.. so it doesn't count that time you are not being charged for.

There will be an S next to the Timer display to indicate that it is stopped.

Right Click the Timer Display to Show Monthly Billing and Set Program Options