Copyright: Help For The Depleter (c) 1995 Bernd Cordes
Citation: (This help file was created with Microsoft Word 2.0b.)


Contents

General

What can the Depleter do for me?

Installation and deinstallation

Memory effect

Minute file

Menus

Countdown

Discharge

Exit

Start

Stop

List

Chart

Settings

Hide main window

Legal stuff

Shareware

Registration

Legal information

And finally...

Other products

About the author


What can the Depleter do for me?

The Depleter helps you to make the most of your notebook's battery:

In countdown mode the Depleter shows you on a little clock how long your battery will last, based on previous depletions from your daily work. Thus you know when you will have to shut down your work long before the notebook's built-in warnings - which often come only a few minutes before your battery dies.

In discharge mode the Depleter cycles through a fixed set of actions, measuring the time until the battery gives up the ghost. Thus you can identify the memory effect and cure it by several consecutive discharges, bringing your battery back to almost its nominal capacity.

The Depleter stores all depletions under the two modes in a so-called minute file.


Installation and deinstallation

The actual Depleter consists of DEPLETER.EXE and DEPLETER.HLP, that is executable program and online help.
COUNTDWN.TXT and DISCHRGE.TXT are two examples of minute files to try out menu items list and chart. You can delete them anytime or replace or expand them with your own depletions.
BWCC.DLL is needed to enhance the user interface. Move this file to your Windows system directory (usually C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM), except you already have a version of the same or a later date there. Note that there are versions for other languages. The one supplied here is the English version 2.00. You can never go wrong with the latest version because it is downward compatible.

For deinstallation simply erase the files mentioned, but erase BWCC.DLL only if you are sure that none of your other programs use it. My advice: Leave it on your hard disk, it is not that big.


Memory effect

The battery type used in most notebooks, the nickel-cadmium (NiCd) type, has two major drawbacks:

1. Capacity, i.e. the amount of energy stored, is mediocre.

2. Capacity will decline significantly if the battery is not discharged completely.

The latter problem is called the memory effect: Your battery remembers that it has not been used to its full potential and will recharge only to about the capacity needed last. The next time you want high performance your battery will fail to meet the expectations. The nominal capacity stated by the manufacturer remains a pipe dream.

A simple cure is to discharge the battery completely several times. You could do this during your daily tasks by working until the computer "dies". However, you will not be able to save your work; furthermore, due to varying strain you cannot exactly say when capacity has recovered.

The first problem can be avoided by leaving your notebook alone doing nothing. Because of its built-in energy saving mechanisms you may have to wait for a long time, however. It would be better to keep the computer working.

Both problems can be avoided at the same time with the Depleter's discharge mode.

Two additional hints:
The new nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries show a far less dramatic memory effect. For controlling, however, especially the countdown mode is still useful.
A battery's life expectation, i.e. the number of recharges possible, is limited to 500-1000 with NiCd types. For this reason you may want to avoid unnecessary depletions. But remember that a battery with a strong memory effect is as useless in practice as a worn-out one and also has a shorter life than a well-maintained one.


Minute file

For countdown and discharge mode the Depleter keeps seperate depletion records by writing the time elapsed into a file. In countdown mode this file is COUNTDWN.TXT, in discharge mode DISCHRGE.TXT. Both have an associated BAK file, all of which are in the Depleter's own directory.

At program start the Depleter loads the minute file belonging to the start mode (see settings). In case the TXT file was not found the BAK file must help out. If loading fails, too, you will have to do without previous data. Check whether the working directory assigned to the Depleter in your program launcher (e.g. Windows' program manager PROGMAN.EXE) is correct and not assumed to be C:\WINDOWS.

A minute file's structure is fairly simple: The first line contains the number of records, followed by the actual records in two lines each, first the minutes elapsed, then the date of depletion. Since it is a plain ASCII file you can change it with any editor (e.g. Windows' editor NOTEPAD.EXE). There is no reason to, though, because you can get rid of unwanted records via menu item list.

Small flaws in the minute files created by stand-alone editing pose no problem to the Depleter but you may lose some data. In this case, undo your changes with the editor.


Mode: Countdown

In countdown mode the Depleter shows you on a small clock how long your battery will probably last, based on previous depletions under real-life conditions, stored in the according minute file.

Typically you use this mode during daily work to be warned when to store and shut down your files. A notebook's built-in warnings tend to come in the last minute, thus not giving you enough time for saving all your data. Starting 10 minutes before the countdown ends you will hear increasingly long beeps. Activating and deactivating beeps is not done under settings but in the WIN.INI file in your Windows directory (usually C:\WINDOWS), section [WINDOWS], by "Beep=yes" or "Beep=no", respectively.

It is pretty difficult to obtain an even use of the hard disk, one of the hungriest power consumers, under Windows. The so-called swap file for additional memory is used often on systems with less than 8 MB main memory but unfortunately not regularly, so please do not rely too much on the Depleter's predictions. These stem from the average of previous countdowns, meaning that the closer your present tasks are to your previous tasks the better the estimation is.

Alternatively you can set a countdown time manually under menu item settings. You can use the chart of previous countdowns as a clue.

The clock runs backwards, stopping at 00:00. The minute file is kept updated, however. To save power the Depleter does nothing else than check the time every 10 seconds and store the time elapsed every minute. Occupation just for the sake of occupation, like in discharge mode, is prevented.


Mode: Discharge

In discharge mode the Depleter runs a cycle of fixed actions to keep your computer busy and allow comparable battery depletions. Subsequent evaluation in a chart shows you when you have achieved a "breakthrough" against the memory effect and need no further discharges for the time being.

The cycle attempts to imitate typical work under Windows. Drawing rectangles (one of the main duties of a graphical user interface!), printing text, reading and writing on the hard disk, setting single pixels. To make watching more interesting a little chance is added.

Other than in countdown mode here the Depleter tries hard to keep your notebook working. You do not have to be afraid, though, that your precious device might wear out prematurely: Under Windows it works almost constantly anyway, especially the hard disk. Thus, a discharge can hardly bother it.

To store depletions as comparable as possible in your minute file you should care for constant discharge conditions: the same applications running parallely (zero is best!), the same display brightness und contrast (background lighting is extremely energy greedy!), the same settings for the built-in power saving mechanisms.

More than one discharge per day is not advisable to give your battery time to recover (cool down). Always let one day pass until the next discharge. Of course, you may use your notebook in the meantime as you please.


Mode: Exit

This exits the Depleter. In case a countdown or a discharge is running you must confirm that you really want to abort the program.


Depletion: Start

This will start the depletion of your notebook's battery, both in countdown and in discharge mode. In the first case the clock runs down to 00:00, in the second forward as long as you like. The clock's appearance can be set under settings.

To stop a depletion choose menu item stop, close the clock window by Alt-F4, or exit the Depleter.


Depletion: Stop

This will stop the depletion of your notebook's battery, both in countdown and in discharge mode. To protect you against accidental stops you have to confirm your selection.

Alternatively you can stop a depletion by closing the clock window via Alt-F4 or exiting the Depleter.


Log: List

The log is simply the display of the minute file, here in the form of a list. You see the average of previous depletions and can delete records from the file.

To delete unwanted data mark them as you would mark files in Windows' file manager: Select a record with the left mouse button, add to the selection with additional Ctrl, select a whole block with additional Shift. A required confirmation prevents you from accidental data loss.

Note that the changed minute file is written to disk when you select OK, not later.

A vivid display of the log, especially for evaluating the memory effect, is available under chart.

During a depletion this topic is unavailable to avoid collisions between your changes and the automatic writing of the minute file.


Log: Chart

The log is simply the display of the minute file that is shown graphically here, being more vivid than the list but not allowing changes.

The x-axis shows the date, ranging from 01/01/1994 to 12/31/1999 at the most. Bar width is adjusted to the time span. More than one depletion on one day will only yield the longest one, however, you should not run discharges so shortly after each other. For countdowns this is not valid, of course. Bars for consecutive days overlap but are discernible. The axis is labeled in months, meaning that you will not see labels if you have data for a few consecutive days only.

The y-axis shows the battery's "survival time". Range is set automatically in steps of 15 minutes, with a label every 30 minutes.

The chart is scaled to the window size, which can only be reduced to a certain limit. You cannot display minute files with no data and those with data not different from zero. There would be no point in doing that, anyway.

To assess the memory effect you should know that typically the first and second complete discharges result in a considerable increase in battery capacity, while following attempts yield only small increments. This characteristic behaviour can easily be seen in the chart, telling you if further discharges are useful or not.


Options: Settings

Here you can set the Depleter's basic features. Simply click with the left mouse button on the following graphics to learn details.

When you select OK your settings will be stored in Windows' directory, usually C:\WINDOWS\, in the file DEPLETER.INI. This file is read on program start. In case you lose it your settings are gone but the Depleter will still work fine.


Settings: Display

On a color display, the Depleter will paint the clock in shades of red in countdown mode and in shades of blue in discharge mode. On a gray display, contrasts would be too weak so the clock will appear in black, light gray, and white.


Settings: Start mode

Choose the mode the Depleter will start with, i.e. countdown or discharge mode. This determines the minute file to be loaded on program start.


Settings: Clock

Choose whether the clock will appear round or bar-shaped, and whether it will move on top of all other windows on your screen every time it has something new to show you or humbly remain where it is.

During a depletion you cannot change the clock appearance.


Settings: Countdown time

Choose whether the countdown mode takes its start time from your setting or from the average of former depletions. In case your minute file is empty the value you entered by hand is used instead of the average.

You can continue a former countdown by checking the appropriate box. That will work even if this former countdown was not meant to be continued, i.e. the box was not checked then. You have to specify a daily proportional discharge of the battery because these energy packs lose their charge also when not in use. The percentage refers to a full battery and the countdown time set above. 1 to 10 percent are a good guess but you will have to experiment a little since a software measurement is not possible.

Example: You have manually set a countdown time of 180 minutes. A countdown one and a half days ago has eaten up 103 minutes. You estimate the daily discharge at 10%, that is 18 minutes per day and 27 minutes for one day and a half. The continued countdown then will display 180 minus 103 minus 27 minutes, i.e. 50. Your battery is quite a weakling!

Of course, the manual setting can be used for really important tasks, too. I, for instance, like to employ the Depleter as a timer for boiling spaghettis!


Options: Hide main window

During a depletion you may want to see the clock only. By this menu item you can hide the Depleter's main window. Alternatively, you can use the clock window's system menu to hide and show the main window.


Shareware

This is an unregistered version of the Depleter. The only drawback in comparison to the registered version is a reminder screen upon program start. Thus usability is only slightly reduced.

This program and its accompanying documentation are Shareware. The Shareware principle states that you may use the product for a limited time or to a limited extent freely, on violation of these limits, however, either erase the product completely from your system or convert it into the registered version by paying the registration fee, then being subject to normal copyright rules without the limitations mentioned. In the case of the Depleter the limitation is that you must not use the unregistered version for more than 30 days. Remember: Trust is the foundation of the Shareware principle!

All users of the unregistered version of the Depleter are granted a limited license to copy the product only for the trial use by themselves or others, provided that the Depleter is copied in its full and unmodified form. The copy must include all files necessary to permit full operation of the program. It must also include this documentation. Use of unregistered copies of the Depleter by any person in connection with a business, corporation, educational institution, or government agency is forbidden. Such users must register this product. By using the unregistered version of the Depleter you acknowledge that you have read and understood this limited license and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. The registered version must not be distributed.


Registration

This is an unregistered version of the Depleter. The only drawback in comparison to the registered version is a reminder screen upon program start. Thus usability is only slightly reduced.

If you use the Depleter for more than 30 days you will have to register. Send US$ 10 or DM 20 to:

Bernd Cordes
Wiesingerweg 34
20253 Hamburg
Germany
Phone +49 (40) 494370
Fax +49 (40) 494370

German citizens only:
Deutsche Bank Hamburg
BLZ 200 700 00
Kontonummer 430 95 14

CompuServe: 100334,375
CompuServe Registration Base: GO SWREG, #3147

A particular registration form is not required. Beside your name and address, please mention the version number of the Depleter you want to register. Foreign checks other than EuroCheques in US$ or DM cannot be accepted because of the extraordinary fees for cashing, neither can credit cards. If you feel uncomfortable about sending cash money in a letter be assured that US Mail and the Federal German Mail do work reliable. I have sent cash several times to the US without trouble. The best way, of course, is the CompuServe Registration Base.

As a registered user you will receive at no cost a user ID to convert your unregistered version into a registered version. Because of the context sensitive online help I do without a printed manual. Your personal version may be used without restrictions other than those resulting from copyright laws. Support by phone, fax, mail and e-mail is included.

Please see also the legal information.


Legal information

Beside defining the user rights for your unregistered version of the Depleter the following information is necessary:

The author of the Depleter is Bernd Cordes, Wiesingerweg 34, 20253 Hamburg, Germany. He owns the unlimited copyright. The unregistered version may be distributed freely. (c) 1995 for program and documentation: Bernd Cordes.

Limited Warranty:
This product is provided as is, without any representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any representations or endorsements regarding the use of, the results of, or performance of the product, its appropriateness, accuracy, reliability, or correctness. The entire risk as to the use of this product is assumed by the user. The author does not assume liability for the use of this program beyond the original purchase price of the software. In no event will the author be liable for additional direct or indirect damages including any lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from any defects, or the use of or inability to use this program, even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some US states do not allow the exclusion or the limit of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.

Distribution Policy:
Permission is granted to any individual or business to distribute the unregistered copy of the Depleter, provided they convey a complete and unaltered copy of the entire package (recompression or decompression is permitted). This permission pertains to any kind of data media including online services and BBSes, any form of packaging and bundling, and any distribution fee. The author may revoke any permissions granted here by notification in writing.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


Other products

ShareMan 1.6
Windows utility for software distribution; LHA and crypto interface also usable generally. Encrypt and decrypt text and files, insert passwords, user IDs and serial numbers with authentication digit into the program. Compress and copy files for distribution. Create individual disks with serial number, customer's name and company within the program, write a user ID and store customer data in an address file. Options can be turned on or off separately. Crypto algorithms as source.
Available in German and English. US$ 20 or DM 40.

Backer 2.8:
Windows utility for comparing, synchronizing and updating files between any kind of data media, also via network, disk, or cable. Uses file creation dates to compare. Interactive selection of included or excluded files, file types and directories. Several options for sorting, path reduction, confirmation and filtering. Takes parameters for automatic work. Almost unlimited file quantities.
Available in German and English. US$ 25 or DM 40.


About the author

I was born in 1966 in little Stade near Hamburg. My first steps in the world of computers were on a TI 99/4A. Via Atari 400, Atari 130 XE, Atari 800 XL and Atari 1040 ST I climbed up to the PC in 1992, which turned from a mere writing tool to a fascinating programming machine, thanks to Borland C++ 3.1.
In 1986, I joined the Federal German Navy, doing an 11-month trip around the world on a sailing ship. Deciding the navy was the right place for me I applied for career officer, including a university degree in communications engineering, with a focus on digital electronics, microprocessors, and C programming.
In private, I am a passionate bachelor and now and then enjoy the multi-faceted nightlife of Hamburg.

TI 99/4A is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
Atari 400, 130 XE, 800 XL and 1040 ST are trademarks of Atari.
Borland C++ is a trademark of Borland International.

____________________
Bernd Cordes, 05/01/95