Contents

LogTick 2.0 Online phone-costs calculator

LogTick 2.0 has online help available. Pressing "F1" enters this Help file, positioning at the topic which is the closest to the object which had the focus when you pressed "F1"

Contents:

What is LogTick ?

Changes in this version

Interesting things to know

Software installation

LogTick server

LogTick requester

A quick test

How to get it working in your Trumpet Dial-script

Registering and more information

Images and text in this document can slightly differ from the actual application and functionality


What is LogTick ?

Specifications

LogTick is a tidy tool that allows the user to track phone-costs during modem-connections. If you connect to Internet providers or Bulletin Board Systems, LogTick may be useful for you.

LogTick does an online calculation of phone-costs, allowing you to specify up to 10 different phone-rates. So, while connected, you immediately can see the amount of money spent on calling.

LogTick can be triggered (to start and stop the timer) by several ways:

by the Requester (logtickR.exe)

by the user (pressing buttons at the server program)

by a communication's port carrier

Each time the LogTick timer has been started and stopped, an entry is written to the LogTick logfile, allowing you to calculate a (sub-)total of a specific period of time.

LogTick can be configured to alarm you when a specific amount of time or money has passed. This way you can determin that you'll get a notification (by popup or sound) after a certain amount of time or money spent.


Software Installation

*** The advised procedure is to put all .DLL and .VBX files in the

*** \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory. However, experience shows that

*** if these .DLL and .VBX files are in the application directory,

*** the application also works...

Create a new subdirectory, for example "LOGT2_0"

Put the following files in the newly created subdirectory (LOGT2_0):

logtick.exe	main LogTick program

logtickr.exe	LogTick Requester

logtick.hlp	LogTick Help file

changes.txt	document, describes changes since previous release(s)

install.txt	document, describes the installation procedure

readme.txt	read this file before installing or running LogTick

register.wri	document, describes the registering procedure

Put the following files in your \windows\system subdirectory:

spin.vbx

threed.vbx

ddeml.dll

inpout.dll

msafinx.dll

vbrun300.dll 	should also be in this subdirectory !

Using the Windows Program Manager (menu "File" / "New"), add the following items to a new or existing program group:

LogTick.exe

LogTickR.exe

vbrun300.dll Should be installed in your \windows\system directory;

vbrun300.dll will not be in the zip file. It can be obtained from almost every BBS or FTP

site which distribute MS Windows software.

When starting LogTick 2.0 for the first time, additional files will be created in the LogTick subdirectory only.


Specifications

Specifications:

Written in Visual Basic 3.0 Pro for Windows 3.1

Up to 10 configurable rates

Triggering by user, DDE, or Data Carrier Detect

Logfile for calculating (sub-)totals

Alarm notification (registered version only)


Changes and Enhancements

Changes, enhancements and problems solved

LogTick 2.0 is shareware ! You can evaluate LogTick 2.0 for 30 days. After that time, you're obliged to register. See the 'register.WRI' file that came with this package.

Changed:

The DDE link can not be switched off anymore through the configuration window. It appeared that this option wasn't very usefull.

LogTick 2.0 does not use a .INI file anymore. Therefore, the logtick.ini file in the WINDOWS directory can be deleted. LogTick 2.0 uses a configuration file which is put in the applications directory

The INTERNAL DDE commands (transparant to the user) have changed. Therefore, also the LogTick Requester program version 2.0 should be used to make LogTick 2.0 work. Version 1.x requesters doesn't work with version 2.0 LogTick. Obviously, the version 2.0 requester is included in the package.

Even when LogTick status is 'connected', it's still possible to configure LogTick.

Enhancements compared to LogTick 1.1

LogTick can contain 10 different rates. Each rate contains an 'expensive' and a 'cheap' rate. From the requester commands, you specify the NAME of the rate that you want to use for a session. One of the configured rates can be set up as default rate

The rate values can now also be changed by clicking in the edit-boxes, and change the values using the keyboard.

LogTick can inform you if a configured amount of time or money has passed. This is called alarm (notification). You can be alarmed by a popup window or sound.  registered version only

LogTick can now be triggered by a modem carrier (DCD). This means that it's possible to start and stop the LogTick timer without editing the logon or logoff scripts. When using this method, the default rate will be used to calculate costs.

LogTick now logs eachs session in a logfile. You can define a start and ending date on which LogTick calculates the (sub-)total of money spent.

Even when LogTick status is 'connected', it's still possible to configure LogTick.

Problems solved:

The PAUSE button could not be triggered by the LogTick requester. Issueing the PAUSE command through the requester resulted in the message "Server did not accept command". This has been solved.

Under certain circumstances, the LogTick requester (logtickR.exe) remained active after starting it with a command parameter. (If logtickR is started with the commands 'start' 'stop' or 'pause' logtickR should be started, send the command to the server and terminate after that. The problem was that logtickR was still an active task according to the task manager)

When LogTick had been started before 12:00 AM, and run over 12:00 AM, the Total connected time showed a negative number. This has been solved.


Interesting things to know

What happens if the Requester is used to start a session , and the rate specified in the Start command isn't a valid rate ?

The LogTick server will not accept the command. (LogTick isn't started)

What happens if the Requester re-starts a suspended (paused) server, and the rate specified in the Start command isn't valid ?

Again, the LogTick server will not accept the command.

What happens if the Requester re-starts a suspended (paused) server, and the rate specified in the Start command is valid, but not the same as the one LogTick got started with ?

The LogTick server will resume running, but using the original rate (the one that actually started the timer in the first place). So this is the same as just issueing a Start command without a rate specified

What happens if the timer is running, and I close (exit) LogTick before clicking the Stop button ?

You'll get a choise of 3 possible actions:

1. Stop the timer, log the session, and Exit LogTick

2. Don't log the session, and Exit LogTick

3. Don't exit LogTick

What does the rate-name-box actually reflect ?

This box reflects the name of the rate that was used for the last connection. If LogTick is started, this box shows the name of the default rate (specified in the rate-settings)


The LogTick server

The LogTick server is the part of the program that you will interact with. The LogTick server is the main program, and it allows you to configure LogTick, specify rates, read and manipulate the logfile, manually start and stop the timer, and so on.

When starting the LogTick server (logtick.exe), a window will come up like this: (If LogTick was configuredto startup as minimized, only an icon will come up at the desktop. DoubleClick the icon to restore the window)

(This is a clickable image)

The Config button brings up the configuration window;

The Log button brings up the log window;

The Rates button brings up the rates window;

Start Stop and Pause buttons

Note: If LogTick was configured to respond to the Carrier of a communication port (the 'Carrier enabled box'  is on), clicking the Start, Stop, or Pause button will automatically disable the Carrier detection mechanism.

When clicking the Start button, the timer will be reset to zero, and the timer will start running, calculating online costs using the default rate specified in the rates window. At this time, the label at the right of  the start button will reflect the time at which the timer was started.

Clicking the Stop button will stop the timer. You can stop the timer by this button after the timer had been started by user (start button), by the logtick requester (logtickR.exe) or by carrier detection. The label at the right of the stop button will reflect the time at which the timer was stopped. After the timer has been stopped, an entry will be written into the logfile.

Clicking the Pause button will pause the timer. The timer can be resumed by pressing the Start button, or the timer can be stopped by pressing the Stop button.

The LogTick server can be controlled from within your dialing script through the LogTick Requester (logtickR.exe). This is done on DDE base. Click here to see how this works and how this can be tested.

?, !, and R buttons

Clicking the ? button will bring up this help file

Clicking the ! button will show program information

Clicking the R button allows you to register this program.

The Carrier Enabled box

If the checkbox is on, the indicator reflects the status of the carrier of the selected comm-port. The checkbox is automatically turned off if one of the Start, Stop, or Pause buttons has been clicked.


The Configuration window

If you clicked the Config button at the LogTick window, this window will come up:

(This is a clickable image)

Most objects in this window are self explanatory.

Trigger on port

If the Enabled button has switched On, LogTick will start and stop the timer upon the presence or absence of the Data Carrier of the selected com-port.

Alarm settings 	Registered version only

If the Alarm enabled button has switched On, LogTick will notify you after each PhoneTick, Amount of time passed, or Amount of money passed.

Switching on the popup window will enable a popup window to become active when the alarm is triggered.

Switching on the sound will sound a beep or .wav file, depending on your selection. If you selected wav, then you can select the actual .wav-file by clicking the label next to it. This will bring up a file-selection-window:

If  window popup, is enabled and the alarm is triggered, this window will inform you:

Once all configuration settings are done, pressing the Save button will activate the settings and save them to disk.


The Log Window

If you clicked the Log button at the LogTick window, the following window will come up:

(This image is clickable)

Most objects in this window are self-explanatory.

With Mark Start and Mark End you determin the region on which the Delete and Calculate buttons operate on.

First select a row in the log which you want to be the start point and click Mark Start, then select a row in the log (later in time) which you want to be the ending point and click Mark End.

If you now click Calculate, the costs within the region will be calculated, Including the start- and ending-row.

If you click Delete, you will delete the rows within the region, including the start- and ending-row.

Clicking the Reset button will set the top of the region to the top row, and the bottom of the region to the bottom row.


The Rates Window

If you clicked the Rates button at the LogTick window, the following window will come up:

(This image is clickable)

The table represents the already configured rates and their values. Clicking a row in the table will select the row (the row gets reverse colors), and the values of the selected rate appear in the configuration boxes.

You can change an existing rate or add a new rate by adjusting the values in the edit-boxes and click Add to add a new rate, or Replace to replace an existing rate.

Clicking Delete will delete the currently selected row.

Click the use as default box to specify the currenltly selected rate as default. That rate will be used if the LogTick timer was started by DataCarrier or by the LogTick Start button.

Don't forget to click Save to activate the changes and to save the changes to disk !

Name: Fill in this edit box to specify the rates' name. This name has to be unique, and will be used if you use the Requester to start or stop the LogTick timer

Tick: The costs of 1 phone-pulse

low rate settings

tick-time: Determins, in seconds, how long you can call for 1 phone-tick during low rate hours

after: Determins after what time the low rate hours apply

high rate settings

tick-time: Determins, in seconds,how long you can call for 1 phone-tick during high rate hours

after: Determins after what time the low rate hours apply

Always low rate on: Determins on what day(s) low rate applies during the whole day. Usually this is set on Saturday and Sunday

Example of rate settings


Rate settings example

Rate settings example:

The following model applies to the Dutch PTT Telecom situation (april 1995)

If calling a number within the local region, the costs of calling are as follows:

Each pulse costs 15 cents

Between 08:00 and 18:00, a pulse occurs every 2.5 minutes (150 seconds)

Between 18:00 and 08:00, a pulse occurs every 5 minutes (300 seconds)

So, to specify this as a rate within the rate configuration window:

set Name to local

set Tick to 15 (cents)

set low rate settings - Tick-time to 300 (seconds)

set low rate settings - After to 18:00

set high rate settings - Tick-time to 150 (seconds)

set high rate settings - After to 08:00

Click Add to add a new, or  Replace to replace an existing rate.

If calling a number outside the local region, the costs of calling are as follows:

Each pulse costs 15 cents

Between 08:00 and 18:00, a pulse occurs every 47 seconds

Between 18:00 and 08:00, a pulse occurs every 94 seconds

So, to specify this as a rate within the rate configuration window:

set Name to non-lcl (non-local)

set Tick to 15 (cents)

set low rate settings - Tick-time to 94 (seconds)

set low rate settings - After to 18:00

set high rate settings - Tick-time to 47 (seconds)

set high rate settings - After to 08:00

Click Add to add a new, or  Replace to replace an existing rate.

This model probably applies to more countries. For countries that don't use different rates within one region, just specify the same values for low rate settings and high rate settings.


The LogTick Requester

The LogTick Requester (logtickR.exe)

LogTick Requester is needed when you want to start and stop the LogTick timer by a dialing script, or if you want to specify another rate then the default rate when starting the LogTick timer.

The LogTick Requester program can be started in two ways:

Without parameters, just click the Icon, or use the Run logtickR command

With parameters, use the Run logtickR [<command> [<rate>]] command

If logtickR is started without any parameters, a window will come up like this:

(This image is clickable)

This application allows you to test the DDE link between the Requester and the Server. Before clicking any of the Start, Pause, or Stop buttons, be sure that the LogTick Server (LogTick.exe) is already running.

If logtickR is started with command parameters, no window will come up, and logtickR will end immediately after sending the command to the LogTick server. This mechanism is used if you want to start, pause or stop the timer by a dialing- or logoff script.

Syntax

*Run <path>logtickR.exe [<command> [<rate>]]

*Run is just an example. From a script it could very well be an Exec or Shell command. See your script language documentation for more information.

<path> specifies the location of the logtickR.exe executable file;

<command> can be either Start, Stop or Pause. If omitted, the logtickR application window will come up;

<rate> can only be specified if the Start-command was used. <rate> must be one of the available rates that was configured in the LogTick server Rates Window. If rate is omitted, the default rate will be used as configured in the in the LogTick server Rates Window.

Examples (note that the Server LogTick.exe should already be running !)

The run command can be executed from within the Windows Program Manager

run c:\logtick\logtickR.exe START

starts the logtick timer using the default rate

run c:\logtick\logtickR.exe START local

starts the logtick timer using the rate named 'local'

run c:\logtick\logtickR.exe STOP

stops the logtick timer

run c:\logtick\logtickR.exe PAUSE

pauses (suspends) the logtick timer

Obviously, you can use this method from within your dialing script.


Quick Test
A Quick Test

To check if LogTick server and requester work, do the following:

Perform the Installation of LogTick;

Start the Windows Filemanager;

Go to the directory where you installed LogTick;

Start logtick.exe (double click);

Start logtickR.exe (double click);

At the requester program (logtickR.exe) click Start;

The server program should now be in the Running state;

At the requester program (logtickR.exe) click Stop;

The server program should now be in the Idle state.

If something different happens than described, please see the Installation procedure. If this doesn't help you any further, please get in contact with the Author.


Registering and other information

LogTick 2.0 has been developed by:

Ton Martens

P.O.Box 123

1960 AC  Heemskerk

the Netherlands

email : tmartens@xs4all.nl

www : http://www.xs4all.nl/~tmartens

Please report any problems found with this product to the author. If you'd like to see enhancements in a future release of LogTick, please notify the author. Your request will be seriously considered.

Registering LogTick 2.0

LogTick 2.0 is a Shareware software package. This means that you're allowed to use LogTick 2.0 for an evaluation period of 30 days without paying. After the 30 day period, if you still want to use LogTick 2.0, you're obliged to register LogTick 2.0.

Costs

LogTick 2.0 costs f 35,- Dutch guilders, or $ 25 US Dollars. Costs may vary according to the

method of payment. See "How to register ?".

Why Registering ?

Because it's Shareware. Programming takes a lot of time. By purchasing Shareware

software, you enable the author to provide new versions of shareware. So it helps you too. On

top of that, extra functionality will become available, which is not available in the non-registered

version.

How to register ?

See the register.wri document for detailed information. This is a MS-Write document.

What will happen after registering ?

You will receive a 10-digit registration number. With you first-name last-name this number is a valid combination which should be entered in the LogTick server program:

(This image is clickable)


Get it working in a Trumpet Script

To take adventage of LogTick's  DDE capabilities, your dialing and logoff script should contain commands to start and stop LogTick by the DDE Link.

If you start the Requester (logtickR.exe) with a plain "start" command (exec "c:\logtick\logtickR.exe start"), this will start the LogTick timer using the default rate.

If you start the Requester with a "start <ratename>" command (exec "c:\logtick\logtickR.exe start local"), this will start the LogTick timer using the rate with the name "local". That rate name should exist!

Here is a small example of the Login.cmd script that can be executed by Trumpet:

===================================

exec "C:\logtick\logtick.exe"

%connection = 0

repeat

 	output ATDT  012 3456789\r

if [input 15 BUSY]

         	display \nThe number is busy....\n

Else

         	if [input 40 CONNECT]

             	%connection = 1

         	Else

             	display \nProvider doesn't answser!\n

         	End

     	End

     	sleep 1

until %connection = 1

display \7

exec "c:\logtick\logtickr.exe START LOCAL"

===================================

The first EXEC will start the server, and let it be standby. The second EXEC will start LogTickR.exe (the Requester) with the START command, and start the counter for the LogTick server.

The following script can be used as Bye.cmd.

===================================

output +++

input 10 OK\n

output ath0\r

input 10 OK\n

exec "c:\logtick\logtickr.exe STOP"

===================================

The exec will start the LogTickR.exe requester and fires of a STOP command to the LogTick server. Subsequently, the server will stop running.


Shows the current LogTick Timer status, Running, Idle or Pause.


Shows the name of the last used Rate.


Shows High rate if the current system time is in the high rate timeframe of the current rate, shows Low rate if the current system time is in the low rate timeframe of the current rate.


Shows the current system time.


When Enabled, shows the state of the DataCarrierDetect bit of the comm-port which had been configured in the Configuration Window. If the Carrier becomes active, the light in the Carrier detection box will switch on, and the LogTick timer will be reset and started. The timer will stop if the comm-port's carrier drops, or if a Requester STOP command has received, or if the user clicked the Stop button at the LogTick window.


Clicking this button activates the Configuration Window


Clicking this button activates the Log Window


Clicking this button activates the Rates Window


Clicking this button starts the LogTick timer. Clicking start will automatically disable the Carrier detection mechanism (if it was enabled). The timer can be stopped or paused by the Stop or Pause button, or by the logtick requester (logtickR.exe)


Clicking this button stops the LogTick timer. Clicking stop will automatically disable the Carrier detection mechanism (if it was enabled). The timer can be stopped if the timer is in the Running or Pause state.


Clicking this button puts the LogTick timer in Pause state. In this state, the timer can be resumed by the Start button or Requester, or it can be stopped by the Stop button or Requester.


Clicking this button brings up this Help Document


Clicking this button shows program Information


Clicking this button brings up the Register Window in which you can register the program if you received a registration number


Shows the time at which the LogTick timer was started


Shows the time at which the LogTick timer was stopped


Shows the total amount of time that the timer is/was running. Putting the timer in Pause state suspends the timer.


Shows the total amount of money that has been spent during the last connection. The costs are calculated using the specified rate (if the timer was started by the LogTickR Requester) or the default rate (if the timer was started by Carrier Trigger or the LogTick Start button)


enabled : LogTick will start up in minimized (icon) state;

disabled: LogTick will start up in normal (window) state.


enabled: LogTick will notify the user by a popup window if a Requester command has been received;

disabled: LogTick will not notify the user if a Requester command has been received.


enabled: The LogTick timer can be started and stopped by the selected comm-port carrier;

disabled: The LogTick timer can not be triggered by a comm-port carrier.


Specifies the communication port on which the LogTick timer should be triggered


enabled: The LogTick alarm is enabled;

disabled: The LogTick alarm is disabled.


Only applies if Alarm has been enabled

enabled: a popup window will show up for every alarm;

disabled: no popup window will show up.


Only applies if Alarm has been enabled

enabled: a beep or wavfile will be played for every alarm;

disabled: no sound will be played.


Clicking this text box will bring up a file selector in which you can specify the .wav that has to be played at alarms.


An alarm will occur at every phone-tick (see the Rates window)


An alarm will occur, every specified time-interval


An alarm will occur, every time the specified amount of money has passed


Click Cancel if you don't want to save the changes to disk


Click Save will activate the settings, and save them to disk


In here you specify the name of the rate. Use this name if you start the LogTick time by the LogTickR Requester.


Specifies the costs of one phone-pulse


Specifies the time-interval for one phone-pulse during low-rate-hours


Specifies the time-interval for one phone-pulse during high-rate-hours


Specifies the starting time for the low-rate-hours


Specifies the starting time for the high-rate-hours


Specifies the days at which low-rate always applies


Saves the changes to disk


Ignores the changes made


Adds the current values as a new rate. The rate's name must be unique. The rate is added to the first empty row


Replaces the currently selected row with the values in the edit-boxes


Deletes the currently selected row


Specifies the currently selected row as default rate. The default rate is used when the LogTick timer is started by the LogTick Start button or by the comm-port Data Carrier.


This tables shows the rates with their values. Clicking a row will put the values of that row in the edit-boxes, allowing you to edit them easily


Here, you can specify the disk where to look for a .wav file


Here, you can specify the directory where to look for a .wav file


Here, you can specify the .wav file


First select a .wav file in the file box, and then click this button to hear the selected file


Click Ok to use your selection, or Cancel to ignore it


Shows the date at which the connection was started


Shows the date at which the connection was stopped


Shows the time at which the connection was started


Shows the time time at which the connection was stopped


Shows the name of the rate that was used for this connection to calculate the phone-costs


Shows the method by which the LogTick timer was triggered: U for User (logtick Start button), R for Requester (Reguester Start command), or C for Carrier (comm-port Data Carrier)


Shows the costs for the connection


Displays the total amount of money calculated between the Start Mark and End Mark


Marks the currently selected row as starting point. This point applies when using the Calculate or Delete button


Marks the currently selected row as ending point. This point applies when using the Calculate or Delete button


Resets the Top row as starting point, and the Bottom row as ending point. These points apply when using the Calculate or Delete button


Deletes the row between the Start Mark and Ending Mark inclusive. Clicking this button asks for confirmation before actually deleting the records.


Calculates the sum of the rows between the Start Mark and Ending Mark inclusive. The sum will appear in the Total label


This will send a Start command to the LogTick server. The LogTick timer will start running using the default rate as specified in the Rates Window


This will send a Stop command to the LogTick server. If the LogTick timer is running, or is paused, clicking Stop will stop the timer


This will send a Pause command to the LogTick server. If the LogTick timer is running, clicking Pause will pause the timer. The timer can be resumed by clicking Start, or it can be stopped by clicking Stop.


Clicking this button will bring up this Help document


Clicking this button will show program information


Clicking this button allows you to register this program


This text will change after you registered the program


Shows you the remaining evaluation days of LogTick


Fill in your first-name last-name if you received a registration number


Fill in your registration number


Click cancel if you don't want to procede with the registration procedure


Click if you entered a valid <name> <number> combination