MicroGenius AntiTimer README file

AntiTimer 1.52

Released: April 10, 2000

For revision information, check the AntiTimer website at http://i.am/antitimer

Contents:
1. Welcome
2. Explanation of AOL's Idle policy
3. Installing / Uninstalling
4. How to use AntiTimer
5. Options
6. Problems and where to get support
7. Recognition
8. Disclaimer

1. Welcome

Welcome to AntiTimer. If you aren't sure what AntiTimer is yet, let me expain. AntiTimer is a new program that helps you stay connected to America Online for as long as you'd like. Have you experienced those annoying idle messages from America Online? Surely you have. They will say something to the effect of, "You have been online for almost 5 minutes. Can we kick you off yet?" There is also a timer that merely tells you that you have been on for 45 minutes at a time. (AOL has even gone to the measure of sometimes kicking people offline without a warning for inactivity, and sadly there is no way for AntiTimer to fix this problem). AntiTimer will "kill" these messages. That is, click them for you. So, you should be free to download all night long, without having to worry about being kicked off. Please note that AntiTimer will NOT work with other online services or ISPs. Even though Compuserve and AOL are very similar because of the merger, AntiTimer will NOT work with Compuserve.

2. Explanation of AOL's Idle Policy

Here is the low down on AOL and their anti-idle campaign. The whole idea behind the campaign is to "boot" users offline that are not constructively using their time. AOL is not the only ISP doing this. However AOL's policy is different than others' for several reasons.

First off, AOL is not a regular ISP. Rather than a simple connection to the internet, AOL provides plenty of original content themselves. I am referring to their software, not the AOL.com internet site. Having their own software allows them to control their customers with far more precision. (That is the theory) Users who are not doing anything are prompted with two types of idle messages.

One is the normal "idle" message, informing the user that he isn't doing anything, and that he will kicked offline if he fails to do anything within a few minutes or so. The message appears around every 10 to 15 minutes or so (provided you haven't done anything during that time). It is actually a good idea in theory: it would remove users that are not using the service, thereby freeing up bandwidth and other services for people that are actually using AOL. The problem with this message is that it cannot accurately detect when someone is idle. Other ISP's simply determine if the user has transmitted any data within a certain time. AOL, on the other hand, can't do this. To be considered an active or non-idle user on AOL, you must be doing something through the AOL interface. Which, importantly, does NOT include any programs outside of the AOL interface or third party programs such as Netscape Navigator, mIRC, ICQ, etc. Neither does it include simple tasks such as typing email (although when you send the mail it will not consider you idle).

The other type of idle message is the dreaded 45-minute message. It occurs approximately every 45 to 47 minutes, informing the user that he has been on for 45 minutes (since the last message), and if the user does not respond to the message within a few minutes, he is kicked offline. The big problem with this message is that it occurs regardless of your "idle status." Nothing you do will keep this message from appearing. Using AntiTimer will remove this idle message from your screen almost immediately.

In light of these unfair idle messages, I have written this program. I feel that the idle messages from other ISP's are just. However, because AOL does not seem to have the power to truly determine if someone is idle, I feel justified writing this program. AntiTimer should take care of these messages as soon as they appear, within a second or two. AOL does not have to be the active (on-top) application for AntiTimer to work, as do some other antitimer-type programs.

3. Installing / Uninstalling

Starting with AntiTimer v1.34 R4, AntiTimer will be written with Visual Basic 6. It has many advantages over VB5. Most of the advantages will be noticed by you in the installation. Note: If you are installing a new version of AntiTimer over an older version, be sure to un-install the old one first (see below). To install AntiTimer, go to the directory wherever you downloaded the ZIP file. The file will probably be named something like AntiTimer150.zip. Open the file with a double click. Note that you will need a ZIP/UNZIP program such as Winzip (which can be found at www.winzip.com) to open the file. From there you can either double click the Setup.exe file or click on the Install button in Winzip (either will work). The AntiTimer Installation program will then start. You may install AntiTimer to any directory you want. I recommend a sub directory of your AOL folder, such as c:\AOL40\AntiTimer. It doesn't matter where, though. It will add a link to the Programs Folder in your Start Menu, under Start/Programs. Simply click the link to begin using AntiTimer.

To Uninstall AntiTimer, do NOT simply delete the folder that you installed to! The AntiTimer install has taken use of VB6 and has added items to the registry, so if you just delete the folder you will be leaving all sorts of "junk" behind. This is true for almost all programs you install. So, to uninstall AntiTimer, open the Windows Control Panel and double-click Add/Remove programs. Scroll down to the AntiTimer entry, and then click Add/Remove. AntiTimer will ask you if you are sure that you want to remove AntiTimer. Click yes (if you are sure). It will then be uninstalled. AntiTimer might tell you that some items could not be deleted. This means that there are things in your AntiTimer directory other than the program files. This includes anything YOU put in there, such as the install file.

4. Using AntiTimer

Two positive features of AntiTimer, I feel, are its simpleness and usefulness. Upon starting AntiTimer, you are presented with the ability to turn the program off, on (Always Active), or AntiTimer can also sign you off at a designated time (Stay Online Until...). Simply choose which one you want by selecting a radio option. If you choose Stay Online Until, you will want to enter a time that you feel you should be signed off. You will of course want your download to finish, so be sure that you allow plenty of time for that.

Also, note that AntiTimer sits in the Win9x system tray (in the lower right hand corner next to the clock). Right click on the icon to bring up a context menu. To hide AntiTimer TO the system tray, just click the Hide button. To see it again, left click once on the icon in the system tray.

Also, in this version is an AutoUpdate feature. The idea of this feature is to let you know when a new version of AntiTimer has become available, instead of forcing you to constantly check my site yourself. Each time you sign on to AOL, AntiTimer will check a certain file on my website to see if there is a new version. If there isn't, you won't be bothered. If there is, a new button will apear on the AntiTimer program window. A little yellow button with an exclamation point will be present. Simply click it and AntiTimer will wisk you to my website.

5. Options

Here's what the Options screen includes.

AutoUpdate: This option will give you control over the AutoUpdate feature. Either on or off, not too confusing. I would recommend leaving it on. I can't think of why you would want to turn it off. But, I feel that users should have the choice.
Auto-minimize at AntiTimer startup: If this option is checked, AntiTimer will automatically minimize itself to the system tray when it is loaded.
Load AOL at startup: If this option is checked, AntiTimer will load AOL when it is started (provided that AOL isn't already running). This is a great feature because now you can startup both AOL and AntiTimer at the same time simply by enabling this option and running AntiTimer. After enabling this option, you can simply run AntiTimer. Then, AOL will automatically be loaded, and you won't have to remember to start AntiTimer later.
Audible 'Idle kill' confirmation: If this option is checked, AntiTimer will play a sound that you specify whenever it makes an idle-kill. This might give you a little more reassurance.
Add Icon to: Also, AntiTimer can make links for you, just in case you lost yours. Either on the Desktop or in the Start Menu.
Random delay on 'kill': Normally, AntiTimer will 'kill' an idle message instantly. However, if this option is checked, AntiTimer will wait a random number of seconds (between 1 and 15) to kill the idle message. This way, AOL can't detect that you are using AntiTimer. It will appear to AOL as if a human has clicked the timer.
Auto-minimize AOL Welcome Screen: When you sign on to AOL, AntiTimer will automatically minimize the "Welcome" screen.
Load these programs upon AOL connection: This function works much like ICQ's NetDetect function, except that it works with AOL (ICQ's doesn't). If you want some other program started whenever you log onto AOL, just tell AntiTimer where it's located and it will run the program the next time you sign on. AntiTimer has the ability to run three such programs.
In order to launch a file with parameters, you must do the following:
1. Add a quote (") symbol.
2. Add the program to be launched
3. Close with another quote (")
4. Add a space (spacebar) and then the parameters (not in quotes)
The final product should look something like this: "c:\windows\sndrec32.exe" c:\sounds\simpsons\doh.wav
But should NOT look like this "c:\windows\sndrec32.exe c:\sounds\simpsons\doh.wav" (with quotes on the very end)

6. Problems and where to get support

New with version 1.52, I created the AntiTimer message board. I'm not positive, but I think it will be a great place where the AntiTimer community can join and we can all help solve problems. Also, be sure to read the AntiTimer FAQ, as it has a wealth of the most common questions, and of course, the answers to them. If you email me, please be AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE. Tell me what the error is, what any error messages said, and ANYTHING and EVERYTHING else that might be significant. You would not believe the number of people who say, "Help! It's not working, what do I do?" That goes at the end of the email peoples! See the bottom of this readme for contact info.

I am also looking for suggestions. What would you like to see in the next version of AntiTimer? If it's a good idea, I'll put it in, and give you credit! I would love some suggestions! Drop by the message board to voice yours.

7. Recognition

As I've mentioned, I do appreciate all who help me with this program. I need people to report bugs, and help me with suggestions, and I also needed a little help with my code.

Big thanks goes out to Chris Bajgier (creator of Kill Timer). When I was deaf and dumb, he provided me with crucial coding that I used in AntiTimer. I owe you one, Chris. Many thanks go to Julie Id, who gave me many suggestions. To those of you who helped me with beta tests, I appreciate it. I would also like to thank Otser, because he helped me with my VB coding. I would also like to thank the loyal users of AntiTimer, because they have provided many ideas for useful options in AntiTimer, including most found in the AntiTimer Options.

8. Disclaimer

Do not misuse this program.

Tyler Collier
MicroGenius Software
AntiTimer Website
Personal Website