Copyright: Copyright© 1998-1999 Ozzie Productions. All rights reserved.
Citation: Copyright© 1998-1999 Ozzie Productions. All rights reserved.


To view context-sensitive help for WebCost 5.07, click the ? icon in the top-right corner of the window and then click the item you want help with.

To view in-depth help for WebCost 5.07, click the Contents button and select the topic you are interested in.


Daytime Rate is the standard calling rate during the day of weekdays.


Telephone companies charge you the Minimum Rate for every call that would otherwise cost less than it. The WebCost icon displays a small “M” in the corner, when the current call cost is less than the minimum rate. A sound can be played when the call cost exceeds the minimum rate. This sound can be configured on the Sounds page.


Evening Rate is a reduced calling rate in the evenings of weekdays. The start time and end time of the “Evening rate” period can be customised under the Advanced tab.


Weekend Rate is a reduced calling rate at weekends. It runs from midnight on Friday to midnight on Monday.


WebCost normally detects the current calling rate automatically by analysing the current day and time every 30 seconds. If you would prefer to manually select the call rate yourself, uncheck this box.


Check this box to log details of calls to a file on your hard disk.


Enter the path of the log file here. Click on Browse to select a file from the hard disk.


Browse for a log file.


Open the log file in a text editor for viewing.


Clears the running totals for call duration and call cost.


Check this box to be prompted before writing to the log file.


Check this box to record the name of the currently logged on user in the log file. For this feature to work correctly, you must have a logon system on your computer.


Check this box to make WebCost automatically start logging a call when the computer connects to the ISP, and stop logging when it disconnects. The internet connection state is checked every 3 seconds. With this feature enabled, manual call logging is disabled.


Check this box to display the call duration/cost notification window when logging starts. The window remains on top of all other windows, so that the current call duration and cost can be seen easily, without having to rest your mouse over the WebCost icon.


Check this box to make WebCost remind you of the current call duration and cost at the period that you specify. Reminders can be visual, audible or both.


Enter a warning period here.


Select this option to display a visual reminder when the period has been reached.


Select this option to play an audible reminder sound from the speakers when the period has been reached. The reminder sound can be configured on the Sounds page.


Select this option to display a visual reminder and play a sound when the period has been reached. The reminder sound can be configured on the Sounds page.


Check this box to make WebCost automatically disconnect you from the internet after a period that you specify.


Enter a disconnection period here.


Check this box to make WebCost prompt you before disconnecting.


Check this box to password-protect the settings on this page. This can be useful if you are a parent and wish to limit the amount of time/money that your children spend online, and you don’t want the settings tampered with.


Change your password.


Enter a unique name for the “Special Rate” here.


Enter the price per minute of the “Special Rate” here.


Select the “Evening Rate” period start time from the list.


Select the “Evening Rate” period end time from the list.


Enter the currency unit name here (e.g. pence).


Create a new dialling location.


Delete the selected dialling location.


A sound file can be played to notify you of any of the WebCost events in the list. Click Browse to select a sound file from the hard disk.


Play the selected sound file.


Remove the sound from the event.


Browse the hard disk for a sound file.


Applies and saves any changes you have made and then closes this dialog box.


Closes the dialog box without saving any changes you have made.


Applies and saves any changes you have made without closing the dialog box.


Select your current dialling location from the list.


Enter your name here.


Enter your unlock code here.


View information about how to register your copy of WebCost 5.07.


Enter your old password here.


Enter your new password here.


Re-type your new password here.


Introduction to WebCost

WebCost is a notification program that sits in the system tray and monitors the cost and duration of internet calls.

Call rates are fully customisable, and the application includes multiple location support, enabling it to be used no matter what country you are in. You can enter in and save call rates for each location and switch between your dialling locations easily. In addition to this, WebCost can add on any call charges or monthly charges made by your ISP.

WebCost can create a detailed log file of all calls made, including information about the date and time of the start of the call, who was logged on to the computer when the call was made and the total amount of time and money spent on-line since a specified date. WebCost can detect when you connect and disconnect to and from the internet and can start and stop logging accordingly.

Once call logging has started, WebCost can remind you of the current call duration and cost at an interval that you specify. The reminder can be visual, audible or both, and the visual warnings offer you the option of disconnecting from the internet. In addition to this WebCost can be configured to automatically disconnect the computer from the internet after a certain period of time or money has expired. This can be useful if you are a parent and wish to restrict the amount of time/money that your children spend on the internet. To make this feature secure, the disconnection options can be password-protected so that they cannot be tampered with.

WebCost also includes a feature called “Special Rates”, which is intended for use when your telecom company offers a reduced calling rate for a temporary period of time. For example, if your telecom company offered discounted call rates over the Christmas period, you could set this up as a “Special Rate”. When a “Special Rate” is selected, the standard calling rates are temporarily overridden.


WebCost 5.07

Copyright© 1998-1999 Ozzie Productions. All rights reserved.

Some coding and beta testing assisted by Matt Hamer.

Warning: This program is protected by copyright law and international treaties. Any unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this program, or any part of it is illegal.


The WebCost Icon

The WebCost icon sits in the system tray and gives you access to all of WebCost’s features. Right-clicking on the icon displays a menu with a list of options, depending on what WebCost is doing when the icon is clicked.

When WebCost is idle, the icon is a clock. Resting the mouse over the icon in this state displays the current calling rate. Double-clicking on the icon starts logging when WebCost is not in automatic mode.

When WebCost is logging a call, the icon is a globe. Resting the mouse over the icon in this state displays the current call duration and cost. Double-clicking on the icon stops logging if you started logging manually, or toggles the call notification window if WebCost started logging automatically.

The menu also displays any selectable call rates and dialling locations, along with options to connect to and disconnect from the internet at all times.


Entering in Local Call Rates

The price per minute of a local call can be configured on the Rates page.

Most telecom companies charge you a specific rate depending on the time of day and week at which the call is made. Daytime Rate is the standard calling rate during the day of weekdays. Evening Rate is a reduced calling rate in the evenings of weekdays. The start time and end time of the “Evening rate” period can be customised under the Advanced tab. Weekend Rate is a reduced calling rate at weekends. It runs from midnight on Friday to midnight on Monday. Telecom companies charge you the Minimum Rate for each call that would otherwise cost less than it.

WebCost automatically detects the current calling rate, by analysing the current date and time. If you would prefer to manually select the current calling rate, uncheck the box at the top of the Rates page. With this box unchecked, the calling rate can be manually selected from the right-click menu.

WebCost supports special discounts made by telephone companies. Click on the Discounts button to open a configuration dialog.


Creating a Log File of Calls Made

Log file options can be configured on the Logging page.

WebCost can create a detailed log file of all calls made. By default, the log file displays the start time and date of each call, and the price and duration of the call once it has finished. You can also make WebCost add the name of the currently logged on user to the log file. This is useful if you’d like to see which user is spending the most amount of time/money online.

The log file path is specified either by typing into the box, or by clicking on Browse and selecting a log file.

By default, WebCost records a total of call duration and call cost and adds this to the log file at the end of each session. This enables you to see how much time/money you have spent online in since a specified date. The totals can be cleared by clicking on the Clear Totals button. A record of the totals being cleared is added to the log file when you close WebCost for your reference.


Starting/Stopping Call Logging

Double-clicking on the WebCost icon in manual mode or selecting from the menu will toggle call logging. Alternatively, WebCost can detect when you connect to and disconnect from the internet and can start and stop call logging accordingly. This can be configured on the Logging page. Double-clicking on the icon with the AutoStart feature enabled toggles the call notification window.


Configuring Reminders

Call reminders can be configured on the Reminders page.

WebCost can remind you of the current call duration and cost at a period that you specify. The reminder can be visual, audible or both, and the visual warnings offer you the option of disconnecting from the internet. The reminder sound can be customised on the Sounds page.

WebCost can also remind you when you have run out of ISP free time. After this period, you are charged at your ISP’s hourly rate on top of the standard call rates.


Automatic Disconnection Features

Automatic Disconnection Features can be configured on the Disconnect page.

WebCost can automatically disconnect you from the internet after a period that you specify. This can be useful if you are a parent and wish to limit the amount of time/money that your children spend on the internet.

The options on the Disconnect page can be password-protected so that they cannot be tampered with.


Recommended Settings for Cautious Parents

If you are a cautious parent, who wants to keep a close eye on exactly how much time/money your children are spending on the internet, then Ozzie Productions has devised a combination of WebCost settings which will make your task much easier.

•	Begin by enabling the automatic disconnection features on the Disconnect page. Set a period of time/money that you think is adequate for your children.

•	Uncheck the “Ask me for confirmation before disconnecting” box. This will make WebCost terminate the internet connection without asking first, and will prevent children from clicking No and staying online.

•	Check the “Remove dial-up password after disconnection” box. This will make WebCost remove the dial-up password when it automatically disconnects from the internet, meaning that children cannot connect back on to the internet without knowing the dial-up password.

•	Password Protect these settings, so that only you can alter them if you wish to.

•	On the Advanced page, check the “Require Password to Exit WebCost” box, and enter in a password. This will ensure that children cannot simply close WebCost while it is logging.

•	Check the “Enable automatic logging mode” box on the Logging page. This will ensure that your children do not forget to start and stop logging an internet call, and will prevent them from stopping WebCost logging during an online session.

•	Finally, uncheck the “Ask me for confirmation before writing to the log file” box. This will ensure that your children cannot chose whether to log a call or not.


Special Thanks

Many people have helped to make WebCost 5.07 what it is, by sending in suggestions, reporting bugs and by testing the beta releases, so my thanks goes out to you all. However, particular thanks goes to the following excellent people:-

Matt Hamer for beta testing and some coding.

Andrew Craig for beta testing.

Paul Merser for beta testing.

Barry Osborn for support.

Monica Osborn for support.

Paul Dawson for putting my applications on cover disks.

The staff at FreeNetName for hosting my web site.

The staff at eGroups for hosting my mailing list.


Contacting Ozzie Productions

Should you have any queries, suggestions or problems to do with WebCost 5.07, please e-mail them to Ozzie Productions at the following e-mail address:-

webcost@ozzieproductions.co.uk

For the latest information and program updates, visit our web site at:-

http://www.ozzieproductions.co.uk

You can subscribe to the Ozzie Productions mailing list for FREE notification of program updates and news via e-mail. Please visit the web site for details.


What’s New in version 5.0

•	Automatic start/stop logging when computer connects/disconnects. WebCost can automatically start logging when you connect to the internet and stop logging when you disconnect.

•	Password protected disconnection features. WebCost has password-protected disconnection options, which are useful if you are a parent and wish to limit the amount of time/money that your children spend on the internet.

•	Connect to the internet. You can now connect to the internet using Dial-Up Networking straight from WebCost.

•	Run programs. WebCost can run specified applications when you connect to and disconnect from the internet.

•	Disconnection features on reminder screens. You can now disconnect from the internet and stop logging a call from the reminder screens.

•	Select dialling location from menu. You can now switch between dialling locations from WebCost’s menu, as well as in Options.

•	Multi-user options. WebCost can record the name of the currently logged on user in the log file, enabling you to see who spends the most amount of time/money online.

•	Disable log prompt screen. In WebCost, you can disable the log prompt screen, so that WebCost automatically writes to the log file, without asking you first.

•	Call Calculator. WebCost’s call calculator allows you to see how much a call of specified length would cost at a specified rate.

•	ISP Charges. WebCost can add on any hourly/month charges made by your ISP, and is fully compatible with ISP free time.

•	Discounts. WebCost supports discounted rates offered by some telecom companies.

•	Cost/Duration totals since specified date. WebCost tells you the totals of call duration and cost since the date they were last cleared.

•	"Always on top" notification window. WebCost can display a notification window, which shows the current call duration and cost in real time. This saves you from having to rest your mouse over the system tray icon to see call details.

•	"Play" button on sounds page. WebCost has a button to listen to event sounds on the sound selection page.

•	Statistics screen. WebCost can be configured to display a statistics dialog each time it starts. The statistics screen displays call duration and cost totals and ISP information.

•	Disable automatic rate detection. Previous versions of WebCost detected the current calling rate by analysing the date and time. If you prefer, you can disable automatic detection and manually select the calling rate in WebCost.

•	More accurate call rates. WebCost calculates call rates to more places of decimals for more accuracy.

•	Improved U/I. WebCost has an improved user interface, making it easier to enter in call rates, and customise advanced location options.

•	Modem negotiation time. WebCost can account for the time it takes the modem to dial up and communicate with the ISP, and update the call length and cost accordingly.

•	More sound events. WebCost has more built-in sound events.

•	Online and context-sensitive help. WebCost has a detailed help file, with context-sensitive help about all of it’s features.

•	Password-protected Exit command, to prevent closure when logging a call.

•	Selectable connections menu. You can select which connection you’d like to dial, right from WebCost’s menu.

•	Bug fixes.


Special Rates

The “Special Rates” feature of WebCost is intended for use when your telecom company specifies a reduced calling rate for a limited period of time. For example, if you telecom company reduced the price of calls over the Christmas period, you could set this up as a special rate. When a special rate is selected, the current call rates are temporarily over-ridden, and you are charged at the rate that you select instead.

Creating a special rate is easy – simply type in a unique and descriptive name for the rate (like “Christmas Reduced Rate”) and then enter the price per minute of the calling rate. You can select the special rate by right-clicking on the WebCost icon, pointing to “Special Rates” and selecting the call rate from the list. You can create up to four special rates for each dialling location.

A special rate stays active until you select another rate, or close WebCost.


Multiple Dialling Locations

WebCost has support for multiple dialling locations, enabling it to be used no matter what country you are in. You can enter in and save call rates for each location and switch between your dialling locations easily. Dialling locations can be customised using the New and Delete buttons on the options dialog.

With each dialling location, you can save the call rates, the currency name, the evening rate start and end time, ISP data, discount information and up to four special rates.


Using the Call Calculator

WebCost’s call calculator can be used to work how much a call of specified length would cost at a specified rate. To open the call calculator click the Calculator button on the Rates page. Simply type in the call length and select the desired calling rate to see how much the call would cost. Any discount that you may have configured will apply in the Call Calculator.


Opens WebCost’s call calculator, which can be used to work how much a call of specified length would cost at a specified rate.


Opens the call discounts dialog, which can be used to configure discounts.


Opens help.


Check this box to be visually notified when you have run out of ISP free time.


Check this box to display the Statistics dialog each time WebCost starts.


Check this box to run WebCost each time Windows starts.


Select this option if your ISP offers you unlimited access to the internet for free (e.g. Freeserve).


Select this option if your ISP offers you unlimited access to the internet for a monthly charge (e.g. Demon Internet). The monthly charge is added to the total cost at the start of each new month.


Select this option if your ISP offers you a period of free time, and then charges an hourly rate when the free time has expired (e.g. Compuserve). You can enter in the number of free hours per month, and the cost per hour when this time has expired. WebCost adds the ISP monthly charge to the total cost and resets the number of ISP free hours at the start of each new month.


Enter in the monthly charge here. The monthly charge It is added to the total cost at the start of each new month.


Enter in the number of free hours per month that you ISP offers you here. When you run out of free time, the ISP’s hourly rate is charged on top of the standard telephone rates. WebCost resets the number of ISP free hours at the start of each new month.


Enter in your ISP’s hourly charge here. When you run out of free time, the ISP’s hourly rate is charged on top of the standard telephone rates.


Using the Discounts Feature

WebCost supports call discounts. Most major telecom companies offer special price discounts on all calls made to a specified telephone number. If you have selected your ISP's telephone number to receive discounts from your telecom company, WebCost can automatically apply the discount for you.

Click on the Discounts button on the rates page to open the configuration dialog.


Using the ISP Features

WebCost can automatically add on any monthly or hourly charges made by your ISP. ISP options can be configured on the ISP page.

On the ISP page, you should select the option that best describes the type of service that you get from your ISP. The options are as follows:-

•	My ISP offers me unlimited access to the internet for free. – This service is typical of an ISP like Freeserve, where the are no monthly or hourly charges made by the ISP. You only pay for the telephone call at the standard local rates.

•	My ISP offers me unlimited access to the internet for a monthly charge. – This service is typical of an ISP like Demon Internet, where you pay a set monthly fee to use their service. You then pay for the telephone call at the standard local rates.

•	My ISP offers me a period of free time and then a set price per hour after this period has expired, plus a set price per month. – This is service is typical of an ISP like CompuServe, where you are allowed a certain number of free hours on line per month. During this period, you are only charged at the standard local rates charged by your telecom company. After this period of free time has expired, you are charged at the ISP’s hour rate on top of the standard local rates. In addition to this, there may be a basic monthly charge as well.

WebCost adds the ISP monthly charge to the total cost and resets the number of ISP free hours at the start of each new month.


The Statistics Screen

WebCost can be configured to display a screen of statistics each time it starts. The statistics screen shows the total call duration and cost for the selected location, in addition to information about your ISP including the number of free hours you have left.

To display the statistics screen, click on Statistics on the menu, or check the relevant box on the Advanced page to display the screen each time you run WebCost.


If you have selected your ISP's telephone number to receive discounts from your telecom company, enter the discount in percent that you are entitled to.


Closes the dialog box.


Enter the duration of the call in minutes.


Select a calling rate.


Opens the System Information application.


Enter a unique name for the new dialling location here.


Check the box and enter in the approximate time that it takes for the modem to dial and communicate with the ISP before you are connected, and WebCost will update the call length and cost accordingly.


Select a dial-up connection to configure it.


Configure the selected dial-up connection.


Create a new dial-up connection.


Check this box to delete the dial-up password when WebCost automatically disconnects the computer from the internet. This prevents the computer from re-connecting to the internet unless the correct dial-up password is entered.


WebCost can run applications when you connect to or disconnect from the internet. Click on Add to select an application.


Add an application to the list.


Remove the selected application from the list.


Move the selected application one place up in the list.


Move the selected application one place down in the list.


Check this box to make WebCost prompt you for a password when you Exit the program. This can prevent the program from being closed when it is logging a call.