Software of the Month Club 1996 September/Software of the Month Club 1996 September.iso/pc/os2/infomile/infomile.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1996-06-21 | 25.2 KB | 580 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. InfoMiles Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

InfoMiles overview

Product information

Ordering

Support


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Product Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Product information

InfoMiles is a comprehensive solution for tracking your electronic
communications among the many on-ramps to todays hectic information
superhighway.

In one convenient location you can determine connection dates, times, online
durations, file transfers, and costs from virtually any communication software
program that maintains a usage log.  Stay on top of those monthly credit card
statements and long distance phone bills!

Features:

* Works with most communication programs including the Internet Access Kit
* Configurations for several popular communication programs included
* Versatile setup for communication programs that are not included
* Flexible cost setup for monthly service costs and long distance phone charges
* Numerous report formats can be defined and viewed by the user
* Graphic charts show usage and costs at a glance
* BONUS utility creates usage logs for communication programs that do not


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Help for the Edit Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Edit menu choices include selecting portions of the report text, copying
selected text to the clipboard and finding text within the report.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Help for Find ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Text

Text to search for in the report window.  The search begins from the first line
unless other options are checked.

Options

Case sensitive

Found text requires an exact match, including capitalization.

From selection

The search begins from the selected text in the report window.

Reverse search

Searches backwards, either from the last line of text in the report window or
from the selected text if checked.

Next

Repeat the last successful find operation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Help for the Report Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Report menu choices include viewing reports, choosing what is included in the
reports and how the detail report is presented.  Reports can also be printed or
saved to a file.

When a report is displayed, information on a particular service (or selected
services) can be viewed by double-clicking or pressing enter on a highlighted
service name.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Help for Report Criteria ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Dates and Times

Restricts reports to connections and/or file transfers within the given dates
and times.

Include/Exclude

Defines the service(s) and/or file transfer(s) you wish to limit the reports
to, seperated by commas (,).  The entries should appear as in the communication
log and need only be enough characters to make them unique. Matches are not
case sensitive, so capitalization is not important.  The Yes and No radio
buttons allow you to include or exclude the entries.

Reset

Set entries to default values of all information found in the log file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Help for Detail Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Show

Shows and totals only the checked items.

Format

Blank lines

Inserts blank line separators between dates, connections, files, and totals to
make the report more readable.

Totals only

Displays the selected totals only.

Total

Provides varying levels of subtotals.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Help for Print ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Options

All text

Prints the complete text in the report window.

Selected area

Only prints the selected text in the report window.

Copies

The number of copies of the report to print.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Help for the Setup Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Setup menu choices include setting up communication program log file formats,
communications costs and program preferences.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Help for Log File Setup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Log file formats are created by selecting New from the File menu.

After selecting the communication program (See Support for obtaining the latest
list of supported programs), typically only the Log File Path needs to be
specified to locate the log file on the disk drive.

For communication programs not listed, further information can be found in the
respective online help sections.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.1. Help for Log File Path ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Log file

The path and file name of the usage log maintained by the communication
program.  The log file is typically located in the same directory as the
communication program.  Be sure logging is turned ON in the communication
program settings.

Description

Displays in the report titles as well as the status line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.2. Help for Log File Contents ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The actual log file maintained by the communication program.  If the dialog is
empty, a proper path to the log file has not been supplied.

A ruler is displayed to determine subsequent settings of the log file data and
can be displayed at any point by double-clicking with the mouse or pressing
enter on a highlighted line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.3. Help for Log File Messages ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Messages

Log files typically supply unique words or phrases within a line of text that
signal events such as connections, disconnections and file transfers.

Notes

The Connection message should be on the same line as the service name.

The Disconnection message should be on the same line as connect durations or
cost data if supplied by the log file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.4. Help for Log File Data Coordinates ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Data coordinates

1st and Last

Column numbers (typically) or delimiter characters (unique words or phrases)
identifying the first and last column of various data within a line of the log
file text.

Delimiters must be used when the position of the data varies within the line of
text and column numbers cannot be used.

When using delimiters, the following applies:

When used as the first column, the extracted data begins immediately after the
last of the given delimiter characters.

When used as the last column, the data ends with the character immediately
prior to the first of the given delimiter characters.

There are 2 formatting commands that can be appended to the end of a delimiter
to help locate it within the line of log file text.  This is necessary with log
files sparse in unique delimiters separating the data.

If the delimiter occurs more than once within the line of text, the occurrence
number of the delimiter can be specified after the characters @#, such as @#2
for the 2nd occurrence of the delimiter characters.

If the data is located in a certain place relative to a delimiter, a number can
be specified between braces {} to add to or subtract from the position of the
given delimiter within the line of text, such as {3} to add 3 columns to the
position of the given delimiter characters.

The entry should be in the format "'delimiter' @#{}" if the special format
commands @# and {} are used together.

Begin and End

Characters to append to the beginning or the end of the extracted data.  This
is necessary if the log file does not supply required information, typically
dates without the year or time durations without the hours or seconds.

Msg

Words or phrases that signal the line the particular data can be found on.  As
with all messages, they should be unique and consistent delimiter characters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.5. Tutorial ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

It is important to understand how log files are typically organized before
setting up log format files.

Usually each line of text in a log file will include a date, a time and one
piece of information such as a connection to a service, a file sent or
received, or a disconnection from the service.

A complete connection would consist of at least two lines in the log file, the
line for the connect and the line for the disconnect.

The log file will usually provide unique and consistent messages to distinguish
the information provided by the line.  Words or phrases such as "connected",
"disconnected", "online", "offline", "upload", "download", "sent", and
"received" are common.

Contained within these lines will be data specific to the information the line
provides.  Dates, times, service names, file names, file sizes and time
durations are examples of the data supplied.

It is easy to set up log files when the data always begins and ends in the same
column within the line of text.

Using a date as an example, if the log file supplied dates in the format
01/01/90, and the date always began in the first column of the line, the values
for the month could be 1 for the first column and 2 for the last column. The
date values could be 4 and 5.  The year values could be 7 and 8.

Many log files are structured in this way and can be setup in this optimum
manner.  Unfortunately many logs are structured such that the column position
varies and therefore simple numbers cannot be used for the column positions of
the data.

In such instances the column numbers can be replaced with unique words or
phrases, similar to the event messages described above, that delimit the
requested data.

Again using a date as an example, if the log file supplied dates in the format
"Monday,Jan 01,1990", since the day of the week would prevent consistent column
numbers, the values for the month could be "," for the first column and " " for
the last column.  The date values could be " " and ",19".  The year values
could be ",19" and ",19{5}".

Further information is available in the respective online help sections.

With enough experimenting you should be able to set up a format for most log
files.  Often there is more than one way to achieve the desired results, not
always being immediately apparent.

If you continue to have trouble with set up, see the Support section for
obtaining help.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Help for Costs Setup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Setting up communications costs involves first setting up service providers and
their associated costs.

Service names, as shown in the reports, are then linked to service providers as
needed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.1. Help for Providers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Provider

The name of the service provider.

Add

Add the provider to the Provider list.

Modify

Change the provider in the Provider list.

Remove

Remove the provider from the Provider list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.2. Help for Provider Charges ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Monthly charge

The monthly charge assessed by the provider.

Monthly free hours

Free time, in hours, not subject to charges each month.

Month begin date

The day of the month the provider begins billing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.3. Help for Provider Costs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

M-F Sa Su

Indicates the days of the week the cost period applies to.

Time of day

The beginning and ending time of day for the cost period (00:00 to 23:59
constitutes an entire day). Time periods should not overlap.

Cost

The cost for the given seconds (usually in cents).

Secs.

The seconds for the given cost (usually 60, or one minute).

Apply Free

Apply free time to the cost period.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.4. Help for Services ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Service

The name of the service, as shown in the reports, you wish to track costs for.

Provider

The provider for the service.

Add

Add the service to the Service list.

Modify

Change the service in the Service list.

Remove

Delete the service from the Service list.

Note

A service may have more than one entry if multiple providers are used to access
the service (for instance dialing a provider long distance).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Preferences ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Preferences allow changing default program characteristics.

Note

Various fonts and colors can be changed using the system palettes and are also
saved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.1. Help for Open Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Open action

Determines the report displayed when a log format is opened.

Open at startup

Automatically opens the log format from the previous session when the program
is started.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.2. Help for Save Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Confirmations

Displays a prompt to save any changes when you open a new log format or quit
the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.3. Help for Date Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Date format

The format of the date that is displayed in the reports as well as the status
bar.

Include day of week

Prefixes the day name, such as Monday, to the date.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.4. Help for Country Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Currency symbol

Allows changing the default currency symbol used in the reports.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.5. Help for Program Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Disable button bar

If checked, the quick access buttons below the menu bar are not displayed.

Disable help messages

Prevents help messages from displaying in the status bar when menu items are
selected or when the mouse moves over the quick access buttons.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Ordering ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Ordering

The registration fee is $34.95 for InfoMiles and InfoLog or $19.95 for InfoLog.
A serial# enabling use of the software without reminder screens or functional
restrictions will be issued upon purchase.

Registrations remain effective for all future versions of the software.
Updates will be uploaded periodically to relevant CompuServe forums, Internet
sites and major BBS's containing fixes, enhancements, user requests and new
additions to the software.

The following options are available for purchasing the software after the
initial 30 day shareware evaluation period.

CompuServe, GO SWREG.

 InfoMiles and InfoLog, registration no. 6257

 InfoLog, registration no. 10103

BMT Micro

Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, EuroCard, Optima, Money Order,
Cashiers Check, and Personal Checks are accepted.  Please do not send cash in
the mail.  Personal checks are subject to clearance.

Voice Orders: 8:00am - 8:00pm EST (-5 GMT)

 [phone]  (Orders)
 [phone]  (Questions)

Fax Orders:  24 hours / 7 Days

 (800) 346-1OS2(1672)
 [phone]

Online Orders via modem:

 [phone]  (14.4K)
 [phone]  (28.8K)

Mail Orders To: (Print the online help order form)

 BMT Micro
 PO Box 15016
 Wilmington, NC 28408
 U.S.A.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. InfoLog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

InfoLog

InfoLog is an online time monitor for multiple services and communication
programs.  One simple interface provides for launching comminication programs,
monitoring current and total online times, and logging of connection dates and
times. User interaction is kept to a minimum with features such as automatic
carrier detection and monthly reset of total online times.  Just click and
go--InfoLog does the rest!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Order Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  Mail Orders To:

    BMT Micro              or   BMT Micro
    PO Box 15016                452 Horn Road
    Wilmington, NC 28408        Wilmington, NC  28412-2411
    U.S.A.                      U.S.A.

  Mail sent to the post office box arrives first and is processed first.
  You can often cut a day off your order arrival time by using the PO box.

  We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, EuroCard,
  Optima, Money Order, Cashiers Check, Personal Check.  Please do not
  send cash in the mail.  Personal checks are subject to clearance.

  Name ________________________________________________________________
  Company _____________________________________________________________
  Address _____________________________________________________________
  Address _____________________________________________________________
  Phone ___________________________ Fax _______________________________
  Email Address _______________________________________________________

  Product                    Quantity        Price
  _________________________  ___________     ____________
  InfoMiles and InfoLog      ___________   x $34.95 (US)  = + $ _______
  InfoLog                    ___________   x $19.95 (US)  = + $ _______

  Shipping and Handling                                     + $ _______

  Total                                                       $ _______

   For credit card payment only:
   Circle one  VISA / Mastercard / Discover / American Express / Optima
   Credit card number  ________________________________________________
   Expiration date  ___________________________________________________
   Authorization signature   __________________________________________


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Support

Support questions, as well as bug reports and suggestions for improvement, are
welcome and encouraged.  Electronic mail is preferred to one of the following:

      CompuServe, 74466,2137

      Internet, [e-mail]

 Alternatively postal mail can be sent to the following address:

      Bryce Craven
      16615 E. 42 Terr.
      Independence, MO  64055-5417
      USA

 Visit the InfoMiles WWW page for the latest information and program updates.

      http://www.tyrell.net/~craven