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- ----------------------------
- ReadMe File for WebCost 5.07
- October 1999
- ----------------------------
-
- Copyright⌐ 1998-1999 Ozzie Productions. All rights reserved.
-
- -------------------------
- How to View This Document
- -------------------------
- To view the Readme file on-screen, open it in Windows Notepad or
- another word processor. To print the Readme file, click Print on
- the File menu.
-
-
- --------
- CONTENTS
- --------
-
- 1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- 2. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- 3. UNINSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- 4. INTRODUCTION TO WEBCOST
- 5. WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 5.07
- 6. SUPPORT INFORMATION
- 7. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
-
-
- ========================
- 1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- ========================
-
- WebCost 5.07 requires the Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
- runtime library to run. You can get this package from the
- Ozzie Productions web site if you need it.
-
- Due to the addition of some features in WebCost 5.07, there
- is no need for an Internet Explorer integration package
- anymore. Installing WebCost 5.07 over WebCost 4.0 with the
- integration package automatically removes the integration
- package.
-
-
-
- ============================
- 2. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- ============================
-
- NOTE:- You should UNINSTALL any previous version of WebCost
- before you install WebCost 5.07.
-
- To install WebCost 5.07, decompress the ZIP file into a
- temporary directory using WinZip or other compression software.
- Double-click on "Setup.exe" to start the Setup application.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install WebCost.
-
-
-
- ==============================
- 3. UNINSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- ==============================
-
- To uninstall WebCost 5.07, open "Add/Remove Programs" under
- Control Panel and double-click on WebCost 5.07 in the window.
- This will start the uninstaller. Follow the on-screen
- instructions to uninstall WebCost.
-
-
-
- ==========================
- 4. 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.
-
-
-
- ============================
- 5. WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 5.0
- ============================
-
- 1) 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.
-
- 2) 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.
-
- 3) Connect to the internet. You can now connect to the
- internet using Dial-Up Networking straight from WebCost.
-
- 4) Run programs. WebCost can run specified applications
- when you connect to and disconnect from the internet.
-
- 5) Disconnection features on reminder screens. You can now
- disconnect from the internet and stop logging a call from
- the reminder screens.
-
- 6) Select dialling location from menu. You can now switch
- between dialling locations from WebCostÆs menu, as well as
- in Options.
-
- 7) 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.
-
- 8) 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.
-
- 9) Call Calculator. WebCost's call calculator allows you
- to see how much a call of specified length would cost at a
- specified rate.
-
- 10) ISP Charges. WebCost can add on any hourly/month
- charges made by your ISP, and is fully compatible with ISP
- free time.
-
- 11) Discounts. WebCost supports discounted rates offered
- by some telecom companies.
-
- 12) Cost/Duration totals since specified date. WebCost
- tells you the totals of call duration and cost since the
- date they were last cleared.
-
- 13) "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.
-
- 14) "Play" button on sounds page. WebCost has a button
- to listen to event sounds on the sound selection page.
-
- 15) 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.
-
- 16) 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.
-
- 17) More accurate call rates. WebCost calculates call
- rates to more places of decimals for more accuracy.
-
- 18) Improved U/I. WebCost has an improved user interface,
- making it easier to enter in call rates, and customise
- advanced location options.
-
- 19) 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.
-
- 20) More sound events. WebCost has more built-in sound
- events.
-
- 21) Online and context-sensitive help. WebCost has a
- detailed help file, with context-sensitive help about all
- of itÆs features.
-
- 22) Password-protected Exit command, to prevent closure
- when logging a call.
-
- 23) Selectable connections on the connect menu.
-
- 24) Bug fixes.
-
-
-
- ======================
- 6. SUPPORT INFORMATION
- ======================
-
- E-Mail Queries/Suggestions/Bug Reports to:-
- webcost@ozzieproductions.co.uk
-
- Visit the Ozzie Productions Web Site at:-
- http://www.ozzieproductions.co.uk
-
- You can subscribe to the Ozzie Productions Mailing List for FREE
- notification of updates and information about new programs via e-mail.
- See the Web Site for details.
-
-
- ========================
- 7. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
- ========================
-
- WebCost 5.07 - Copyright⌐ 1998-1999 Ozzie Productions. All rights reserved.
- Some coding and beta testing assisted by Matt Hamer of Matt Hamer
- Software (www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/techie/40).
-
- 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.