Cream of the Crop 11/Cream of the Crop 11-2.iso/os2/imileo22.zip/INFOMILE.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1995-11-12 | 88KB | 634 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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
* Online help with graphic configuration examples
* 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. 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 3. Graphic examples ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The following screen shots show examples of different set up configurations.

Connections

File transfers

Service costs

Time of day costs


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Connections example ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. File transfers example ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Service costs example ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Time of day costs example ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Setup menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The setup dialogs are where you configure the software for your different
communication programs.  Usually this is required only once for each
communication program.

Cost information can also be defined by setting up Provider costs first and
then adding Service providers as needed.

Program preferences allow you to tailor the software to personal preferences.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Log file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Log file path

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

Description

Displays in the status line when the format is loaded and also in the title of
the reports.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Connections setup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Since log file formats vary greatly, you may wish to view a graphic example or
the tutorial on setting up log files.

Messages

Begin and End

Words or phrases that signal the beginning and end of a communication session.
The Begin characters should be found on the same line as the service name.
Likewise, the End characters should be on the same line as connect durations or
cost data when supplied by the log file.

Data

1st and Last

Column numbers or delimiter characters identifying the begin and end of various
data within the line of text.

When delimiters are used, the following applies:

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

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

You can think of the data as falling between the given delimiters.

There are 2 formatting commands that can be appended to the end of a delimiter
to help locate the delimiter within the line of text.  This is necessary with
some log files.

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.

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
delimiter within the line of text, such as {3} to add 3 columns to the position
of the delimiter.

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

Beg 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.

Notes

Most logs specify the time in 24-hour military format. For 12-hour formats, the
AM/PM entry is required.

The Duration and Cost entries are optional and will be figured automatically
should your communication program not supply this information in the log file.
Provider costs and Service providers must be setup first for the program to
calculate costs.

All other entries are required for successful program operation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. File transfers setup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Since log file formats vary greatly, you may wish to view a graphic example or
the tutorial on setting up log files.

Messages

Upload and Download

Words or phrases that distinguish uploads from downloads.

Begin and End

Words or phrases that signal the beginning and end of a file transfer.

Data

1st and Last

Column numbers or delimiter characters identifying the begin and end of various
data within the line of text.

When delimiters are used, the following applies:

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

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

You can think of the data as falling between the given delimiters.

There are 2 formatting commands that can be appended to the end of a delimiter
to help locate the delimiter within the line of text.  This is necessary with
some log files.

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.

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
delimiter within the line of text, such as {3} to add 3 columns to the position
of the delimiter.

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

Beg 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 delimiters.

Notes

Most logs provide file sizes in bytes.  Select the appropriate radio button if
your communication program uses kilobytes.

The Duration will be figured automatically if not supplied.

All file transfer entries are optional.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Provider costs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Provider

The name of the service provider.

Service costs

Data for providers with monthly service charges.

Time of day costs

Data for providers who charge based on times and days of the week.

Add (+)

Add the information to the Provider costs list.

Remove (-)

Remove the information from the Provider costs list.

Update (√)

Change the information in the Provider costs list.

Ok

Save all changes and exit.

Cancel

Exit without saving changes.

Note

Cost information is shared between all log formats.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Service providers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Once Provider costs have been defined, this dialog allows you to assign the
providers to services as needed.

Service

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

Provider

The service provider.

Add (+)

Add the information to the Service costs list.

Remove (-)

Remove the information from the Service costs list.

Update (√)

Change the information in the Service costs list.

Ok

Save all changes and exit.

Cancel

Exit without saving changes.

Note

Cost information is shared between all log formats.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Preferences ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Open

These radio buttons allow control over the automatic displaying of reports when
a log format is opened.

Remember last opened

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

Save

Save window position

When checked, the program window will be located in the same position on your
desktop the next time it is started.

Confirm changes

Prompts to save any changes when you open a new format or quit the program.

Currency symbol

Allows changing the default currency symbol used in the reports.

Date

These radio buttons allow you to choose the format of the date that is
displayed in the status bar as well as the reports.

Include day of week

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

Program

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 as the mouse moves
over the quick access buttons or when menu items are selected.  The log
description still displays however.

Note

The font and color of the report window, which can be changed using the system
palettes, are saved along with the other preferences.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Report menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Report menu choices include creating reports as well as choosing what to
include in the reports and how much detail information is shown.  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 5.1. Include ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Services

Defines the services you wish to limit the reports to, seperated by commas (,).
The services 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 services.

Files

Works in the same manner as the Services entry.  Defines uploads (files sent)
and/or downloads (files received) included in or excluded from the reports.

Dates and Times

Allows you to produce reports for connections and/or files only within the
given dates and times.  Note the format for the date entries is MM/DD/YY and
HH:MM:SS for the time entries.

Reset

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

Note

When a log format is saved, the Include choices are also saved.  This allows
each communication log format to maintain seperate include choices.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Detail 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.

Note

When a log format is saved, the Detail choices are also saved.  This allows
each communication log format to maintain seperate detail choices.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. 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 6. Edit menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Edit menu choices include selecting portions of the report text, as well as
finding text within the report.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Find ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Text to find

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

Next

Repeat the last successful find operation.

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.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Ordering ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

CompuServe, GO SWREG, registration id 6257.

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 Only!)
 [phone]  (Orders, questions)

Fax Orders:

 [phone]  24 hours / 7 Days

Online Orders via modem:

 [phone]  10 lines, all 14.4K
 [phone]  Direct 28.8K line

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

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

Upon registration you will receive a serial# enabling use of the software
without any reminder screens or functional restrictions.

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.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1. Order form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                         InfoMiles Order Form

  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                  ___________   x $34.95 (US)  = + $ _______

  Shipping and Handling                                     + $ _______
      Free - 1st Class
    $ 7.00 - Airborne (Next day most places, USA Only)
    $12.00 - Airborne (Alaska and Hawaii)
    $13.00 - Federal Express (USA Only)
    $25.00 - Federal Express (Canada/Mexico)
    $30.00 - Federal Express (Europe/Japan)
    $16.00 - Express mail (Outside USA)

  Total                                                       $ _______

   For credit card payment only

   Circle one  VISA / Mastercard / Discover / American Express / Optima

   Credit card number  ________________________________________________

   Expiration date  ___________________________________________________

   Authorization signature   __________________________________________


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Support questions, as well as bug reports and suggestions for improvement, are
welcomed 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