Copyright: RAS+ 95 Beta Help File
Citation: Copyright (c) 1995 Lamb Software


Contents

Please use the Contents button on the button bar of the help.  Make sure you have the RASPlus.cnt file in you running directory.


Overview

Thank you for using RAS+ 95 !!!!

My name is Roger Lamb and I am the author of RAS+ 95.  RAS+ 95 was first released to the public September 1st and I have to say the response has been overwhelming!  This release marks the 3rd public Beta release.

RAS+ 95 was developed specifically around Windows95™.  I have plans to release a Windows NT™ version when the RAS interface under NT stabilizes.  For now, RAS+ 95 will not operate under NT.  For updates, see RAS+ 95 updates

The software is definitely under construction and is not finished.  Please be patient if you have a bug report or don’t see a feature working properly.  I have a day job and I am writing RAS+ part time as a hobby in the evenings and weekends.

Note: I have started an entirely new Win 95 help file system which now has a very high priority.  The context sensitive help is not functioning in this version.

Reviews:

"This app is so great, I HAD to give it TWO "get-its!" Hands down, the BEST Windows 95 Dial-up utilility ON THE PLANET! Adds billing, auto-launching, multiple-phone number and provider dialing, and MORE! Download now, ask questions later...trust me. For more info, check out the http://www.cftnet.com/mall/rasplus." -Steve Jenkins, www.windows95.com.

Description

RASPlus is a replacement for the Dial-up Networking in Win95 that mirrors the features of Trumpet and then some. If you've been looking for a utility like that then this is the one for you! It is great if you have to dial multiple numbers for your Internet provider!! Press icon and forget it... Fire off from scheduler.. Direct TCP/IP chat, Launch your favorite WINSOCK apps when connected! Call tracking and billing info! True Win95 32bit application utilizing Win 95 user interface! Get it!

What is RAS+ 95?

RAS+ 95 is a complement to Microsoft's built in Remote Access!  It picks up where they left off.

You can use the Win95 scripting tool and RAS to allow RAS+ 95 give you full logging in to the Internet or RAS server with NO key-presses from you! Works great with the MS Scheduler! Even fires off the Apps you specify when connected. If your currently using RAS.. you've already setup RAS+ 95.. No import/export.. RAS+ 95 uses the same RAS entries as you have now..

What will it do for me ?

RAS+ 95 will dial multiple lines for you.. Track time for you.. show real time billing, will adjust for your monthly free connect time too!  Gives you information about your connection such as IP address. You can even see other RAS+ 95 users that are entered into your personal IP addresses list pop in and out!

How about the interface?

The most common word I've heard is COOL!! Win95 controls w/ 32bit multithreaded performance.

RASPlus Features:

•	Auto Dialing and number cycling!

•	Direct TCP/IP Chatting

•	Call stats and billing info

•	Win 95 RAS Setup

•	Interface to Win95 scripting tool!

•	Customizable WAV files when being hailed and connecting!

•	TCP/IP chat and support!

•	32 BIT application utilizing Win 95 user interface

•	Launching and closing of your favorite WINSOCK apps when connected!!

Sample use of RASPlus:

“Hands free” Internet connection.  As an example, I double click the RASPlus icon or fire it off from the scheduler.  RASPlus has an option to begin dialing at start, and dials the currently active provider.  It will cycle through multiple RAS entries within the provider until it connects.  When it connects, I have a Microsoft script provided with Win 95 which logs me into the Internet (enters my login and password in the terminal window for PPP).  You could also use RoboDUN to do this.  RASPlus is NOT a scripting utility.  From there, I have it launch my favorite winsock apps (mail reader and news reader).  RASPlus searches for the pesky connect to window and hides it for you, getting rid of the OK button.  One cool thing that RASPlus will do for you is if the line drops while connected, RASPlus, on the next screen refresh (configurable by you on the menu Options/ Properties / General tab) will detect the line dropped and reconnect to the same line your were on… without you there!  Handy for bad connections.

Launch applications

I just rewrote launch in this release.  You may now include a startup parameter when running RAS+ 95.

Syntax: rasplus /provider:Primary Provider

This will start RAS+ 95 with the provider group “Primary Provider”

Also added is the ability to assign each provider a set of launch applications.

TCP/IP Chat:

First, if you are on the Internet, you can use our chat!

To put a handle in for yourself, goto the menu Options / Properties / Chat tab.  Place a handle for yourself, as well as fill in the rest of the information such as email address.

The chat system is going to be rewritten.  It's primarily for RASPlus online support.  The way the current chat works is by special RASPlus pings to other RASPlus users on a TCP/IP network.  I have included a file called chatlist.txt which contains a list of IP addresses that you can modify.  It has our IP addresses in it.  Because our IP address is in your chatlist.txt, when you start a RAS connection and if your on the Internet, you will see us if we are online.  You only see those who are running RASPlus and who are currently online.  If you connect and see no one, there is a good chance that we are not on the Internet.  The best time to catch us is 7pm - 11pm EST and on the weekends.  There is no chat server, it is a direct chat with our RASPlus program.  The scope of this chat has served it's purpose and is going to be rewritten to a much more powerful system.  This will take a while to develop.. we want to do it right!  Check the web site listed in the about box for updates!

Note: For those of you using the version 1.24 through 1.49, the Internet TCP/IP chat has changed ports.  This means that you will no longer be able to "see" those using that version of the software.

Billing:

Some of the features:

•	Keeps track of time by extracting the time from Win 95’s connection time, not from when RASPlus was started or exited!  Even calculates into the past if you were connected outside of RASPlus and went through several payment periods you set up for your provider.

•	Supports providers that give you a grace period (by hours) per billing cycle.

•	Providers that set the rate to a flat rate if you exceed a certain number of hours.

•	Providers who have a variable rate plan per day (ie. M-F .30/min from 8am-5pm, Sat. .20/min)

•	Billing audit report, shows connect speed and times logged in.

•	Connects, attempts, and drops shown for each RAS entry and totaled per provider group.

I hope this software makes your dial up networking life a bit easier, if so, let me know.

Sincerely,

Roger C Lamb Jr.

Lamb Software!


Updating from an older copy of RASPlus 0.0.2.57

For those who have the public release Beta 2 bld 57 or versions before, you will need to get rid of the current billing information files because the Beta 3 release uses a different file structure for billing history.

This will not reset your entire RAS system, just the provider billing history that you’ve been collecting.  I am working on ways to migrate the older billing info over to a newer release without losing this billing history.

If you are running an version of RASPlus (BETA 0.0.1.24 or BETA 0.0.2.57):

Before you start RAS+ 95 Beta 3:

1 Delete the *.provider files located in your directory where your current RASPlus is located.

2 The program name has changed from RASPlus to RAS+ 95.  You will need to modify the system registry if you want to avoid coming up with a “clean” copy.  In order to salvage your existing RASPlus preferences, perform the following:

Goto the start menu on the Win95 taskbar, select run.

Type in "regedit"

Locate the following in the regedit tree and select each tree branch.... HKEY_CURRENT_USER\

Software\

Lamb Software\

RASPlus

Hit right mouse on the RASPlus and select rename.. name it RAS+ 95

Exit regedit to save.

Now you are ready to run Beta 3 of RAS+ 95!


Shareware version restrictions
Shareware version limitations

Commentary

Several people have asked what they get when they register.  I would like to mention that the primary “thing” you get is future updates.  As with any shareware program, if you use it regularly and you don’t send in your registration fee, enjoy what you have because there’s a good chance you are using the last published version.  I would love to continue working on updates and enhancements, but I need to be sponsored by you to do that.  I also ask that you not contribute to software piracy problem by using/redistributing “regged” or “cracked” commercial and or shareware software.

This version has some limitations that are removed by pre-registering:

•	Splash screen requires you to press a key at start.

•	A Message box is displayed when a new connection is made.

•	Billing history is limited to 20 line items per provider only.  After 20 lines, billing cost is shut off.

•	You can only launch one application per provider when connected.


Under construction

We apologize, but this section is under construction and is not currently available.

For updates, please see RAS+ 95 updates


License Agreement

You should carefully read the following terms and conditions before using this software.  Unless you have a different license agreement signed by Lamb Software your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this license agreement and warranty.

Shareware evaluation and registration

This is not free software.  You are hereby licensed to use this software for evaluation purposes without charge for a period of 20 days. If you use this software after the 20 day evaluation period a registration fee of $29.95 is required.

Unregistered use of RAS+ 95 after the 20-day evaluation period is in violation of U.S. and international copyright laws.

Distribution

Provided that you verify that you are distributing the pre-release version (select About from the RAS+ 95 Help menu to check) you are hereby licensed to make as many copies of the pre-release version of this software and documentation as you wish; give exact copies of the original pre-release version to anyone; and distribute the pre-release version of the software and documentation in its unmodified form via electronic means.  There is no charge for any

of the above.

You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with other products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written permission, with one exception:  Disk Vendors approved by the Association of Shareware Professionals are permitted to redistribute RAS+ 95, subject to the conditions in this license, without specific written permission.  Please check the web site listed in the about box for the most current public pre-release beta or final.  I do request, if possible, that you send me a notice that you including the RAS+ 95 software along with a copy of advertisement text describing RAS+ 95 as well as the product it is being embedded with. (ie. CD rom).

Registered Version

One registered copy of RAS+ 95 may either be used by a single person who uses the software personally on one or more computers, or installed on a single workstation used nonsimultaneously by multiple people, but not both.

You may access the registered version of RAS+ 95 through a network, provided that you have obtained individual licenses for the software covering all workstations that will access the software through the network.  For instance, if 3 different workstations will access RAS+ 95 on the network, each workstation must have its own RAS+ 95 license, regardless of whether they use RAS+ 95 at different times or concurrently.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida.

Disclaimer of Warranty

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH RAS+ 95 MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM.  ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.


Order Form
RAS+ 95 Order Form

If you are would like to pre-register RAS+ 95 and be added to the Beta program, fill out the following information and send it Lamb Software.

Please review the two payment options, Check / Money Order or Credit Card Ordering.

To ensure accuracy, please cut and paste the following information into an email document and send it to rasplus@cftnet.com or print out and send postal mail to Lamb Software, 6955 29th Terrace North; St. Petersburg, FL, 33710.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Internet email: ________________________________________________

Chat handle: _________________________________________________

Company: ___________________________________________________

Address1: ___________________________________________________

Address2: ___________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________________

State/Province: ___________________

Postal Code: _____________________

Country: ________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Fax: ______________________________________

Qauntity: __________

Price: $29.95 US dollars

Florida residents add 7% sales tax: _____________

Mail a 3.5” disk (add $5): _______________

Total order: _________________


Check or Money Order

Please make check or Money order payable to:

Lamb Software

6955 29th Terrace North

St. Petersburg, FL 33710.

Payments must be in US dollars. In addition, check or money order must be DRAWN ON A US BANK.


Credit Card Ordering

MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover orders for RAS+ 95 must be placed through PsL, a credit card order taking service.  You can reach PsL 24 hours a day 7 days a week by fax at 1-713-524-6398, by CompuServe mail to 71355,470, or Internet mail to 71355.470@compuserve.com.  You can also call PsL at 1-800-242-4PsL(4775) or 1-713-524-6394 between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm CST Monday-Thursday and 7:00 am and 12:30 pm CST on Fridays, except holidays.

Credit card orders can be mailed to PsL at P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235 USA.

PsL will request the following information:

Credit Card [  ] MasterCard [  ] VISA [  ] AMEX  [  ] Discover

Product:	RAS+ 95, ID: 14246

Name On Card:	_____________________________________

Credit Card Number:	_____________________________________

Expiration Date:	_____________________________________

Billing Address:	_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Internet email:	_____________________________________

** Note: Florida residents are charged 7% sales tax.

** Note: Texas residents are charged 8¼% sales tax (credit card orders only)

Lamb Software cannot be reached at the numbers above.  These numbers are for PsL, a credit card order taking service only.

Any questions about the status of the shipment of an order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc., must be directed to Lamb Software, 6955 29th Terrace North; St. Petersburg, FL, 33710 or by Internet email to rasplus@cftnet.com


Updates
Where to find RAS+ 95 updates

You may obtain the latest RAS+ 95 updates from the following location:

Internet World Wide Web site:

http://www.cftnet.com/mall/rasplus


Lamb Software Internet email

Please send comments/bug reports/suggestions to:

Internet email account:

rasplus@cftnet.com