Internet Logger is a utility application allows you to keep track of how much time you spend on your internet accounts. It requires System 7 or later. It can also be used to track long distance telephone use or to track time spent on client accounts. First, among many other potential uses, Internet Logger will provide a convenient means to fully document your internet connections, including:
Ñ Tracking session times and cumulative use time by day and month.
Ñ Ability to enter complex session rate structures and automatically estimate session
and cumulative costs by day or month.
Ñ Ability to count down time remaining on either prepaid hours or hours charged at a
flate rate.
Ñ Optional Log file documenting session and cumulative times and estimated costs.
Ñ Optionally compute session times by rounding up to the nearest time unit. Telephone
and online services seem to compute times this way. You can check it yourself.
Ñ Allows automatic connection via PPP, SLIP, or operation as a manual timer.
Ñ Allows multiple timers with individual settings. You can keep track of use of
multiple providers conveniently. Each can have it's own log file.
Ñ Compatibility with Open Transport when used with FreePPP.
Timers created with version 1.x are not compatible with version 2.0. Do not try to open Timers created with version 1.x. Instead, keep version 2.0 in its own folder and create new timers using version 2.0. You may continue to use v. 1.x simultaneously if you need to time two things at once.
The Deal
Internet Logger v. 2.0 is shareware. Though all features are fully functional, it is protected. You will not be able to cumulate more than four hours on any one timer unless you register. If you wish to continue to use a timer for more that four hours, pay the registration and I will email instructions for disabling the protection.
The most current versions of my programs are available on info-mac mirrors in the comm/tcp/conn/ and on America Online, Keyword - Net Software. If you are unfamiliar with the info-mac archive, point your web browser to:
You might want to check this out once in a while to see what is new!
If you choose to register Internet Logger send $15 US cash (best method outside the US), checks (US$ drawn on a US bank), postal money orders, postcards, letters, disks, bug reports, etc., directly to me at:
Eric Preston
23547 Clark Dr.
Philomath, OR 97370
USA
Internet email: ericpresto@aol.com or EricPRESTO@kagi.com.
America Online: EricPRESTO
If you prefer to pay by credit card, launch the included Register application and follow the instructions. Kagi Shareware processes credit card payments for me.
If you let me know your email address, I will acknowledge receipt of your shareware contribution.
New features in version 2.0:
The primary difference that you will notice in version 2.0 is the increased power and flexibility of the "...Set Session Rate" Dialog. Many more complex rate structures can now be entered including support for many european telephone services.
There are now two options for the "Set Session Rate..." dialog. The default dialog allows up to three changes in rates per day. Alternatively, if "More Rates" is checked in the "Preferences Dialog..." a up to seven rate changes per day as well as additional options for Multiple Fixed rates can be entered. Turn on balloon help and scan the dialogs to get an overview of their functions.
A third display option has been added to the lower numbers on the timer window. Clicking on the lower numbers will toggle the display between Total Cumulative Time, Cumulative Time for the day, and Time Units used in the current session. This last option can be very useful in controlling long distance telephone costs because you can now see how many tenths of a unit remain until you incur costs for a new time unit.
Several shortcuts for opening dialogs have been added. All are implemented by clicking the upper right hot spot in the timer window while simultaneously holding down a modifier key.
Cmd-Click = Open Set Session Rate Dialog,
Option-Click = Open Edit Data Dialog,
Control-Click = Open Log.
How it works
The Internet Logger Application's icon is a "logger" with an internet symbol for his head. Double clicking on the application icon will launch the program. From the file menu, you can then create a new timer document, open an existing timer document. The application creates and manipulates two type of files. Examples are included in this distribution. The example files were created using the settings that you will find when you open the Preferences in the Internet Logger application.
Timer document files contain all preferences as well as cumulative time and cost data. You create and name one timer document for each type of internet usage that you want to keep track of. If there is more than one user in the household, you might want to create separate timer documents for each individual. If you deal with multiple providers of internet services (i.e., America Online, CompuServe, NetCom), you might want to create separate timer documents so that each can be tracked separately.
Once created, timer documents can be kept anywhere you wish. For example, you might want to keep your America Online timer document in the America Online folder.
You can launch Internet Logger by double clicking a timer document. When you do, the timer's settings and cumulative time data are loaded and a small, draggable timer window appears under the Trash. By default, this is a normal Mac window. If you are using System 7.1 or later, you can choose to use a globally floating window that will always be visible above all other applications. When the timer window is dragged to a new position, the new position is saved and becomes the default position the next time the timer is launched. The blue numbers, on top, display either the time for the current session or the time remaining for hours charged by flat rate. If you enter a flat rate to be charged for a fixed number of hours, clicking on the blue numbers will cause the display to toggle between current session time and a count down of fixed rate time remaining before additional charges are incurred.
By clicking on the red numbers below, the display will toggle between cumulative time for the day, cumulative total/month, and Time Units used in the current session. This last option can be very useful in controlling long distance telephone costs because you can now see how many tenths of a unit remain until you incur costs for a new time unit. By default, the cumulative time keeps incrementing until you manually clear it. This can be modified by selecting a day to autoclear in the preferences. Cumulative times can be automatically saved once per minute to provide some protection against loss of data should the computer crash during a timed session.
A Log file document is also created for each timer that has "Log Sessions" selected in the preferences. Log files display and preserve important connection statistics such as log-on time, session time, cumulative time and cost by day and month. An example log file, with data is included in the Internet Logger folder. The log file can be displayed by selecting "View Log" from the Session menu. Log files are TEXT files. They can be opened and edited by Simple Text or any other word processor. If you save them as TEXT with "Save As.." from your word processor, you will be able to open them in your word processing program by double-clicking the log file. (Thanks to Brian Wratten for discovering this previously "undocumented feature.") They will still open in Internet Logger if you drag them onto the Internet Logger application or Open them with "View Log" from the Session menu. The data can also be imported into spread sheet programs for further analysis, if you wish. Log files can grow quite large if you are a major cyber-surfer. I recommend archiving once per month to prevent them from exceeding their 32 k size limit. You will receive a warning dialog box when the file reaches 31K. When you receive this message, archive the file soon by renaming it or by moving the file to a new folder. A new log file will be created automatically. Log files must always be kept in the same folder as the Internet Logger Application if you wish to view them with the Internet Logger Application. If you wish easier access, create an alias to the log file and place it where you want.
The Menus
The File Menu:
If you launched the program by double clicking on the Internet Logger icon, the menu bar will appear but no timer will be opened. Selecting "New Timer" will allow you to create a new timer and set up it's preferences and display it's window. Selecting "Open Timer" will allow you to select and open an existing timer and display it's window.
"Hide Timer" causes the timer window to disappear temporarily, the menu will change to "Show Timer." Selecting "Show Timer" will display the timer window once again.
"Save Timer as.." allows you to save an existing timer under a new name. All preference and cumulative time data will be copied to the new timer document. "Save Timer" simply saves the settings and data of the current timer.
Selecting Preferences... will open the Preferences dialog (see below). Selecting "Set Session Rate allows you to enter a rate structure for estimating the cost of your internet usage. Selecting "Edit Data" allows you to directly edit the cumulative times and costs. This is handy when upgrading to new versions or adjusting times if you lose data. Selecting "Open Config PPP" or "Open InterSLIP Control" (whichever is appropriate) will open these control panels. The application will automatically check for the presence of MacPPP and InterSLIP and highlight the choices that are available to you. To use the "Customize Windows" options, you must first check "Enable Window Formatting" in the Preferences dialog. Once enabled, font, font size, font style, font color, and window background are all user definable and can be unique for each timer document and log file. Selecting "Quit," terminates your session and quits the program.
The Session Menu:
You can initiate your Internet session by selecting "Begin Session." Selecting "End Session" breaks your connection and turns the timer off. Selecting "Clear Today's Total" will terminate your session and set daily cumulative time and cost to zero. Selecting "Clear Cumulative Total" will terminate your session and set cumulative total time and cost to zero. If no Timer has been opened, you can open any log file by selecting "View Log." If a Timer is open, "View Log" will display the log that is paired with the open Timer. By selecting "Archive Log As...", you create a new file under a new name and the log is archived. Your original Log remains active and unchanged.
Shortcuts
There are several shortcuts to save trips to the menu bar. The timer window has four "Hot Spots" in the corners. The upper left Hot Spot, when clicked, will Begin a session. The lower left will End the session. The lower right spot will Quit. The upper right spot will open the Preferences dialog. Clicking this spot while simultaneously holding down a modifier key provides access to other dialogs and windows:
Cmd-Click = Open Set Session Rate Dialog,
Option-Click = Open Edit Data Dialog,
Control-Click = Open Log.
If you are using the global window, you also have the following "hot keys" available which will work even if the application is in the background. Pressing Cmd-Esc will toggle the timer window into and out view. Pressing Option-Esc will toggle your connection on, if it is down, or off, if it is up. The log window must be closed to open or close a connection. If you press the Option-Esc with the log window open, the program will not respond. Close the log window and try again.
The Preferences Dialog
The Preferences dialog has options that allow you to configure timers to suit your own style of use.
Three radio buttons will allow selection of the type of connection that you use. You may chose "InterSLIP" for SLIP connections, "MacPPP" for MacPPP connections, or Manual Timer for timing some other type of connection.
If you check Auto Clear in the Preferences dialog, the cumulative time will automatically clear on the day of the month that you choose (first day of the month is the default). This is handy if you are billed by your provider by monthly usage and you want to know how much you have used. The log file will be automatically archived when the cumulative time is reset to zero. The next time you launch, a new log file will be created automatically. The log is archived by renaming it <log name>.<date archived>. Where log name is the log files name before being archived and date archived is the date that the file is archived. For example, if NetLogger Log were archived on February 16, it would be renamed to "NetLogger Log.2/16/96."
If "Auto Save" is selected, the cumulative time and cost data are saved every minute to protect against data loss. If you prefer not to have the periodic disk activity, you can leave this option unchecked.
If "Hide Hot Spots" is checked, the hot spots will not appear on the timer window. This is purely a cosmetic change and the hot spots will continue to function. I've found that new users prefer to have an indication of the hot spots on the window, while experienced users like the plain window. Now it's your choice.
If "Round Time & Cost" is checked, your session time and cost will be rounded to the nearest time unit you specifiy in the advanced "Set Session Rate..." dialog. If you do not specifiy a time unit, session time and cost will be rounded up to the nearest minute whenever you terminate a session. Telephone services, some online services and internet providers seem to compute your usage this way. If they do, selecting this option will result in a more accurate estimate of the time that you will be billed for.
Checking "Enable Window Formatting" will load the font menus and keep them active until you quit the application. If you leave the checkbox checked when you quit, the Custom Windows options will be active the next time you launch, but you probably will notice that the application takes longer to load when you double click a Timer Document. Loading all of the font menus takes time. If you uncheck the checkbox after making your changes, the Custom Windows options will not be active next time you launch, but your Custom Window preferences will be remembered and launch speed will improve. If you uncheck the checkbox, it is dimmed. You do not need to check it again. The Customization options remain active until you quit, once they have been loaded. Only a few combinations of font, size, and style will result in proper alignment of the Log file columns. I designed it for Monaco, 9 Pt. Courier, 10 Pt also seems to work. There are probably others, but I haven't found them. The main reason for allowing font changes is so that users that have changed their system fonts will be able to reset the window to a usable font and size. Once you find a combination of custom settings that you like, you may want to create a template timer document that can then be opened and renamed. This is an easy way to create new timers with settings you like.
If "Title Bars on Windows" is checked, the next time you launch the Internet Logger application, the timer window will display the title that you have given to your timer. This is handy for keeping track of which timer is currently active, but it also takes up more screen space. Use this feature or not depending upon your need.
If "Log Sessions" is checked, session and cumulative statistics will be logged. If it is not checked, no log entry will be created when you end a session.
If you select "Global Window, " the next time you launch Internet Logger, the timer window will float above all other windows even when the application is in the background. Since the type of window is fixed at launch time, changes in this option will not take effect until the next time that Internet Logger is launched. If you use a version of system software earlier than System 7.1, you will not see the global floating window checkbox. This is normal.
By default you may configure Internet Logger to account for up to three rate changes per day. Alternatively, if "More Rates" is checked in the "Preferences Dialog..." a new dialog becomes the default which will allow up to seven rate changes per day as well as additional options for Multiple Fixed rates. Turn on balloon help and scan the dialogs to get an overview of their functions.
If you have selected either "InterSLIP" or "MacPPP" a number of other options will be available. If "Auto Launch" is checked, a connection to your currently configured provider will automatically be initiated the next time you launch by double clicking on the Timer document. For MacPPP users, when "'End Session' with Soft Close" is checked, soft close will be used to terminate your session when "End Session" is chosen from the menu or when the lower left hot spot is clicked. "Quit" will always cause a hard close whether this option is checked or not.
If "Close Window when Idle" is checked, the timer window will only appear when your connection is active. This option is only available when the "Global Window" option is also checked.
Finally, some users like an audible confirmation that a connection has been made or broken. Checking "Beep on Connect" will cause a system beep when your PPP connection has been made. Checking "Beep on Disconnect will cause a beep on disconnnect.
Save your preferences by either clicking "OK" or pressing return. Clicking "Cancel" or pressing Cmd-period, or esc will restore the settings to those that were last saved.
The Set Session Rate Dialog
This dialog allows you to enter a rate structure for estimating the cost of the time you spend on the internet. By default, you can have up to three different hourly rates apply during different times of day. If appropriate, you can have different rates apply on the weekend. You can have a simple flat fee for a specified number of hours either per day or per month. You can also have any combination of flat fee and variable hourly rates.
Simply fill in the dialog from left to right and top to bottom. The dialog will not permit you to enter illegal values ( for example, rates with overlapping time periods, or total time periods that exceed 24 hours ). If you have trouble entering a value that you know is legal, try selecting the AM/PM button before entering the numbers. To confirm that a number has been accepted, click on the number after entering. If it stays the same, it has been accepted. If it defaults to another legal value, the number you entered was not accepted.
Leave the default settings whenever an entry doesn't apply. If you do not need different rates on the weekend, simply fill in the weekday rates. In this case, the weekday rates will also be applied to the weekend automatically.
If you want to start over, press the "Default Settings" button to clear the entry. If you want to restore your last saved settings, you can press "Restore To Last Saved Settings" at any time. Changes that you make in editing this dialog are not permanently saved until you press "Done."
If "More Rates" has been checked in the "Preferences..." dialog, you will have many more options. Two broad categories of rate structures are handled. In the first, which I call Time Variable Rates, sessions costs are determined by the way rates vary at different times of day. Many Online services and telephone phone companies use this rate structure. This type of rate structure can be configured by selecting the "Time Variable Rates" radio button in the ...Set Session Rate Dialog. In the second type of rate structure, which I call Multiple Fixed Rates, session costs are determined by how much time has previously been used during the billing period. One rate is charged for the first X hours, a second rate is charged for the next Y hours, and so forth. Some Internet Service providers use this rate structure. You can configure this type of rate structure by selecting the "Multiple Fixed Rates" radio button in the ...Set Session Rate Dialog. I explain how these types of rate structures can be configured below and several pre-configured Timer documents are provided in the Examples folder:
1. Time variable rates - Rates vary over the day.
How the costs are calculated:
Total Cost per day or month = Flat rate charges (fixed number of hours per day or month for a fixed price) + sum of session costs for time used in addition to the fixed hours. Flat rate charges are added at the end of the time period (day or month).
Session Cost = 0.00, if fixed hours have not been used up yet.
Session Cost = cost incurred at rate 1 + cost incurred at rate 2 + ...cost incurred at rate 7.
If this total is less than the minimum charge for each connection,
Session Cost = Minimum Charge.
Session charges are added at the end of each session.
The cost incurred at any given rate is calculated as:
Cost at rate 1 = Seconds used during rate period 1 X Cost per time unit / seconds per time unit. The default time unit is 1 hour (3600 seconds). The user can now enter both Cost per time unit and seconds per time unit. These can be entered for each of seven different rates starting at different times of day(for both weekdays and weekends). If Round Time & Cost Up has been selected in the "Preferences..." dialog, time and cost will be rounded to the nearest whole unit unless the default unit of 1 hour is used. In this case, time will be rounded to the nearest minute.
How to fill in the ...Session Rate Dialog:
If flat rate charges apply, enter the charge and number of hours.
If a minimum charge applies to each connection, enter it in the Min. Charge box.
Enter the days that are charged at weekday rates. Enter the first day charged at weekday rates in the first box. Enter the last day charged at weekday rates in the second box. (1=Sunday, 7=Saturday). If rates do not change on the week end, leave the default values ( 2<->6 = Monday<->Friday ).
In the variable rates column, enter the time the rate starts ( 0 = midnight, 23 = 11 pm ), the rate, and the number of seconds per time unit for that rate.
Fill in as many rates down the column sequentially as you need. All together, your rates must account for exactly 24 hours. If you use less than seven rates, make the last time that you enter the same as the first. The program will then know that you have entered all the rates that you need.
If rates are different on weekends, select the "Enter Weekend Rates" radio button and enter the rates that apply on the weekend. If you do not enter weekend rates, the program will use the weekday rates that you entered at all times.
2. Multiple Fixed Rates - rates vary depending only upon the total amount of time used during "Peak Time."
How the costs are calculated:
By default, the timer increments and charges are incurred at all times. However, some internet providers charge only during certain hours. During other hours, use is free of charge. If you wish to designate hours when charges will apply, enter the start time in the first box under "Rate Applies:." Then enter the stop time in the box underneath the start time. You can designate different times for weekdays and weekends, if necessary.
The timer will increment and charges will be incurred only during times between the start time and the stop time. If you wish to specify that no rate applies during the weekend, I suggest entering a one minute time period when the rate will apply, but one that you will not be using the computer. For example: 2:00 -> 2:01.
Total Cost per day or month = Flat rate charges (fixed number of hours per day or month for a fixed price) + sum of session costs for time used in addition to the fixed hours.
Flat rate charges are added at the end of the time period.
Session Cost = 0.00, if fixed hours have not been used up yet.
Session Cost = cost incurred at fixed rate 1 + cost incurred at fixed rate 2 + ...cost incurred at fixed rate 7. Costs are charged at rate 1 until all rate 1 hours have been used. Additional time is then charged at rate 2, etc. These charges are added at the end of each session.
Cost at rate 1 = Seconds used during rate 1 X Cost per hour for rate 1.
In the fixed rates column, enter the rate and the number of hours that are to be charged at that rate. Fill in as many rates down the column sequentially as you need to totaly account for your billing period, usually one month. Leave the boxes that you do not need blank.
Trouble Shooting
Ñ Internet Logger was working fine, but now it freezes my computer when I launch,
try to quit, open the preferences, etc.
Why?
The settings are stored in a timer document. If your computer should crash while Internet Logger is writing to the file, the file will be corrupted. From that time on, you may see faulty cumulative times, or your computer may crash when you use Internet Logger with the corrupted timer document. To solve the problem, throw the timer document file in the Trash and create a new one. Usually, this solves the problem.
Ñ Sometimes when using the global floating window, the "Hot Spots" don't respond
properly. Why, What can I do about it?
This occurs on a small fraction of Macs and is due to a known bug in the Macintosh Text Services Manager. It can usually be fixed by adding the TSM fix extension to your system folder. If you need this extension, send me an email and I will forward it to you.
Ñ When using the global floating window my system menus do not redraw properly.
Why?
One user has reported that the global floating window interferes with system menu redraws when NOW utilities is installed. I don't know if this is a general problem or not. The problem can be solved by not using the global floating window.
Ñ Internet Logger freezes my computer when I use the global floating window.
Why?
A few users have reported problems with the global floating window. I have not been able to detect any pattern here. There may be an incompatibility with some extensions. Unfortunately, the only solution is to de-select the global window in the Preferences dialog and use a regular Mac window.
Acknowledgements
Richard Buckle generously provided the code for the MacPPP interface. Steve Dagley shared his FreePPP connect code so that version 2.0 is compatible with Open Transport when using FreePPP. The global window is based upon Appe Windows by Matt Slott. Rober K. ╘Doc╒ Walker introduced me to Balloon Help and sent me samples to start with. Several people have tried very hard to make me understand the rate structures used by different telephone companies and online services. Some have even provided Timer documents for the Examples folder to be used as templates. Frank Boyle, William Ching, Michael Hay, Tim Lloyd, Andreas Martini, Vernon Matlin, Strange Ross, Hugues Van Rymenam, and David Sternlight have each been very helpful. Many beta testers provided suggestions and bug reports that have much improved version 2.0.
Thanks to all for your help.
Disclaimer
I make no warranties, either express or implied, regarding Internet Logger. Use of this software is at your own risk. I am not liable for damages caused directly or indirectly by Internet Logger.
Limitations on Distribution
Internet Logger v. 2.0 is copyrighted to Eric Preston, 1996, and may not be sold or distributed for profit in any form, either with other products (commercial, shareware, or freeware), or in shareware/freeware collections sold for profit, without my prior written consent. Internet Logger may be distributed freely provided it is distributed in a non-profit manner, and is provided in its original unmodified form. However, please notify me if it is to be included in non-profit collection on disk, CD ROM, or other media and send me a complimentary copy of the collection that includes Internet Logger.
Version History
Version 0.5º- September 15, 1995. First Public release.
Version 1.0 - November 15, 1995. Many bug fixes. All features functional.
Version 1.0.1 - December 1, 1995. Fixed bug in monthly auto reset. Fixed failure to
get a start time on auto launches and when launching connection from
another application. The log file is now tab delimited, allowing
formatted inport into spreadsheets.
Version 1.0.2 - December 15, 1995. Fixed a bug which caused the wrong session rate
to be selected in some circumstances. Fixed a bug which caused a
computer freeze if the log file exceeded 32K. Loosened the restrictions
on values that could be legally entered in the Set Session
Rate... dialog. This makes the dialog a bit easier to use, while still
preventing illegal values from entering.
Version 1.5 - February 20, 1996. Many new features added (see the New Features
section). Updated the global window code. Improved access to log files.
Added Balloon Help. Made log window editable. Fixed many obscure bugs.
Added support for multiple monitors.
Version 2.0 - May 15, 1996. Increased power and flexibility of the ...Set Session Rate
Dialog. Many more complex rate structures can now be entered including
support for many european telephone services. Added option to display
time units used in session. Added several shortcuts to ease access to
