This Read-Me contains new information or information missing from the documentation. Refer to the documentation for more information.
About FreePPP 2.6
FreePPP 2.6 was released at the Boston MacWorld Expo with Rockstar Studio's GearBox utility. It did not include FreePPP Setup and was not really an official release from The FreePPP Group.
What's FreePPP's future now that Apple has OT/PPP?
The FreePPP group supports OT technology and OT/PPP. Some members of the group have even consulted on the Apple PPP project.
Both PPP's work very well. If you already have OT/PPP installed and its working fine for you then don't bother switching. If you are using an older version of Free or MacPPP then we suggest you upgrade. If you get OT/PPP in future Mac OS™ releases and FreePPP is working fine for you then again there's no need to switch (unless other software you use requires OT/PPP).
What if I want to re-distribute FreePPP?
For information on commercial re-distribution of FreePPP send e-mail to <ace@tidbits.com> with a subject header of 'FreePPP Licensing'. Note that if you are an ISP wanting to give FreePPP away to your customers at no charge there is no license fee required by the FreePPP Group.
How do I get support?
Your first line of support should always be your Internet Service Provider's tech support department - after all, you are paying them for support not us. This is especially important when it comes to configuration questions which are very time consuming to diagnose, especially remotely.
If you are having other problems, you should first try comp.sys.mac.comm. If not there, try the home page at <http://www.rockstar.com>. There may be help in the FAQ or pointers to other sites.
Please do not call RockStar Studios or Apple Computer with FreePPP technical support questions. Even though they would love to, they cannot help you.
Compatibility Issues.
ConfigPPP
FreePPP v2.6 is not compatible with older versions of FreePPP and MacPPP. Including releases in the 2.5 family. The Internet Setup Monkey will remove older versions and you should not put them back.
Third Party PPP Utilities
Sorry, but FreePPP 2.6 probably breaks a lot of third party utilities. When its a question of making something better or compromising to hold on to the past, we think we made the right decision. Developers of third party utilities can rejoice in the fact that there is now a public API build right into FreePPP 2.6. As long as you use this API your stuff won't break with further versions of FreePPP.
Some changes from FreePPP 1.0.5 and other Free/MacPPP versions.
FreePPP 2.5 has many more connection options then other versions. When installed FreePPP is set up to :
• Auto Detect your modem to come up with the best init string.
Not all modems are in the auto detect database. If your modem is not detected read the Auto
Detection Errors section of this document.
• Connect Directly (Use PAP or CHAP Authentication)
If you normally use a connection script or terminal session to connect you must set this option in the FreePPP Setup application included with FreePPP 2.5. To do so follow these steps:
1) Launch the FreePPP Setup application located in the FreePPP Folder on your hard drive.
2) Expand the FreePPP Setup window and click on the "Accounts" tab.
3) Select your account (configuration) and click "Edit..."
4) Select the correct setting in the "Connect:" pop-up menu.
5) Close FreePPP Setup.
General Notes, Thoughts and other Tidbits
There are two pieces to FreePPP 2.6, "FreePPP", the mdev that is in your Extensions Folder, and "FreePPP Setup " the setup application that replaces ConfigPPP.
FreePPP (the MDEV) handles the connection and does all the dirty work including displaying the connection dialog and connection alerts. This is a very tricky piece of software that must get along with every aspect of the Mac OS. So far it seems to play nicely.
FreePPP Setup is your interface to preferences that FreePPP uses to connect etc.
The FreePPP Menu and FreePPP Control Strip Item are owned by Rockstar Studios Inc. They are included with FreePPP because they are very useful.
FreePPP 2.5 and MacPPP 2.2
Get rid of MacPPP 2.2 and use FreePPP 2.5. nuff said.
Latest news and information including a FAQ
For the latest news on FreePPP 2.5 go to http://www.rockstar.com. There you will find the FreePPP FAQ and other tidbits of information.
Rockstar Studios and the Rockstar Studios Logo are Trademarks of Rockstar Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of non-FreePPP Group or Rockstar Studios products is for informational purposes and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. The FreePPP Group and Rockstar Studios assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of these products. Apple, Mac OS, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. So on and so forth, yadda yadda ,Go Niners!
