Copyright: Copyright (c) 1999 MAPSoft
Citation: Copyright (c) 1999 MAPSoft


Overview

Welcome to Net Buddy 2

The ultimate internet manager

What is it that everyone does when they surf the net? - spend money!. For every second your on the internet your phone company is running up call charges for which you will be billed. Wouldn't it be nice if all your calls were logged and accounted for and presented to you in an easy to understand and ordered fashion. Net buddy aims to do all this and far more!

Net Buddy aims to be the most comprehensive internet monitor available today. Unlike some internet timers Net Buddy can take account of the different call costs during different times of the day, and also different days. The time-zones are completely customizable and are not just limited to daytime, evening etc.

Net Buddy aims to be more than just an internet timer. With its report manager you can see exactly how much you have used the internet on certain days / months / years etc. Charts can be made which show costs, online times and average usage. You can pinpoint which days of the week you are spending the most and hence make changes to your internet habits. And all this can be saved into external applications or printed straight from Net Buddy.

With its multiple user accounts, Net Buddy can cater for many users. New users can easily be added, which have their own call logs, time-zones, alarms etc. The security options can be set so that only the 'Admin.' user can edit user information.

Net Buddy may also prove to be of interest  to Parents. The security options allow Net Buddy to be set-up so that they can only connect to the internet if they are logged into Net Buddy. This will allow all their internet costs to be accounted for. Further restrictions can be set so that they can only access the internet at certain times of the day, or only stay online for specified amounts of time.

Net Buddy has too many features to list, but here's some of the important ones :-

•	Works with all Microsoft 32-bit platforms - Windows 95/98/NT

•	Works with ANY currency & time / date format.

•	Automatic online detection allow sessions to be open and closed without any user intervention.

•	Can work without a modem - allows manual opening & closing of a session. Ideal for network users.

•	Can automatically set your system clock every time you go online from an accurate internet server.

•	Account periods are segmented into weeks, months, quarters or years so that they coincide with your bill.

•	All internet connection information such as date, time, cost etc. is stored in a database and can be instantly viewed.

•	Multiple user accounts allow all session information, time-zones, alarms and other settings to be specified for different users.

•	Restrictions can be placed on a user so that they cannot alter time-zone, alarm or user information.

•	Customizable time-zones allow call charges for different times of the day to be defined. Minimum call & connection can also be defined.

•	Time-zone presets allow time-zone information to be saved and loaded. This takes the tedium out of defining time-zones for every user.

•	Takes account of holiday periods, and adjusts tariffs appropriately.

•	Sound alerts can signal when you connect and disconnect from the internet.

•	Built in report module can produce graphs of your internet activity.

•	All session information can be easily printed or exported from Net Buddy.

•	Security options allow complete lock out of phone access outside of specified time-zones.

•	Online alarms such as time limits, cost limits etc. can be setup to warn the user.

•	Alarms can be specified to only operate on certain days and at certain times of the day.

•	Can automatically hang-up your connection if little activity has occurred in a specified time period.

•	Programs can be automatically run when a session is opened, such as mail programs etc.

•	Online timer can sit on the task-bar telling you how long you have been online and how much you have spent.

•	Optional positional floating window showing session cost and time online, account totals, daily totals, connection speed and more!.

Plus many more features.


Net Buddy - System Tray Access

The system tray icon is the 'door way' to all of Net Buddy's features. It provides for an easy way to :

•	View and manipulate account information.

•	Login or logout a user.

•	Toggle automatic online detection.

•	Manually open / close session.

•	Access Net Buddy settings.

To access the Menu, right click on the Net Buddy icon on the system tray. The menu options have the following meanings :

Account Details.

This opens the main account window, which provides access to session information, time-zones, session programs, alarms and user information.

User Log In.

This will open the login window, where the current user can be changed.

User Log Out.

This will log out the current user. For a multiple user setup this should be done when you have finished using the machine, so that other people can't access you settings and session information.

Automatic Online Detection

This will toggle automatic open / closing of a session when you connect / disconnect to the internet.

Open Session

This will manually open a session. For the time that this session is open, your account will be charged at the rate defined by the current time-zone.

Close Session

This will manually close a session and update the account. Note : Manually closing a session whilst online, will disable Automatic Online Detection.

Settings

This will open the Net Buddy settings window.

Exit

Exits Net Buddy, and removes the icon off the system tray.


Main Accounts Window

The main accounts  window is where the user can access session, time-zones, programs, alarms and user information.

The window consists of five tabs which provides access to settings for the currently logged in user. For more information click on one of the links below :-

•	Sessions information

•	Phone Charges

•	Session Programs

•	Online alarms

•	User information


Session Information

The session information window displays all the internet connections made for the current account period.

The session information is divided up into weeks, months, quarters or years. To view previous account periods select a different period from the drop down list. To view all session information from when the account was opened select 'All weeks, months etc.' from the drop down list.

Editing a previous session

You can manually edit a previous session to correct online time, online cost, start time and end time. To edit a session, select it from the list and press the Edit button :

You can directly enter the start time and end time of this session, the time online will be calculated from these values. You can alter the session cost in two ways. If you wish to specify your own session cost, then enter it directly into the session cost box. Alternatively you can let  Net Buddy calculate the session cost from the time-zone charge for that period, to do so press the calculate button.

Removing a previous session

To remove a previous session, select it from the list and press the remove button. A warning message will appear confirming your actions.


Phone Charges

Net Buddy allows time-zones to be defined for different days and different periods of the day.

The time-zone window lets you :

•	Add a new time-zone period for the selected day.

•	Define phone charges per minute, and phone minimum charges etc.

•	Define holidays for which a special rate will be used.

•	Remove the selected time-zone.

•	Copy all time-zones from the selected day to other days of the week.

•	Load & Save your time-zones so that they can be used in different user accounts.

Adding a new time-zone

Before adding a new time-zone period, select which day you want to add a time-zone from the drop down list. Then click the 'Add' button :-

You can now enter the start time for the period and the end time. The time is represented in a 24-hour format.

For example, say you want to define a time-zone to represent evening rates :-

Start Time	18:00

End Time	00:00

Note : You cannot enter an end time that would overlap to the next day, although an end time of 00:00 is accepted and would be evaluated as 23:59.

To define a time-zone that represents the whole day tick the 'All Day' option.

Defining phone charges

Once you have added some time-zones you will notice the 'pie' sections drawn on the 24-hour clock. To select a particular time-zone just click it. On doing so the selected time-zone will be represented by a darkened inner 'pie' section. You can now enter the phone charges for this time-zone. Click in the 'cost per minute' box and enter what your phone company charges per minute.

Please note that this value should be in the greater unit for your currency, e.g. Dollars for US or Pounds for UK.

For example, if you are charged 5 cents per minute, then you would enter 0.05.

Also define the connection fee and select the connection fee type :

Minimum charge

This means that you will be charged a minimum sum for your session.

Standing charge

This means you will charge an extra amount, which is added to your session cost.

Repeat this process for the other time-zones.

Defining holidays.

Net Buddy can take account of public holidays, for which the majority of phone companies use a different tariff. To define the charges used on holiday periods, select 'Public Holidays' from the drop down list of days.

To define what days are to be taken as a holiday, press the holiday button and you will be presented with the window below :

To add a holiday, use the calendar to select the day and then press the add button. To remove a holiday from the list, select it and then press the remove button.

Copying time-zones

To save you having to define the same time-zones for each day of the week, you can copy the currently selected day to other days of the week by pressing the 'Copy'  button. You will then be presented with the following window :

Select the days you want to copy to by clicking their names and then press the copy button.

Loading & Saving time-zone presets

Net Buddy allows all time-zone information for a user to be stored in preset files. These can then be loaded into other user accounts. To load a time-zone preset click the 'Load' button. You will then be presented with the following window :-

Select a time-zone preset from the list and click load.

To save time-zones, press the 'Save' button. You will then be asked for a name for the time-zones, we recommend you name them after the phone company.


Session open programs

Net Buddy can automatically open programs when a session is opened. This allows programs such as e-mail tools, chat programs etc. to be executed on connecting to the internet

To add a new program to the list press the 'Add' button. This will bring up a file open window which will allow you to choose the program to add.

To remove a program, select the program from the list and press the 'Remove' button.

If you wish to have the program automatically closed when you disconnect from the internet, tick the 'Auto Close' box by the programs file name.


Online alarms

Net buddy allows online alarms to be defined for each user. These alarms allow warnings for :

•	Session time exceeded.

•	Session cost exceeded.

•	Total account cost exceeded.

•	Daily time limits.

•	Daily cost limits.

•	Custom time limits.

The alarms window shown below shows all the alarms for the current user.

To remove an alarm, select it from the list and press the 'Remove' button.

Adding an alarm

To add an alarm or edit an existing alarm press the 'Edit' button or the 'Add' button. You will then be presented with the following window :

Select what type of alarm you want to add from the list on the left. Then enter the time limit or the cost limit in the alarm settings pane.

 If you want to be automatically disconnected from the internet when the alarm activates then select the 'Hang up phone when alarm sounded' option.

You can also set a 'wave' file to be played when the alarm activates. To do so press the browse button and select a wave file to be used.

Every alarm you add can have its own individual time-zone which will define when the alarm is going to be in use. To set a time-zone select the time-zone tab :

Select which days you want the alarm to be activated from the list on the right. And then define the time period by defining the start time and the end time. If you want the alarm to be activated all day then select the 'Alarm active all the time' option.


Users

Net Buddy allows multiple users to be defined. This allows time-zones, alarms etc. to be customized for different users of Net Buddy.

To remove a user, select the user from the list and then press the 'Remove' button.

Adding a new user

To add / edit a user press the 'Add' / 'Edit' button. You will then be presented with the following window :

Each user is identified by a login name, this must be entered.

The real name box is optional and only serves as identification for the user.

For security reasons each user can have a password to their account, enter it in the 'Password' box and again in the 'confirm password' box.

Net Buddy organizes each account into weeks, months, quarters or years to coincide with your bills. Select the account type and enter the bill date so that it coincides with when you receive your bill.

For the 'Quarter' option enter the next or previous bill date in the 'Bill date' boxes. Net Buddy will automatically calculate all your bill dates from that date entered.

User Restrictions

Disallow time-zone editing

Set this so that the user is not allowed to add, edit or remove any defined time-zones.

Disallow user editing

Set this so that the user is not allowed to view, add, edit or remove users.

Disallow alarm editing

Set this so that the user is not allowed to add, edit or remove any alarms.

Disallow logon outside of time-zones

Set this so that the user is not allowed to open a session when a time-zone is not defined for the current time & day.

Disallow session editing.

Set this so that the user is not allowed to edit or remove previous sessions from the session list.

Disallow session programs editing.

Set this so that the user is not allowed to add/remove programs that would be run when a session is opened.


Reports

The reports window allows the user to see a graphical representation of their internet usage. You can access the report window from the toolbar, the view menu or from the main session information window.

The report can either display your online times or your online costs. You can select which from the Graph Options pane.

You can now select which period of the year you want displayed. An explanation of the selectable periods is below :

Total for account period

This will show all sessions for a specific account period. This period will be segmented into your billing periods, i.e. weeks, months, quarters or years. Choose which period you want to view from the 'Display time period' pane.

Total for a month

This will show all sessions for a specific month. Choose which month you want to view from the 'Display time period' pane. Also choose the year you want to view.

Total for a year

This will show all sessions for a specific year. Choose which year you want to view from the 'Display time period' pane.

Average daily usage

This will show internet usage for all the days of the week. This will be an average of your entire session information, starting from when the account was opened and finishing on the current date.

To zoom in an area on the graph, hold down the left mouse button and drag a box around the area. To pan around, hold down the right mouse button and drag the mouse.


Net Buddy Settings

The settings window allows access to global Net Buddy settings, it consists of a selection list on the left which allows you to select the area of settings to be changed. On doing so the panel on the right will change to reflect the selection.

To change a setting, click on the required settings 'tick' box. This will toggle the tick/cross icon.

The settings are explained below :-

Miscellaneous Settings

Ask 'are you sure ?' on remove.

Setting this to true means you will always be prompted for confirmation when you try to delete time-zones, alarms, users etc.

Show grid lines in session display.

Enables or disables separating grid lines in the session information window.

Load net buddy on windows start-up.

Enables or disables the net buddy loading when windows is loaded. It is recommended that Net buddy loads at start-up so that it can monitor your internet connection and automatically open & close sessions.

Separate days in session list.

When enabled session information after a day will have a gap before the next day, so that it is easier to see the number of connections for each day.

Display bill window at end of account period.

Since net buddy session information is segmented into account periods, you can get net buddy to bring up the account bill window at the end of each account period.

Use Standard toolbar buttons.

If enabled it forces the toolbar  in the main account window to use standard windows 95 buttons instead of the newer flat buttons.

Show splash form when Net Buddy loads.

When enabled a Net Buddy logo will appear when windows starts and Net Buddy is loaded.

Prompt 'Are you sure?' on exit.

Allows you disable the 'Are you sure?' prompt when you exit net buddy.


Settings Window - General Online Settings

Auto log in last user.

When enabled Net Buddy will automatically login the last user when it is run.

Auto open session on modem connection.

This will enable or disable the automatic opening & closing of sessions when you connect & disconnect from the internet.

Only run programs when  fully connected.

When enabled Net Buddy will only run programs when fully connected to the internet, that would normally be run immediately after a session is opened. This is useful for programs such as email clients, which would normally fail on trying to check mail etc.

Use only session start time-zone rates

The majority of phone companies charge you at the rate of when the phone call was started and maintain this rate throughout the call. Disable this option if you want to allow Net Buddy to switch to the next time-zone charge rate during a call.


Settings Window - Session
Settings Window - Modem Detection Settings

There are three ways in which Net Buddy can detect an internet connection and open a session.

On modem dial.

This means a session will be opened as soon as the modem begins dialing.

On password verification.

A session will be opened once windows has gone into the password verification stage of connection. This is the preferred method, as most phone companies only start charging once the ISP has picked up the connection.

On internet connection.

This will open a session when the internet connection is fully established, i.e. after password verification.

Adding X seconds of call

When a connection is automatically detected it doesn't take account of the time it took to actually connect to your ISP (which you are actually being charged by your phone company). By entering a value in here then this time period can be taken account for.


Settings Window - Clock Correction Settings
Settings Window - Online Clock Correction Settings

Net Buddy can automatically correct your windows system clock everytime you go on the internet by getting the time and date from an extremely accurate time server

This feature ensures that your system clock is always correct. This helps to fix the problems with computer clocks which tend to drift with age.

To enable this feature select the 'When you connect to the internet option' and choose an internet time server from the list, or manually enter an internet time server. You can choose any one from the list, if you find that you get a problem contacting the server, try a different one.


Settings Window - Session Monitor
Settings Window - Online Session Monitor Settings

Enable session monitor floating window.

Set this option so that a 'floating window' will appear showing online cost, time, account cost, daily cost and transfer rates when a session is opened. The window can be repositioned by clicking on it and dragging it around the screen.

Display session cost before time.

When enabled the online cost will be shown before the online time when the floating window option is enabled.

Display connection time.

When enabled the amount of time online will be shown in the floating window.

Display daily total.

When enabled the total internet cost for the current day will be shown in the floating window.

Display account total.

When enabled the total account cost will be shown in the floating window.

Display bytes received.

When enabled the current modem download transfer speed will be shown in the floating window. Note this feature only works in windows 98.

Display bytes transmitted.

When enabled the current modem upload transfer speed will be shown in the floating window. Note this feature only works in windows 98.


Settings Window - Online Sounds
Settings Window - Online Sound Settings

Net buddy can play a windows 'wave file' when you connect and disconnect from the internet.

To enable or disable click on the tick boxes.

To select a sound to play, press the browse button and point to a wave file. Net buddy includes two sounds which can be used.


Settings Window - Online Advanced
Settings Window - Online Advanced Settings

Net Buddy can automatically 'hang-up' your internet connection if little activity has occurred in a specified time period. This feature is more effective than the windows built in 'modem idle' feature because internet utilities such as ICQ occasionally send small amounts of data which can keep the connection 'alive' and hence render the windows automatic hang-up feature useless.

To take account of this, enter the minimum amount of bytes transferred over X minutes before net buddy hangs up the connection.


Settings Window - Reports

The reports settings allow you to customize the way the report chart looks.

Display graph as 3D.

Enabling this will produce a 3D effect on the report charts.

Show value markers on graph.

Enabling this will put little markers on each value of the chart, indicating its value on the y-axis.

Animate graph zoom.

When enabled and animation effect will take place when you zoom into an area of the graph. This is not recommended on slow computers.

Fill background with texture.

When enabled a  picture will appear on the background of the graph. Note this can cause a small slow down in update when using the animated zoom feature. When this option is enabled, the shaded background colors will be ignored.


Settings Window - Security
Settings Window - Security Settings

Disconnect internet connection on exit.

When enabled Net Buddy will 'hang up' the phone when you exit it.

Allow net buddy to be exited.

Disable this option to ensure Net Buddy is always running so it can monitor internet connections. This option is useful when used in conjunction with the option below, to stop people from accessing the internet without being logged.

Disable dial-up access until user login.

When enabled Net Buddy will not allow windows to connect to the internet if no one is logged into Net Buddy. This ensures that internet connections will always be logged - useful for parents, schools etc.

Only allow administrator to change settings.

Set this to stop other users from changing Net buddy settings.

Always prompt for user password.

When set Net Buddy will always ask for a user password when automatically logging in the last user.

Don't backup database as reg file on exit

Net Buddy can automatically backup all user settings and session information in a registry (.reg) file when it exits. This allows settings and users to be easily restored if windows is re-installed. To restore the database, go to the directory where you installed Net Buddy and double-click the file 'Net Buddy Backup Database.reg'. If you unset this option then the database won't be backed up and hence other users can't simply just view user information from the file.

Prevent system clock tampering

When enabled the windows system clock can not be altered, and hence users can't trick Net Buddy into thinking it is a different time-zone or day. Note, this will not effect Net Buddy's online clock correction.


Toolbar

The main accounts window contains a toolbar for quick access to Net Buddy functions.

From left to right each button has the following function assigned to it :

User Log In.

This will open the login window, where the current user can be changed.

User Log Out.

This will log out the current user. For a multiple user setup this should be done when you have finished using the machine, so that other people can't access you settings and session information.

Open Session

This will manually open a session. For the time that this session is open, your account will be charged at the rate defined by the current time-zone.

Close Session

This will manually close a session and update the account. Note : Manually closing a session whilst online, will disable Automatic Online Detection.

Session Reports

This will open the session reports window.

Account Bill

This will display the account bill for the current account period.

Settings

This will open the Net Buddy settings window.

Print Session Information

This will open the print window where you can print all or a selected portion of the user session information.

Help

This will open Net Buddy help.


Login Window

In order to use Net Buddy's features you must login. If the 'auto login user' option is set in the settings window, Net Buddy will automatically login the last user. When you login you will be presented with the following window :-

Select a user name from the drop down list, and then enter the password.

To create a new user, see the users window.


Setup Wizard

The Net Buddy setup wizard helps you to setup Net Buddy for the first time. When you first run Net Buddy it will bring up the setup wizard window, you can access it at a later date from the help menu on the accounts window.

To navigate around the setup wizard use  the 'Back' and 'Next' buttons at the bottom of the setup wizard window. To cancel the setup wizard at any point press the cancel button.

Entering admin user information

The setup wizard will automatically create the 'Admin' account and a user account. The first window will ask you for a password for the admin account.

You will also be allowed to set if you only want the 'Admin' user to be able to access Net Buddy settings window.

When you have finished entering Admin information press the next button.

Entering first user account information

Enter the login name for the first user. You can enter any name you like, as when you login you don't have to physically type in the login name, you can select it from a list.

If you want to you can enter  a 'Real name'. This serves no real purpose in Net Buddy but allows a user to be more easily identified if their login name is cryptic.

Now enter a password for the user in the 'Password' box, also re-enter it in the 'Confirm password' box. This is to ensure you have entered the password correctly

Net Buddy organizes each account into weeks, months, quarters or years to coincide with your bills. Select the account type and enter the bill date so that it coincides with when you receive your bill.

For the 'Quarter' option enter the next or previous bill date in the 'Bill date' boxes. Net Buddy will automatically calculate all your bill dates from that date entered.

Time-zones

Choose a time-zone preset from the list. If your phone company is not in the list then you will have to add your time-zones later.

MAPSoft would be grateful if you would save your time-zones and email us with the name of your phone company and the '.tzp' file in the directory in which you installed Net Buddy.

NetBuddy@Mapsoft.Mapct.com

Online Alarms

The setup wizard can automatically setup basic online alarms.  Online alarms are used to impose time / cost limits on the user, so that they are notified when the limit is exceeded.

If you want Net Buddy to 'Hang up the phone'  when the alarm activates, then select the Hang up phone option.

Security Options

The setup wizard allows you to quickly setup any global security options which will restrict the actions of all users. To setup individual user restrictions, see user restrictions under 'adding a user'.

Disconnect internet connection on exit.

When enabled Net Buddy will 'hang up' the phone when you exit it.

Allow net buddy to be exited.

Disable this option to ensure Net Buddy is always running so it can monitor internet connections. This option is useful when used in conjunction with the option below, to stop people from accessing the internet without being logged.

Disable dial-up access until user login.

When enabled Net Buddy will not allow windows to connect to the internet if no one is logged into Net Buddy. This ensures that internet connections will always be logged - useful for parents, schools etc.

Always prompt for user password.

When set Net Buddy will always ask for a user password when automatically logging in the last user.

Don't backup database as reg file on exit

Net Buddy can automatically backup all user settings and session information in a registry (.reg) file when it exits. This allows settings and users to be easily restored if windows is re-installed. To restore the database, go to the directory where you installed Net Buddy and double-click the file 'Net Buddy Backup Database.reg'. If you unset this option then the database won't be backed up and hence other users can't simply just view user information from the file.

Prevent system clock tampering

When enabled the windows system clock can not be altered, and hence users can't trick Net Buddy into thinking it is a different time-zone or day. Note, this will not effect Net Buddy's online clock correction.


TroubleShooting

Net Buddy has been severely tested on many different platforms, but due to the wide variety of system configurations errors in Net Buddy may occur. Listed below are common errors which may occur :

Icons on toolbar and settings window don't appear.

This problem normally occurs when the comctl32.dll in the windows system directory is obsolete.

You can download a newer version from MAPSoft:

http://www.mapsoft.mapct.com/downloads/40Comupd.exe

If any other problem occurs please don't hesitate to contact MAPSoft.


Registering Net Buddy

To register Net Buddy it only costs $20 (13 pounds Sterling). Registering Net Buddy will give you far greater flexibility and will entitle you to the following features :-

•	Unlimited use, time-out lock removed.

•	Unlimited user accounts.

•	The ability to upgrade for free to the forth-coming Net Buddy Pro.

•	Participate in special offers available to registered users only.

•	Comprehensive technical support.

There are many ways in which you can purchase Net Buddy :

•	Order online with credit / debit card.

•	Fax an order form to 770-497-9234.

•	Call 1-888-REG-IT-80 (international orders 770-497-9126), Product ID 8932

•	Mail the order form with a check in US Dollars to : RegSoft.com, 6595-G Roswell Road, Suite 732, Atlanta, GA 30328

•	If you reside in the UK then mail the order form with a cheque in Sterling (pounds) to: 23 Johnson Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6PU

The order form can be found on the register Net buddy window, when Net Buddy starts.

Purchasing Online.

 MAPSoft accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express credit/debit cards for purchases. To purchase Net Buddy online, make sure you are connected to the internet and have your card details ready. You will be asked for a User Name, Company Name and email address. Once registered you will receive the Serial Number via email. When ready, click on the link below :-

www.MAPSoft.MAPCT.com/titles/Net Buddy.htm


Contact Information

For further information about Net Buddy, and other MAPSoft products, you can contact us at :

Map Soft web site  	: www.MAPSoft.MAPCT.com

Net Buddy section	: www.MAPSoft.MAPCT.com/titles/netbuddy/index.htm

Email	: Net Buddy@MAPSoft.MAPCT.com