This simple control strip module is for use with Open Transport/PPP and allows one to change between Modem configurations without going through the control panel. For example, one configuration might have the speaker on and another have it off. In order to use Modem Configuration Changer (Modem CC) to make changing configurations easy, first set up the configurations you would like to use through Modem. Use the Configurations option under the File menu in Modem to set up each configuration. This module will recognize them immediately. Choosing the control panel name in the menu will open the control panel. Modem CC is not limited to PowerBooks with 7.6 - it can be used on all Macs that are running Open Transport/PPP.
Long Version
Modem CC is a control strip module. To use control strip modules use one of the following: Apple's Control Strip (CS), Ammon Skidmore's Extension Strip (ES) or Westcode's OneClick (OC). Place Modem CC in the Control Modules folder in the System Folder and, if using CS, reboot. Modules are automatically recognized with ES and OC. You should see an icon for Modem CC in your strip that looks like the Earth with a telephone handset atop a modem. The pop up menu will contain the name of the configurations you have made with Modem and when connected will display a timer showing the time connected on top and the time remaining directly below it. Unlimited time remaining is displayed as xx:xx:xx. Not all PPP connections return the correct time remaining, but the display will match the info the PPP control panel will display.
To make a configuration in Modem, go to the File menu and choose Configurations. For each desired modem setting make a configuration. You can do this by Duplicating the first configuration (which will be called Default the first time you run Modem). You
will be given an opportunity to name the configuration at that time (alternatively you can choose Rename). For each configuration you will use, you need to make the configuration active and "configure" it for a method of connecting. Save each configuration and you should see them immediately in the Modem CC pop up menu. Do not change configurations with Modem CC while the Modem Control Panel is open.
Modem CC works for all for all Macs that have OT/PPP (not just PowerBooks running 7.6). There are versions available that have native documentation (ReadMe, Balloon Help, and FAQ web page) in languages other than English. Visit the web site (http://www.madison-web.com/tkelly) for more details.
Note:
The timer and scrolling lights features are disabled for non-paid versions (see the above pictures). The ability to open the control panel is disabled for non-paid version as well and so the control panel name will be grayed out in the menu. To get a fully enabled version pay for Modem CC and one will be sent to you by email (I'm doing this to encourage registration). Registered versions have a "p" in the name and in the version info.
If you see an "X" through the module, turn on Balloon Help. The reason for the "X" will be given to you in the Balloon. Common reasons are OT and OT/PPP not installed properly.
Modem CC requires OT/PPP 1.0, which requires OT 1.1.1.
Modem Configuration Changer is buckware. If you like the product, send me a buck. I think that there is room for a new form of software consisting of small utilities such as this that would go under the category "buckware". Pay a buck, add a nifty gadget that makes life a little easier. Also, there are some really great shareware products, like NetPresenz, and freeware products, like Frontier, that make it very difficult to justify a higher price when you look at the value of those products compared to this one. Modem Configuration Changer is free to all alumni, students, faculty and staff at the University of South Carolina, and to all users of the USC MacBBS (First Class 129.252.42.104). Microsoft and Intel employees may not use this product.
People who pay for this version will not be expected to pay for subsequent versions. Modem CC 1.2 is incompatible with ARA 3.0. It is has not been decided at this time if a new version will be released.
Do not think because I'm only charging one buck that it was easy to do. We must support developers for Macintosh if the platform is to continue to be successful. I am trying to start a small Macintosh programming company and look forward to providing many fine products for the non-Intel Macintosh community, but I can not do this if I do not receive financial compensation for my products.
Four people have made direct and indirect contributions that require special thanks:
Josef Wankerl helped me understand the new OT/PPP SDK and add the timer to Modem CC and displaying the correct action to take in the OT/PPP CC menu.
John Stevenson did the icons for Modem CC 1.1. John does very professional graphics design work, both in media arts and web content. He also did the icons for TCP CC 1.1 and OT/PPP CC 1.1. He is available for design work and can be reached at jhs@well.com and samples of his work are available at http://www.well.com/~jhs. Please consider him if you are looking at designing a web site.
Joe Zobkiw wrote A Fragment of Your Imagination, a very clear and detailed book on code fragments. Without this book I would not have been able to add the Open... feature. I would like to very publicly thank Joe for answering so many of my questions (and there's more on the way ;-) ). A Fragment of Your Imagination is published by Addison Wesley and can be previewed at http://www.triplesoft.com/fragment. This is a must-have book for any Mac programmer.
Jason Haas, of Extensions Guide fame, has a Macintosh/Internet consulting business, Madison Web Works, and is providing the space for the official Software by Tim Kelly and Friends page. Jason wants to build a top-notch Macintosh interest web site and has good rates for shareware & freeware authors as well as Macintosh special interest groups. If you need a web site or mailing list hosted, drop him a note.
I would like to thank my beta testers:
Grant Bayley, Jesse Brown, Brian Cruise, Linda Davis, Daly Jessup, Stephane Jose, Matthew Knowles, Edouard Lagache, Bill Leasure, Paul Patrikas, Randy Pollock, Dan Richardson, John Stevenson, Josef Wankerl, Chris Wiggs, and everyone else that was involved but I've overlooked (let me know and I'll make addendums!).
In addition, I found two utilities especially helpful in development:
Ammon Skidmore's Extension Strip prevented me from having to reboot each time I made a change (ES supports dynamic loading of CSM's).
Nobu Toge's Flash-It provided the screen shots I use in the ReadMe's. This was good because Apple's screen shot method doesn't work when the mouse is down.
Known "bugs":
1) Westcode's OneClick will draw the icons as a double image. This appears to be related to the number of icons necessary to give the scrolling lights.
2) It appears some slight incompatibilities with Extension Strip have crept back in. This appears to manifest after repeated removal and replacement of the module. I have been unable to determine the exact cause.
If you have a problem with Modem CC, and can't find the answer on the FAQ page (http://www.madison-web.com/tkelly/faq.html), send one buck (registration) to the address below and include an email address with the problem. If I can't fix the problem I'll refund the buck. If you have already paid your buck and have a problem then tech support is free (I keep records of people who have paid me and add them to my mailing list to receive future versions and announcements of new software).
My apologies but I must ask that I get compensation for tech support (tech support for only a buck - can't beat it).
So, for one dollar you get:
a nifty gadget that makes life easier,
free tech support,
a fully enable version,
URLs to new versions sent to your email address,
information about new releases sent to your email address,
URLs to a page documenting hidden features in Modem CC
Can't beat it!
There has never been consideration of a Windoze or Intel based version and there never will be! MacOS only! Stop the hegemony! Join the EvangeList mailing list by sending an email to <evangelist@macway.com>. Support the PowerPC chip, not Intel! Support MacOS, not Windows running on Macs!
There are two ways to register:
If you have a credit card, you may register at:
http://order.kagi.com/?H9
There are English and Kanji registration forms for both the unsecure and secure server. Due to processing costs passed on to me by Kagi and MasterCard/Visa/American Express, the online registration costs slightly more ($1.40).
If you do not have a credit card, you may send registration by mail until August 1, 1997 to:
Tim Kelly
5860 Ellisor Rd.
Columbia SC 29212-2112
Please include your email address so I can add you to my mailing list and send you URLs to the paid versions. I only keep your name and email address and the mailing list is for you to receive information from me only.
Distribution restrictions:
The paid version may not be posted to any software repository, BBS forum, or any other form of electronic distribution, including, but not limited to, CD's and floppies without express consent of the author. Posting of the paid version without express consent is agreement to render payment for all subsequent downloads of the posted product. The unpaid version may be posted freely to all of the previously mentioned mediums but the ReadMe must be included. Site licenses are available - payment for one module does not constitute a site license for a business location. Payment for the module entitles the user to place copies on each Mac at home.
If you have questions (and have sent in the registration fee), I can be reached at tkelly@madison-web.com. The official Software by Tim Kelly and Friends pages are at http://www.madison-web.com/tkelly. At these pages you can find the most recent news about version changes and new releases, as well as plans for future releases. In addition, I have several Mac interest web pages beginning at http://www.cosm.sc.edu/~kelly. If you are a Macintosh programmer and have a web page and would like to be linked on my programmers' page, please send me the URL and I'll be glad to link it.
Version info:
1.2 Released June 23, 1997
Added automatic internationalization (Modem CC works with every language)
Added PPP timer and PPP connection monitoring (return of the scolling lights feature) (many thanks to Josefl Wankerl!)
1.1.1 Released Nov. 17, 1996
Fixed incorrect drawing of icons when Open Transport not present (thanks to Earl Curley for not just throwing out the modules)
Removed Modem port monitoring (it was a bit buggy, but may make it back in the future)
Changed menu choice algorithm
Increased memory checking calls
1.1 Released Oct. 27, 1996
General release
1.0 Released Oct. 20, 1996
Accidentally released to AOL, had old icons, only available for 36 hours
.9b Limited distribution
Beta release
Other software available from Tim Kelly:
For Open Transport/PPP
OT/PPP CC (change whichOT/PPP configuration is active - great for the business traveler with lots of PPP numbers - and connect and disconnect directly from the module) - pictured with the telephone pole under the earth in the screen shot
For Open Transport
FruitSpeak CC (change which AppleTalk configuration is active) - pictured with the earth and a bunch of fruit over the arrows
TCP CC (change which TCP/IP configuration is active) - pictured with the earth and arrows in the screen shot
Other
App Switcher (freeware extension available at my web site that switches between open applications with a keystroke)
Development on CC Sets has been discontinued.
MacWay CC didn't turn out too well and was never released.
