Dialer 2000 V0.9 (c) 1998 by Eric Fortier

Welcome to Dialer 2000!

This utility is designed to keep you connected to the Internet, no
matter what! Please find installation and operation instructions
below. For any other information, FAQ or new updates, visit the
Dialer 2000 Web site at: "http://pages.infinit.net/tlc/software".



About this version
------------------

This is Version 0.9 of the software. It should perform all of it's
functions without any problems. We did not detect any bugs, but be
aware that some might still be around. Version 1.0 will be available
in a few days.

All updates up to (but not including) Version 2.0 will be sent free of
charge to all registered users. This include updates when new functions
are added or when bugs are fixed.

If you are using the Evaluation version of Dialer 2000, please note the
following limitations:

  - The about window will be shown for 15 seconds everytime you run
    Dialer 2000.
  - You can run Dialer 2000 a maximum of 50 times.
  - Certain options are disabled.

In order to properly evaluate Dialer 2000, we suggest that you have a
connection properly configured and working before using our software.



Installation
------------

Launch the Dialer2000_Eval.exe file to start the installer.

It will supply the default path of "C:\Program Files\Dialer2000" for
installation. If you wish you can install to any path you desire.

After the installation is complete, you will find "Dialer 2000" in your
Start*Programs menu. To launch it simply select "Dialer 2000 Evaluation".

If you wish to remove Dialer 2000 simply go to the Control Panel,
select "Add/Remove Programs" and select the item named "Dialer 2000"
and the uninstaller will remove the software. We suggest you use the
"Custom" mode of installation and select every item presented to you.
doing this will prevent the "Dialer 2000" directory and ".INI" file
from being left on your harddrive. Every item presented to you in the
uninstall process can safely be selected, they will not prevent any
other applications from working properly.

If you have any problems with the installer, please contact us
at: TechLogic@videotron.ca and will will help you in any way we can.



Operation
---------

To start Dialer 2000, you must have at least 1 dialup connection
defined. If you do not, Dialer 2000 will simply inform you that it
cannot launch and quit.

The File Menu
-------------

"Connect":
 to dial the selected connection. This will connect you to the
 Internet.

"Disconnect":
 to terminate the current connection and disconnect you from
 the Internet.

"New Connection":
 if you want to define a new Dialup connection, select this item
 and the Windows' "New Connection" wizard will be presented.
 (Disabled in the evaluation version)

"Edit Connection":
 if you want to modify the selected connection, select this item
 and Windows will allow you to change the connection's settings.
 (Disabled in the evaluation version)

"Edit Login":
 This option will let you changed the Username and Password the
 selected connection uses. (Disabled in the evaluation version)

"Hide":
 will hide the Dialer 2000 window. To view it again, double-click
 on it's icon in the system's tray.

"Save Log":
 This option will save the content of the Log window in a file. You
 will be prompted for the file's name and location.

"Clear Log":
 This will clear the content of the Log window.

"Quit":
 Quit Dialer 2000.


The Options Menu
----------------

The options menu hold the most useful function of Dialer 2000. There
are two main options which need explaining. First the "Keep Alive"
option.

Also know as "Ping", the Keep Alive options will prevent your
connection from being terminated due to inactivity. By enabling this
option and selecting an interval, Dialer 2000 will prevent hang-ups by
making a dummy connection on the Internet, thus "Keeping your connection
alive". Many providers have timers which drops carrier on
users which are inactive for a certain amount of time. By using an
appropriate interval you will be able to stay connected, even if there
is no activity on your part.

The second feature "Auto Reconnect", is the core of Dialer 2000. With
this feature, whenever the connection between your computer and the
Internet is interrupted, Dialer 2000 will redial and re-establish the
link. Dialer 2000 achieve this by checking the status of the line at
an interval you specify; from once per second to once every ten
minutes. You can also disable this feature if you wish.

"Keep Alive":
 The keep alive will "ping" your provider, thus keeping the connection
 alive.

"Keep Alive Interval":
 The interval at which Dialer 2000 will send "Keep Alive" messages to
 your provider. From once per second to once every 30 minutes.

"Auto Reconnect":
 This options will reconnect to your provider whenever the connection
 is lost.

"Auto Reconnect Interval":
 The interval at which Dialer 2000 checks the status of the connection.
 You can specify an interval of 1 second to 10 minutes.

"Redial on busy signal":
 This will allow you to set the number or attempts Dialer 2000 will
 make before giving up on the connection. You can select between
 no retry, 10, 50, 100, 1000 and endless retries.

"Connect on Startup":
 Select this option to activate to the selected connection each time
 Dialer 2000 is started. This is useful when used with the "Launch with
 Windows" option.

"Launch with Windows":
 This option will launch Dialer 2000 each time Windows 95 is started.
 The setting is saved in the Windows Registry.

"Hangup when Quitting":
 This option will terminate your connection to the Internet when you
 close Dialer 2000.

"Start Hidden":
 Will hide the Dialer 2000 main form when the application is started.
 Useful when used with "Launch with Windows" option. (Disabled in the
 evaluation version)

"Start Minimized":
 Will minimize Dialer 2000 to the Windows 95 Task bar. This option
 is useful when used with "Launch with Windows". (Disabled in the
 evaluation version)

"Show Error Codes":
 This option is a debugging option that will show the error codes when
 Dialer 2000 cannot perform it's function. For example, when the line is
 busy, before redialing Dialer 2000 will display the error code #676 which
 means it received a busy signal.

"Confirm Quitting":
 When set, you will be asked to confirm is you really want to close
 Dialer 2000. If you would prefer not to receive the "Are you sure" dialog,
 deselect this option. (Disabled in the evaluation version)



About connecting to the Internet...
-----------------------------------

A potential problem might arise when you connected to the Internet *BEFORE*
starting Dialer 2000.

In that case, when the connection is lost (for any reason), Windows 95 will
always display it's requester asking if you want to reconnect. While this
requester is open, the connection is in the "Used" state, and no other process
can use it.

So, when Dialer 2000 sense that the connection is lost, it will try to
reconnect. Since the connection is in use by the reconnect requester,
Dialer 2000 will try to dial (up to 10 times) but will fail and log a message
saying that it encountered fatal error.

In this scenario, if you close the requester and reconnect using Dialer 2000,
there will not be any more requesters when the connection is lost.

Sadly, there is no way to go around this. Your best bet is to always use
Dialer 2000 to establish your connection. That way you will have full control
on what happens. However, if you connected using Dialer 2000, quit the program,
then restart it, there will not be any requesters if the connection is lost and
Dialer 2000 will try and reconnect if you enabled the "Auto Reconnect" feature.

When you are dialing a connection you can click on the "ABORT" button. When
clicked, the button will disable but the call will not be aborted immediately.
The current dial attempt will be complete at which point the connection sequence
will be aborted. A message will also be logged.



Purchasing Dialer 2000
----------------------

Residential users can purchase Dialer 2000 by sending money, check or
money order in the amount of $10 (in US currency) to:

    Tech Logic
    875 avenue Rigaud
    Sainte-Foy, Qubec
    Canada, G1X 2T7

Checks or money order should be made payable to "Tech Logic". We thank
you in advance for your support. For any other payment method, please
email us to receive instructions.

If you want to use Dialer 2000 at work, in an office or a business,
please contact us for quantity or commercial prices.

Also, by registering the software you agree to use it accordingly to the
terms stated in the "Fine Prints" section of this text, please see at the bottom
of this readme file. You will also receive the license when you register.



Conclusion
----------

Thank you for trying Dialer 2000. We are sure you will find it useful
and that you will not go back to any other "Stay-on" type utility, if
you were using one. And if this product does not provide you with the
satisfaction you wanted, we urge you to let us know.

Visit the Dialer 2000 Web site at:
"http://pages.infinit.net/tlc/software/"

And write to us at
"TechLogic@Videotron.ca".



Thanks...
---------
Thanks to Richard Giroux for his invaluable help during the testing of
Dialer 2000!



Some fine prints...
-------------------

"Dialer 2000" is a trademark of Tech Logic. You can distribute the
evaluation version of Dialer 2000 in it's original format only. You
cannot copy or distribute the registered version. You can use the
software on a single computer only, unless you have a special license.

Tech Logic does not provide any warranty of any kind, except that the
software should perform it's function as specified in this readme text.
We will not be help responsible for any damages, direct or otherwise,
caused by Dialer 2000 or by it's use.

Also, you cannot crack, patch or otherwise modify the way Dialer 2000
works to use locked features, or to increase or decrease it's
functionnality.

However, if you feel that the software does not perform as it should,
we strongly urge you to let us know at once so we can address the issue.
We will do our best to ensure that you are satisfied with the product.



Dialer 2000 -- The way Windows 95's Dialup Networking should have been!

EF:04, March 19th, 1998

