Introduction
Forever Connected is an intelligent interface for Microsoft Internet Dial
Up Networking. It will make your computer dial your ISP when you start
Forever Connected and every time you get disconnected. Getting connected
and staying connected to the Internet is only a mater of time with Forever
Connected!
Installation
This program can be installed an run from any directory on your computer.
I suggest putting it under its own directory under c:\program files.
You will want to make a short cut to the program, putting it either on
the desktop, or on the start menu. I recommend using the desktop..
If FC tells you that a DLL is missing when you run it, you will
need to read the following. Otherwise, you are finished installing
the software.
This program requires two support files, MFC42.DLL and MSVCRT.DLL.
Together, these files can take up over a megabyte, which means you don't
want to download them unless you have too. Since many programs require
these two files, it is highly likely that you already have them. If you
don't, you have two options as to how to download the files:
A small download (600k), which requires that you copy the dlls to the
windows\system directory
Main
site | Alternate
site | Alternate
site | More
sites...
A larger download (1700k), which includes a setup program that does
all the work.
Main site
| Alternate
site | Alternate
site | More
sites...
Operation - Quick Start
Just start up the program. The online help is included directly in the
dialog, and explains every step you must take in detail.
Operation - Advanced Tips
This program works in tight cooperation with the Microsoft Dial Up Networking
software. In order to make the best use of FC, you will need to make
sure that Dial Up Networking is fully set up. These are useful tips, whether
you choose to continue to use FC in the future, or not, so I strongly suggest
you read them.
Dial up scripting
When you dial your ISP, you should not have to enter your user name, and
password. If you do, then you need to use dial up scripting. If you
have the original copy of MS Windows, you will want to download the newest
version of DUN, 1.2. While FC will work with DUN 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2,
you should use 1.2 or 1.1, since it fixes several problems with Dial
Up Networking, and has a very good scripting fallibility. You can
download it from backoffice.microsoft.com/downtrial/moreinfo/win95pptp.asp
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Creating a script. If you do not have a script for dial up networking
(often your ISP will provide you with one), then you can make your own.
Either edit one of the example scripts, making it fit your ISPs requirements,
or try one of the prewriting scripts on the net. You can find more
involved instructions here.
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Dial up scripting works best if the Connect To dialog correctly saves your
password. If the connect to dialog doesn't save your password, read
the following for some advice:
www.winfiles.com/bugs/dunpass.html. Otherwise, and much simpler,
just edit your dialup script, entering your password in place of ever instance
of $PASSWORD. Of course, this would make it easy for any user of
your computer to find out your password, so use it with caution.
Other DUN tips
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Make DUN slightly faster by disabling unnecessary dialogs. First,
quit FC. Then, open the dialup networking dialog, select the connection
in question, and select the Connections | Settings menu. In the
resulting dialog, uncheck the "prompt for information before dialing" box.
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Enable automatic redialing. While it is far from foolproof, you can
make DUN redial in some cases by checking the redial box in the dialog
found above.
Forever Connnected Specific Tips
In the registered version of Forever Connected,
you have access to two extra options, which will help you set up
FC to your tastes. These options are related to tasks automaticaly
proformed when FC is started:
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Automatically start dialing your ISP.
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Automatically hide FC in the tray.
Some interesting uses of these options include:
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Setting FC to automatically hide in the tray when your computer starts
up. Then, you can very easily start your internet connection, and
then turn it off when ever you need to, without having to search for the
icon on the desktop, or in the start menu.
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Set FC to automatically hide in the tray, start up your conneciton, and
then put it in the startup folder. Then, every time you turn on your computer,
you will dial the internet, and stay connected. Good for those that
want a low cost, but semi permanent connection to the net.
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Tun on automatically connecting when FC is started. With the dialog open,
it provides a nice reminder that you are connected to the Internet.
How/Why To Order
If you have not registered your copy of Forever Connected, please consider
doing so. When you order, you will recive a regisered copy of Forever Connected,
and free updates, as long as I am only adding bugfixes to the code base.
As you now know, Forever Connected is fully functional in the shareware
edition, however, by registering, you will recieve a few extra features,
as a bounce. Read about them here.
The registration cost varies by delivery method:
· $8: 3.5" disk sent by US mail.
· $5: Zip file sent by email attachment.
Please send cash or check made out to Alan Robinson.
Click here for the order form.
Contact Info
SMail: RC Software
Alan Robinson
Rt 1 Box 696
Floyd, VA 24091
Email: rcsoftware@vt.edu
Web page: rc.home.ml.org (a
shortcut to www.vt.edu:10021/R/robinson/RCSoftware/index.html)