Net Connector version 2.0

What's new in 2.0?

Net Connector has been completely rewritten and ported from Visual Basic to PowerBasic, which results in much faster program load and execution. Additionally, the download package is much smaller, partly because PowerBasic produces small program files and partly because there is no need for the large Visual Basic runtime files.  The benefits to you the user are shorter download times and a program which starts and runs more quickly and uses fewer system recourses.

Additional features include a status bar on the Options window which provides a description of the options available as the mouse moves over them.

Net Connector now stores Net Connector data (.ncd) files in a sub-directory named "Data".

When launching a program, Net Connector will now track 'child' processes created by the program as well as the main program itself.  This should improve reliabliity when launching some programs such as Internet Explorer.



Installation

Installing and setting up Net Connector is quick and easy.  Simply unzip the files using Winzip (ver 6.1 or later) or some other archiving utility which supports long file names.  If you don't have one, Winzip is available for download at www.winzip.com.  Put the files into a temporary directory, and run "Install" (or use Winzips "Install" feature).  The installation program will install Net Connector in a directory of your choice, and create a program group with an icon for "Options".  When the installation is complete, run "Options", and fill in the Communications  Program Options and the Connection Options.   							

When you have completed selecting the setup options, click on the "Save As" icon, and specify a name for this instance of Net Connector.  It's advisable to select a fairly descriptive name (long names are okay, of course), because in the next step you will be asked if you would like an icon (shortcut) created for this instance.  If you click "Yes", the icon created will be labeled with the file name you have selected, and placed both in the Net Connector program group (in the Start Menu) and on the desktop.  Feel free to delete the icon on the desktop if you wish, as you can always run Net Connector from the Start Menu.   

You will need to repeat this setup process for each communications program you wish to run with Net Connector.  

That's it.  When you double-click the icon you have created, Net Connector  will open and dial the connection you choose, and then run your communications program. 

This version of Net Connector is complete  and uncrippled, though it may only be run 60 times without registering it.  After 60 uses, it will no longer run until it is registered.  You will be reminded of this occasionally as you use the program.

Note: if you have an earlier version of Net Connector on your machine, you do not have to remove it, though it doesn't hurt to do so.  Be aware, however, that your current registration code will not work with this version, so it would be advisable to have your original installation file and your registration code handy, in case you decide to go back to using your earlier version.    

To remove Net Connector, simply go to "Control Panel", "Add/Remove Programs", and select Net Connector.  Then click on "Add/Remove", and Net Connector will be removed from your system.




Files

Net Connector  installation places the following files in the Net Connector  directory:

Net Connector.exe	main executable
Options.exe		settings window
ras32b.dll		support file
Net Connector Help.hlp	help file
Webdlt.exe		help support file

	
	


About Net Connector 

The Problem

In the original Windows 95, using Dial-Up Networking required the user to first open the Dial-Up Networking connection, click on "Connect", and then run the communications program.  When the user was finished, it was then necessary to close the connection.  Later versions of Windows 95 eliminated the need to click the "Connect" button, and allowed the connection to be started automatically when a program "needed" it, but this feature is handled differently by different programs and may not be reliable.  And unless the communications program specifically calls for the connection to be closed, the connection will remain open until the user manually disconnects.  This means that the line may remain tied up, possibly running up connection charges. These required manual actions can be tedious and annoying, especially if you are connecting several times a day, and impossible if you are trying to do unattended file transfers or other automated tasks.

The Solution

Net Connector  makes all this unnecessary with any version of Windows 95 or with Windows NT 4.0.  Once you have set up Net Connector  for your communications programs, it will automatically open the specified Dial-Up Networking connection, send the "Connect" command, and open the communications program.  Net Connector  will then (optionally) monitor the connection, re-connect if the connection is accidentally broken, and close the connection when your communications program closes.  A "Delay" option  is available, which will keep the connection open for a specified period of time, so that you can close one communications program and open another without having to re-dial.  And since Net Connector  is a small program (only 48 KB)which only needs to run when your communications programs run, it has virtually no impact on system resource use.

With Net Connector, you can now go straight to your favorite web site with a single click, or with the help of a scheduler, you can run unattended Internet or Intranet sessions automatically. Net Connector makes it simple to set up automatic network backups or file transfers.  And you can do this without adding another permanent "resident" program to your system.


Ways to use Net Connector 

There are a number of different ways to use Net Connector.  The simplest way is to us Net Connector as a convenience utility while surfing the web. Net Connector makes is easy to create a desktop shortcut which will take you directly to a frequently used web site, and while you're there will make sure your connection remains open.  And you don't have to worry about remembering to close the connection when you're done, because Net Connector takes care of this automatically.  No more missed calls or extra online charges due to a forgotten active connection!

Alternatively, many small (and not so small) business rely on Internet or Intranet server software which require a constant Dial-Up Networking connection.  Net Connector takes care of this, as well, by constantly monitoring the connection and redialing if the connection is accidentally lost due to user action, sever time-out, or any other cause.
Probably the most popular use for Net Connector, however, is for unattended network activity, such as automatic file transfers, backups, email sending and  receiving and the like.  Using your favorite scheduling program, such as System Agent (part of Microsoft Plus), Net Connector can be set to run at any desired time.  When it starts, Net Connector can establish a connection and then launch your file transfer program, batch file, or whatever.  When the program is finished running, Net Connector will close out the connection and exit, all without user interaction.  If for some reason a connection cannot be established, Net Connector will close at the end of its time-out period, so your program won't execute without a connection (possibly causing it to hang), and the port and line won't be tied up indefinitely.

Don't be fooled by Net Connector's apparent simplicity.  It can be a powerful business tool, and is used by several major corporations to keep their network programs running smoothly.

   
Tips and Hints

The following are a few tips which might help make Net Connector more useful to you:

When Net Connector is running, it will place its icon in the system tray.  Right-clicking on this icon will open a drop down menu.  You can use this menu to open the Options window, show the status window, disconnect without closing Net Connector, and to exit the program.  Note: if the "Reconnect if disconnected" option is selected, this menu is the only way you will be able to disconnect without having Net Connector attempt to reconnect.

If Net Connector encounters a busy signal while dialing, it will automatically hang up and redial, if you have enabled this Function in the Dial-Up Networking settings.  Net Connector reads these settings to determine whether to redial, and if so how many times and how long to wait between attempts.

Use the "Parameters or Script" box to enter any command line parameters to be sent to the communications program.  An example of this would be a url for a web browser to go to.

Use the "Close existing instances of Net Connector" checkbox to control what happens when you use Net Connector to launch a program and then start another instance of Net Connector to run another program.  If this option is checked, then the second instance will immediately shut down the first instance of Net Connector and will take over control of the connection (if both are using the same connection).  Otherwise you may end up with two or more instances of Net Connector running at the same time, all "competing" to control the same connection.  This can get confusing, and may or may not be desirable, depending on what programs you are running.


Legal Stuff

All users of Net Connector must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

" Net Connector is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Net Connector."

Net Connector is a Shareware program, and is provided free of charge for evaluation purposes only.  If you find Net Connector useful and decide to keep it for longer that 30 days, you must register it.  Registration of Net Connector provides the user with a license for one copy for use on one machine at a time. A commercial license requires sufficient licensing equal to the number of users, or the quantity of workstations that access the software, whichever is smaller.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Net Connector along to your friends and associates  for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.

No one may modify or change the Net Connector executable files in any way, including but not limited to decompiling, disassembling, or otherwise reverse engineering the  program.

 
Registration

Net Connector  is shareware, not freeware.  It's a simple program, but has required months of work to write, test, and refine. If you find Net Connector useful, please register it by selecting one of the options below:

Snail mail:

send a check or money order for $25 to :

 
BayBuild Solutions
849 Nicasio Valley Rd.
Nicasio, California
94946

For your convenience we have contracted NorthStar Solutions to process registrations with Visa or MasterCard credit cards.  They may be contacted for orders only via any of the following methods: 

Voice:	1-800-699-6395	10:00 a.m. - 8: p.m., EST.  M-F (Calls from the U.S. only.)
	1-785 539-3731	10:00 a.m. - 8: p.m., EST.  M-F 
Fax:	1-785 539-3743	
E-Mail:	America Online: starmail		
	CompuServe: starmail
	Internet: starmail@nstarsolutions.com

Web:	http://www.nstarsolutions.com


Please have the following information ready when you call:
	Program name and version (Net Connector, Ver 2.0)
	Your Visa or MasterCard # and expiration date.
	Your E-Mail address (so NorthStar Solutions can send you an E-Mail confirming your order and so we can contact you easily with any important follow-up information, upgrade announcements, etc.).

Site licenses are available at substantial discounts off the single-copy price.  If you are interested in a site license, please send email or voice mail with the approximate number of machines to be licensed, the type of usage intended for Net Connector, and what, if any, customization might be required, and we will respond promptly.
 
Registration of Net Connector will get rid of that nasty little nag screen, and will entitle you to the full release version when available, as well as free minor upgrades.  You will also receive a 50% discount on major upgrades.

If you are a current registered user of a previous version of Net Connector, you may upgrade to this version by sending a check or money order for $12.50 to the above mentioned snailmail address.  Site licenses may be upgraded for 50% of the original purchase price.

Note: the NorthStar Solutions contact information is for credit card registration only. If you have any problems running Net Connector, or have comments, suggestions, or requests for changes, please contact us at the above snail mail address or at:

Internet			pamick@baybuild.com

phone(voice/fax)		415-662-2576

And be sure to check the BayBuild Solutions web site at www.baybuild.com for updates.

Thank you for your support

Peter Amick
BayBuild Solutions    		