PowerLink

PowerLink Automatic Activation of Remote Link to PC When External Power is Plugged In V1.2 SIS version, can allow exit for backup (won't restart again due to faults with PsiWin - you could use my BRestart to do that though). By Steve Beadle steve_beadle@iee.org http://www.biblet.freeserve.co.uk What does it do? This program turns the external link on or off according to the state of the external power source. It is useful when you mainly use the remote link when you are at your desk with the external power plug in at the same time. It does all this with no user intervention. Installation Run the PowerLink.SIS file to install it. PowerLink should then appear as an Extras icon. (BRestart needs SYSTINFO.OPX which it reinstalls if needed during installation). How does it work? PowerLink monitors for external power on regular intervals. It then sets the link state accordingly. When started up PowerLink will set the link state according to the power input. By default the program *will not* respond to PC close requests and therefore will keep running across a backup. It can be stopped using Kill from the open file list or Exit from the program's menu. While the serial link does consume some power when on, the extra CPU usage of this program may counteract this. Where it is useful is in making sure that the link is on before you backup. Manual Control of the Link You can turn the link on and off using PowerLink menus or other means. PowerLink will not override your manual setting unless you insert or remove the external power. Using Web and Email The latest version of MessageSuite disables the link automatically but does not reenable it again when you finish with them. PowerLink gets round this annoyance if, when you use MessageSuite 'mobile' you plug back into your PC to backup or transfer files. Preferences Check Interval Time period between checks of external power. Do this too often and you waste power. Not often enough would be inconvenient. Exit for Backup Respond to program close events. Enabling this makes the program take a bit more power and CPU, and also makes it a bit slower to key events when on screen. Also the program will toggle the link when you tap its window. Copyright This program has been written by Steve Beadle. It may be distributed freely as long as it is not altered or sold. This program is a SmileWare, which means that if you use it please send me a :-) . I will then be able to notify you of new releases. I am supporting my City Centre Methodist Church, which is deeply in debt as a result of having (by law) to keep its buildings in good order. We are a community which is serving a unique community in various ways and I would be grateful to receive any donations towards our £50,000 debt. If you like my software and find it useful then please visit www.biblet.freeserve.co.uk/bsmc to find out more and perhaps to make a donation. Thank you to all of you who send me comments, new ideas, and :-) Disclaimer While this program has been extensively tested I will not be held responsible for any problems it may cause (sleepless nights, flat batteries etc). Please forward any comments you may have to: steve_beadle@iee.org Updated software is available via: http://www.biblet.freeserve.co.uk Steve.