"KALLCOST" by Pete Sipple Written for the Psion Series 3 & Series 3a (May 1994) ===================================================== This procedure allows call costs to be calculated either during a phone call, or prior to making a call. Includes costs for Mercury Calls, BT Direct Dialled Chargecard Calls, Mercury Chargecard Calls and BT payphones, as well as standard BT charges. KallCost has been designed as a no-frills procedure, so's not to waste valuable RAM. If you feel that KallCost is missing a vital feature, please let me know. Series 3 and Series 3a versions =============================== From Version 6.1+, KALL will be able to run on either the Series 3, or on the Series 3a. The author wishes to extend his thanks to Sean Wright for his help with the Series 3a screen layout. To run as an OPO ================ You should run KALL3.OPO for the Series 3, or KALL3A.OPO for the Series 3a. These programs call KALL.PRG, which contains the main program. If required, KALL3.OPO / KALL3A.OPO can be renamed to KALL.OPO Files ending in .OPA and .PIC are not required To run as an APP ================ You can install KALL as an application, if you require. Copy either KALL3.OPA or KALL3A.OPA into the /APP/ directory, then select Install Application from the system menu. If installing as an APP, you will need KALL.PIC installed in /OPO/ - this is the image for the Kall icon. The icon is pretty poor. If anyone out there can some up with something prettier, please let me know! Files ending in .OPO are not required Files included with this release ================================ KALL3.OPO For Series 3 (can be renamed to KALL.OPO if required) KALL3A.OPO For Series 3a (can be renamed to KALL.OPO if required) KALL3.OPA Application version for Series 3 (can be renamed) KALL3A.OPA Application version for Series 3a (can be renamed) KALL.PRG The main program file (MUST be in \OPO\ directory) KALL.DAT Data file containing call rates (must be in \OPO\ directory) KALL.PIC Icon for use with .OPA version (must be in \OPO\ directory) KALLCOST.TXT This text file A file called KALLDEF.ODB will be created in the \OPD\ directory (see below) Changes with Version 6.1 ======================== Version 6.0+ has drastic improvements to layout and data storage. Version 6.0+ now includes the option for users to change charge information without having to wait for a new release from me. The Set Rates option will allow you to change rates, as well as editing three International rates. Version 6.0+ fixes several bugs, including smoother transition of timebands at midnight, correct identification of Cheap/Weekend rates for local calls, and should run slightly faster. Version 6.0+ supports three international calls, which can be altered by user. USA, South Africa & Europe included as examples. Version 6.03+ allows users to specify a percentage discount, if their carrier offers a discount - such as one of the BT 'options'. A variable unit rate and character-per-second rate can now be specified. Version 6.05 now accurately reports BT chargecard prices, and includes rates for Mercury Chargecard - also fixes some minor bugs. Version 6.1 fixes a few minor bugs and has been re-written to enable translation for the Series 3a Defaults File - KALLDEF.ODB =========================== The procedure creates a small "defaults" file called KALLDEF.ODB in the \OPD\ directory. * Note * The structure of KALLDEF.ODB has changed slightly since Version 5.6, and again since Version 6.03. - Existing default files will be overwritten, and you will be prompted for new defaults when you first run Ver 6.03 or above. Rates ===== This release now include details of the new charges which came into effect on 9th March 1994, following the introduction of BT & Mercury's daytime tariff. I am waiting for clarification of how the new tariffs will affect payphones and chargecards. Until I hear otherwise, I am assuming that the Dec 93 rates still apply. International Calls =================== Basic provision has now been made for international calls. At the present time, the user will be required to enter the rates themselves. This is to save RAM. Once a rate has been entered once, it will be remembered for future calls. This will allow users to set up three frequently called country. Please Email me if you need a current rate. A major problem with International calls, is timebands. Most, but not all, international destinations from the UK have a Standard Rate (8am-8pm weekdays), with Cheap Rate (8pm-8am & weekends). This is not always the case, and should be considered before relying on the figures supplied by KallCost. Charges for Payphones/Chargecards have not been implemented at this stage. Modem Transfers =============== KALLCOST also includes a calculator for file transfers by MODEM. By selecting 'Modem' from the Calculate|Calculate dialog, a duration and cost will be displayed once a file size has been specified. A 'cps' (characters-per-second) rate must be specified in Setup|Values. A Zmodem transfer at 2400Baud gives a cps of 240. Contacting me ============ Please let me know your comments or suggestions regarding this procedure. I can be reached by Email at the following addresses: psipple@cix.compulink.co.uk (checked daily) Compuserve:100333,3266 Disclaimer ======== New releases are issued shortly after price changes from BT or Mercury. Please contact me if your release is out-of-date. Please note that I can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies in charging information. Rates are constantly subject to change, and the method for calculating calls is becoming increasingly complex. For this reason I cannot always guarantee that the information is correct. Please let me know if you discover any problems, so that I can keep up-to-date. Although this procedure should be stable, I cannot accept any liability for loss or damage incurred, as a result of using this procedure. The procedures included with releases of KALL remain copyright of Pete Sipple. You may freely distribute the files to other users, but please make sure that ALL files including this documentation are kept together. Distribution of reverse-translated source code is not permitted. Please contact Pete Sipple by Email if you require the source code for any reason. KALL is released into Public Domain, and I am not looking for any payment for this procedure. I am, however, interested to know whether you have found this procedure useful, and whether you have any suggestions for improvements. Please feel free to email me with comments! Written by: Pete Sipple 27 May 1994