"KALLCOST" by Pete Sipple Written for the Psion Series 3 & Series 3a (June 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. Installation of KALL ==================== Version 6.2+ comes with an installation routine, to simplify setup. All data files, setup files and the main proc will be installed into a new directory, \KALL\ . You can install KALL to run either as an Application (OPA) or a procedure (OPO). OPO's appear under the OPL speech bubble icon, OPA's have to be installed using PSION-I KALL now runs on either the Series 3 or Series 3a. The installation routine prompts you for your preference of OPA / OPO and 3 / 3a, and installs accordingly. To Install: 1. Copy all files supplied with this release into your \OPO\ directory 2. Run KINSTALL 3. KINSTALL will then copy the appropriate files, and delete what's not required. 4. Run it! Files included with this release ================================ KINSTALL.OPO This is the main setup procedure. Can be deleted after install KALL.PRG The main part of the procedure. KALL3.IPA Temporary files deleted after install KALL3A.IPA Temporary files deleted after install KALL3.IPO Temporary files deleted after install KALL3A.IPO Temporary files deleted after install KALL.P3 Very basic icon for use with Series 3 OPA version KALL.P3A Icon for Series 3a application, supplied by Steve Nicholls KALL.TXT This text file Many thanks to all those who supplied icons in response to my recent request. The icon supplied by Steve Nicholls has been accepted. Your help with this is greatly appreciated. I am still looking for a Series 3 icon. Changes with Version 6.2 ======================== 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 Version 6.2 includes a new installation routine, and moves all files to a directory called \kall\. This is for ease of operation, and neatness! Version 6.21 includes new Mercury Calling Card rates, plus amendments to code to accomodate changes brought in by Mercury Calling Card. Version 6.212 amends timebands in accordance with changes made by both BT & Mercury on 30/6/94. Also includes a minor change to a dialog size. 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 30 June 1994