DUC - Dial-Up Connection, Version 1.0

    Copyright (c) 2002 - 2003 Magnus Olsson. All rights reserved.

    Parts of DUC.CMD are copyright (c) 1998 Walt Shekrota.

    PPP Dial-Up Connections as desktop objects

    Mail address: magnus@cosmicledger.com

    Web page: www.cosmicledger.com/software/utilities/duc
    _____________________________________________________


    Description
    -----------

    DUC circumvents the ugly, clunky and unnecessary GUI front end of
    DOIP/SLIPPM for making and breaking PPP internet connections. DUC
    creates program objects with slick icons. Click once to connect and
    another to disconnect.

    DUC does not entirely dispense of SLIPPM. You still need to enter
    your connection settings through it. Any changes you make will
    be automatically picked up by your DUC objects.

    With DUC you do not have to open a window to select your connection
    and press enter to connect. You will not be asked to click OK to
    disconnect and you can specify a secondary nameserver in addition
    to the one and only specified through DOIP.

    DUC is based on the proven PPP Connection Utility (PPPCNT) by
    Walt Shekrota. Both DUC and PPPCNT are free to use and completely
    configurable and extendable by the end user as both utilities are
    provided in REXX source.

    Special DUC features:
       - DUC icons (40x40).
       - Kills PPP if already running (no need for CTRL-C).
       - Object icon automatically synchronized if out-of-sync.
       - Secondary name server may be specified.
       - Inactivity timeout (hanging up).
       - Sleep icon (indicating no activity).
       - Total connect time updated.
    To come:
       - Redial on busy and no carrier.
    Maybe:
       - Logging


    Requirements
    ------------

    OS/2 Warp (developed and tested on Warp 4 only).
    The REXX interpreter shipped with OS/2 Warp.
    PPP along with SLIPPM (installed with TCP/IP for OS/2).


    Installation/Removal
    --------------------

    Move all the files in the archive to a folder of your choice,
    preferrably one in your PATH, but this is not necessary. The
    next step is to create at least one connection object.

    DUC makes no changes to your environment or system configuration.
    To remove DUC just delete the files listed in the file duc.lst and
    any connection objects you have created.


    Object creation
    ---------------

    Assuming you already have a connection set up through DOIP/SLIPPM
    you are now ready to use DUC to create connection objects. Follow
    these steps for a simple object:

    1. Open DUC.CMD for interactive creation.

    2. Enter the name of the connection as listed in DOIP.

       Note that the name is case-sensitive and must be entered
       exactly as it appears.

    3. If things turned out right you should now have a DUC program
       object on your desktop, customized for your connection. Move
       the object anywhere you like and why not make a shadow for it
       on your LaunchPad?

    OK, that is all there is to it for simple uses. Repeat the steps
    for additional connections. If you want to specify a secondary name
    server or something else, see below for options.


    Object use
    ----------

    When you want to establish a connection simply open its object by
    clicking the DIALUP icon. When the script starts it will show the
    PROGRESS icon, leaving it on until the connection is up and running.
    While connected the DUC object will show the HANGUP icon. Opening
    the connection object in this state will end the connection, which
    in turn will automatically revert the object back to showing the
    DIALUP icon.

    If you hear a long beep while trying to establish a connection this
    indicates an error. Open the object to view the script output. The
    connection window shows the steps taken by the script and a line
    indicating the kind of error experienced. Press enter to close the
    connection window and clean up.


    Options
    -------

    Command syntax:
       duc [ /create | /ns <server> | /beep ] <connection> [ <runthis> ]

    Where the switches:
       /create creates a connection object on the desktop.
       /ns <server> uses an additional name server as specified.
       /beep beeps on connection, disconnection and buzzes on sleep.

    Where the values:
       <connection> is the name (case-sensitive) of the connection.
       <runthis> is passed to the start command.


    Licensing
    ---------

    DUC is e-mailware. This means that you do not have to pay for
    using it except for sending an e-mail to the developer if you like
    the stuff and use it regularly. If you make any changes to the
    REXX scripts you are kindly asked to inform the developer, so that
    those changes may benefit everyone.


    Copyright
    ---------

    DUC is copyrighted and not in the public domain. Permission is
    given to any individual or institution to use, copy, or redistribute
    this software so long as all files included are left unmodified with
    regard to copyright. The software may not be sold for profit. This
    copyright notice must be retained and accompany the software
    wherever it goes.