OT/PPP Bot is a simple script which stays open in the background. It does this without dialogs, or an interface of any kind. If your PPP connection is idle, it will attempt to log on to tour ISP. If you are connected, it will wait patiently for 5 minutes before checking again. It does this without user dialogs, so it is a quick and easy way to stay connected (see requirements) if you are trying to keep a PPP connection going while you are not able to check it. Added to this version is the ability to disconnect when you quit OT/PPP Bot.
1. Applescript must be installed on your system. This is a standard part of the MacOS these days, so it should be installed if you are running any version of System 7.5 or higher including OS8. I will try to keep it working for as long as Apple supports OT/PPP and AppleScript.
2. You must be running OT/PPP, not FreePPP. In addition, you must have the PPP Commands Osax installed in your scripting additions folder (in your extensions folder). If you did a standard install of OT/PPP, then this scripting addition is installed.
3. You must have configured OT/PPP with your log in name (username), password, connection script, ISP phone number, etc. If all you need to do in order to log in is open the PPP control panel and click "Connect" then this should work.
USAGE:
This is a stay open, stay in the background script. It will keep checking (every 5 minutes) your connection status, and will reconnect if it finds that your ISP has dropped your connection. This is good for those who have accounts with ISP's that reboot their servers every night, or that drop connections for personal accounts every few hours (I know of one person that tries to keep a Hotline Server running all night on his personal account, but the ISP will boot him every 4 hours).
To quit the Bot, simply bring it to the front and select "Quit" from the File Menu or type Command-Q. The Bot quits gracefully and will close your connection.
WARNING:
This is a simplified script. It does no error checking (well, if your port is in use or, on one other error it will gracefully quit, but otherwise no error checking). It relies on the default timeout for AppleScript. It will not query you about which ISP to log on to if you have more than one account--everything must be set in the PPP Control Panel first. I have written more complete, comprehensive script solutions for a BBS in Australia that does this sort of thing. If this is what you need, e-mail me and we'll work something out. If you are a company, or wish to use this script application for commercial use, I can work out a simple distribution agreement at a very reasonable cost, so e-mail me.
DISCLAIMER:
This is freeware for personal use. I can not promise tech support. If there is a problem, e-mail me, and I will try to help. I cannot be held liable for any problems you may have with this script application--this is try at your own risk. There should be no problem, but if your hard drive melts, you are on your own (tell me about it, so I can figure out what went wrong).
E-MAIL:
You can e-mail me at tjb@inch.com with any comments, suggestions, gifts, praise, adoration, or whatever. Please drop me a line to say hello, and tell me what you think of this script. If you are in need of a more comprehensive script solution, I'm not against the idea of being paid! Make me an offer.
WEB:
I have a web site where you can check for the latest versions, and any info that may be relevant to my script projects at http://www.inch.com/~tjb/adoor.html
