This chapter describes the many features of MyBattery.
The MyBattery menu
In addition to the File and Edit menus, MyBattery has two menus, the first of which is labeled, appropriately, MyBattery. This menu allows you to configure and enable various features and options.
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Bar graph
Selecting this menu item will close the current window, and display the bar graph window.
Column graph (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will close the current window, and display the column graph window.
Gas Gauge
Selecting this menu item will close the current window, and display the gas gauge window.
Line Plot (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will close the current window, and display the line plot window.
Text only
Selecting this menu item will close the current window, and display the text only window.
Display elapsed time
If this menu item has a check next to it, the elapsed battery time will be displayed. Otherwise, the estimate of remaining battery time is shown. The elapsed time is shown in italics to differentiate it from the remaining battery estimate.
Reset elapsed time
Selecting this menu item will reset the elapsed timer. This is automatically reset when the charger is attached.
Reset line plot
Selecting this menu item will reset the line plot.
Preferences... (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will open the Preferences dialog, described in the "Customizing MyBattery" chapter.
The Battery menu
The battery menu lets you choose which battery you are currently using, or to customize MyBattery for the batteries you use.
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Battery #1 (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will inform MyBattery that you are currently using the first of three batteries. MyBattery will then begin displaying remaining time estimates for this particular battery, and storing any measurements for this battery.
Battery #2 (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will inform MyBattery that you are currently using the second of three batteries. MyBattery will then begin displaying remaining time estimates for this particular battery, and storing any measurements for this battery.
Battery #3 (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will inform MyBattery that you are currently using the third of three batteries. MyBattery will then begin displaying remaining time estimates for this particular battery, and storing any measurements for this battery.
Autoswitch batteries (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will tell MyBattery to automatically switch the current battery between an internal battery and an external battery. You can program which batteries will be used via the Battery setup dialog.
External possible
Selecting this menu item will inform MyBattery that an external battery may be present. MyBattery will then specifically monitor the AC charger port to see if an external battery is attached.
If you are using an external battery, and this selection is not checked, MyBattery will assume that the external battery is a AC adapter, and will not store historical information.
Battery setup (registered copies only)
Selecting this menu item will open the battery setup dialog, described in the "Customizing MyBattery" chapter.
Charger status indicator
Status of the battery charger and internal battery is shown using a small battery icon. The icon will show one of the states below:
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When you first attach the charger to your PowerBook, it will go into the âhi-chargeâ mode. This mode charges the battery very quickly. After some time, the charger will switch to the âlo-chargeâ mode. This mode tops off the battery, and keeps it fully charged.
If you have told MyBattery that an external battery is possible, and if one is attached, MyBattery will place a "e" next to the current battery number, to let you know that it is an external battery.
Note: There is one little peculiarity about the battery charger on older PowerBooks. The PowerBooks use a physical switch to determine if a charger is attached. Therefore, if the battery charger is plugged into the PowerBook, but the other end isnât plugged into a wall outlet, the PowerBook incorrectly thinks that the battery is charging!
CPU speed indicator
In order to conserve battery power, PowerBooks have the ability to run the microprocessor at a reduced speed. MyBattery can display the current CPU speed, using one of the small icons shown below. Thanks to the original Mouse control panel for pictorial inspiration!
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AppleTalk status indicator
AppleTalk, when active, can help eat up battery juice. It prevents your PowerBook from sleeping, and may prevent CPU speed cycling. MyBattery will display the current AppleTalk status, using one of the small icons shown below.
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Modem status indicator
The modem, when in use, consumes power. The small icons shown below are used to signal the current modem status.
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Menu bar displays (registered copies only)
MyBattery has the ability to place small displays in either the left or right corners of the menu bar. For either corner, you can select one of the following displays:
Nothing - No display at all.
Remaining Time - Estimate of remaining time left, on the current battery. The time is shown in hours and minutes.
Battery icon - Displays the battery charger icon.
CPU speed - Displays the icon showing current CPU speed.
AppleTalk status - Displays an icon showing current AppleTalk status.
Modem status - Displays an icon showing current modem status.
Elapsed Time - Displays elapsed battery time, in hours and minutes.
The displays were chosen to be as unobtrusive as possible, while presenting useful information. Unfortunately, the menu bars are very popular places to display information, and there are many other programs that vie for this space. For example, AppleTalk uses the space on the left side of the menu bar to indicate when data is being transferred. Any suggestions on alternate spots will be appreciated!
Estimate of time remaining & elapsed time
On the larger displays, either the estimate of time remaining or the elapsed battery time is displayed.
The estimate of time remaining is shown in normal text. It shows, in hours and minutes, how much useful time is left in your battery. For more information on how this estimate is derived, read the âHow the estimate worksâ section of this manual.
The elapsed time display is shown in italics. It shows, in hours and minutes, the amount of time you have been running off battery power. The elapsed timer is reset automatically when the battery charger is plugged in, or can be manually reset. Note that if you swap batteries without informing MyBattery, the elapsed timer will not reset.
Sleep shortcut
MyBattery also contains a shortcut for putting your PowerBook to sleep, instead of having to return to the Finder and choose the âSleepâ menu item from the âSpecialâ menu.
To put the PowerBook to sleep using MyBattery, hold down the shift key while clicking the mouse button anywhere in the MyBattery window. You may have to click on the window twice if MyBattery is in the background (the first click will bring it to the foreground, and the second click will put it to sleep).
MyBattery & Threshold link
Many of MyBattery's displays and estimates depend on MyBattery knowing the voltage threshold for the first low battery warning. Because the Threshold shareware utility can vary this voltage threshold, Threshold will communicate the current voltage threshold to MyBattery when they are both running.
To allow this communications link, these programs create a file called "MyBattery Link" in your Preferences folder. This is a temporary file, only used to establish the link.
