WiFi SiStr – Help

Thank you for us= ing WiFi SiStr ©

This help is ava= ilable in English only

You can read all= this document or go directly to the section you want using the menu here below

Enjoy…

Introduction

EULA

Starting

Main Screen

Main Settings
Statistics and Log Files
Sounds Alerts
Import / Export user the= mes

User Themes

Resources in use and Requirements

Contact & Miscellaneous

WiFi SiStr – Introduction

WiFi SiStr is a small and simple utilit= y that allows you to keep an eye on you wireless connection Signal Strength. <= /span>*

(*For those who didn’t understand where SiSt= r came from)

Of course, you don’t ne= ed to keep it always active but in some cases it might be interesting to have an = idea of the signal strength of the connection.

Why a so simple and un-detail= ed tool?

The reason is because Windows= ® already offers the possibility to have detailed status of the connection, speed, access points… but I missed a small and easy to use tool that displays only the signal strength…

Why so many display options f= or a so small tool?

Because I like software that = is nice to see even if it is small and simple, and even if it doesn’t wo= rk better than another one, that gives me more pleasure to use it, I suppose y= ou are like me.

Anyway, something was missing= in this tool: a help file!

Here it is… I hope you’ll find it useful…

WiFi SiStr – EULA

End User License Agreement

Distribution:

This program is freeware.

You may reproduce and distrib= ute an unlimited number of copies as long as each copy shall be a true and complete copy including all copyright and trademark notices.

WiFi SiStr © may not be sold or be included in a product or package which intends to receive benefits through = the inclusion of this product without the author’s agreement.<= /span>

Contact: develop@dnsoft.be <= /p>

This WiFi SiStr © software and code is the property of DNsoft.be ®.

Any reproduction or modificat= ion in whole or in part of the code is strictly prohibited.

Disclaimer:=

DNsoft.be ® will in no way be responsible (in financial or any other terms) for damages (either consequen= tial or incidental) resulting from the use or misuse of WiFi SiStr ©.

DNsoft.be ® will in no way be responsible about the use made with WiFi SiStr ©.

WiFi SiStr – Starting

3 shortcuts are available to = launch WiFi SiStr:
On the desktop
In the Quick Launch toolbar
In the Start menu
(XP: All Programs – DNsoft.be – WiFi SiStr)

You can choose any of these shortcuts to launch WiFi SiStr.

The Help file has only a shor= tcut in the Start menu

WiFi SiStr – Main Screen (Part #1)

-&nb= sp;         The main screen is as simple as possible; borderless, it displays only the sign= al strength value and a progress bar as a visual reference.<= /p>
-&nb= sp;         You can choose between 3 different sizes, several pre-defined colors (Themes) a= nd to display or not the signal strength value. (See Settings)

-&nb= sp;         Use the left button of your mouse to move it and right-click the mouse to access the settings and options.

WiFi= SiStr – Main Screen (Part #2)<= /span>

- You can minimize to the system tray the main screen by pr= essing the [Esc] key. *
This option gives you the possibility to have WiFi SiStr running in background with minimized working functionalities but letting you the opportunity to reactivate it easily.
* Note: WiFi SiStr must have the fo= cus to make it work.

- Once in the system tray, yo= u can choose to stop or continue the signal strength checking.
If you display the main screen, the signal checking will automatically be re-enabled.

-&nb= sp;         When the signal checking is on, the system tray icon changes color depending on = the signal strength.
A weak signal will display the system tray icon in orange.
A strong signal will display the system tray icon in orange and dark blue.<= br> The stronger is the signal, the darker becomes the blue part of the icon (T= he top of the icon).

-&nb= sp;         When the signal checking is off, the icon is orange / yellow.<= /p>

Signal check turned off

Low… … … Good… … … Very Good… … Excellent Signal…

System tray icon samples

By moving the mouse on the system tray icon, a tip will appear displaying t= he signal level in dBm.

-&nb= sp;         A right click on the system tray icon displays a context menu giving you a di= rect access to several options.

-&nb= sp;         By left clicking the system tray icon, you will display the main screen direct= ly.

-&nb= sp;         If the main screen is in the system tray when you leave WiFi SiStr, it will automatically be placed again in the system tray at next start.
The Enable / Disable signal check option has the same behavior.<= /span>

No= te: You can’t enable simultaneously the main screen and the system tray icon.
You can’t display the Settin= gs, the User Themes and/or the About win= dows simultaneously from the system tray menu

Main Screen sho= rtcuts

[F1] to display this help file

[Esc] to minimize the main screen to the system tray<= /span>

[Ctrl] + [S] to display the Settings

[Ctrl] + [A] to dis= play the About… screen

[Ctrl] + [X] to exit WiFi SiStr

[Alt] + [F4] to exi= t WiFi SiStr

WiFi SiStr – Settings

-&nb= sp;         I will describe the settings in the order they appear in the picture here abo= ve.

-&nb= sp;         The Display Size section gives you= the possibility to select the size you want to give the main screen, there are 3 pre-defined sizes and also let you choose to display or not the value of the signal strength in dBm. *
Signal strength values are negative and so -50dBm is a better signal than -75dBm, you can consider that since -60dBm your signal is good
(It doesn’t mean that having a lower signal strength is a problem, it depends on the distance between the transmitter and the receptor, of course, being next to the transmitter or 3 stairs above give different results to t= he signal strength, I also noticed that the weather may influence the signal reception.)

* = dBm: Signal levels in communications applica= tions are usually specified in dBm.
The dBm unit is defined as the power in dB rela= tive to 1 mW
If you want a more detailed explanation and description,
I found a small document well done that you can download here<= /span>.

-&nb= sp;         The Refresh Speed allows modifying= the interval of signal check.
The slow speed is recommended to save your computer resources but you can select a faster speed if you want.

- The Opacity section gives you the possibility to display the main screen in transparency.
You just have to enable the option, use the spin buttons or the slider to specify the opacity level.

You can also ask to return to normal opacity when the mouse moves over the = main screen and specify after how many seconds it becomes transparent again.

-&nb= sp;         The Theme and Style section allows you changing the colors and gradients of a= ll screens, there are several pre-defined themes that I created but by selecti= ng the “WiFi SiStr User” theme, a new button appears [Theme] to gi= ve you the possibility to create your own themes. (See the User Themes section for more details)
The Style selector let you cho= se the progress bar display: you can select a linear bar or a “broken” one.

-&nb= sp;         The Language option doesn’t = need a lot of explanations; just select the desired language in the list to use it= .
Note: Some languages require the installation= of some components in the computer’s regional settings and language opti= ons (See your Windows ® documentation for further details).
By selecting some languages, the name of the translator for that language may appear.

I’d like to thank one more time those that helped me in translating WiFi SiStr.
If you want also translate it in a language that doesn’t appear in the list, do not hesitate to contact me: localization@dnsoft.be

-&nb= sp;         The Options section proposes you to enable/disable some options:
Help button: Launches this hel= p file
Note: You can also use the F1 control key from all windows of this software (when WiFi SiStr has the focus).
Start With System: To start WiFi SiStr automatically when your computer starts
Always On Top: To keep WiFi SiStr visible even if another window overlaps it
Auto Check Updates: To check o= nline if a newer version exists without human intervention.
Set it and forget it, you’ll receive a message if a newer versionR= 17;s found.
Note: Since version 1.0.2439.35431, this opti= on is unchecked by default.
So, you must enable the option in order to check updates automatically.
Show Tips: To display a small tip when the mouse moves on a butt= on, an option…

No= te: The Check Updates window differs if t= he user checks for updates or if the program launches it automatically.

When a new versi= on is detected, the new version is displayed and a direct link to the website bec= omes available.

-&nb= sp;         The Magnets Strength section might= seem strange to you, I didn’t find an easy way to call it (or at least, no= one that I liked).
That option only concerns the main screen, you can’t exit the display limits with it but I added an effect when it comes close to the display borders, the main screen acts “like” iron approaching magnets.<= br> This section allows you to disable that effect or to select the desired “magnets” strength.

-&nb= sp;         The Check Updates button lets you instantly check if an update is available, the Exit WiFi SiStr button ends the application and the Close button closes the settings screen.

-&nb= sp;         In the middle of the settings screen, you’ll find the version of WiFi SiStr you’re using and= 2 linked labels: the first redirects you to the website and the second launch= es your default e-mail application with the contact e-mail pre-defined.

-&nb= sp;         By clicking on the Version label you will be redirected to the WiFi SiStr Info and History page = on the Internet.

-&nb= sp;            =          Also in the middle of the settings screen, under the Help button, there’s a button called [Advanced #1] by default.

This button opens 4 new additional settings screens.

-&nb= sp;         The first screen called [Statistics an= d Log Files] proposes a visual summary of your current signal strength.<= /o:p>

The [C] progress bar is your c= urrent signal strength.
The [A] progress bar is the av= erage of the last 60 signal checks. (*)
So, if you set the refresh time to 1 second, it gives you the average of the last minute, if you set it on 500 ms, you’ll see the average of the l= ast 30 seconds and if you selected 10 ms, you’ll have the signal strength average of the last 6 seconds.
The [-] progress bar displays = the worst signal strength recorded (By default).
The [+] progress bar displays = the best value reached (By default).

By clicking on the [C] or [A] labels or progress bars, you can switch [-] and [+] progres= s bars values between the current signal strength best/worst values and averages signal strength best/worst values.
[-] and [+] labels become then [A -] and [A +]

(*) The average calculation procedure

You can reset all these values using the [Reset] button.

This screen also proposes you to save the signal checks.
Note: That option has been made after request= by some users
You just need to specify the path where to save the logs using the [Define Logs Path] button.
Those files are saved as text files with a “.log” extension.
The different options to save logs are the delay (each minute or each hour), the use of average as saved value instead of the last check (Read here below about it *) and the possibility to stop saving logs at the end of running WiFi SiStr instance.
(It can be useful if like me, you know you’ll forget that option was enabled)

The log files are saved with a predefined format:
“WiFiSiStr_Year_Mo= nth_Day.log”

(*) We advise you to select the [Use Averages] option, it will give you bet= ter and more realistic results (based on several seconds) than the result of a single check that might be temporarily very low or high during some milliseconds.

-      =     Another click on the same button now called [Advanced #2] the second settings screen will be displayed.

-&nb= sp;         This new screen called [Sounds Alerts] gives the possibility to use sounds as low signal strength alert.

No= te: This option is disabled by default.

-&nb= sp;         If you check the [Sound Low] chec= kbox, the option and all sub-options will be enabled.

-&nb= sp;         You can specify a sound for low signal strength and another one for the end of = low signal strength (if the option is also enabled) by using the 2 numeric up a= nd down editors.

-          Note that values are displayed in dBm using negative values and so “-70 dBm” is smaller = than “-60 dBm”.
Note: See dBm for more= info on signal strength values
In the above screenshot, a sound alert will occur if the signal strength is lower than -= 75 dBm (-71, -72, -73 dBm= 230;) and another sound alert when the signal strength reaches an acceptable value set here at -65 dBm.
We recommend you to use a low value as limit, it would be a non-sense to specify high values as -60 dBm or higher.
“- 70 dBm” starts to be a logical specified limit.
We also recommend you not to use values having a big difference.
Use between 5 dBm and 10 d= Bm as difference is a good option.
Note: We recommend setting a difference of 5 = dBm if [Aver= ages] option is selected and 10 dBm if not.

-&nb= sp;         Instead of using the last signal strength checked, you can specify to use [Averages] as reference.
Note: This option delays the reaction time and the alert(s) will sound only if the average reaches the specified limits. This option is disabled by default.

-&nb= sp;         You can also specify to play alerts only during day time. (By default)
(If the option is disabled, alerts can sound night and day)
If enabled, you can specify the hours you call daytime.
(Of course, start of daytime must be set on an earlier time than the end of daytime)

-&nb= sp;         2 different sounds are pre-defined and used by default as alerts sounds.
You can play them using the [><= /b>] buttons.
You can specify any other “.wav” sound file as alert using the = […] buttons.
Just select the sound to use in the open file dialog box.
Note: - You can specify different sounds for = the Low Limit and for the End Low Limit.
- We added several sounds you can use in “C:\Program Files\DNsoft.be\DNsoft.be WiFi SiStr\Resource\Sounds” but you can sel= ect any other “.wav” file from your HDD.
To reset to defa= ult sounds, just click the [Cancel] button in the open file dialog box.

-&nb= sp;         You can also display a “Limits” bar in the statistics window using = the [Display levels in Stats] option.
The bar has the same color than the progress bar back color but you can cho= se to display the limits based on the theme’s color or the default colors (Red and green) with the [Using Themes] option.
Results will vary depending on the selected theme, select the option that b= est suits the window’s contrasts.
If this option is enabled, the stats window displays then the low and end of low limits.

-&nb= sp;         You can reset all options in this screen to default values by using the [Reset] button.<= /p>

-&nb= sp;            =          By clicking again on the same button now called [Advanced #3]

the third settings screen will be displayed.

-&nb= sp;         This new screen called [Import – = Export User Themes] gives the possibility to import and/or export saved and/or downloaded user themes.

By doing so, you can save the= m at another location for a later time or to share with other WiFi SiStr users.

To use this option, you must = first create and save the theme(s) in the User Themes se= ttings.
When they are saved, they automatically appear in the list displayed here above.

Select the theme(s) you want = to export and click on the [Export] button.

Note that you must first spec= ify the path and folder where you want to save them using the [Define Path] but= ton.
If you want, you can also specify your name (or alias) using the [Author] button, your name will then be saved with the created theme.

The [Download] button redirects you on downloadable themes available on the website.

http://www.dnso= ft.be/dn_apps/wifisis/utv/index.htm

The [Import] button directly = imports saved (or downloaded) theme(s).

The exported themes have R= 20;.ust&= #8221; as extension.

The files having that extensi= on are associated to WiFi SiStr and by clicking directly on one of these files via Windows Exp= lorer, you will automatically launch a new tool called
WiFi SiStr – User Themes Vie= wer.

This tool allows you to previ= ew and so, have an idea about the aspect of a saved or downloaded theme before including it in WiFi SiStr.

No= te: When a wrong or corrupted file having “.ust” as ext= ension is clicked, a dialog box advises you about it and you can’t import the theme.

-&nb= sp;            =          A last click on the same button now called [Advanced #4]

will launch the [WiFi SiStr News] screen.

- The WiFi SiStr News sc= reen displays latest info concerning your software.
(Planned release, next changes, info, requests…)
The News screen is refreshed o= nly on demand.
You must click on [Go Online] = to get latest news.
So, if you don’t care about news, just forget this option.
The last date you refreshed is mentioned at the top of tab.

Settings shortc= uts

[F1] to display this help file

[Ctrl] + [A] to dis= play the About… screen

[Alt] + [F4] to clo= se the Settings window

[Esc] to close the Settings window

WiFi SiStr – User Themes=

-&nb= sp;         These options allow you to totally create your own theme(s) and to save it (them)=

-&nb= sp;         Each part of the theme may be changed using the dropdown color boxes and/or list= s.
Click them and select the desired color and/or gradient, there’s no n= eed to long explanations here, just try them, there’s no danger.
In addition, each selector displays a tip by moving on it to specify the pa= rt impacted by the change.

Some user themes samples…

-          The (almost) bottom part of the screen lets you give a name and save/delete a theme.
Just type a name in the text box near the [Save] button to specify it and t= hen use the dropdown list just above to retrieve and activate your saved (or downloaded) theme(s)
To save a theme, you can only use letters, numbers and spaces; other charac= ters are automatically rejected as you will see if you try.
Note: The themes you create will not appear in the themes list from the Settings window but only in the list from the User Themes window.

-&nb= sp;         The 2 first buttons in the bottom of the window give you the possibility to res= et all colors and/or gradients with one click (The user themes are not impacte= d).
The [Full Reset and Delete] button resets all these settings and deletes all saved themes (A confirmation is displayed before deleting the themes).=

-&nb= sp;         The [OK] button closes the User Themes window.

User Themes sho= rtcuts

[F1] to display this help file

[Ctrl] + [A] to dis= play the About… screen

[Alt] + [F4] to clo= se the User Themes window

[Esc] to close the User Themes window

WiFi SiStr – Resources in Use and Requirements

Total RAM: +- 37MB (**)
WiFi SiStr itself: 22.5MB
Remainder used by .NET

CPU usage: 1%
(Based on P4 - 3.20GHz HT - 1GB RAM)

(**) RAM usage value with
- Refresh Speed set on 500ms
- Check updates off
- Settings window closed

Installation:
- Download, unzip and run setup.exe to install
<= pre style=3D'text-align:center'>Updates:
!!! DO NOT FORGET TO EXIT THE RUNNING VERSION BEFORE UNINSTALLATION!!!<= o:p>
- Always uninstall previous versions in Add/Remove programs.=
Uninstallation:
- Add/Remove programs (Select = DNsoft.be WiFi SiStr)
(In some situation, a reboot might be required after uninstallation, if it happens, do it before installin= g the new version)

Requirements:
Processor
- Minimum: 400 megahertz (MHz) Pentium processor
- Recommended: 800+ MHz Pentium processor

Operating System
32-bit:
- Microsoft Windows® 2003 Server(tm)
- Windows® XP Professional
- Windows® XP Home
- Windows® 2000
- Windows® Vista

=
Minimum Software
.NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable +SP1
(Automatically included in XP updates and new XP releases)
If needed, available here: http://www.microsoft.com= /downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3Da8f5654f-088e-40b2-bbdb-a83353618b38&= ;displaylang=3Den
IE 5.01, IE 6.0
SP1 recommended.

RAM
Minimum: 256 megabytes (MB)
Recommended: 512 MB and more

Hard Disk Space: >3MB
DVD Drive: Not Required
Mouse Required: Yes

Display
Minimum: 800 x 600 256 colors
Recommended: 1024 x 768 High Color - 16-bit

WiFi SiStr – Contact and Miscellaneous<= /span>=

E-mails

support@dnsoft.be
Help/Support on applications

develop@dnsoft.be
Questions/Co= mments about applications

webmaster@dnsoft.be
Questions/Co= mments about the website

localization@dnsoft.be
Contact about software translation

promote@dnsoft.be
Promotion in applications/Website

customerservice@dnsoft.be
Contact about partnering

info@dnsoft.be
Other...

The website

http://www.dnsoft= .be/

Miscellaneous

Trademarks used = in the documents are trademarks of their respective owners.

Author: Gino Dicandio

This document la= st update: September 24, 2006