
What is tkppp?
--------------
tkppp is a graphical front end to manually control a PPP connection.
It presents in a small window a button for starting/quitting PPP,
a small status message area, informational readouts and option buttons.

tkppp can display the dynamic IP address and host used, the elapsed
time and cost of the PPP connection or the number of PPP transmit and
receive errors.  It can auto-minimize and auto-maximize on PPP startup
and shutdown, ping periodically to keep the session from timing out
and can be customized to run user programs from the menu bar.

tkppp can repeatedly retry the connection if the first dial-up attempt
fails and reconnect the link automatically if it goes down unexpectedly.
It also can keep a log of all connections made.

This script may be useful in conjunction with the 'diald' daemon;
it allows you to see at a glance what the current state of the
connection is.

What is new with tkppp-1.4
--------------------------
  -  auto-retry option retries connection at intervals if a link
       is not established on PPP startup.
  -  auto-reconnect option retries connection if link goes down
       unexpectedly.  Can be used with auto-retry to keep link up.
  -  Shows length of time connected and cost of call or alternatively
       the number of receive/transmit errors; the installer has to
       customize the conn-cost function.
  - Can keep logs of all connections made through tkppp.

What is new with tkppp-1.3
--------------------------
  -  per-user .tkppprc initialization file allows much customization.
  -  auto-minimize option iconifies the window when the PPP link goes up.
  -  auto-maximize option deiconifies the window if the PPP link goes
       down inadvertently.
  -  When minimized shows status of link.
  -  auto-ping option pings periodically at a specified interval to
     keep the session from timing out.
  -  Shows dynamically-allocated IP address and (optionally) IP name.
  -  Easy configuration to add networking scripts or programs to run
       from the menubar.  Sample weathermap program included.

What is required?
-----------------
  -  the PPP package, including working ppp-on and ppp-off scripts.
  -  tcl 7.4 and tk 4.0 (standard in Slackware 3.0).

Testing
-------
  -  gunzip -c tkppp-1.4.tar.gz | tar xvf -
  -  cd tkppp-1.4
  -  edit tkppp and change the options to suit your system.
     See tkppprc for documentation on the options.
  -  try it out from inside the tkppp directory.  You may need
     to run tkppp as root IFF your own ppp-on and ppp-off scripts
     require that (mine don't).

Installation
------------
  -  If you like it, you may want to move the files someplace
     more permanent.  I suggest /usr/include/X11/bitmaps for
     the bitmaps and /usr/local/bin or some such for the tkppp script.
     Be sure to edit tkppp if you move the bitmaps around.
  -  cp tkppprc ~/.tkppprc
  -  ~/.tkppprc overrides default settings in tkppp.
  -  cp tkppp.1 /usr/local/man/man1

What it does
------------
tkppp calls the ppp-on and ppp-off scripts that should be provided
with your PPP distribution.  You will need to get these working or
write your own scripts to initiate and take down the PPP connection.

Once tkppp is running, it wakes up every so often to check the status
of the PPP link and take possible action if the status has changed.

Distribution
------------
tkppp is copyrighted, but may be freely redistributed.

*** I am maintaining tkppp, so please pass along your comments,
bug fixes, patches, enhancements, etc. to jeschke@cs.indiana.edu
so that I can merge them into future releases of tkppp. ***

Enjoy!

Eric Jeschke
jeschke@cs.indiana.edu


Legalese
--------
I don't think there is anything in tkppp that can possibly harm your
system in any way, but nevertheless, just to cover my butt:

ERIC JESCHKE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE,
INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL ERIC JESCHKE BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF
USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR
OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

