Getting the source files

To add your own ISP to Net Usage you don't need to download all the source files. There is an easier way to get the file you want, but I'll describe that in a future blog.

If you want to get all the source files for Net Usage you will need to download a SVN client. SVN is an abbreviation for (Sub)Version Control. If you want to learn more about SVN have a read of this page. Critter has been good enough to provide the source for Net Usage via SVN.

Download and install a free SVN client, I use TortiseSVN, which I find works well for me. Once your SVN software has been installed create a directory somewhere on your computer where you want to store the source files you are about to download.

I did it in the following manner, I opened "My Computer" and navigated to the D: drive. Then in the right pane I right clicked and selected New > Folder from the menu. I called the new folder netusage_source. (d:\netusage_source) Once you have created the directory, right click on it in Explorer and select SVN Checkout from the menu. A dialog will be displayed, in the URL of repository field enter http://netusage.iau5.com/svn/ then click OK.

TortiseSVN should do its thing and start downloading the files to the directory you have created. Once it's finished click OK and the download window will close. You can now open the netusage_source folder and you will have all the source files.

My next blog will describe how to get the isps.js file from the installed package on your computer.

How to get an ISP added

Although Net Usage supports many ISPs, it doesn't support all of them. When I installed Net Usage my ISP was not supported. Damn...

I searched the forums on Whirlpool but could not find how to get the information Critter needed to add my ISP. The forums, stated to use the instructions on the homepage to add an ISP. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any instructions. I ended up downloading the source files from the SVN and searched through the code until I figured out what to do.

First, you need to install Net Usage. Once you have it installed, and displayed on your tool-bar, type about:netusage?add into the address bar of Firefox (the place where you normally enter the website you want to visit). Don't precede it with http:// or anything else, just enter about:netusage?add.

Follow the instructions on the page but do not send the file to Critter. Over the next few blogs I will explain in detail how to edit the source file and create your own script for your ISP.

Welcome All

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog on Net Usage.

A couple of weeks ago I downloaded and installed the Net Usage add-on for Firefox. This add-on polls your ISP's usage page and displays your usage in a small graph in the toolbar.

"So what, there are heaps of internet usage programs out there." Yes there are, but the simplicity of this one is what makes it so good. It doesn't track usage on your computer, or try to track usage across the network. It just polls the ISP's page and reports back what the ISP has recorded on your account.

The other outstanding feature of this add-on is the author, Critter. He provides an amazing amount of support via the Whirlpool forums. In particular, this thread. I don't know how he finds time to support all the requests for ISP additions and fixes due to ISPs changing the format of their usage pages.

After installing Net Usage on my sister's computer for her Optus account, I decided to install it and try to modify the ISP file to work with my ISP (iSage). Critter provides all the source code via svn from his svn repository. I have never modified a mozilla add-on or programmed in Javascript. It took me a few days to figure it out but I eventually got it working.

I offered to provide Critter with a dedicated forum for people to discuss Net Usage. However, he is happy with the forums at Whirlpool and not convinced dedicated forums will work better than what he is currently working with. I've decided to create this blog to document what I've learnt and hopefully assist other people add their ISPs or modify their ISP configuration when it suddenly stops working.

Please post comments and point out error's in my posts. As I said, I have never programmed in Javascript so I am expecting to get a few things wrong and am relying on you guys to help me out.

May I finish this post by encouraging everyone using Net Usage to donate a couple of buck to Critter for all his work. He has a donate button on the bottom of his page.