The gadget provides information about the BigPond Usage Meter. It is able to show:
- Current Usage
- Current Usage in Percent
- Graphical Coloured Bar (Red/Green/Orange) Depending on Current Usage
- Billing Period Dates
- Downloaded Usage
- Uploaded Usage
- Free Usage
- Shaping Status
- Usage Delay
- Usage Per Day to reach Allowance (Also shown as a Black Arrow above the Graphical Bar)
- Predictions of Surplus and Deficit Usage for End of Billing Period
- Username (for multiple accounts)
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\BigPondUsage.Gadget\img
For users wanting to use a proxy server: Do not use a proxy server while using your BigPond connection. This will slow down the update of usage details and count the traffic used to access the details towards your billable usage (and not as Free Site). Although this data is minimal please use this feature only when needed.
As this project is based on the BigPondUsage Library it is 100% open-source and full source code is available. If you feel uncomfortable using the precompiled library I encourage you to read the source code and compile your own version to ensure that your usage details are not being stolen. If you do use the source code in a project, please give credit :) Source code is available on the BigPondUsage Library page.
Please use this Whirlpool Post to give feedback or bug reports.
Download:
BigPondUsage.Gadget_2.7.1.0
Installation (NEW AUTOMATED MSI INSTALLER - USE THIS):
NOTE: Windows XP ports of the Sidebar are not supported. If you wish to use the Sidebar on XP you're on your own (use Google :) ).
If you are upgrading, please Close Windows Sidebar before performing the steps below.
1. Double click the BigPondUsage.Gadget_2.7.1.0.msi file and follow the onscreen prompts (Do not change the install folder).
Note - Power Users: The gadget should be installed to: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\BigPondUsage.Gadget
2. Run Windows Sidebar and add the gadget to the sidebar. Use the tool icon to setup the gadget.
Upgrading:
Simply download the new version and run the installer. Make sure Windows Sidebar is closed before running the installer.
Uninstallation / Clean Install:
1. Open up the Add Gadget dialog box in Windows Sidebar.
2. Right click the BigPondUsage Gadget and click Uninstall.
Screenshot:
Legend:
Black Arrow - How far through the billing period you are. If the arrow is above the usage bar, you are likely to reach your quota before the end of the month.
DL - Downloaded Usage
UL - Uploaded Usage
U - Unrated Usage
F - Free Usage
S - Shaped?
D - Delayed?
V - Volume
PD - MB per Day to keep under quota (only shows up if below quota)
DEF/SUR - Deficit - The amount of usage you are over from the Black Arrow | Surplus - The amount of usage you are under from the Black Arrow
Customization:
If you are unhappy with the graphics, layout, fonts or colourization of the gadget you are able to edit the Images, CSS and JavaScript files located at: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\BigPondUsage.Gadget
Unforunately, I don't have time to make a skinning engine and as far as I know the Options panel can only be a certain size (hence, limited options). I'm not an artist either, so sorry if it doesn't meet your tastes :)
Changelog:
2.7.1.0 (21/03/2009)
- Sends a Firefox UserAgent to prevent usage errors.
2.7.0.0 (19/11/2008)
- Updated for Usage Meter change.
2.6.0.0 (20/10/2008)
- Added automation between old and new system.
2.5.0.0 (19/10/2008)
- Fixed for new login system.
2.2.0.0 (09/08/2008)
- Gadget MSI Installer
- Fixed Next G Plans.
2.1.2.0 (28/07/2008)
- Added approximate Unrated Usage.
2.1.1.1 (18/07/2008)
- Now retries up to 4 times if a timeout occurs.
2.1.1 (13/04/2008)
- Added support Wireless G Usage Pages
2.1 (23/12/2007)
- Added support for Time Based Plans