MWconn

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MWconn

Screenshots from MWconn
Dial-up software for mobile internet
Basic data

developer Markus B. Weber
Current  version 5.9
(December 16, 2013)
Current preliminary version 5.9A
operating system Ubuntu , Windows
programming language C.
category Communication software
License Freeware
German speaking Yes
www.mwconn.net

MWconn is a device-independent Windows software for initiating and monitoring data connections in the mobile Internet ( GPRS , UMTS ) independent of the network operator . MWconn has been developed since 2006 and is available as freeware . The functionality of the software is comparable to other independent dial-up programs, some of which are subject to a fee, such as MultiNetwork Manager Pro (Windows shareware) and launch2net ( Mac OS X ). MWconn has been mentioned in German-language specialist literature on system administration and connectivity as the standard solution for manufacturer-independent dial-up software since 2007 . A Debian package for Ubuntu Linux has been available since March 2010 ; this program is called ixconn to distinguish it .

background

Dialing into the mobile Internet is usually also possible with the operating system's own resources . Nevertheless, specialized dial-in programs are often used for this. Advantages of these programs for the user are primarily more extensive monitoring functions for connection quality and network selection as well as protocol functions for cost control. Depending on the software, advantages for Internet providers can also be recognized: advertising through constantly visible logos , blocking of external cellular networks, integration of special mechanisms for tariff selection.

MWconn was originally developed to facilitate the use on notebooks with low power or with a small screen resolution . This resulted in the goals of the lowest possible processor load and low main memory requirement, as well as minimal space requirements on the screen. In addition, the disadvantages of dial-up programs from the hand of Internet providers for the user should be avoided, therefore MWconn does not contain any advertising and no network-specific restrictions.

history

The German software developers Markus Weber and Raimond Eisele ( GUI draft) began developing MWconn in February 2006. The program was initially only developed for personal use as a resource-saving replacement for the network operator's software that was delivered at the time. At first MWconn was only able to dial into the mobile Internet. Despite this minimal range of functions, the program spread to users of individual mobile phone forums via email. Ongoing criticism of missing functions gradually led to additions. In January 2009 MWconn is one of the communication programs with a large range of functions.

License

MWconn is declared as freeware . In contrast to free software, this classification does not make a clear statement about the legal framework. Only the more detailed explanations in the operating instructions show that the program can be freely copied, passed on and used both privately and commercially free of charge. Changing the program or sharing it with other products is only permitted with approval.

history

In addition to the regular inclusion of further device support, there were the following essential steps in development.

  • Version 0.4, February 2006: first published version, only dial-in possible
  • Version 0.5, March 2006: first version available for download, display of signal strength, operating mode and network operator
  • Version 1.0, July 2006: Bilingualism (German, English), quality monitoring of the connection
  • Version 2.0, December 2006: graphical configuration interface
  • Version 3.0, April 2007: Context menu and additional functions introduced
  • Version 4.0, February 2008: new user interface component, start as Windows system service possible
  • Version 5.0, April 2009: SMS Manager, standard settings can be downloaded from the Wiki

Program version for Ubuntu

After several partial ports of MWconn for the Linux operating system Ubuntu were published in early 2010 , a Debian package has been available since March 2010. This program , which is based on GTK and also developed in C, bears the name ixconn to distinguish it .

Description of the software

Range of functions

In addition to the usual functions with dial-in programs, such as network and operating mode selection, display of data volume , online time and home area status, automatic start and connection monitoring, MWconn has several special functions.

  • Display of PLMN identification , cell ID, battery charge status and precise signal strength in dBm
  • Representation as a single-line mini-window and as a filigree changing taskbar icon
  • Warning when volume, online time exceeded, network change, cell change, battery level
  • Analysis functions for data volume consumption , netlock determination , currently receivable networks including the respective signal strength
  • Query and top-up option for prepaid cards
  • Script ability, remote control of external programs via phone call or SMS
  • Start as a Windows system service with its own front end

A "list of permitted networks" can be specified especially for the case that different mobile radio networks are used alternately and automatic network selection is not to be omitted. The program then warns by means of a screen message as soon as the device logs into an undesired network. The user has the option to agree to this network change or to terminate the connection.

Default settings are available for a number of Internet service providers. Anyone can add these centrally to the project's own wiki . MWconn can read the data directly from the wiki and is therefore immediately available to all other users.

MWconn does not contain an installation program for the driver software for wireless data cards . There is also no integrated help system; the user is dependent on the enclosed instructions (PDF). The styling of the program interface cannot be adapted using freely definable skins . Even if source code excerpts were occasionally published to support parallel software projects, it is not an open source program. Although this protects the confidentiality of customer-specific adaptations and ensures a uniform development branch, own program adaptations are not possible.

Installation and configuration

MWconn does not have its own installation program, but an integrated installation function. If it is started as MWconn.exe in an empty folder, it carries out an installation which simply consists of making copies of itself and giving them different file names. There are no entries in the registration database . This means that the program can later be removed without leaving any residue by deleting the installation folder.

The configuration can be done using the graphical configuration program CONFIG.exe as well as via a directly editable text file in which the individual parameters are saved together with short help texts. Although MWconn knows different program files for different tasks, for example MWconn.exe, UMTS.exe, GPRS.exe, CONFIG.exe, and CONTROL.exe, the content is always the same file. This means that a new instance of this file can be created by copying and renaming.

The program is comparatively small at 0.3 MB. This enables use on subnotebooks and older, less powerful notebooks.

Documentation and language support

MWconn includes an illustrated, approx. 50-page manual ( PDF ). In addition to information on the program itself, it also contains information on related topics, such as dial-up connection configuration, UMTS antennas and PC remote control. The automatically generated, readable configuration file describes each parameter with a short help text. There is no context-sensitive online help integrated into the program.

Originally, the program interface and operating instructions were only available in German. Since July 2006, the program interface can be switched to English. The help texts in the configuration file are generated in both languages. The graphic configuration interface, which has been available since version 2.0 from December 2006, was developed in two languages ​​from the start. Since April 2008, an English instruction manual (PDF) has been available in addition to the German one.

Support and customizations

First and foremost, users help each other with problems with the program. Further support is provided by the author by e-mail, but the user is not guaranteed any entitlement to this.

There are several customer-specific versions of the program. These usually differ through their own company logo and individual functional adjustments. Examples of this are Oberfinanzdirektion Koblenz, Nägele-Capaul Communications AG (Switzerland) and the financial services provider MLP AG .

distribution

280,000 downloads were made via the program's own website in 2009 (140,000 in 2008). As is usual with freeware, there are also a few other download options and multipliers, for example through use in companies through pre-installation on notebook PC fleets. This means that the actual number of installations cannot be determined. MWconn is mainly used in German-speaking countries. About a third of all access is via the English-language homepage.

Compared to other dial-in software, additional properties such as scripting and remote control capabilities mean that MWconn is also used for telecontrol tasks and for automated data acquisition.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cheap providers for international surfing. (No longer available online.) SWR3, formerly in the original ; Retrieved March 10, 2009 .  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.swr3.de   New white paper database. In: heise mobil. heise Verlag, archived from the original on October 30, 2008 ; Retrieved February 24, 2009 .
  2. ↑ a b Data Becker Verlag (ed.): PC practice . tape 1/2009 . Düsseldorf, Mobile into the Net with Netbook & Co., p. 136-138 ( pcpraxis.de [PDF]).
  3. ↑ B. Sc. Benjamin Weiß: Dialer . GRIN Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-638-67254-2 , chap. 2 , p. 2 .
  4. ↑ a b T-Mobile software. Retrieved February 15, 2009 . Vodafone connector. Retrieved February 15, 2009 . E-Plus data connection software. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on February 15, 2009 ; Retrieved February 21, 2009 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.eplus.de
  5. ^ EeePC forum. Retrieved February 15, 2009 .
  6. ↑ MWconn changelog. Retrieved February 7, 2009 .
  7. ↑ ixconn changelog. Retrieved March 15, 2009 .
  8. ↑ Markus Weber: Operating instructions for MWconn. (PDF) April 1, 2009, accessed April 22, 2009 .
  9. ↑ MWconn website in January 2010. Retrieved on January 15, 2010 .
  10. ↑ MWconn at Chip.de. Retrieved January 15, 2010 . PC magazine. (No longer available online.) Formerly in the original ; Retrieved February 15, 2009 .  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. k0k0.de. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on February 28, 2010 ; Retrieved February 15, 2009 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Magnus downloads. Retrieved February 15, 2009 . @1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.pc-magazin.de    @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / downloads.k0k0.de
  11. ↑ MWconn website. Retrieved April 26, 2009 .
  12. ↑ Sending SMS with MessPC. Retrieved February 15, 2009 .