Network Assistant by Maximum Output Software - www.maxoutput.com
================================================================

Network Assistant is a multi-purpose utility for assisting with basic networking
tasks.  Its three major functions include:

    Bandwidth Calculator - Calculate bandwidth or time required for a file transfer

    IP Calculator - Calculate Network, Subnet, and Node numbers and addresses

    Password Generator - Generate random passwords

To use any of these functions, launch the NWAssistant.exe file, and select the
appropriate tab.  Here is a quick overview of how to use each:

====================
Bandwidth Calculator
====================

The bandwidth calculator makes calculations based on any two of bandwidth, file size, 
and transfer time.  

To calculate any value, you must fill in the other two values:

    1. Select the desired units in the drop-down box on the right.
    2. Enter the appropriate value in the edit box in the middle.

Once any two values have been entered, click on the button for the other value to
calculate its value.

Below each value you will see a range of values based on the tolerance setting in
the lower right corner of the window.

Some predefined bandwidth values are available in the drop-down list on the far
right of the 'bandwidth' settings.  Clicking on a connection type will set its value
for the bandwidth setting in the units you have selected.

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IP Calculator
=============

Start by entering any valid IP address in the space provided.  Next you can either
select the slashed subnet setting, or select the subnet mask below.  Selecting either
of these will change the setting of the other.

Once these values have been selected Network Assistant will calculate all appropriate
information and fill it in for you.

==================
Password Generator
==================

The password generator utility will automatically generate passwords for you using
the parameters specified.  

First, select the size of the resulting passwords under "Password Length."  You can
set both minimum and maximum values.

Next, "Check" each of the available character types that you wish to appear in the
resulting passwords.  Once checked, set the minimum and maximum number of that type
of character in the Min and Max boxes at right.

If you wish to include "Other" characters you can specify which characters are used
by entering them into the edit box next to the "Other" setting.

Select the pronouncability of the resulting passwords.  By default the password 
generator only includes passwords which follow a basic set of rules for English words,
though the passwords generated will most likely not be real English words.  To increase
password security, this option can be changed to either exclude pronouncable passwords
or ignore the pronouncability completely.

Select the number of passwords to generate under the "#" setting, and click the 
"Generate" button.  The resulting passwords will be shown in the list box at right,
with the different types of characters shown in the colors indicated in above to
assist in determining what characters are actually being used (this way, a lower case l
is not confused with the number 1, etc.)  Double-clicking on a password copies it
to the system clipboard.  You can save the list of passwords to a text file by clicking
on the "Save List" button.

=========================
Why Is This Program Free?
=========================

We wanted to develop an easy-to-use, yet functional program for assisting with networking
issues.  We decided to make it free in hopes that you would take a look at the other
software that we offer on our web site.  Our most popular titles are:

FileBack PC - www.fileback-pc.com - High-speed, auto-configuring backup software

PicSwitcher - www.picswitcher.com - Image file format conversion and manipulation

Please take a few minutes to examine what we have to offer, and spread the word about
this and our other products.

This program may be passed on as long as the .ZIP file is left intact and no modifications
are made to it.  Be sure to include a link back to our web site whenever referring to this
program.

Enjoy using the Networking Assistant!  If you have any ideas for future development, 
please drop us an email message: mos@maxoutput.com

 2001 Maximum Output Software.  All Rights Reserved
http://www.maxoutput.com - mos@maxoutput.com
