--- Overview ---
msInternetStatus is a small Commodity tool that monitors the Internet connection in realtime by performing simple, fast and non-blocking TCP connection attempt to given IP adress.
This connection status:
-
Is always saved into system global ENV variable named "msInternetStatus", that is visible and ready to use by other applciations or by the Workbench itself (for example it can be displayed on WB top menu bar)
-
Optionally can be displayed in various graphical styles.
--- Installation ---
msInternetStatus doesn't require installation.
- To start the program just double-click at the msInternetStatus icon.
- Double-click again to turn it off.
- If you want it to start with Workbench, move it to "SYS:WBStartup".
- Because its a Commodity tool, it can also be controlled using "Exchange" tool from "SYS:Tools/Commodities".
--- How to use ---
By default, msInternetStatus displays Online/Offline in the title bar of a small window. But you can configure it on your own and change its appearance using ToolTypes.
To setup ToolTypes - select msInternetStatus icon and chose "Icons->Information..." from the menu bar.
After changing any Tooltype, you need to restart the program by double-clicking on it or using the Exchange tool.
#1. Displaying the status on Workbench menu bar using ENV variable.
If you are AmigaOS 3.2 user, the best way to use msInternetStatus is to display
the status directly on Workbench menu bar by using ENV variable "msInternetStatus".
To do this, go to your Workbench preferences in "SYS:Prefs/Workbench".
Edit the "Screen Title Format" label by adding: %emsInternetStatus
and clicking Use or Save. You also probably want to close
the default status window by setting tool type CX_POPUP=NO.
For non AmigaOS 3.2 users, you can add "msInternetStatus" ENV variable
to WB title bar by using additional tools like for example MCP or use MODE=LABEL.
#2. Displaying the status in LABEL mode.
This mode displays the text label on background. By default, colors of text and background
match the same as Workbench menu bar. Set Tooltype MODE=LABEL, you should also
set the position using POS_X= and POS_Y= tooltypes. If the label is too long
and overlays something, you can adjust SIZE_X=.
#3. Displaying status as color rectangle in BOX mode.
This mode displays colored rectanlge: for example green when online and red when offline.
Set Tooltype MODE=BOX, adjust position using POS_X= and POS_Y=,
also you can adjust box non regular size SIZE_X= and SIZE_Y= or leave it
in default values.
#4. Displaying the status in small window in WINDOW_BAR mode.
This mode is set by default. It shows the status on title bar of a small window.
To use it, set Tooltype MODE=WINDOW_BAR. You can adjust position by using
POS_X= and POS_Y= Tooltypes.
--- ToolTypes ---
CX_PRIORITY=0
Sets the commodity priority. Can be set to 0.
CX_POPUP=YES
Show the status window when the program starts. YES or NO.
PRIMARY_IP=1.1.1.1
First IP to check.
SECONDARY_IP=8.8.8.8
Second IP to check if the first will fail.
PORT=443
TCP port used for connection tests. Valid range: 1-65535.
TIME_INTERVAL=5
Time between connection tests, in seconds. Minimum: 1.
TCP_TIMEOUT=1
Maximum time to wait for a TCP connection. Range: 1-5 seconds.
MODE=WINDOW_BAR
Display mode: WINDOW_BAR, LABEL or BOX.
ONLINE_TXT=Online
Text used for online status.
OFFLINE_TXT=Offline
Text used for offline status.
LABEL_BACKGROUND_COLOR=2
Background color used in LABEL mode.
LABEL_TEXT_COLOR=1
Text color used in LABEL mode.
BOX_ONLINE_COLOR=3
Color used for online status in BOX mode.
BOX_OFFLINE_COLOR=1
Color used for offline status in BOX mode.
All color values can be either a system pen number (0-255) or an RGB value,
ex.: BOX_ONLINE_COLOR=0,255,0
POS_X=30 and POS_Y=30
Position of the status window.
SIZE_X=0
Custom width for LABEL and BOX modes. 0 selects the automatic/default size.
SIZE_Y=0
Custom height for BOX mode. 0 selects the default size.
DEBUG=0
Set to 1 to enable diagnostic connection information.
--- Examples ---
-
Example 1 - Small green/black status bar:
CX_POPUP=YES MODE=BOX BOX_ONLINE_COLOR=0,255,0 BOX_OFFLINE_COLOR=1 POS_X=570 POS_Y=30 SIZE_X=60 SIZE_Y=8 -
Example 2 - Status text integrated with the Workbench title area:
CX_POPUP=YES MODE=LABEL ONLINE_TXT=You are online! OFFLINE_TXT=No connection! POS_X=520 POS_Y=5 SIZE_X=90 -
Example 3 - Checking the ENV variable from Shell:
From WB menu bar select: "Workbench->Execute command..." and type: echo $msInternetStatus
See the "examples" directory for example images.
--- Testing ----
Version 0.3 has been successfully tested on several configurations, including:
- 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 systems (AGA/RTG)
- ZZ9000 card with Roadshow TCP/IP stack
- Ariadne card with Miami TCP/IP stack
- X-Surf 100 card with AmiTCP TCP/IP stack
- V1200 card with Roadshow TCP/IP stack
- GENET on PI4B with lwip-amiga stack
- WinUAE
--- History log ---
v0.3 (2026-09-10)
- Fixed an issue where shutting down the TCP/IP stack could terminate the program.
- Improved connection testing for better accuracy and stability.
- Various bug fixes, code cleanup and performance optimizations.
- Default IP addresses changed to "1.1.1.1" and "8.8.8.8".
- Default TCP port changed from 80 to 443.
- Added ToolTypes for PORT configuration.
- Added ToolTypes for LABEL mode colors.
- Improved source comments and README.
v0.2 (2023-05-28)
- Better compatibility with AmiTCP and EasyNET.
v0.1 (2023-05-12)
- Initial release.