PowerPDQ 2.0"The Complete Battery Monitor For The Newton"(c) Copyright 1995-96 NewtwarePDQ(c) Copyright 1995-96 Lorraine MonicaAll Rights Reserved.http: //www.concentric.net/~cmonica/newton/pdq.htmemail: cmonica@usa.net1. DESCRIPTION	32. DISTRIBUTION	43. REGISTRATION	54. DISCLAIMER	65. FEATURES	76. LIMITATIONS	87. BATTERY ONLY ACTION	98. BATTERY/AC ACTION	109. RESET STATS ACTION	1110. BATTERY CHANGED ACTION	1211. BACKUP BATTERY ACTION	1312. MP ACTION	1413. HISTORY VIEW	1514. BATTERY GAUGE	1615. DRAINED GAUGE	1716. REMAIN GAUGE	1817. RUN GAUGE	1918. IDLE GAUGE	2019. RATING GAUGE	2120. CHANGE DETECTION	2221. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS	2322. SUGGESTED OPERATION	2423. FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS	2524. RESOURCE USAGE	261. DescriptionPowerPDQ (PPDQ) is a utility to measure, tune, and report battery usage onthe Apple Newton MessagePad.  PPDQ displays battery power level, backupbattery power level, battery power consumed (drained), estimated batterytime remaining,  hours on (run), hours off (idle), battery utilization (rating),and usage history.  PowerPDQ is typically used to view total `on' time,determine time remaining until next battery change, track usage history, andaid in selecting the best brand of battery.PowerPDQ is optimized for use with disposable batteries, reusables that arecharged outside of the Newton, and AC power adapters.  PowerPDQ canalso accommodate Apple Rechargeable Battery Packs, and the MessagePadCharging Station.2. DistributionPowerPDQ is distributed via the Internet as Shareware.  Shareware allowsusers to try an application without purchase. If you continue to usePowerPDQ, you are expected  to send NewtwarePDQ the softwareregistration fee.3. RegistrationThe PowerPDQ 2.0 registration fee is $20 (US).  Users will receive an accesskey to register the software, bug notices/fixes, update notices, discounts,and input into future versions.  Please send the software-ID which can befound on the registration screen, along with the following registrationinformation, and $20 (US) payable to:	Lorraine Monica	5 Mabro Drive	Denville NJ, 07834 (USA)Registration Information:	Software-ID:	Your name:	Address:	Email:	Comments:	Do you have a Mac or PC?	Where did you hear about NewtwarePDQ?	Where did you get PowerPDQ?For fastest response, email a copy of the registration information toNewtwarePDQ (cmonica@usa.net).4. DisclaimerUsers of PowerPDQ must accept the following disclaimer of  warranty:"PowerPDQ is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressedor implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantabilityand fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages,direct or  consequential, which may result from the use of PowerPDQ."5. FeaturesDisplays battery power level, power consumed (drained), battery timeremaining,  hours on (run), hours off (idle), and battery utilization (rating).Gauges can be tapped for detailed readings.Supports OMP/MP100/110/120/130.Displays backup battery power level.Displays date/time of battery installation.Automatically detects battery change and presents final statistics.Allows override of auto detected battery change.Automatically maintains history of final battery statistics.History view of top ten batteries ranked by rating.Supports the use of an AC power adapter.6. LimitationsDisplay does not update after opened (close/open to update).Estimated time remaining granularity is hours not minutes.Statistics start at zero when installed.Battery sets can not be named.Does not seamlessly support Apple Rechargeable Battery Packs, orMessagePad Charger.Does not provide a maintenance facility for histories kept in Newton storage(Power:PDQ SOUP).  It is not recommended that users manually alter thisstorage.  PowerPDQ 2.1 will automatically perform maintenance of thePower:PDQ SOUP.  Users choosing to delete histories must use Newton 2.0to remove the Power:PDQ storage, or a SOUP utility like StewPot.7. Battery Only ActionThe Battery Only action enables Battery Only mode.  If you do not frequentlyuse an AC power adapter, keep PowerPDQ in this mode.  When in BatteryOnly mode, PowerPDQ will usually detect new battery installation within 10seconds of power on.  Battery Only is the preferred operating mode.Tip:  An AC adapter can be used in Battery Only mode without triggering a`Battery has changed' message by following these procedures.  To PowerON: 1) Turn on Newton 2) Wait at least 15 seconds 3) Plug in the ACadapter 4) Use the Newton.   To Power OFF: 1) Remove the AC adapter 2)Turn off the Newton.  Following this procedure will `trick' PowerPDQ intothinking the batteries are powering the Newton.  Therefore,  you may onlywant to do this for a brief time as it will cause exaggerated `run' times and`ratings'.  You should not do this if you wish accurate measures of total `run'time and utilization `rating'.8. Battery/AC ActionThe Battery/AC action enables Battery/AC mode.  If you frequently use anAC power adapter, keep PowerPDQ in this mode.  Battery/AC mode willusually detect the batteries have changed within 20 minutes after power on.Note:  See Battery Only Action for additional information on AC adaptersupport.Tip:  Users of Battery/AC mode may wish to use the Battery Changedaction.  When in Battery/AC mode, PowerPDQ can take up to 20 minutes todetect the batteries have changed.  Use the Battery Changed action toimmediately show the final usage statistics following new battery installation(see Battery Changed Action).Warning:  Users of Battery/AC mode who have PowerPDQ installed on a cardshould follow this simple rule.  If you remove the card where PowerPDQ isinstalled, wait 2 minutes to re-install the same card!  If this rule is notfollowed your Newton may slow down, but wont be harmed.  If you suspectthat this has occurred, simply reset the Newton.9. Reset Stats ActionThe Reset Stats action clears the current battery statistics, date/timeinstalled, and does not add statistics to history. The average user will notrequire this action since PowerPDQ automatically resets statistics after abattery change has been confirmed.10. Battery Changed ActionThe Battery Changed action manually marks the batteries as changed,displays the final usage statistics, and adds statistics to history. The averageuser will not require this action since PowerPDQ automatically detectsbattery changes.Tip:  Users of Battery/AC mode may wish to use this action.  When inBattery/AC mode, PowerPDQ can take up to 20 minutes to detect thebatteries have changed.  Use the Battery Changed action to immediatelyshow the final usage statistics following new battery installation.11. Backup Battery ActionThe Backup Battery action is used to display the power level of yourNewton's backup battery.  The backup battery powers your Newton whenthe main batteries are removed.  The Newton will also warn you when thisbattery needs to be replaced.12. MP ActionThe MP action selects the model of MessagePad that PowerPDQ is runningon.  Selecting  the correct model is critical for accurate time remaining andbattery utilization `ratings'.13. History ViewThe History view is displayed by tapping Newton's overview button (`dot').PowerPDQ history shows the top ten batteries ranked by utilization `rating'.Displayed are installation from-to dates, total `run' time in minutes, andutilization `rating' (%).14. Battery GaugeThe Battery Gauge displays the current battery power level.  When a batterychange is reported, this gauge  displays the final power level of the changedbatteries.15. Drained GaugeThe Drained Gauge displays the battery power consumed by your Newton inmilliamp-hours   This figure is calculated using a nominal power consumptionrate (current) as used by Apple in quoting Newton operational characteristics.The power consumed is calculated by multiplying the nominal current inmilliamps by the total `run' time in hours to get `drained' power in milliamp-hours (mAh).Actual power consumption can exceed the nominal rate and can not bedirectly measured on the Newton.  Applications that are compute intensive,use animation, sound, or write to Flash RAM, will have higher consumptionrates.16. Remain GaugeThe Remain Gauge displays the approximate time until the next batterychange will be required.  The time remaining is currently limited by thegranularity of Newton's battery level reporting (10% increments).  Therefore,for OMP/MP100 the lowest time remaining is 1 Hr, and for MP110/120/130is 3 Hrs.NOTE: The next version of PowerPDQ (2.1) will increase the granularity oftime remaining to minutes.17. Run GaugeThe Run Gauge displays the total hours the Newton has been on since thelast battery change, where the batteries have been the power source.  Usagewith an AC adapter is not included in run time when in Battery/AC mode.18. Idle GaugeThe Idle Gauge displays the total hours the Newton has been powered offsince the last battery change.19. Rating GaugeThe Rating Gauge displays a standardized benchmark for each battery usagecycle.  The rating  gives users a common `yard stick' to compare differentbatteries, and select the brand with the highest rating. The rating alsofacilitates measuring the effects of  increasing charge/discharge cycles on aset of batteries .  Typically, battery ratings will decrease (reflected in shorterrun time) with increasing charge/discharge cycles.The rating normalizes power drained, and is relative to a  benchmark battery.The benchmark battery selected is the Rayovac Renewal AAA forOMP/MP100, and Renewal AA for MP110/120/130.Actual ratings are affected by brand of battery, and applicationcharacteristics . Applications that are compute intensive, use animation,sound, or write to Flash RAM, will have higher power consumption rates, andlower ratings.Note:  NiCad batteries have about 1/3 the capacity of Alkalines.  If you useNiCads, expect ratings in the range of 33%.  Renewal Alkaline capacitydecreases with each charge/discharge cycle.  If you use Renewals, expectratings about 100% only on initial use.20. Change DetectionWhen PowerPDQ detects a battery change the user is presented with a`Battery has changed' confirmation.  If the battery has indeed changed,select OK to display the final usage statistics, and have them added tohistory.  If the battery has not been changed, select Cancel to continuegathering stats on the current battery.Note:  Users of Apple Rechargeable Battery Packs, or the MessagePadCharging Station,  please see the Special Considerations section.Tip:  Only change batteries when the power level is below 50%, and onlyinstall batteries that are fully charged.21. Special ConsiderationsPowerPDQ is optimized for use with disposable batteries, reusables that arecharged outside of the Newton, and AC power adapters.  PowerPDQ is notoptimized for Apple Rechargeable Battery Packs, or the MessagePadCharging Station, which charge batteries within the Newton.  Chargingbatteries within the Newton disrupts the normal charge/discharge cycle,interferes with auto change detection, and renders total `run' time andutilization `rating' meaningless.To achieve accurate results with Apple Rechargeable Battery Packs, theymust be charged outside of the Newton, or charged to full capacity withinthe Newton.  Users of Apple Battery Packs, or the MessagePad ChargingStation not interested in accurate total `run' times and utilization `ratings',can select Cancel at the change confirmation, or `trick' PPDQ by using theTip given in the Battery Only section.22. Suggested Operation1. Install a fresh set of batteries.2. Install PowerPDQ to Newton.3. Open PowerPDQ from the Extras drawer.4. Use the action button to select the appropriate model MessagePad.5. Use the action button to select the appropriate mode, Battery Only, orBattery/AC.6. Close PowerPDQ.7. To view battery level, total `run' time, or time `remaining' until nextbattery change, open PowerPDQ.8. Change batteries when needed (Newton tells you when).9. At power-on after installing new batteries, PowerPDQ asks to confirm thebattery change.10. Press OK to view the final battery statistics and automatically add themto history.11. Tap the overview button to view battery usage history.12. Close PowerPDQ to start monitoring the new batteries.23. Future EnhancementsDynamic load sensing for increased accuracy of drained and rating measures.Dynamic load gauge.Increase estimated time remaining granularity to minutes.Ability to name battery sets for history.Improved historical battery statistics reporting.Automatic history maintenance.24. Resource UsagePackage Size: 		36KHeap used when open:	4KHeap used when closed:	1KPower:PDQ SOUP	1K**Note:  Each battery change adds 80 bytes for usage history.  Total SOUPsize to hold one years data assuming a battery change per week is approx.5K.  PowerPDQ 2.1 will automatically perform maintenance of this storage.