Time Logger

Introduction

Time Logger is a Windows desktop application for consultants and freelancers that tracks time spent for specific customers and specific projects. Each time log entry can be described and assigned a billing rate. A flag indicates if the time log has been billed or not.

This application must be licensed for full functionality.

Requirements

• Windows 7/8/10; Windows Server 2008/2012/2016
• .NET Framework 4.0
• 50 MB Free Disk Space
• Port 8080 open for Outbound Traffic (Licensing)

Quick Start

1. Download and run the latest installer.
2. For full functionality, make sure you have a obtained a license key from 2RC Software or your dealer.
3. Run the Time Logger application:
   Start > All Programs > 2RC Software > Time Logger
4. Enter the license key when prompted.
5. Press to add a new time log entry.
6. Press to view time log entries.

License

Time Logger requires a license for full functionality. When run without a license key, Time Logger will allow one time log entry to be created and allow the time log view to be accessed once. The application will then inform you that a license is required for full functionality until it is restarted. Allowing unlicensed operation with limited features allows the application to be installed and configured for trial and testing purposes.

A license key is a string of characters that defines features and expiration dates supported by the application and service. It will look similar to a6da53b7-d063-4677-8759-34ddbc10fdf3. Your license key purchased from 2RC Software or your dealer is added when prompted by the application on startup or by using Settings Manager.

When Time Logger is started it attempts to contact the License Server to validate that the key provided is valid, is meant for this application, and is not already issued to someone else. The License Server will give Time Logger a token to let Time Logger know that it can enable licensed functionality. Time Logger will save the token and then ask for an updated token every 15 minutes. If a connection to the License Server is not possible, either at startup or while Time Logger is running, Time Logger will check to see if the token it had previously received is still valid (i.e. not expired). Until the token expires, Time Logger will continue to run in a licensed mode even if it can't connect to the License Server. However, the token will expire after a configurable amount of time (called the Reserve Time) and therefore Time Logger will need to connect to the License Server to renew the token within that time period for full licensed functionality to continue.

Press to display the current license status.

The following chart outlines the functionality that is enabled via licensing.

How to Use

The Time Logger application allows you to quickly add and view time log entries with large, easily identifiable buttons.

Press the button to add a new time log entry.

Press the button to search for, view, and edit previously added time log entries.

Toolbar Icons

Backup/Restore

Click this toolbar icon to backup all time log, customer and project records in the Time Logger database. An XML-formatted backup file containing all the information is created in the Backup folder (as defined in the settings). The backup filename will be named using the format TimeLogger_Backup_yyymmdd_HHmmss.xml.

If there is ever a problem with your database, a new, empty database can be put in place and then all your backed up records restored by right-clicking on the Backup toolbar icon and selecting restore from the menu.

Settings

All settings are managed by running Settings Manager. Choose this toolbar icon to run Settings Manager. See the Settings section for additional details.

Additional settings-related options are available by right-clicking on the Settings toolbar icon. Currently the option available allows you to edit projects already created.

Identity

Choose this option to identify yourself. The name you provide is displayed in the title of the main form and will be the default "Collaborator" value for each new time log entry.

Information

Choose this toolbar icon to display information about the application and to see the current license status.

Settings

All settings are managed by running Settings Manager.
To run Settings Manager, press the Settings icon.

In Settings Manager, the following settings are supported:

Setting Name Type	Description Default
HideOnStartup Boolean (True | False)	Causes the application to minimize to the Windows system tray as soon as the application is started. The window is restored by double clicking the 2RC logo in the system tray. False
SettingsMgr Pathname	Pathname to 2rcSettingsMgr.exe. Executed when the "Setup" icon is pressed in the application.
LicenseKey String	A string of characters that defines features and expiration dates supported by the application and service. It will look similar to a6da53b7-d063-4667-8759-34ddbc10fdf3. A license key is intended to be used on one workstation only.
LicenseServer URL	A URL that specifies the location of the license server. The License Key is passed to the license server for validation and then exchanged for a License Token. Except in special cases, the value must remain as the default. http://2rcsoftware.com:8080/v1/license
LicenseToken String (Read-Only)	A token is received from the License Server and allows the application to do what it does. A token will expire after a certain time and therefore the application periodically contacts the license server to renew the token. The value in this field is encrypted and should not be changed.
BackupFolder Folder	Tells Time Logger where to create a backup file when the Backup icon is pressed. Supports pathname substitution codes. <userroamingdata>\2RC Software\Time Logger\Backup
ShowStartDate Boolean (True | False)	Determines if the start date will be displayed in the add/edit log entry view. If set to False, the current date is assumed. True
ShowStartTime Boolean (True | False)	Determines if the start time will be displayed in the add/edit log entry view. If set to False, the current time is assumed. True
ShowEndDate Boolean (True | False)	Determines if the end date will be displayed in the add/edit log entry view. If set to False, the current date is assumed. False
ShowEndTime Boolean (True | False)	Determines if the end time will be displayed in the add/edit log entry view. If set to False, the current time is assumed. False