Functionality of Internet Connection

I have a PC and a FOURtress. On the PC, there is a icon on the icon bar which indicates whether the internet is connected. If it is connected properly then it is a particular symbol. If the internet connection if not functioning correctly then it is a different icon. Thus I instantly have an indication as to whether the PC has a functioning internet connection.

Is there a similar piece of software for RISC OS computers?

Is there a similar piece of software for RISC OS computers?

Raik Fischer’s NetCheck
is one to check out.

If you click the middle button (Menu) over the RISC OS Pi Icon at the extreme RH end of the icon bar and select ‘Configure’, then ‘Network’ from the next screen. Select ‘Internet’, then ‘Interfaces’ and click on the Status button. Full details of the connection will be shown, including IP address, H/ware address, Gateway, Activity at XX Mbps, frames transmitted and received and errors.

A bit long-winded, but comprehensive.

I think what Robert is after is something that tests internet connectivity, for example by pinging something like 8.8.8.8 to see if it responds and show this as a live internet connection – usually globe icon. If it fails to respond, then show it as a local connection, showing a standard network icon. Maybe something that looks like an ethernet plug with/without a globe superimposed. The earlier suggestions only tell you about your local network connection.

Sorry, I wrote something to track connectivity a ridiculously long time ago… but in VisualBasic for XP. 🤷‍♀️

I use !Alarm

It is very simple to use and can check the Internet connectivity (not local network) as frequently as you want.

It is permanently on the task bar and only needs a few clicks to test the current Internet connectivity.
– Menu click on the !Alarm icon
– Select Set Clock
- Right click on Try.

Job Done. Functionality of Internet Connection tested. Just as the OP wanted.

Would Simon Wilson’s NetLights do what Robert wanted? Although I can’t find a 32bit version, just the 26bit version that came with Select/Adjust.

Does anyone have the 32bit version? The WayBack machine doesn’t…

Thanks for all responses. I tried to download NetCheck but could not find a link. However if it is 26 bit I would not use it. I tried the Alarm suggestion and it worked but what I hoped for was an icon that sits permanently on the icon bar and indicates whether the internet connection is functional. I currently have to switch to the PC to get that information and would prefer not to have to do so.

I tried to download NetCheck but could not find a link.

There is no link but NetCheck 1.60 is, insecurely, here. It is BASIC and does run on 32bit platforms, a Titanium and RPi4B here. The network status reported is mostly accurate.

@David, network status is not internet connectivity.

@Robert. Perhaps you need to change ISP to one which is always on.
Say, Zen or AAISP.

Perhaps a bit off topic, but I keep wondering why you would want to have an icon that permanently shows whether the internet connection is functional or not. My Windows 11 PC has such icon, and it always shows ON, whereas in the extremely rare case that it doesn’t, I would notice the malfunction quickly enough even without the icon, for example by trying to google something. Internet is so much entangled with most progs that actually the entire PC could be considered as an internet snitch.

Perhaps you need to change ISP to one which is always on.

My Windows 11 PC has such icon, and it always shows ON

That may be fine if you have a reliable internet connection, regardless of ISP. But some people still have internet connections that are slow and/or frequently interrupted due to their location (not ISP related) – and they are often overlooked by developers and web sites.

and they are often overlooked by developers and web sites.

The main problem there, which shows up a lot on mobile phones in rural areas (patchy connections) is that for security reasons logins are often tied to an IP address, as well as having the usual cookies and such.
This means if somebody hijacks your machine state/cookies, running them on a different machine will not grant access. They would need your actual login credentials.

Where this comes a bit unstuck is when a connection drops and is re-established, you may well end up with a different IP address, invalidating those logins.

Personally I tolerate this, as the alternative is an intentional weakening of security, which might be okay for things like my forum but would be utterly unacceptable if my bank did it.

But some people still have internet connections that are slow and/or frequently interrupted due to their location (not ISP related)

Ah yes, of course. Such icon will protect you against futile operations and even more irritations. Apologise, I didn’t think of that.