FAQ’s

How does TimeBot record my times?

TimeBot works by checking to see if your bluetooth device is in range. When you first come into range it takes a note of your time. Then, when you go out of range, TimeBot waits to make sure you’ve really gone, and records the time you actually left. Finally, TimeBot writes your times to your Google Calendar.

Do I have to spend ages pairing devices and entering passcodes for everyone?

No. TimeBot relies on a local area bluetooth scan to see devices that are present. Because it doesn’t send or recieve any data from devices it doesn’t need to pair with them.

I have more than one phone or device that I carry, can I track using any of them?

TimeBot lets you track with as many devices as you like. So, if you have more than one phone that you like to carry, any of them being within range will count as you being present.

How much does it cost?

For tracking a single user with multiple devices it’s free of charge. To track multiple users it costs a one off fee of $24. This is payable once and gives you access to all upgrades and bug fixes for TimeBot v1. This license allows you to install TimeBot on multiple computers for tracking your times at multiple locations. The only restriction is that only one gmail account can be used (although individual user calendars can be shared with people).

My device doesn’t show in the found list why is this?

The most common reason for this is that your device has bluetooth turned off or is set to undiscoverable mode, or is paired with the tracking computer.
Enabling bluetooth is different from device to device, but normally you’re looking to enable a setting that is called something like “Discoverable”, or change visibility to “show all”.
To check to see if your device is paired with the tracking pc:

  • Go to Start –> Control Panel –> Bluetooth Devices
  • Click on the Devices tab. This shows a list of devices that are paired with the computer. Remove your device from here and it should be found.

My blackberry is not being found, what can I do?

Out of the box blackberries are not in discoverable mode. To enable Bluetooth:

  1. In the device options, click Bluetooth.
  2. Press the Menu key.
  3. Click Options.
  4. Set the Discoverable field to Yes.
  5. Press the Menu key.
  6. Click Save.

For more info see the Blackberry website.

What about iPhones, they can’t be put into discoverable mode permanently?

At the moment TimeBot is unable to track users of iPhones directly, however because TimeBot can track multiple devices for each person, if they carry another Bluetooth discoverable device they can be tracked with no problem.

TimeBot tells me there is no bluetooth receiver found.

TimeBot currently requires you to have a Microsoft compatible bluetooth dongle in the tracking pc using the Microsoft Bluetooth stack (we hope to change this in the future). Not sure what this means? Don’t worry there is an easy way to check this:

  • Go to Start –> Control Panel
  • There should be an option for BlueTooth Devices or similar. If you can’t see this option you either don’t have bluetooth installed, or your bluetooth device is using it’s own software.

Can I make my bluetooth dongle work with the Microsoft stack?

When you first install your bluetooth dongle Windows may see the device, install some software, and just getting it working. Sometimes you have to install software that came with the dongle. It’s the additional software that causes the problem normally. This can be rolled back to the Microsoft software in some cases. (**Warning** if you use bluetooth software to perform advanced functions the follwoing steps may stop some functions from working).

To automatically uninstall your current bluetooth software and install the Microsoft bluetooth stack you can use the BlueToothInstaller software (not produced by us, so use at your own risk!).

Alternatively you can try to manually install the Microsoft bluetooth stack by following the steps below.

Windows XP:

  • Make sure the bluetooth dongle is attached properly.
  • Go to Start –> Control Panel –>System.
  • Click on the Hardware tab, and the press the Device Manager button.
  • Find Bluetooth Devices in the list and click the plus next to it to expand it.
  • Right click on your bluetooth dongle from the list (Example: CSR USB Bluetooth Device) and select Update Driver.
  • When the Hardware Update Wizard appears, choose No, Not this time to stop windows from searching for a driver, and click next.
  • Then choose Install from a list or specific location and click the Next button to continue.
  • On the next page choose Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install, and click next.
  • The next page shows all available drivers. Select the option in the list (Show all devices) and click next.
  • On the next page, click the Finish button to complete the installation.

Windows Vista:

  • Make sure the bluetooth dongle is attached properly.
  • Go to Start –> Control Panel –>System.
  • Choose Device Manager from the left hand menu.
  • Find Bluetooth Devices in the list and click the small plus next to it to expand it.
  • Right click on your bluetooth dongle from the list (Example: CSR USB Bluetooth Device) and select Update Driver Software.
  • When the next screen appears click on Browse my computer for driver software.
  • On the next page choose Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  • The next page shows all available drivers. Untick the box that says Show compatible hardware.
  • Under Manufacturer choose GenericAdapter and then select Generic Bluetooth Adapter as the model, and click next.
  • If you are prompted about installation choose yes.
  • The driver should be installed, and in stome case you will be asked to restart your computer.