📖 User Manual

🖥️ Interface Overview

Internet Speed Monitor features a clean, intuitive interface designed for easy monitoring of your internet connection performance.

🚀 Getting Started

Initial Setup

1. Launch the Application: Open Internet Speed Monitor from your Applications folder, Start Menu, or desktop shortcut.
2. Grant Permissions: If prompted, allow the application to access the internet for speed testing.
3. Try a Quick Test: Click "Test Once Now" to run an immediate speed test and verify everything is working.
4. Choose Schedule: Select your preferred scheduling mode (Simple Interval or Cron Expression) and choose from preset options or create custom schedules.
5. Start Monitoring: Click "Start Monitoring" to begin automatic speed testing with status indicators and countdown timers.

First Speed Test

When you first start monitoring, the application will:

• Run an initial speed test to establish baseline performance
• Display results in the Current Speed section
• Begin plotting data on the Speed History chart
• Continue testing according to your scheduled pattern

⚙️ Configuration Options

Bandwidth Usage Guidelines

Scheduling Options

The application offers two powerful scheduling modes to fit your monitoring needs:

Simple Interval Mode

Perfect for consistent, regular monitoring at fixed intervals:

Cron Expression Mode

Advanced scheduling using UNIX cron expressions for precise timing control:

• Work Hours Preset: Monitors Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, hourly
• Custom Expressions: Create complex schedules using standard cron syntax
• Real-time Validation: Instant feedback on expression validity
• Next Run Preview: See when your next test will execute

Monitoring Controls

• Start/Stop Monitoring: Toggle automatic speed testing on or off
• Manual Test: Run a single speed test immediately
• Schedule Type: Switch between Simple Interval and Cron Expression modes
• Preset Buttons: Quick-select common scheduling patterns
• Clear Data: Remove all stored speed test history

📊 Understanding Your Data

Speed Metrics Explained

Interpreting Speed Results

• Good Performance: Speeds within 80-100% of your ISP's advertised speeds
• Moderate Performance: Speeds between 50-80% of advertised speeds
• Poor Performance: Speeds below 50% of advertised speeds
• Ping Guidelines: <20ms excellent, 20-50ms good, 50-100ms fair, >100ms poor

Chart Features

• Zoom: Click and drag to zoom into specific time periods
• Hover Details: Mouse over data points for exact values and timestamps
• Legend: Click legend items to show/hide specific metrics
• Time Range: Select from predefined ranges or set custom periods

📤 Data Export and Backup

CSV Export

Export your speed test data for analysis in external tools:

1. Click the "Export CSV" button in the monitoring controls
2. Choose a location and filename for your export
3. Open the file in Excel, Google Sheets, or other spreadsheet applications

Export Data Format

The exported CSV contains the following columns:

• timestamp - Date and time of the test (ISO 8601 format)
• download_speed - Download speed in Mbps
• upload_speed - Upload speed in Mbps
• ping - Ping time in milliseconds
• jitter - Jitter in milliseconds (if available)
• server_location - Test server location

Data Backup

Your speed test data is automatically backed up locally. Database locations:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Internet Speed Monitor/
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Internet Speed Monitor\
• Linux: ~/.config/Internet Speed Monitor/

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Speed Tests Failing

• Check your internet connection
• Verify firewall isn't blocking the application
• Try disabling VPN temporarily
• Restart your router/modem
• Contact your ISP if issues persist

Inaccurate Results

• Close bandwidth-intensive applications during testing
• Connect directly to your router via Ethernet if possible
• Ensure no other devices are heavily using the network
• Run multiple tests to establish a baseline

Application Performance

• Reduce test frequency if system performance is affected
• Clear old data periodically to maintain performance
• Ensure adequate disk space for data storage
• Restart the application if it becomes unresponsive

Getting Help

If you continue experiencing issues:

• Check the FAQ page for solutions to common problems
• Report bugs on GitHub Issues
• Include your operating system, app version, and error details
• Provide steps to reproduce the issue

🔒 Privacy and Security

Data Privacy

• Local Storage: All data is stored locally on your device
• No Cloud Sync: No data is transmitted to external servers
• No Tracking: The application doesn't track user behavior
• No Personal Data: Only speed test metrics are collected

Network Security

• HTTPS Only: All speed tests use encrypted connections
• Minimal Permissions: App only requests necessary network access
• Open Source: Code is publicly auditable on GitHub
• Regular Updates: Security patches are released promptly

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts