WTIME21.TXT - WORLDTIME FOR WINDOWS PRODUCT DOCUMENTATION - VERSION 2.10e _______________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION ------------ WorldTime 2.1 is a powerful international clock utility for the Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) operating environment. WorldTime can display six different international locations and their current local times -- selected from a database of over 170 metropolitan and geographic locations worldwide. WorldTime is flexible, too! With just a few keystrokes, custom location names can be substituted for any of the standard locations. This feature allows you to custom-configure the WorldTime location/time displays any way you see fit. PROGRAM FILES ------------- The WorldTime 2.1 package consists of five files: README.TXT An introductory ASCII text file, containing program notes and "quick and dirty" installation guidelines. NETWORK.TXT A technical supplement dealing with the use of WorldTime 2.1 in a network environment. WTIME21.EXE The executable program file. WTIME21.HLP The Windows Help file, used for providing comprehensive run-time help via the Windows Help system. The help system is accessed via the menu bar "Help/Contents" selection. Any help topic may be easily printed through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" selection. A printable registration form is included. WTIME21.TXT This file, containing program information, notes, general instructions, and a registration form (see end of file). A sixth file, WTIME21.INI, is created the first time WorldTime 2.1 is run. This initialization file is normally located in the user's default Windows directory, and is used for storing all configuration information. Every time WorldTime is run, the program checks the Windows directory for this file and will create a new, blank WTIME21.INI file if the original is not found. NOTE: For the benefit of user's who prefer keeping the WorldTime .INI file in the WorldTime default directory, the program can be run with the "Private Mode" command line switch (/P). This forces the program to create and access its initialization file in the WorldTime default directory (i.e., wherever the WTIME21.EXE file is located), and also allows multiple copies of WorldTime (stored in separate directories) to be run with their own configuration settings. PROGRAM NOTES ------------- WorldTime 2.1 runs within the Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) environment, and requires the following: * Microsoft Windows (version 3.1 or later). * VGA or higher graphics capability (640x480 minimum resolution). A Windows-compatible mouse or other pointing device is recommended, but is not required for running WorldTime. SYSTEM CLOCK SETTINGS --------------------- WorldTime is dependent upon the accuracy of your computer's system clock, and your operating system's associated DATE and TIME settings. Both must be correct for WorldTime to function properly. WorldTime 2.1 includes the facility to adjust your system TIME setting from within the program. This is done by selecting the menu bar "Options/Set System Time..." command. This will open a dialog box containing "repeating" pushbutton controls for adjusting the Hour and Minute TIME settings. To accept any changes, "click" the "OK" button or press the "ENTER" key. To discard any changes, select the "CANCEL" button. There are a number of other methods available for adjusting your system DATE and TIME settings, both from Windows itself or from the host operating system. Consult your Windows User's Manual or your operating system user's manual for full explanations of the DATE and TIME functions. INSTALLATION GUIDELINES ----------------------- 1. MAKE A BACKUP COPY We strongly recommend making a backup copy of your program disk. Keep the master copy in a safe place and use the backup disk for program installation. 2. COPY THE PROGRAM FILES Although WorldTime can be run from a floppy disk, we strongly recommend its installation to a hard disk. To do this, copy the primary program files (WTIME21.EXE and WTIME21.HLP) from your master disk to an appropriate subdirectory on your hard disk (e.g., C:\WTIME21). The ASCII text files, WTIME21.TXT and README.TXT, are an important source of program information, but are not REQUIRED in order to run WorldTime. The WorldTime initialization file, WTIME21.INI, is created when WorldTime is first run and usually stored in the default Windows directory (usually C:\WINDOWS or C:\WIN31). The two program files (WTIME21.EXE and WTIME21.HLP), however, ARE required, and must reside together in the same drive and directory in order for the program to work properly. 3. ASSIGN AN ICON You may use the "Windows Setup" utility to assign WorldTime's program item (icon) to a program group. Setup will recognize the WTIME21.EXE file and assign its icon to a program group for you. or... You may assign a program item icon to WorldTime 2.1 manually, through the Program Manager menu bar "File/New" command. Always make sure that the complete path and correct filename (e.g., "C:\TIME\WTIME21.EXE") is assigned to the WTIME21 program item. The "Browse" control in the Program Item dialog box will make it easy to locate and assign the correct path and filename. 4. RUN THE PROGRAM If installed correctly, the program should load from the Program Manager screen when the WorldTime icon is double-clicked (or from File Manager when the WorldTime listing is selected with "File/Run" or double-clicked). Naturally, you do not have to assign WorldTime executable file to a Program Manager group. The program can easily be run directly from File Manager or any "substitute" Windows shell or desktop application. 5. WORLDTIME OPERATING MODES When WorldTime is run without any command line parameters, the program defaults to "Normal Mode." Normal Mode is the recommended operating mode for most users, and offers the most reliable performance whether the program is being run on an individual PC or in a network environment. In Normal Mode, the WorldTime 2.1 initialization file (WTIME21.INI) is automatically stored in the host PC's default Microsoft Windows directory (e.g., C:\WINDOWS). Normal Mode is specifically recommended when WorldTime is used on local area networks, since operation in this mode makes locating and accessing the WTIME21.INI file very easy. Normal Mode limits ALL instances of WorldTime on the user's system to a single initialization file. As a result, users will NOT be able to install and run multiple copies of WorldTime and run each with different configuration settings. A second operating mode, "Private Mode," is available for the benefit of users who prefer to access the WTIME21.INI file from WorldTime's own directory (e.g., wherever the WTIME21.EXE file is located), not the default Windows directory. To run WorldTime in Private Mode, the /P command line switch should be included in the WorldTime command line, as in the following example: C:\WTIME\WTIME21.EXE /P When run in Private Mode, multiple copies of WorldTime (located in separate directories) can be run concurrently, each one accessing its own set of configuration settings stored in a separate WTIME21.INI file. Copies of WorldTime installed and used in a local area network (LAN) environment generally should NOT be run in Private Mode, since this can complicate management of the individual WTIME21.INI files (See Network Considerations below). The user can always check the operating mode of a currently running instance of WorldTime by opening the "About WorldTime" dialog box. NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS ---------------------- WorldTime 2.1 was designed from the outset to extremely compact, requiring the absolute minimum in terms of disk space and memory resources. As a result, there is relatively little to be gained from installing WorldTime on a network, as opposed to simply distributing registered copies of the program to individual users. Still, WorldTime 2.1 may be installed onto a network and easily "shared" between network users. The local area network (LAN) manager should be aware that WorldTime, when run in Normal Mode, automatically creates an instance of its configuration file in the default Windows directory (e.g., C:\WINDOWS) of the individual user's host system. On start-up, WorldTime obtains the drive/directory path of the user's default Windows directory and appends to it the "WTIME21.INI" filename. This full pathname is then stored in memory and used by WorldTime whenever read/write access to the program's initialization file is required. A similar routine obtains the drive/directory location of the WorldTime executable file (WTIME21.EXE) and uses this as a basis for the pathname assigned for access to the WorldTime help file (WTIME21.HLP). If WorldTime attempts to access any of these files, and they cannot be found at the expected location, the program will post an error message and attempt to continue operation. Under this arrangement, WTIME21.EXE and WTIME21.HLP must be located together, presumably on a network server PC's hard drive. Individual copies of WTIME21.INI will be created and maintained in the default Windows directory used by each individual network user (either on their local PCs or in a subdirectory on the server's hard drive). NOTE: When run on a network, WorldTime should ONLY be run in its Normal Mode. Users are reminded that use of the Private Mode command line switch (/P) forces WorldTime into Private Mode, in which the WTIME21.INI file is created and accessed from the WorldTime default directory (i.e., wherever the WTIME21.EXE file is located). Any distribution of files should be made with this protocol in mind. MENU BAR COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------ File Exit Closes WorldTime. Options Hide/Show ButtonBar Toggles the buttonbar display on and off. Configuration... Opens a dialog box containing controls for setting WorldTime's local time zone and display option defaults. Set System Time... Opens a dialog box containing controls for setting your PC system time (hours and minutes). Help Contents Launches the Windows Help system and loads the WorldTime help file (WTIME21.HLP). This "manual on disk" is a useful source of program information and operating instructions. You may select specific topics to read, or browse from topic to topic. You may even print topics for later reference. Registration Information... Opens a dialog box containing WorldTime single-user registration information. About WorldTime... Opens a dialog box containing WorldTime copyright information. The current mode in which WorldTime is being run is also displayed. WORLDTIME CONFIGURATION ----------------------- For WorldTime to function correctly, the program must first be configured to your local time zone. This is done via the menu bar "Options/Configuration..." selection. This menu bar selection opens the Configuration dialog box, which contains controls for selecting your local time zone and toggling local daylight savings time mode on or off. These settings must be correct if WorldTime is to provide accurate international time updates. The drop down list box control accesses a list of all standard time zones around the world. Use the keyboard cursor control (arrow) keys or the list box scrolling control to browse the list. When you find your local time zone, select it by clicking it with the mouse pointer. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME NOTE: If a daylight savings time policy is in effect in your area, the "Local Daylight Savings Time" checkbox control should be highlighted (checked); if not, make sure that the control is cleared. LOCAL HALF-HOUR TIME ZONE NOTE: If you live in a "half-hour" time zone area (e.g., Australia's Northern Territory or South Australia areas, India, Newfoundland, etc.), the "Local Half-Hour Time Zone (+ :30)" checkbox control should be highlighted. As long as your Local Time Zone list box selection is correct, activating this control will make the necessary adjustments to all international times displayed. When your setting changes are complete, close the dialog box by clicking the "OK" button with the mouse pointer. WorldTime's active defaults are immediately updated. This configuration process need only be made once (assuming your computer is not moved to a different time zone). WINDOW/ICON DISPLAY OPTIONS --------------------------- The "Keep Window/Icon Topmost" checkbox control enables and disables a feature that keeps the WorldTime program window and icon "topmost" above any other active applications on the Windows desktop. TIME DISPLAY OPTIONS -------------------- The "12-Hour Clock" and "24-Hour Clock" radiobutton controls allow easy toggling between these two methods of time display. This setting applies not only to the program window itself, but to the iconic time display and the time display in the "Set System Time" dialog box. DATE DISPLAY OPTIONS -------------------- The "Date: M/D/Y" and "Date: D/M/Y" radiobutton controls allow easy toggling between these two methods of date display. This setting applies only to the date display in the status window. BUTTONBAR DISPLAY OPTIONS ------------------------- One of the distinctive features of the WorldTime program window is the buttonbar, a row of six pushbutton controls used for setting each of the six international location/time fields (see INTERNATIONAL LOCATION SELECTIONS). Once you have WorldTime configured the way you like it, the buttonbar controls can be optionally removed from the program window via the menu bar "Hide/Show ButtonBar" command. The buttonbar can be restored via the same command. Whenever the buttonbar is removed or restored, the program window is resized to accommodate the change. As a result, this option can be of some use in freeing up some space on the Windows desktop (and to prevent accidentally opening one of the International Location dialog boxes). INTERNATIONAL LOCATION SELECTIONS --------------------------------- WorldTime was designed to provide a quick and easy means of obtaining the correct time for dozens of locations around the world. ButtonBar Access... ------------------- Each of the six location/time fields may be set via the buttonbar controls located at the top of the WorldTime screen. The first control accesses a dialog box for selecting the location and time displayed in the first fields, the second control selects the location and time in the second field, and so on. Mouse "Point-and-Shoot" Access... --------------------------------- If you use a mouse or other pointing device, the international location selection dialog boxes can also be activated by placing the mouse pointer/cursor over a selected location display (anywhere within the text display rectangle) and double-clicking the left mouse button. The International Location Selection dialog boxes provide a drop-down listbox control from which you may access any of the over 170 standard metropolitan and geographic locations in the WorldTime location database. Simply scroll through the location listings and select the one you wish displayed. When you close the dialog box, the new selection will appear in the appropriate location field and the current time at that location will be displayed in the field to the right. NOTE: A "blank" item is provided at the beginning of each locations listbox, which may be selected to clear the display. You may also select the color of the location, day, and time text to be displayed on-screen. CUSTOM LOCATION NAMES --------------------- Although WorldTime's database of over 170 international locations is more than enough for most purposes, the six location displays can be "custom" configured to display virtually any name or label you desire. You can substitute a city or town name, the name of a geographic site or landmark, even a business or personal name! This is made possible with a Custom Location feature, which allows the user to select any of WorldTime's standard locations, then attach an "alias" name to that selection. The custom name is then displayed in the appropriate window field in place of the standard location. This feature is available for each of the six display fields. Here's how it works... Let's say you wish to display the name and correct time of a French city not included in the WorldTime database. This is accomplished in three steps: 1. Open one of the "Set Location" dialog boxes and select any city in metropolitan France (Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, etc.). As long as the standard WorldTime selection is in the same time zone (and subject to the same DST policies) as your desired location, the time displays will remain accurate. 2. Enter the alternative display name in the edit control window. This can be a city name, a business name, even the name of a friend or relative. Up to 24 alphanumeric characters (including spaces and punctuation) are allowed. 3. Enable the alternative location display by highlighting the "Enable Custom Name" checkbox control. 4. When the "Enable Custom Name" control is highlighted, an optional "Half-Hour Time Zone" checkbox control is enabled. You should highlight the "Half-Hour Time Zone" control ONLY if the desired custom location is within an international "half-hour" time zone. Selecting this option will add 30 minutes to the displayed time. NOTE: The International Location Settings "Half-Hour Time Zone" option is available ONLY for custom locations. This option is automatically disabled if the custom location name selection is toggled off. When all settings for the desired custom location have been made, close the dialog box by "clicking" the "OK" button (or pressing the keyboard "ENTER" key). Your custom location name will appear in WorldTime's interface screen in place of the standard location. Using the check box control, you can easily toggle back and forth between the standard WorldTime location name shown in the list box control and your customized display name in the edit control. TROUBLESHOOTING AND RUN-TIME HELP --------------------------------- Comprehensive run-time help is available at any time through the WorldTime menu bar "Help/Contents" command. This launches the Windows Help system and loads the WorldTime Help file, WTIME21.HLP. This file contains detailed instructions on configuring and running WorldTime. You can directly access any Help topic through the Contents, or browse from topic to topic. Help topics may even be printed through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" command -- a convenient way of turning this "manual on a disk" into a hard copy reference. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME --------------------- Assuming your PC system DATE and TIME settings are correct, WorldTime for Windows will automatically detect any international daylight savings time policies in effect during its use, and compensate for them in its time display calculations. WorldTime 2.1 currently recognizes 10 different daylight savings periods that come into effect all around the world, and will make automatic adjustments to any default locations selected in the International Location Selection dialog boxes. If, for any reason, you wish to override this feature, 25 "Standard Time Zone" selections are available in the International Location Selection drop-down listbox control. These "plain vanilla" listings reflect simple one-hour increments above or below Greenwich Mean Time (GMT or UTC), and are not affected by international daylight savings time policies or influenced by internal WorldTime calculations of such policies. Using the Custom Location Name option, you can associate any of the "Standard Time Zone" locations with a location name of your choice. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME IRREGULARITIES ------------------------------------ Daylight Savings Time is officially observed in the United States from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Even so, there are certain areas within the U.S. and its territories that DO NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. These include the states of Arizona, Hawaii, parts of Indiana, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Many countries in the world observe some form of Daylight Savings Time. Unfortunately, the dates of observance differ widely from nation to nation and from hemisphere to hemisphere. Although WorldTime is designed to recognize and compensate for Daylight Savings Time periods observed in each of the locations listed, this requires that both the TIME and DATE settings of your computer's system clock be correct. NOTE: In many parts of the world, the "official" policies regarding Daylight Savings Time are extremely flexible, and subject to periodic change. Future releases of WorldTime will attempt to keep pace with any such changes as they come into effect. Registered users of WorldTime will receive update information whenever a new release is under development or placed into distribution. Product upgrades of this kind are usually heavily discounted to registered users. PRODUCT SUPPORT --------------- If you have a problem with this program, and can't find the answer in the Help System or text file documentation, you can contact Pegasus Development's Tech Support Hotline (furnished courtesy of Advanced Support Group, Inc.) by telephone Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. C.S.T. Our telephone number is: (314) 965-5630 The Advanced Support Group FAX number is: (314) 966-1833 Please be prepared to furnish us information regarding your PC hardware, operating system, and version of Microsoft Windows you are currently running. And, if you manage to stump us, we can usually get back to you within a day with a solution. LIMITED WARRANTY AND REMEDIES ----------------------------- Before release, our applications software is tested on a wide variety of hardware configurations, under the most rigorous test conditions possible. We therefore warrant that the software will perform in substantial compliance with the specifications set forth in this text, provided that the software is used on the computer hardware and operating system(s) for which it was designed. Pegasus Development makes no other warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this software (or media, if this is a registered version), including its quality or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Pegasus Development be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of or the inability to use this software, even if Pegasus Development has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Pegasus Development is not responsible for any costs including, but not limited to, those incurred as a result of lost profits or revenues, loss of time or use of the software, loss of data, the cost of recovering software or data, the cost of substitute software, claims by third parties, or similar costs. In no event will Pegasus Development's liability exceed the amount of the paid registration fee. PRODUCT REGISTRATION -------------------- WorldTime for Windows is shareware, not freeware. Product registration is necessary if companies like ours are to continue providing quality software for the shareware marketplace. Registration entitles a single end-user to install and run WorldTime on a single personal computer or work station. If you are interested in obtaining a registration for more than one user, please read the "Site License Registrations" section below. Registered users receive the registered version of this product (available in 3.5" or 5.25" disk formats). Registration also entitles the user to advance release information on upcoming Pegasus Development products (including updates and upgrades to this program) -- as well as other new titles in our expanding product line. The single-user registration fee for this product is $16.00 (U.S.). Registrations are accepted both by telephone (with a major credit card) or by mail. NOTE: Registrations from outside the continental U.S. should include an additional $2.00 for shipping and handling. Registrations are handled by Advanced Support Group, Inc. As a result, all credit card registrations will appear on your statement as "ASG, Software - Services." For your convenience, a registration form is provided here and within the WorldTime help file (accessible via the Windows Help system as outlined previously). The help file registration form, or any help topic, is easily printable through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" command. SITE LICENSE REGISTRATIONS -------------------------- Site license registrations are available for businesses or groups wishing to obtain multiple (20 or more) registrations of WorldTime. Site licenses allow many users to obtain product registration at a substantial discount from the standard registration fee. Additional site license information is available in the WTIME21.HLP file. Please contact Pegasus Development for site license information. _____________________ We at Pegasus Development appreciate your support, and hope you enjoy using WorldTime 2.1. WORLDTIME FOR WINDOWS (Version 2.10e) Copyright (c) 1993 Pegasus Development The information contained in this documentation is subject to revision and/or alteration without prior notice. This documentation represents no obligation, expressed or implied, on the part of the author or Pegasus Development. Microsoft(R) is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective corporations, and are hereby acknowledged. --------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE REGISTRATION FORM - SINGLE-USER ---------------------------------------- Return this form along with your remittance to: Pegasus Development WorldTime 2.1e Registration 11900 Grant Place St. Louis, MO. 63131 U.S.A. You can also register by telephone using your MasterCard, American Express, or VISA through Advanced Support Group's Product Registration Hotline at 1-800-788-0787. _______ WorldTime 2.1 Single-User Registration(s) @ $16.00 U.S. each. For orders outside the continental U.S. and Canada, please add $2.00 shipping and handling. Checks and money orders must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $______________ Payment by: [] Check [] AmEx [] MasterCard [] VISA Card# _______________________________ Exp. Date __________ Signature of Cardholder __________________________________ Name _____________________________________________________ Address 1 ________________________________________________ Address 2 ________________________________________________ City __________________________ State/Province ___________ Zip/Postal Code ________________ Country _________________ Telephone (______)________________________________________ Disk Size Required: [ ] 3.5" (720K) [ ] 5.25" (360K) Please indicate where you obtained WorldTime 2.1: (Mail Order, BBS, etc) ___________________________________