This software is free of charge and may be freely copied and distributed, provided that this document is included with it, and that the software and its documentation are not modified in any way. This software may not, however, be sold or distributed for profit without authorization from the author. Use it at your own risk. I will not be responsible for any problems this software might cause you or your computer.
• Copy the AutoClock application anywhere on your disk.
• Drag the AutoClock Extension file in your system folder. If you are using System 7, the Finder will place it in the extension folder of your system folder.
• Restart your Macintosh.
When used for the first time, AutoClock will open two settings windows, allowing you to specify your location and communication settings. They are described below.
Use this dialog box to specify the Macintosh's location. It is automatically opened on first use of AutoClock, and can be accessed from the AutoClock menu.
You can use the menu and country list to select your state or country. Type the first letters of any name in the list to select it.
Each country/state in this database is assigned a time zone and rules for determining the Daylight Saving Time change date. You can look at and change this data by clicking the "Time Zone…" button.
Use this dialog box to specify settings about your modem and the time server, to allow them to communicate. This box is automatically opened on first use of AutoClock, and can be accessed from the AutoClock menu.
Click OK when settings are correct. If you have a doubt about the purpose of an option, don't change it.
• Choose the serial port used by your modem (default is Modem Port).
• Choose the serial port speed. All time servers can only connect at 1200 bps; therefore the speed must be set to 1200 bps to avoid possible connection problems. You must change this setting if your modem can communicate with the Macintosh only at a fixed speed different from 1200 bps.
• Don't check "Force Port" unless you have a fax or server software installed that does not permit AutoClock to open the serial port. If your configuration works without checking this box, it is safer to leave it unchecked.
• In the "Initialization" field, you must type Hayes commands to initialize your modem, allowing it to connect to time servers. In most cases, "AT&F" will work. If it should not, see below.
• In the "Prefix" field, type the phone number prefix to use if the modem's line is not direct.
• Choose the time server to call in the "Time Server" menu. You can set a specific Hayes string for each server if necessary. The default time server number shown is valid only if you call from its country. Change the time server number according to where you are calling from, by adding the appropriate international prefix and country code.
• In the "De-Initialization" field, you can type Hayes commands to reset your modem to a specific state after a connection, if necessary.
If your modem is not included in this list, and none of the initialization strings for other modems work with yours, check your modem's manual or contact me.
Click on the "Set Clock" button, or select the corresponding item in the AutoClock menu. The entire procedure is automatic: modem configuration, number dialing, reception of time data, and hanging up. If the operation is successful, it is recorded in the logbook.
If the connection has failed, make sure all settings are correct, or try to connect to another time server. Some modems have more difficulties than others connecting to certain time servers. Contact me if everything fails.
• Setting the Clock Manually:
If you don't have a modem, you can set the clock manually using an accurate time source, as for example a voice time server (303-499-7111), the radio, or your watch. Choose "Set Clock Manually…" in the AutoClock menu. Type the current date and time if necessary. When the entered time has arrived, click briefly on the "Set Now" button.
AutoClock can keep the Macintosh's clock correct automatically, without any user intervention. You can schedule periodic and automatic time server clock settings. AutoClock Extension will take care of opening the AutoClock application when scheduled if the Macintosh is on. Using the computed mean clock deviation, AutoClock Extension can also continually adjust the clock, to keep it always correct. Finally, AutoClock automatically adjusts the clock for Daylight Saving Time.
These functions are effective only when then AutoClock Extension is installed in the system folder.
• Adjustment by Time Server
In the "Automatic Adjustment…" dialog box, check the "Call time server automatically" box to activate this function. Then, choose the periodicity of automatic calls with their date and time. If for some reason the scheduled connection should fail, you can specify the number of retries and their spacing.
At the scheduled time, AutoClock will automatically be opened, initiate the connection, and quit when done. If the Macintosh is off at the scheduled time, the connection will take place as soon as the Macintosh is started up and ready.
• Continuous Adjustment
In the "Automatic Adjustment…" dialog box, check the "Adjust clock continually" box to activate this function.
Using a calculated mean deviation, AutoClock will automatically adjust the clock in one second steps each time it calculates that the clock has drifted by one second. When starting up the Macintosh, AutoClock will make up for lost adjustments that have been missed while the Macintosh was off.
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustment
In the "Daylight Saving Time Adjustment…" dialog box, check the corresponding box to activate this function. You can ask for a notification before and after the effective change. This is useful if you forget that AutoClock takes care of DST changes by himself.
The clock will be changed twice a year at dates computed from the DST rules specific to your country/state. You can check these rules by opening the "Location…" dialog box and clicking on the "Time Zone…" button. The date of the next DST change is displayed in the logbook window.
To display it, choose Logbook in the AutoClock menu.
The logbook records and displays every clock settings, continuous adjustment, DST change, and every external change to the Macintosh's clock (for example by the Clock desk accessory, or the General control panel).
Using this information, AutoClock computes and displays the mean clock deviation used to adjust the time continuously, provided that there is at least two successful clock settings. To achieve a good precision with the mean deviation and automatic clock adjustment, the interval between the first and last clock settings shoud be as long as possible. More than three month old data are not used unless there are no more recent data.
The date and time of the next connection, next continuous adjustment and next DST change are also shown.
In some situations (clock battery replacement, for example), it may be necessary to discard some or all entries in the logbok window. Choose Reset Logbook in the Windows menu to discard all data.
Use the "Other Location…" item from the Window menu to open any number of windows showing the time in any state/country.
The ◊ symbol appears in the window if daylight saving time is active.
The window and its position are automatically saved in the preference file. The next time you use AutoClock, every clock window will be opened at its previous position.
You can double-click on any window to change the location of your Macintosh, and also the date/time of the clock so that it corresponds to the chosen place.
If you have problems using AutoClock, if you discover bugs, if you have suggestions, or simply wish to tell me you like/dislike this software, you can write me at the following address:
