TrueClock? is copyrighted freeware; before using it you should read the license agreement reproduced at the end of this text. If you find you don't agree with the terms of the license, you must destroy your copy of the software.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ COMPLETELY THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FIRST USE OF THE SOFTWARE.
A Note on Memory: the minimum setting of 128K is fine if you don't plan on enlarging the clock to a size larger than 800 by 600 pixels (about 2 to 3 times an SE or Classic Screen).
Warning: I don't have the possibility to test softwares on a large (even small) array of hardware and system configurations. I believe this software will work fine on Macintosh SEs or later, under System 7 or later. I am not sure about the behavior of the software on slower Macs, though. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.
=====================
Basic Description.
=====================
TrueClock? is a small (15 K) application that puts on the screen a round clock to show the time. You can move or resize the clock.
TrueClock? should run on any Macintosh SE or later under System 7 or later. The minimum memory requirement is 128K.
To install: just copy the TrueClock? folder to your hard disk. If you like using TrueClock?, also put an alias in the StartUp Items Folder in your System Folder. Do keep this README file for later reference.
At the first use, a clock will appear in the top right corner of your main screen.
You have the possibility to:
1. move the clock anywhere you like: you click in the black border and drag.
2. resize the clock by clicking in the small box at six o'clock.
3. use white hands on a black background or black hands on a white background. Switch with the menu.
4. save the current position, choice of black or white, and current mode (see later). You use the menu to do that. TrueClock? will then create a small (10 bytes) preferences file in your Preferences Folder in your System Folder for future use.
This is about all there is to say about the normal "humble" mode.
If you plan on enlarging the clock beyond 600 by 800 pixels you will have to set the preferred setting for memory to a higher value. The minimum setting of 128 K should be fine for common use.
BEWARE: it is theoretically possible to enlarge TrueClock? to an infinite size. The author does not recommend nearing too much infinity.
===================
Omnipotent Mode.
================
Clicking inside the clock will make it "omnipotent".
NOTE: the only way to return to normal mode is to use the TrueClock? menu command "Make Humble" (so TrueClock? has to be the front process for that).
In "omni" mode, TrueClock? always remain visible whatever is the current front application!
You can still move it and resize it as in normal mode. You can even partially cover the menu bar (TrueClock? will not mask an installed digital clock in the menu bar).
Before clicking to drag or resize, make sure white stripes are present in the drag region. This shows TrueClock? is ready to intercept the click. Moving the mouse further inside the clock lets the stripes disappear: this is useful in case the cursor has a special shape. In general do not act too quickly with the mouse especially on slower Macs.
Clicking inside the clock will *not* switch back to normal mode (to do this the only way is first to bring TrueClock? to the front using the applications menu at the extreme right of the menu bar and then use the menu command "Make humble"). It will instead refresh the clock: the graduations and the hands are drawn anew (this is useful if a screen saver has been running).
Once omnipotent TrueClock? will not let itself get hidden away by the user: you can try using the Hide Others or Hide TrueClock? command in the Applications Menu (the one at the extreme right of the menu bar), but it will have no effect on TrueClock? once it is omnipotent╔ sorry :-).
In "Omni" mode it is recommended to use white hands on black background for better compatibility with screen savers. While a screen saver is running, TrueClock? will refresh itself from time to time.
TrueClock? will react as appropriate if the user switches monitor mode, in particular if she or he changes the screen size. If the clock doesn't fit in the newer screen it will use
the saved position, style and mode. If the saved position is not OK it will use factory encoded position. Also, as far as I can guess having multiple screens is OK with TrueClock?.
When moving or resizing TrueClock?, it temporarily becomes the front process; this might alter the appearance of the screen, but everything will be back to normal as soon as you release the mouse.
Don't leave the cursor idle on the clock in omni mode as TrueClock? then monopolizes the processor as long as the cursor touches the clock.
IMPORTANT:
======================
BUGS/COMPATIBILITY.
======================
TrueClock? does not change in any way your system or finder (in particular it is not a system extension).
There is a compatibility problem with softwares having a "full screen" mode. It is possible that after simultaneous use of such a software and TrueClock? in omni mode a "black hole" appears in your screen at a previous location of the clock (only if you have moved TrueClock? after launching the other software and have later turned on and off "full screen" mode).
If this ever arises, just click at (or near) the very center of TrueClock?.
[you will know your are near enough if the display becomes inverted].
TrueClock? will then "clean up" the screen.
In such a case do not quit TrueClock? or switch to humble mode before quitting the other application. You may of course keep using the application, but in case a black hole reappears you want TrueClock? to be there to do its cleaning job.
If for whatever reason you can't get rid of a black hole, a solution is to switch to another video mode if your monitor allows for multiple video modes. Else.. save all your open documents and reboot (sorry). Note that the black hole will not swallow any data. It is just a pain but otherwise harmless. You don't have to reboot if you can endure it.
Other Known Problems:
Ñ TrueClock? in omni mode will monopolize the processor if the cursor if left dangling on top of it.
Ñ TrueClock? in omni mode can not adjust the cursor shape before you click. The special highlighting helps figure out if you are on the dragging region.
Ñ TrueClock? in omni mode can cover some part of the menu bar. However this might not work quite properly if the background color of the menu bar is not white.
Ñ If you have multiple screens, *and* have had a black hole problem, *and* this black hole is near a corner of a *secondary* screen, the cleaning up might straighten up this corner (corners usually are rounded).
Ñ Cleaning up works only for the last 50 positions of the clock.
Ñ In omni mode the sheer presence on the screen of TrueClock? might confuse the system into moving around various icons you have on your desktop (except the main icons like the trash or the hard disk) to avoid areas covered by the clock.
Ñ It is possible to use multiple copies of TrueClock? at the same time but do not let them overlap in omni mode.
Ñ It is not possible to hide TrueClock? (using the applications menu) when it is in omni mode. It is harmless to try, though. Of course this is *very* non Macintosh-like, but for the time being it is a necessary evil.
I hope you'll have fun using TrueClock?. Comments are welcome at burnol@ihes.ihes.fr or jb011@dial.oleane.com.
Jean-Franìois Burnol.
TrueClock? was composed on an Apple Performa 5300 in Pascal in February 1996 and was compiled by MetroWerks CodeWarrior v8.0. A first version (but without omni mode which has required quite an amount of brains racking), for an SE under System 6.0.5, in fact as a desk accessory, was written in August 1990 and compiled by Think Pascal v 3.0.
Ressources have been edited with ResEdit 2.1.3. This text has been written with SimpleText CM (SimpleText with colorizing patch from Alessandro Levi Montalcini).
This is version 1.2, finalized on February 29th, 1996.
Here comes the usual license agreement for freeware:
=====================
License Agreement.
=====================
Read this before using the software. If you disagree with the terms, you must destroy any copy of the software in your possession.
This software is distributed as freeware. All rights are retained by the author.
You may use this software without any charge and are encouraged to share it with your friends, as long as you don't charge for it. Distribution for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. You may post it and its accompanying documentation to ftp sites or bulletin boards or include it on a CD-ROM as long as nothing is charged for the software or its documentation. Moreover you are not allowed to distribute the software without its documentation (i.e. this file). The author would be happy to receive a complimentary copy of the magazine including the CD-ROM, although there is no obligation to make him happy. You are allowed to translate the resources of this software to any language but are not allowed to otherwise modify the code, except with express permission of the author, or in case of strictly personal use.
The software is owned by Jean-Franìois Burnol.
You must treat the software like any other copyrighted material. You may not rent or lease the software, nor may you modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software. If you violate any part of this agreement, your right to use this software terminates automatically and you then destroy all copies of this software in your possession.
Although the author has made his best to insure that no damage to your computer and/or datas could arise from using this software, it is provided "as is" without warranty of any sort.
