AClock is preconfigured with the assumption that you'll want to use a custom clockface that is approximately 5K- 6K in size (See below for directions on determining the size of your picture) If you would like to use a larger picture, you will have to adjust the memory allocation to AClock. Follow these steps:
1) In the Finder, find the "AClock" application icon and select it.
2) Select Get Info... from the File menu. At the bottom of this window are two editable numbers: Minimum Size and Preferred Size.
3) Increase the number in the Preferred Size box by 1K for every 1K of size of your picture.
----------------------
Symptoms of low memory:
If you experience any of these problems, try increasing the amount of memory allocated to AClock using the method described above:
* You get a message stating that there is not enough memory to load your custom clockface.
* Some elements of the dialog boxes (such as icons) do not appear.
* The program unexpectedly quits and you get a message stating that there has been a "Type 25" error.
----------------------
You do not have to do this, but for best results, you should quit and restart AClock after you paste a custom clockface. This saves the clockface to disk and helps AClock manage memory better. Your chances of experiencing a memory shortage increase after you paste a custom picture.
THE BUG FIX OF LAST RESORT!!!
Your "AClock prefs" file (located in the folder called "Preferences" in your System Folder) contains your custom clockface picture (registered copies only). If you ever have serious trouble getting AClock to work, throwing this file in the trash will reset the program to more-or-less its original state. (Note that you will have to enter your registration number again if you do this)
FAQs (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
(Actually, as this is the first issue of version 2, I just made up these FAQs!)
My AClock has no hands!!!
Check to make sure that the color of the clock's hands is not the same as the clockface. Often, white hands work best with a custom clockface that is dark in color, but if you return to the stock clockface, you'll be left with white hands on a white clockface! (And next time, you'll be penalized for not phrasing it in the form of a question).
Why is my clockface competely white?
I'm hoping you won't need to ask. If it does happen, it will probably happen when you try to paste a picture into the clock and indicates that there isn't enough memory. Quit AClock, give it a little more memory, and try again. Then drop me a note letting me know how it happened and I'll try to work this bug out of future versions. Give as many details as possible.
Can I use more than one copy of AClock at the same time?
Certainly, but you can only have one custom clockface which will apply to all of them.
AClock is the greatest piece of software I've ever seen! Where can I get more of your programs?
You don't know how many times I've been asked this! (but if you guessed "zero", you'd be right!) A Catalog of my ShareWare and FreeWare programs should be included in this package. If you'd like the most recent list, contact me at the mail or e-mail address on the registration form and I'll send you one.
What is "Auto-Background"?
It's an option under the File menu. Select it if you want AClock to automatically go into the background when it's launched. This is most useful when you put AClock in your StartUp Items folder. I included this option for my mother, who refused to use earlier versions of AClock because she wanted to be in the Finder after she powered up her Mac. It says something when your own mother won't use your software!!!
What is "GMT"?
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time (sometimes called UTC), referring to the time in Greenwich England. International time is often reckoned by how many hours and minutes it is ahead (going west from England) or behind (going east) GMT. When you select a time zone to display, you're telling AClock how many hours and minutes you want to add or subtract from GMT. Why not just add or subtract from local time (as was done in version 1)? If you use GMT as your base, all the time zone information will remain correct even if you move your computer. (For example, if you're in New York, San Francisco is 3 hours behind your local time and 8 hours behind GMT. If you move to Denver, San Francisco is still 8 hours behind GMT but now only one hour behind your local time)
Is O.J. guilty?
Absolutely, 100% guilty.
What is "DST"?
Daylight Savings Time. Each country, it seems, has its own rules about DST (though many don't use DST at all). AClock includes DST checking for USA / Canada, Western Europe / Russia, UK, and China. If you would like to see other country's DST rules included, just let me know the name of the country and what its DST rules are. I'm particularly interested in finding out about countries in South America and Africa.
Why does AClock insist that Kabul time is the same as local time if I'm in Mexico?
In order for AClock to work properly, you have to make sure your computer knows where you are. Select the "Map" control panel and set your location. System 7.5 users can do the same thing by clicking "Set Time Zone..." from their "Date & Time" control panel.
What sumo wrestler became the first foreigner to ever reach the rank of grand champion?
Chad Rowan, who fights under the name "Akebono"
How can I tell how much memory a picture takes up?
If you're a System 7.5 user, the answer is easy. Just paste the picture into your scrapbook, which will tell you the size.
A somewhat less precise method for pre-System 7.5 users: paste the picture into a blank draw document (use MacDraw or some other object-drawing program) and save it. Then, using the Finder's "Get Info..." command, you can see it's memory requirement.
