+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | *** Welcome to NetSync's Readme File *** | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ NetSync is a computer network based time synchronization program, that uses the Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) and Europe Time Code for Modem Dial-up to synchronize the internal computer clock. See RFC-2030 (http://www.rfc- editor.org) for further information. This readme file will briefly explain some aspects of the software, e.g. installation/uninstallation and usage. For help, bug-reporting and questions redarding this software, please send an e-mail to info@sp.se or call +46 (0)33 16 50 00 at GMT 07:00 - 16:00. +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Bug Fixes & Updates | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Date: 2002-01-01 Track bar in settings window is blocked when adjusted. Caused by a call to Timer1Timer each time bar is adjusted, and hence solved by removing this call. Date: 2002-01-01 Description: Corrected a bug that caused the message box not to show up when synchronizing manually. The problem was solved by removing the line "Timer1->Tag = 2" in the TForm1::Ping1DnsLookupDone. Date: 2002-01-01 Description: NetSync now takes Windows time zone settings into account when synchronizing. This was done by replacing standard C function settime by Win32 API function SetSystemTime. Date: 2002-02-06 Description: Column displaying synchronization (NTP or modem dial-up) method added to log file. Date: 2002-02-19 Description: Synchronization info is now displayed in yellow hint box in modem dial-up mode. Date 2002-07-09 Description: Fixed a bug that caused NetSync to write two identical lines to the log file. Solved by adding a flag telling wether a disk write has been performed or not. Date: 2002-07-11 Description: NetSync crashes when log file size exceeds 33 Kbytes. This was caused by a bug in the component TRichEdit which was used as temporary storage for log data. Fixed by adding synchronization data using class method GetTextLen() and setting property SelText directly. Date: 2002-07-28 Description: Error message when dial-up timed out caused synchronization to halt. This bug was fixed by removing the corresponding dialog box that appeared earlier. Instead, it was replaced by an alternating warning sign in the system tray in order to indicate dial-up failure. Date: 2002-07-30 Description: Wrong synchronization date was written to log file (one day ahead) between 00:00 and 02:00 UTC time when using modem. The bug was caused by reading date from local time stamp and according time from UTC time stamp generated by time generator. +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Requirements | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ This version of NetSync requires an Intel 80486 compatible computer running Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000. Since this software does not check for an internet connection, it will probably work best with a permanent internet connection such as cable modem, DSL or LAN. The software itself is running in the back- ground and doesn't need very much computer resources. +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Installing / Uninstalling | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ NetSync is normally distributed in the file NetSync.zip, whose installation files can be extracted by WinZip or similar tools. Once unzipped, install the software by running the file Setup.exe and follow the instructions. When the installation has finished, NetSync's icons will appear both in a separate folder as well as the Autostart folder in the start menu. If you do not want the software to be executed automatically at windows startup, follow the instructions below: 1. Select Settings from the Taskbar Start menu. 2. Select Activity Area and Start Menu from the next popup menu. 3. Click the Start Menu tab and then click the Delete button. 4. Expand the Autostart branch in the tree structure that appears. 5. Select the NetSync icon and press the Delete button. 6. Press the Close button. If you, for some reason, want to remove NetSync from your computer, uninstall it as follows: 1. Open the Control Panel. 2. Launch Add/Remove Programs. 3. Select NetSync. 4. Press the Add/Remove button. +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Usage | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ The software itself as well as the interface is highly intuitive. Thus, a help file was not considered to be necessary. However, a brief discussion about it's features follows below. When executing NetSync, its icon appears in System Tray at the lower right- hand corner of the screen. Right-click it with the mouse and a popup menu appears. By selecting the Settings menu alternative, a configuration dialog box appears. Here you can choose your favorite time server among a variety, or use a Europe Time Code for Modem Dial-up compatible dial-up service. To do the latter alternative, select the Modem Dial-up radiobutton and enter a valid modem number to dial. Also, make sure you use correct comport on your computer. When using NTP synchronization, NetSync tries to connect to the first server in the list. If it isn't available, an error message will appear. By pressing the Add button, you can add time servers on your own. All you need to know about it is its IP address, and make sure it uses the Simple Network Time Protocol described in RFC-2030. After selecting a time server in the list, you have the option to either delete it or edit its properties, by clicking the Delete and Edit buttons respectively. Pressing the Up and Down arrows moves the time server upwards/downwards in the list, hence changes its usage priority. Use the Track Bar in the lower left-hand corner to set the time interval between sychronizations. Right-click NetSync's icon in the System Tray and select Synchronize to synchronize your computer's internal clock at arbitrary points of time. +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Legal Terms | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Copyright 1999-2001, Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, author Martin Lockström. This program is freeware, which means that you have the right to use, copy and distribute it freely, without any limitations. However, the software must not be decompiled, dissassembled or by any means modified, without written permission from the author of the software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS-IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING AND WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER LOSS), WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE.