═══ 1. About Alarm Clock ═══ Alarm Clock Event Scheduler Version 1.81 WalkerWerks 572 Sabine Memphis, Tn. 38117 (901) 683-3770 Compuserve 70304,2705 (C) Copyright 1992 all rights reserved ═══ 2. Overview ═══ Welcome to Alarm Clock version 1.81. With Alarm Clock you have a DeskTop clock and event schedular. It maintains a database of up to 100 events and processes them at the given date and time. Send yourself reminders or have applications run unattended at the proper time. Brought to you by: WalkerWerks 572 Sabine Memphis, Tn. 38117 (901) 683-3770 Compuserve 70304,2705 ═══ 3. Disclaimer ═══ This program is provided as is. The author accepts no liability for damages, or loss of income caused directly or indirectly through the use of this program. This program is SHAREWARE all rights and priviledges provided by law are reserved by WalkerWerks and the author. If you use this program please register your copy. Registered users will recieve one update when available. ═══ 4. Registering ═══ Alarm Clock version 1.81 This program is not FREEWARE. If you use it you should register your copy. Registeration is only $25 per copy. Site licenses can be negotiated on request. Registered users will recieve one update when available. Send Registration to: Bryan Walker DBA WalkerWerks 572 Sabine Memphis, Tn. 38117 Compuserve 70304,2705 Note: Please include a personal contact and the version number you are registering. ═══ 5. Clock Settings ═══ The Colors dialog allows you to set the color preferences for the different parts of the clock face. Select the part to change by clicking on the radio button for that part (i.e. Second Hand). Then click on the desired color for that part. In addition you may elect to have the title bar display the date or digital time. To change the size of the clock use the mouse to drag the edges of the window to the desired size. Move the window to your prefered position on the screen. When you save the changes the size and position will also be saved. Warning: The changes are not saved unless you choose the Save option from the menu or save from the Desk Top shutdown window. ═══ 5.1. Set Background ═══ Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock face background. ═══ 5.2. Set Secondhand ═══ Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's Second Hand. ═══ 5.3. Set Hour hand ═══ Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's Hour Hand. ═══ 5.4. Set Minute hand ═══ Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock's Minute Hand. ═══ 5.5. Set Hour Tick Marks ═══ Click on this radio button to change the color of the clock face Tick Marks. ═══ 5.6. Title Bar Date ═══ Click on this radio button to have the title bar display the date. ═══ 5.7. Title Bar Clock ═══ Click on this radio button to have the title bar display the digital time. ═══ 5.8. Hourly Chime ═══ Click on this checkbox to activate or de-activate the hourly chime option. If active Alarm Clock will produce an audible sound at the top of each hour. ═══ 5.9. FRQ ═══ Enter the frequency for the hourly chime. The default is 545Mhz. Any value from 37 to 32767 is valid. ═══ 5.10. DUR ═══ Enter the duration for the hourly chime. The default is 400. The value is in 1/100 seconds. ═══ 5.11. CNT ═══ Enter the number of chimes (beeps) to sound each hour. The default is 2. ═══ 5.12. Working Directory ═══ This is the directory where Alarm Clock will locate the events database and other temporary files. The default setting is '.' which points to the current default directory for this process. To insure that Alarm Clock can always find the events database enter the complete drive and path in the format d:\dir\subdir where d stands for the correct drive letter. ═══ 6. Types of Events ═══ Alarm Clock currently has 3 types of events. Alarm messages that pop up to remind you of important information, Installed Applications that launches applications as if you clicked on their icon at the scheduled time, and command line applications for starting applications not defined to the Desktop Manager or in a different way from how it was installed. Alarm Clock can also be set to beep at the beginning of each hour. This can be activated and the tones frequency and duration set under the Clock settings option. ═══ 6.1. Alarm Messages ═══ An Alarm message allows you to leave yourself a message. The text entered in the box will be displayed on the screen at the specified time and date, along with an audible alarm. Note: You may schedule reminders to occur once, Annually, Monthly, or on any given day(s) of the week. ═══ 6.2. Installed Application ═══ Use this to schedule programs that have been defined to the DeskTop manager. The path and name of the program must appear exactly as entered in the desktop managers setup dialog. The entry IS case sensitive. The application will be launched at the scheduled time and will use the same working directory and parameters as those entered in the desktop setup. Note: This option is not currently available in OS/2 version 2. ═══ 6.3. Command Line Applications ═══ For applications not installed on the desktop, or those where you want the parameters or working directory to differ from that specified to the desktop, use this setting. Enter the application name complete with path in the first box. Enter any command line parameters in the second box (this is optional). Enter the drive and path for the working directory in the third box. If you specify a drive you must follow it with the colon ':'. To start a .CMD file use CMD.EXE as the application and /C name.CMD as the command line parameters. Warning: Command Line Applications are started through a .CMD file. If you schedule more than one for the same hour and minute some may be missed as the file is rewritten for the following application. Note: Currently This is the only way to schedule applications under the new OS/2 desktop shell. ═══ 6.3.1. Program ═══ Enter the drive, path, and program name here. If you use a drive letter be sure to follow it with the colon. ═══ 6.3.2. Parameters ═══ Enter any command line parameters for the program here. These include switches used by programs such as /h used by many shareware programs to display help about the application. ═══ 6.3.3. Directory ═══ The drive and directory entered here will be set to the active directory before your program is started. If this is blank the program will be started in the directory used by Alarm Clock. If you state a drive be sure to follow with the colon. Also if it is a Floppy drive be sure to have a disk in place to prevent any errors. ═══ 7. Set the Time and Date ═══ Use this to set the current time and date for the computer's system clock. This changes the actual time for all applications on the computer. ═══ 7.1. Hour ═══ Enter the new hour in 12 hour format. Use the AM PM buttons to set the time of day. ═══ 7.2. Minutes ═══ Enter the new minutes. ═══ 7.3. Seconds ═══ Enter the new seconds. ═══ 7.4. Month ═══ Enter the month, from 1 to 2 digits. ═══ 7.5. Day ═══ Enter the day, from 1 to 2 digits. ═══ 7.6. Year ═══ Enter the year including century. i.e. 1992. ═══ 8. Scheduling Events ═══ Every event starts here. In this dialog you enter the time for the event and, if the event is one time or annual, the date. You also specify the type of event and the frequency. Your choices here will determine the options that follow for completing the setup of a new event. ═══ 8.1. Hour ═══ This field is used by every event type. Enter the hour in 12 hour format. Use the AM PM buttons to set the time of day. ═══ 8.2. Minutes ═══ This field is required and used by every event type. ═══ 8.3. Month ═══ This field is only used by One Time and Monthly events. ═══ 8.4. Day ═══ This field is only used by One Time and Monthly events. ═══ 8.5. Alarms ═══ Click on this button to schedule alarm messages to be displayed on your screen at the designated time. ═══ 8.6. Installed Apps ═══ Click on this button to schedule programs that appear as Icons on the Desk Top Manager. Note: This option is not available in OS/2 2.0. Use Command Line. ═══ 8.7. Command Line Apps ═══ Set this button to schedule programs not on the desktop or to start programs in different directories or with different parameters from those in the Desktop. Warning: Command Line Applications are started through a .CMD file. If you schedule more than one for the same hour and minute some may be missed as the file is rewritten for the following application. ═══ 8.8. One Time Events ═══ Set this button for events you only want to occur one time. ═══ 8.9. Recurring Events ═══ Set this button for Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly events. ═══ 9. Recuring Events ═══ Click on the button for the appropriate frequency of an event. Annual will occur on the specified month and day each year. Monthly will open a dialog for entering the day of month for the event. DLY\WKLY will open a dialog box of the days of the week. From there you will select the days for the event to occur. ═══ 9.1. Annual Events ═══ Select this button for events that will occur on the specified month and day of each year. ═══ 9.2. Monthly Events ═══ Select this button for events that will occur once each month. You will be taken to another dialog to enter the desired day of the month. ═══ 9.3. Daily, Weekly Events ═══ Select this button for events that you want to occur every week or every day. You will be taken to another dialog box where you can enter the day(s) for the event to occur. ═══ 10. One Time Events ═══ One time events only occur at the specified time and date once, then are deleted from the events database. The event will be maintained until the designated date even if that is 364 days away. No year is given so no event can be scheduled farther than 364 days ahead as a one time event. ═══ 11. Database Editing ═══ This allows you delete scheduled events or change their settings. The type of event (i.e. Alarm, Installed App, Command Line) cannot be changed in this version. You also cannot change the frequency (one time, weekly, monthly, etc.) right now. You can change the dates, times, and text information for each event or delete events from the database. ═══ 11.1. Hour ═══ This is the currently saved hour for the event. Changes to this field will affect any type of event. ═══ 11.2. Minute ═══ This is the minute at which the event occurs. This value is used by all event types. ═══ 11.3. Month ═══ The month is only used by Annual and One Time events. All other event types will ignore this field if edited. ═══ 11.4. Day ═══ The Day field is used by every event type except Daily\Weekly events. ═══ 11.5. Program or Note ═══ For Alarms the message text is entered or edited in this box. For applications the program with drive and path will appear here. The field may be left blank for alarms if no message text is desired. ═══ 11.6. Program Parameters ═══ This field is only used by Command Line programs. N/A will appear for all other event types. ═══ 11.7. Working Directory ═══ For Command Line programs this is the default directory for the program. N/A will appear for all other event types. ═══ 11.8. Next Event ═══ If there are more events in the database selecting this button will move you to the next one. The button will be grayed out and will not function if you are on the last record. ═══ 11.9. Previous Event ═══ If you are beyond the first event in the database this button will allow you to move backward in the records. If you are at the first record this button will not function. ═══ 11.10. Save ═══ This button saves any changes to the event currently displayed on the screen. If you forget to click this button a warning message will appear before you move to another record or exit. ═══ 11.11. Delete ═══ Select this button to delete the event currently on the screen. You will be asked to confirm the deletion before the record is destroyed. Deleted events cannot be recovered. ═══ 11.12. Day of Week Buttons ═══ For day of week events the currently selected days will be set. Click on the various radio buttons to remove or add days. These buttons will not work with other event frequencies. ═══ 12. Schedule for Day of Week ═══ There is a radio button for each day of the week appearing in this dialog. Click on those days that you want the current event to take place. You may select from 1 to all 7 days. All buttons that are darkened will be scheduled. The event will occur at the time entered in the original schedule dialog. ═══ 13. Schedule Monthly events ═══ Enter the day of the month for the scheduled event to occur. The event will occur at the stated date and time each month. Note: If you want an event to occur on the last day of each month use 31 as your date. Alarm Clock will start the event on the last day of each month even if the day is before the 31st. ═══ 14. Installation ═══ To Install Alarm Clock copy Alarmclk.exe and alarmclk.hlp into a directory. Place AlarmClk.DLL in a directory that is listed in your LIBPATH= statement from the CONFIG.SYS file. Install the application on the desktop and set the working directory to the directory where you placed the files. The program creates a file named event.dat and event.tmp. Alarmclock will create these in the directory where it is started or in the directory stated by you on the Clock Settings Screen. Be sure no other applications create files by these names in the same directory or they will be destroyed by Alarm Clock. The program will read the database and reset its schedule each time it is started so it doesn't have to be on all the time. To be sure you won't miss events you should leave it on. ═══ 15. Menu ═══ The menu provides a way to get to the various options for Alarm Clock. Each item can be reached by pressing Alt+M then Alt+ the underlined letter of the menu item. In addition each option has an accelator key combination that will take you directly to the option without going through a menu. The menu also appears in the system menu because Alarm Clock will continue to function as an icon under OS/2 1.3. ═══ 15.1. Schedule ═══ Choose this menu to schedule new events. You can go directly to the events dialog by using ALT+S. ═══ 15.2. Database ═══ This menu option allows you to browse and edit the events currently scheduled in Alarm Clock. Use ALT+D to reach it directly. ═══ 15.3. Clock Settings ═══ Choose this menu item to set the color and display aspects of the clock. The accelerator key is ALT+C. ═══ 15.4. Save settings ═══ Always select this option after changing the colors, size, or position of the clock. The changes will be stored and the clock will appear the same way every time it is started. ALT+A will save the settings without going through the menu. ═══ 15.5. Hide Controls ═══ This option removes the title bar, system menu, minimize and maximize buttons, and menu from the screen. Selecting it again with ALT+H will redisplay the controls. ═══ 15.6. Time & Date ═══ Selecting this brings up a dialog for setting your computer's time and date. Any changes will affect the time and date for all applications run on your PC. Use ALT+T to skip the menu. ═══ 16. Glossary ═══ Definitions for some commonly used terms in the help text. Accelerator keys - Key stroke combinations that carry out a command such as saving changes. Alt+ - Carry out actions through Accelerator Keys by holding the ALT key down at the same time as pressing the designated text key. Application - The executable file such as CMD.EXE. Most applications end with .EXE although some may end with .COM. Box - The rectangular areas where text is to be typed in. Such as the line where you enter your reminder text. Button - The rectangular gray blocks with commands such as Save. To carry out the command without using the mouse you can TAB to the button or press Alt+ the underlined letter. Click - The act of placing the mouse pointer (arrow) on a button and pressing the left mouse button to select the item. It is also possible to click on a button by moving the focus to that button and pressing enter or pressing ALT+ the underlined letter. Command Line - Options sent to an application by entering them at the prompt behind the name of the program such as COPY A:\*.*. Here A:\*.* would be the command line. Dialog Box - The rectangular areas that appear on the screen asking for information or notifying you of errors or messages. The Event Schedule is an example of a common dialog box type. Edit Field - See Box. Field - See Box. Focus - An item has the focus if keystroke and mouse actions will take place against it. When an edit field has the focus a vertical bar cursor appears. When most types of buttons have the focus they are surrounded by a black broken line. The window that has the current focus is usually brighter on the edge (frame) than the other windows appearing on the PC's screen. Path - The complete name of the directory where a file or program physically exists. This can include the drive letter. The syntax is D:\dir\subdir where D is the drive letter. Program - See Application. Radio Button - The small circle to the left of a word such as AM. Commonly used to select one or more choices from a group of common options. If the circle is one color (usually gray) the item is not selected. If the center is darkened the item has been selected. TAB - Pressing the tab key to move you to the next item such as a Field or Button. Pressing the Shift and Tab key together will move you backwards through the items. Text Field - See Box. Window - Most rectangular areas on the screen are actually windows, however the term usually implies the main window for an application. Areas that can be sized and have the system menu and minimum and maximum buttons along the top of the programs display area are considered WINDOWS. Working Directory - The directory where you started a program. Often programs are physically located in one directory and run from another directory so that the data (such as word processor documents) are seperated from the program. ═══ 17. Calendar ═══ The calendar displays the current month and allows you to move forward or backward through the months. Select a day to schedule an event. The day and month selected will be automatically entered into the event setup and the event scheduling dialog will be displayed for you to complete. To move forward or backward by months select the UP and DOWN arrow buttons or press PageUp or PageDown. To move by years select the up and down triangles or press SHIFT + PageUp or SHIFT + PageDown. To return to the current month select the double headed arrow button or press the Home key.