WHAT'S NEW IN PCCLOCK 4.X?


Version 4.1
-----------

 1.  Added support for the new USNO atomic clock in Colorado Springs, 
     expected to be modem-accessible about February 1997.

 2.  Changed the default "Dial" string for the USNO Washington time 
     service to use the service's new phone number, 202-762-1594. 
     Currently, calls to the old number, 202-653-0351, are forwarded, 
     but this will change eventually.

 3.  Eliminated "nag phrases" (including "DAY n OF 30-DAY FREE TRIAL") 
     based on first-run date, to avoid giving the false impression that 
     a shareware copy of PCCLOCK is time-limited, which it is not, has 
     never been, and never will be!

 4.  Reduced the possibility of timeout errors reported as "Serial I/O 
     error 0h" due to Windows or OS/2 multitasking when using polled 
     I/O, by increasing the time PCCLOCK will wait for the serial port 
     to become ready before outputting each character from two ticks to 
     one second.

 5.  Changed the default setting for the Chime option from On to Off.

 6.  Made several small improvements to the registration form and 
     procedure.


Version 4.02
------------

 1.  Changed the "Init" string for U.S. Robotics 9600+ modems to 
     recognize a "BUSY" response code, so that PCCLOCK will 
     automatically redial if a busy signal is encountered.

 2.  Changed the maximum number of redial attempts for the NIST, USNO, 
     and CIS time services from 15 to 14, in order to accurately comply 
     with FCC regulations.

 3.  Made several small improvements to the SETUP program.


Version 4.01
------------

 1.  Added "Contents" and "PCCLOCK Files" sections to user's guide, 
     which became too big to view with Windows Notepad.

 2.  Changed SETUP to create shortcuts to use Windows Write to view both 
     USRGUIDE and WHATSNEW files under both Windows 95 and Windows 3.x.


Version 4.0
-----------

PCCLOCK version 4.0 includes the following new features:
    
 1.  A SETUP program that installs PCCLOCK under DOS or under Windows 
     95, Windows 3.1, or OS/2 (as a DOS application).

 2.  The ability to call the NRC (National Research Council) atomic 
     clock in Ottawa or Toronto (in addition to the NIST and USNO atomic 
     clocks called by previous versions) for the exact time.

 3.  The ability (for CompuServe members) to call a CompuServe access 
     number (usually a local call vs. long-distance for the atomic 
     clocks) for the time to the nearest minute.

 4.  An option (/Q or QUICK) to set the clock without bringing up the 
     clock display or showing the modem dialog, enabling PCCLOCK to be 
     run from batch files without "taking over" the screen.

 5.  Built-in modem commands for many high-speed (9600-bps and faster) 
     modems, selectable by manufacturer's name.

 6.  Automatic redialing on busy signals and other connect failures.

 7.  A call status display showing current activity, redial count, and 
     watchdog timer.

 8.  A statistics display showing clock adjustments and measured 
     performance.

 9.  A log file that records calls and statistics.

10.  An optional ticking sound that makes it easier to synchronize a 
     watch or clock with PCCLOCK.

Other new features include:

 1.  Alternating time and date display option displays time for 3 
     seconds and date for 2 seconds rather than alternating every 
     second.

 2.  More accurate updating of time display.

 3.  Improved validation of incoming data.

 4.  Faster disconnects.

 5.  Compensation for average telephone-line delay (.05 seconds) when 
     calling the USNO and NRC time services.

 6.  Improved configuration parameter display and on-screen 
     instructions.

 7.  Improved configuration defaults, including specific rather than 
     random clock designs, time only rather than alternating time and 
     date display, and a default "Init" string that works with more 
     modems.

 8.  "COMn (addr, polled)" choices for "Serial Port" to replace /I and 
     /P command-line switches.

 9.  Standard "^x" notation (including "^M" for carriage return) for 
     control characters in modem commands.

10.  A command-line switch (/Fn) to force the number of function keys 
     used to 10 or 12 (needed for some portable computers).

11.  Immediate updating of PCCLOCK.DAT, to avoid loss of configuration 
     data when program not exited normally.

12.  Improved registration procedure and registration/order form.

13.  Personalization of registered copies with user's name.

PCCLOCK 4.0 also includes corrections to a number of problems, including 
some that prevented previous versions from working reliably with certain 
serial ports and modems.