WHAT'S NEW IN PCCLOCK? 5/31/97 Version 4.3 ----------- 1. Added options to call NIST at 300 to 9600 bps and CIS at 300 to 28800 bps. 2. Added header to log file showing outcome (success or failure and reason for failure) of last call. 3. Changed log file to indicate locations called for USNO and NRC. 4. Changed to display call statistics when /A (AUTO) switch used. 5. Added "Motorola 9600+" setting for "Modem Type". 6. Changed "Init" string for U.S. Robotics modems to work with 56K (x2) models. 7. Corrected problem whereby "Modem Type" setting sometimes lost when upgrading to version supporting additional settings. 8. Corrected problem whereby clock display blanked if /A (AUTO) switch used with polled I/O. 9. Unblanked clock display during redial wait when polled I/O used. 10. Removed unreliable test for IRQ in use and associated error message. 11. Removed /S (SPEED) switch. 12. Added "Common Problems and Solutions" to user's guide. Version 4.2 ----------- 1. Enabled calls to CompuServe outside the predefined U.S. and Canadian time zones, i.e., when "Time Service" is "CIS" and "Time Zone" is "Universal". For correct operation, the user must ensure that the CIS node called is in the same time zone and observes the same rules for daylight time as the caller. 2. Changed SETUP to work with: a. Target directories other than C:\PCCLOCK. b. Boot drives other than C:. c. Windows directories other than \WINDOWS. d. For Windows 95 and MS-DOS 7, directories with long filenames. 3. Added "Rockwell-based 9600+" setting for "Modem Type", and made it the default. This setting provides the correct commands for most current modems based on the popular Rockwell chipsets. For other modems, such as U.S. Robotics, PCCLOCK continues to provide specific "Modem Type" settings. 4. Added "Cardinal 9600+" setting for "Modem Type". 5. Changed "connect" timeout from 45 to 60 seconds, to allow more time for pulse dialing. 6. Changed SETUP to add What's New file to Windows 95 Start menu and Windows 3.1 program group. 7. Changed default display mode from time only to alternating date and time. 8. Added alternative method for disabling the registration reminder screen. The original method is incompatible with some Hewlett- Packard PCs and with some memory-resident (TSR and device driver) software. 9. Restored and modified "nag phrases" (including "DAY n OF 30-DAY FREE TRIAL") based on first-run date, which were eliminated in PCCLOCK version 4.1, in an attempt to encourage more registrations. As always, PCCLOCK will continue to work correctly after the 30-day trial period and the 30-day grace period, but it now makes a somewhat stronger pitch for registration. 10. Corrected problems whereby: a. PCCLOCK locked up when midnight occurred while sending commands to the modem. b. A registered copy of PCCLOCK 4.x was marked unregistered when run under Windows for Workgroups 3.11 then under another operating system or vice versa. c. A registered copy of PCCLOCK 4.1 incorrectly displayed an "UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY" message when run with the /A (AUTO) or /Q (QUICK) switch. Version 4.1 ----------- 1. Added support for the new USNO atomic clock in Colorado Springs, which was originally expected to be modem-accessible about February 1997, but has yet to go online. 2. Changed the default "Dial" string for the USNO Washington time service to use the service's new phone number, 202-762-1594. The old number, 202-653-0351, has been disconnected. 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.