


                                NET-TIME 
                              Version 2.00 
                                   

                      Copyright (C), 1993, G.W. Mays
                                

                            3314 Prince George
                        San Antonio, Texas  78230


      
                            WHAT IS NET-TIME?

     NET-TIME is a package of programs which allow systems on your network
to remain synchronized with respect to date and time.  One system is used
to continuously broadcast the date and time.  Other systems may then
receive these broadcasts.  The programs which provide this service are
DOS TSR's, typically less than 2K bytes in size.  There is support for
NetBIOS based networks as well as Novell Netware.


                            SHAREWARE NOTICE
                                

     NET-TIME is a "Shareware" product.  It is the copyrighted work of G.W.
Mays.  It is not free; nor is it in the public domain.  All rights to this
product are retained by its author.

     You are free to try NET-TIME for 30 days in order to ascertain whether 
or not its functions are valuable to you and whether or not it performs to 
your satisfaction.  After 30 days, you are expected to either register and
pay for NET-TIME, or, discontinue your use of NET-TIME.  Shareware authors
trust in your integrity.  Please don't let us down.  

     You are encouraged to further disseminate NET-TIME to other interested
parties.  However, you must pass along the complete product.  Please do not
break the package into pieces.  You may not sell this program to others.
However, organizations that specialize in the distribution of shareware are
allowed to charge a small fee for their efforts provided that the product
fully retains its identity and integrity, and that their customers are made
to understand the shareware nature of the contents.

     
                               REGISTRATION

     Register your use of NET-TIME by printing out a copy of the ORDER.TXT
file provided with the package (COPY ORDER.TXT PRN).  Fill it out, make your
check payable to G.W. Mays.  Mail it to the address which appears at the top
of the form.

     In return, you will receive a copy of the most recent version of the
NET-TIME software and evaluation copies of RightTime (from Air Systems
Technologies) and TimeSet (from Life Sciences Software).  In addition, your
name will be added to our mailing list so that you may be informed of any
noteworthy changes and additions to NET-TIME.  Favorable upgrade pricing for 
future versions of NET-TIME will be afforded to registered users.  Your
registration also entitles you to technical support.

     
                                DISCLAIMER

     No software product is infalible.  NET-TIME is no exception.  Hence,
we will not be responsible for damages that might result, either directly or 
indirectly, from the use of NET-TIME.  We assume no responsibility for 
consequential damages arising from the use of our product.  In addition, we
disclaim, to the largest extent possible, any warranties of merchantability
or suitability for a particular purpose.


                               INSTALLATION

     NET-TIME is generally installed in its own subdirectory on your hard
disk.  Create a suitably named subdirectory to contain NET-TIME.  Copy the 
"NETIMxxx.EXE" file to that subdirectory.  Place youreself in that subdir-
ectory, and execute it.  The components of the NET-TIME product should
"explode".  
                
        Example:
                C:
                MD \NETTIME
                COPY A:\NETIMxxx.EXE C:\NETTIME
                CD \NETTIME
                NETIMxxx

    Examine the READ.ME file.  It contains information pertinent to your 
use of NET-TIME.  Changes to the documentation that are "late breaking" in 
nature, appear here.



                                HOW TO USE

     Usually, NET-TIME is implemented with a single system on your network
that is considered to be the "MASTER TIME STANDARD".  That system should
use the appropriate NET-TIME program to broadcast the date and time to the
rest of your network.  Other systems on your network which require coordin-
ated date and time, should use the appropriate NET-TIME program to keep the
system clock synchronized with the broadcaster.  

     The NET-TIME program which is appropriate for your use depends upon
the network operating system you employ.  If your network is Novell, you 
will probably want to use the IPX versions of the NET-TIME programs.  If
your network is NetBIOS-based, then the NETBIOS versions of the the NET-TIME
programs are in order.

        Programs:
                TIMESNDN        Broadcast time via NetBIOS
                TIMERCVN        Receive NetBIOS time broadcasts
                TIMESNDI        Broadcast time via IPX
                TIMERCVI        Receive IPX time broadcasts

     The NET-TIME programs are TSR's.  Program sizes are various, but are
typically less than 2K bytes when resident.  All may be loaded high if your
system supports the capability.  Remember that NET-TIME requires the 
services provided by your network operating system; so be sure to load
IPX (for Novell) or NetBIOS before NET-TIME.


                               CONFIGURATION

     NET-TIME comes with a configuration utility named TIMECFG.  Place 
yourself in the directory into which you installed NET-TIME and execute
TIMECFG.  Alter configuration values to suit your needs.  Note that the
default values will probably work in most circumstances.  NET-TIME system
parameters that are under your control are...

     NETBIOS NAME OF BROADCASTER.  This is the NetBIOS name of the
        broadcast program.  It may be 1 to 16 characters in length and
        should not contain embedded blanks.  See the "gory" details
        of your NetBIOS to determine any restrictions that may apply.
        The default is "TIMESERVER".

     NETBIOS NAME OF RECEIVERS.  This is the NetBIOS name of the programs
        which receive the broadcasts.  The default is "TIMECLIENT".  See 
        the notes above.

     BROADCAST INTERVAL.  This is the time interval between Date/Time
        broadcasts expressed in "ticks".  There are 18.2 ticks per 
        second.  The default is 182 which translates to 10 seconds.

     IPX SOCKET.  This is the IPX socket number expressed in hexadecimal.
        DO NOT BYTE-REVERSE THIS VALUE.  Simply enter the socket number
        you wish to use; NET-TIME will perform the translation to non-Intel
        format as needed by IPX.  (Sockets serve to identify the process
        which is using IPX services).  The default is (hex) 4949.

     TIMECFG modifies the .COM files directly.  By default, TIMECFG
     will look for the NET-TIME programs in the current directory. 
     If the environment variable "NETTIME" is defined, it is assumed
     to specify the path to the NET-TIME programs.



                         USE WITH OTHER PROGRAMS

     Providing a single source for network date and time is a
double-edged sword.  While it is provides uniformity and is
relatively fault-tolerent, this source will also proliferate bad
information to all of its clients if it comes from a tainted or
questionable origin.  

     We suggest that you employ the services of RightTime, from Air
System Technoligies of Dallas, Texas, and TimeSet, from Life Sciences
Software of Stanwood, Washington.  Both are valuable products in
their own right.  Working together, and in conjunction with NET-TIME,
you can expect a highly accurate and reliable network time source.  

     RightTime is a software product which adaptively regulates the
accuracy of the clock within the PC you use to broadcast the date and
time.  Without RightTime, PC's tend to "drift" slightly each day with
respect to their timekeeping.

     TimeSet is a software product which automates access to dial-up
time sources such as NIST in Boulder, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval
Observatory in Washington, D.C.  This simplifies the process of
obtaining and setting accurate time on your PC.

     Both products are available on better bulletin boards
everywhere.  If you have difficulty locating either of them from your
usual sources, try the Air System Technologies BBS at (213) 869-2780.
     
                        
                                 

     
