The right time

This week, the focus is on keeping the right time -- on the computer. The selection of software enable you to replace or enhance the standard Windows clock with advanced and sophisticated timekeepers which ensure that what you see is the exact time.

Time Synchronizer 1.01

A very simple but effective time synchroniser that may be configured to startup at Windows boot, automatically connect to an atomic clock based time server, synchronise the system clock and then quit. Users can prevent wastage of system resources to ensure an accurate system clock.

Filesize: 0.18 MB

Purchase Info: Freeware

Platforms: Win 95/98, Win 2000, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.softnik.com

World Time Clock 8.7.0

The World Time Clock indicates the current time in timezones around the world and takes summer time automatically into account (in both hemispheres).

In addition, the clock, which is fully dynamic, indicates clearly the date division. It also allows you to set your laptop clock to a different timezone when travelling.

The software enables you to synchronise your system clock with an atomic time generator via the Internet or via modem.

Other features include a Conference Time function with which you can ask at what local time you should call another city to reach it at a particular time.

There are five separate multimedia alarms that are remembered even if you need to reboot. These can be set to activate (once, hourly, daily, weekly, etc) either a beep signal, a .wav file, your own recorded voice, a .midi sequence, an .avi video file or an audio compact disk.

Filesize: 0.42 MB

Purchase Info: Shareware

Platforms: Win 3.x, Win 95/98, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.prs.net/prs/index.htmltop

Ace Clock Pro 3.0

The professional version of Ace Clock is now available with analog/digital mode, skins support including your own skins, fully customisable `see through' display with tooltip and convenient interface.

The tool comes with voice time spelling in multiple languages, powerful alarms with templates, upcoming alarms, quick reminders, countdown and stopwatch timers, universal calendar with date calculator, different time zones support with reliable atomic clock synchronisation and a great deal more.

This program is touted as a ``versatile high-tech piece of art'' for time tracking, organising your schedule and a lot of fun.

Purchase Info: Freeware

Filesize: 1.50 MB

Platforms: Win 95/98, Win 2000, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.aceclock.com

Chameleon Clock 2.51

This is a digital clock that replaces the Windows tray clock, without eating into desktop space. It uses the popular Winamp skin format for date/time. More than 3,000 freely available skins can be downloaded right from the clock itself.

Filesize: 1.18 MB

Purchase Info: Shareware

Platforms: Win 95/98, Win 2000, Win NT 3.51, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.softshape.com

AtomTime98 2.1b

This software, a 32-bit Windows Winsock application, will synchronise your PC clock the Atomic Clock time server in Boulder, Colorado (US) and fetch the current atomic clock time value.

It compares this value to your PC time and displays the difference. You can then opt to update your PC clock to match the atomic clock value.

There are a number of options to automate the update process. AtomTime98 also features support for most proxy servers.

Filesize: 0.51 MB

Purchase Info: Shareware

Platforms: Win 95/98, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.atomtime.com

40tude Time 1.00

40tude Time synchronises your system clock through an Internet Timeserver, and is a replacement for the standard Windows tray clock, enhancing it by showing the current time at locations around the world.

It renders a breathtaking photo-realistic image of the current illumination on earth that can be used as the desktop wallpaper.

In the screensaver that comes alongwith the program, you get information about public holidays in countries around the world.

Filesize: 2 MB

Purchase Info: Shareware

Platforms: Win 3.x, Win 95/98, Win NT 4.0

Download Location: www.40tude.com

Compiled by C. Ramesh

Please e-mail us at bleditor@thehindu.co.in if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using the computer.