NetworkTime (NTP)


a Network Time Client for BeOS

Table of Content:
=== Installation ===

Copy the File NetworkTime into the folder where you keep your third parties Applications (/boot/home/apps/hms for all hms application for instance). Read This documentation - and you are set.
One thing that should be done is setting the BeOS Time preference to GMT (as shown in the figure below) and to choose the proper Timezone.

Screenshot of the Time preference panel

=== What is NTP ===

NTP is a Network Time client for BeOS. It will contact a server and fetch from there the current Time UTC, it will then set the clock of your computer using this reference. The clock used by NTP servers are usually very precise (being atomic clocks). The ntp protocol is described in the Request For Comments 1305 (RFC1305). This RFC can be found on ant descent FTP server. More info can also be found on the world wide Web

=== Using NTP ===

Networktime can be used from the Graphical User Interface, or from the command line.
a)CLI
To use it via the CLI, just Open the Terminal application, cd to the Folder where the binarie resides. And type ./NetworkTime myntpserver.myISP.net. If the folder where the binarie is is in your path you don't need to cd to it. I wrote the cli option for people who have their BeOS machine hoocked on the net. You can launch Network time at boot time by adding the following lines into your /boot/home/config/boot/UserBootScript:
if [ -f /boot/home/hms/NetworkTime ]
then
/boot/home/hms/NetworkTime myntpserver.myISP.net
fi
 b)GUI
Networktime has one window and two menus, lets start by explaining the window.

Screenshot main wionow
To use Networktime for the first time you must supply a server adress (contact your ISP to know which one of it's machines are NTP servers). If your ISP doesn't have such server, please take a look at the open server list.
Then click on the Update Time labeled button, or press Enter. NetworkTime will connect the server update your computer clock - you'll have feedback on whats going on by reading the status bar .....
Screenshot of file Menu
You can now use the File Manu to save the prefs. This will create an hms folder in /boot/home/config/settings that will contain ntp_prefs file. This file contains the adress of the server you had typed iun when you decided to save the prefs. Next Time you open NetworkTime the server will be ready to be queried, you'll only need to press the Update Time button.
The Quit Item will quit the NetworkTime application
screenshot of about menu

Choosing the About Item will display the About box of NetworkTime.

=== Status : Legal information ===

NetworkTime version 1.0.1 is freeware. Ntp is ©opyright 1997,1999 by Hirlimann Ludovic all rigth reserved. I am NOT responsible for any dommages NetworkTime could create. Use it at your own risk. I'de appreciate feedback as well as bug reports

=== History ===

Ntp is develop on a Dual66 BeBox, running BeOS PowerPc and then Ported to x86.

=== Thanks To ===