Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

tasmod · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 09:21 Post subject:

Beware, it's very easy to be hooked on 'time' Very Happy

It's a fascinating subject for something so intangible.

Will be posting sometime today (if I finish it) a version with choice of NIST and NTP servers to set the time.

Rob

Bruce B · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 09:58 Post subject:

Rob,

If you are going to do an update would you mind changing
the text in one field?

From Time Zone to TZ Variable

The reason why is Puppy Time Zone as displayed is likely
never true, but displaying the TZ variable is always true
even though it doesn't reflect a time zone the user lives
in.

For example - I live in PDT

The system is true at PDT and the UTC internet offset is true at UTC -0700

There is however no time zone PDT+7 anywhere in the
world. Although there is a TZ variable with that data.

Even if Puppy users use the Etc/GMT files, it still won't
display the true time zone for the user.

See attached photo

Bruce

markofkane · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 314 Location: Kane, IL USA

I got it I think.

tasmod · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 10:47 Post subject:

OK, update posted.

Bruce, I've changed TZ as requested.

Please note all.

The NTP button uses a seperate program called ntpdate. This checks a number of servers (as set by me) and averages the time error before setting your 'time'.
This makes for more accurate time setting but it will take slightly longer to execute.

At the moment it checks 2. Both at NPL in the UK.

This app is now growing which is something I didn't want to do, hence I've left the original 0.1 version on thread.

It will grow more if I use a list choice for the servers. we'll see. Cool

Rob

tasmod · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 10:50 Post subject:

Bruce,

Something struck a chord just now.

I remember that Puppy treats timezone offset differently. It uses reverse notation Confused

This won't affect users but it will cause bemusement.

Hence your 'TZ variable'

Wonder if anyone else will notice?

Rob

trio · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 11:07 Post subject:

Dear Rob,

It's small, useful, and works.. Laughing

tasmod · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 11:21 Post subject:

Hi trio,

Glad you like it.

Hope all is well.

Rob

Sylvander · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 11:42 Post subject:

Uninstalled timesynchro_0.1 and installed Psync_0.2 and rebooted.

Won't run from the entry on the BoxPup menu, but will run using the psync command in the terminal.

Appears to work OK, except...
See the below screenshot of reported error.

tasmod · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 12:49 Post subject:

Hmm, line 61 is the Statement function for reading the Gui.

I've tested it here and it's OK. Ran it from cli and it reported as ok.

Do you have two menu entries? I have noticed that the pet install/uninstall sometimes leaves two entries.

Check /usr/share/applications there should only be one entry as Psync_0.2.desktop, no entries for timesynchro. If there is, just delete them.

Sylvander · Posted: Sat 30 May 2009, 15:29 Post subject:

"Do you have two menu entries?"
Yes indeed I do.
Didn't notice that before you mentioned it.

Removed the old entry and all is now well.

Sylvander · Posted: Sun 31 May 2009, 03:18 Post subject:

By the way...
Those two buttons present someone who doesn't know their significance [that includes me really], with a bit of a problem.

e.g.
Which one to click?

Will clicking the wrong one have nasty consequences?

Oh well, take no risks, do nothing.

You could do with having some text added to that displayed already...
Short explanation.
Or a couple of words on each button to explain what they are rather than only a [meaningless?] acronym.
Or else a "Help" button.

tasmod · Posted: Sun 31 May 2009, 05:15 Post subject:

Point taken.

I did consider this before, but then added all the relevant information to post beginning where it's downloaded from.

I think you're right, I'll look again at adding a 'help' button with the text from the thread post.

Nothing is hurt if you click either button, just different results.

The NIST servers are used with inbuilt 'system' functions.

The NTP servers use a separate dedicated program that works a bit harder to achieve the same goal.

Sylvander · Posted: Sun 31 May 2009, 05:57 Post subject:

"Nothing is hurt if you click either button, just different results"
This would do as a minimum explanation.
All the newbie user needs is an indication that clicking either will do no harm.
This would certainly reassure me as a new user, that it would be OK to click either button.

"The NIST servers are used with inbuilt 'system' functions.
The NTP servers use a separate dedicated program that works a bit harder to achieve the same goal."
A little extra [like this] would be nice IF there was a way to do it easily.

Bruce B · Posted: Mon 01 Jun 2009, 01:04 Post subject:

Rob,

I can't say enough about how excellent your work is.

I appreciate your willingness to change the wording to say
"TZ variable" because it is accurately displays the variable
data without putting people who live in Los Angeles
somewhere in a Hong Kong time zone.

Bruce

Second picture for second release, note the time zone
accurately displays my true time zone in spite of Puppy's
inversion.

tasmod · Posted: Mon 01 Jun 2009, 05:40 Post subject:

New version posted with a help file and slightly different gui layout.

Please note: There may be a residual menu entry after updating.

Seems my pet maker has become corrupted. Sad

Entry is now in Menu - Desktop - Country settings.