(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

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

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

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

I got it I think.

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.

Rob

Bruce,

Something struck a chord just now.

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

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

Hence your 'TZ variable'

Wonder if anyone else will notice?

Rob

Dear Rob,

It's small, useful, and works..

Hi trio,

Glad you like it.

Hope all is well.

Rob

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.


Entry is now in Menu - Desktop - Country settings.

New update version 4.

This has Time Server Region choice buttons. I felt that if too many users polled the few servers it would cause problems.

There are more servers in use in this version but split between regions.

I have used good servers from various bodies such as Universities, Standards Institutes, Testing Labs etc.

There are approximately four servers per button. This is the recommended amount for accuracy.

The 'Help' file contains interesting tidbits regarding 'time'.

Oh, and one of the servers is something free from Microsoft for once, it's at their corporate headquarters.

Version 0.5

This one is interesting.

The Regions contain all the active servers.

The program execution checks a pool of currently active servers and attempts to accurately set your time.

The interesting thing is that the server addresses are no longer coded in Psync but are 'served' up to the program.

So in effect, there should always be a server available.

Hmm, Psync is now up to 30kb in size. That's half the sample picture size !!

SUPERB!

Now it's REALLY EASY to choose which button to click.
No doubt or confusion.

By-the way...
Would it be possible to display the program version number?
After the program name?
In the title box?

Sure no problem, but that is usually left for an 'about' window.

Next version won't be so quick to come out but will be slightly better.

How about a 'selection' list of server locations narrowed down as much as possible.

That's to say, Europe-UK or Europe-Germany or Europe-Belgium etc.

Automatically served up to the program from a pool of active servers, no need to update, it's automatic. Even substitutes if a server is 'down'

This narrows down the error, even though now we are sub half second.

I suspect other than any bugs, that I'm down to a final version plus polishing.

Time, Time, Time

Like we have it? we never have it....it always go faster than you can cope with...well, it's time now...I have to make a choice soon...wish me luck Rob...(the cruise will be bumpy, but I'll make it)

PS: For those of you who don't understand, sorry...Rob and mick surely know what I'm talking about