/*
 * Ghronos v. 1.7 readme (5/24/2003)
 *
 * The most up-to-date version of Ghronos, its source code, and the 
 * accompanying documentation can always be found at http://ghronos.sourceforge.net . 
 *
 * @author chris@thestump.net
 */


PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

Ghronos is an open source gaming clock for Palm OS. The program provides a timing device for chess, go, and other board games 
which require a clock. Ghronos tries to adhere to the the Palm philosophy of simplicity & efficiency and is being modeled 
after the very popular Chronos (TM) game clock.

v1.7 saves your time and all other settings when Ghronos is exited, and remembers them the next time the program is run!
Also includes a "reset to start" option and improved code base :D

REQUIREMENTS

A PDA running Palm OS v. 3.x or higher


FEATURES

*  Hard button control -- Use the address, calendar, todo, and memo buttons on your PDA to switch between players. 
   Adds that "real clock" feel to the game you are playing with your PDA. 

*  "At a glance" readability -- You can quickly tell how much time is left on a clock and whose 
    turn it is due to large, easy to read clock displays and player indicator.

*  Move counting -- Sequential move counting (displays total number of moves made in the game) or per player move 
   counting (displays each player's moves).

*  Selectable timing styles -- Currently features Delay and Fischer delay timing for chess, Canadian and Japanese Byo-Yomi overtime for Go. 
   There is also a standard countdown style (no delay, no overtime). Timing configurations allow for player handicaps to be set. 

*  Sound -- Optional audio signals. Clicks to confirm a player switch (and overtime period starts, when relevant) 
   and a time out signal of 3 prolonged beeps.

*  Pausable -- Use the page up/page down buttons to put your game on hold for later.

*  Persistant settings -- Program attributes, including time, are stored and recalled automatically when the program exits and starts

*  Protected settings -- Once a game is started, the configurations of Ghronos are protected. You cannot "accidentally" 
   change the time or delay settings. You must pause the clocks in order to change configurations during game play.


USAGE

See the accompanying instructions.txt to learn how to use Ghronos


PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

See todo.txt


LICENSE

Ghronos is a cost free, open source program protected by the GNU GPL v.2 . So, you can copy the program, modify it, 
redistribute it, etc. freely as long as you give credit to the original author. See the accompanying gpl.txt for details.
Source code is available in the Ghronos-devel.zip package, always at http://www.thestump.net . 


KNOWN BUGS

* If you configure game settings, and then immediately try to start or unpause the clocks, nothing will happen. 
  A simple tap on the screen is required before a hard button press affects the clocks. 

  ++New with v1.7, the above bug is amplified with the persistant settings feature. Now a tap on the screen is 
    required if you wish to resume game play from a saved program state.

* A fatal alert can be thrown if excessive tapping occurs on the menu bar. When I say excessive, I mean it. You really 
  need to be hunting for this bug in order for it to occur. 

Please submit new bug reports at https://ghronos.sourceforge.net


MISCELLANEOUS

Do you like Ghronos? Please let everyone know by posting your praise and/or giving Ghronos a rating at the site you downloaded it from.

Visit http://ghronos.sourceforge.net to request new features, report bugs, discuss the project, get help, and to sign up for new release monitoring.

I am always interested in having people beta test pre releases of Ghronos. Email me if you would like to participate.

Ghronos is open source and has the potential to benefit greatly from developers world wide. If you would like to contribute code to Ghronos, 
then visit http://sourceforge.net/projects/ghronos and pick up a fresh development package today!
