
                           AstroClock
                         Version   1.10
                     Release Date:  4/29/94


Program and documentation Copyright (c) 1993-94 by Ed Perrone.  All
rights reserved.  This program may be redistributed provided neither
the program nor the documentation are altered in any form.  No charge
may be made for the program itself.  However, a reasonable fee may be
charged for disk media, duplication, handling, and/or online access.


Registration/License
--------------------

AstroClock is not "free" software.  If you use AstroClock beyond a
free 30-day evaluation period, you are required to pay the $10
registration fee.  Registration entitles you to product support and
to discounts on future upgrades of this program and on other
astrological software for Windows.

The registration fee may be paid by cash, check, money order, VISA,
or MasterCard.  Send your payment to:

        Ed Perrone
        114 Miller Road
        Livingston, TX 77351

Please include your name, address, and telephone number with all
registrations.

If paying by credit card, please include your name as it appears on
your card, your card number, and the expiration date.

Inquiries, comments, or suggestions may be sent to the above address.
Address electronic correspondence to:
 
                   astrology@genie.geis.com


What Is AstroClock?
-------------------

AstroClock is a Windows (tm) program which displays the current 
positions of the planets on your computer.  The program supports a
number of options which allow you to customize the information for
accuracy and convenience.

The planetary positions are displayed using standard astrological
symbols and notation.  If you are unfamiliar with the astrological
symbols, any good introductory textbook on astrology will tell you
what they mean.  In addition, a great deal of information about
astrology can be found in the Astrology RoundTable on the GEnie
computer network.  GEnie sign-up information is included later in
this file.

 
Installation
------------

To install AstroClock on your computer, you must run the AstroClock
setup program.
 
If you received AstroClock on a disk, insert that disk into drive A:\
on your computer.  From the Windows File Manager, select the File
Menu, then select Run.  In the dialog box, type A:\SETUP.  The setup
program will run and install AstroClock.

If you downloaded AstroClock from a BBS or online service, the
distribution files may be in a "zip" or other archived form.  Place
this archive file in a temporary directory and de-archive it using
the appropriate utility (such as PKUNZIP.EXE).  Then from the Windows
File Manager, select the File Menu, then select Run.  In the dialog
box, type the full pathname of the AstroClock setup file (SETUP.EXE).
For example, if the setup file is found in the directory C:\TEMP on
your hard drive, type
 
            C:\TEMP\SETUP.EXE

The setup program will run and install AstroClock.

You can also start the setup program by opening the File Manager and
clicking on the appropriate drive and/or directory.  Then simply
double-click on the file SETUP.EXE.

If you are installing AstroClock for the first time, the program will
be initialized with the default settings.  You can change these settings
by using the "Options" selection from within the program.

If you are upgrading from an earlier version of AstroClock, any custom
settings you had will be maintained in the new version.


Starting AstroClock
-------------------

The AstroClock installation program will create a Program Manager
group and a file icon for AstroClock.  To run AstroClock, simply
double-click on its icon.


Using AstroClock
----------------

The AstroClock display is divided into three sections:

On the left, the current planetary positions are displayed.

In the upper right, the current date, time, day of the week, Moon
phase, and Sun/Moon angle are displayed.

In the lower right, the current settings of the AstroClock options
are displayed.

The time clock runs continuously.  The planetary positions are updated
at an interval which you select.  This interval can range from 1-60
seconds.

In addition to the tabular displays, the AstroClock logo changes to
display a graphic representation of the Moon's current phase.  You will
note this change over a period of days, as the Moon goes through its
phases.  (Thanks to Ken Saunders for this neat idea!)


AstroClock Options
------------------

AstroClock has several options which allow you to customize the way the
program's information is presented to you.   The "Options" pushbutton
at the bottom of the AstroClock screen allows you to set, change, and
save these options.  Click on the "Options" button to display the
AstroClock Options dialog box.

You can also display the Options dialog by clicking on the "Clock"
menu, then clicking "Options."  Or you can use the keyboard shortcut
<ALT>-C to display the "Clock" menu, then press "O" to display the
Options dialog.

AstroClock allows you to select the following options:
 
  - Zodiac (tropical or sidereal)
  - Sidereal Ayanamsha (available only if "Sidereal Zodiac" is
      selected
  - Time Zone
  - Recalculation Interval

In addition, you can save your favorite set of options to the
ACLOCK.INI file.  AstroClock reads this file each time it starts up,
and automatically uses the options specified there.

The Options dialog box also allows you to reset AstroClock to the
saved values.  This option is useful if you've experimented with new
values and now want to easily reset your standard values.

The following sections describe each of these AstroClock options.

 
Zodiac
------

Simply select "Tropical" or "Sidereal" by clicking on the appropriate
options button.

The tropical zodiac (the one with which most Western astrologers are
familiar) measures the planetary positions from the point of the 
vernal equinox.  This point is continually moving with respect to 
the fixed backdrop of stars.

The sidereal zodiac measures the planetary positions from a fixed
point in the sky.

Again, a good astrological text will explain the distinctions between
the two types of zodiac in more detail.

Sidereal Ayanamsha
------------------

Although sidereal astrologers all agree on the concept that the 
zodiac should be fixed and not moving, they use several different
"starting points" at which to begin their measurements.  All of these
points are at some distance from the tropical zodiac's starting point,
the vernal equinox.  This "offset" is called the sidereal "ayanamsha."

When you select the Sidereal Zodiac in AstroClock, the "Sidereal
Ayanamsha" box is activated.  This box allows you to select from three
of the most commonly used sidereal ayanamshas:  the Fagan/Bradley
ayanamsha (used most by Western siderealists); the Lahiri ayanamsha
(commonly used by Vedic astrologers); and the B.V. Raman ayanamsha.

Each of these ayanamshas will "offset" the sidereal planetary
positions by a different amount from the tropical positions.

Simply click on the appropriate button to make your selection.

A fourth option is also offered:  "User-specified ayanamsha."  If you
select this option, you will be presented with another dialog box
which allows you to specify the number of degrees, minutes, and
seconds by which you want all planetary positions offset from their
tropical positions.  This option can be useful for experimentation
or for those who do not use one of the "standard" ayanamshas.

Please note that the "standard" ayanamshas vary over time, but that
the user-specified ayanamsha in AstroClock is simply a fixed quantity.

Time Zone
---------

Click the "Time Zone" button in AstroClock's Options dialog box to
set the time zone for your location.  The time zone is important in
calculating accurate planetary positions.  If the time zone is not
set for your location, then the positions displayed on the screen
will be for the given time in some other time zone.

For example, if you live in the Eastern Standard time zone, but
AstroClock is set to calculate positions for Greenwich Mean Time, then
when your computer clock says "2:00 pm," AstroClock interprets that 
as 2:00 pm GMT and calculates the planetary positions accordingly.
These positions will not be the same as they are at 2:00 pm Eastern
Standard time, since "2:00 pm GMT" actually occurs five hours
earlier than "2:00 pm EST," and the planets will have moved slightly
in that five hours.

AstroClock's Time Zone option allows you to do two things:  obtain
accurate planetary positions for your current time and location; and
to see where the planets are/were at the same clock time in another 
location.

When you click on the Time Zone pushbutton, AstroClock will display
a complete list of time zones around the world.  Simply scroll
through this list and click on your time zone to select it.  Then
click "OK."  When you exit the Options dialog, AstroClock will
immediately recalculate the planetary positions to reflect the
time zone that you've selected.

Note that all of AstroClock's calculations are based on the current
date and time as given by your computer's clock.  You cannot set
AstroClock to do calculations for any other date or time of day.

Interval
--------

The "Interval" pushbutton in the Options dialog box allows you to
determine how often AstroClock will perform its calculations and
update the planetary positions.  You can select an interval between
1 second and 60 seconds.  If you set the interval to 0, you disable
automatic recalculation.  (You can still manually tell AstroClock
to recalculate positions, however, by using the "Recalculate" button
or menu selection at AstroClock's main screen.)

When you click on the "Interval" button, AstroClock displays a dialog
box with the current interval showing.  (The default interval is 
60 seconds.)  To set a new interval, simply type in a number between
0 and 60, then click "OK."

Save Options
------------

The "Save Options" pushbutton in the Options dialog box allows you to
save your favorite options as AstroClock's startup default values.
Your option settings are stored in the ACLOCK.INI file, which is
found in your main Windows directory (usually C:\WINDOWS).

When you have set your options the way you want them, simply click
on the "Save Options" button to save them.  AstroClock will display
a message that your options have been saved.

If you do not save your options settings to the ACLOCK.INI file,
AstroClock will only use those options during your current session.
When you restart the program, AstroClock will start up with whatever
set of options it finds in the ACLOCK.INI file.

AstoClock is distributed with the following options set as its
default values:

  - Zodiac:  Tropical
  - Ayanamsha:  None
  - Time Zone:  0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
  - Interval:  60 seconds between recalculations

If you do not make any changes to the AstroClock options, the
planetary positions will be calculated according to these settings.

Defaults
--------

Clicking on the "Defaults" pushbutton in the Options dialog box will
cause AstroClock to read the ACLOCK.INI file and reset to the options
which have been stored there.  This is convenient if you have been
experimenting with different settings and want to quickly reset the
program to your standard set of options.

If you have never changed the AstroClock options, then this button
will reset AstroClock to the default distribution options specified
above.

OK
--

Selecting the "OK" pushbutton in the Options dialog box will return
you to the main program screen with the new option settings you've
specified.  AstroClock will then immediately recalculate the
planetary positions according to these settings.

The "OK" pushbutton does NOT save your option settings to the
ACLOCK.INI file.  Thus, clicking "OK" only resets the options for
your current session with AstroClock, or until you change those
settings again.  If you want to save a certain group of settings as
your standard default values (the settings which AstroClock will use
each time it starts up), you must first click on the "Save Options"
button, and then click "OK."


Updating Planetary Positions
----------------------------

AstroClock continuously reads the date and time from your computer's
clock and uses these values as the basis of its calculations.  The
date and time are continously displayed and updated on AstroClock's
main screen.

The frequency with which AstroClock recalculates and re-displays the
actual planetary positions is determined by the "interval" setting.
This setting is specified in seconds, from 1 to 60.  For example, if
you've set the "Interval" option to "15," AstroClock will recalculate
and redisplay the planetary positions every 15 seconds.

An interval setting of 0 disables automatic recalculation.  This is
appropriate if you are concerned about conserving computer
resources -- for example, to speed up your work in other programs.
You can manually tell AstroClock to recalculate positions at any time
by clicking on the "Recalculate" button at the bottom of AstroClock's
main screen.  AstroClock will then immediately recalculate the
planetary positions for the current date and time.

You can also cause manual recalculation by selecting the "Recalculate"
item from the "Clock" menu.  The keyboard shortcut is <ALT>-C, then R.

Please note that the planetary calculation routines are rather
complex, and that each time AstroClock recalculates the planetary
position it ties up your computer's microprocessor, taking computer
resources away from any other programs you may be running.  For
this reason, if you are working in another program, it's best to
set AstroClock's "Interval" value to a high number.

In addition, in order to allow other programs to operate smoothly,
AstroClock turns off its automatic recalculation whenever you
minimize it to an icon.  If you want to have AstroClock available
continously but without interfering with other programs, simply
start AstroClock and then minimize it, allowing it to run as an
icon.  Whenever you want to see the current planetary positions,
double-click the minimized AstroClock icon to restore the program's
window, and AstroClock will immediately recalculate and update its
display.


Program Help and Information
----------------------------

Click on the "Help" menu item, or press <ALT>-H, to view online
help for AstroClock.  The items on this menu contain important
information about the program, as well as quick program tips for
operation.


Exiting AstroClock
------------------

To exit AstroClock, simply click on the "Exit" pushbutton at the
bottom of AstroClock's main screen.  Or select "Exit" from the
"Clock" menu.  The keyboard shortcut is <ALT>-C, then "X".



Moon Phases
-----------

The Moon phases are defined as follows:

     Sun/Moon Angle in degrees        Corresponding Phase
     -------------------------        -------------------

          359 -   1                     New Moon
            1 -  10                     New Moon (separating)
           10 -  80                     Waxing crescent
           80 - 100                     First Quarter
          100 - 170                     Waxing Gibbous
          170 - 179                     Full Moon (applying)
          179 - 181                     Full Moon
          181 - 190                     Full Moon (separating)
          190 - 260                     Waning Gibbous
          260 - 280                     Last Quarter
          280 - 350                     Waning Crescent
          350 - 359                     New Moon (applying)


Note that the four major Moon phases (New Moon, First Quarter,
Full Moon, Last Quarter; or 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively)
are given +/- 10 degrees.  In addition, the New and Full Moons
(conjunction and opposition) are divided into three phases:  applying,
exact, and separating.  "Exact" aspects are +/- 1 degree.

The Crescent and Gibbous phases are centered around the semisquare
(45 degrees) and sesquiquadrate (135 degrees) aspects.  These ranges
are rather large -- +/- 35 degrees.  However, the various ranges were
selected in order to emphasize the four major lunar phases, giving them
smaller "orbs," while still maintaining a division of the lunar cycle 
into no more than 8 basic phases overall.

            
AstroClock Product Support
--------------------------

Product support is available to registered owners of AstroClock.
For fastest response, inquiries sent via electronic mail are
encouraged.  GEnie subscribers should send GE Mail to ASTROLOGY.
Mail can also be sent via the Internet to astrology@genie.geis.com

Registered owners will also receive notification of upgrades to
AstroClock and the release of other astrological software for
Windows, as well as discounts on the purchase/registration of these
programs.

Inquiries via U.S. mail may be sent to:  Ed Perrone, 114 Miller Road,
Livingston, TX 77351.

Product registration fees paid by cash, check, or money order should
be sent via U.S. mail.  Credit card payments may be sent via U.S. mail
or electronically.  Please include your name, address, and telephone
number with all registrations.  Credit card payments must also
include your name as it appears on the card, the card number, and
the expiration date.

Product support and program upgrades are also available online in the
GEnie Astrology RoundTable.


Acknowledgements
----------------

The planetary calculation routines used in this program were provided
by Nebula Software, Cumberland Center, Maine.  Contact Nebula for
information about Z-Star, a professional-grade astrological
calculation program for the Macintosh.

The astrological font used in this program was provided by Kenneth
Hirst, Laser Printing Solutions, Irvine, CA.  Contact LPS for
information on a variety of unique Windows, PostScript, and
Macintosh fonts.

Nina Lee Braden donated a generous amount of time and effort in testing
and evaluating this program.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
GEnie is a registered trademark of the General Electric Company.

This program was written in Microsoft Visual Basic 3.0



Release History
---------------

Version 1.0         - 3/7/94, 4:42 am CST, Livingston TX
                    - first release of AstroClock

Version 1.01        - 3/22/94
                    - fix minor bug in display of Sun's position from
                      0-2 Aries

Version 1.02        - 4/5/94
                    - fix problem with color display for those who use
                      custom palette in Windows Control Panel


Version 1.10        - 4/29/94
                    - add Moon phases, Sun/Moon angle, graphic lunar
                      phase display
                    - fix problem with calculation of DST
                    - significant modification of installation routines
                      to maintain additional information about program
                      status and to deal with upgrades from previous
                      versions
                    - program filenames no longer include version
                      number to simplify upgrade process


GEnie Astrology RoundTable
--------------------------

The Astrology RoundTable on the GEnie(tm) computer network is the oldest
and largest area devoted exclusively to astrology on a major 
commerical computer network.  The RoundTable features an extensive
BBS (computerized bulletin board) with ongoing discussions of all
facets of astrology; a large software library with hundreds of
astrological programs and text files; a real-time conference
facility with regularly scheduled conferences and special guests;
and a variety of other services, including software company support,
schedule of astrological conferences, and Personal Chart Services.

GEnie is accessible throughout the United States, Canada, Japan,
Germany, and over 20 other countries worldwide.

To sign up for GEnie from the U.S. or Canada, use the following
procedure:
 
  1. Set your communications software to 300, 1200, or 2400 baud,
     half-duplex (local echo).

  2. Dial toll-free 1-800-638-8369 (in Canada dial 1-800-387-8330).

  3. When connected, type HHH and press <Return>

  4. At the U#= prompt, type JOINGENIE and press <Return>

  5. When asked to provide your "offer code," type MLC524 and press <Return>

  6. Have a major credit card ready and follow the prompts.  U.S.
     subscribers may also use their checking account number.

For additional information on GEnie's rates or services, please
call GEnie Client Services toll-free at 1-800-638-9636.


