thinkDB(tm) Timer PlugIn
2000 thinkingBytes Technology, Inc.

This README file describes use of the Timer PlugIn for thinkDB 2.0.
For more information on thinkDB 2.0 and other thinkDB Plugins, please visit http://www.thinkingbytes.com

1. Features Overview

2. Installation

3. Usage Overview
   a. Confguring PlugIn Field
   b. Starting Timer
   c. Pausing Timer
   d. Done Timing
   e. Clearing Timer
   f. Returning to thinkDB

4. Timer Records
   a. Record Display
   b. Record Persistence
   c. Deleting Records

================================================================================

1. Features Overview

The Timer PlugIn for thinkDB 2.0 contains all the features of a standard
stopwatch, allowing the user  to start and stop timing, as well as pause the
timer.  Each timer can support a text label that can help the user keep track
of which timer is currently active.  The thinkDB Timer Plugin contains a Timer
Records table, showing all the timers that are in use on the handheld device.
From this screen, the user may review and/or delete timers.

2. Installation

To install the thinkDB Timer PlugIn, double-click the TimerPlugIn.prc file.
The Palm Install Tool will present a dialog to continue installation.
Alternatively, select Install from within Palm Desktop and choose the
TimerPlugIn.prc file.

3. Usage Overview

   a. Configuring PlugIn Field

   From the Field Editor, select Field Type thinkDB PlugIn from the FIeld Type
   list. Selecting the small box to the right will open the Field Properties
   dialog.  From the PlugIn list, select TimerPlugIn.  Two fields will appear,
   "Text Label" and "Results In".  Selecting "Text Label" will allow the user
   to choose a Text field to use as the timer's text label.  "Results In" will
   allow the user to choose an Integer or Long field to store the return value
   (elapsed time).  Both the "Text Label" and "Results In" fields are optional
   but recommended.

   b. Starting Timer

   When viewing records in Tab View, select the Timer PlugIn field to launch the
   timer.  Note that when the timer is launched for the first time for a given
   record, the status label is "Not Started", the Start and Stop times are
   "(none)" and the Elapsed Time is 0. To start the timer, select Start Timer.
   The Start Time is set to the current time and the status label will change
   to "Running".  The first button will change to "Pause Timer."  Note that 
   while the timer is running, the Elapsed Time is not dynamically updated.
   The Elapsed time will be updated when Pause Timer or Done Timing is selected.
   The initial Start Time is recorded when the timer is first started.  However,
   the Elapsed Time reflects the total time that the timer has been in the
   Running state.

   c. Pausing Timer

   Pausing the timer will set the Stop Time to the current time and will update
   the Elapsed Time. To continue timing, select Resume Timer.

   d. Done Timing

   Done Timing, unlike Pause Timer, is not restartable.  When the user returns 
   to thinkDB after Done Timing, the Elapsed Time is returned, and the timer
   record is removed from the database. Therefore, if the user runs the Timer
   again after selecting "Done Timing", this has the side effect of restarting
   the timer in the same manner as Clear Timer (Don't press Done Timing unless
   you really mean it).

   e. Clearing Timer

   Clearing the timer will return the timer to the "Not Started" state, will
   set the Start and Stop times to "(none)" and will set the Elapsed Time to 0.
   The first button will also revert back to Start Timer.

   f. Returning to thinkDB

   The user may return to thinkDB no matter the state of the Timer.  If timing
   is in progress, timing will continue even when the user has exited the Timer.
   If the Timer is paused, the most recent Elapsed Time is returned.  The user
   may run the Timer again at any timer to continue timing.  If Done Timing is
   selected, the Elapsed Time is returned, and running the Timer again will
   reset the timer.

4. Timer Records

   a. Record Display

   The Timer Records display shows a concise listing of all the timer records
   currently on the device.  Each record contains a status (R, P, N and C for
   Running, Paused, Not Started, and Completed, respectively.  Next, a
   checkbox appears.  This box should be selected when deleting timer records.
   This is followed by a short text description, the Start Time, and the
   Elapsed Time.  Scroll buttons appear in the bottom-right-hand corner of
   the screen.

   b. Record Persistence

   Whenever a thinkDB record has a timer field, a Timer Record is created.  As
   one might imagine, this database could grow quite large if objects are never
   removed. To remedy this, whenever a timer is Completed (i.e. Done Timing
   is pressed) the Timer Record is removed from the database.  All other timers
   maintain records in the Timer Records database.

   c. Deleting Records

   In the course of normal use, the user may utilize times in their databases,
   then delete the databases, leaving the Timer Records 'stranded'.  In order to
   give the user a way to delete those unwanted Timer Records, the Timer Records
   dialog displays all the timers in the handheld and allows the user to delete
   them.  To view the Records table, select the drop-down menu and select "View
   Timer Records".  To delete a Timer Record, select its checkbox, then select
   "Delete Checked Records."  Note: Timer Records each take up approximately
   40 bytes.


Copyright 2000 ThinkingBytes Technology. All Rights Reserved.
thinkDB(tm) is a trademark of thinkingBytes Technology, Inc.


================================================================================