AlarmPak* (1.0)
by Atomic Software
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Ever notice how ineffectual the Newton's alarm function is?  Ever miss an appointment because your Newton beeped once (while you were in the hallway), you didn't hear it, and then your Newton fell asleep!  If this is a problem for you, AlarmPak may be the answer!

AlarmPak captures the reminder messages from the Dates application and handles these message much better than the Newton does.  AlarmPak lets you set the volume, beep, and frequency of the alarms you set in the NewtonUs Dates program.  AlarmPak also remembers an unlimited number of reminder messages, so you don't have to!

To use AlarmPak, simply install it onto your Newton and set a few preferences! 

First, turn it on by opening the program, tapping the prefs button, and selecting "Active AlarmPak: Yes".  Now, set the alert volume and the beep you wish to hear when the alarm "goes off."  The volume and beep setting are independent from the setting in prefs. You can also set how may consecutive beeps (in quick succession) will be played by the Newton when the alarm goes off.  Now, set how often after the first sounding of the alert you want the Newton to sound again.  This option will cause your Newton to repeat it's audible notification every x seconds until your Newton goes back to sleep (as set in your prefs), you dismiss the reminder, or you close the AlarmPak application.  The final prefs for AlarmPak allow you to override the Newton's sleep pref.  If you set this option on, the Newton will not fall asleep when AlarmPak is open.  Be very careful 'cus you could kill a few batteries with this option!

When an alarm goes off, AlarmPak will open and beep.  If your Newton falls asleep, AlarmPak will still be open when you wake the Newton up; you don't miss reminders anymore!  If you have more then one reminder, you can use the Newton's scroll arrows to scroll up to see previous reminders (and down to see more recent ones).  AlarmPak also stores the date and time the reminder was first displayed!  AlarmPak even shows you little arrow indicators to let you know if you have additional reminders (the little up arrow means you can scroll up, the down arrow means you can scroll down).

So, give it a try.  You may just start using the built in alarm system now!

Oh, one last thing. AlarmPak ain't free.  If you like it and you wish to register it, please fill out the registration form that came with AlarmPak.  It's only $15 and may make your Newton a lot more usable!  When you register, Atomic Software will send you a registration code.  You can also register AlarmPak on CompuServe's on-line registration area (go SWREG)!  Look for ID: 3624.

Oh, if you register, then you get an additional feature!  Registered users have access to a "Snooze" button (the button has a "Zz" in it).  The snooze feature will dismiss the reminder and cause the alert to sound again after the specific period of minutes, hours, days, months, or years.  Remember, only registered users get the "Snooze" feature!

Good luck and happy tapping!

Atomic Software
-AppleLink: allan.marcus
-eWorld/NewtonMail: allan.m
-CompuServer: 74774,1415
-InterNet: allan@apple.com


