Douglas Bunger http://dbunger.tripod.com bunger@home.com

AlarmIt

I'll admit that this applet is, for the most part, useless. To effectively serve it's purpose, it actually needs to be an application instead of an applet. The difference between the two is that an application is a standalone program that can be run on a workstation desk top, whereas an applet must be run within a browser. This adds an additional layer between the program and the processor, requiring additional resources, thus slowing execution.

Sun provides a 'micro-browser' in the Java Development Kit, that will allow this applet to run on the desktop. This applet will function within appletviewer.exe. It requires about 5 meg of memory, but only uses 3% - 5% CPU time.

I decided to deploy this as a browser applet, however, to make it easier for me to brag about it. Neither of us need worry about having Java loaded on your machine, simply so I can show off. (It really would be more conveinent if you would, though. And while you're at it... buy more memory for that box.)

How to work it

It's a simple program to use. This is a digital alarm clock with five alarms that can be configured for either time or countdown modes. The time mode works like the alarm clock you have next to your bed: set the time you want it to go off. The countdown timer works like your microwave: set it for the length of time you want it to run.

Select the mode by clicking either Time or Count. Input a time (must include hours, minutes, and seconds) in the time field. You may optionally enter a reminder in the event field. Press Start to execute the alarm. Five separate alarms can be running at a time.

Once started, the alarm can be eradicated by pressing the Abort button (formally the Start button.) An alarm cannot be paused. When an alarm expires, it must first be acknowledged, then reset, by clicking its Timer button.


This applet is provided as freeware and open source code. It may be deployed, by individuals, for personal use. It may not be sold or integrated into any product for sale.

I welcome your comments, but fore warn you that I am not the person you want giving you object oriented programming advise.


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