
INTRODUCTION
============

This programm is a VMware DOS guest TSR with the following functions:

  - Background clock synchronization.
  - Taking screen text copy with a hot key combination.
  - (As an added bonus) On screen clock display.

This program is confirmed to work on MS-DOS 6.2, MS-DOS 7.x (Win 9x DOS),
DRDOS 7.03 and FreeDOS 0.9.  Actually it uses only most common DOS/BIOS
functions and should work on most DOS compatible systems.

It consumes a little more than 1,400 bytes of memory, or a little less
than 800 bytes in minimum function (i.e. sync only) mode.
You can also load it into upper memory area with the LOADHIGH utility.
The small memory footprint lets this program stay comfortably in a
space between other programs.


COMMAND LINE
============

  VMTSR I [/T=timezone] [/S={ON|OFF}] [/C={ON|OFF}] [/MIN]

    Install the TSR into memory.

    /T   Specify the local timezone either in the form used with TZ
         environment (e.g. CET-1:00, JST-0900, EST5EDT) or just by an
         offset value itself (e.g. -9, 500, +8.30, -7:30).

         When this option is not specified VMTSR first tries the TZ
         environment, and if that also is absent UTC+0 is assumed.

         This program cannot handle DST description in the TZ format so
         you need to explicitly specify an alternate offset value if your
         place is in DST.

         Note that the sign of the offset value is interpreted in the
         same way as the TZ environment, in which positive values mean
         the local time is behind the GMT and negative values mean it's
         ahead of the GMT.

    /S   Initial state of the time synchronization. Default is ON.
         You can switch it later with a hot key combination.

    /C   Initial state of the on-screen clock dispaly. Default is OFF.
         You can switch it later with a hot key combination.

    /MIN Install the time synchronize function only.  This option take
         precedence over /S and /C options.  It implies that sync
         function is enabled and clock, copy and hotkeys are disabled.


  VMTSR R

     Remove the TSR from memory.


  VMTSR S

     Show current TSR status.


HOT KEYS
========

  Unless you installed the program with /MIN option, the following hot
  key combinations are available:

  Ctrl+Alt+S    Enable/disable the time synchronize function.

  Ctrl+Alt+P    Copy screen text into the host clipboard.

  Ctrl+Alt+C    Show/hide the on-screen clock display.


DETAILS
=======

  Time synchronize function

    Synchronizes the virtual machine's system clock with the host clock
    every 60 seconds.  My experience told me that this interval is
    reasonable enough.  It works fine with Windows running on top of DOS.


  Copy screen text

    You need to have the copy and paste feature enabled in the virtual
    machine option setting, otherwise the VMware does not pass the text
    between host and guest.

    Control characters (0x00 .. 0x1f) are replaced with space (" ").
    8 bit (non-ascii) characters (0x80 .. 0xff) are replaced with "?",
    because VMware does not pass them between host and guest (it drops
    the highest bit).

    It works with various console modes, such as 40 columns and/or 43,
    50 lines modes and Japanese modes.  It should also work with most text
    mode applications  (I have tested it with MS-DOS native applications
    such as edit, defrag, scandisk and several third party applications).

    It also works in DOS prompt in Windows both full screen and windowed
    though sometimes it leaves some smudge on screen.


  On-screen clock

    This function is not at all related to VMware, but I thought
    "why not?" since I'm dealing with the system clock anyway.

    The text color (dark cyan) and location (right top corner) are not
    configurable.

    It works also in DOS prompt in Windows both full screen and windowed
    though it almost always leaves some smudge on screen.
