Neutron is a very simple and small time synchronizing application that retrieves the accurate time from one of several specialized time serverson the Internet. Once the network time has been retrieved the program can set your computer's clock to match it.

Options in the program enable you to automatically obtain the time from the time server and set your clock appropriately at program startup. It is also possible to have the program automatically exit after the time has been set and so is ideal for placing a shortcut in your Startup folder to sync your clock when your computer is started.

Neutron uses the standard Time protocol (TCP or UDP port 37). See RFC 868 for more details. The time retrieved from the network time server is given as the number of seconds since midnight on January 1st 1900. Since the protocol only allows accuracy down to the second you may not get the most accurate time possible but it is usually good enough to always be within about half a second of "true" time. Network latency is accommodated in the calculations involved in setting your computer clock.

Clicking the setup button ">>" shows you the program options. Clicking the same button will hide the options.

The setup options allows you to choose the time server that is used by selecting from a preset list in the dropdown list. You may prefer to use one that is located nearer your computer for faster responses.

Choose TCP or UDP for the Time protocol to be used. UDP is recommended because of the lower network communications overhead.

Select whether you want the program to automatically obtain and synchronize to the network time when you start the program by clicking in the "Auto sync at program startup" checkbox.

Select whether you want the program to exit after it has synced your clock time by clicking in the "Exit after time has been synced" checkbox. If you have this option set, the next time you start the program you can prevent the program from exiting by de-selecting this same checkbox.

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

· Added a message box warning for Vista users if the time couldn't be synchronized due to lack of rights to change the time