═══ 1. General Help for Screen Saver ═══ Although OS/2 is clearly the best PC-based operating system on the market today, out of the box it does lack one feature that PC users have come to expect -- an effective screen saver. Even Microsoft Windows includes several screen saver modules that can be used to make a boring screen a little more interesting when not actually in use. This screen saver is intended to provide OS/2 users with an inexpensive, robust program that can protect expensive monitors from phospher burn-in, while simultaneously providing a simple and secure method to lock your system. o Contacting the Author o Features ═══ 1.1. Contacting the Author ═══ o Internet: vgreene@indirect.com (checked regularly for mail) o US Mail Vincent Greene Screen Saver 200 N. Melanie Ln. Tucson, AZ 85710 ═══ 1.2. Features ═══ o Idle Priority Animation The actual animation routines of the screen saver run at an idle priority level, which means they will only run using CPU cycles that are not needed by any other process. This means that the screen saver will never interfere with any critical work that is executing on your computer. o Secure Password Protection This program offers various levels of password protection, from no protection to automatic protection when the mouse and keyboard are inactive. Also, you must have the current password to change the password, unlike the OS/2 Lockup option. In the registered version, passwords are stored in an encrypted form to prevent anybody from easily obtaining the password from an unlocked system. o Easy Lockup When the Test Corner is activated, and the Timeout or Test password options are enabled, you can lock your system by moving the mouse pointer to the selected lockup corner for five seconds. This provides a quick and easy method of securing your computer when necessary. o A Variety of Entertaining Animation Modules The unregistered version comes with four entertaining animation modules (and one boring blank screen), which provide constant action. Unlike many screen saver modules, the modules provided with this program never end up with a blank screen, some action is always provided so you know the screen saver is running. Otherwise you might as well shut off the monitor instead of using this program. o Expandable The registered version of the program supports an unlimited number of screen saver modules. As new modules are created, you will be able to run them with this program. o Programmer's Toolkit Included Complete instructions and sample source code are provided to allow programmers to write their own screen saver modules without the considerable hassle of writing the complete timeout and password routines required of a robust screen saver. o DLL screen saver modules The screen saver modules used by this program are true OS/2 DLL files, limited only by the programmer's imagination. Anything OS/2 can do, can be done in a screen saver module. Imagine a client-server screen saver module where the screen saver displays a graphic view of current sales obtained from a network server or host system. This is possible with this program! ═══ 2. Registration ═══ This program is shareware. You are welcome to use it for up to 30 days in the unregistered form, in order to assess its value to you. If you use it more than 30 days, you must register your copy, or discontinue use. When you register, you will receive several additional benefits. o General Help for Screen Saver o Definition of Shareware o License Agreement o How to Register o Registration Benefits ═══ 2.1. Definition of Shareware ═══ Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. ═══ 2.2. License Agreement ═══ Users of Screen Saver must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Screen Saver is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Screen Saver." Screen Saver is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using Screen Saver and continue to use Screen Saver after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $10 U.S. to Vincent Greene. The $10 U.S. registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of Screen Saver must register and pay for their copies of Screen Saver within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Vincent Greene. Anyone distributing Screen Saver for any kind of remuneration must first contact Vincent Greene at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering Screen Saver immediately (However, Please advise Vincent Greene so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of Screen Saver.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of Screen Saver along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a registration number that will activate all features of the Screen Saver system. DO NOT provide your registration number and password with any copies you make under this agreement -- to do so would be a violation of this license agreement. ═══ 2.3. How to register ═══ If you decide to register Screen Saver, please send $10 (U.S. Funds Only) for the registration fee to the following address: (U.S. Mail) Vincent Greene 200 N Melanie Lane Tucson, AZ 85710 Please include your name, complete address, the product version from the About box displayed at program startup, and where you obtained the product (this is so I will know if you need an updated version, and also which BBS/FTP site/distributors should be kept directly updated with new versions if necessary. Any suggestions for the improvement of the product are welcome, and will be considered for inclusion in the next release. ═══ 2.4. Registration benefits ═══ o Ability to Save Settings The registered version saves all screen saver settings between executions, eliminating the hassle of setting your favorite screen saver options every time you run the program. o Ability to Start Minimized The registered version enables the Start Minimized Check box, which allows you to put a shadow of the screen saver icon in your startup folder so you can be sure it is always running. o Ability to Run Additional Animation Modules The registered version removes the limitiation on the screen saver modules that can be run. You can run any available module, or write your own modules with the included Programmers Toolkit. ═══ 3. Screen Saver Controls ═══ This window allows you to select the desired screen saver module, activation information, and security information for the screen saver program. This window is always available when the screen saver is activated. The unregistered version of this program will allow all settings in this window, but will not save settings when you close the screen saver. The registered version allows all settings to be saved. o Module Selection Listbox o Activate Screen Saver? o Delay o Start Minimized? o Password o Set Password Button o Inactive Corner o Test Corner o Setup Button o Test Button o Close Button ═══ 3.1. Module Selection Listbox ═══ Use this box to select the specific screen saver module that you wish to display as your screen saver. The screen saver program will automatically search the drive and directory from which the program is loaded to find valid screen saver modules. The basic release of this program includes the following modules. o (default) Random red lines on a black background, with a black circle growing from the center on a regular basis. o Banner - Move your text around screen Move your specified text around the screen with settings to control direction, speed, font, color, etc. o Blank Screen A blank black screen. o Bouncing Boxes Multicolored boxes bounce around screen/change size/shape with settings for speed, and length of tail. o Nuke! Blast holes to show Image Minature nuclear explosions (w/mushroom cloud) blast holes in desktop/bitmap to show another bitmap behind. Settings for everything, including the bitmaps to use. o Searchlight Round circle showing desktop moves around on a black screen. Looks like a flashlight beam showing the desktop. Additional modules can be added to the registered version of the screen saver. The unregistered version does not display any modules except those listed above. ═══ 3.2. Activate Screen Saver? ═══ Check this box to enable screen saver activation after Delay seconds of input inactivity. The screen saver will not activate unless this box is checked, except when the mouse pointer is moved to the test corner ═══ 3.3. Delay ═══ Specifies the number of seconds without input activity that must pass before the screen saver will activate (if the Activate Screen Saver? box is checked). Input activity consists of mouse clicks or keyboard actions only. Moving the mouse pointer is not considered input activity. ═══ 3.4. Start Minimized? ═══ Check this box to indicate that the screen saver should start in a minimized state instead of displaying the Screen Saver Controls Window. This is activated only on the registered version of the program. The registered version saves screen saver settings so it is not necessary to set desired options every time the program is started. ═══ 3.5. Password ═══ This set of radio buttons allows you to pick the level of password protection to be provided. o None Click this button to indicate that no password protection is desired. Any keyboard or mouse action will terminate the screen saver without prompting for a password. o Timeout Click this button to indicate that a password is required to unlock the system and stop the screen saver any time it is activated, whether by the Test button , Test Corner Any keyboard or mouse action will display a password prompt, where a valid password must be entered to stop the screen saver. If this is selected and no password has previously been selected, the Set Password window will automatically display. o Test Click this button to indicate that a password is required to unlock the system and stop the screen saver only when it is activated by the Test button or Test Corner Any keyboard or mouse action will display a password prompt, where a valid password must be entered to stop. If this is selected and no password has previously been selected, the Set Password window will automatically display. ═══ 3.6. Set Password Button ═══ Click this button to change the current password that will be required to unlock the system. ═══ 3.7. Inactive Corner ═══ These radio buttons allow you to select a corner where you can move the mouse pointer to prevent the screen saver from activating. Click the appropriate corner to select the inactive corner, or click the center button to deactivate this feature. This can be used to prevent the screen saver from interrupting your concentration while reading a screen, or to allow interrupted display of a constantly changing display (e.g. download progress). ═══ 3.8. Test Corner ═══ These radio buttons allow you to select a corner where you can move the mouse pointer to cause the screen saver to activate immediately (within five seconds). Click the appropriate corner to select the test corner, or click the center button to deactivate this feature. This can be used with the Password options to easily lock your system by simply moving the mouse pointer to a corner of the screen. ═══ 3.9. Setup Button ═══ This button displays a window from which you can adjust the settings of the currently selected screen saver module. If inactive (greyed out), there are no settings for the selected module. ═══ 3.10. Test Button ═══ This button activates the selected screen saver immediately. This can be used to test the display of a selected module, or, with the password options , to lock the system. See Test Corner also. ═══ 3.11. Close Button ═══ This button completely closes the screen saver and saves your settings in the registered version. This exits the screen saver such that it will not activate at all. To get rid of the Screen Saver Controls window without ending the screen saver, use the minimize button in the top right corner of the window. ═══ 4. Password Change Window ═══ This window allows you to change the password that will be required to unlock the system when the screen saver has activated. Note: passwords are case-sensitive so check your caps lock key. o Current Password o New Password o Re-Enter Password o OK Button o Cancel Button ═══ 4.1. Current Password ═══ You must enter the correct current password in this field to change the password. This is not displayed if no password has been set. Note: In the registered version, if you lose your password, you can delete the SCRNSVR.INI file from the program directory to reset the password to none, however, this will also destroy any other settings you may have saved. ═══ 4.2. New Password ═══ Enter the new password desired in this field. ═══ 4.3. Re-Enter Password ═══ Re-Enter the same password entered in the New Password field. This must match the New Password to verify that the password was typed correctly in the non-display field. ═══ 4.4. OK Button ═══ Click this button to change the password to the New Password entered. ═══ 4.5. Cancel Button ═══ Click this button to exit this window without changing the password.