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blank51b.txt
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Text File
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1992-10-18
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6KB
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143 lines
13 October 1992
Dear Software Reviewer,
BLANK-IT(TM) came about when an associate asked if we knew of any screen savers
that would not pass through the keystroke used to reactivate the screen, and
would work with all of the various types of monitors in his organization.
At first blush we assumed that, given the proliferation of screen saver
programs, such a screen saver would be readily available. After further
investigation and much frustration we realized that, despite the large quantity
of screen savers available in the marketplace, none had the ability to suppress
the reactivating keystroke and most were designed to work with specific types
of monitors.
During our search we also noticed that, upon closer inspection, there were
other significant problems with these other screen savers including:
* exorbitant memory consumption
* a lack of other significant features
* inability to keep the screen blank once it blanked
* system malfunction during high speed communications
* and other technical problems
Because a user might not know what input the computer awaits when then s/he
returns to a blank screen, a screen saver should never pass through the first
key that reactivates the screen.
Most organizations that have a large quantities of computers tend to have many
different brands and models of computers in use. Consistency in the daily
operation of a company's computers is extremely important, especially when the
computers are being used by an end user. Therefore, we've designed BLANK-IT
to work on all platforms so that many different screen savers are not necessary.
And finally, it is our opinion that a screen saver should perform its function
and do it the best. A screen saver that displays cute fireworks is not any good
if it hangs the system during a file transfer! BLANK-IT has been written in
hand-optimized Assembler so that it performs consistently without timing
problems. BLANK-IT has also been designed to keep the screen blank, considering
its function, unlike others which blank the screen properly but then allow
characters to begin showing up on the screen, or the entire screen to unblank
in some cases!
After examining these other screen savers, which left us with the impression
that there was a severe quality problem despite the overabundance of different
products, we designed BLANK-IT with the intention of fulfilling one particular
need with a simple yet high quality product.
Please take note the following highlights when you review BLANK-IT:
o The reactivating keystroke is discarded instead of being passed
through
o All other keystrokes are discarded until the screen is reactivated
o It uses only a few hundred bytes of memory -- great for network users
experiencing "RAM cram"
o The time-out is user-selective
o a "hot key" is available to instantly blank the screen (privacy,
"Boss key" feature)
o Options to enable/disable BLANK-IT from command-line or even
automated from a batch file
o Supports a DOS mouse
o Works under Windows!
o Technically sound product that works where others fail (during high
speed telecommunications, etc.)
o This single program works on all types of monitors (EGA, VGA, CGA,
Mono, etc.)
o Safer than constantly turning a monitor on and off
o Has a fully programmable API -- a first for a screen saver!
o And much more!
Please feel free to call if you have any questions or comments. We hope you
enjoy your review of BLANK-IT!
Most Sincerely,
Eric G. Robichaud
13 October, 1992
contact: Eric Robichaud
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rhode Island Soft Systems, Inc. releases "BLANK-IT"
Rhode Island Soft Systems, Inc. has released BLANK-IT 5.1b, a TSR screen saver
with many unique capabilities. This $15 utility works on all types of
monitors and is compatible with Windows. It has many unique features not found
in other screen savers, all packed into an exquisitely small amount of memory.
BLANK-IT provides all of the features you'd expect from a DOS-based TSR:
o The time-out is user-selective
o A "hot key" is available to instantly blank the screen (privacy,
"Boss key" feature)
o Options to enable/disable BLANK-IT from command-line, or even a
batch file
o Supports a DOS mouse
o Technically sound product that works where others fail (during high
speed telecommunications, etc.)
o This single program works on all types of monitors (EGA, VGA, CGA,
Mono, etc.)
o Safer than constantly turning a monitor on and off
o And much more!
BLANK-IT provides the screen blanking features users have come to expect from
a screen saver, plus a host of additional, advanced features not found in most
other screen savers, such as Windows support, a fully programmable API, and the
ability to discard the reactivating keystroke. With BLANK-IT we have taken a
simple task and tried to do it better than anybody else, and the small TSR
footprint (less than 1K) will appeal to anyone who suffers from "RAM cram."
"BLANK-IT has met with world wide acclaim as the definitive DOS screen blanker"
-Alternative Computing Magazine, April 1992
"The ultimate expression of screen blanking"
-Public Brand Software catalog Vol. 7 #1, 1991
1st place [utilities], 10th PBS awards
"BLANK-IT is the best screen blanker we've seen!"
-Shareware Express catalog, August 1990
Cost $15.00 registered. $29.95 for Deluxe package w/printed manual,
disk, and quick reference card. Site Licenses are available.
Orders By US Mail or call/fax: 401-658-4632. Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover welcomed.
Support Minimum of one year of unlimited voice/fax support.
Refunds 30-day money back guarantee, no questions asked