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Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso
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st_saver.doc
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1995-05-02
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The Soft-Sci Screen Saver
- Shareware -
╜ Copyright 1990,91,92,93 by Michael Crisafulli
Warp 9 Extend-o-Save Version 2.4
The Soft-Sci Screen Saver is SHAREWARE. If you use it please
send a contribution in US dollars to me at the address below.
Become a registered user for a contribution of $15 US ($20 US
outside of the US or Canada) or more and I will send you a disk
containing useful utilities which complement the Saver. These
utilities are described at the end of this file.
I encourage wide distribution of the Saver so long as this text
file and the image files are included with it. This Shareware
distribution includes the following files:
ST_SAVER.DOC - This documentation file
ST_SAVER.EXT - The Extend-o-Save module
SAVERM.IMG - Default mono balloon
SAVERC.IMG - Default color balloon
WARP9.DAT - Disables the Saver for Deluxe Paint
MONO folder - Some mono balloons
COLOR folder - Some color balloons
Version 2.4
This version fixes a bug which caused the IMG balloon to stick on
the side or corner of the screen when loaded from the Configure
dialog.
New in Version 2.3
You can now load a specific IMG balloon file using the Configure
dialog from the Warp 9 Extend-o-Save control panel.
What is a Screen Saver?
The phosphors on the screen of any video device are susceptible
to damage if they are left with the same image for a long period
of time. The image can actually be burned into the screen. The
function of a screen saver is very simple: if the computer is
inactive for a period of time, darken the screen to prevent
damage.
The Soft-Sci Screen Saver is more than a utilitarian program, and
you can make it very much your own. When it is active it
displays a black screen with a small picture bubble or balloon
which moves continuously, bouncing off the edges of your screen.
The picture your Saver displays can be different from every other
one. In fact, it can be different every time you boot your
computer. The installation program can automatically select a
new image specification for the next boot-up.
Using the Warp 9 Extend-o-Save Version
Refer to the Warp 9 Extend-o-Save documentation for specific
loading instructions. The Saver module file ST_SAVER.EXT and the
IMG file to be read must be placed in the same path for proper
loading. For monochrome monitors the image file should be named
SAVERM.IMG and for color monitors, SAVERC.IMG. The program
determines which monitor is attached and reads the appropriate
file. If you prefer you may include a configuration file called
ST_SAVER.DAT in the same path to tell the Saver the name and
location of the picture to load. If you use this configuration
file, the picture file need not be in the same folder, but must be
available on-line at load time.
ST_SAVER.DAT should contain a line which begins with P> and
contains the full pathname of the image file. For example this
one,
P> d:\imgs\einstein.img
specifies the file EINSTEIN.IMG in the folder IMGS on drive D.
You can create the DAT file with any text editor and save it as
an ASCII file. The Saver Toolset, provided to registered users,
has a facility for creating DAT files.
The Warp 9 control panel will indicate successful installation by
displaying the name and version of the Saver. If installation
fails, the Saver will display an error alert. Three messages are
possible:
IMG file read error The IMG file could not be found or an
error occured while reading the file.
Wrong IMG file rez You tried to load a monochrome file on a
color system or vice versa, or this was
not a proper IMG file.
IMG too big The IMG was larger than the maximum size
for the resolution.
The Saver is particulary choosy about these images. I have
included several balloons with this distribution. The Saver
Editor in the Toolset makes it easy to produce your own balloon
images which are completely compatible with the Saver.
After installation the Saver is invisible. Use the Warp 9
control panel to define how the Saver operates.
Configuration
Clicking the "Configure" button in the Warp 9 Control Panel
Extend-o-Save dialog brings up a Soft-Sci bubble loader dialog.
The name of the IMG file currently loaded is displayed. If you
like you can load a new IMG file by clicking the "Load new IMG"
button. After loading, the name of the new file is displayed in
the dialog. Note that if a load error occurred, signaled by an
alert, the name of the file which caused the error will be
displayed in the dialog, but when the saver kicks in, only a dark
screen will be displayed.
Compatibility with Other Programs
The Saver will normally not affect the program whose screen it
interrupts. The interrupted program continues to execute as
before. An important exception is a program which itself
automatically switches the physical screen. In this case it is
possible for the screen pointers to be confused and the wrong
screen restored. This is true only when the screen is switched
automatically by the program. If the user causes the screen to
be switched through a keyboard or mouse action, the activity will
be detected through the keyboard interrupt intercept and the real
screen restored before the command gets to the program.
Any program which completely bypasses the normal operating system
routines is also incompatible. Deluxe Paint is an example.
Keyboard and mouse operations are not passed along to the Saver
so it cannot be turned off. This package contains a WARP9.DAT
file to disable the Saver when running Deluxe Paint. You should
also monitor the RS-232 port when running a communication
program. In general this Extend-o-Save module should have the
same compatibility as any other Extend-o-Saver. Use Warp 9's
control panel capabilities to define how the Saver works with
such programs.
During normal operation the Saver itself has no effect on the
computer's operation. While the saver screen is displayed the
animation routine does use execution time which will slow down
any number crunching in the interrupted program. This is
especially true at high animation speeds. If you're running a
ray tracing program which takes hours to complete you will be
better off disabling the Saver from the control panel and just
turning your monitor off.
Other Compatibilities
I have run the Saver on color and monochrome systems with TOS
1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 for years without problems. I have been told it
works well the STe. Its screen size is fixed to the three basic
ST resolutions, so it is not compatible with large screen
monitors.
Some History
Had STart Magazine not folded the Soft-Sci Saver would have
appeared some time in 1991 as the STart Screen Saver. I am
grateful to the suggestions I received from the staff at STart
which made the Saver easier to use.
The stand-alone version of the Saver appeared on the Atari ST
User June 1992 cover disk.
Shareware
The Soft-Sci Screen Saver is SHAREWARE. This means if you use it
you must register with the author. The registration fee is $15
(US) in the United States and Canada and $20 (US) elsewhere.
Upon registering you will receive the Saver Toolset which
includes the following:
o The latest versions of the Extend-o-Save and
stand-alone Savers
o The versatile Saver Editor for creating personalized
Saver IMGs from existing graphics in many formats, in
addition to other support functions.
o A facility for automatically selecting a different
Saver IMG each time you boot you computer.
o A Control Panel and other utilities for the stand-alone
Saver.
o A library of over a hundred color and monochrome IMGs.
Thanks for sending your registration to:
Michael Crisafulli
7 Garden Path
Farmington, Connecticut
06032
USA