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1996-11-17
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Seraline Screensaver(TM) v4.0
=============================
Copyright 1995,1996 Seraline Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia
All Rights Reserved.
CONTENTS
--------
What is Seraline Screensaver
Installation
Setup Options
Password Protection
Runtime Options
Saving Images
ImageVote(TM)
Displaying Bitmaps
HOW TO ORDER
------------
Registration & Benefits
Phone Orders in the U.S., and Web Orders
Credit Card Payments
Email Registration
License
Customer Support
Availability
Version Number Explanation
Known Problems
History
Uninstall
ASP Ombudsman Statement
Disclaimer
WHAT IS SERALINE SCREENSAVER
----------------------------
Seraline Screensaver is a screensaver for Windows 95. This version is a 32-bit
program, and requires Windows 95 to run. There is a 16-bit version available
which runs under Windows 3.1.
Seraline randomly combines an extensive range of graphic effects to produce
its images. Some are fast, some slow. Many of the resulting images are
strikingly beautiful, but some may not appeal. You can just let it run, and it
will continue to change, or you can press 'c' to restart the graphics. You
can also press '1', '2' or '3' to change the speed and type of graphics. A
huge variety of images are produced over time, so please try it for at least a
few days.
Supports 16 color VGA, 256 color SVGA, and 24-bit color.
INSTALLATION
------------
1. From the directory you have decompressed into, copy the file seraline.scr
into your windows\system directory, usually c:\windows\system.
2. Click on Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.
3. Double click on the Display icon.
4. Click on the Screensaver tab.
5. In the Screen Saver list, select Seraline.
6. Click Preview to run the screensaver.
7. Press Setup to display registration and support details, and access
configuration options.
Once you have Seraline running, you do not need to keep the other files on
your system. i.e. you just need seraline.scr installed in your Windows or
Windows\System directory.
SETUP OPTIONS
-------------
Configuration options are available from the Control Panel/Desktop/Setup
screen by pressing the Options button.
Available options:
SPEED
1 Slow Mode - Displays full screen fractals and similar designs, less
'messier' than other speeds.
2 Normal speed - uses all drawings.
3 Fast Mode - uses just the faster drawings, changing more often to
make it more watchable.
SAFE MODE
Select this option if Seraline occasionally crashes with a General
Protection Fault, or hangs. When selected, Seraline will avoid graphics
which have caused problems with some video drivers.
Safe Mode is ON by default. You can de-select it and see if Seraline runs
without any crashes or hangs on your machine. If there are, then you
should re-select Safe Mode.
REGISTERED VERSION OPTIONS
--------------------------
HIDE MOUSE
Selecting this option means the mouse cursor will disappear while the
screensaver is running.
STAY ON TOP
This is useful when you have a menu bar, clock, or other program which
normally stays visible over all other windows, including screensavers.
Select this option to have Seraline cover these windows. Its use is not
recommended if you have other programs running which can periodically
display a message (such as Mail, a Reminder or other scheduled program),
as you will not see these messages. Also in these cases, the other program
will have control of the keyboard, even though it is not visible, so
pressing Escape will clear the message rather than stopping Seraline, and
you will not get to see the message.
IGNORE MOUSE FOR WAKE-UP
Selecting this option means only use of the keyboard will stop the
screensaver. It's useful if your mouse likes to move of its own accord, or
is easily bumped. Not recommended if you are also using Stay on Top.
IGNORE VOTES
Useful when you may have been controlling Seraline through a series of
votes (see below), but you would temporarily like Seraline to run in
default mode.
USE SERASPEL
SeraSpel(TM) is a spelling unchecker, which makes mistakes in the spelling
of text messages as they are displayed. Why? Wel, wyh nog?
TEXT MESSAGES
You can have your own messages periodically displayed by entering a
series of phrases, each separated by a semi-colon, such as "text=My
message;Second message;Third;fourth". The messages are displayed at
random, and not necessarily immediately or every run.
PASSWORD PROTECTION
-------------------
Seraline maintains its own passwords, and operates independently of the
setting shown directly on the Display properties Screen Saver setup
window. For Seraline, you select whether or not a password is used by
using the Password data entry screen which is accessed using the Password
button on the Seraline Options screen.
Warning: the security of your machine is not guaranteed when using the
Seraline password protection because due to the complexity of the
screensaver and different machine configurations, there is the possibility
that Seraline may crash and leave your machine available.
RUNTIME OPTIONS
---------------
While the screensaver is running, the following keys can be used:
1,2,3 Selects the speed, as described above under Setup Options.
f The current drawing will Finish. Useful if it appears to be stuck or you
want it to move on. So you use it when you want Seraline to do something
else and you don't want it to wait until it's finished whatever it's
currently doing.
c Similar purpose to the 'f' key. Seraline will be re-started,
and also the Colors being used are changed and the screen is cleared.
k Keeps running with the current colors, & avoids clearing the screen so
that the image builds on itself as much as possible. (Registered version
only)
o Displays an order form, which can be printed (Unregistered version only).
p Pressing p will cause Seraline pause at the end of the current
drawing, and not continue until you press 'p' again. This is useful, for
example,if Seraline is drawing something slowly, and you would like to
see how it ends up, but you have to leave the room for a while. Or if you
would like the chance to copy it to the clipboard when it's finished
before it gets overwritten. It doesn't pause immediately, but at the end
of the current drawing. When you have finished with the paused screen,
press 'p' again to start Seraline off again. (Registered version only)
SAVING IMAGES
-------------
Pressing the PrintScreen function key will copy the full screen to the
clipboard, and you can then paste that into a paint program and save the
image. You can then cut an area from the image and use it as a background on a
Web page.
IMAGEVOTE (Registered Version Only)
---------
Press the following keys while Seraline is running to bias it towards images
you prefer:
F4 Press F4 to vote FOR an image you like.
F5 Press F5 to vote AGAINST an image you like.
Shift+F5 resets to the system defaults.
Voting is a gradual process - it provides a general guideline only to Seraline,
such as more or less text, faster or slower drawings. Colors are not included
in the voting. Seraline keeps track of the last few drawings done, and votes are
allocated with the later drawings receiving (or losing) more votes. So at
times you may be voting for something you may at other times be voting
against, but over time, it is expected that the items you prefer will become
more prominent.
So, for example, if you like fractals, when you see one, press F4, and
Seraline will do fractals slightly more often. You would continue to vote for
fractals when they appear so that they appear more & more often. Similarly,
F5 is used to reduce the frequency of the drawings which were used to produce
the screen that is showing when you press F5.
Pressing F4 can also be used to increase the display frequency of your text
messages.
DISPLAYING BITMAPS (Registered Version Only)
------------------
Bitmap files created with PaintBrush, or other paint programs, can be
displayed periodically by Seraline, and then they are merged and colored with
the other graphics. For example, you can have your company logo or other
advertising material displayed, or perhaps a multi-line name & address which
is too long for the text-message-display option. Having scanned photos
displayed and distorted can also be fun, particularly portraits.
The Options screen contains a button which brings up a Bitmap entry screen,
which lets you enter the name of a disk directory. Any bitmap files in that
directory will be displayed at random. Only files with the extension ".bmp"
are shown.
When running in 256 color mode, the bitmaps will be displayed using the colors
Seraline is using at the time, and may appear quite different to the original. To
To display the bitmaps using their own colors, you must run in 32K, 64K or 16M
color mode.
The bitmap screen also has an option called "Show Often". This will cause
Seraline to use the bitmaps in every run.
* * * HOW TO ORDER * * *
REGISTRATION & BENEFITS
-----------------------
Seraline Screensaver is "try before you buy" software, and is provided with a
free 14-day evaluation period.
When you register Seraline, it will
* display its full range of graphics over time
* allow the use of run-time keystroke options listed above
* allow password protection (Windows 3.1 only)
* enable the mouse options
* display your own text messages
* use ImageVote to bias Seraline towards images you like
* allow you to display your own bitmaps, such as logos & photos
* remove registration reminder messages...
The screensaver occasionally displays registration reminder messages like
"Please register Seraline". On receipt of your registration fee, you will be
mailed, faxed or emailed a code which will remove these messages. This
registration code is entered into the Registration field on the Setup screen.
Your support through registration is appreciated and will encourage the
development of additional graphics and features.
If you continue to use Seraline after 14 days, please send a cheque for
US$14.95 (or its equivalent in your currency) to:
Seraline P/L,
P.O. Box 282,
Ryde,
NSW 2112,
Australia.
Other currencies:
Australian Dollars: $19.95
United Kingdom: 9.95 pounds.
Personal or company cheques in your own currency are accepted. Please make
cheques payable to Seraline Pty Ltd.
Checks MUST be in your own country's currency. US Dollar checks must be drawn
on a US Bank. EuroCheques must be in your own currency, not $US or Australian.
See below for credit card payments and phone orders.
A printable order form in MS Write format is in the file order.wri. An order
form can also be displayed and printed from the Control Panel Setup screen, or
by pressing 'o' while Seraline is running.
Alternatively, if you are a member of Compuserve, you may register Seraline
on-line on Compuserve. After logging on to Compuserve, GO SWREG, and
request ID 4667.
In order to keep the cost of Seraline low, diskettes are not mailed as part of
the base registration. The latest version is available on various on-line
services as described below.
These prices and conditions are valid until 30th June 1997 for this version,
and are subject to change with future versions.
If you have already paid a fee to others (eg disk or CD vendors) to obtain
this evaluation copy, that fee was for their copying and distribution
services, rather than a payment for continued use of the program, and the
software author does not receive any part of that fee.
PHONE ORDERS IN THE U.S.
------------------------
*** CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY ***
Telephone and on-line credit card registrations are handled by a
long-established third party order service, Public (software) Library.
You can order with Mastercard, Visa, Amex, or Discover from Public (software)
Library by calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394, or by FAX to 713-524-6398,
or by CIS Email to 71355,470. You can also mail credit card orders to PsL
at P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705.
There is an extra $US5 handling charge for all orders placed with PsL.
The PsL product ID for Seraline Screensaver is 14921. Please mention that with
your order.
THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY.
THE AUTHOR OF THIS PROGRAM CANNOT BE REACHED AT THESE NUMBERS.
ONLY CONTACT THE ABOVE NUMBERS IF YOU ARE PLACING AN ORDER.
Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds,
registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts,
dealer pricing, site licenses, non-credit card orders, etc, must be directed
by email to porum@ozemail.com.au.
PsL will notify us the day of your order and we will send a registration code
directly to you. For fastest registration, be sure to give your email address
to PsL. Second fastest is to give them your fax number. Otherwise we will air
mail you a registration code from Australia.
OTHER CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
--------------------------
Credit card payments may also be be made directly to Seraline, using VISA,
Mastercard, or Australian Bankcard. A printable order form in MS Write format
is in the file order.wri, which can then be faxed or mailed to Seraline. An
order form can also be printed from the Control Panel Setup screen, or by
pressing 'o' while Seraline is running. The details required are your name,
Credit Card type, card number, card expiry date and your signature. These
details can be mailed, or faxed to Seraline in Australia +61-2-9879-4481.
When ordering directly from Seraline, credit cards are billed at exactly
$19.95 Australian. For other currencies, the amount appearing on your card
will depend on the foreign exchange rate at the time. For example, at rates
current in October 1996, this converts to an amount varying around US$15.
EMAIL REGISTRATION
------------------
The only way we can accept payment over the internet is by email. But due to
the number of different computers messages pass through on the internet, email
security can be a concern.
We support PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption for sending credit card
details securely by email. To receive our public key, send an email message
to porum@ozemail.com.au with "send public key" as the subject. On receipt of
our key, create a text message containing your name, credit card type (VISA,
Mastercard, or Australian Bankcard), credit card number and expiry date. Use
the separately available PGP software package to encrypt the message, and
email it to porum@ozemail.com.au.
If you don't have PGP, you may like to split the details over several
email messages. Avoid mention of words like "credit card", and use an
abbreviation for the credit card type, eg V for Visa or M for Mastercard.
Send the expiry date in a separate message, and split the card number over
several messages, but ensure there is some sequence number that makes it
obvious to us what the sequence is.
Emailing credit card details using any method is at your own risk.
LICENSE
-------
Seraline Screensaver is NOT a public domain program. It is copyrighted by
Seraline Pty Ltd. This software and accompanying documentation are protected
by Australian copyright law and also by international treaty provisions.
The registration fee will license Seraline Screensaver for use on any
computers in your home, and on one computer at work on which you are the
main user.
Seraline Pty Ltd grants you a limited license to use this software for
evaluation purposes for a period not to exceed fourteen days. If you continue
using this software after the fourteen-day evaluation period, you MUST make a
registration payment to Seraline Pty Ltd.
You may not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile, disassemble,
otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed program except as
provided in this agreement. Any such unauthorized use shall result in
immediate and automatic termination of this license.
Registered users will be licensed to use, free of charge, any version 4.nn of
Seraline, and they will be notified by email of any significant 4.nn updates.
Registered users will also be advised by email when the major upgrade to
version 5 becomes available.
Distribution license details for vendors are in the accompanying file
VENDINFO.DIZ.
Seraline Pty Ltd may revoke any permissions granted here, by notifying you in
writing. All rights not expressly granted here are reserved to Seraline Pty
Ltd.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
----------------
Seraline provides its registered users with free support via email. If
you have a question, please send an email message to:
Internet: porum@ozemail.com.au
Please note that although Seraline is released with no known defects that
cause crashes, because of the extensive calculations and graphics and many
permutations, it may still crash occasionally due to incompatibilities with
video drivers and fonts. You should use the evaluation period to check that
Seraline does not cause problems with your system. See KNOWN PROBLEMS below
for some work-arounds. If it crashes each day, there may be an
incompatibility, although this shouldn't cause any other problems apart from
stopping the screensaver. If it crashes Windows, stop running Seraline.
AVAILABILITY
------------
The very latest version is available on Seraline's WWW Home Page:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~porum.
Compuserve: Library 20 (Screensavers) in the WINAV Forum, file name
SERA32.ZIP, or SERA16.ZIP for the Windows 3.1 version.
Internet: Available on WinSite and its mirrors in the directory
win95/desktop, file name s32ss40.zip.
FTP from ftp.winsite.com, directory /pub/pc/win95/desktop, file s32ss40.zip.
VERSION NUMBER EXPLANATION
--------------------------
Seraline's version number is in four parts: A.B.C.D
A The major version number - changed for major upgrades. Notification is
sent by email to registered users.
B Minor version number - changed when there have been significant
enhancements to the graphics.
C Minor changes to the graphics. Usually only uploaded to the Web page.
D Minor changes to the documentation.
KNOWN PROBLEMS
--------------
Crashes or hangs are unlikely, but there are a lot of permutations, and
Seraline Screensaver is not guaranteed to never crash.
Some video drivers seem to get a GP Fault when too much stretching or
shrinking is applied to fonts or images. If you find you get several GP
Faults, then try selecting Safe Mode on the Options screen under Control
Panel/Desktop/Setup.
Any screensaver as calculation-intensive as Seraline may slow down other running
tasks such as printing or faxes. If there is such a problem with printing, you
can try increasing the priority of the printing by running Print Manager from
the Main group in Program Manager, and selecting the menu Options/Background
Printing, and select High priority.
HISTORY
-------
v3.1 Feb 95 First Shareware release as Frenetic Screensaver.
v3.2 Apr 95 Minor changes to graphics.
All options and registration now available through the
Control Panel/Desktop Setup screen.
Workarounds for some incompatibilities.
More frequent yielding of the CPU to background tasks.
Faster waking-up when exiting the screen saver.
v3.3 Jun 95 New graphics.
Added Pause button.
v3.4 Aug 95 New graphics.
Support for 24-bit color.
v3.5 Oct 95 New graphics
Password protection (Windows 3.1)
v3.6 Jan 96 New graphics
Name changed to Seraline Screensaver
ImageVote
Display your own bitmaps
v3.6.7 May 96 32-bit version released for Windows 95
Stay on top
Ignore mouse
Ignore votes
v4.0 Jul 96 SeraSpel
Slow Mode displays full screen fractals
UNINSTALL
---------
To uninstall Seraline, delete the file seraline.scr from your Windows or
Windows\System directory.
ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT
-----------------------
This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an
ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI
49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe
Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
DISCLAIMER
----------
SERALINE SCREENSAVER IS SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE
OR MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS
PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS
OFFERED. IN NO EVENT SHALL SERALINE P/L OR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED
IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE
SERALINE SCREENSAVER. IN NO EVENT SHALL SERALINE P/L'S LIABILITY FOR ANY
DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE,
REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF CLAIM. THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISKS
AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NSW,
AUSTRALIA, AND ANY ACTION BY EITHER PARTY SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN A COURT
LOCATED IN NSW, AUSTRALIA.