C!T ROM 5/ctrom5b.zip/ctrom5b/CTSELECT/MOD4WIN/README.TXT

Text File | 1993-12-03 | 17KB | 406 lines

*************************
* MOD4WIN  Version 1.02 *
*************************
_______________________________________________________________________________

Installation Instructions:
--------------------------

- start Windows (version 3.1 is required)

- insert disk in drive A or B

- in the Program Manager go to File | Run...

- on the Command Line type <drive>:install.exe, e.g. "A:install.exe"

- follow the instructions of the installation program
_______________________________________________________________________________

Revision History:
-----------------

Version 1.00:
  - September 1993
  - first fully functional model of Mod4Win

Version 1.01
  - October 1993
  - The version 1.01 was necessary because of some bugs in the play routine,
    with file handling of more than 900 files at a time, the installation
    program, and the speed when running on slow machines.
    * playroutine: problems with loading and the end marking of files
        that jump around between patterns
    * file handling: was completely revised
    * installation had two problems: the check for free space on destination
        drive looked at the wrong drive and the given path name was not
        accepted, even if entered correctly
    * full keyboard support (TAB/SHIFT-TAB)
    * information dialog was debugged

Version 1.02
  - November 1993
  - first release for the U.S. shareware market
  - several bug fixes
    * wave driver is displayed and saved nicely
    * bpm speed is interpreted correctly
    * invalid MOD-formats are recognized now
    * updates the display correctly
    * playtime is properly reset
_______________________________________________________________________________

**************************************************************************
* The following chapters are all included in the Mod4Win Help file and   *
* really look much better there.  Of course, if you absolutely love text *
* files, you can study it here.                      *
**************************************************************************
_______________________________________________________________________________

Features
--------

Mod4Win is a player for Commodore AMIGA SoundTracker and NoiseTracker Files
on IBM-PC compatible machines under Microsoft Windows

- It supports:
  * sample rates between 11 and 48 kHz
  * 8 and 16 bit sample depth
  * Mono and Stereo

- Jukebox function for up to 999 MOD-Files in one session!
  * generates playlists (with files from up to 100 directories!)

- Drag & Drop feature of one or more files and of playlists.

- Launching of a file or playlist from a command line parameter.

- The program remembers several settings, for instance
  * window positions
  * actual and last play directory
  * hardware settings

- Hotkeys for all player functions
_______________________________________________________________________________

System requirements
-------------------

- A sound card with at least one DAC, that can process 11 kHz-Sampling and
  an appropriate asynchronous wave driver (speaker.drv won't run).

- AT 286 with 4 MB RAM minimum.
- AT 386/33 for playing with the highest sample rate.
- AT 486/33 with 8 MB RAM to use Mod4Win as a background jukebox with 44 kHz
  and 16 bit stereo sampling.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Authors
-------

Mod4Win was written and designed by Kay Bruns and Uwe ZΣnker.  The English
version of Mod4Win and the Help file was translated and adopted by
Jens Puchert.

This program was thoroughly ▀-tested.  However, if you discover any
malfunctions or bugs (you never know), feel free to write your comments to:

JSInc.
Jens Puchert
1037 Madison St
Syracuse, NY 13210-2015

You can also reach me by phone or FAX on [phone]
or through e-mail to [e-mail].

PS: Please, constructive contributions only. All others are to be marked as
junk mail, or even better, save yourself the trouble and send it to NIL
(or for C-freaks to NULL).
_______________________________________________________________________________

Known problems
--------------

1. Problems with sound cards:

Several sound cards claim to support multiple sample rates, but then don't
play at these rates but at any others they like, that means the play rate
seems to be too fast or too slow.  For instance the Soundblaster 16 ASP
reports, being able to play at 48 kHz, then however starts to howl terribly,
since it is only capable of playing at 44 kHz.  The same thing happens if you
switch from mono to stereo with the Pro Audio Spectrum.  These errors are
caused by neither Mod4Win nor the wave driver, but simply by the sound card
hardware.

Solution: Buy a different sound card, bear the sound, or adjust to a sample
rate that can really be played.

2. Problems with (BUGs in) sound drivers:

General solution for these problems:

Because we didn't have one bug free wave driver during the test phase of
the program, we can only give the following advise:

Ask the manufacturer of your sound card for an updated wave driver!


The drivers of the Soundblaster and Audioblaster don't automatically adjust
their filter frequency to the sample frequency.  That results in the fact
that the MOD-Files sound dull.

Solution: Use your mixer utility to turn the filter off!


The wave driver of the Sound-/Audioblaster Pro 2.5/3/4 reports being able to
sample more than 22 kHz 8 bit stereo, however when it comes to do that it
starts to resist.

Solution: Switch to mono at sample rates higher than 22 kHz.


Windows  only supports the following sample rates: 11, 22, and 44 kHz.
Therefore it may happen that you see an error message like "Application
violated system integrity" or "General protection fault" or something similar.
The reason for that is not Mod4Win (because that asks the driver whether it
can play the selected sample rate or not), but the clever programming of the
wave driver.

Solution: Select only the sample frequencies 11, 22, or 44 kHz.

If you have only one wave driver installed, then it is possible that another
application tries to access it while Mod4Win plays.  This could happen for
instance if an application wants to generate a system sound.  Then some wave
drivers will switch the actual sound output (that's the one from Mod4Win)
from stereo to mono or modify the sample rate, without notifying Mod4Win.
As a result you will hear a much too fast sampled output, or even extreme
distortions.

Solution: Install a second wave driver that the other application can
utilize while Mod4Win plays.  If you don't have a second sound card or a
second driver for your card, you can use speaker.drv as a last resort.

3. Problems with video drivers:

With some video drivers you might notice that while Mod4Win (or any other
sample output producing program) plays, that the wave output is rhythmically
interrupted.  This sounds like bubbling or scratching.  This can be most
easily resolved by choosing a different video mode or color resolution.  You
can also try to switch from stereo to mono.

4. Problems that look like BUGS (but are not):

Windows  or Mod4Win reports 'No memory available!' although you have
plenty of it.  The reason for that is that Mod4Win makes sure there is at
least 500 KB left for other applications.  If that's not the case, you'll
see the error message.  The same thing happens if Windows  fragments the
memory too much, that means the memory is divided into many little segments,
and therefore not enough continuous memory available for other applications.

Solution:
*    In the first case (less than 500 KB free): close applications,
    increase swap file size, or buy more memory.
*    In the second case (memory fragmented): stop Mod4Win (not pause!),
    start application, restart Mod4Win.

Fast forward and rewind takes longer at the end of the song than at the
beginning.  The reason for that is that it is impossible to rewind a MOD-File
error free utilizing reasonable amounts of memory.  There are effects that
jump arbitrarily between Patterns and can't be tracked back easily anymore.
Therefore it is necessary to recalculate the whole song from the beginning
and that of course takes more time at the end than at the beginning.

While the Setup-Dialog is opened the current song has to be paused.  During
this dialog the wave driver is asked if it can handle certain settings.  Some
wave drivers then immediately change their settings to these values, whether
we want them or not.

Some wave drivers don't recall exactly where they have been paused.  Instead
they will perform certain byte flips that are not very pleasant for the ear.
Therefore the song will be recalculated from the start after a Pause.  This
wastes valuable buffer time, but at least it resumes with the regular sound.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Differences between Shareware- and Full Version
-----------------------------------------------

Principally shareware- and full version are equally powerful.  That, of
course, shouldn't raise the question in you "Why should I buy the full
version?"  We figured, that a limited shareware version makes no sense,
because naturally a function that hasn't been implemented in the shareware
version can't be tested by you.

At the end of the program we refer to the necessity of the full version,
if you want to use the program frequently.  To motivate you, we also
prescribe to you an involuntary break at the beginning of the program and
whenever you try to close the Open and Setup Dialog.  Of course you will be
spared all of this, if you buy the program.  Additionally you can determine
by the text in the about box what version you are currently using.  If you
use the full version, you will find your name (the name of the license
holder) here.

A handbook for this handy program seems to us much too clumsy and therefore
probably won't be issued.  If you like to have something on paper, feel free
to spool this text to your printer or to a file and chop it further down with
a word processor.

The Full Version directly from JSInc.

Please refer to the section Registration for Mod4Win 1.02!

Retail Sales of the Full Version in the U.S.

The full version can only be ordered from JSInc. at this moment.  So please
don't harass your favorite computer store around the corner with repetitive
questions for the full version, they would have to order it explicitly from
me.  It is even possible that they will slander the quality of the program
because of that.  But of course you know better, right?


Update-Service

For registered users it will be possible to always order the latest version
from JSInc.  All that's required is that you send me the original disk or
just the label and the sum of $10.

For details see Registration for Mod4Win 1.02 please!

Please don't forget your return address, otherwise you'll keep waiting while
I wouldn't know where to send the latest update to.
_______________________________________________________________________________

License Regulations
-------------------

This program is not freeware!  Mod4Win is shareware, that means software you
can test for a certain time and then have to purchase or delete from your
disk.  The copyright for this program (mod4win.exe, player.dll) and its help
(mod4win.hlp) is held by JSInc.  You are granted a period of 30 days, in
which you can test the program.  If you use Mod4Win after this test period
you are required by federal law to purchase a copy.

You are explicitly encouraged to spread the unregistered version of Mod4Win
to other PC users, such that they also have a chance to test the program.
This is valid with the following restrictions:

1.  You are not allowed to make money with it (for copying and distributing),
    and
2.  You have to distribute all files that belong to the program and to its
    documentation.

Modifications of a file that belongs to the Mod4Win package are strictly
prohibited!

This help is part of the program Mod4Win and may only be distributed together
with the program as mentioned above.

Disassembling and/or patching of the program or its help file is generally
prohibited.  Preventively we'd like to mention that JSInc. owns the copyright
for all routines used in this program.  Intellectual theft on any of the
programming and/or design techniques used in Mod4Win may be subject to
prosecution.

The shareware version may be distributed by shareware dealers for not more
than $10.  If you belong to those who pay more than $10 to acquire shareware,
then you should look around for a new source.

With the purchase of the full version of the program Mod4Win, the user
acquires the right to install this program on his/her machine and use one
purchased copy on exactly one machine at a time.  For each additional machine
the user is required to purchase another copy, even if that wouldn't be
necessary from a technical point of view.

The user may make copies of the original disk only for the purpose of data
security.  However, it is strictly prohibited to distribute copies of the
software or make them available to a third party.

Possession of the registered version is only permitted to the registered user.

Please keep in mind that the program did cost you money and us work.
Therefore please don't distribute your copy to a third party.  Commercial
usage of the full version of Mod4Win requires the explicit written permission
from JSInc.  Mod4Win may not be sold with other products (hard-, or software)
without an explicit written permission from JSInc.

We don't assume any responsibility for damages possibly caused by the usage of
Mod4Win.

Owners and/or users of a version of Mod4Win absolutely agree to all conditions
mentioned above.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Liability, Warranty and Trademark
---------------------------------

We wrote Mod4Win because the MOD-format is quite nice and there wasn't a
really good MOD-Player for Windows  yet.  To let everybody enjoy it, we
decided to issue a shareware version.  As a practical side effect our
programmers can make a few Dollars with it.  But since they probably won't
become millionaires, we don't assume any liability for damages caused by our
program to hard- and/or software.  Registration doesn't reserve you the right
to purchase an error free program.

The program is distributed (or sold respectively) as is.  The only thing we
guarantee is that it will take up space on your mass storage device (and
hopefully as long as possible).  We also guarantee that it will use CPU time
on your machine (only as much as absolutely necessary).  You may assume
though, that our program doesn't cause any harm to you and/or your system.
That means by the best of our conscience and knowledge of Computer Science it
is a fine program.  After all we like it so much, we have it running as a
background jukebox on our own machines.

You are fully responsible for everything you are doing with this program!

We reserve all rights for our program.  That includes especially the right to
completely redesign the program.  Therefore it is very possible, that a
feature from an older version will not be included in a new version, and a
new version will have higher demands to your hardware.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Registration for Mod4Win 1.02
-----------------------------

To receive the full version you have to:

1.    Fill out the Registration Form, and
2.    Send it along with a check for $30 and
3.    A self-addressed envelope to the following address:

JSInc.
Jens Puchert
1037 Madison St
Syracuse, NY 13210-2015


Make checks payable to JSInc.  Do not send cash!


Unfortunately at the moment, we can't accept Mastercard, Visa, American
Express or other Credit Cards.

Received orders will be processed at least every other day.  Just make sure
you don't forget your return address.  If you haven't received anything
within 2 weeks feel free to write, e-mail, or call as noted in the Authors
section.

All disks will be mailed in the 3.5" DS-HD format (the little, nice and
durable ones), because they tend to survive the mail procedure with less
problems and don't require padded envelopes.  If you need another disk format
please specify explicitly.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Registration Form for Mod4Win 1.02
----------------------------------

This form is contained in a separate file "register.txt" for an easy print
out.  You can also print it from the Windows Help file, like everyting else
in this text file.

Have fun with Mod4Win!

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