5. Using all of BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK'S Features
6. Support
7. How to Buy
8. Providing Feedback on BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK
Thank you for trying this innovative software product to add Backup-to-CD capability to your software with one dll function call! Increase the value of your program by assuring your users that they can archive (burn) important data to CD with a single menu choice or button. Easy for you, simple for them.
======================================
1. Description
======================================
For Developers Only: Add Backup-to-CD capability to your software with one function call! Semi-customizable for colors and title, just pass the desired properties to our dll. Copy your desired files to our folder, then wait for the function to return with a result code after burning is complete. SDK comes with an example exe and sample source for Delphi, BCB, Visual Basic, and C++. Can be used with any Windows language that supports dynamic dll's. BACKUP-BURNER is compact and will add only 600Kb to your project size.
Writes at high speeds on almost every burner. Supremely simple user interface requires no user input like recording speeds or other complex issues, it is all automated for them. It writes to blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs. It will even ask to erase a full CD-RW first, which is economical for a user that backs up his files frequently. Remember that your code selects all the files and/or folders you wish to have burned, up to 650MB.
Includes the freeware AutoMenu. Use AutoMenu in conjunction with the SDK to create automatically launching menus upon CD insertion using the autorun.inf file. Simplifies your coding tasks while offering the potential to ask the user if he wants to execute operations such as a full restore, jump to on-line help files, or read me files. AutoMenu can also be used with our Data Net-Burner software distribution wizard.
NET-BURNER is new technology that will change the way information is distributed around the world. Because of the newness, there's a lot of informative text here. We want to get everyone through the learning curve as quickly as possible, so please try to power through it. Make some CD's, free your imagination, and push the net to its limit. Let's start with some definitions:
- BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK:
Software Development Kit to add Backup-to-CD capability to your software with one dll function call so your users can archive (burn) important data to CD with a menu option.
- BACKUP-BURNER:
The redistributable Software in the SDK. Note: Redistribution is the act of incorporating any BACKUP-BURNER files in your software (except for test purposes), which requires payment of a registration fee and a non-demo license agreement.
- APPLET:
The Applet is the form that guides the user through the burning process and shows a progress bar.
- CLICK-TO-DISC!:
This is the patent pending technology inside the Net-Burner products.
- BURN:
Burn means to record or write a CD. This is done with a special CD device called a CD Recorder, CD Writer, or CD Burner- all mean the same thing.
- CD-R and CD-RW discs:
A CD-R is a disc that can be written on, but not erased. A CD-RW is a re-writeable disc that can be: A) treated the same as a CD-R, B) can be totally erased and used again, and C) can be used in a special packet writing format (i.e. directCD). BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK does not use packet writing format. BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK will record to blank CD-R's, blank CD-RW's and erased CD-RW's. Furthermore, CD-RW discs can be erased by the user with BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK.
The unregistered (Demo) version will create fully functional CDs for 45 days.
Please support innovative advancements in CD Recording software by registering this copy today! You can also buy DATA NET-BURNER to distribute your programs as downloadable CDs. We will try to reward our registered customers with improved service and features as Desernet Broadband Media grows into the future.
========================================
2. Release Notes and System Requirements
========================================
To get the latest released version of BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK click the "Check For Updates" exe in the SDK folder or visit our Web site at http://www.net-burner.com/.
New features in version 5.5:
- Now only a single file (Backupburner.dll) is distributed.
- Changed definition of BBfolder. Now it points directly to any
folder to be backed up. The folder "FilesToBackup" is
only a suggestion, another folder can be used.
New features in version 5.0:
- CDRW's can be erased by the Applet. If a CDRW is detectedd, it
will ask if you want to do a quick erase before burning.
- "AutoMenu" program now included. Put it on your CD and you can
make your own menu with customizable buttons and colors.
(See the readme file in the AutoMenu folder for more details)
BACKUP-BURNER supports Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 98. A screen resolution of 800*600 or greater is recommended. It will run on any modern machine with enough free disk space on the partition it is installed on. That is free space equal to the size of the files you are backing up, plus 5 megs more.
A CD Recorder is NOT required for using this SDK. However, it is highly recommended that the resulting project be tested on a machine with a CD Recorder by actually burning the CD.
Will BACKUP-BURNER co-exist peacefully with other CD-R software? YES. The dll does NOT install any proprietary drivers, add anything to your or your user's system folders, or modify your or your user's system settings.
====================================
3. Installation and Uninstallation
====================================
Unzip the files into a folder (use the -d switch to create the subfolders). To uninstall, just delete the folder.
====================================
4. -----> At Least Read This!
====================================
- Run the Example.exe once, and press all buttons even if you don't have a CD Recorder on your system.
- Copy the Backupburner.dll to either your project's folder or a subfolder named \Bin\ (or any other name).
- Choose a folder to be backed up. One suggestion is to make a folder named \FilesToBackup\. Another is to simply backup your entire folder eg. C:\Program Files\My Program\.
- There are 3 steps to doing a recording;
1. Copy the desired files and folders to the \FilesToBackup\ folder.
2. Assign the parameters to be passed through the function.
3. Call the function and wait for it to return.
- The library to load is BackupBurner.dll, and the function MakeBackupCD(pointers to 8 parameters) returns and Integer value. The arguments are 8 POINTERS to 8 strings. The parameters are all of type String as shown, but remember to pass pointers to them:
BBRegName = 'DEMOUSER'; // Use this string until registered.
BBRegCode = 'ABCD1234'; // Use this string until registered.
BBVolume = 'MyBackupCD'; // The title to be burned onto the CD, see character limits below.
BBTitle = 'This shows in the form'; // The title to be burned onto the CD, see character limits below.
BBColorForm = 'clSilver'; //default is clSilver, don't use hex color codes.
BBColorText = 'clBlack'; //default is clBlack, don't use hex color codes.
BBFolderPath= 'c:\path\FilesToBackup\'; // folder that will be written to the CD
BBFutureUse = ''; //Null string for future features.
- After calling the function, please don't continue with any background disc or network intensive operations. There is always a risk of buffer underrun failures if all of the system resources are not available to the recording process.
- When the funciton returns, it is preferred, but not required, that you do some inspection of the result code returned. A list of the result codes and their meanings are shown below.
- After a successful or interrupted burn the files are retained in the \FilesToBackup\ folder. So prior to subsequent recordings your code may have to delete the older files.
- Whenever you plan to release a new version of your software, be sure to first get the latest released version of BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK click the "Check For Updates" exe in the /update/ folder or visit our Web site at http://www.net-burner.com/support/SDK/getlatest-perm.cfm The files are updated occasionally to add support for new models of recorders, higher speeds, and newer recorder technology.
===========================================
5. Using all of BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK'S Features
===========================================
Coding steps are shown in order below, following the user's selection of performing the backup. Notice that some are optional...
// Temporarily Disable Burn CD button to avoid double clicks
// Copy desired files to \FilesToBackup\ folder
// Fill in registration numbers, and
// OPTIONAL- Fill in desired Volume name (to be burned as CD title) or use null '';
// Hide or minimize your program
// Launch MakeBackupCD function in BackupBurner.dll
// When function returns, the CD process is complete.
// Unhide or restore your program
// OPTIONAL- Inspect the result code
// OPTIONAL- delete unneeded files from \FilesToBackup\
// You are done.
These are the "result" codes which may be returned by the function...
-2 Installation Error- version mismatch
-1 User canceled
0 it was a successful burn!
1 User canceled
2 Installation Error- files missing
3 Insufficent disk space
5 there was not a blank CD
7 bad burn during writing
8 no CD recorder detected. (or no admin rights if in NT/2k/XP -AND- no existing ASPI)
9 Demo expired.
11 User does not have admin rights to access the ASPI manager. (Applies only to user mode ASPI managers)
VOLUME NAME
Although not a requirement, it is easy to enter a name for your CD in the VOLUME string. When the CD is made this name shows up next to the drive letter when the CD is viewed in My Computer or Windows Explorer. The volume name of the CD should be Alpha-numeric and have NO special characters other than underscores. Any other characters may cause unpredictable results. All lower-case letters are converted to upper case automatically. The limit is 32 characters.
AUTORUN.INF & ICON
AutoMenu comes with sample autorun.inf files and a free icon you can use on your CD's. Always place the autorun.inf file in the "root" of the CD. The file can be easily edited in Notepad. A variety of parameters can be added to the file. For even more flexibility and style, try the included AutoRun.exe program (You can find it in the \AutoMenu\ folder)
AUTOMENU
This program can be burned onto a Data CD along with the your other files and folders. When the resulting CD is loaded on a computer, it will pop up a menu that directs the user to choose from several options. Prior to burning, you can design the options by simply editing the text file called autorun.inf. You can use AutoMenu to launch programs, setup files, web sites, text files, MP3 files, Winamp m3u playlists, and more. Up to 8 buttons can be customized. See the AutoMenu readme.htm file for more info.
KNOWN LIMITATIONS-
- The maximum depth of the folder structure is limited to 8 layers. This is a result of the ISO9660 and JOLIET specifications. The SDK will NOT prompt you to re-adjust your folders if a depth greater than 8 is detected, your software should check that if there is a chance for that condition to happen.
- The maximum length of each file name is 64 characters. This is shorter than the maximum allowed by Windows. Any name longer than this may be truncated automatically or may cause unpredictable results including the inability to create a CD. The SDK will NOT check for that prior to starting. Your software should check that if there is a chance for that condition to happen.
- The volume name of the CD should be Alpha-numeric and have NO special characters or spaces other than underscores. Any other characters may cause unpredictable results. All lower-case letters are converted to upper case automatically.
- Backup-Burner has a built-in temporary ASPI layer that is used when there is no pre-existing layer installed. Usage is dependent on the logged-in user having administrative rights. Without admin rights and a pre-existing ASPI, Backup-Burner will return a resultcode = 11. If your users regularly do not have admin rights, the workaround is to have them install a permanent ASPI layer.
- Laptops with CD Recorders in the docking base may not allow proper communications due to proprietary drivers. In this case Backup-Burner will return a resultcode = 8.
- When recording a very small CD the progress meter is less accurate.
====================================
6. Support
====================================
-- For support information, click the "Backup-Burner Add-on SDK web site" shortcut in the SDK folder.
-- To discuss customization, send email to support@net-burner.com.
-- To see other tools offered by us, click the "Net-Burner Developer Tools On-Line" shortcut in the SDK folder.
====================================
7. How to Buy (Licensing info)
====================================
You MUST purchase a license and agree to its terms before distributing BackupBurner.dll with your software.
-- For licensing information, click the "Register On-line" shortcut in the SDK folder.
========================================
8. Providing Feedback on BACKUP-BURNER ADD-ON SDK
========================================
We are sincerely interested in your feedback on BACKUP-BURNER. Please mail suggestions, improvements, additional readme.txt comments, tighter source code examples, or bug reports to input@net-burner.com. Your feedback helps us plan future changes for Backup-Burner and will make Net-Burner more useful to you. Please register this software soon.
Some future features in the works are: Multi-session support and an Audio/MP3 CDR SDK.
Thanks for the participation and support of the many contributors it took to develop Net-Burner with Click-to-Disc! technology.
Click-to-Disc!(tm) and other included Net-Burner technology is US patent pending.
BURN-Proof(tm) under license with Sanyo Electric Co.
