Monster Media 1996 #15/Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO/win_utl2/sss1296a.zip/README.TXT

Text File | 1996-05-01 | 25KB | 490 lines

DAMSEL SOFTWARE GROUP's   SHAREWARE SCREEN SAVER SAMPLER

Compatible with Windows 3.1, 3.11, and Windows 95.

********************************************************
* For Power Users who want to get right to the program *
* the Screen Saver is now loaded. Exit this text file  *
* and go right to where Windows stores its own screen  *
* savers.  This screen saver will be listed in that    *
* group as "SSS Share".  Select it.  That's it.        *
*   ---> When you want to find out about the free      *
*  software you get by registering this program, and   *
*  getting rid of the opening screen, come back and    *
*  read this readme.txt file in the SSSSHARE directory.*
********************************************************

To read this file now, click on your
"expand window size" symbol.  Thanks!

This file contains information on the following subjects:

    1.  Product Registration
    2.  The Association of Shareware Professionals
    3.  Copyright Information
    4.  Minimum System Requirements
    5.  Setting Up Your Screen Saver
    6.  Screen Saver Function and Features
    7.  JPEG Image Compression
    8.  Monitor Display
    9.  Wallpaper
    10. Uninstalling Your Screen Saver
    11. Warranty Information
    12. Registration Form

In order to assist the reader, the older Windows 3.x  instructions have been
left intact.  Windows 95 instructions, where different, are either given
their own sentences or are indicated by the use of parentheses.

This is the only time this README.TXT file will appear automatically. In the
future you can read the file by coming back to your Windows 3.x Notepad,
located under Accessories in your Program Manager menu, and opening the
README.TXT file found in the SSSSHARE directory, or by two clicks on the
filename directly from within File Manager.  In Windows 95 the Notepad is
reached from the Start button followed by Programs\Accessories\Notepad.
You may also read the file from your C:\> DOS prompt by typing
TYPE C:\SSSSHARE\README.TXT | MORE.  You may exit this file at any time by
clicking on the minus sign of Windows 3.x's Notepad window at the upper
left-hand corner, or by clicking on the "X" Close button in Windows 95's
Notepad upper right-hand corner.

This README.TXT file can be printed in a variety of ways.  In MS-DOS you
can print it at any time from your C:\SSSSHARE> prompt by typing
COPY README.TXT PRN and pressing Enter.  Within Windows it can be printed
from the Notepad or from any other word processing program that can open a
.TXT file.  In Windows' Notepad you should set File\Page Setup\Left Margin
to as low a value as possible before printing to insure that each line will
print in its entirety.  This text file will not appear during the actual
running of the screen saver.


1.  PRODUCT REGISTRATION

If you like the screen saver and intend to use it now or in the future, you
should register your screen saver within 30 days by sending a check for
$14.95 in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank or by using MasterCard/Visa.
Either method can make use of the Registration Form found at the end of this
file.  Send the completed form to:

        Damsel Software Group
        P.O. Box 713
        Concord, NH 03302-0713

Call our phone/fax at 603 485-2677 if you desire verification.  Use of
the registration form found at the end of this README file will insure
we receive your mailing address.

Your $14.95 registration fee entitles you to a registered copy of the
Screen Saver Sampler on 3.5" diskettes, a User's Guide, a Catalog of
other Damsel Screen Savers and Bitmap Collections, and free lifetime tech-
nical support.  All catalog screen savers contain at least 24  640 x 480
images and are US$14.95 each, plus $4.00 shipping and handling for up to
nine items.  Registered versions do not contain opening promotional screens.
An advertisement will be found in the Setup (Win3.x) or Settings (Win95)
button at the Windows' screen saver selection location.

As an additional inducement you will receive a second screen saver made up
of the 48 tiles and eye-popping 640 x 480 images contained in Damsel's
Bitmap Collection, Vol. I., arranged in an art gallery format of  multi-tile
salon walls.  Send US$14.95 and get it all, PLUS free shipping and handling
on this, your first Damsel order (3.5" virus-free diskettes only).

FLASH !!!

Here's part of what you will find in the catalog!  If you like this screen
saver you can order more great screen savers immediately by writing a check
or money order in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank, or by using the
MasterCard/Visa section of the order form found at the end of this file.
Send payment and form along with your order to the Damsel address above.

Shipping charges on these orders are:  add $4.00 shipping in the U.S.
                                           $6.00 Canada/Mexico
All screen savers require 386 machines     $8.00 South America
minimum with a 256-color VGA display.     $12.00 All other foreign
                                           for shipping the added order.

And, here's another screen saver deal designed to save you money.  If you
order two additional screen savers, you will get a third one of your choice
   FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!

Here are your selections.  Use your scroll bar if you want to move quickly
to the rest of your shareware documentation.

Screen Savers / Wallpaper             Price ($US)
-------------------------             -----------
New Hampsire Wilderness, Vol.I         $14.95

24 640 x 480 scanned photos of mountains, waterfalls, forests and lakes
in JPG format shipped on two 3.5" diskettes in a CD-case, with a User's
Guide containing full documentation on features and functions, including a
short description of each of the 24 scenes.  All images are 256-colors.
Several are in BMP format for use as wallpaper.


New England Wildflowers, Vol.I         $14.95

24 640 x 480 scanned photos of New England's wildflowers from early
summer to late fall in an assortment of colors and shapes, shipped in a
similar package as the NH Wilderness collection.


Eastern Skies                          $14.95

24 640 x 480 scanned photos of sunrises, sunsets, clouds, storms and
other meterological formations, shipped in a similar package as the NH
Wilderness collection (two 3.5" diskettes in a CD-case with User's Guide).


David Martsolf, Surrealist             $14.95

27 640 x 480 scans of the surreal work of artist David Martsolf.  Most
are images of the entire work.  Some are detail closeups of portions of
complex canvases.  The artist has been recognized in national juried
competitions.  Two 3.5" diskettes are shipped in JPG format with a User's
Guide in a CD-case.  All images are 256-colors, some in BMP format.


Neoplastic Designs Collection          $14.95

A collection of 640 x 480 images of original interpretive artworks based on
the style of the early 1900's Dutch abstract painter Piet Mondrian.  This
collection is painted entirely in 16-color format suitable for all computers
running Windows 3.1 or higher, especially early 386-type microprocessors
whose graphics cards cannot display the richer 256-color format.  Two screen
savers are included in this collection.


Damsel Bitmap Collection, Vol.I & II  $14.95 each (sold separately)

A collection of 640 x 480 images and tiled images of original artwork and
scanned photos representative of the other Damsel collections shown above.
Shipped on two 3.5" diskettes, but without a CD-case.  All images are in
BMP format for use also as wallpaper.  Some are 16-color, some are 256-
color.  Volume I can be found elsewhere in the market as Shareware.


2.  THE ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS

Damsel Software Group is 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  USA
49442-9427, Fax [phone], or send a CompuServe message via
CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying
it.  If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
to register.  Individual programs differ on details -- some request
registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.
With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using
the software to an updated program with printed material.

Shareware differs from public domain software in that there is the under-
standing of payment IF the user continues to actively employ the software.
Shareware is also copyrighted where public domain software is not.
Copyright restrictions vary from author to author.  Damsel's Screen Savers
and Bitmap Collections are copyrighted.  The details of this copyright
follow the loading and use section below.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.  You should
find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial
or Shareware.  The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier,
because you can try before you buy.  Shareware has the ultimate money-back
guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.


3.  COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Damsel Software Group's Shareware version of its Screen Saver Sampler can
be shared freely with everyone.  We do request that a copy of this README
file accompany the program so that others may register the product if they
so desire.  For commercial disk vendors this request becomes an absolute
requirement.  This Shareware version cannot be used for commercial
applications.

Once registered, all Damsel products may be used as wallpaper or as
baseline imagery for further private or commercial processing.  Your only
restriction as a registered purchaser, owner, or user, is that the
Sampler or its individual images not be resold or distributed in their
original unmodified form.  Images may be used unmodified in commercial
publications where they form an integral part of a larger work to be sold
or marketed as such.  The images cannot be resold as stand-alone graphics
without the expressed written consent of Damsel Software Group.
The screen saving functions cannot be redistributed except in Shareware or
other Damsel-approved versions with their original associated Damsel images.


4.  MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The 640 x 480 images contained in this Damsel screen saver are best
suited for 256-color display.  A video display board with a minimum of
512K RAM and 256-color capability for display on a VGA or SVGA monitor
is essential.

You will need an IBM PC-compatible with a 386 or higher-type micro-
processor, 4MB RAM, and a hard disk with 5MB free disk space.

Damsel products run with MS-DOS 3.1 or higher using Windows 3.1 or higher.
Damsel products are fully compatible with Windows 95.


5.  SETTING UP YOUR SCREEN SAVER

Exit this README file by clicking on the minus sign or the Close ("X")
button of the Notepad window.  Then, turn off any other screen savers you
may be using unless they are the ones linked directly to your Desktop
(Display) Accessories module, following the manufacturer's instructions.

    *** ACCESS IN WINDOWS 3.X ***

To access your Damsel Screen Saver Sampler from Windows' Program Manager,

1.  Double click on your Main icon.
2.  Double click on the Control Panel icon.
3.  Double click on the Desktop icon.
4.  Once you are in the Desktop dialog box open the list
    in the Screen Saver area by clicking the button at the right
    of the box titled "Name:" (or by pressing TAB several times to go to
    the box, followed by ALT+DOWN ARROW).
5.  Scroll on the slide bar until you find the screen saver "SSS Share".
    Click once on the title to select it.  You may also select the
    "Delay" time (of inactivity) in minutes which will precede the
    initiation of any screen saver selected.  Password protection is also
    available and is described in the next section.
6.  After selecting the SSS Share screen saver choose OK in the upper right-
    hand corner of the dialog box and exit back to the opening screen.
    Damsel's Screen Saver Sampler will now appear after the initial chosen
    period of inactivity passes.

The order of the images will be:

    1.  Six images from the New Hampshire Wilderness Collection.
        2.  Six images from the Eastern Skies Collection.
    3.  Six images from the Damsel Surreal Art Collection.
    4.  Six images from the New England Wildflower Collection.

    *** ACCESS IN WINDOWS 95 ***

1.  Press or click your mouse on the Task Bar's Start button.
2.  Highlight or click on Settings, from the first menu.
3.  Click on Control Panel, from the second menu.
4.  When the Control Panel window opens, double click on the Display icon.
5.  Click on the tab titled Screen Saver.
6.  Scroll down the list of screen savers and click on "SSS Share".
    At this point you can also set the screen saver's "Wait" time or enter
    a password.  Password details are available in the next section.


6.  SCREEN SAVER FUNCTION AND FEATURES

All of Damsel's screen savers have preset display times and transition
effects (the methods used to transition between one image and the next).
The image files are stored in compressed JPEG format.  In each screen saver
except the Screen Saver Sampler several of the images are stored in the BMP
graphics format which permits those images to be used as wallpaper.  The
length of time required to decompress each JPEG image and perform transition
effects will depend directly on the size and speed of your microprocessor
(386, 486, or Pentium class) and the power of your video graphics card.

Damsel has set the display times to be approximately 30 seconds for each
image using a 486-type machine running at 33 Megahertz.  Faster 486 and
Pentium machines will exhibit shorter display times.  Users with 386-
type machines will notice display times of approximately one minute and an
initial blank screen lasting up to one minute as the microprocessor
decompresses the first image.  Some blank screen time will also appear
between transition effects on slower machines.

Your screen saver has been installed in the "Mouse Aware" mode, meaning that
any movement of the mouse will disengage the screen saver.  Disengagement
may take several seconds if the program is interrupted during one of the
image transitions.  The screen saver may be put into a "Mouse Ignore" mode
where only a depressed key on the keyboard will deactivate the screen saver
(see next paragraph).  The program will recommence using the next image in
its sequence when the selected delay time reactivates the screen saver.

To access the Mouse Aware \ Mouse Ignore setup choices click on the Setup
(Settings) button of the Screen Saver section of the Desktop (Win95's
Display) dialog box (accessed by the Program Manager\Main\Control Panel\
Desktop command sequence in Windows 3.x, or by Windows 95's Start\Settings\
Control Panel\Display\Screen Saver command sequence).  Once there, the
choices are found on the left side of the upper tool bar.  The Mouse icon on
the upper horizontal tool bar is a toggle switch.  A box at the lower left
of the screen will tell you which mode you have chosen.  Click on the exit
icon or the Windows' "X" at the upper right-hand corner to leave this box.
Before leaving you may wish to set a password.

Damsel screen savers have incorporated the same Password protection scheme
offered by the original Windows screen savers.  This feature is also found
in the Setup (Settings) dialog box of the Screen Saver section of the
Desktop (Display) dialog box.  A click on the Password button brings up a
screen with the "Enter New Password" entry line.  As you type in your
selected password, asterisks will appear for each letter.  Clicking on the
OK button will bring up a confirmation screen where you will be asked to
reenter the same password.  Clicking the OK button here will return you to
the original Setup (Settings) screen.  Note that if you have several Damsel
products, they will all use the same password.  A change to a password for
one screen saver will affect them all.

Exiting will activate your password protection. With the screen saver
activated, any motion of the mouse in the Mouse Aware mode or keyboard entry
in the Mouse Ignore mode will bring up an Enter Password dialog box.  The
password must be correctly entered in order to gain access back to the
active Windows environment. If you forget your password your best option
is to copy PGX.INI from your original Disk #1 directly to your WINDOWS
directory and then enter a new password, if desired.

If you wish to change or remove the password you must return to the Setup
(Settings) screen of the Screen Saver section of the Desktop (Display)
dialog box.  To enter a new password follow the same procedure as described
above.  To remove the password simply click on the OK button of both the
Enter New Password input screen and the Reenter New Password screen without
filling in the input line.


7.  JPEG IMAGE COMPRESSION

In order to save space on your hard disk Damsel uses JPEG graphics file
compression techniques on images used in the Screen Saver Sampler.  JPEG,
a standard developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a complex
compression method that gives the developer control over the degree to which
a file is reduced in size for storage.  This method does result in loss of
image fidelity since individual pixel data is not maintained.  At high
compression ratios , the mathematical algorithms average large groups of
pixels resulting in a reduced number of colors and image blockiness when
displayed.

Any developer using this method must make judgment calls concerning image
quality versus file size.  A full 640 X 480  256-color image in Microsoft
BMP format (used in Windows wallpaper) is over 308K bytes in size.  By
contrast, 640 x 480 JPG (JPEG) image files used in a screen saver such
as Microsoft's Scenes average around 33K bytes per image.

Damsel Software Group has elected to set the trade-off between disk space
and image quality a bit more in the direction of high image quality.
Damsel's JPG format results in file sizes averaging 78K bytes per image.
Each image is manually optimized to meet image resolution requirements
without sacrificing valuable hard disk space.  All other Damsel screen
savers store several of the images in the Windows-compatible BMP picture
format so that they may also be used as Windows wallpaper.


8.  MONITOR DISPLAY

The program configures the image display to your screen by first reading
your on-line graphics display format.  If your monitor is not configured
for 256 colors, the program will construct a 16-color standard VGA dithered
image from the colors available in this format.  Usually, the result of this
mathematical process is visually grainy, looking much like a needlepoint
design.

If you find the Damsel images barely recognizable and you have a minimum
of 512K RAM on your video display board, there is probably a driver you
can load which will support 256-color display.  Consult your machine and
Windows documentation for more information regarding your specific
situation.


9.  WALLPAPER

To use Damsel's images as wallpaper for Windows the picture file format for
this screen saver must be changed from JPG to Microsoft BMP format.  Your
Windows program does not have this capability, it must be purchased from a
third party vendor.  Although the Screen Saver Sampler does not have any
images readily available for use as Windows wallpaper, other Damsel screen
savers contain at least several BMP-formatted images files which can be
copied to the Windows directory for use as wallpaper.


10. UNINSTALLING YOUR SCREEN SAVER

Your screen saver has been loaded to a directory named SSSSHARE unless you
chose otherwise during the installation procedure.  In order to enable you
to access the screen saver Damsel has loaded two additional files into your
Windows directory,  SSSSxxxx.INI and SSSSxxxx.SCR, where 'x'is any number.
If you have chosen a password, the program has also copied PGX.INI to the
WINDOWS directory.

To remove the screen saver from your hard disk simply delete all files in
the SSSSHARE directory (or your own directory name chosen during
installation) and the SSSSxxxx.INI and SSSSxxxx.SCR files located in your
WINDOWS directory.  This can be done quickly from your Windows 3.x File
Manager, found in your Program Manager's Main menu, or from your Windows 95
My Computer or Explorer.  Though not required for the continued functioning
of Windows, popular uninstall application programs may be used to seek out
and remove small lines of code that Windows adds to its own system files.

Also, remove PGX.INI if present.  If PGX.INI contains an active password and
you do not remove the file, the next time you load any Damsel screen saver
you will find that the old password has immediately been attached to it.  If
you have forgotten that old password, you will have to manually copy the new
PGX.INI file into your WINDOWS directory in order to overwrite the old pass-
word.  You can find this screen saver PGX.INI file either in the SSSSHARE
directory or on your original installation Disk #1. If you have other Damsel
products on your hard disk you can leave this file intact.


11. WARRANTY

Damsel Software Group specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose or application.  In no event  shall
Damsel Software Group, its owner or employees be liable for any loss
of profit, loss of savings, commercial damage, or other incidental or
consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use any
Volume or Sampler of Damsel Screen Savers, even if Damsel Software
Group has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any
claim by any other party.


Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.


12. REGISTRATION FORM

- - Cut - - here  - - for - - registration - - form - - - - - - - - - - - -

DAMSEL SOFTWARE GROUP                                     REGISTRATION FORM
P.O. Box 713
Concord, NH  03302-0713                    phone/fax [phone]

SCREEN SAVER SAMPLER                  SPECIAL  INTRODUCTORY  OFFER

Yes, I want to receive a registered version of Damsel's Screen Saver Sampler
and take advantage of lifetime technical support, free catalog with updates,
an additional screen saver based on Damsel's Bitmap Collection Vol. I, and
free shipping, all for only $14.95 in U.S. currency either drawn from a U.S.
bank or ordered by MasterCard or Visa.  I understand the collection will be
shipped only on 3.5" diskettes.

Additional screen savers may also be ordered following the guidelines
presented in Section 1.

I have enclosed $ _________________ in U.S. funds as a check or money order.

or, I have elected to order with ____ MasterCard or ____ Visa (check one).


MasterCard/Visa orders require: Card Expiration Date: __________


Card Number:  __ __ __ __  __ __ __ __  __ __ __ __  __ __ __ __


Cardholder Signature: __________________________________________


        Please ship my 3.5" diskettes and other documentation to:

       Name ___________________________________________________________

       Address ________________________________________________________

       City, State, ZIP _______________________________________________


DAMSEL SOFTWARE GROUP                    DAMSEL SOFTWARE GROUP

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