Copyright: Copyright ® GS Technologies


Table of Contents
AutoPlay Dream Kit

Introduction

Features

Steps To Create The AutoPlay Application

Select a bitmap for the main background

Create a highlight bitmap for main background

Select some sounds

Configure the autorun.ini file

Create the AUTORUN.INF file

Testing your AutoPlay package

Copy your files on to the CD

ShareWare Information

Definition of Shareware

Disclaimer - Agreement

Acknowledgment

Copyright

How to Order  the AutoPlay Dream Kit

Ordering the AutoPlay Dream Kit

Order Form

Support

Support


Introduction

Welcome to the AutoPlay Dream Kit by GS Technologies. This kit will allow you to put the finishing touch on your Windows 95 application by having AutoPlay support. Windows 95 will launch AutoPlay when a CD is inserted into the CD-ROM drive. More specifically it will launch whatever application is named in the autorun.inf file on the CD. The purpose of AutoPlay is to make installation of a program under Windows 95 as simple as putting a cartridge into a video game.

The AutoPlay feature of your application should be highly graphical with sound, and make it very easy for the user to launch or install your program.

Last but not least, you need AutoPlay to have the Windows 95 logo on your program.

Why not let the AutoPlay Dream Kit do all the hard work. Loading bitmaps and sounds, capturing mouse move messages, painting graphics and text on the screen at all the right times will take a lot of your valuable development time. By using the AutoPlay Dream Kit you can spend minimal time on the AutoPlay feature of your application and get back to developing what you know best, your application. The $145 cost of the AutoPlay Dream Kit will seem very affordable when you compare it to the cost of your development and test time to develop a similar AutoPlay feature.

Before we go any further, one note on the use of the terms autoplay and autorun. In Microsoft technical information the feature is referred to as "autoplay" but typically the actual exe and sub-directory are named "autorun". That model has been preserved in this Dream kit.

Features


Features

•	Flexible, your AutoPlay application can have any "look" that you desire.

•	Easy to use. You can have your AutoPlay ready in minimal time.

•	Affordable, the AutoPlay Dream Kit is only $145.

•	Developed specifically for Windows 95.

•	State of the art 32 bit application developed with Microsoft C++ 4.0.

•	Developed by professional software developers experienced in installation issues.

•	Fully configurable to show off  the best features of your application.

•	Fully enabled for sound, animation and 256 color bitmaps.

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select bitmap
Select a bitmap for the main background.

A 600 by 400 is a fairly standard size, but other sizes will work too. The AutoPlay window size will be determined by the size of the bitmap. Remember that photo bit maps are easy to create and can be very effective. Also 256 color bitmaps seem to give the best resolution without becoming too large in size.

Use Paint that comes with Windows 95 or your favorite graphics package to create bitmap.

When you are done with the bitmap, copy it to your autorun sub-directory and rename it to AUTORUN.BMP

Next Step --- Create a highlight bitmap for main background


highlight bitmap
Create a highlight bitmap for main background

Here are the steps for creating the highlight bitmap:

•	Make a copy of the main background bitmap by doing a save as.

•	Choose the areas of the screen that you would like to highlight as the mouse passes over them. These areas will also be the selection areas that perform actions when mouse button 1 is pressed.

•	Carefully draw the highlighting in these areas using your favorite graphics program.

•	Name this highlight bitmap AUTORUNH.bmp and put it in the autorun sub-directory.

•	When you are finished with the highlight bitmap, you must make sure that both bitmaps use the same exact pallete.

Here is one way to do this:

You you need to find the palette of the AUTORUNH.BMP, save it and use it in the main bitmap. I have found a shareware application called "Paint Shop Pro" by JASC, Inc available on many Internet shareware libraries invaluable for this. I'm sure there are other applications you may have that can do the job also.

Here are the steps using Paint Shop Pro.

•	Open the  AUTORUNH.BMP.

•	Click on "Colors" then "Save Palette". Provide a name and save the palette.

•	Close the  AUTORUNH.BMP.

•	Open the AUTORUN.BMP.

•	Click on "Colors" then "Load Palette" using the palette just saved to. I generally use the Nearest Color option on this dialog.

Previous Step --- Select a bitmap for the main background.

Next Step --- Select some sounds


select sounds
Select some sounds

Pick out some wav file sounds you like. If you install the Sound Schemes that come with Windows 95 you will find plenty of interesting sound in the Windows sub-directory.

You will need three basic sounds

1 	A startup sound that plays when the autorun starts up.

2 	A sound for when the mouse is moved over the selection areas.

3 	A sound for when a selection is made (mouse button one pushed down over a selection area).

You may use a different sound for each selection area for an interesting effect.

Now rename the sound.wav file that you want to be the startup sound to AUTORUN.WAV and copy it to your autorun sub-directory.

The other sounds will be set up in the next section

Previous Step --- Create a highlight bitmap for main background

Next Step --- Configure the autorun.ini file


create ini
Configure the autorun.ini file

Use the NOTEPAD to configure the autorun.ini. Take a look at the samples first and examine their ini files. You will find that most of the ini configuration is self explanatory after you see it used.

Here is a description of the AUTORUN.INI

The [General] section has just the title of the window

[General]
Title=Autoplay by GS Technologies

The [Rectangles] section configures the highlight and selection areas. You will need to number these consecutively, one number for each area you want to use up to 50 areas. To determine each rectangle, open your highlight bitmap with Paint and move the mouse pointer to the left upper corner of a highlight area. The coodinates shown will be the first two in the set of four. Now move the mouse to the right bottom corner. The coordinates shown will be the 3rd and 4th in the set of four.

Example:  1=30,54,195,110
For selection area 1 - 30,54 is the left upper coordinate and 195,110 is the lower right coordinate.

[Rectangles]
1=30,54,195,110
2=203,56,299,109
3=313,56,429,108

The [PassOverSound] configures which sound to play as the mouse passes over each area.

[PassOverSound]
1=pop.wav
2=pop.wav
3=pop.wav

The [SelectSound] configures which sound to play when a selection is made in each area.

[SelectSound]
1=select.wav
2=select.wav
3=select.wav

The [Executable] and [QuitAfterExecute] configures what to execute on selection and whether to terminate the autorun program after execution.

[Executable]
1=explorer ..\
2=..\setup.exe
3=

[QuitAfterExecute]
1=FALSE
2=FALSE
3=TRUE

Previous Step --- Select some sounds

Next Step --- Create the AUTORUN.INF file


create inf
Create the AUTORUN.INF file

Create the autorun.inf file. The following information is all that you need. See Microsoft documentation for more details and options.

[autorun]
OPEN=autorun\autorun.exe
ICON=autorun\autorun.exe

Previous Step --- Configure the autorun.ini file

Next Step --- Testing your AutoPlay package


testing
Testing your AutoPlay package

GS Technologies has a companion product, the "AutoPlay Test Configurator" that allows you to configure your Windows 95 computer to allow AutoPlay to work from a diskette drive or a network drive. This will allow 100% error free testing of your AUTORUN.INF file, your sub-directory layout and interrelation between sub-directories before burning your files on a CD.  See the "Test Configurator Manual" in the GS Technologies AutoPlay group in the start menu for more information on this product.

Previous Step --- Create the AUTORUN.INF file

Next Step --- Copy your files on to the CD


copy files
Copy your files on to the CD

The AUTORUN.INF goes in the root directory

Typically the autorun files would go in a sub-directory called AUTORUN off the root.

Here is the collection of files from sample 2 that would go in the AUTORUN sub-directory.

AUTORUN.BMP
AUTORUNH.BMP
AUTORUN.INI
AUTDREAM.EXE
TINK.WAV
AUTORUN.WAV
POP.WAV

Previous Step --- Testing your AutoPlay package

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definition shareware
Definition of Shareware

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 manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

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.  And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee—if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

Disclaimer - Agreement


disclaimer aggreement
Disclaimer - Agreement

Users of AutoPlay Dream Kit must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

AutoPlay Dream Kit is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The entire risk as to the use of this product is assumed by the user. GS Technologies does not assume liability for the use of this program beyond the original purchase price of the software. In no event will GS Technologies be liable for additional direct or indirect damages including any lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from any defects, or the use or inability to use these programs, even if GS Technologies has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

AutoPlay Dream Kit is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find this program useful and find that you are using AutoPlay Dream Kit and continue to use AutoPlay Dream Kit after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $145.00 to GS Technologies.  The $145.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another.  Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of AutoPlay Dream Kit along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.

Acknowledgment


Acknowledgment

By using the shareware registered version of AutoPlay Dream Kit you acknowledge that you have read this limited warranty, understand it, and agree to be bound by its' terms and conditions. You also agree that the limited warranty is the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between the parties and supersede all proposals or prior agreements, oral or written, and any other communications between the parties relating to the subject matter of  the limited warranty.

Copyright


Copyright

This product is owned entirely by GS Technologies. Copyright © 1996  GS Technologies. All rights reserved. This product is protected by United States copyright laws, international treaties, and all other applicable national and international laws.

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How to Order
How to Order  the AutoPlay Dream Kit

The shareware copy of the AutoPlay Dream Kit is for evaluation purposes only. To receive a  version without the banner across  the front you must order the registered version of the program. By ordering this registered version you will receive unlimited distribution rights of the AutoPlay functionality for all of your products.

Order Form


Order Form

Checks only please - make check payable to GS Technologies
Send Order Form to:

Gerald Strope
GS Technologies
7319 Kirkham Dr.
Dallas TX, 75252

Name_____________________________________

Company__________________________________

Address___________________________________

Internet Address_____________________________

Note: Make sure you include your Internet address. Your unlock code will
be sent to this address.

                           Cost    # Copies  Product Total

Autoplay Dream Kit          $145.00  ________  $__________

Autoplay Test Configurator $25.00   ________  $__________

Note: Autoplay Test Configurator free with Autoplay Dream Kit order.

Total                                             ________  $__________

Any Questions should be sent to gstrope@connect.net


Support

Support for registered users is available at Internet address gstrope@connect.net.


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