Copyright: Copyright © 2000 PTM Communications Ltd


About Aquatica

Freeware version 3.0
11 January 2001

Copyright © 2000 PTM Communications Ltd.

PTM Communications Ltd.

481 Green Lanes
London N13 4BS

Tel:     +44 (0)208 882 9709
Email:  info@ptm.co.uk

Aquatica web site:        www.clubaquatica.com
PTM web site:              www.ptm.co.uk

Credits:

Roberto Dicarlo,  Marco Cardarelli,  Mark Rennick,
Nick Russell, Ian Vincentini, Russ Saleh,
Graham Smith (No-Excuses),  Nick Coppolla

Made with GLPRO for windows: www.gmedia.com/glpro


About button

Displays the Aquatica version number, copyright and contact information.


Black scene type
Black scene option

All animations and messages will appear on a black background.


Cancel button

Closes the settings box without saving changes.


Club Aquatica

Click this link to go to the club aquatica website.


Creating local network messages
Creating network messages

1.	Create a new file with Notepad.

2.	Enter your messages, one message per line.

3.	Save as a text file on a network drive, eg: \\Server\Public\NetMessages.txt

4.	Click the Choose messages file button, and locate the file.

5.	Tell your group members to enable network messages, and follow step 4. They will then have access to your messages.


Desktop scene type
Desktop scene option

All animations and messages appear over the Windows desktop.

See also: Flood desktop option


Fish delete
Delete fish

Click on the fish to delete, then click delete. The module will be deleted permanently.


Fish density

Use this slider to control the number of fish that appear at a time.

The exact number of fish depends on the speed of your computer. If the animations appear jerky, decrease the density.


Fish list
Fish selection box

Selected fish are highlighted in red -  click to select or deselect them. Aquatica will only use the fish you have selected.


Fish select all
Select all

Marks all fish as selected. Aquatica will choose random fish from the selection.


Fish select none
Select none

Clears the selection. If no fish are selected, fish will not appear.


Fish tab

  Click any item in the picture for an explanation


Flood desktop
Flood desktop option

When the box is checked and the Desktop scene option is selected,  the desktop will 'flood' with a blue tint.


General tab

  Click any item in the picture for an explanation


Getting support

In the event of an enquiry, contact us by one of these means:

Email:	 info@ptm.co.uk

Web:	 www.clubaquatica.com

Tel:	 +44 (0)20 8882 9709

Fax:	 +44 (0)20 8882 9309

PTM Communications Ltd.
481 Green Lanes
London
N13 4BS
UK


Help button

Opens the help page for the current tab.


Installing Aquatica

Run the Aquatica installer, "Aquatica Xmas setup.exe"

Change the destination directory, if required. You will need 14Mb of free space on the disk you choose. The default location is C:\Program Files\Aquatica

Click the Install button. Setup will copy the required files, and create shortcuts on the Start menu: (Start menu → Programs → Aquatica Xmas Screensaver).

When setup is complete, Aquatica will be the active screen saver. To change the screen saver delay, choose the Screen Saver tab of the Display control panel:
(Start menu → Settings → Control Panel → Display).

To change the messages that Aquatica displays, see the Settings box.


License agreement

Please read the following terms and conditions before using this software. The use of Aquatica indicates you
accept the terms of this license agreement and warranty.

This license is governed by the laws of the United Kingdom.

Disclaimer of Warranty
This Software is provided "AS IS."  NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE GIVEN.

Good data practice dictates, before installing new software all disks and data should be backed up.

ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER OR RESELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO SOFTWARE
REPLACEMENT.

Freeware Version
You are licensed to use the freeware version if this software without charge.

Distribution
This Software is licensed, not sold. You may not decompile, or disassemble this Software in any way or form.

Copyright © 2000 PTM Communications Ltd, London, England.


Message speed

Use this slider to make messages change slower or faster.


Messages tab

  Click any item in the picture for an explanation


Choose network file
Choose message file

Lets you choose a text file containing network
messages, from a local disk or network drive.

See Network messages for details.


Network messages

Network messages allow a group of Aquatica users to see the same messages. To enable network messages, choose the Messages tab of the settings box, and make sure the Network messages option is checked.

To share messages with other users on a local network, click the Choose network file button and locate the messages file.

See also: Creating network messages


Network messages colour

Change the colour of network messages by selecting a colour from the drop down menu.


Network messages option

When checked, network messages will be displayed.
Clear the checkbox  to disable the network messages feature.


OK button

Saves the current settings, and closes the settings box.


Personal message

Use the edit box to enter a short message,
e.g. to inform your colleagues where you are.


Personal message colour

Change the colour of your messages by selecting a colour from the drop down menu.


Personal message option

When checked, personal messages will be displayed.
Clear the checkbox  to disable messages.


Play audio CD

When checked, CD music will play (if an audio CD is present).


Play sound effects

When checked, random sound effects will be played from the selection in the Sound selection box.


Preview button

Starts the screensaver with the current settings.
Settings are not saved permanently.


Program requirements

Minimum requirements

•	Pentium

•	32MB RAM

•	Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT

•	14Mb free hard disk space

Display settings

Aquatica works best with the display set to 24 bit
(HiColor or TrueColor).

To check your settings, choose the Settings tab of the Display control panel:

Start menu → Settings → Control Panel → Display


PTM Communications

Click this link to go to the PTM Communictions website.


Removing Aquatica

To remove Aquatica, either:

•	Choose Add/Remove Programs from the control panel:(Start menu → Settings → Control Panel→ Add/Remove Programs).

Select Aquatica Xmas Screensaver, and click Add/Remove.

•	Choose the shortcut 'Uninstall Aquatica' from the Start menu:
(Start menu →Programs → Aquatica Xmas Screensaver → Uninstall Aquatica).

Some files will not be removed until you restart Windows.


Scene delete
Delete scene

Click on the scene  to delete, then click delete. The module will be deleted permanently.


Scene list
Scene selection box

Selected scenes are highlighted in red. Click to select or deselect a scene. Aquatica will choose a random scene from the selection.


Scene select all
Select all

Marks all scenes as selected. Aquatica will choose a random scene from the selection.


Scene select none
Select none

Clears the selection. If no scenes are selected, a black background is used.


Scenery tab

  Click any item in the picture for an explanation


Selected scene type
Selected scenes option

This option tells Aquatica to use one the scenes from
the Scene selection box.

A random scene will be chosen from the ones you select.


Show calendar

When checked, the current date and time are
displayed in the upper right corner of the screen.


Show tips

When checked, scrolling tips appear
along the bottom of the settings box.


Sound delete
Delete sound

Click on the sound module to delete, then click delete.
The module will be deleted permanently.


Sound list
Sound selection box

Check the box next to the sound's description to select it. Aquatica will play sounds randomly from the selection.

To preview a sound, click it and hold the mouse button down.


Sound select all
Select all

Marks all sound effects as selected. Aquatica
will play random sounds from the selection.


Sound select none
Select none

Clears the selection. If no sounds are selected,
sound effects will not play.


Sound volume

Move the slider the control the volume of sound effects
(does not affect CD audio).


Sounds tab

  Click any item in the picture for an explanation


System messages option

When checked, introductory messages are displayed.

Clear the checkbox to turn messages off.


The settings box

To access the settings box, either:

•	From the desktop, double-click the
shortcut 'Aquatica Settings'.

•	From the Start menu, choose 'Aquatica Settings' from  Program Files → Aquatica Xmas Screensaver.

•	From the Display Control Panel,
(Start menu → Settings → Control Panel → Display), choose the 'Screen Saver' tab. With 'Aquatica Xmas Screensaver' selected, click the Settings button.

Click on the tabs at the top of the window to see the relevant settings:

Settings are saved when you click the OK button. Choose Cancel to exit without saving.


What is Aquatica?

Thank you for installing the Aquatica Virtual Aquarium.

Aquatica is a screen saver, featuring 3-D tropical fish and other marine creatures. Some are based on real fish, while others are unique to Aquatica.

The messaging feature allows you to leave personal messages, for example to inform others of your whereabouts. You can also display network messages, which are constantly updated from a network drive.

The Settings box lets you customise Aquatica. You can choose the fish, scenery and sound effects you want Aquatica to use.


What's new?

New in version 3.0:

3-D Scenery 	(Scenery  tab)
multi-layered scenes on all screen sizes.

Audio CD support 	(Sounds  tab)
plays an audio CD if present.

Calendar 	(General tab)
displays the current date and time.

Network messages 	(Network messages)
can be displayed from a network drive.

Selectable sound effects 	(Sounds  tab)
select, preview,  and delete sounds.