Meg
MEG 97 for Windows 95

System Information Graphs

Copyright 1995-1997 All rights reserved.

1.	Overview. History of Meg. General information.

2.	How to use Meg.  Options, Features, Explanations.

a.	Memory 	Memory graphs and utilities.

b.	Disk 	Disk graphs and utilities.

c.	Options 	Options. Resize Meg, Dice game, etc.

3.	Registration Ordering or Purchasing the Full Version.

4.	Installation Run Setup. Meg includes an uninstall feature.

5.	Support Contacting Us.

6.	Shareware Explanation of Shareware.

Thank you for trying Meg for Windows 95.  This utility is true 32 bit program and will not run under Windows 3.1 it was written specifically for Windows 95..


Overview

Meg 97 for Windows 95 was based on Meg for Dos originally written in 1993.  Like the original, Meg is designed to simplify your system information by presenting the important parts first and then allowing you to click for detail screens.

The opening screen shows you two pie graphs, one for memory and one for disk space.  The multipurpose graphs show different displays depending upon the options you select.  A drop down list of all available drives on your system is used to change the drive displayed in the graph.

You can see a list of Windows by clicking on the memory graph, or to see details of what Windows is doing by selecting the Memory Tree from the menu.

The Disk graph can also be clicked to present a detail screen.  The disk details show space utilization by directories and individual files.  Files can optionally be deleted by simply clicking on the files you wish to erase.  Files are not immediately deleted, as with explorer they are sent to the recycle bin.  Should you accidentally delete a file, use the recycle bin to restore the file to its original location.

This Program was developed natively on Windows 95 for Windows 95 and is a true 32 bit program. Meg was written in Delphi, the original Meg was written in C++.


Memory

The memory pie graph can be configured to show 7 different Windows 95 memory graphs. Each of these memory displays like total memory, virtual memory, real memory are reported to Meg by standard Windows 95 calls.  Several memory percentages are  displayed when Meg is minimized.  When minimized the popup help will show what the percentages represent.  Just pass your mouse cursor over Meg at the bottom of the screen.

The main Meg screen and several of the others feature a popup menu, which is displayed by clicking the right mouse button,

Selecting What's running or clicking on the memory graph will bring up a list of open Windows. The Memory Graph can be changed by menu picks to show Real Memory, Virtual Memory, Total Memory, plus within Windows 95 System, GDI and User Memory.

At any time you can click on the memory graph and get a list of all the windows currently running you may be surprised at first by how many programs actually run on your system.  This list is actually taken from the titles of the windows, and each particular Windows 95 process may have multiple windows open.

The Memory Tree shows details of what is going on inside Windows 95.  Each of the processes currently running (Meg is one process even though it may have multiple Windows open), is displayed on the main tree branch with use count.  When you expand the main branches you will see the actual modules, size, use, and where Windows loaded them from.  The Expand and Collapse button can be used to open and close all the tree branches.

Real memory refers to the physically installed hardware memory.

The System resource graph  shows the percentage of free space for windows system resources.

The GDI  graph displays the percentage of free space for GDI  resources. GDI resources include device-context handles, brushes, pens,

regions, fonts, and bitmaps. These are all used by graphics programs.

The User Resources graph  displays the  percentage of free space for

USER resources. These resources include window and menu handles. These are Windows resources needed for creating the actual Windows themselves.

The Free memory display shows what Memory is currently available for Windows programs to actually use. This includes your hardware memory plus the swap file.

Virtual memory is an operating system trick where disk space is used in place of real memory when the real stuff runs out.  This tends to be a large temporary or permanent swap file.

Colors and Font options are saved and restored between sessions, and within reason can be set for your own preferences.


Disk

Meg Disk pie chart shows your drives free and used space. Options allow you to view space in Mb, Kb, and bytes.

An Alldisks option takes you to a screen with one little pie graph for each of your drives.  The totals for all drives are displayed, and like the main screen you may set colors and fonts.

From the main disk pie chart. Clicking on the disk takes you to a directory list for the drive.  This screen allows you to toggle between files and directories, and change the sort options.  The purpose of this screen is to allow you to delete unnecessary files.  The functions are very limited, as all you can do is send files to the recycle bin.  Use explorer instead if you need to do other functions.  The screen can be resized and you can adjust colors and fonts.

File Search feature allows you to create a list of files in the selected directory and all subdirectories. As a group this list can be sorted different ways and files can optionally be sent to the recycle bin. The default sort is by file size descending, so the file using the most space appears first. Large lists or doing an entire drive can take time to create and sort, so while available its best to minimize lists to keep searching reasonable.

Directory Tree shows the directories in a tree structure.  Directories can be clicked on to show the individual files which can optionally be sent to the recycle bin.  Clicking on the panel on this screen will toggle between the Directory tree and the file list.

The file delete feature requires you to verify that you wish to delete the file, and should you make a mistake the file can be restored to the original location by clicking on the recycle bin on your desktop.

Try and avoid emptying the recycle bin until you need to recover the space, since the recycle bin stores the deleted files in a compressed format it uses a lot less space than the originals.  Give yourself time (at least a week) to discover mistakes and restore files.  After a full backup is always the best time to empty the recycle bin.

The disk space graph measures your space just like Dos Chkdisk in bytes, in addition it calculates the space in Kb or Kilobytes and Mb or Megabytes. a Kb is equal to 1024 and a Mb is 1,048,576.  Unfortunately many disk drive manufactures claim to be larger than they really are. Dont be surprised if your 420 Mb hard drive only shows 404 Mb in Meg.  Drive makers typically measure a Mb as one Million even, so they seem larger than they really are.  Besides Meg you can verify this is true by using the Dos Fdisk command and display your disks. Like Meg Fdisk will show the actual Mb and not the inflated number.

Dont let your disk space fill to 100% or you will have many problems.

Compress or offload files which are not used often.

Its often a good idea to set a goal

like I will clean up my space when there is less than 10% Free.

DISK SPACE CALCULATION

The way Meg calculates space is simply

Mb = Number of bytes (same as CHKDSK) / 1,048,576  and drop the fraction

DECIMAL     -  Human beings like us, are most comfortable with the decimal

system based on the number 10. The metric system is good example

of a decimal based system, where larger units are made up of

numbers like 100, 1000, 1,000,000 all because we have 10 fingers.

COMPUTERS   -  Basically work in binary. The smallest unit or

building block is called a bit or binary digit and is limited to

either being a 0 or a 1, so the computer is counting on 2 fingers.

Essentially because of this a Mb is not a million bytes its

about 5% more than that or 1,048,576. In binary this is a nice even number.

Other common definitions

BYTE =  Eight little (0 or 1) bits, or one character.

Kb   =  Kilobyte is 1024 BYTES.

Mb or Megabyte  =  1024*1024 Bytes or 1,048,576.


Options

The Small, Medium, and Large options change the size of the main screen to suit your preferences.

The 3-D Pie Graph is partially implemented in this release.  It works pretty well, but does not always graph a pie slice accurately.  I include it because it looks cool, and am still working on the pie slice calculation. Any math professors out there? Use the regular graph if you have any problems.

The Craps game can be toggled on or off by selecting the option from the Option Menu. The game is small simplified version of Las Vegas casino craps.  You roll the dice by clicking on either of the die. Your first roll wins on  a combination or 7 or 11 and loses on 2, 3 or 12. After the first roll you need to make your original number or point to win, and any 7 loses.  Payoff is the same as if you were in the casino so you can see test your luck without any risk.

Many of the controls have hints or pop up help built in.  You can see the hints when your mouse passes over the control.  On the All Disks screen passing your mouse over the disk will show the space details for free and total space.


Registration

Registration is currently only $25 total or if you prefer ($20 + $5 shipping) price is the same for all countries.

Registration Benefits

•	Our undying Gratitude.

•	Latest Unlocked version of Meg with all the shareware messages turned off.

•	Additional Program Meg for Dos. Complete system information when you

drop down to do something in DOS.  Graphs disks and Dos memory.

This program was featured in many magazines. Top pick on AOL. Will run

from a floppy disk, and quickly show a resource overview.

•	30 Day full Money back guarantee.

•	Encourages us to keep improving Meg.

•	Full Web support.  Any fixes will be available from FTP or the WWW.

•	50% discount off the list price for Meg on future upgrades.

•	ASP Shareware.  ASP is a professional organization with high standards.

Unlike the big companies we are easy to stay in touch with.  Just remember www.mrvegas.com.  The web page will always have the latest stuff plus our email address.

Registered users  Receive a disk with the current Registered version plus Meg for Dos.   All the shareware messages will be turned off. Registration is currently only $25 includes  disk and Shipping Worldwide.

Cash and check orders should be sent in directly to us and is our preferred method.  Because you are coming direct to us this is often the fastest way.

Another company called Kagi processes our credit card orders, this option requires you to create an email which is then faxed or emailed to Sales@Kagi.Com so they can process your payment.  Kagi then sends us an email and we ship out the disk.

You can also do this from our WWW site at www.mrvegas.com and order from the web.  Kagi will also accept Fax orders and International Checks.

Compuserve users may use SWREG the online Compuserve order service, if you have a company account this is especially great as they will pay the bill.  To order this way GO SWREG and enter product number 2259.

This program is provided at no charge for evaluation purposes only.  While the program  has been extensively tested the author is not responsible for any damage caused by the program through direct or indirect use.  The file delete feature is capable of sending files to the recycle bin and should be used with care.


Installation
Windows Installation Instructions

1.	Run Setup.EXE from the directory or floppy which you unzipped the zip file.

Example from File Manager:  Select RUN and  enter A:Setup or the correct

path name of the SETUP.EXE.  Or double click on the file name Setup.

This program includes an uninstall so you can easily remove it.


Support

Support:

Also suggestions, bug reports.

CompuServe: 74213,163   America Online JTJTJTJT  Internet JTJTJTJT@AOL.COM

http://www.mrvegas.com

the author is a member of ASP.


DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try softwarebefore 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

Users of MEG must accept this disclaimer of warranty:MEG software program 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 author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-quential, which may result from the use of MEG.

MEG 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 MEG and continue to use MEG after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $25 to James Tolliver. The $25

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.

Commercial users of MEG must register and pay for their copies of MEG within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting James Tolliver.

Anyone distributing MEG for any kind of remuneration must first contact James Tolliver at the address shown in the registration form or the README files included with this document. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering MEG immediately (However James Tolliver must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of MEG.).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of MEG along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users may receive a copy of the latest version of the MEG

system at any time in exchange for a modest disk and shipping fee.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    _______

                ____|__     |               (tm)

             --|       |    |-------------------

               |   ____|__  |  Association of

               |  |       |_|  Shareware

               |__|   o   |    Professionals

             -----|   |   |---------------------

                  |___|___|    MEMBER

      This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware

      Professionals (ASP). The ASP wants to make sure 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, the 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 49442 or send a Compuserve

      message via Compuserve Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.