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Text File | 1994-04-08 | 13.8 KB | 344 lines

CUSTOM SCREEN SAVER by ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE (If it's good, it's ACCIDENTAL) Copyright (C) 1994, all rights reserved NOTE: To print out a copy of this file from DOS, type "TYPE README.TXT > PRN" then push Enter. This program is SHAREWARE, distribution of the UNREGISTERED version of this program is encouraged as long as it is copied in whole and remains unaltered. No fee may be asked for this program itself, but a nominal distribution fee may be charged for the diskette used to distribute this software as long as the purchaser of said diskette is informed that the fee for acquiring the diskette does not constitute payment of the REGISTRATION FEE. Vendors, see the file VENDOR.TXT for details. Spread it to the masses! What is this program? 1. This is screen saver for windows that will use your own pictures and midi files. If you prefer, you can use the picture files provided with the program. This program will also play songs from your CD-ROM if you have one. You can listen to music as your pictures are being displayed. You can select Password protection if desired. You can leave a message on the screen for visitors while you are away. 2. This program can be used from the Program Group that it makes for windows, or it can be installed as a standard Window's Screen saver from Window's desk top. It can be used as both. 3. If you have installed this program as a screen saver, but want to use it immediately from the program manager to leave a message or make your system password protected while you have to be temporarily away, you can do this by double clicking the Custom Screen Saver Icon. If Custom Screen Saver is running from the program manager, it will not invoke itself as a screen saver even if the amount of time has passed to call it as a screen saver from the desktop. This allows you to use the Custom Screen Saver in either or both capacities at once. What is SHAREWARE? 1. Shareware is a marketing method. For a minimal investment, you can try a program to see if it fits your needs. After a short trial period, you are expected to purchase the program by paying the reg- istration fee if you decide to use it on a regular basis. How do I install the program? 1. Install this program for Windows before it can be used. a. Start Microsoft Windows. b. Insert the disk in the proper drive. c. From the Window's Program Manager, select FILE MENU and choose RUN. d. Type B:\SETUP and press Enter. Substitute your drive letter for "B:" if your disk is in a different drive. How do I make it the active screen saver? 1. Once the program is successfully installed, it may be selected as the current screen saver from windows. a. From the Windows Program Manager, select MAIN. b. From MAIN select CONTROL PANEL. c. From CONTROL PANEL select DESK TOP. d. From DESK TOP select the arrow key next to SCREEN SAVER. e. From the menu, select CUSTOM SCREEN. 2. The above steps will select this program as the current screen saver. You should push the SET UP button to set the features of the program up the way you want. It is possible to select and preview pictures, MIDI files, and CD-ROM songs from set up. 3. Push the TEST button to run the screen saver program as a test. 4. Set the desired inactive time for the screen saver program to implement itself. How do I use the program from the Windows Program Manager? 1. If the Screen Saver program group is not open, double click on it. 2. To run Custom Screen Saver, double click on it's Icon. 3. The program will start in the Set Up Mode. Select the options you want, then push the Screen Saver button to start the program. What are the program features? 1. Registered users can add up to 100 Bit Map files to be viewed from anywhere on your hard disk. 2. Registered users can add up to 100 Midi selections to be played by your midi software as the program displays your pictures. 3. Use the Bit Map picture files provided if desired. 4. Set the length of time for the picture to remain on the display before the next one replaces it. This time ranges from 5 seconds to 1 minute. 5. Any picture can be used as long as it is in Bit Map form (i.e. it has been converted to the BMP format with the extension .BMP.) 6. You need not copy any picture or midi file to any other directory to use it. This program can find and use your files from any valid drive and directory on your computer. 7. You can add or delete picture and midi files and set the picture delay at any time through the standard setup button provided by windows for screen savers or by starting the program from the program manager by double clicking on it's Icon. 8. You can used scanned images of anything you desire as long as the image is save in BMP form. For an example use the scenes portion of the Picture menu. One of the pictures is a scanned image of my children at a young age. The scenes provided are images produced by Vista Pro (TM) by Virtual Reality Laboratories, Inc. The remainder of the images are original art work produced by Andrew Hastings. 9. Most keyboard or mouse activity will terminate the Custom Screen Saver and return you to the application you were using before the screen saver started. However, 2 keyboard keys have special meaning to the Custom Screen Saver program. a. The " " (space) key will bring up the music selector bar if you are listening to CD-AUDIO from your CD_ROM drive. The Custom Screen Saver may be terminated from the music selector by selecting the STOP button on the selector bar. b. The "M" key will toggle any MIDI music being played On or Off. The music can be muted or reinstated with this key. The pictures you have selected will continue to be displayed at the interval set. 10. You can use a Password to protect access to your computer when the Custom Screen Saver is running. 11. You can leave a message for any visitors you may have while you are away from your computer, or messages you may want to display to the public. 12. CD-ROM audio is available in both the registered and unregistered versions. If your CD-ROM is capable of playing CD-AUDIO, you can select it as the source of music for the Custom Screen Saver. How much does it cost to register? 1. The registration fee is $15.00 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. 2. Site licenses are available. Contact Accidental Software for details. 3. Accidental Software can modify this program to provide a unique application for Company or other large groups of users. Contact Accidental Software for details. 4. FOREIGN ORDERS (Except CANADA). Shipping and handling is $5.00. How do I register? -- We now accept VISA or MASTERCARD! 1. Send a check or money order or call 619-247-2804 with your VISA or MASTERCARD information. 2. FOREIGN ORDERS: Send international money order (U.S. Currency) or a check drawn on a U.S. bank. 3. Send registration to..... ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE 13245 SKIOMAH RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA. 92308 619 - 247 - 2804 4. Specify the disk type you need. Only 1.44 HD or 1.20 HD diskettes are offered. 5. The preferred method is to print out a registration form. The program can do this for you, select the Set Up button for screen savers in Windows, or start the program for the program manager by double clicking on it's Icon. When Custom Screen Saver Set Up shows, select Registration and print out a registration form. If you can't do this, then just send me a note with payment and the type of disk you need. Better yet, call us at 619-247-2804 and pay with VISA or MASTERCARD. What does registration do for me? 1. I will send you a disk that provides you with the registered version of Custom Screen Saver. 2. The disk I send you will also have on it 10 new scenery pictures that you can use with the program. These are produced from actual geodetic data converted to Scenes by Vista Pro (TM) of Virtual Reality Labs, Inc. 3. The registered version of this program will allow you to select up to 100 pictures and Midi files to be used by the Custom Screen Saver. 4. You can order an additional diskette of scenes produced with Vista Pro. This diskette will include an additional 10 scenes. 5. The registered and unregistered versions both allow you to use CD-AUDIO if you have a CD-ROM Drive capable of playing CD-AUDIO. Common Questions! Q. I've got a lot of "GIF" pictures I would like to use with this screen saver, how do I do this? A. You can load the "GIF" picture into most paint programs and then save it as a "BMP" picture. Alternately, You can use one of several excellent shareware programs designed to convert picture files to different formats. WinGif or BitEdit are two shareware programs available that will convert pictures for you. WinGif is produced by..... SuperSet Software Corporation P.O. Box 50476 Provo, Ut. 84605-0476 The registration fee for WinGif is $15.00. Q. Can I use this program to display picuters of my business or family? A. You will need to use a scanner to scan your images into a paint program. Once it is scanned and retouched as necessary, save it as a "BMP" picture. Select the User Bit Maps option button in Custom Screen Saver. Find the file by clicking to the correct drive and directory. Double click on the file name and it will be added to the Bit Maps To Show window. You can preview this file by double clicking on its entry in the Bit Maps To Show window. Note: For best results, the file should be scanned to a 640X480x256 color resolution. The scanned pictures aspect ratio should be close to that of the screen mode you are using for best results. If you don't have access to a scanner call me at the above number and I will discuss the possibility of scanning your images for you. Prices vary. Q. I want to use several of my own MIDI songs to be played by the program when my pictures are being displayed. How can I do this? A. You can select any valid MIDI file ".mid" that is available on your hard disk. It can be placed in a file of tunes (up to 100) that will be played in order. Once the last file is played, the tunes will start over in a continuous loop. Choose the drive and directory that your MIDI files are on. Double click on the file(s) you want to use to put them in the Midi Files To Play window. You can preview any Midi file in the Midi Files To Play window by double clicking on it. Q. How do I reach you if I have a question? A. Call me at any time from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (west coast time). Ask for Terry.....1-619-247-2804 Disclaimer: This product is distributed "as is". All warranties, either expressed or implied, as to the software quality, performance, or fitness for any particular reason are disclaimed. You will bear the entire risk of relating to the quality and performance of this product, and will, in no event hold ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use of this software. Vendor Distribution: See the file VENDOR.TXT. ASP Information: Association of Shareware Professionals working for you. ASP STATEMENT _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | | ---------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |------------------------- |___|___| MEMBER "This program is produced by 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 49442 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.