Best-of-Class Shareware/24 Karat Shareware - Multimedia - Sight, Sounds & Animation.iso/disk8/mod4win/readme.txt

Text File | 1994-12-11 | 21KB | 508 lines

*************************
* MOD4WIN  Version 2.12 *
*************************
_______________________________________________________________________________

Installation Instructions:
--------------------------

- start Windows (version 3.1 is required)

- insert disk in drive A or B

- in the Program Manager go to File | Run...

- on the Command Line type <drive>:install.exe, e.g. "A:install.exe"

- follow the instructions of the installation program
_______________________________________________________________________________

Revision History:
-----------------

Version 1.00:
  - September 1993
  - first fully functional model of Mod4Win

Version 1.01
  - October 1993
  - The version 1.01 was necessary because of some bugs in the play routine,
    with file handling of more than 900 files at a time, the installation
    program, and the speed when running on slow machines.
    * play routine: problems with loading and the end marking of files
        that jump around between patterns
    * file handling: was completely revised
    * installation had two problems: the check for free space on destination
        drive looked at the wrong drive and the given path name was not
        accepted, even if entered correctly
    * full keyboard support (TAB/SHIFT-TAB)
    * information dialog was debugged

Version 1.02
  - November 28, 1993
  - first release for the U.S. shareware market
  - several bug fixes
    * wave driver is displayed and saved nicely
    * bpm speed is interpreted correctly
    * invalid MOD-formats are recognized now
    * updates the display correctly
    * playtime is properly reset

Version 1.03
  - January 14, 1994
  - fixed 2 bugs in installation routine
    * would work correctly only if "Create Program Manager Group" option
      was checked
    * got confused when the year switched over and showed only shareware
      screen anymore
  - detects and displays invalid and unsupported MOD files correctly
  - doesn't crash with invalid list files anymore
  - several bug fixes in player routine
    * caused protection faults with invalid MOD files
    * didn't play some MOD files correctly (didn't play all patterns,
      sounded weird with some files)

Version 1.10
  - February 18, 1994
  - second release for the U.S. shareware market
  - complete internal source revision
    * many routines more efficient
    * the dialog frames are now drawn instead of bitmapped
    * bug with drag&drop routine removed
    * use of resource strings
  - vast enhancements to the player routine
    * supports all ProTracker effects
    * true BPM-speed
    * modular design
  - more stable wave driver interface
    * no crashes anymore with non-standard wave drivers
  - more setup options in INI-file
    * debug output gives valuable information about MOD files
    * for details see the FAQ section in the Windows help file
  - improved interface
    * name and instrument strings are displayed fully
    * new MOD format identifier strings
    * switched the hotkeys for previous and next song (up <-> down)
    * consistent shuffle mode
    * set focus correctly when using hotkeys
    * new hotkeys for easier navigation in the Open Dialog
    * faster about scroll
    * double click for About Dialog, single click for move
  - improved help file
    * new sections on About Dialog, FAQ, Where to get more MOD files?,
      MOD formats, and more

Version 2.00
  - June 27, 1994
  - third release for the U.S. shareware market
  * player routine almost twice as fast as in version 1.x
  + supports many new formats with up to 32 channels
  + archive support
    * modules can be played out of archives
    * freely selectable archivers and command line options
  + mini status that is optionally always on top
  + more setup options
    * various timer modes for better multitasking
    * surround sound, quality mix, BPM, and load state options
  + more dialogs and options for more information and easier navigation
    * effect panel
    * instrument info dialog
    * integrated file manager
    * browser dialog
    * elapsed/rest time switch
    * file/module name switch
  + freely configurable hotkeys

Version 2.10
  - September 30, 1994
  - fourth release for the U.S. shareware market
  * player routine 20-50 % faster than in version 2.00 (currently fastest
    player routine in the world)
  + added support for S3M, FAR, and UNIS 669 formats
  + Interpolated Dynamic Oversampling (IDO) for better playback quality
  + automatic pre-amplification to optimize dynamics and SNR
  + new interface elements for even easier usage and yet more functionality
    - quick selection box
    - pre-amplification slider
    - quality mix, surround sound, BPM, panning, and IDO can be toggled
      during playback
    - remove from playlist function
    - multilanguage modules for English and German
  * bug fixes
    - MTMs with less than 4 channels
    - MODs with dummy patterns
    - 669 effects
    - (too) many others

Version 2.11
  - October 24, 1994
  - fifth release for the U.S. shareware market
  + installation program now creates associations for File Manager
  * bug fixes
    - "burble bug" in mixing routine
    - several bugs in STM loader
    - vibrato, tremolo, note portamento, and glissando effects
    - 669 effects (second try)

Version 2.12
  - December 11, 1994
  - sixth release for the U.S shareware market
  + new overamping-proof mixer routine works always in quality mode and
    makes maximum use of the dynamic range of your output device
  + now you can en-/disable individual channels with a single keystroke or
    mouse click
  + full window movement moves windows with content
  * better memory management
    - doesn't allocate low Windows memory anymore
    - no more out of memory errors, provided you have enough physical RAM
  * fully compatible with new ScreamTracker 3.2 modules (including default
    pan positions, fine vibrato effect, fast volume slides, and more)
  * bug fixes
    - Shareware version runs under Windows NT
    - many effects revisited and fixed (fine portamentos, note cut, tremor,
      retrigger, volume slides, stereo control, and more)
  ! Now Mod4Win is not only the fastest and best sounding, but also the most
    accurate player we know of.
_______________________________________________________________________________

**************************************************************************
* The following chapters are all included in the Mod4Win Help file and   *
* really look much better there.  Of course, if you absolutely love text *
* files, you can study it here.                      *
**************************************************************************
_______________________________________________________________________________

Features
--------

Mod4Win is a player for digital music modules on IBM-PC compatible machines
running Microsoft Windows.

- Mod4Win 2.12 supports:
  * NoiseTracker (*.NST), Pro-, Fast-, and TakeTracker (*.MOD), Grave Composer
    (*.WOW), Oktalyzer (*.OKT), ScreamTracker 2.x (*.STM), ScreamTracker 3.x
    (*.S3M), Composer 669 and UNIS 669 (*.669), Farandole Composer (*.FAR),
    and MultiTracker (*.MTM) modules with up to 32 channels
  * Sample rates between 11 and 48 kHz
  * 8 and 16 bit sample depth
  * Mono, Stereo, and Stereo Surround Sound
  * Interpolated Dynamic Oversampling (IDO)

- Full archive support
  * Supports ARJ (*.ARJ), LHARC (*.LHA, *.LZH), and PKZIP (*.ZIP)

- Jukebox function for up to 2999 MOD-Files in one session
  * Generates playlists (*.MOL) with files from up to 100 directories or
    archives
  * Drag & Drop feature of one or more modules, archives, and playlists
  * Launching of a module, archive or playlist from a command line parameter

- Intuitive and easy to use interface with complex functionality
  * Hotkeys for all player functions, many of them user-definable
  * Mini Status uses minimal desktop space and stays optionally always on top
  * Effect Panel shows current effects, instruments, notes, volumes, and speed
  * Integrated File Manager to copy, move/rename, and delete modules from and
    into drives, directories, archives, and list files
  * Quick Selection Box displays all modules in your current playlist and lets
    you select one immediately

- Mod4Win saves all settings, such as
  * window positions
  * last accessed directories
  * sound card and wave driver settings
  * optionally the complete current status, so the next session will start
    exactly where you stopped the last one
_______________________________________________________________________________

System requirements
-------------------

Sound:
- A sound card with at least one DAC that can process sampling at 11 kHz or
  better and an appropriate asynchronous wave driver, also known as an MPC-2
  compatible wave device.
- Note: DAC emulators like speaker.drv cannot be supported.

Processor:
- 386 SX/16 as the absolute minimum to run the program.
- 386 DX/20 for playing at the highest sample rate.
- 486 DX/33 with 8 MB RAM to use Mod4Win as a background jukebox at 44 kHz
  and 16 bit stereo sampling.
- Note: To play modules with more than 8 channels using IDO, a faster
  processor may be required.

Video:
- A VGA video adapter with at least 16 colors simultaneously.
- Suggested video resolution 800 x 600 to show the Main Dialog, Info Window,
  and Effect Panel without overlapping.
- Note: With a Hercules or Monochrome adapter many of the dialogs will
  appear unreadable.

Operating System:
- Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher running in 386 enhanced mode.
- Note: This version of Mod4Win will not run on 286-based machines anymore,
  neither will it run under Windows in standard mode.

For a more detailed discussion of System Requirements see also the sections
Known Problems and Frequently asked Questions (FAQ) in the Windows help file.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Authors
-------

Mod4Win was written and designed by Kay Bruns and Uwe ZΣnker.  The loader
routines for the FAR and S3M format, the shareware routines, the English
translations, and the English version of the Help file were written by
Jens Puchert.

This program was thoroughly ▀-tested.  However, if you discover any
malfunctions or bugs (you never know), feel free to write your comments to:

JSInc.
Jens Puchert
P.O. Box 6173
Syracuse, NY 13217-6173

You can also reach me by phone or FAX at [phone]
or through e-mail to [e-mail].

PS: Please, constructive contributions only.  Send junk mail and flames
    directly to /dev/null.
PPS: All bugs are my cat's fault anyway...
_______________________________________________________________________________

Trouble Shooting
----------------

For a detailed discussion on trouble shooting see the sections about

- Known Problems and
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

in the Windows help file.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Shareware Notes
---------------

* Differences between Shareware- and Full Version *

Principally shareware- and full version are equally powerful.  That of
course, shouldn't stop you from asking "Why should I buy the full version?"
We figured that a limited shareware version makes no sense, because
naturally, a feature that hasn't been implemented in the shareware version
can't be tested by you.  Exempt from that is the ability to save your own
playlists which is only allowed if you own a registered copy.

At the end of the program we refer to the necessity of the full version, if
you want to use the program frequently.  To motivate you, we also imposed an
involuntary pause at the end of the program, and to make sure you won't
forget, Mod4Win will remind you every once in a while that you're not a
registered user yet.  Of course you will be spared all of this, if you
purchase a copy of the full version of the program.  Additionally, you can
determine by the text in the About Dialog what version you are currently
using.  If you use the full version, you will find your name (the name of the
license holder) here.

* Documentation *

A handbook for this handy program seems to us much too clumsy and therefore
probably won't be issued.  If you would like to have something on paper, feel
free to spool this text to your printer, or to a file where you can chop it
down further with a word processor.

* The Full Version directly from JSInc. *

Please refer to the section Registration for Mod4Win 2.12!

* Retail Sales of the Full Version in the U.S. *

The full version can only be ordered from JSInc. at this moment.  So please
don't harass your favorite computer store around the corner with repetitive
questions for the full version, they would have to order it explicitly from
me.  It is even possible that they will slander the quality of the program
because of that.  But of course you know better, right?

* Update Service *

Registered users can always order the latest update directly from JSInc.

For details see the section Updating to Mod4Win 2.12 please!
_______________________________________________________________________________

License Regulations
-------------------

This program is not freeware!  Mod4Win is shareware, that means software you
can test for a certain time and then have to purchase or delete from your
disk.  The copyright for this program (mod4win.exe, player32.dll) and its
help (m4w_usa.hlp) is held by JSInc.  You are granted a period of 30 days, in
which you can test the program.  If you want to use Mod4Win after this test
period, you are required by federal law to purchase a registered copy.

All attempts to defeat the shareware check and the 30 days trial limit are
unlawful and strictly prohibited.  If such attempts become known, JSInc.
reserves the legal right to prosecute the offending party.

You are explicitly encouraged to spread the unregistered version of Mod4Win
to other PC users, such that they also have a chance to test the program.
This is valid with the following restrictions:

1. You are not allowed to make money with it (for copying and distributing),
   and
2. You have to distribute all files that belong to the program and to its
   documentation.

Modifications of a file that belongs to the Mod4Win package are strictly
prohibited!

This help is part of the program Mod4Win and may only be distributed together
with the program as mentioned above.

Disassembling and/or patching of the program or its help file is absolutely
prohibited.

Preventively we'd like to mention that JSInc. owns the copyright for all
routines used in this program.  Intellectual theft on any of the programming
and/or design techniques used in Mod4Win may be subject to prosecution.

The shareware version may be distributed by shareware dealers for no more
than $10.  If you belong to those who pay more than $10 to acquire shareware,
then you should look around for a new source.

With the purchase of the full version of the program Mod4Win, the user
acquires the right to install this program on his/her machine and use one
registered copy on exactly one machine at a time.  For each additional
machine the user is required to purchase another copy, even if that wouldn't
be necessary from a technical point of view.

The user may make copies of the original disk only for the purpose of data
security.  However, it is strictly prohibited to distribute copies of the
software or make them available to a third party.

Possession of the registered version is permitted only to the registered user.

Please keep in mind that the program did cost you money and us work.
Therefore please don't distribute your copy to a third party.  Commercial
usage of the full version of Mod4Win requires the explicit written permission
from JSInc.  Mod4Win may not be sold with other products (hard-, or software)
without an explicit written permission from JSInc.

Note especially well: The sample modules included in the distribution package
of Mod4Win are copyright of their respective owners.  Their only purpose is
to demonstrate the capabilities of the program.  Wherever possible, the
owners of the sample modules have been asked for permission to distribute
their work with Mod4Win.  No money is charged for the sample modules and no
money has been or will be paid for them.  In no case will the purchase of
Mod4Win grant you any rights on the sample modules.

Owners and/or users of a version of Mod4Win absolutely agree to all
conditions mentioned above.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Liability, Warranty and Trademark
---------------------------------

We wrote Mod4Win because the MOD-Format is quite nice and there wasn't a
really good MOD-Player for Windows  yet.  To let everybody enjoy it, we
decided to issue a shareware version.  As a practical side effect, our
programmers can make a few Dollars with it.  But since they probably won't
become millionaires, we don't assume any liability for damages caused by our
program to hard- and/or software.  Registration doesn't give you the right to
purchase an error free program.

We don't assume any responsibility for damages possibly caused by the use of
Mod4Win.

The program is distributed (or sold respectively) as is.  The only thing we
guarantee is that it will take up space on your mass storage device (and that
hopefully as long as possible).  We also guarantee that it will use CPU time
on your machine (only as much as absolutely necessary).  You may assume
though, that our program doesn't cause any harm to you and/or your system.
That means by the best of our conscience and knowledge of Computer Science it
is a fine program.  After all we like it so much, we have it running as a
background jukebox on our own machines.

You are fully responsible for everything you are doing with this program!

We reserve all rights for our program.  That includes especially the right to
completely redesign the program.  Therefore it is very possible, that a
feature from an older version will not be included in a new version, and a
new version will have higher demands on your hardware.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Registration for Mod4Win 2.12
-----------------------------

To order a registered copy you have to

1. Fill out the Registration Form, and
2. Send it along with a check for $30 and
3. A self-addressed return envelope to the following address:

JSInc.
Jens Puchert
P.O. Box 6173
Syracuse, NY 13217-6173

To update a registered copy to version 2.12

1. Fill out the Registration Form, and
2. Send it along with a check for $15 (if you own any version 1.x),
   or $10 (if you own version 2.00), or free of charge (if you own
   any version 2.1x),
3. The original disk with the registered copy you received, and
4. A self-addressed return envelope to the above address.


Make checks payable to JSInc.  Do not send cash!

If you Order from Outside the US, please note these special regulations:

* Canadian customers send the equivalent amount in
  Canadian Dollars plus a $2 finance charge (at this
  moment about $45 CDN).

* European customers can order directly from our
  German Agencies (see Windows help file for
  addresses) or from JSInc.

* Japanese customers can order directly from our
  Japanese Distributor (see Windows help file for
  address) or from JSInc.

* Customers from all other countries send either an
  international money order in US-Dollars or a bank
  check drawn on a US Bank.  I will not accept personal
  checks from countries other than the US or Canada,
  neither will I honor checks in a foreign currency.

Unfortunately, we can't accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express or other
Credit Cards at the moment.

Received orders will be processed at least every week.  Just make sure you
don't forget your return address.  If you haven't received anything within
3 weeks feel free to write, e-mail, or call as noted in the Authors section.

All disks will be mailed in the 3.5" DS-HD format (the little, nice and
durable ones), because they tend to survive the mailing procedure with less
problems and don't require padded envelopes.  If you need a different disk
format please specify explicitly.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Registration Form for Mod4Win 2.12
----------------------------------

This form is contained in a separate file "register.txt" for an easy print
out.  You can also print it from the Windows help file, like everything else
in this text file.

Have fun with Mod4Win!

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