Chip 1997 October/CD CHIP.ISO/Vari/Multimed/EZSAVER/README.TXT

Text File | 1997-01-06 | 10.6 KB | 258 lines

EZSaver - version 1.5
----------------------
Thank you for downloading EZSaver.  If you haven't already, please
run the Setup program (SETUP.EXE), which will move EZSAVER.SCR to
your \Windows directory where it needs to be and also automatically
run EZSaver's setup screen and this README document.

If you did run Setup, just minimize or close this document now to
start using EZSaver right away.  Refer to the information below as
needed.

Please give the saver a few seconds to bounce the image around the
screen while it calculates the additional images needed to create
animations.  This calculation time is reduced when animation effects
are turned off.

The free screen saver SPACE.SCR, which depicts the Earth and Moon
as photographed by the Galileo spacecraft when it passed us for the
last time on its way to Jupiter, is also moved to \Windows by the
Setup program.

Tips for creating screen savers:
--------------------------------
You can see from playing with EZSaver a little that the best effect
is achieved if the logo image's background matches the selected
screen background.  EZSaver performs no image "masking", and
therefore can achieve smooth animation on a wide range of PC's.

You should crop the image close to the logo itself (in other words,
don't leave a lot of margin) to minimize initial calculations and
get full animation rolling as quickly as possible.

Bitmaps are rejected if the width times the height of a bitmap is
greater that 100,000.  Bitmaps smaller than this should always
allow a smooth animation effect.

If you plan to distribute screen savers to other users, keep in
mind that only 16-color bitmaps are guaranteed to appear the same
on all Windows installations.  A screen saver with a 256-color
photo-quality image will look great on all Super VGA systems, but
not very good on simple VGA systems.

EZSaver lets you choose which (if any) animation effects are to be
performed upon the image.  Make sure the effects you want are selected
before using the "Save" button.  The resulting saver will use only
those effects.  For a simple "floating" image, turn off all effects.

Saving the saver:
-----------------
You can test EZSaver's ability to use your image, color selection,
and description to create a new screen saver, which is then saved to a
single file (like EZSAVER.SCR or SPACE.SCR) to simplify distribution.

You can do this without registration codes (simply leave them blank)
to create evaluation screen savers, which are time-constricted to one
minute (starting when the full animation effect kicks in).  When you
register, you'll know how to build your savers when you receive your
codes.

Using screen savers (Windows 3.x):
--------------------------------------
Locate the Control Panel icon (usually found in the program group
titled "Main"), double-click it to run it, then double-click the
Desktop icon to run that.  Locate the section titled "Screen Saver".

Click the downward-pointing arrow (just to the right of the current
screen saver) to get a list of all savers in the \WINDOWS directory,
and select "EZSaver 1.5".

Use the Test button to immediately see the EZSaver effect, and the
Setup button to try it with your own images and background color
selections.  See below for more info.

Using screen savers (Windows 95):
-------------------------------------
Click the right mouse button anywhere exposed on the desktop.  Then, click
Properties to run the Display panel.  Click on the Screen Saver tab and
select "EZSaver 1.5" from the list of screen savers.

Use the Preview button to immediately see the EZSaver effect, and the
Settings button to try it with your own images and background color
selections.

(Note: you can also run the Display panel by clicking the START
button and selecting Settings/Control Panel, which displays a Display
icon you can double-click)

Passwords:
----------
Password information is stored in CONTROL.INI, and is the same password
used by the standard Microsoft screen savers (Flying Windows, Mystify,
etc.).

If you forget your password, use NOTEPAD to edit CONTROL.INI.  Find the
section labelled [ScreenSaver], and delete the line that starts with
"Password = ".

Registration:
-------------
Registration for an individual user is $19 (U.S.) via CompuServe's
Shareware Registration service (GO SWREG).  CompuServe will immediately
notify EZ Software via e-mail.  EZ Software will then e-mail registration
codes to your CompuServe address, usually on the same day.

An alternative registration method is available via the First Virtual(TM)
Internet Payment service.  This $2-per-year service lets you use your
credit card to make purchases over the internet without sending your card
information over the net.  Read the FIRST VIRTUAL section at the bottom of
this document for details.

Savers created with EZSaver are improved in the following ways when
you have registration codes:

    -No "Evaluation" banner message
    -No one-minute time limit
    -Password protection activated

The SWREG number for the Individual User licence is 10526.  This license
entitles you to create all the screen savers you wish, but does not allow
business-oriented distribution to other users.   However, distribution
of savers you've created to friends and family is encouraged!

The SWREG number for the Corporate licence is 14184.  This license
permits unlimited distribution of business-oriented screen savers that
are not resold.  Unlike the individual license, the registration codes
supplied with this license create savers that contain no reference to
EZ Software.  The price of this license is $125.

Registration for the Unlimited Distribution license is $225.  This permits
you to create all the screen savers you wish, distribute them freely for
any purpose, or sell them.  The SWREG number for the Corporate/Distribution
licence is 10527.  The registration codes supplied with this license create
savers that contain no reference to EZ Software.

If CompuServe registration is not available to you, please contact us at
our e-mail address below for ordering information.

Support:
--------
Please send any questions to EZ Software via CompuServe e-mail at
102732,472  (internet address [e-mail]).  You can
expect a prompt reply.  Please send your questions or suggestions even
if you are not a registered user.

Again, thanks for trying EZSaver.  We hope you enjoy it.

Other products:
---------------
These fine products for Windows 3.x/95 allow you to...

...control presentations of .BMP images, .WAV files (EZ SlideShow - $12)
...create modem-based dialup file-transfer systems (EZ Dialup - $75)
...animate lists of .BMP images in continuous loops (EZ Animator - $10)
...teach the keyboard's letters, numbers, symbols (Talking Keyboard - $10)
...play football against your PC (Football 2000 - $10)

EZ Dialup and EZSaver have earned FOUR STARS from PC Magazine Online
(www.pcmag.com).  We anticipate high marks for the other titles when
reviewed.

You can find all of these titles in CompuServe's GO WINSHARE forum.  The
file names are EZSLIDE.ZIP, EZDIALUP.ZIP, EZANIM.ZIP, TALKKEY.ZIP and
FB2000.ZIP.

Or, visit our Web site at:

    http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ezsoft

=============
FIRST VIRTUAL
=============
As of July 1996, EZ Software has joined the ranks of over 2200
product and service vendors now accepting payment via a secure
Internet method provided by First Virtual Bank.

You can become a "virtual" card-holder with First Virtual for only two
dollars per year.  You will then be able to use your current credit card
(registered one time with First Virtual by dialing an 800 number) to
purchase products and services on the Internet without ever sending your
credit card information over the Net.

Only your personal code, called a VirtualPIN (Personal ID Number), is
sent to a vendor an payment.  The vendor submits the payment request
to First Virtual, who always e-mails you for verification before
charging your account.

Unlike intercepted credit card information, a intercepted VirtualPIN
CANNOT used to purchase anything you don't want!  If a suspicious
charge comes to you for verification, you can respond "Fraud" to have the
VirtualPIN immediately cancelled.

You can register with First Virtual by visiting their web page at:

    http://www.fv.com/newacct/

(...or, request an e-mail application by sending any message to
[e-mail]...)

You simply fill out the application and choose a VirtualPIN.  You DO
NOT send your credit card number in this application.

(Regarding the VirtualPIN: First Virtual may have to change it a little
if it's a duplicate.  Both letters and numbers are allowed to make it
possible to choose a PIN that will be easy to remember.)

First Virtual, upon receiving your application, will quickly respond
with an e-mail that provides a registration number and an 800 number
to call.  You then call this number and use a touch-tone phone to
supply the card number and expiration date.

First Virtual sends a final e-mail that contains your VirtualPIN and
confirms that your account is active.  You're ready to buy securely over
the Net!

Please do not hesitate to contact us at...

    [e-mail]

...if you need our assistance.
_______________________________________
Excerpts from First Virtual's web site:

The First Virtual Internet Payment System provides a simple,
secure and safe method for buying and selling over the
Internet. No special hardware, software or encryption is
required. All you need is ordinary e-mail!

With First Virtual, you use a VirtualPIN (an alias for your
credit card) to make purchases. Your credit card number is
never transmitted over the Internet!

As added security, every purchase you make is confirmed via e-
mail!

To Become A Buyer

     You must have:
          Internet e-mail.
          A valid Visa or MasterCard.

     Then complete an application and receive your VirtualPIN

(IMPORTANT: As part of the process you will register your
credit card with First Virtual over the telephone, not over
the Internet!)

To Buy

   1.Give your VirtualPIN to a seller instead of a credit card number.
   2.First Virtual will then send you e-mail to confirm the purchase.
     Answer the message with:
          "yes" to confirm the sale.
          "no" to cancel the sale.
          "fraud" to immediately cancel your VirtualPIN (it is being
          used without your consent!)
   3.If you confirm the sale, your credit card is charged by First
     Virtual completely off the Internet!