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Ultimate Screen Savers Collection (CMS Distributing) (1996).ISO
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dsktop
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desktop.txt
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1995-02-22
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DESKTOP V1.4 - Bitmap Randomizer
by Huy Cat
Copyright ⌐ 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
INTRODUCTION
DESKTOP.EXE is a wallpaper (bitmap) randomizing program
for Windows. If DESKTOP is automatically loaded when
starting windows, it will chose a random bitmap from the
user's chosen list of bitmaps as the wallpaper. In addition,
DESKTOP has the capability of displaying a random bitmap at
certain intervals specified by the user. One key advantage
with DESKTOP is that the user can associate whether the
bitmap is centered or tiled on the wallpaper for each bitmap
chosen.
If the user has a large number of bitmaps which takes up a
large amount of disk space, the user can convert the bitmap
file to a RLE file. There are existing programs that will
convert from bitmap format to RLE format. Files that are in
RLE format usually have the *.RLE extension. DESKTOP will
also randomize on files using the RLE format. In the rest of
this document, references to bitmap files can be understood as
files in bitmap format or RLE format.
As of version 1.3, there are two available randomization
settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL. The RANDOMIZE setting is
just like any randomize routine, it choose the next wallpaper
randomly. The SERIAL setting just cycles through the list of
bitmaps in order. This way, one can be ensured that the same
bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other bitmaps has
been chosen.
FEATURES
-- Randomizes the wallpaper when starting Windows (if
included as a startup file).
-- Allows the user to choose the list of bitmaps to
randomize. Not all bitmaps are included in the random
list automatically. The user must add the bitmaps to
the list.
-- Allows bitmaps files to be located in different
directories and still be included in the random list.
-- Periodically changes to a new wallpaper in up to sixty
minute intervals for registered users and two minute
intervals for unregistered users.
-- Allow up to a maximum of 400 bitmaps for randomization
for registered users and 100 bitmaps for randomization
for unregistered users.
-- Every bitmap included in the random list has its own
attribute whether to be a centered wallpaper or a tiled
wallpaper.
USING DESKTOP
INSTALLING...
After copying DESKTOP.EXE onto your hard disk, you can load it
from the Program Manager. If the user does NOT have a
previous copy of BWCC.DLL, the user should copy BWCC.DLL
to the windows directory (\WINDOWS as default). DESKTOP.EXE
does not have to be in a 'pathed' directory. When starting
DESKTOP.EXE for the first time, be sure to double click on the
DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer Icon) to do your initial setup.
To start DESKTOP.EXE everytime you start Windows, either include
DESKTOP.EXE in your STARTUP folder in the Program Manager or add
DESKTOP.EXE to the "load=" line of your WIN.INI file.
TO SELECT BITMAP FILES TO RANDOMIZE...
To select bitmap files to randomize, the user must first
double click on the DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer icon).
Once the Chooser dialog appears, the user must change the
directory to where his bitmaps are located. Then, select the
file to be included in the randomize list. Indicate whether
this bitmap will be tiled or centered. Finally, double click
on this bitmap name to copy the name into the Randomized list.
This bitmap is now included in the randomize process.
To add RLE files, type "*.RLE" in the FILENAME box. This will
list all files matching "*.RLE" in the FILES list box. Then,
repeat the previous steps to select the RLE files.
Currently, the maximum number of bitmaps the DESKTOP will
handle is 400 files for registered users and 100 files for
unregistered users.
TO REMOVE BITMAP FILES FROM THE RANDOMIZED LIST...
To remove a bitmap from the Randomized list, the user must
select the file on the Randomized list and push the Remove
button. This file is now removed from the randomized process.
TO VIEW THE BITMAP ON THE DESKTOP...
Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list, this
bitmap can be immediately viewed on the desktop. The user
must double click on this bitmap file in the Randomized list
box. Then, the chosen bitmap file is immediately displayed
on the desktop.
TO CHANGE THE BITMAP'S ATTRIBUTE (CENTERED / TILED)...
Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list box, its
attribute (centered or tiled) cannot be changed directly.
Instead, the user must remove this file from the Randomized
list and re-add this bitmap with the changed attribute.
TO ALLOW DESKTOP.EXE TO CHANGE BITMAP ON CERTAIN TIME INTERVALS...
DESKTOP.EXE allows the ability of randomly changing bitmaps
on certain time intervals. To turn this feature on, the user
must select the PROPERTIES... menu item in the application's
system menu. This will pop up the Properties dialog. To turn
this feature on, check the Periodic Setting checkbox. Then,
indicate the number of minutes between wallpaper changes. The
largest interval is sixty minutes for registered users and two
minutes for unregistered users. If this feature is turned off,
DESKTOP should terminate itself in approximately one minute.
TO CHANGE RANDOMIZATION SETTINGS (RANDOMIZE / SERIAL)...
There are two randomization settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL.
RANDOMIZE setting is just like any randomize routine, it choose
the next wallpaper randomly. The SERIAL setting just cycles through
the list of bitmaps in order. This way, one can be ensured
that the same bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other
bitmaps has been chosen. To change the randomization setting, the
user must select the PROPERTIES... menu iten in the application's
system menu. This will pop up the Properties dialog. To choose
the RANDOMIZE setting, click on the Randomize radio button. To
choose the SERIAL setting, click on the Serial radio button.
INCLUDED FILES
DESKTOP.EXE The application.
DESKTOP.WRI This file.
BWCC.DLL Only required if one does not already exist
SHAREWARE
Please support the shareware concept by sending $15 if you decide to continue
using this application after 14 days. One method of registering DESKTOP is to
write a check payable to Huy Cat and send to the following address. Please
include your name, address, and check to the following address:
Huy Cat
4316 Chateau Road
Orlando, FL 32808
Another method for registering DESKTOP is through CompuServe. CompuServe
has a Shareware Database (GO SWREG) that will allow you to register using your
CompuServe Account. When registering with SWREG, use Registration ID 948.
BUGS
Please report any improvements, suggestions, or bugs to my CompuServe
account: 70670,1636. Or, write to the address specified above. Thank you
for trying out DESKTOP and enjoy the program.
HISTORY
Version 1.0 - Original release
Version 1.0a - Fixed minor bugs
Version 1.1a - Extended time interval limit from 1 minute to 2 minutes for unregistered users and
from 1 minute to 60 minutes for registered users. Fixed minor timing bugs.
Version 1.1b - Fixed MessageBox bugs.
Version 1.2a - Changed randomize function so that the same bitmap will not be re-used if another
bitmap exists.
Version 1.3 - Added RANDOMIZE/SERIAL settings.
Version 1.4 - DESKTOP now checks to make sure you don't go over the maximum limit of
bitmap files. This check was not performed before and could create unknown problems.
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