ShareWare Notice: If you're like me, you don't really read the instructions for software before using it, so I'll put this little bit of business first. I realize that an After Dark module is of limited usage, but if you find this module amusing and wish to contribute something so that I can feel motivated to turn out more creative (and inexpensive) software for your enjoyment, please send a note telling me what you thought of it and $3.00 to:
Steve Henck
2705 1/2 Walnut St.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
The first 10 people to send me $3.00 for this module will receive a disk chock-full of entertainment programs & files which I've created plus any updated versions of this module which may exist when the money is received.
If you want a printout of the source code for the module (in THINK Pascal) please send $10.00 to the address above. In either case, be sure to include your name and address so that I can get back to you ASAP.
With that out of the way…
Description:
Just in time for Halloween...
"Punkin Patch" -- an AfterDark module with a garden of horrors for screen!!!
As a vine grows at random before you eyes,
Strange things rise up full of wonder and surprise!
NOTE: "Punkin Patch" may be as frightening to smaller children as the above poem is to literate adults. User discretion is advised.
Installation: Put the "Punkin Patch" in your "AfterDark Files" folder then select AfterDark from the Control Panels and select "Punkin Patch" as the current module.
Requirements: "Punkin Patch" requires a Macintosh, AfterDark from Berkeley Systems and a main monitor capable of displaying at least 256 colors (8-bit or better). The MultiModule Settings files included with this package are configured for a standard Apple 13-inch monitor. If you have a larger monitor, you'll have to reconfigure them. The module is 100% System 7 compatible, provided you have the AfterDark version for System 7.
MultiModule Combo Suggestions: The visual effects of this module can be enhanced by using it in conjunction with other modules via "MultiModule" from Berkeley Systems. MultiModule comes with AfterDark and allows you to combine multiple modules on the screen at once. Three MultiModule settings files are included with this module:
• "Punkin 'n' Zot": This file combines "Punkin Patch", "Zot" and "Messages". The latter two modules come with AfterDark. Set Messages to "Scrolling" and type in a message such as "Happy Halloween!" or "Please Light a Candle for Harry Houdini on October 31". For maximum bodaciousness, set "Zot" to "Colored Lightning".
• "Nocturnal Punkins": This file combines "Punkin Patch" with "Nocturnes", a module which comes with "More AfterDark" from Berkeley Systems. This one will REALLY scare the kiddies!
• "Punkins in the Meadow": This file combines "Punkin Patch" with "Meadow", another offering from Berkeley Systems which comes with "More After Dark". To be as realistic as possible, set the season in "Meadow" to "Fall". Otherwise, you'll have fresh pumpkins sprouting in the dead of Winter (only in MacWorld!)
Further Suggestions: If you feel REALLY ambitious, you can create your own pumpkins with any 8-bit paint program and put them in the resource fork of the "Punkin Patch" module with a resource editing/copying program such as ResEdit. The constraints are as follows: The first PICT resource to be used by this module must have a resource ID of 2000, the last PICT must have a resource NAME of "Last Punkin" (not "Pumpkin"). PICT resource IDs must be sequential (i.e. the first pumpkin picture ID must be 2000, the second 2001, the third 2002, etc.). You can have as many pumpkin pictures as you want, up to the number of resources permitted. Be sure to keep the pictures small (about postage stamp size) so that the module doesn't take too much memory.
Actually, there's no hard and fast rule that says the pictures have to be pumpkins at all! Why not have an arm spring from the ground...or a tombstone or a black cat or a big hairy eyeball? Well...because I was too lazy to draw them. That's why!
Caveats/Legalese: This software is provided as-is. Although the author (yours truly) has made every effort to make the software compatible with a variety of hardware/software combinations it is possible that it won't work on your particular configuration. If it doesn't work, try disabling some of your inits by removing them from the System folder or using an Init Management program and rebooting.
Since the pumpkin pictures are read from the resource fork as needed, this module may cause disk access occasionally. This is only of concern to PowerBook users, since it could keep the computer from going into "sleep" mode.
