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-
- VERSION 1.1B
-
-
- ╔════════════════╦══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════──
- ║ ║
- ║ INSTALLATION ║ How to install the HANDSOFF programs.
- ║ ║
- ╚════════════════╝
-
-
- Temporary Installation
- ──────────────────────
-
- The programs SECURE and ALARM can be run right away, without any special
- preparation. A color monitor and a mouse are highly recommended, but are not
- absolutely required.
-
- We highly recommend that you read the rest of this documentation before using
- either program.
-
-
- Permanent Installation
- ──────────────────────
-
- Permanent installation is easy: simply copy all of the files into a directory
- that is in your DOS "path".
-
- For an explanation of DOS path, refer to the PATH command in your DOS manual.
-
-
- ╔══════════╦════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════──
- ║ ║
- ║ SECURE ║ A simulated security system to discourage burglars.
- ║ ║
- ╚══════════╝
-
-
- What is Secure?
- ───────────────
-
- Have you ever invited people into your home or office, and then felt a little
- uncomfortable letting them see all your computer equipment? The SECURE pro-
- gram makes your computer room look a little more forbidding by animating an
- impressive "Security System" screen.
-
- You could say that SECURE is actually based on insecurity. If it makes a
- potential burglar worry about getting caught, then it may save you the broken
- glass and shattered nerves of a break-in.
-
- That little extra protection is easy enough to get. At the DOS prompt, simply
- type:
-
- SECURE
-
- This will start the program. To exit from the program, press the Esc (Escape)
- key.
-
-
- Design Notes
- ────────────
-
- SECURE is designed to be HIGHLY VISIBLE and to attract attention to itself.
- The word "Engaged", for example, flashes every so often to remind people that
- the program is still running.
-
-
- Limitations
- ───────────
-
- While SECURE has its obvious limitations, such as the fact that it doesn't
- actually DO anything (!), you should always keep a copy handy in your library
- of utility programs. It's precisely that kind of program that you delete from
- your disk ... and then want to use the very next day!
-
-
- ╔═════════╦═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════──
- ║ ║
- ║ ALARM ║ An actual alarm system that requires no extra hardware.
- ║ ║
- ╚═════════╝
-
-
- What is ALARM?
- ──────────────
-
- ALARM is an actual burglar alarm system that requires no extra hardware. Your
- computer already has enough hardware to run the program and help protect your
- home or office.
-
- ALARM can be used in one of three ways:
-
- ┌───────────────────────┐
- │ The Three ALARM Modes │
- ├─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─┤
- │ ∙ Mouse │
- │ ∙ Cheese │
- │ ∙ Mouse 'n' Cheese │
- └───────────────────────┘
-
- These are explained below.
-
-
- Cheese Mode
- ───────────
-
- The simplest mode is Cheese mode. In this mode, the computer itself acts as
- bait for a trap. In effect, it's like the cheese in a mouse-trap.
-
- The screen displays an extremely enticing screen which makes it almost certain
- that an intruder will press a key. When a key-press is detected, the alarm
- is set off.
-
- To start up ALARM in Cheese Mode, enter this command at the DOS prompt:
-
- ALARM
-
- To shut down ALARM at any time, press ALT-F10.
-
-
- The Alarm
- ─────────
-
- The purpose of most alarms is not to warn you, or call for help, but to scare
- the intruder as much as possible; if he runs away, your problem is solved.
-
- When ALARM detects an intruder, the following things happen:
-
- 1. The computer speaker shrieks out the sound of a alarm siren;
-
- 2. The screen flashes, in huge letters, "Intruder Alert -- Notifying Police";
-
- 3. The printer starts printing a report designed to be as loud as possible.
-
- While the total volume is not extremely high, the suddenness is shocking. We
- recommend that you try it some night, at around 3:00 AM.
-
- The printer can be left turned off, but this reduces the impact considerably.
-
- The printer only prints a few lines, then stops. The Alarm sound continues
- for three minutes, and then ALARM returns to the Cheese screen.
-
-
- Mouse Mode
- ──────────
-
- This mode requires a mouse, which is a hand-held pointing device used on many
- computers. Note that, in this particular application, a MECHANICAL mouse is
- vastly superior to the more expensive OPTICAL mouse.
-
- When you start up ALARM, it automatically detects the presence of a mouse and
- will display a set-up screen. This enables you to place the mouse in a sensi-
- tive position. The top of a filing cabinet is an excellent position, since
- burglars always look through drawers before taking anything as large as a com-
- puter.
-
- The slight motion of a closing drawer will be noticed by the mouse, which is a
- very sensitive device. This will trigger the alarm.
-
- You may have to experiment with different positions to find the one that's
- best for you.
-
- To start up ALARM in Mouse Mode, enter this command at the DOS prompt:
-
- ALARM M
-
- This will leave the screen blank until the alarm is triggered. This will
- protect your screen against "burn-in".
-
-
- Screen Protection
- ─────────────────
-
- When in Cheese mode, ALARM moves the Cheese screen diagonally every 15 min-
- utes. It has four positions. This is an effective measure to ensure that
- the display isn't "burned in" to your video screen.
-
-
- Mouse 'n' Cheese Mode
- ─────────────────────
-
- You can combine both modes and have the "Cheese" screen displayed while the
- computer watches both the mouse and the keyboard. For Mouse 'n' Cheese mode,
- start up ALARM the same way as for regular Cheese mode by typing ALARM at the
- DOS prompt. To stop ALARM at any time, press ALT-F10.
-
-
- How Effective Is ALARM?
- ───────────────────────
-
- Imagine you're a burglar, sneaking through somebody's house. You're tip-toe-
- ing cautiously. You're not looking to outwit an alarm system; you just want
- a nice, easy heist. No worries, no trouble.
-
- You notice a computer and see that it has been left on. You peer at the
- video display and are surprised at what is on the screen. But you're in a
- hurry, so you ignore it.
-
- You look around the nearly pitch-dark room. Your senses are heightened to the
- extent that even the faint sound of the wind brushing against the window-pane
- seems deafening. Far down the street, you can hear a car driving to some
- late-night errand. You listen carefully. All is still. Confident, you open
- up a drawer and ...
-
- All hell breaks loose! A siren is blaring! The computer is going crazy!
- Flashing the word POLICE! There's a strange, terrifying buzzing noise coming
- from that box beside the computer!
-
- Would you stick around?
-
-
- ╔══════════════╦════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════──
- ║ ║
- ║ DISCLAIMER ║ Legal Notice
- ║ ║
- ╚══════════════╝
-
-
- The HANDSOFF package is provided on an "as is" basis, with no warranties
- expressed or implied. HANDSOFF is a low-cost approach to security, but it is
- in no way comparable to a professionally installed alarm system, nor should it
- be considered proof against vandalism or theft.
-
- To the best of our knowledge, the bank mentioned on the Cheese screen does not
- exist.
-
-
- ╔═══════════════════════╦═══════════════════════════════════════════════════──
- ║ ║
- ║ GENERAL INFORMATION ║ Program History; How to call for assistance;
- ║ ║ Copyright; How to get more software.
- ╚═══════════════════════╝
-
-
- Program History
- ───────────────
-
- SECURE was written in 1988 and released as the SECURE package. The version
- that appears in this package is identical. The Turbo Pascal source code is
- available for $5 if you want it.
-
- HANDSOFF was written after a break-in at Pinnacle's offices on December 25th
- (yes, Christmas Day!) of 1989. Art imitates life; programming reacts to it.
-
-
- Problems
- ────────
-
- If you have any problems with one of our products, or if you simply wish to
- ask us a few questions, call our Support Line at (514) 345-9578. This is a
- free service.
-
- Owing to the extremely low prices we charge for quality software, we regret
- that we cannot accept collect calls or return long-distance messages. Our
- regular office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time. The
- Support Line and Order Desk are open from 9:00 AM until Midnight.
-
- If for any reason you have a complaint about one of our products or our level
- of service, the President of Pinnacle Software would like to handle your call
- personally. Just ask for Tim Campbell.
-
-
- Copyright
- ─────────
-
- HANDSOFF is copyrighted (C) 1990 by Pinnacle Software. You are permitted (and
- even encouraged) to share HANDSOFF: pass it around, give it to your friends
- and associates -- as long as it is shared only in complete and unaltered form.
-
-
- More Software
- ─────────────
-
- If you found HANDSOFF useful ── or even just interesting! ── you can get MANY
- MORE programs by calling us, or writing to us. For only $5, you can get your
- hands on our "Grab-Bag" of the following shareware programs:
-
- LoveFire: A romantic -- but hilarious -- adventure story
- Pinnacle Help: Powerful software packaging tools for shareware authors
- Handy Books: Convenient utility for creating wallet-sized reference books
- AC Hunter Indispensible program for locating telephone area codes
- Weed Useful text-file editing facility
- Preserve Fast alternative to the DOS BACKUP command
- Sapphire The Zero-Maintenance Bulletin Board System
- Pyroto The original BBS Adventure Gaming System
- VariTale: Phone-in, multi-path, multi-author story-writing system
-
- ... and much, much more. All this for only $5! Shipped to you the next day,
- on top quality diskettes. Plus, we'll send you the latest copy of HANDSOFF!
-
- Who says that good software has to be expensive?
-
- ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ │ Voice Line 514-345-9578
- │ P I N N A C L E S O F T W A R E │ BBS Line 514-345-8654 (9600 v42vbis)
- │ Box 714 Airport Rd. Swanton VT USA │ CompuServe 70154,1577
- │ │ GEnie T.CAMPBELL11
- └──────────────────────────────────────┘