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                            Savers 10 Version 4.1                         
                   Shareware Version Program Documentation                
                  Copyright (c) 1995 Robert Manning, Author.              
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     This file contains summary documentation for Savers 10 v4.1; it is   
     not the full documentation. The complete instruction document is     
     only shipped with the registered version of the program. There are   
     several features reserved for the registered version, please see     
     notes below for details. A registration/purchase form can be found   
     in the file REGISTER.TXT. Complete the form and send your payment    
     to: Robert Manning, PO Box 2011, Lomita, CA 90717.                   
                                                                          
     RobertM782 on America Online               76022,1630 on Compuserve  
                                                                          
      Come visit South Bay Computer Assistance on the WWW! Point your     
      browser to: http://users.aol.com/robertm782/private/sbcapage.htm    
                                                                          
         If using Internet Email, please address RobertM782@AOL.COM       
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                            What is ShareWare?                            
                                                                          
     ShareWare is a method of distribution, not a type of program. The    
     programs are created and distributed by this means to save on the    
     high cost of marketing, packaging, and physically distributing the   
     software. Most ShareWare programs are of the same high quality that  
     you can expect to find on your local computer stores' shelves (and   
     in many cases are superior).                                         
                                                                          
     ShareWare is commercial software that you can try before you buy.    
     It is not free software. After a reasonable period of time, which    
     allows you to 'test drive' the program, you are expected to buy the  
     program from the author (commonly called Registering the program).   
     Should you decide the program is not for you, just delete it from    
     your system.                                                         
                                                                          
     Purchasing ShareWare programs entitles the user to support, and a    
     number of other features not found in the unregistered version, in   
     most cases. This is true for Savers 10 V4.1. Your purchase of this   
     program will grant you a number of substantial benefits. Please see  
     the documentation to follow for all details on the benefits of       
     registration.                                                        
                                                                          
     Robert J. Manning, Author             South Bay Computer Assistance  
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   Introduction and Description
   
   Thank you for your interest in Savers 10 Version 4.1! Savers 10 is a DOS
   Screen Show / Saver program. It serves two main purposes: To entertain,
   and to help prevent monitor burn-in. Monitor burn-in starts to occur 
   when your system is inactive for a prolonged period of time, and the
   same display is left on your monitor. Over a period of time, the display
   that is left on your screen will actually cause a deterioration of the
   pixels in your monitor, leaving the shadow of the display present, even
   if the monitor is turned off!

   Savers 10 not only serves the utilitarian purpose of preventing monitor
   burn-in, it is a form of entertainment as well! You can display your
   favorite PCX graphic images with the Slide Show, leave someone a message
   with Screen Message, or display the current time, with a starfield sim-
   ulation in the background! Each of the shows can be changed or config-
   ured in a variety of ways; There are more than just 10 screen shows!
   There are many different ways to change the basic display in each show.

   Savers 10 V4.1 can be run in DOS as well as under Windows. Please see 
   the section to follow for installing a program item for Savers 10, if
   you wish to use it in Windows.

   
   
   What's New in Savers 10 V4.1
   
   The main improvement in version 4.1 over version 4.0 is the ability to
   run most shows without the minimum of 512kB video ram. The Doodle show 
   will not run in less than 512kB. Various other minor improvements and
   additions have been made. The program will now default to 320x200x256
   color standard VGA mode if less than 512kB video ram is found.
   

   
   System Requirements to operate Savers 10 V4.1
   
   * 80386 or better IBM PC/Compatible.
   * DOS 3.0 or higher.
   * VESA compliant VGA video card (VESA TSR may be needed).
   * 512kB video memory recommended, 64kB minimum; 600kB+ RAM memory.
   * 100% MicroSoft compatible mouse, for the Doodle show, and optionally
     for menu command selections with a mouse.
   * Sound Blaster for music in Serenade show.

   In many cases, as long as your video card is VESA compliant, you do not
   need to load a VESA TSR video driver. However, some video cards require
   such a driver to run Savers 10 V4.1, and you should also load it if you
   plan on running the program from within Windows. 

   If the program runs, but does so extremely slowly, then you must load
   a VESA bios TSR to use it. This will eliminate the slow response.
   
   There are some cases where Savers 10 V4.1 may not seem to run on a VESA 
   compliant video card. You should check both the utilities disk that 
   came with your video card, as well as with the store it was purchased
   from, and the manufacturer. These drivers may also be found on the major
   networks, such as America Online and CompuServe.

   Known cards/systems that Savers 10 V4.1 will not operate with:
   1) Diamond Stealth 64 DRAM VLB video card, with 2M video RAM installed,
      S3 (Integrated) DAC on board
   2) Compaq LTE 386sx/20 Notebook (possibly insufficient video RAM).


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   ---------------------------
   BEFORE RUNNING THE PROGRAM:
   ---------------------------
   ***************************
   Please do several things before you try Savers 10 for the first time:

   1) Run SETUP.EXE, to properly create the SOUND.CFG file.
   2) Run SX4TEST.EXE, to make sure that your system is capable of handling 
      the minimum requirements to run the program.
   3) If you run from within Windows, please install a VESA TSR before 
      starting the program, and before starting Windows. Edit the enclosed 
      windows .PIF file, and add the proper command line and working 
      directory, as you have installed the program.


   
   Savers 10 V4.1 Registration and Benefits
   
   Registering your copy of Savers 10 V4.1 (ie, legally purchasing it) will
   grant you with a number of substantial benefits:

      -You will be sent an enhanced version of the program. The enhancements
       are detailed below. If desired, the logo can also be changed to 
       display your name, company or business name.

      -You'll receive copies of all of the previous versions of Savers 10
       (three additional programs), including the source code for the
       first version, all registered to you.

      -Full support for all the programs, via Email (America Online, Compu-
       Serve, and Delphi), by post mail, or phone.

      -Discounts (50%) on future versions of the program.

   The following features will be enhanced in the Registered Version:

      -The PCX slide show will display up to 150 images instead of 5,
       and search the current directory *or* the PATH for image files.
       
      -Passwords can be changed to any eight characters.

      -More than four times the number of image frames for Night & Day.

      -Program included to add your own planet images to the Time and Space
       show (requires a paint program, not included), as well as image
       patterns for other shows, including Menagerie and Serenade.

      -Full set of music files for use in Serenade (48), including many
       popular Christmas tunes.

      -Image file conversion (if needed) for IBM PC Compatibles, offer
       good for limited time after purchase.

   You can find the registration form for Savers 10 V4.1 in the file
   REGISTER.TXT. To print this form, make sure your printer is on, and
   enter this command in DOS:

      TYPE REGISTER.TXT > PRN

   Complete this form, enclose your check or money order made out to 
   Robert Manning for $20 ($10 if you have registered a previous version
   of Savers 10), and mail to the author at the following address:

      Robert Manning, PO Box 2011, Lomita, CA 90717

   Your registered programs will be sent via post mail ASAP. 


   
   Starting Savers 10 V4.1, and Command line arguments
   
   Before you run Savers 10 V4.1, be sure you have run the program 
   SETUP.EXE to install/change the Sound Blaster configuration, and 
   SX4TEST.EXE to confirm compatibity for running the show.

   To run Savers 10 V4.1, type SAVERSX4 at the DOS command line, and press 
   Enter. The program supports a command line argument, for starting a show 
   without seeing the main menu screen. The command line arguments are not 
   case sensitive. The usage would be as such:

      SAVERSX4 showchoice   (press Enter)

   Where 'showchoice' is the highlighted letter from the show name you want
   to run. If you wanted to start the program in the PCX slide show, for 
   example, the command would be:

      SAVERSX4 P   (press Enter)

   You may also start the configuration menu by itself, and it also accepts
   a command line argument for the menu choice. For example,

      SX4MENUS M   (press Enter)

   Would activate the settings menu for Mirror III.
   

   
   PCX Slide Show Images
   
   There is a limit of 5 PCX files for the Shareware version of the show,
   and only images in the same directory will be used. The registered
   version can display up to 150 images, and search either the current
   directory or the PATH for files. Additionally, the program is being
   modified to accept up to 1024x768 images, but this modification will
   only be added to the registered version.

   The Slide Show will display your .PCX image files, of up to 640x480
   image size. Additionally, the images must use 256 color palettes. The
   screen mode used to display the image is set automatically, and will be
   set to the closest matching size. For example, images of 320x200 size
   or less will be displayed on a 320x200 screen. An image with a size of
   300x480 will be displayed using a 640x480 screen. A 400x400 image will
   use a 640x400 display screen. The aspect ratio is maintained, and the 
   image will be centered as needed on the screen.


   
   Time and Space - Adding Your Own Planets (*Registered Version*)
   
   Savers 10 comes with a utility that will enable you to add to or create
   your own Planet images, that will be used in this show! A Template file
   is enclosed (TEMPLATE.PCX) which can be used to create Planet images, or
   any small image you wish. The image is 33x33 pixels in size, and must
   use the standard 256 color VGA palette. This utility is not included
   with the Shareware version.


   
   Conclusion
   
   The author again wishes to thank you for trying this program! It is
   sincerely hoped that you find it entertaining, and pleasing to the eye.
   Please feel free to drop me a line with your comments about the program,
   whether or not you decide to register.
   
   Thank you...!

   Robert Manning, author.


   
   Credits
   
   First and foremost, to my wife Chris ... I thank the powers that be for
   her patience and understanding during the development of this program.

   To Borland, for their outstanding C++ compiler/editor, which saw a great
   deal of use!

   To Mr. Jeff Orth (OrthWare), for his SVGA256 Borland Graphics library, 
   which was invaluable to the development of this program.

   To Mr. Jeffrey Fullerton, for his MusicBox Sound Blaster program and
   music creator.

   The creators of the Persistence of Vision Raytracer (POVRay), which was
   used for Night & Days' images.

   The creator of Daves' TGA Animator, Mr. Dave Mason; also used for 
   Night & Day.

   To the dedicated crew of volunteer Beta Testers, from CIS's SWBETA forum.
   
   To many friends who graciously allowed me to test the programs' operation
   on their systems.


   
   History
   
   Summer '92 to Summer '93
      Various experimental programs written for monochrome, EGA systems,
      and as utilities in other programs. Many initial experimental
      programs written; no public distribution. First official version
      under development.

   September '93
      First public version distributed on America Online, granted to the
      public domain (Freeware). Contained ten shows, three program settings,
      written in MicroSoft QuickBasic. Source code still available on AOL.

   January '94
      Began development on version 2.

   February '94
      Version 2 distributed over America Online, as ShareWare. Written in
      QuickBasic, this version was more of an enhancement to the first
      version than a new program. Began development of version 3.

   June '94
      Version 3 distributed on America Online. This version was a major
      overhaul of the program, rewritten in structured style, and over
      three times the code of previous versions. Enhanced all shows, added
      settings menus, password protect, various other features to polish
      the program overall. Development started on version 4.

   December '94
      Released version 3.1 over America Online. ShareWare.
      During development of version 4, version 3 had a couple bugs that
      needed to be fixed. Used one palette generator routine from version
      4, so show could run without palette files and have more color
      variety. Fixed minor bug in Mirror that stalled the pattern plots.

   December '94
      Released various version 4 alpha builds on Dave's Hole in the Wall BBS, 
      for test purposes.

   March '95
      Beta testing begun over Compuserves' SWBeta forum. Final polishing
      of the show.

   March '95
      Release of version 4 of Savers 10 over AOL, CIS, Delphi, various BBS's.
      Completely recoded in C/C++, first version that is not completely
      pattern drawing. Major enhancements to the show, added variety of
      new show types to the program.

   October '95
      Released version 4.1. Main improvement is the removal of the 
      restriction of 512kB video ram to run the show. If less than this
      amount is found, the show will default to 320x200x256 standard VGA.
      Doodle will not run in 320x200 mode, though all other shows will,
      and all shows will operate in 640x400 mode if only 256kB vram found.
      Several improvements or additions to Doodle, Menagerie, Serenade.


   
   Trademarks
   
   DOS, Windows, QuickBasic, registered trademarks of Microsoft corp.
   SVGA256 Library, Copyright OrthWare, Mr. Jeff Orth
   MusicBox, Copyright Mr. Jeffrey Fullerton


   
   Quotes
   
   "Will you PLEASE shut that thing off and come to dinner...!" -Chris

   "Where is the cat...?" -Chris    "Behind the monitor..." -Bob

   "Remind me to put the cover back on next time, before the cat starts 
    nosing around in my system unit..." -Bob

   "Its' not working again..." -Mel

   "What command did you use to start it?" -Bob

   "Guess I forgot how to start it again..." -Mel

   "Don't worry, the slide show is rated G..." -Bob

   "What other kind of pictures you got...?" -Mark

   (Nevermind)

   "What's a compiler...?" -Chris

   "So, what else do you write besides screen shows...?" -Rufus

   "We are having fun NOW!" -Bob

   "Remind me not to let the cat sit next to the keyboard..." -Bob

   "If you've read this far, take a break and watch the show!" -Bob :-)
   
   "Are you done with that thing yet...?" -Chris
   
   (End of document).
