                      CUSTOM SCREEN SAVER
                              by
                      ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE
                  (If it's good, it's ACCIDENTAL)
             Copyright (C) 1994, all rights reserved 

NOTE: To print out a copy of this file from DOS, type "TYPE 
README.TXT > PRN" then push Enter.

This program is SHAREWARE, distribution of the UNREGISTERED 
version of this program is encouraged as long as it is copied 
in whole and remains unaltered.  No fee may be asked for this 
program itself, but a nominal distribution fee may be charged 
for the diskette used to distribute this software as long as 
the purchaser of said diskette is informed that the fee for 
acquiring the diskette does not constitute payment of the 
REGISTRATION FEE.  Vendors, see the file VENDOR.TXT for 
details.  Spread it to the masses!

What is this program?
  
  1. This is screen saver for windows that will use your own 
     pictures and midi files. If you prefer, you can use the 
     picture files provided with the program.  This program 
     will also play songs from your CD-ROM if you have one.  
     You can listen to music as your pictures are being 
     displayed.  You can select Password protection if 
     desired.  You can leave a message on the screen for 
     visitors while you are away.
  
  2. This program can be used from the Program Group that 
     it makes for windows, or it can be installed as a 
     standard Window's Screen saver from Window's desk top. 
     It can be used as both.
  
  3. If you have installed this program as a screen saver, 
     but want to use it immediately from the program manager 
     to leave a message or make your system password 
     protected while you have to be temporarily away, you 
     can do this by double clicking the Custom Screen Saver 
     Icon.  If Custom Screen Saver is running from the 
     program manager, it will not invoke itself as a screen 
     saver even if the amount of time has passed to call it 
     as a screen saver from the desktop.  This allows you 
     to use the Custom Screen Saver in either or both 
     capacities at once.

What is SHAREWARE?  
  
  1. Shareware is a marketing method.  For a minimal 
     investment, you can try a program to see if it fits 
     your needs.  After a short trial period, you are 
     expected to purchase the program by paying the reg-
     istration fee if you decide to use it on a regular 
     basis.    

How do I install the program?
  
  1. Install this program for Windows before it can be used.
      
      a. Start Microsoft Windows.
      
      b. Insert the disk in the proper drive.
      
      c. From the Window's Program Manager, select FILE MENU 
         and choose RUN.
      
      d. Type B:\SETUP and press Enter.  Substitute your 
         drive letter for "B:" if your disk is in a 
         different drive.

How do I make it the active screen saver?
   
   1. Once the program is successfully installed, it may be 
      selected as the current screen saver from windows.  
      
      a. From the Windows Program Manager, select MAIN.
      
      b. From MAIN  select CONTROL PANEL.
      
      c. From CONTROL PANEL select DESK TOP.
      
      d. From DESK TOP select the arrow key next to SCREEN 
         SAVER.
      
      e. From the menu, select CUSTOM SCREEN.
   
   2. The above steps will select this program as the 
      current screen saver.  You should push the SET UP 
      button to set the features of the program up the 
      way you want.  It is possible to select and preview 
      pictures, MIDI files, and CD-ROM songs from set up.
   
   3. Push the TEST button to run the screen saver program 
      as a test.
   
   4. Set the desired inactive time for the screen saver 
      program to implement itself.

How do I use the program from the Windows Program Manager?

   1. If the Screen Saver program group is not open, double 
      click on it.

   2. To run Custom Screen Saver, double click on it's Icon.

   3. The program will start in the Set Up Mode.  Select the 
      options you want, then push the Screen Saver button to 
      start the program.

What are the program features?
  
  1. Registered users can add up to 100 Bit Map files to be 
     viewed from anywhere on your hard disk.   
  
  2. Registered users can add up to 100 Midi selections to 
     be played by your midi software as the program displays 
     your pictures. 
  
  3. Use the Bit Map picture files provided if desired.
  
  4. Set the length of time for the picture to remain on the 
     display before the next one replaces it. This time 
     ranges from 5 seconds to 1 minute.
  
  5. Any picture can be used as long as it is in Bit Map 
     form (i.e. it has been converted to the BMP format 
     with the extension .BMP.)
  
  6. You need not copy any picture or midi file to any other 
     directory to use it.  This program can find and use 
     your files from any valid drive and directory on your 
     computer. 
  
  7. You can add or delete picture and midi files and set 
     the picture delay at any time through the standard 
     setup button provided by windows for screen savers 
     or by starting the program from the program manager 
     by double clicking on it's Icon.
  
  8. You can used scanned images of anything you desire as 
     long as the image is save in BMP form.  For an example 
     use the scenes portion of the Picture menu.  One of 
     the pictures is a scanned image of my children at a 
     young age.  The scenes provided are images produced by 
     Vista Pro (TM) by Virtual Reality Laboratories, Inc. 
     The remainder of the images are original art work 
     produced by Andrew Hastings.
  
  9. Most keyboard or mouse activity will terminate the 
     Custom Screen Saver and return you to the application 
     you were using before the screen saver started.  
     However, 2 keyboard keys have special meaning to the
     Custom Screen Saver program.  
       
       a. The " " (space) key will bring up the music 
       selector bar if you are listening to CD-AUDIO from 
       your CD_ROM drive.  The Custom Screen Saver may be 
       terminated from the music selector by selecting
       the STOP button on the selector bar. 
       
       b. The "M" key will toggle any MIDI music being 
       played On or Off. The music can be muted or 
       reinstated with this key.  The pictures you have 
       selected will continue to be displayed at the 
       interval set.

  10.  You can use a Password to protect access to your 
       computer when the Custom Screen Saver is running.

  11.  You can leave a message for any visitors you may 
       have while you are away from your computer, or 
       messages you may want to display to the public.
  
  12.  CD-ROM audio is available in both the registered 
       and unregistered versions.  If your CD-ROM is capable 
       of playing CD-AUDIO, you can select it as the source 
       of music for the Custom Screen Saver.

How much does it cost to register?     
  
  1. The registration fee is $15.00  plus $3.00 for shipping 
     and handling.
  
  2. Site licenses are available.  Contact Accidental Software 
     for details.
  
  3. Accidental Software can modify this program to provide
     a unique application for Company or other large groups 
     of users.  Contact Accidental Software for details.
  
  4. FOREIGN ORDERS (Except CANADA). Shipping and handling 
     is $5.00.

How do I register? -- We now accept VISA or MASTERCARD!
  
  1. Send a check or money order or call 619-247-2804 with 
     your VISA or MASTERCARD information.
  
  2. FOREIGN ORDERS: Send international money order 
     (U.S. Currency) or a check drawn on a U.S. bank.
  
  3. Send registration to.....
                
                ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE
                13245 SKIOMAH RD.
                APPLE VALLEY, CA. 92308
                619 - 247 - 2804
  
  4. Specify the disk type you need. Only 1.44 HD or 1.20 HD 
     diskettes are offered.
  
  5. The preferred method is to print out a registration form.  
     The program can do this for you, select the Set Up 
     button for screen savers in Windows, or start the program 
     for the program manager by double clicking on it's Icon.   
     When Custom Screen Saver Set Up shows, select 
     Registration and print out a registration form.  If you 
     can't do this, then just send me a note with payment 
     and the type of disk you need.  Better yet, call us at 
     619-247-2804 and pay with VISA or MASTERCARD.

What does registration do for me?
  
  1. I will send you a disk that provides you with the 
     registered version of Custom Screen Saver.
  
  2. The disk I send you will also have on it 10 new scenery 
     pictures that you can use with the program. These are 
     produced from actual geodetic data converted to Scenes 
     by Vista Pro (TM) of Virtual Reality Labs, Inc.
  
  3. The registered version of this program will allow you 
     to select up to 100 pictures and Midi files to be used 
     by the Custom Screen Saver.
  
  4. You can order an additional diskette of scenes produced 
     with Vista Pro.  This diskette will include an 
     additional 10 scenes.

  5. The registered and unregistered versions both allow you 
     to use CD-AUDIO if you have a CD-ROM Drive capable of 
     playing CD-AUDIO.

Common Questions!
  
  Q. I've got a lot of "GIF" pictures I would like to use 
     with this screen saver, how do I do this?
  
  A. You can load the "GIF" picture into most paint 
     programs and then save it as a "BMP" picture.  
     Alternately, You can use one of several excellent 
     shareware programs designed to convert picture files 
     to different formats.  WinGif or BitEdit are two 
     shareware programs available that will convert 
     pictures for you.  WinGif is produced by.....
                     
                     SuperSet Software Corporation
                     P.O. Box 50476
                     Provo, Ut. 84605-0476
     
                     The registration fee for WinGif is 
                     $15.00.
  
  Q. Can I use this program to display picuters of my 
     business or family?
  
  A. You will need to use a scanner to scan your images into 
     a paint program.  Once it is scanned and retouched as 
     necessary, save it as a "BMP" picture.  Select the User 
     Bit Maps option button in Custom Screen Saver.  Find 
     the file by clicking to the correct drive and directory.  
     Double click on the file name and it will be added to 
     the Bit Maps To Show window.  You can preview this file 
     by double clicking on its entry in the Bit Maps To Show 
     window.  Note: For best results, the file should be 
     scanned to a 640X480x256 color resolution.  The scanned 
     pictures aspect ratio should be close to that of the 
     screen mode you are using for best results. If you 
     don't have access to a scanner call me at the above 
     number and I will discuss the possibility of scanning 
     your images for you.  Prices vary.
  
  Q. I want to use several of my own MIDI songs to be played 
     by the program when my pictures are being displayed.  
     How can I do this?   
  
  A. You can select any valid MIDI file ".mid" that is 
     available on your hard disk.  It can be placed in a 
     file of tunes (up to 100) that will be played in order.  
     Once the last file is played, the tunes will start over 
     in a continuous loop. Choose the drive and directory
     that your MIDI files are on.  Double click on the 
     file(s) you want to use to put them in the Midi Files 
     To Play window.  You can preview any Midi file in the 
     Midi Files To Play window by double clicking on it. 
  
  Q. How do I reach you if I have a question?  
  
  A. Call me at any time from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (west 
     coast time).  Ask for Terry.....1-619-247-2804

Disclaimer:
  
  This product is distributed "as is".  All warranties, 
  either expressed or implied, as to the software quality, 
  performance, or fitness for any particular reason are 
  disclaimed.  You will bear the entire risk of relating 
  to the quality and performance of this product, and will, 
  in no event hold ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE liable for any 
  direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage 
  resulting from the use of this software.

Vendor Distribution:
  
  See the file VENDOR.TXT.

ASP Information:       
       
   Association of Shareware Professionals working for you.                                
                                
                             ASP STATEMENT
                  _______                                                
             ____|__     |                   (R)            
          --|       |    | ----------------------
            |   ____|__  |     Association of             
            |  |       |_|     Shareware
            |__|   o   |       Professionals 
          -----|   |   |-------------------------
               |___|___|       MEMBER        

"This program is produced by a member of the Association 
of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure 
that the shareware principle works for you. If you are 
unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP 
member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to 
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or 
problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical 
support for members' products. Please write to the ASP 
Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send 
a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 
70007,3536.
  
