[Please open this file in Write or Wordpad and, if necessary, select a constant width font and reformat it to wrap the lines correctly.] Thank you for your interest in the ARIS Christmas Screen Saver 1998. ************************************************************************ ARIS98.SCR A Christmas Screen Saver for 1998 ************************************************************************ Christmas greetings from ARIS UK, a subsidiary of the ARIS Corporation and formerly Oxford Computer Group, MMT Computing and Barefoot Computer Training. We have written a new Christmassy screen saver which we hope you will find a pleasant and amusing decoration for your PC display during this festive season. Our previous Screen Savers are still available, completely free of charge, from our website. Go to www.aris.com/uk/thevault/ Also available from the website is the NSPCC "Happy Kids" screen saver, which we wrote to help with Microsoft's promotion of the NSPCC (National Society for the prevention of cruelty to Children) campaign in 1996. On our website you will find details of the education and consulting and software services we provide. This readme accompanies the first release of the saver, 1 December 1998, V1.15.0.8, and is written to accompany the downloading of the files. Virus Warning ------------- Of course we have used standard virus checking programmes to confirm that the screen saver files are free of viruses. Especially if you do not receive the screen saver files directly from us, please use your own virus checking programmes to verify this fact for yourselves. Disclaimer ---------- The screen saver is intended purely as a bit of Christmas fun. ARIS makes no direct or implied suggestion as to the suitability of these files for any purpose. ARIS does not accept any liability for any loss or damages resulting from the use of these files. If you are not happy with these conditions, then please do not load the files. Description ----------- There is a theme, and although you have to work it out it is not too difficult! We hope you will enjoy the Screen Saver. As in previous years the emphasis is on "moving illustrations" rather than high-tech animations, anyway, we wouldn't want to distract you too much from your work. Think of it as a "Active Greetings Card" perhaps. System Requirements ------------------- ARIS98.SCR uses quite a lot of system resources - we couldn’t do it any other way. If you do not have sufficient free virtual memory (approximately 5MB on a 256 colour system and 16MB on a "true colour" system), the screen saver will be unable to load all its graphics resources and a message will be written over the graphics. The saver will then stop updating the screen, so you will see a static picture with the message summarising the error. The saver will then wait to terminate in the normal way when you press a key or move the mouse. The speed of your disk (or network) will determine the length of the short pause that occurs when the animations are first loaded from disk. On slower machines (e.g. 386s and 486s), and those with insufficient physical memory, the animations will not run smoothly. The screen saver works best in SVGA 256 colour mode (it also works at higher colour depths, but correspondingly more memory and CPU power will be needed for no gain in display quality). This version will NOT run on 16 colour displays. The MS Windows graphics extensions "DirectX" and "WinG" are not used. The saver is designed to work at a resolution of 800x600. At 640x480 you will miss quite a bit of the "action". At higher resolutions you will see black space around the edges. The saver is supplied as a 32-bit program tested on Windows 95 & 98 and Windows NT4. True Saver Mode --------------- The saver has a "true screen saver mode". This can be enabled on the Setup (Settings) dialog. Under Windows 95, and only if password protection is enabled, you can return to the "ordinary saver" from the "true saver" by pressing a key or moving the mouse and then dismissing the password dialogue. Passwords --------- Under NT the passwording is provided by the operating system with no intervention from the saver. Under 95 the same the protection is also provided by the system, but with the cooperation of the saver. Installation, Selection and Configuration ----------------------------------------- Users of our previous Screen Savers should note that the Installation process has changed. The downloadable installation file is a windows-based self-extracting installation program. Thus when you run the file (ARIS98.EXE) you will first see a dialogue asking you to confirm that you want to run the installer. If you continue the installation programme proper will run. The install programme will then copy the screen saver and read me file to the Windows System directory (you do not have to answer any questions about where the files should go). It will make the Screen Saver the default and then run the Display Applet from the Control Panel so that you can configure the settings. The Screen Saver is identified as either "ARIS UK XMAS 98" or "Aris98" in the drop down list. To uninstall the screen saver use the Control Panel "Add/Remove Programs" Applet. Disk Sets --------- The Setup files contained in the self-extracting downloadable file have been assembled to make it possible for them to be placed on 1.44MB floppies. First you need to access those files. Either use a standard unzipper program to extract the files, or look in your temp directory for a directory of the form WSZ???.tmp when you get to the "Welcome" dialog in the proper Setup routine. The file data3.cab goes on one disk, data2.cab goes on another and all the rest fit on a third. Mail And Calendar Alerts ------------------------ The screen saver can provide a visible indication that a popup window, as often used as an alert by a mail or calendar appointment reminder system, has appeared. Windows NT Users: The configuration dialog is accessed from the main settings dialog. The screen saver monitors the windows present and can recognise an "alert" window on the basis of the text in the window title bar. You must tell the screen saver what text to look for, but some defaults are preprogrammed into it. Note that some alert windows have a varying title (the actual time of an appointment say), as long as the first part of the title is unique just enter that into the edit box. The windows are scanned a few times per minute, so there will be a slight delay before the screen saver shows the alert. Windows 95 & 98 Users: All the above applies, but when a window appears whilst the screen saver is running the screen saver will stop - although the password dialog will appear first if passwords are enabled. If the screen saver restarts while an alert is present it will then give a visible indication. Extra Functionality: It is possible to match either of two window titles for both mail and calendar alerts. For instance entering "Reminder,Overdue" in the calendar field will match either a popup window entitled "Reminder", or one entitled "Overdue". Installed File List ------------------- ARIS98.SCR The Christmas Screen Saver. No other files are required to run it. Note that approximately 5MB disk space is required for this file. ARIS98 Christmas Screen Saver.txt This file. [ARIS98.EXE is the self-extracting file containing the setup files which in turn install the above files. This is a windows executable and a dialog will appear asking if you want to continue when you run it.] Copyright and Copying --------------------- The copyright to all the programs, graphics and text is owned and retained by ARIS UK. You are encouraged to redistribute the original files (as the complete set), but may not do so for commercial gain (except for standard bulletin board type access charges). Competition ----------- It is quite fun to see how far this programme gets during it's short Christmas life. Mail us a Christmas card (e-mail to ukinfo@aris.com or regular mail to the Wolsey Hall address below) and we will ask Santa to deliver a bottle of champagne (or alternative for the younger entrants) to the sender who has either the most amusing/interesting location or otherwise writes/draws the best response. On the other hand, you can always send us a bottle (well wrapped) if you think we have enlivened your day. Problem Reporting ----------------- It is possible, but hopefully unlikely, that you will encounter some other problem with the screen saver. Installation is very simple and unlikely to cause any problems, please first consult with your colleagues if you have any difficulties with it. The most likely problem you will encounter will be a consequence of having insufficient memory, or insufficient resources; you will see a message advising you that a graphics operation could not be completed. If this happens, you may find that you can work around the problem by: 1) using a less demanding video mode (ie 256 colours instead of a higher mode), 2) closing down other applications (this both releases memory and GDI resources), 3) enlarging the swap space, 4) or freeing up disk space if this is limiting the amount of virtual memory available. If something else unexpected happens while the screen saver is running, please assemble the following information before you contact us. 1) The version information line in the About Box (accessed from the Setup (Settings) dialogue). This includes some system information. 2) The processor type / amount of main memory / graphics board type / amount of graphics memory / free disk space. 3) What happens, and when. 4) Other useful details might include answers to the following: Does the problem always occur (and is thus reproducible), or is it intermittent; Does the problem occur on a colleague's similar machine; Does a particular change to your system setup make the problem go away; Has the problem been occurring always, or has it suddenly started? [Please also check that the copy of the screen saver you have installed is not corrupt.] We will endeavour to list any problems and / or solutions etc on our Web pages. History ------- ARIS98.SCR 30Nov98 21:13 1st release. V1.15.0.8 5,244,928 bytes About ARIS ---------- ARIS MISSION: ARIS is an innovative, global professional services and software company partnering with clients to maximise their use of existing and new information technologies. In fulfilling our mission, we act with mutual respect, honesty, uncompromising integrity and fiscal responsibility resulting in long-term relationships with: Customers: We seek to exceed their expectations Employees: They are our greatest asset. We provide a progressive environment with opportunity and recognition. Partners/Vendors: We work together to our mutual benefit _________________ ARIS PURPOSE: Through our passion for technology and commitment to people, we dedicate ourselves to perpetuating our values, having fun, winning, creating opportunity through success and wealth through ownership. _________________ CORPORATE GOALS: To provide an integrated offering of high quality consulting, training and related products To attract and retain the highest quality employees To be a recognised leader and innovator in our industry To provide well managed and planned growth through effective leadership To provide a high rate of return and value for shareholders and employees _________________ CONTACT DETAILS: For more information about how ARIS UK can help you, please contact us at our UK Head Office: ARIS Wolsey Hall 66 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 6PR Phone: +44 (0) 1865 315200 Fax: +44 (0) 1865 315201 ukinfo@aris.com _________________