****************** NSPCC Screen Saver ****************** Introduction ============ Greetings from Oxford Computer Group. This read-me file accompanies the release of HAPPYKID.SCR, usually in the form of the self-extracting, compressed archive file HAPPYKID.EXE (this archive contains the readme file too). This screen-saver looks at its best on a 256 colour 800x600 screen. The screen-saver file (HAPPYKID.SCR) occupies just under 900KB of disk space. Disclaimer ========== The Happy Kids program is intended as a bit of fun. The NSPCC, Microsoft and Oxford Computer Group Ltd accept no liability for any loss or damages resulting from the use of these files. If you are not happy with these conditions - do not load the files. Installation and Operation ========================== Run as any normal screen-saver - copy HAPPYKID.SCR into the Windows directory and then select from the control panel. If you have downloaded (or copied) the self-extracting archive file (HAPPYKID.EXE), which is very likely, then you will need to run it to extract the .SCR file before you can use it. The decompressed screen-saver (HAPPYKID.SCR) should be placed in your Windows directory (c:\Windows, c:\WINNT, c:\WIN95 etc.) or in the system sub-directory of this directory. To decompress the file, go to the MS-DOS prompt (the Windows MSDOS window, usually accessed from an icon in the "Main" Window, or from the Programs list in Windows 95). If you start MSDOS from Windows, the default directory will usually be the Windows directory so the following command will extract the HAPPYKID.SCR file from a floppy disk and place in in that directory, it assumes that the HAPPYKID.EXE file is on a floppy disk in drive A: A:HAPPYKID Of course if the file is not in drive A:, run it from wherever it is, e.g.: \\MYSERVER\MYHARE\HAPPYKID Another example would be: A:\HAPPYKID C:\WINDOWS This puts file directly into the directory "\WINDOWS" on drive "C:" (assuming that the HAPPYKID.EXE file is on a floppy disk in drive A:). If any files already exist, you will be asked if you want to overwrite them. The archive file is not required after you have extracted the files that you need from it. But you may wish to keep it to pass on to your friends. Using the Screen-saver ---------------------- Once the file (HAPPYKID.SCR) is in place, the screen savers can be activated from the control panel from the desktop (for Windows and Windows NT) or display properties dialog for Windows 95. Look for either the name "Happy Kids" (Windows 3.1x), "Happy Kids (16-bit)" (Windows NT) or just "Happykid" (Windows 95). The screen-saver presents a childrens' cut-out puppet theatre, and responds to the day of the week and to the time of day - sun/moon positioned according to time of day and appropriate verse for day of week. True Saver Mode --------------- The Happy Kids Screen Saver has a "true screen saver mode" - this can be enabled on the configuration dialog. If selected, the true saver mode starts after 10 minutes. (See the note about it under "System Resources".) System Requirements ------------------- The screen saver uses a fair amount of system resource - strictly speaking you should not use any important files until you are sure that any applications you are using will run successfully with the saver installed. If you see any error messages relating to "Windows API call" problems, or notice that graphics start to partially or fully disappear, this may imply that there is a memory resource (GDI) problem. Please try restarting Windows. Windows 3.1 users will be most likely to notice these problems; the "true saver" mode (a rolling star) could be the last straw, and it may be best not to use it. If these problems do occur the screen saver is designed to continue working and should not crash. On slower machines (e.g. 386s) animations may not run smoothly. The Happy Kids 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). The Happy Kids saver is designed to work at a screen size of 800x600, at 640 x 480 you will not see it all, at higher resolutions you will see black space around the edges. The saver is supplied as a 16-bit program, tested for Windows, Windows 95 and Windows NT. Passwords --------- When running under Windows 95, it is possible to kill the screen saver from the task list. Thus the in-built password protection is not reliable. When running under Windows NT, the password may be set, and is then required to exit "Test" mode, but is not meaningful during ordinary operation. You can still use the Windows NT Security dialog to Lock the workstation. [As this is a 16 bit application, Windows 95 and NT do not offer you the option of using the "system" password protection.] Note that passwords set for screen savers could be circumvented by someone who has access to your computer. The HAPPYKID password is not common to other screen savers (which is the norm) - so if you enable a password make sure that you also enter a password, otherwise it will be blank! Copyright and Copying ===================== The "Happy Kids" children and accessories are copyright NSPCC Trading Co. Ltd The copyright to all the programs, and other graphics and text is owned and retained by Oxford Computer Group Ltd. You are encouraged to redistribute the original files (preferably as the complete set), but may not do so for commercial gain (except for standard bulletin board type access charges). About Oxford Computer Group Ltd =============================== Tel: +44 (0)1865 512675 Tel: +44 (0)171 6387676 (London City) Tel: +44 (0)121 7797512 (Birmingham) Fax: +44 (0)1865 310407 E-mail: info@ocx.com Web: //www.ocx.com/ocx Snail Mail: Oxford Computer Group Ltd Wolsey Hall 66 Banbury Road OXFORD OX2 6PR UK Oxford Computer Group Ltd has two divisions, Oxford Computer Applications Ltd and Oxford Computer Training Ltd. Oxford Computer Group is a Microsoft Solution Provider and a Lotus Business partner. The group has one the highest concentrations of Microsoft Certified System Engineers and Microsoft Certified Solution Developers. Oxford Computer Applications Ltd offers a bespoke programming service specialising in SQL, Access, Visual Basic, Visual C++ and C (amongst others). The company services range from a full management of design and implementation of a large client-server to a day's help with an Access database; from $1000 to $1000000. Oxford Computer Training Ltd is a Microsoft ATEC & ATC and an authorised trainer for Lotus, Superbase and WST. Although based in the UK, we provide training services throughout Europe and the world. We have already trained in Austria, Australia, Dubai, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA. OCT are the twice and only winners of Microsoft's best UK training company award. We provide training at both the application and systems level and are well known for our technical rigour and training skills. We have also published a number of books (the most recent are available from Hodder Headline). Could we write a screen-saver for you? -------------------------------------- Yes! Costs depend on exact requirements. Two other examples (both with a Christmas theme) are available from our web site. Problems ======== Known Problems -------------- None, well nothing worth mentioning anyway. Problem Reporting ----------------- It is possible, but hopefully unlikely, that you will encounter a 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. If something 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 dialog). This includes some system information. 2) The processor type / amount of main memory / graphics board type / amount of graphics memory. 3) 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 set-up make the problem go away? Does the problem occur if no (large) applications are running? Has the problem been occurring always, or has it suddenly started? 4) If the problem is accompanied by a dialog box, please write down what it says. Please also see the notes in the System Resources Section. If any updates are required, we will put them on our web site (http:www.ocx.com/ocx). Oxford Computer Group, April 1996 PS: We welcome receiving your comments, please feel free to email them to info@ocx.com *** Ends ***