GETTING STARTED:
This program runs on Windows 95, 98, or NT. Once you have installed the screensaver, you should then go into your screensaver settings and select "Aplus" as your screensaver. (This will now be visible in your screensavers list after installing. If you have forgotten how to get into your windows screensaver settings, simply click the "start" button, then select "settings", "control panel", "display", and then click "screensaver".) There is a variety of display options for you to choose from, and password protection has been added for Windows 95, 98, and NT. Some pictures are already entered into the screensaver so you can immediately view how the screensaver looks, however, you probably want to enter your own pictures or sound files. Please be sure to read the helpful information below if you would like to know the features of this screensaver.
FUNCTIONALITY:
A+ screensaver will display your jpeg or bitmap pictures in a random order or in the picture order. You can also enter up to 200 wav or midi sound files which will randomly play while the pictures are being displayed! Besides playing sound files, other features include adjusting the background colors, tiling multiple pictures on your screen, displaying a picture within a picture, displaying your pictures "overlapping", customizing the pictures to any width or height, shutting the sound on or off, stretching the pictures full screen, and adjusting the time delay between pictures. Password protection has also been added for Windows 95, 98, and NT.
Registered users will also receive upgrades, a new version which does not display the ordering delay screen, and the video screensaver listed below.
VIEWING VIDEO FILES (MPG OR AVI):
*** All users will also receive a free "Video Screensaver" with their purchase. The "Video Screensaver" will allow you to randomly view your own AVI or MPG video files as a screensaver. Options will include stretching the videos full-screen, playing video sound, changing background colors, and playing wav/midi sound files. This is yours free of charge, and it is our way of saying "thank you" for purchasing "A+ Screensaver Creator".
HELP FAQ
My pictures are distorted or unclear. Sometimes when I tile the pictures on the screen, they slowly lose quality. Why?
Your monitor is set at a low quality display. You should change it to be 16 bit (high color) or 24 bit (true color). You can do this by going into your settings, selecting "display", then selecting "settings" again. You will see an arrow by the "color palette" that allows you to change your color display. You should see an option to select 16 bit (high color) or 24 bit (true color) if your monitor and graphics support it. If you don't have these options, you will have to use 256 color.
Can I view video files?
Each user will also receive a FREE video screensaver with their order. This will allow you to view AVI or MPEG video files, stretch the videos full-screen, play video sounds, and change background colors. This is automatically shipped with your purchase at no charge.
How do I get into screensaver settings to select a screensaver?
Click the "start" button, then click "settings", then click "control panel". Select "display", then click the "screensaver" tab. Once you get here, simply click the small arrow to select "Aplus", then you can use the "settings" button to select your pictures and options.
In what order does the sound files play?
The sound files start with the first one listed, then they play via random selection.
In what order does the pictures display?
You can display the pictures randomly, or in the order listed. Simply select the option you want in the screensaver settings.
Why does the screensaver say "Bad Pic!"?
The bitmap or jpeg picture you have entered is corrupted, and cannot be read by the screensaver. The screensaver will continue running normally, as this will not hurt anything. However, you may want to find the bad pic and remove it, otherwise the "Bad Pic!" message will display everytime it reads the bad picture.
How do I customize my pictures to any height or width?
First off, make sure you have clicked "Customize picture size below". Once you have clicked this option, then use the scroll bars to select a picture width and height. You may find it best to click and use the "default" picture size, full-screen, tiled, etc., but if you want the advantage of adjusting your pictures to any width or any height, this option is provided for you.
Why use jpeg pictures?
Jpeg pictures are very popular because they are compressed and take up very little space compared to bitmaps or gifs. Jpegs still give you a very quality picture even though the storage size is very minimal. If you need to convert your images to JPEG images, and would like some software to convert any screen image or picture into a jpeg image, you can use "EasyScreen". To obtain a shareware copy of "EasyScreen", simply click here to download it.
How do I stop the screensaver?
The screensaver stops when you click your mouse or press any key.
Can I display my pictures so they fill the entire screen?
Yes. Simply go into Aplus settings listed in your windows screensavers and click on "Stretch" under "Picture Displays". You can also click the customize button and adjust the picture width and height to any size you wish.
Can I display several pictures on the screen at once?
Yes. Simply go into Aplus settings listed in your windows screensavers and click on "Tiled" under "Picture Displays". Your images will then be displayed in a tiled fashion, side by side.
Can I display my pictures at the original scanned size?
Yes. Simply go into Aplus settings listed in your windows screensavers and click on "Default" under "Picture Displays". A+ allows you to view your pictures at their original scanned size, therefore giving you the clearest image possible.
How come some pictures are bigger than others when I set it to "default"?
The pictures are displayed at the same size that you scanned them. The picture quality is best when the image is displayed as its original size.
When I run the screensaver, I receive an error message saying "Out of Memory" or "Out of Resources". What does this mean?
There are some known bugs with the Windows operating system, especially when using heavy graphics applications (GDI Resources). Microsoft has supplied many free patches or upgrades on their website (www.microsoft.com). There are several things you can do if you are getting this error.
Make sure you have the latest patches and upgrades on your machine. Many newsgroups have reported that GDI resources are low on machines that run Outlook or Word97. Some have reported this on specific MMX computers also. (There are many different patches on the website, but I cannot tell you what type of Windows patches are needed for specific machines. I can only point you to their website.)
If you don't want to download patches, you may want to try one of the following solutions.....
Reboot you machine AT LEAST once a day. Rebooting should reclaim any previously lost graphics resources.
Set the time interval to a longer display. This should help consume less graphics resources, as you are not displaying pictures as frequently as you were before.
As a last resort, set your graphics display to 256 color. This is done under "Control Panel", "Display", "Settings". Although 256 color will still give you a very good image, it will not be as high quality as "true color" or "high color", but it should take up less resources than 16M color, for example.
Why are some pictures clearer than others?
The pictures are displayed at the same quality which they were originally scanned. The pictures that were sent with this screensaver were scanned at a minimal "dots per inch" and therefore the quality is not real good on those pics. The screensaver does not affect any picture quality, as it simply displays pictures at the quality which they are scanned. Also, if you select "stretch" to stretch the pictures full screen, then the pictures must be enlarged and stretched to fit the screen, which can affect quality depending upon the picture.
How do I turn the sound on?
In order to turn on the sound, you must first click the "Add new wav or midi file" button to select a sound file. Once you select a valid sound file, you will then be able to click the "sound on" button.
How do I order?
To order via CREDIT CARD:
1-877-734-7638 (Toll free in U.S. - You will need the product id # 4876)
1-770-497-9126 (International - You will need the product id # 4876)
To order via WORLD WIDE WEB, FAX, OR POSTAL MAIL:
http://www.softdd.com/order.htm - Click Here (online ordering)
How much does this cost?
The cost is only 14.95, and shipping is FREE via email. If you wish to have the software shipped on a 3 1/2" diskette, you must add 5.00 shipping (U.S.) or 7.00 shipping (Intl). (The Video Screensaver is sent to you free of charge, upon purchasing "A+ Screensaver Creator").
If you have any questions or comments, please email softdd@aol.com