Copyright: ® Copyright 121 Software 1992 - 1994


Ticker Installation File
How to Install Ticker

Packing List

SystemRequirements

Installation Procedure

Known Problems

Errata


Packing List

Ticker is distributed in one archive file (TICK1A.ZIP).  TICK1A.ZIP contains the Ticker executable and all of the files required to run Ticker.  TICKER.HLP, INSTALL.HLP  and REGISTER.HLP are extensive context sensitive graphic help files.  These Help Files not required in order to execute and evaluate Ticker.  However, Ticker contains several custom graphical controls that are documented only in the Ticker Help File (TICKER.HLP).

The Packing List for the archive file is shown below:

TICK1A.ZIP - Program Files

FILE_ID.DIZ

Ticker Program Description (ASP DIZ Format).

INSTALL.HLP

Ticker Installation Instructions (Windows Help Format).

README.1ST

Ticker README File (ASCII TXT Format).

REGISTER.HLP

Ticker Registration Instructions (Windows Help Format).

TICKER.EXE

Ticker Executable (Windows EXE Format).

TICKER.HLP

Ticker help file (Windows Help Format).

TICKER.DAT

Ticker Environment File (Internal Format).

TICKER.FON

Ticker Font File (Windows FON Format).

TICKER.INI

Ticker Initialization File (Windows INI Format).


System Requirements

Ticker contains a liberal amount of custom graphics and graphical animation that impose performance requirements on your system.  In addition, Ticker makes certain assumptions about Windows configuration in order to provide message information.  Each time that Ticker is executed, it verifies that your system configuration is compatible.  Compatibility issues are listed below:

1)  Ticker requires a 386 or higher CPU.

2)  A graphics display capable of raster operations.

3)  Windows 3.1 or later.

4)  Windows must be running in enhanced mode.

5)  Windows must be using paged memory.

If you're not sure if your system is compatible with the requirements above, Ticker will tell you when it is executed.  There is some chance that even though your system fails the compatibility test, Ticker will run normally.  Ticker provides a command line parameter which allows you to bypass the compatibility test and allow Ticker to run (see no_compatibility). If Ticker indicates a compatibility problem and you are not sure why, please contact me.  Each Shareware author needs to have problem feedback from you in order to identify quality problems.  You do not have to be a registered user of Ticker to contact me to report a problem.  You can contact me using one of the methods shown in the README.TXT file, the Ordering Through 121 Software section of the REGISTER.HLP file or in the Ticker About Window.


Installation Procedure

Ticker is distributed in one archive file (TICK1A.ZIP).  TICK1A.ZIP contains the Ticker executable and all of the files required to run Ticker.  TICKER.HLP, INSTALL.HLP  and REGISTER.HLP are extensive context sensitive graphic help files.  These Help Files not required in order to execute and evaluate Ticker.  However, Ticker contains several custom graphical controls that are documented only in the Ticker Help File (TICKER.HLP).

You should make copies of the archive file so that you can give a copy of Ticker to friends or upload them to your favorite bulletin boards. Never upload archive files that you have compressed yourself.

The Installation Procedure is provided below for the (TICK1A.ZIP) archive file.

To install the Ticker Program Files from TICK1A.ZIP:

1)  Using PKUNZIP.EXE from PKWARE or the unzipping program of your choice, extract the Ticker Program Files from the archive file TICK1A.ZIP in the drive and directory of your choice.  See the Packing List for a list of the distribution files.

2)  Install the Ticker Fonts into the Windows system.  If you are not familiar with installing fonts, just follow the steps in Installing Ticker Fonts.  The Ticker Fonts are not required, however, they make Ticker more enjoyable.  If you choose not to install the Ticker Fonts you must use the no_ticker_fonts command line option (see Command Line Options in the Ticker Help File).

3)  Edit the InstallerName keyword in the TICKER.INI file to include your name.  For an example see Updating InstallerName in TICKER.INI.

4)  Now you can double click on the Ticker executable (TICKER.EXE) from the File Manager or create a Program Manager entry and double click on the Ticker Icon.  If you are not familiar with creating a Program Manager entry, just follow the simple steps in Creating a Ticker Program Manager Entry.

7)  Installation of Ticker is now complete.

If you encounter any problems during the Ticker installation procedure, contact me via one of the methods available from the README.1ST file.


Known Problems

This is the second release of Ticker and as such it fixes for most of the problems reported in the initial release. The author would appreciate the reporting of any problems that you encounter. This current list of known problems is shown below:

1)  In two reported configurations Windows rejects the installation of the Ticker Fonts.

2)  In one reported configuration Windows reports an attempt to write to a CD_ROM drive.

3)  When switching back from a DOS Window the current Ticker Tape message is destroyed and appears as randomly colored pixels (Scroll Mode).

4) Some of the edit controls do not restrict entry beyond the specified number of characters.

5)  Ticker is not compatible with certain screen savers.

Other problems reported in Ticker Tape v1.0 are fixed in this version.


Errata

The method of restoring the Ticker Tape from the hidden state was incorrectly stated in one place in the Ticker Tape v1.0 Help file.  To restore the Ticker Tape from the hidden state hold down the CONTROL key and click any where on the Ticker Tape with the mouse.


Installing Ticker Fonts

To install the Ticker fonts into the Windows system:

1)  Open the Windows Control Panel.

2)  Double click on the Fonts Icon.

3)  Click on the Add Push-button (on the right of the Fonts dialog box).  An Add Fonts dialog box will open.

4)  Select the drive where you placed the Ticker distribution files using the Drives combo box.

5)  Select the directory where you placed the Ticker distribution files using the Directories list box.

6) You will see "TickerFonts" in the List of Fonts list box.  Select that entry by clicking on it.

7)  I recommend that you deselect the Copy Fonts to Windows Directory check-box at the bottom of the dialog box.

8) Now click the OK push-button.  The Fonts dialog box will close.

9) You will now see the Ticker Fonts in the list of installed fonts in the Installed Fonts list box.

10) Click the CLOSE push-button and the font installation is complete.

If you encounter a problem using this method to install the Ticker Fonts give me a call.  You do not have to be a registered user of Ticker to contact me to report a problem.  You can contact me using one of the methods shown in the README.TXT file, the Ordering Through 121 Software section of the REGISTER.HLP file or in the Ticker About Window.


Creating a Ticker Program Manager Entry

To create a Ticker Program Manager Entry in the Windows system:

1)  Click on the Program Manager Group where you want Ticker to be placed.

2)  Click the Program Manager Files Menu and then the New menu item.  The New Program Object dialog box will open.

3)  Click on the Program Item radio button and then click the OK push-button.  The Program Item Properties dialog box will open.

4)  Enter Ticker Tape in the Description edit box.

5)  Enter the full path for TICKER.EXE (including the file name) in the Command Line edit box.

6)  Enter the full path for TICKER.EXE (without the file name) in the Working Directory edit box.

7)  Click the OK push-button and the Program Manager entry is complete.


Updating InstallerName in TICKER.INI

The lines below can be found in TICKER.INI.  The InstallerName keyword is the fourth line down.  Initially the keyword is empty (i.e., InstallerName=).  You supply your own name by using any text editor (e.g., NOTEPAD).  The name you enter can be 50 characters in length.  See the example below:

[Registration]

Status=Uninstalled

InstallationDate=

InstallerName=Linda Lubbers

Password=