The SoundLink+ README.TXT file (c) Cool Software, Inc., 1994 Version 2.1 September 3, 1994 /=============================================================\ | | | Note: SoundLink+ is FREE software. The only thing | | we ask in return is that you take a few minutes | | to enter our prize drawing so that we can collect | | data about how many people got this software. | | | \=============================================================/ Table of Contents ----------------- 1. Introduction 2. Installation 3. Troubleshooting 4. Who Are These People, Anyway? 5. Required Legal Bits ================================================================= 1. Introduction --------------- Thank you for deciding to try SoundLink+. SoundLink+ is the first in a family of cool multimedia enhancements from Cool Software, Inc., designed to liven up daily computer use. SoundLink+ attaches sounds to window actions under Microsoft Windows, so that, for example, you could get a round of applause when you print a document, or maniacal laughter when new email arrives. SoundLink+ is copyrighted software, but you should copy it freely, provided you do not charge anything for it beyond your distribution cost. (Note: Windows is a trademark of Microsoft corporation. SoundLink+ is a trademark of Cool Software, Inc. For readability, we aren't going to put in the TM symbol everywhere, but it's implied. In case of fire, break glass.) Here's what one of the early users of SoundLink+, a parent with two young boys, has to say about it: "We've been using SoundLink+ since the day we installed it. It's fun to attach silly sounds to Windows events. And we each have our own set of sounds that we use when it's our turn at the computer. COOL stuff!" This brief guide explains how to install and configure SoundLink+, as well as providing some troubleshooting tips. ================================================================= 2. Installation --------------- Since you're reading this file, you've probably already written to us at sound@coolsoft.com and recieved the document titled "About SoundLink+" which explains how to obtain and run the self-extracting file SOUND201.EXE. If not, that's the first thing you need to do. (If you have SOUND201.EXE, run it at the DOS prompt from a temporary directory. This self-extracting file will produce the various files needed to run SoundLink+.) Next: Run SETUP.EXE from Windows, by either: 1) In the Windows Program Manager, choose the RUN command from the FILE menu. In the box that pops up, with caption "Command Line", type: c:\tmpinst\setup.exe (where "tmpinst" is your temporary SoundLine+ directory). Then select OK. 2) From the Windows File Manager, select the drive containing your temporary SoundLink+ directory, then double-click on the "setup.exe" icon. SETUP.EXE is self-prompting and includes on-line help. Installing the entire SoundLink+ package takes approximately 5-10 minutes. If you don't have an add-on sound card or built-in audio hardware: you may need to install the Microsoft Speaker Driver. This driver is widely distributed, but if you don't have a copy and need one, we've included it with the SoundLink+ distribution. To install: Copy the file SPEAK.EXE from the temporary SoundLink+ directory into another temporary installation directory. SPEAK.EXE is a self-extracting file, and the documentation from Microsoft that gets unpacked will tell you everything you need to know to complete the installation. In particular, the file AUDIO.TXT has installation instructions, and other .TXT files have other important information. That's it! You're all finished with the installation. ================================================================= 3.Troubleshooting ----------------- SoundLink+ is designed to give you years of trouble-free audio excitement, but sometimes things go wrong... "I installed it and I don't hear a thing." To use any software that produces sound under Windows, you must have an appropriate sound driver installed. If you have a sound card, the manufacturer should have included a driver and instructions describing its installation, configuration and troubleshooting. If you don't have a sound card, we've included the Microsoft Speaker Driver, which enables most PCs to play reasonable quality sound through their built-in speakers. Please refer to the Installation section above for setup instructions. "Other programs make sounds, but SoundLink+ doesn't." After installation you must launch SoundLink+ manually for it to be loaded and active. SoundLink+ will start up automatically in subsequent Windows sessions if you selected that option during the installation. If you don't see the SoundLink+ icon or a SoundLink+ window, open the Program Manager and double-click on SoundLink+ (in the "Cool Software!" group). If the program is already running it will be made visible, but if not it will be loaded and run. Once SoundLink+ is running, you must have a sound link defined to hear a noise. Open the main window and see window captions, possible actions, and possible sounds, then link them up. There's on-line help included with SoundLink+ if you have any questions. Also, check that you haven't clicked on the MUTE ALL box in the SoundLink+ main window, and that your volume settings aren't too low. "It was working, then it just quit." Some programs for Microsoft Windows 3.1 aren't as cooperative as they are supposed to be with other programs. If you suddenly notice SoundLink+ being silent but there is still some sound coming from the computer, the chances are good that one of the other programs you are running is "hogging" the sound device. In that case, just quit SoundLink+ and start it up again when you've shut down the other program. If you find incompatibilities or other problems with SoundLink+, we'd like to hear about it. Send email to us at: bugs@coolsoft.com ================================================================= 4. Who Are These People, Anyway? -------------------------------- Cool Software, Inc. was founded in February, 1994, as a for-profit corporation with the corporate guideline to devote 10 percent of all profits to community concerns. Our goal is to get high-quality, useful, and fun software products to you for FREE. If you help us now, by trying SoundLink+, and by entering our contest, you'll help us get you more Cool software in the future. We think we're a different sort of company. We believe that software should be fun, and when possible, free. We're in the process of lining up corporate sponsors for our upcoming software utilities. The idea is that they pay for the software so that you don't have to. And the more people who use SoundLink+, the more likely we'll have products to offer you in the future. We intend to make a difference in our communities, too. See community concerns in the help file of SoundLink+ for more information. We welcome your comments and suggestions. We can be reached by mail, phone, fax or email: Cool Software, Inc. P.O. Box 6207 Beaverton, OR 97007 (503) 721-4508 (voice) (503) 649-7638 (fax) How to contact us on the Internet: To find out how to get SoundLink+, send any note to: sound@coolsoft.com To report bugs, send to: bugs@coolsoft.com For anything else, send to: info@coolsoft.com CompuServe: 71231,3505 ========================================== 5. Required Legal Bits ---------------------- The SoundLink+ program is Copyright (C) 1994 by Cool Software, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Cool Software grants you a non-exclusive license to use the SoundLink+ software, subject to the terms set forth below. Cool Software makes no warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, with respect to SoundLink+, its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. This software is distributed for free, "as is", and you, the user, are assuming the entire risk as to its quality and performance. In no event will Cool Software be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software or its documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. In particular, Cool Software shall have no liability for any programs or data stored in or used with Cool Software products, including the cost of recovering such programs or data. The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, expressed or implied. No Cool Software dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension or addition to this warranty.