DESKTOP V1.4 - Bitmap Randomizer by Huy Cat Copyright © 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 INTRODUCTION DESKTOP.EXE is a wallpaper (bitmap) randomizing program for Windows. If DESKTOP is automatically loaded when starting windows, it will chose a random bitmap from the user's chosen list of bitmaps as the wallpaper. In addition, DESKTOP has the capability of displaying a random bitmap at certain intervals specified by the user. One key advantage with DESKTOP is that the user can associate whether the bitmap is centered or tiled on the wallpaper for each bitmap chosen. If the user has a large number of bitmaps which takes up a large amount of disk space, the user can convert the bitmap file to a RLE file. There are existing programs that will convert from bitmap format to RLE format. Files that are in RLE format usually have the *.RLE extension. DESKTOP will also randomize on files using the RLE format. In the rest of this document, references to bitmap files can be understood as files in bitmap format or RLE format. As of version 1.3, there are two available randomization settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL. The RANDOMIZE setting is just like any randomize routine, it choose the next wallpaper randomly. The SERIAL setting just cycles through the list of bitmaps in order. This way, one can be ensured that the same bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other bitmaps has been chosen. FEATURES -- Randomizes the wallpaper when starting Windows (if included as a startup file). -- Allows the user to choose the list of bitmaps to randomize. Not all bitmaps are included in the random list automatically. The user must add the bitmaps to the list. -- Allows bitmaps files to be located in different directories and still be included in the random list. -- Periodically changes to a new wallpaper in up to sixty minute intervals for registered users and two minute intervals for unregistered users. -- Allow up to a maximum of 400 bitmaps for randomization for registered users and 100 bitmaps for randomization for unregistered users. -- Every bitmap included in the random list has its own attribute whether to be a centered wallpaper or a tiled wallpaper. USING DESKTOP INSTALLING... After copying DESKTOP.EXE onto your hard disk, you can load it from the Program Manager. If the user does NOT have a previous copy of BWCC.DLL, the user should copy BWCC.DLL to the windows directory (\WINDOWS as default). DESKTOP.EXE does not have to be in a 'pathed' directory. When starting DESKTOP.EXE for the first time, be sure to double click on the DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer Icon) to do your initial setup. To start DESKTOP.EXE everytime you start Windows, either include DESKTOP.EXE in your STARTUP folder in the Program Manager or add DESKTOP.EXE to the "load=" line of your WIN.INI file. TO SELECT BITMAP FILES TO RANDOMIZE... To select bitmap files to randomize, the user must first double click on the DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer icon). Once the Chooser dialog appears, the user must change the directory to where his bitmaps are located. Then, select the file to be included in the randomize list. Indicate whether this bitmap will be tiled or centered. Finally, double click on this bitmap name to copy the name into the Randomized list. This bitmap is now included in the randomize process. To add RLE files, type "*.RLE" in the FILENAME box. This will list all files matching "*.RLE" in the FILES list box. Then, repeat the previous steps to select the RLE files. Currently, the maximum number of bitmaps the DESKTOP will handle is 400 files for registered users and 100 files for unregistered users. TO REMOVE BITMAP FILES FROM THE RANDOMIZED LIST... To remove a bitmap from the Randomized list, the user must select the file on the Randomized list and push the Remove button. This file is now removed from the randomized process. TO VIEW THE BITMAP ON THE DESKTOP... Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list, this bitmap can be immediately viewed on the desktop. The user must double click on this bitmap file in the Randomized list box. Then, the chosen bitmap file is immediately displayed on the desktop. TO CHANGE THE BITMAP'S ATTRIBUTE (CENTERED / TILED)... Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list box, its attribute (centered or tiled) cannot be changed directly. Instead, the user must remove this file from the Randomized list and re-add this bitmap with the changed attribute. TO ALLOW DESKTOP.EXE TO CHANGE BITMAP ON CERTAIN TIME INTERVALS... DESKTOP.EXE allows the ability of randomly changing bitmaps on certain time intervals. To turn this feature on, the user must select the PROPERTIES... menu item in the application's system menu. This will pop up the Properties dialog. To turn this feature on, check the Periodic Setting checkbox. Then, indicate the number of minutes between wallpaper changes. The largest interval is sixty minutes for registered users and two minutes for unregistered users. If this feature is turned off, DESKTOP should terminate itself in approximately one minute. TO CHANGE RANDOMIZATION SETTINGS (RANDOMIZE / SERIAL)... There are two randomization settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL. RANDOMIZE setting is just like any randomize routine, it choose the next wallpaper randomly. The SERIAL setting just cycles through the list of bitmaps in order. This way, one can be ensured that the same bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other bitmaps has been chosen. To change the randomization setting, the user must select the PROPERTIES... menu iten in the application's system menu. This will pop up the Properties dialog. To choose the RANDOMIZE setting, click on the Randomize radio button. To choose the SERIAL setting, click on the Serial radio button. INCLUDED FILES DESKTOP.EXE The application. DESKTOP.WRI This file. BWCC.DLL Only required if one does not already exist SHAREWARE Please support the shareware concept by sending $15 if you decide to continue using this application after 14 days. One method of registering DESKTOP is to write a check payable to Huy Cat and send to the following address. Please include your name, address, and check to the following address: Huy Cat 4316 Chateau Road Orlando, FL 32808 Another method for registering DESKTOP is through CompuServe. CompuServe has a Shareware Database (GO SWREG) that will allow you to register using your CompuServe Account. When registering with SWREG, use Registration ID 948. BUGS Please report any improvements, suggestions, or bugs to my CompuServe account: 70670,1636. Or, write to the address specified above. Thank you for trying out DESKTOP and enjoy the program. HISTORY Version 1.0 - Original release Version 1.0a - Fixed minor bugs Version 1.1a - Extended time interval limit from 1 minute to 2 minutes for unregistered users and from 1 minute to 60 minutes for registered users. Fixed minor timing bugs. Version 1.1b - Fixed MessageBox bugs. Version 1.2a - Changed randomize function so that the same bitmap will not be re-used if another bitmap exists. Version 1.3 - Added RANDOMIZE/SERIAL settings. Version 1.4 - DESKTOP now checks to make sure you don't go over the maximum limit of bitmap files. This check was not performed before and could create unknown problems. _________________________________________________________________________________