ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Windows Screen Saver On/Off Switch Version 2.0 for Microsoft Windows 3.1+ c 1994-95 AWS (Aaron Writes Software) ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus lets you enable, disable, or start your Windows screen saver with a single mouse-click to a small button on your desktop. It also lets you set the screen saver delay in one second (rather than one minute) increments. Finally, it provides methods for you to restart your Windows session, to safely close Windows and reboot your machine, or to exit to DOS without the pesky "This will end your Windows session" OK/Cancel query. How To Use The Switch: ---------------------- Run the program using Windows' Program Manager or File Manager. One of the small ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Buttons will appear in the lower right corner of your screen. The default Button switches from a green to a red dot when you click on it with your primary mouse-button (usually the left mouse-button). A green dot means that the Windows screen saver is enabled and will start after a period of inactivity. A red dot means that the screen saver is disabled and will not start on its own. The alternate Button has an "S" on a green or red background. Your screen saver starts immediately when you click on the "S" button. The background color tells whether the screen saver may also start from inactivity. The green background means that the screen saver is enabled and will start either by clicking on the Button or after a period of inactivity. The red background means that the screen saver has been disabled and will start only by clicking on the Button. Activating The Menu: -------------------- Activate the menu by clicking the ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Button with your secondary mouse-button (usually the right mouse-button). The menu contains the following options: Run screen saver: Starts the screen saver immediately. Screen saver settings: Allows you to enable or disable the screen saver, set its delay in seconds (Windows' Control Panel only allows 1 minute increments), and to make these settings permanent (by saving them to WIN.INI). The existing permanent settings are also displayed. Button position: Allows you to place the ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Button in one of six screen positions (one of the four corners, top center or bottom center). Also offers "Arrow move" to allow you to position the Button anywhere: click "Arrow move" (the cursor becomes a four-way arrow), press an arrow key, then reposition the Button using the mouse and/or the arrow keys. Press Enter or click the left mouse-button to establish the Button's position (works the same as a regular window's Move command). Button action: Lets you select which type of ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Button you want to appear on your desktop: the green/red dot Button to enable or disable the screen saver timeout, or the "S" Button to start the screen saver immediately. When you register, you will also have the option of having both buttons on your desktop side by side. Always On Top: Toggles whether the ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Button always appears above all other windows. If this item is checked, the ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus Button will appear above all other windows. Help: Provides information on how to use ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus. About: Displays version and shareware registration information for ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus. Windows exit: Allows you to restart your Windows session, to exit Windows and return to DOS, or to exit Windows and reboot your computer. [See "Why ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus" below for some reasons for doing this.] Exit ScrnSaveSwitch: Removes the Button from the screen, and restores the most recent permanent screen saver settings. Notes: ------ New in Version 2.0: Position, Action, "On Top" and other settings are now restored each time you run ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus. Registered users can increase the Button size, have both buttons on the screen side by side, and set the spacing between the buttons. ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus will have no effect with screen savers not installed into Windows Control Panel / Desktop. No screen saver will activate if ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus enables screen saving but Windows' Control Panel has no screen saver specified (i.e., Screen Saver Name = "(None)".) For more information about Windows screen savers, consult your Windows documentation. System Requirements: -------------------- Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or higher; Intel386- compatible or higher personal computer; mouse or similar pointing device. Why ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus? ------------------------ Let your screen saver run when you want it to, and only when you want it to! Some reasons: * So programs run correctly: Not all software behaves correctly if the screen saver suddenly comes on. Clicking the green dot Button to red is a simple and convenient way to protect your downloads, tape backups, etc. * Security: If your screen saver is password- protected, a quick click of the "S" Button starts the screen saver immediately and lets you leave your workstation without fear of others' prying. (Remember that the Windows screen saver will not start automatically if the active application is a DOS program, whether it's running full screen or windowed! Click that Button!) * So you can work: Your computer can't tell whether you're reading what's on the screen, attending to another matter, or fast asleep! It's all "inactivity" as far as it's concerned - but it can be an annoying interruption to you. Plus - The "Windows exit..." utilities: Many programs never release the memory resources they acquire. The only way to make those resources available again is to quit Windows and then restart it. Sometimes a whole reboot is required to restore a system to "normal"! These methods make that reinitialization safe, simple, fast and keyboard-free. (By the way, they also let you bypass the "This will end your Windows session" OK/Cancel query.) What do you think? What else would you like to see? Contact me at the CompuServe or USMail addresses under "Technical Support". Shareware Information: ---------------------- ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus is a Shareware program. You are free to use and evaluate it for up to 30 days. If you find it useful and wish to continue using it after 30 days, you must make a registration payment of $10.00 to the author. You may do so either by: * Registering on CompuServe using the Shareware Registration Database (now part of Basic Services - GO SWREG; registration ID 4158). OR * Mailing $10.00 cash or check to: Aaron J Margosis 11292 Spyglass Cove Lane Reston, VA 22091 Please indicate the version of ScrnSaveSwitch/Plus you are using. Technical Support: ------------------ For technical support, contact the author, Aaron J Margosis: CompuServe: 74747,2561 USMail: 11292 Spyglass Cove Lane, Reston VA 22091 Phone (emergencies only, please): 703-716-8767 Fax: Call first