Dance of the Atoms  08/21/92
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ATOMS20.EXE  (C) Copyright AK-SYS 1990-1992  All Rights Reserved.
Release 2.0 
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This is the latest release of Atoms.  New variations of the graphics forms
have been added and the borders have been removed from the DOS screen.
General tweeking has occured to speed up the graphics and enhance the fluids.
The skew and color change keys have been slightly improved, so throb the
knobs and see what happens.

The program name is derived from the ancient Greek theory that all things
are composed of smaller and smaller pieces of matter.  The Greeks theorized
that if this was true then life itself was the "dance of the atoms".

Atoms is computer generated art.  It is generally useless software and
a great way to waste time.  The program will generate random color changes
using basic pixel, rectangle, and ellipse graphic figures.  It is created
as a "dual mode" DOS and Windows program and will run in either environment.
The windows version is much slower due to the nature of windows itself and
the need to share the CPU with other applications.

Atoms will run in Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1 or DOS.  It requires an EGA/VGA
monitor and card.

Atoms is true shareware.  No kidding.  If you like it use it and pass it along
freely.  There is no trial period, no nag ware and no bad karma like so much
other supposedly "shareware" software out there.

If you like Atoms and wish to register it, send whatever your contribution
may be to the address listed below.  If you register AK-SYS will add your
name to our user database and keep you informed of updates and other gee-wiz
software that we make available.  If your contribution covers the cost of
mailing, diskettes and handling (about $10 1991 dollars) AK-SYS will send
you the next release of Atoms for free.

AK-SYS
1514 Selby Road
Naperville IL 60563


DOS mode instructions:

    Type atoms20 at the DOS command prompt.  To quit the program at any time
    just hit the escape key.

    Space bar - cycles through variations of one graphic form
    Left and right arrows - changes the basic graphic figure

    F1 - increase the "skew" factor whatever that is
    F2 - increase the time between random color changes
    F3 - same as space bar above
    F4 - switch to pixels
    F5 - switch to rectangles
    F6 - switch to ovals
    F7 - decrease this mysterious knob
    F8 - decrease the time between random color changes
    F9 - the same as the space bar (backwards)

Windows mode instructions:

    The bitmap menu is suitably inscrutible in keeping with the current
    Windows standards. Throb the buttons and see what happens.

    F1 through F9 is the same as DOS mode but not as much fun as pushing
    buttons.

    Some fun things:

    Open as many Atoms programs as your machine can handle.  Size them
    and the patterns will alter. Do this for hours and get fired from
    your job.

    Minimize the window to an icon and it continues to paint.  Amaze your
    friends.

    Maximize the window and switch to the task manager and you have instant
    moving wallpaper.

    With the right skew the "spatial" figure will teach you the facts of
    life.