Thank you for choosing Starstone's free Eye of the Storm™
screen saver. This HTML file is your on-line help and instructions on how to use
your new screen saver and can be viewed with any web browser. To uninstall your
screen saver at any time, click the "Remove" button. Be sure and select 'Run from
current location' if your browser asks permission to run this program.
There are three programs in Starstone's Eye of the Storm™ software family. This free screen saver is a screen saver only. For interactive storm tracking, you can also download our free Eye of the Storm™, Personal Edition, or purchase our Advanced Storm Tracking CD ROM with Eye of the Storm™ 2000. Visit our web site at http://www.starstonesoftware.com/eots to learn more about Starstone's Eye of the Storm™ software. If you need to contact Starstone about your software, please specify which Eye of the Storm™ program you are using, and which version you have. Any additional information about your PC operating system and graphics card may also help us be of greater assistance.
In the early days of PC's, if a computer was left on for long periods of
time with the same screen displayed on it's monitor, this would burn an image of that
screen into the phosphors of the monitor. When the computer was turned off, a ghost image
of some application or program screen could still be seen on the screen! This was
especially a problem because this ghost image could often be seen and would interfere with
the appearance of other programs running at later times. The Screen Saver was invented so
that after some time period had expired (the time out value), a different program
would startup that displayed a constantly changing image or animation on the screen. The
bouncing line pattern shown at the right is a typical early example. This saved
the screen from having a pattern burned into it - thus the name Screen Saver.
These Screen Savers were designed to save your monitor, but not interfere with normal use
of the computer. As soon as the user touched a key, or moved the mouse, the
screen saver disappears and the user is presented with the normal Windows desktop and
whatever other applications are running.
A whole new industry was born as software companies and individual programmers began creating Screen Savers that were entertaining, or perhaps displayed some advertising message. As PC technology progressed, the newer generations of PC monitors were designed so that the burn in problem was eliminated. Thus Screen Savers do not actually perform the function today for which they were intended originally (saving the screen). Still Screen Savers persists as it can be useful to have the contents of your screen obscured if you leave your desk, or to have your PC perform some useful task when sitting idle. Never-the-less, as soon as you begin to use your computer again, the Screen Saver is supposed to disappear. This is perhaps one of the biggest misunderstanding of most of our support e-mails about this software. Some screen savers today have been released that do not behave this way and are interactive (you 'play' with them). We do not believe these are true Screen Savers as they violate the basic principles of Screen Saver operation. They may install as Windows Screen Savers, but they are not behaving as a true Screen Saver. Screen Savers are not interactive.
What does this Screen Saver do?
Starstone makes two interactive Hurricane tracking programs (Eye of the Storm™ Personal and Advanced Editions). These programs are intended for interactive Hurricane, Typhoon, and Cyclone tracking on your PC over the Internet. This software, Eye of the Storm™, The Screen Saver is not intended to be interactive. All of the Eye of the Storm™ programs work with your Internet connection. If you are connected to the Internet when the Screen Saver activates, it will check our Web server to see if there are any active Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones, or Tropical Depressions). If there are any, they will be plotted on the globe and listed by name next to the globe. The purpose (aside from the beautiful view of the Earth) is to give you an early warning that a storm exists, or may be developing. To track the storms interactively, or zoom in on areas of interest, use one of our interactive storm tracking products (one of which is free!).
You
will need to set Eye of the Storm™ as
your default screen saver. You can easily
configure this yourself. To do so, you must access your "Display
Properties" dialog (shown at right). You can get to this dialog in two
ways: Click on the 'Display' icon in the control panel, or right click on the
Windows desktop and select the 'Properties' menu item. One of the tabs is for setting your Windows Screen Saver. The drop down
box lists all installed Screen Savers, and you simply select the one you wish to make
active. The picture on the right shows how you might make our Eye of the Storm™,
the active Screen Saver.
You may notice that there is an edit box that lets you set the time out value in minutes. This is the amount of time your system must be idle (no keyboard or mouse activity) before the screen saver is activated. There is also a Preview button so you can look at the screen saver to make sure it is functioning properly. Remember that even in Preview mode, any mouse or keyboard movement will cause the screen saver to disappear.
As with all screen savers, you can also password protect your screen. Once the screen saver is activated, you will have to enter the password (and user id under Windows NT/2000) to gain access to the PC. Selecting the 'Settings' button brings up the configuration dialog. The configuration dialog allows you to customize your screen saver in several different ways.
Configuration
The
configuration dialog allows you to adjust several of the screen savers options
to your liking. The first check box is "Retrieve Storm Data". In order to retrieve storm names and coordinates, you must be connected to
the Internet. The Screen Saver only gets the coordinates when it is activated and
does not retrieve storm tracks, or save the storm locations. Our standard storm
tracking products are for this purpose. The Screen Saver is meant to serve as an early
warning system, and/or as an attractive display when your PC is idle. If the Screen Saver
program cannot connect to our Web site, then it will display the message 'Unable
to Reach Starstone' (only when you have 'Show Storm Detail Info'
checked also). This option is turned off by default.
Some common problems have been reported concerning Internet connectivity. The first is that even though you are connected to the Internet, you still get the 'Unable to Reach Starstone' message. This happens when the screen saver cannot establish an HTTP connection to our server. This can be caused by using a Proxy Server, Firewall, or a proprietary Internet networking protocol. Some support is available for Proxy Servers in the Advanced Options dialog discussed below.
Some users have reported that the Screen Saver attempts to dial out if they are not connected to the Internet. This is a Windows Networking configuration settings, not a screen saver feature. If your Internet connection is configured for auto-dial, then ANY program that attempts a Web connection is going to trigger this to happen. If you have problems with your system dialing out, please seek assistance from your Windows support department, or your Internet Service Provider. There are thousands of service providers, and far too many programs and ways to configure Windows to connect to the Internet for us to be able to support everyone else's products. Sorry, but we are a small company, and this is a free program. We are more than happy to discuss problems in technical detail with vendors who can help us work with their software and drivers.
Check "Use 3D Hardware" to enable OpenGL hardware acceleration. If you have an OpenGL compatible graphics card, your globe should rotate about once per minute. This option is turned off by default. If you experience problems with your screen saver with this option on, a newer driver from your graphics card vendor will often correct it. You can always restore normal operation by turning this option off.
The basic display shows the earths globe rotating with the cyclone symbol plotted at the location of any active storms. You can select 'Show Storm Detail Info' to display additional storm information to the right of the spinning globe. Shown below are two views of the screen saver, with and without the storm details displayed. These images also show the earth with no lighting or shading applied to the globe.
To the lower left, you can see the globe with lighting applied ("Disable Lighting" unchecked). To the lower right, you can see the night side of the earth ("Show Night Side" checked). The night side view shows a satellite image blended with the day side of the earth. You can see the city lights in populated areas as they pass from darkness into light. The angle of the terminator (the day/night boundary) will also change through out the year as the seasons progress. Tropical Cyclones are typically Summer and early Fall storms that form after the ocean temperatures have been raised by the more direct rays of the summer sun.
The
final option, 'Use 3D Hardware', is on by default. If you have a 3D accelerated
graphics card with OpenGL support, the
Screen Saver will make use of it to speed up the spinning globe. Without 3D
hardware, the animation may be very slow. If your computer locks up when the
screen saver is activated, it is most likely a problem with your 3D graphics
card. Newer drivers from the vendors web site almost always correct this type of
problem. In the event that it does not, you can turn off this option here and
the Screen Saver will not make use of your 3D hardware.
Advanced Options
The
advanced options pertain mostly to Internet connectivity. The default settings
'Use Direct Connect' will usually work with most Internet providers. If you are
using a proxy server or a firewall, try 'Use Microsoft Settings' if you are
using a Microsoft proxy server, or 'Use Proxy Server' to specify a specific
proxy servers address. Not all proxy servers will allow the screen saver to
communicate with our server, and you may need to contact your system
administrator to allow access through a firewall. Essentially (for you propeller
heads), the screen saver simply attempts a standard HTTP request from www.starstonesoftware.com.
You can also specify an 'Alternate Host' besides the Starstone web site. Do not use this option unless you are directed to do so by your IT staff or Starstone support. This feature allows your weather data to be retrieved from an alternate Internet or Intranet location, but you must know the address of the server, and that server must be configured to mirror the EOTS database.
The final advanced user setting is the units to use when displaying storm wind speed. You can select miles per hour (MPH), kilometers per hour (KPH), or even knots (KTS). Storm wind speed is generally published in knots. You may notice a discrepancy of a mile per hour or two when the wind speed is converted. Note that wind speeds are always an approximation, and different sources of weather data may have slight variances in the published speed.
Legal Stuff
Software License Agreement
1. Grant Of Limited License; Software Use Restrictions. In consideration for your acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Starstone Software Systems, Inc. will grant to you a personal, non-transferable and non-exclusive right to use and execute the Software on a personal computer (a "PC"), without right to sublicense or distribute the Software (except as provided in Section 3 below). You agree that you will not modify, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble any portion of the Software.
2. Duplication Restrictions. In order to effect your license rights hereunder, you may install the Software by duplicating it onto the hard disk drive or into the CPU memory of a PC for use thereon, and you may make full or partial copies of the Software, but only as
necessary for backup or archival purposes or for purposes of distribution pursuant to Section 3 below. You agree that (i) your use and possession of such copies shall be solely under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (ii) you shall place the same proprietary and copyright notices and legends on all such copies as included by Starstone Software Systems, Inc. on any media containing an authorized copy of the Software originally provided by Starstone Software Systems, Inc.
3. Distribution of the Software to Others. You may duplicate and distribute copies of the Software to others, or allow copies of the Software to be made by someone else, provided that all such copies include a copy of this License Agreement.
4. Ownership of Software. You agree and acknowledge that Starstone Software Systems, Inc. transfers no ownership interest in the Software, in the intellectual property in any Software or in any Software copy, to you under this Agreement or otherwise, and that Starstone Software Systems, Inc. and its licensors reserve all rights not expressly granted to you hereunder.
5. Transfer Restrictions. This license is personal to you. Except as expressly provided in Section 3 above, you may not transfer the Software and/or assign this License to any third party. If you attempt to transfer or assign this License, such transfer or assignment will be void and without effect.
6. Export Restrictions. You may not export or reexport any Software or other technology received under this Agreement except in full compliance with all United States and other applicable laws and regulations. In particular, none of such Software or technology may be exported or reexported into (or to a national or resident of) any country to which the U.S. embargoes goods, or to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Commerce Department's Table of Denial Orders.
7. Term; Termination. The term of this Agreement shall commence when you electronically download or receive (if Starstone Software Systems, Inc. delivers the Software to you by email or alternative means) and shall continue thereafter. If you fail to fulfill any of your material obligations under this Agreement, Starstone Software Systems, Inc. and/or its licensors may pursue all available legal remedies to enforce this Agreement, and Starstone Software Systems, Inc. may, at any time after your default of this Agreement, terminate this Agreement and all licenses and rights granted to you under this Agreement.
8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, excluding its choice of law rules.
9. Disclaimer Of Software Warranty. STARSTONE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC. PROVIDES THE SOFTWARE TO YOU "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR INFRINGEMENT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANY STARSTONE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC. EMPLOYEE, REPRESENTATIVE OR DISTRIBUTOR WILL CREATE A WARRANTY FOR THE SOFTWARE, AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL WEATHER OR
SAFETY INFORMATION.
10. Limitation Of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL STARSTONE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC., OR ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE COST OF COVER, DAMAGES ARISING FROM LOSS OF DATA, USE, PROFITS OR GOODWILL, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE), WHETHER OR NOT STARSTONE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. STARSTONE ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF WEATHER INFORMATION, DATA, MAPS, FORECASTS OR PREDICTIONS WHICH ARE OBTAINED FROM GOVERNMENT OR OTHER OUTSIDE SOURCES, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT THE ROLE OF THE SOFTWARE IS TO CONVEY TO THE LICENSEE INFORMATION WHICH HAS BEEN COMPILED BY OTHERS. THE LICENSEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF WEATHER AND THE DIFFICULTY IN FORECASTING THE WEATHER AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT STARSTONE HAS NO LIABILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF PREDICTIONS WHICH ARE OBTAINED THROUGH USE OF THE SOFTWARE. THE LICENSEE AGREES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ALL REASONABLE AND RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF WEATHER
OCCURRENCES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE EXCLUSIONS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE LICENSEE FURTHER AGREES THAT THE LIABILITY OF STARSTONE, IN THE EVENT ANY LIABILITY EXISTS, SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY LICENSEE FOR THE SOFTWARE.