Twinkle Bulbs v2.9 (formerly called Holiday Lights) November 19, 1997 Copyright (c) 1994-97 Barefoot Productions / Don Metzler All Rights Reserved. ================================================================ New features added to v2.9: - Updated ornament bulbs with 256-colors - Cleaned up divide by zero errors/DLL icon load fail messages/crashes - Added custom font selection for scrolling screen saver message - Updated installer to have data files removed at uninstall time - Updated snowflake bulbs - Added random wind to screen saver New features added to v2.8: - New bulbs: santas, updated patio lanterns, tombstones, turkeys, presents, Indian corn, ice cream cones, strawberries and pretzels - Placed bulbs in separate library (bulbs32.dll) to make program more efficient - Updated screen saver detection routines - Added scrolling message capability to screen saver - Uninstall added to the Start Menu for Twinkle Bulbs New features added to v2.7: - New bulb icons by Tony Meloche of Hartford, MI including updated existing bulbs and candles (more to come from Tony!) - Fixed show-stopping bugs when running in NT - When using taskbar, desktop wallpaper or patterns fill the Twinkle Bulbs taskbar - Added ability to change bulb styles/colors based on calendar date New features added to v2.6: - Configurable MIDI/music path - Added more bulb styles, including photo-realistic bulbs - Added features to falling snow screen saver - Added falling leaves screen saver - Cleaned up screen saver hesitation - More music files - Can now draw in its own taskbar and not interfere with Windows apps/desktop New features added to v2.5: - Added flashing patterns - Made system tray icon user selectable - Added updated bulbs - Changed name from Holiday Lights to Twinkle Bulbs New features added to v2.4: - Updated bulb types - Added a splash screen New features added to v2.35: - Fixed MIDI playback problem so now it plays all selected songs in sequence. - Fixed math problem used to compute dates for the event calendar. New features added to v2.31: - Option to draw on the desktop or also on top of other windows (causes sloppy updates) - Fixed another MIDI detection problem New features added to v2.3: - 15 more bulb styles for registered users - More effects for the snowfall screensaver (registered users) - Ability to save/load settings as schemes - Drawing occurs on the desktop and does not interfere with window captions - Events calendar has been updated to a true calendar New features added to v2.2: - Additional MIDI files shipped with LIGHTS95.ZIP - Additional bulb types added - An event calendar may be configured so that you are notified of upcoming holidays - Added an idle process feature so that the program does not hog CPU cycles - Updated the help dialog to provide more information and to have it fit on the screen Problems resolved: - Screen saver now tracks the mouse and keyboard for activity to prevent startup - Cleaned up some problems with MIDI functionality ================================================================ System requirements: -------------------- Windows 95 Works with any video display driver. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diskette/ZIP contents: ---------------------- LIGHTS95.EXE Main xmas lights program README.TXT This file. Installation: Copy the Twinkle Bulbs file to a directory of your choice. To run the program, you may install the icon to the Program Manager (using the File|New menu option) or you may double-click on the file (BULBS97.EXE) from File Manager. The lights will be hung from the top of the Windows desktop and an icon will be placed on the desktop. To change the lights options, simply double-click on the icon at the bottom of the screen. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Settings: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flashing Mode: ============== None: Select this to leave lights on (no flashing). Random: This allows lights to flash independently. All At Once: All lights flash on and off at the same time. Chase: Lights "chase" each other. Alternating: Every other light in the string is on at the same time. Bulbs: ====== Check these options to simulate real-world burnt-out and broken light bulbs. You may also select the bulb type from the combobox. Note that the broken option only works with the normal bulb type. Flash Rate: =========== Selects the speed at which the lights flash. Use the slider control to change the flash rate. Color: ====== Selects the colors of the light bulbs. The first option allows random colors for each light. The last two options allow red & green or multi-colored light sets. You may also select the options which use the same color bulb for the entire string of lights. Power: ====== Turns the lights on/off. Screen Saver: ============= Allows you to select and configure custom screen saver options for Holiday Lights. Select a type from the list and ensure that the Enable checkbox is checked. The Setup pushbutton will configure screen saver options and the Test button will show you what the screen saver looks like when operating. Music: ====== Allows you to select one or more background music files to be played when Twinkle Bulbs is running. Music will be played if MIDI files are available in the same folder as Twinkle Bulbs and if you have a sound card which is capable of playing MIDI files. Misc: ===== More Lights: Check this to have more lights on the screen. Zoom F/X: Check this to see window "zoom" effects. Sound F/X: Check this to have controls have "click" sounds when clicked. Flash LEDs: Check this to have your keyboard LEDs flash in sync to the Twinkle Bulbs. (Note that this can provide frustration when attempting to type in a word processor while the Caps Lock status keeps changing.) Pressing the "Help" pushbutton on the settings dialog to show this information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Happy Holidays!!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information about this program and/or comments / feedback: Barefoot Productions, Inc. 839 Welsh Court Louisville, CO 80027 USA email: barefoot@pobox.com web site: http://www.barefootinc.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulbs icons in this program were developed by Barefoot, modified from icons in existing public domain packages or developed specifically for this program by Tony Meloche of Hartford, MI. Music files were downloaded from various Internet sites, with the understanding that these too were in the public domain and/or freeware. If you come across items which appear to be used without permission or believe we are violating copyrights or trademarks, please contact us at the address above.