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- README.TXT for ACDP
-
- Audio Compact Disc Player (ACDP) for Windows is a program that is primarily a
- means for playing audio compact discs in Windows. As a by-product, it also
- stores the disc and track titles in a Paradox formatted database. Track
- programming is also available through an easy to use interface. The program
- uses and includes the Borland Windows Custom Control Library, and the Borland
- Paradox Engine. Requires a VGA adapter and Windows 3.1 and a CD-ROM drive!
-
- It is assumed that you already have the CD-ROM installed and properly
- configured. It is also assumed that you have the Windows MCI CD Audio driver
- installed and properly working. If not, this program won't work.
-
- ACDP.EXE should be installed in its own directory, as it will generate and
- use more files than what is included in the ZIP file. The files BWCC.DLL and
- PXENGWIN.DLL should be copied into the Windows directory. ACDP will also
- create a ACDP.INI file in the Windows directory. Once the program is copied,
- it will tell you that it can't find its database files, and ask if you would
- like it to create them. Answer yes, and the installation is complete.
-
- At this point the program might seem to hang - I have seen this happen only
- on drives (and drivers) sold by Sony. As it also happens with the Media
- Player included with Windows, you might have seen this already. It happens
- when there is no disc in the drive (or the "door" is open) upon program
- execution. It will eventually come back and say "There is an undetectable
- problem in loading the specified device driver." If the door is open, it may
- not come back at all (so close the door). Anyway, since the MCI driver can't
- talk to the drive, neither can ACDP and it will let you know about that too.
- If you have a Sony drive, the best way to avoid the wait is to already have a
- disc in the drive before you start the program. Once started, you will be
- able to change CD's without having to restart the program. Consider yourself
- introduced to one of the many MCI bugs that I have run across in writing this
- program...
-
- After it's finished generating its files, the next step is to actually enter
- a CD into the database. This is done by first inserting an audio CD into the
- drive, and selecting File-Read Disc from the menu. You will be presented
- with a dialog box with a couple of fields to fill out, and a list box with
- nothing but track numbers, and track times listed in it. Type in the artist,
- the disc title, and the music style. After entering the style, press TAB
- twice (trust me). This will take you past the list box, and put you in
- another edit box. This is where you enter the track titles. The easiest way
- to do this is to enter the title, press SHIFT-TAB, move down to the next one,
- press TAB, and so on, until all of the titles are entered. I entered 108
- discs this way, and it really does become "second nature" after only a few!
-
- ----------------------------------------
-
- Simple database editing, and a few reports are available with this release.
- Although I have quite a few plans for this program, it is only up to you
- whether or not you see these changes. I intentionally left the nag screens
- out of the program, as I really can't stand them either, and it makes it
- harder to get a "feel" for the program. But, I really haven't finished this
- version either. Future versions will include (but not limited to), more
- robust reports (something besides a dump as this one does). Searching will
- also be an option. It will also be written to support the latest version of
- the Paradox Engine which promises all sorts of wonderful things.
-
- If you send me $35, I will send you the latest version of the program. This
- also entitles you to any bug-fixes that may be discovered. I have enclosed
- an order form for your purchase.
-
- Enjoy the program, I know I have...
-
-