Netscape Plug-Ins Developer's Kit

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Netscape Plug-Ins Developer's Kit / Netscape_Plug-Ins_Developers_Kit.iso / AUDIO / MOD4WIN / README.TXT < prev

Wrap

Text File | 1994-12-10 | 20.8 KB | 508 lines

************************* * MOD4WIN Version 2.12 * ************************* _______________________________________________________________________________ Installation Instructions: -------------------------- - start Windows (version 3.1 is required) - insert disk in drive A or B - in the Program Manager go to File | Run... - on the Command Line type <drive>:install.exe, e.g. "A:install.exe" - follow the instructions of the installation program _______________________________________________________________________________ Revision History: ----------------- Version 1.00: - September 1993 - first fully functional model of Mod4Win Version 1.01 - October 1993 - The version 1.01 was necessary because of some bugs in the play routine, with file handling of more than 900 files at a time, the installation program, and the speed when running on slow machines. * play routine: problems with loading and the end marking of files that jump around between patterns * file handling: was completely revised * installation had two problems: the check for free space on destination drive looked at the wrong drive and the given path name was not accepted, even if entered correctly * full keyboard support (TAB/SHIFT-TAB) * information dialog was debugged Version 1.02 - November 28, 1993 - first release for the U.S. shareware market - several bug fixes * wave driver is displayed and saved nicely * bpm speed is interpreted correctly * invalid MOD-formats are recognized now * updates the display correctly * playtime is properly reset Version 1.03 - January 14, 1994 - fixed 2 bugs in installation routine * would work correctly only if "Create Program Manager Group" option was checked * got confused when the year switched over and showed only shareware screen anymore - detects and displays invalid and unsupported MOD files correctly - doesn't crash with invalid list files anymore - several bug fixes in player routine * caused protection faults with invalid MOD files * didn't play some MOD files correctly (didn't play all patterns, sounded weird with some files) Version 1.10 - February 18, 1994 - second release for the U.S. shareware market - complete internal source revision * many routines more efficient * the dialog frames are now drawn instead of bitmapped * bug with drag&drop routine removed * use of resource strings - vast enhancements to the player routine * supports all ProTracker effects * true BPM-speed * modular design - more stable wave driver interface * no crashes anymore with non-standard wave drivers - more setup options in INI-file * debug output gives valuable information about MOD files * for details see the FAQ section in the Windows help file - improved interface * name and instrument strings are displayed fully * new MOD format identifier strings * switched the hotkeys for previous and next song (up <-> down) * consistent shuffle mode * set focus correctly when using hotkeys * new hotkeys for easier navigation in the Open Dialog * faster about scroll * double click for About Dialog, single click for move - improved help file * new sections on About Dialog, FAQ, Where to get more MOD files?, MOD formats, and more Version 2.00 - June 27, 1994 - third release for the U.S. shareware market * player routine almost twice as fast as in version 1.x + supports many new formats with up to 32 channels + archive support * modules can be played out of archives * freely selectable archivers and command line options + mini status that is optionally always on top + more setup options * various timer modes for better multitasking * surround sound, quality mix, BPM, and load state options + more dialogs and options for more information and easier navigation * effect panel * instrument info dialog * integrated file manager * browser dialog * elapsed/rest time switch * file/module name switch + freely configurable hotkeys Version 2.10 - September 30, 1994 - fourth release for the U.S. shareware market * player routine 20-50 % faster than in version 2.00 (currently fastest player routine in the world) + added support for S3M, FAR, and UNIS 669 formats + Interpolated Dynamic Oversampling (IDO) for better playback quality + automatic pre-amplification to optimize dynamics and SNR + new interface elements for even easier usage and yet more functionality - quick selection box - pre-amplification slider - quality mix, surround sound, BPM, panning, and IDO can be toggled during playback - remove from playlist function - multilanguage modules for English and German * bug fixes - MTMs with less than 4 channels - MODs with dummy patterns - 669 effects - (too) many others Version 2.11 - October 24, 1994 - fifth release for the U.S. shareware market + installation program now creates associations for File Manager * bug fixes - "burble bug" in mixing routine - several bugs in STM loader - vibrato, tremolo, note portamento, and glissando effects - 669 effects (second try) Version 2.12 - December 11, 1994 - sixth release for the U.S shareware market + new overamping-proof mixer routine works always in quality mode and makes maximum use of the dynamic range of your output device + now you can en-/disable individual channels with a single keystroke or mouse click + full window movement moves windows with content * better memory management - doesn't allocate low Windows memory anymore - no more out of memory errors, provided you have enough physical RAM * fully compatible with new ScreamTracker 3.2 modules (including default pan positions, fine vibrato effect, fast volume slides, and more) * bug fixes - Shareware version runs under Windows NT - many effects revisited and fixed (fine portamentos, note cut, tremor, retrigger, volume slides, stereo control, and more) ! Now Mod4Win is not only the fastest and best sounding, but also the most accurate player we know of. _______________________________________________________________________________ ************************************************************************** * The following chapters are all included in the Mod4Win Help file and * * really look much better there. Of course, if you absolutely love text * * files, you can study it here. * ************************************************************************** _______________________________________________________________________________ Features -------- Mod4Win is a player for digital music modules on IBM-PC compatible machines running Microsoft Windows. - Mod4Win 2.12 supports: * NoiseTracker (*.NST), Pro-, Fast-, and TakeTracker (*.MOD), Grave Composer (*.WOW), Oktalyzer (*.OKT), ScreamTracker 2.x (*.STM), ScreamTracker 3.x (*.S3M), Composer 669 and UNIS 669 (*.669), Farandole Composer (*.FAR), and MultiTracker (*.MTM) modules with up to 32 channels * Sample rates between 11 and 48 kHz * 8 and 16 bit sample depth * Mono, Stereo, and Stereo Surround Sound * Interpolated Dynamic Oversampling (IDO) - Full archive support * Supports ARJ (*.ARJ), LHARC (*.LHA, *.LZH), and PKZIP (*.ZIP) - Jukebox function for up to 2999 MOD-Files in one session * Generates playlists (*.MOL) with files from up to 100 directories or archives * Drag & Drop feature of one or more modules, archives, and playlists * Launching of a module, archive or playlist from a command line parameter - Intuitive and easy to use interface with complex functionality * Hotkeys for all player functions, many of them user-definable * Mini Status uses minimal desktop space and stays optionally always on top * Effect Panel shows current effects, instruments, notes, volumes, and speed * Integrated File Manager to copy, move/rename, and delete modules from and into drives, directories, archives, and list files * Quick Selection Box displays all modules in your current playlist and lets you select one immediately - Mod4Win saves all settings, such as * window positions * last accessed directories * sound card and wave driver settings * optionally the complete current status, so the next session will start exactly where you stopped the last one _______________________________________________________________________________ System requirements ------------------- Sound: - A sound card with at least one DAC that can process sampling at 11 kHz or better and an appropriate asynchronous wave driver, also known as an MPC-2 compatible wave device. - Note: DAC emulators like speaker.drv cannot be supported. Processor: - 386 SX/16 as the absolute minimum to run the program. - 386 DX/20 for playing at the highest sample rate. - 486 DX/33 with 8 MB RAM to use Mod4Win as a background jukebox at 44 kHz and 16 bit stereo sampling. - Note: To play modules with more than 8 channels using IDO, a faster processor may be required. Video: - A VGA video adapter with at least 16 colors simultaneously. - Suggested video resolution 800 x 600 to show the Main Dialog, Info Window, and Effect Panel without overlapping. - Note: With a Hercules or Monochrome adapter many of the dialogs will appear unreadable. Operating System: - Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher running in 386 enhanced mode. - Note: This version of Mod4Win will not run on 286-based machines anymore, neither will it run under Windows in standard mode. For a more detailed discussion of System Requirements see also the sections Known Problems and Frequently asked Questions (FAQ) in the Windows help file. _______________________________________________________________________________ Authors ------- Mod4Win was written and designed by Kay Bruns and Uwe ZΣnker. The loader routines for the FAR and S3M format, the shareware routines, the English translations, and the English version of the Help file were written by Jens Puchert. This program was thoroughly ▀-tested. However, if you discover any malfunctions or bugs (you never know), feel free to write your comments to: JSInc. Jens Puchert P.O. Box 6173 Syracuse, NY 13217-6173 You can also reach me by phone or FAX at (315) 423-4775 or through e-mail to jpuchert@rodan.syr.edu. PS: Please, constructive contributions only. Send junk mail and flames directly to /dev/null. PPS: All bugs are my cat's fault anyway... _______________________________________________________________________________ Trouble Shooting ---------------- For a detailed discussion on trouble shooting see the sections about - Known Problems and - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in the Windows help file. _______________________________________________________________________________ Shareware Notes --------------- * Differences between Shareware- and Full Version * Principally shareware- and full version are equally powerful. That of course, shouldn't stop you from asking "Why should I buy the full version?" We figured that a limited shareware version makes no sense, because naturally, a feature that hasn't been implemented in the shareware version can't be tested by you. Exempt from that is the ability to save your own playlists which is only allowed if you own a registered copy. At the end of the program we refer to the necessity of the full version, if you want to use the program frequently. To motivate you, we also imposed an involuntary pause at the end of the program, and to make sure you won't forget, Mod4Win will remind you every once in a while that you're not a registered user yet. Of course you will be spared all of this, if you purchase a copy of the full version of the program. Additionally, you can determine by the text in the About Dialog what version you are currently using. If you use the full version, you will find your name (the name of the license holder) here. * Documentation * A handbook for this handy program seems to us much too clumsy and therefore probably won't be issued. If you would like to have something on paper, feel free to spool this text to your printer, or to a file where you can chop it down further with a word processor. * The Full Version directly from JSInc. * Please refer to the section Registration for Mod4Win 2.12! * Retail Sales of the Full Version in the U.S. * The full version can only be ordered from JSInc. at this moment. So please don't harass your favorite computer store around the corner with repetitive questions for the full version, they would have to order it explicitly from me. It is even possible that they will slander the quality of the program because of that. But of course you know better, right? * Update Service * Registered users can always order the latest update directly from JSInc. For details see the section Updating to Mod4Win 2.12 please! _______________________________________________________________________________ License Regulations ------------------- This program is not freeware! Mod4Win is shareware, that means software you can test for a certain time and then have to purchase or delete from your disk. The copyright for this program (mod4win.exe, player32.dll) and its help (m4w_usa.hlp) is held by JSInc. You are granted a period of 30 days, in which you can test the program. If you want to use Mod4Win after this test period, you are required by federal law to purchase a registered copy. All attempts to defeat the shareware check and the 30 days trial limit are unlawful and strictly prohibited. If such attempts become known, JSInc. reserves the legal right to prosecute the offending party. You are explicitly encouraged to spread the unregistered version of Mod4Win to other PC users, such that they also have a chance to test the program. This is valid with the following restrictions: 1. You are not allowed to make money with it (for copying and distributing), and 2. You have to distribute all files that belong to the program and to its documentation. Modifications of a file that belongs to the Mod4Win package are strictly prohibited! This help is part of the program Mod4Win and may only be distributed together with the program as mentioned above. Disassembling and/or patching of the program or its help file is absolutely prohibited. Preventively we'd like to mention that JSInc. owns the copyright for all routines used in this program. Intellectual theft on any of the programming and/or design techniques used in Mod4Win may be subject to prosecution. The shareware version may be distributed by shareware dealers for no more than $10. If you belong to those who pay more than $10 to acquire shareware, then you should look around for a new source. With the purchase of the full version of the program Mod4Win, the user acquires the right to install this program on his/her machine and use one registered copy on exactly one machine at a time. For each additional machine the user is required to purchase another copy, even if that wouldn't be necessary from a technical point of view. The user may make copies of the original disk only for the purpose of data security. However, it is strictly prohibited to distribute copies of the software or make them available to a third party. Possession of the registered version is permitted only to the registered user. Please keep in mind that the program did cost you money and us work. Therefore please don't distribute your copy to a third party. Commercial usage of the full version of Mod4Win requires the explicit written permission from JSInc. Mod4Win may not be sold with other products (hard-, or software) without an explicit written permission from JSInc. Note especially well: The sample modules included in the distribution package of Mod4Win are copyright of their respective owners. Their only purpose is to demonstrate the capabilities of the program. Wherever possible, the owners of the sample modules have been asked for permission to distribute their work with Mod4Win. No money is charged for the sample modules and no money has been or will be paid for them. In no case will the purchase of Mod4Win grant you any rights on the sample modules. Owners and/or users of a version of Mod4Win absolutely agree to all conditions mentioned above. _______________________________________________________________________________ Liability, Warranty and Trademark --------------------------------- We wrote Mod4Win because the MOD-Format is quite nice and there wasn't a really good MOD-Player for Windows yet. To let everybody enjoy it, we decided to issue a shareware version. As a practical side effect, our programmers can make a few Dollars with it. But since they probably won't become millionaires, we don't assume any liability for damages caused by our program to hard- and/or software. Registration doesn't give you the right to purchase an error free program. We don't assume any responsibility for damages possibly caused by the use of Mod4Win. The program is distributed (or sold respectively) as is. The only thing we guarantee is that it will take up space on your mass storage device (and that hopefully as long as possible). We also guarantee that it will use CPU time on your machine (only as much as absolutely necessary). You may assume though, that our program doesn't cause any harm to you and/or your system. That means by the best of our conscience and knowledge of Computer Science it is a fine program. After all we like it so much, we have it running as a background jukebox on our own machines. You are fully responsible for everything you are doing with this program! We reserve all rights for our program. That includes especially the right to completely redesign the program. Therefore it is very possible, that a feature from an older version will not be included in a new version, and a new version will have higher demands on your hardware. _______________________________________________________________________________ Registration for Mod4Win 2.12 ----------------------------- To order a registered copy you have to 1. Fill out the Registration Form, and 2. Send it along with a check for $30 and 3. A self-addressed return envelope to the following address: JSInc. Jens Puchert P.O. Box 6173 Syracuse, NY 13217-6173 To update a registered copy to version 2.12 1. Fill out the Registration Form, and 2. Send it along with a check for $15 (if you own any version 1.x), or $10 (if you own version 2.00), or free of charge (if you own any version 2.1x), 3. The original disk with the registered copy you received, and 4. A self-addressed return envelope to the above address. Make checks payable to JSInc. Do not send cash! If you Order from Outside the US, please note these special regulations: * Canadian customers send the equivalent amount in Canadian Dollars plus a $2 finance charge (at this moment about $45 CDN). * European customers can order directly from our German Agencies (see Windows help file for addresses) or from JSInc. * Japanese customers can order directly from our Japanese Distributor (see Windows help file for address) or from JSInc. * Customers from all other countries send either an international money order in US-Dollars or a bank check drawn on a US Bank. I will not accept personal checks from countries other than the US or Canada, neither will I honor checks in a foreign currency. Unfortunately, we can't accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express or other Credit Cards at the moment. Received orders will be processed at least every week. Just make sure you don't forget your return address. If you haven't received anything within 3 weeks feel free to write, e-mail, or call as noted in the Authors section. All disks will be mailed in the 3.5" DS-HD format (the little, nice and durable ones), because they tend to survive the mailing procedure with less problems and don't require padded envelopes. If you need a different disk format please specify explicitly. _______________________________________________________________________________ Registration Form for Mod4Win 2.12 ---------------------------------- This form is contained in a separate file "register.txt" for an easy print out. You can also print it from the Windows help file, like everything else in this text file. Have fun with Mod4Win! \|/ (. .) ( | ) ( v ) __| |__ / \