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-
- README file for Lock 2.0
- 6/17/91
-
- CHANGES SINCE 1.0
-
- o Fixed for NeXT Release 2.0. This accounts for most of the changes.
-
- o Simple screen-saver feature. When locked, the Lock window shifts
- around periodically to prevent burn-in of the window. The interval
- between moves is determined by the system's dim time, which can be
- set using Preferences. The window only moves around slightly so that
- it always appears to be centered.
-
- ABOUT LOCK
-
- Lock is an application which lets you lock your screen when you leave
- your NeXT computer unattended for a period of time. The program locks
- the console screen by freezing on-screen windows or by turning the
- display black. You can lock the screen either with your own password
- or with an access code that you set. In addition, Lock has a built-in
- fully-functional 15-puzzle.
-
- This document tells you how to use Lock.
-
-
- LOCKING THE SCREEN
-
- First, launch the Lock program and wait for the Lock window to appear.
- The lock can be set in two ways. The simpler method is to lock the
- screen using your own login password. After the program comes up,
- click the "Use password" button (or just hit the Return key).
-
- Alternatively, you can lock the screen by entering an "access
- code" by using the buttons of the 15-puzzle. (A simple on-screen
- keypad would have done nicely, but someone suggested that it would be
- more interesting to put a 15-puzzle in the program.) Each button in
- the puzzle represents a number that can be part of the access code.
- The button that you click on will become part of the sequence you
- reproduce when unlocking the screen. Each time you enter a number,
- the cursor in the access code field will advance by one position. For
- example, if you click on 2 and then the 15 button twice, the access
- code will be 2-15-15, not 2-1-5-1-5. You may enter up to a maximum of
- 16 numbers for the code.
-
- Don't worry about the fact that the puzzle pieces slide as the
- code is being entered; only the button you click on will be
- significant. Once you've entered the code, just hit the "Set code"
- button to lock the screen.
-
- When you lock your screen, Lock will freeze all on-screen windows.
- The Lock window remains on screen. No one will be able to tamper with
- your on-screen applications. No applications can be launched from the
- dock either. However, any computation in progress will still run, and
- any screen updates made by programs will be shown after you unlock.
-
- If you want more privacy, there is an additional feature which may
- be helpful; by holding down the Command key while clicking on the lock
- button, the screen will blacken instead of freezing. You may think of
- it as a simple screen dimmer.
-
- If, before locking your screen, you decide to cancel the entire
- operation, hit the "Cancel" button. This command will terminate the
- application.
-
-
- UNLOCKING THE SCREEN
-
- No matter how you locked your screen, you can unlock it by entering
- your login password or the root password. If you have previously
- locked the screen using an access code, you may also unlock it by
- reproducing the code using the buttons of the 15-puzzle. An incorrect
- entry will make the Lock window shake. This is like the behavior of
- the standard login window when someone gives incorrect login
- information. You will then again be asked for the correct entry.
-
- (Of course, you can always reboot the machine to unlock.)
-
-
- WORKING THE PUZZLE
-
- The 15-puzzle in Lock is a full-implementation of a 15-puzzle which
- can solve itself. The puzzle was incorporated into this program for
- purely recreational reasons. (NeXT machines shouldn't be completely
- useless when the screen is locked.) This puzzle is similar in
- operation to the Puzzle Desk Accessory on the Macintosh and the
- xpuzzle program in X windows.
-
- You may perform three functions on the puzzle: reset it, scramble
- it or tell it to solve itself. These three functions are accessed via
- the Puzzle pull-down menu in the Lock window. Choosing Reset from
- this menu will set the puzzle to its unscrambled state. Scramble will
- randomly move the pieces around several times, and Solve moves the
- pieces around in order to solve the puzzle.
-
-
- THE POWER KEY
-
- The Power key is still functional when the screen is locked. Because
- screen updates are not allowed, the Power Off panel does not appear
- when you hit the key. However, it is still activem and pressing
- Return after you hit the key will shut down the system.
-
-
- NOTES
-
- o To be considerate to others, please do not run this program on a
- public machine if you intend to be away from the computer for a
- significant period of time. Doing so prevents others from being able
- to use it. This program is intended only to provide the convenience
- of protecting your work without having to logout so often as you take
- breaks.
-
- o This program is freeware, so you may distribute it as long as your
- recipients are able to redistribute it freely.
-
-
-
- Please send comments and bugs to:
-
- dayglow@media-lab.mit.edu
-
- Your thoughts are much appreciated.
-
- Eric Ly
-
-