TurboBlanker V1.33e    1994, 1995 Juergen Koneczny     27th May 1995
=====================================================================
TurboBlanker is a screensaver for Falcon users with one amazing 
difference. Performance is accelerated when the screen is inactive!
By manipulating the signal between the monitor and the Falcon 
TurboBlanker frees up the main Falcon processor so it can get on with 
other tasks.

*********************************************************************
*                                                                   *
*                            WARNING                                *
*********************************************************************
*                                                                   *
*  This program manipulates the synchronisation between Falcon      *
*  and monitor. Some monitors could be irreparably damaged if       *
*  the synchronisation is altered.                                  *
*  If you're not sure whether your monitor works without the        * 
*  synchronisation signal ask your dealer!                          *
*  Neither Juergen Koneczny or Joe Connor accept any liability or   *
*  responsibility for any direct or indirect damage that may        *
*  arise, either financial, material or any other kind from         * 
*  either the use or misuse of TurboBlanker or its documentation.   *
*  All trademarks mentioned in the TurboBlanker documentation are   *
*  acknowledged and recognised.                                     *
*                                                                   *
*********************************************************************

Frequently asked questions
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Q Can't I get this performance increase using ScreenBlaster, BlowUp or 
  simply by turning my monitor off?
A The answer is neither ScreenBlaster nor turning the monitor off give 
  ANY performance increase.
  BlowUp does give a performance increase but isn't very configurable, 
  you can only set the inactivity period. BlowUp also simulates the 
  vbl-interrupt during saving which some programs, such as CoNnect and 
  Mupfel, don't like.

Q But surely if the screen is inactive there's not much point going 
  faster?
A If you're into raytracing, generating fractals, lengthy compile 
  cycles or any lengthy processor intensive task TurboBlanker will 
  reduce the processing time dramatically!
  
## Using TurboBlanker at 640x480x16 colours you can expect a 
   performance increase of around 16% during screensaving. At 
   800x608x16 colours this rises to around 30% and at 800x608x256 
   colours a staggering 48%!

## All figures are approximate and dependant upon the screen 
   resolution and the screen refresh rate of your hardware and 
   software set-up.
   GEMBench, programmed by Ofir Gal, was used for all tests, email 
   ogal@cix.compulink.co.uk for details of the best benchmarking 
   program around!

Still need convincing?
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- TurboBlanker works as either a desktop accessory or application.
- TurboBlanker activates the energy saving mode of modern energy 
  saving monitors.
- TurboBlanker works with or without the following popular screen 
  enhancement utilities: Screenblaster, BlowUp, Speed/Resolution Card 
  and Screen Wonder Pro.
- TurboBlanker can optionally monitor mouse, keyboard and modem 
  activity.
- 'Hot zones' provide precise control over TurboBlanker.
  Move the mouse pointer to the lower left hand corner to immediately 
  activate TurboBlanker or to the lower right hand corner to inhibit 
  TurboBlanker completely.


Distribution
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TurboBlanker is copyright 1994, 1995 by Juergen Koneczny

TurboBlanker is Shareware, which means it may be copied and freely 
distributed for non-commercial purposes. After using TurboBlanker 2 
weeks you have to pay the shareware charge. TurboBlanker may NOT be 
included on magazine cover disks, PD Disks or CD-ROM compilations 
without my prior written permission.

TurboBlanker comprises the following files which must be distributed 
together complete and without changes:

TBLANKER.ACC  -The program
TBLANKER.TXT  -This text

Registration
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you intend to continue to use TurboBlanker after a reasonable 
evaluation period you must register. The registered user only features 
of TurboBlanker are unlocked by a key obtainable from the author or 
Joe Connor.

The Shareware fees are:

	DM 25,- for a key (by email)
	DM 27,- for a key (by post)
	DM 30,- for a key plus the newest version of TurboBlanker

Here's my Account details:

   Account number:  5319132
   Sort code (BLZ): 700 700 10
   Bank:            Deutsche Bank Muenchen

My address is:

   StarSys
   Juergen Koneczny
   Quiddestr. 46
   81735 Muenchen
   Germany

MausNet:  Juergen_Koneczny@m4.maus.de (No mail > 16kB please)
InterNet: zulu@cube.net

Remember to include your COMPLETE address and ideally send me a 
separate Email or letter as often the transfer does not show the 
complete address. Your key will be dispatched either by Email or post 
shortly afterwards.

The Shareware fee applies only to the current version and not for 
future versions which may be much more extensive! Currently there are 
no plans to introduce an upgrade fee and this is simply a preventive 
measure, to avoid possible complaints and dissapointment.

If you're using a registered copy of be sure to delete TBLANKER.INF 
(or any other files created by TurboBlanker) before passing on copies 
to friends etc.


English support and registration
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The benefits of registering your copy with Joe Connor include:

- Key to remove Shareware nag screen.
- Access to the free UK update service.
- Labelled Master disk.
- ST-Guide catalogue of other UK supported software.
- Selection of other supported software.

How to register your copy
-------------------------
1)  Make a cheque payable to Joe Connor for 15
2)  Be sure to include your name and address in a legible format!
3)  Send cheque to UK Address below

65 Mill Road
Colchester
CO4 5LJ
England

Email: jconnor@cix.compulink.co.uk


Registered user update service
------------------------------
The latest versions are listed every month in the Shareware column of 
ST Applications. To receive an update send a self addressed envelope 
including return postage and an unlabelled double sided floppy disk.


Technical details
---------------------------------------------------------------------
- TurboBlanker cannot blank the screen in any ST resolution.
- TurboBlanker cannot blank the SM124/44/46 monitors.
- TurboBlanker cannot blank the screen when used together with 
  Screenblaster in 4 colour resolutions.
- TurboBlanker, under single tasking, cannot be activated when a TOS 
  program is running. This limitation is removed under MultiTOS etc.
  
  
TurboBlanker benchmarks
-----------------------
The following table shows the improvement in perfomance when the 
TurboBlanker screensaver mode is active.
The performance improvement is dependant upon the screen resolution 
and the screen refresh rate.
Higher resolutions and refresh rates result in better performance 
increases when TurboBlanker is active.

GEM Bench v4.03              Ofir Gal - 3 March 95
=============================================================
Falcon 030 TOS 4.04, MiNT 1.0A
Blitter Enabled, NVDI 2.50 present
Video Mode = 800 * 608 * 16 Colours
LineF FPU installed
Run and Malloc from STRAM
Ref = F030 + FPU, 640*480*16
TurboBlanker                       active         inactive
=============================================================
GEM Dialog Box:             3.610    139%       5.640     89%
VDI Text:                   0.690    769%       1.105    480%
VDI Text Effects:           1.585    701%       2.325    478%
VDI Small Text:             1.185    437%       1.710    303%
VDI Graphics:               4.095    292%       5.860    204%
GEM Window:                 2.625     89%       4.265     54%
Integer Division:           3.090    100%       3.655     85%
Float Math:                 0.340    108%       0.450     82%
RAM Access:                 2.080    120%       3.375     74%
ROM Access:                 2.080    112%       3.335     70%
Blitting:                   2.955    124%       4.620     79%
VDI Scroll:                 3.955    177%       6.100    115%
Justified Text:             3.320    175%       5.000    116%
VDI Enquire:                1.280    148%       2.110     90%
New Dialogs:                4.390    138%       6.645     91%
=============================================================
Graphics:                            289%                190%
CPU:                                 110%                 77%
Average:                             241%                160%
-------------------------------------------------------------

Installation
------------
For single tasking copy TBLANKER.ACC into the root of your boot 
directory.
Under MultiTOS copy TBLANKER.ACC to the path where ACCs are launched 
as applications or run TurboBlanker as an application. You can 
terminate TurboBlanker at any time without problems because 
TurboBlanker doesn't utilise any interrupts.

Configuration
-------------
All settings can be adjusted from the main dialog which is activated 
by selecting TurboBlanker from the Desk menu.

Setting the 'Blank after ... (seconds)' to 0 means TurboBlanker will 
only be activated by moving the mouse to the lower left bottom corner.

When saving its INF file in single tasking mode TurboBlanker displays 
the File Selector into which the desired apth can be specified. Under 
MultiTOS etc TurboBlanker looks for the environmental variable 
'TurboBlankerInf'. If this variable isn't set or the specified path 
isn't possible for whatever reason the INF file is saved to the same 
path as TurboBlanker.


Comments
--------
-Special thanks to Thomas Gerner for his good ideas and assistance.
-Special thanks to Joe Connor who supports TurboBlanker in the UK and 
 edits this documentation.
-Suggestions for improvements and constructive criticism is welcomed 
 and encouraged.
-Please support Atari software authors by registering your copy!


History
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V1.23 (18th December 1994)
- First English language version
---------------------------------------------------------------------
V1.24 (17th February 1995)
- TurboBlanker supports now Screenblaster III
- If the mouse pointer moved in the lower left hand corner TurboBlanker 
  will be activated just after 2 seconds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
V1.30
- All versions of TurboBlanker are now Shareware
- TurboBlanker now monitor midi
- Under multitasking TurboBlanker can be terminated as ACC as well
- The priority now can be set in the main dialog
- Bugfixes: memoryhandling, pixelwaste
---------------------------------------------------------------------
V1.31
- Bugfix: configuration
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V1.32
- Bugfixes
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V1.33 (8th April 1995)
- Bugfixes
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EOF