TurboBlanker V1.41e ½1994, 95, 96 Juergen Koneczny 6th January 1996 ===================================================================== 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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? --------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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, 95, 96 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 Semperstr. 10 81735 Muenchen Germany MausNet: Juergen_Koneczny@m4.maus.de (No mail > 16kB please) InterNet: zulu@camelot.de 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 œ15 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 ½ 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, pixel garbage V1.31 -Bugfix: configuration V1.32 -More bugfixes V1.33 (8th April 1995) -More bugfixes V1.36 (5th August 1995) -More bugfixes V1.40 (12th December 1995) - Workaround for MagiC V1.41 (6th January 1996) - The energy saving mode will now be activated EOF