DESKTOP V1.4 - Bitmap Randomizer
by Huy Cat
Copyright  1992, 1993, 1994, 1995


INTRODUCTION

	DESKTOP.EXE is a wallpaper (bitmap) randomizing program 
	for Windows.  If DESKTOP is automatically loaded when 
	starting windows, it will chose a random bitmap from the 
	user's chosen list of bitmaps as the wallpaper.  In addition, 
	DESKTOP has the capability of displaying a random bitmap at 
	certain intervals specified by the user.  One key advantage 
	with DESKTOP is that the user can associate whether the 
	bitmap is centered or tiled on the wallpaper for each bitmap 
	chosen.

	If the user has a large number of bitmaps which takes up a 
	large amount of disk space, the user can convert the bitmap 
	file to a RLE file.  There are existing programs that will 
	convert from bitmap format to RLE format.  Files that are in 
	RLE format usually have the *.RLE extension.  DESKTOP will 
	also randomize on files using the RLE format.  In the rest of 
	this document, references to bitmap files can be understood as 
	files in bitmap format or RLE format.

	As of version 1.3, there are two available randomization 
	settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL.  The RANDOMIZE setting is 
	just like any randomize routine, it choose the next wallpaper 
	randomly.  The SERIAL setting just cycles through the list of 
	bitmaps in order.  This way, one can be ensured that the same 
	bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other bitmaps has 
	been chosen.



FEATURES

	--  	Randomizes the wallpaper when starting Windows (if 
		included as a startup file).
	--  	Allows the user to choose the list of bitmaps to 
		randomize.  Not all bitmaps are included in the random 
		list automatically.  The user must add the bitmaps to 
		the list.
	--  	Allows bitmaps files to be located in different 
		directories and still be included in the random list.
	--  	Periodically changes to a new wallpaper in up to sixty 
		minute intervals for registered users and two minute 
		intervals for unregistered users.
	--  	Allow up to a maximum of 400 bitmaps for randomization 
		for registered users and 100 bitmaps for randomization 
		for unregistered users.
	--  	Every bitmap included in the random list has its own 
		attribute whether to be a centered wallpaper or a tiled 
		wallpaper.



USING DESKTOP

	INSTALLING...
		After copying DESKTOP.EXE onto your hard disk, you can load it 
		from the Program Manager.  If the user does NOT have a 
		previous copy of BWCC.DLL, the user should copy BWCC.DLL 
		to the windows directory (\WINDOWS as default).  DESKTOP.EXE 
		does not have to be in a 'pathed' directory.  When starting 
		DESKTOP.EXE for the first time, be sure to double click on the 
		DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer Icon) to do your initial setup.  
		To start DESKTOP.EXE everytime you start Windows, either include 
		DESKTOP.EXE in your STARTUP folder in the Program Manager or add 
		DESKTOP.EXE to the "load=" line of your WIN.INI file.

	TO SELECT BITMAP FILES TO RANDOMIZE...
		To select bitmap files to randomize, the user must first 
		double click on the DESKTOP icon (Bitmap Randomizer icon).  
		Once the Chooser dialog appears, the user must change the 
		directory to where his bitmaps are located.  Then, select the 
		file to be included in the randomize list.  Indicate whether 
		this bitmap will be tiled or centered.  Finally, double click 
		on this bitmap name to copy the name into the Randomized list.  
		This bitmap is now included in the randomize process.

		To add RLE files, type "*.RLE" in the FILENAME box.  This will 
		list all files matching "*.RLE" in the FILES list box.  Then, 
		repeat the previous steps to select the RLE files.

		Currently, the maximum number of bitmaps the DESKTOP will 
		handle is 400 files for registered users and 100 files for 
		unregistered users.

	TO REMOVE BITMAP FILES FROM THE RANDOMIZED LIST...
		To remove a bitmap from the Randomized list, the user must 
		select the file on the Randomized list and push the Remove 
		button.  This file is now removed from the randomized process.

	TO VIEW THE BITMAP ON THE DESKTOP...
		Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list, this 
		bitmap can be immediately viewed on the desktop.  The user 
		must double click on this bitmap file in the Randomized list 
		box.  Then, the chosen bitmap file is immediately displayed 
		on the desktop.

	TO CHANGE THE BITMAP'S ATTRIBUTE (CENTERED / TILED)...
		Once the bitmap is included in the Randomized list box, its 
		attribute (centered or tiled) cannot be changed directly.  
		Instead, the user must remove this file from the Randomized 
		list and re-add this bitmap with the changed attribute.
	
	TO ALLOW DESKTOP.EXE TO CHANGE BITMAP ON CERTAIN TIME INTERVALS...
		DESKTOP.EXE allows the ability of randomly changing bitmaps 
		on certain time intervals.  To turn this feature on, the user 
		must select the PROPERTIES... menu item in the application's 
		system menu.  This will pop up the Properties dialog.  To turn 
		this feature on, check the Periodic Setting checkbox.  Then, 
		indicate the number of minutes between wallpaper changes.  The 
		largest interval is sixty minutes for registered users and two 
		minutes for unregistered users.  If this feature is turned off, 
		DESKTOP should terminate itself in approximately one minute.

	TO CHANGE RANDOMIZATION SETTINGS (RANDOMIZE / SERIAL)...
		There are two randomization settings, RANDOMIZE and SERIAL.   
		RANDOMIZE setting is just like any randomize routine, it choose 
		the next wallpaper randomly.  The SERIAL setting just cycles through 
		the list of bitmaps in order.  This way, one can be ensured 
		that the same bitmap will not be chosen again unless all other 
		bitmaps has been chosen.  To change the randomization setting, the 
		user must select the PROPERTIES... menu iten in the application's 
		system menu.  This will pop up the Properties dialog.  To choose 
		the RANDOMIZE setting, click on the Randomize radio button.  To 
		choose the SERIAL setting, click on the Serial radio button.



INCLUDED FILES

	DESKTOP.EXE		The application.
	DESKTOP.WRI		This file.
	BWCC.DLL		Only required if one does not already exist



SHAREWARE

	Please support the shareware concept by sending $15 if you decide to continue 
	using this application after 14 days.  One method of registering DESKTOP is to 
	write a check payable to Huy Cat and send to the following address.  Please 
	include your name, address, and check to the following address:

	Huy Cat
	4316 Chateau Road
	Orlando, FL 32808

	Another method for registering DESKTOP is through CompuServe.  CompuServe 
	has a Shareware Database (GO SWREG) that will allow you to register using your 
	CompuServe Account.  When registering with SWREG, use Registration ID 948.



BUGS

	Please report any improvements, suggestions, or bugs to my CompuServe 
	account: 70670,1636.  Or, write to the address specified above.  Thank you  
	for trying out DESKTOP and enjoy the program.


	
HISTORY

Version 1.0 - Original release
Version 1.0a - Fixed minor bugs
Version 1.1a - Extended time interval limit from 1 minute to 2 minutes for unregistered users and
	from 1 minute to 60 minutes for registered users.  Fixed minor timing bugs.
Version 1.1b - Fixed MessageBox bugs.
Version 1.2a - Changed randomize function so that the same bitmap will not be re-used if another
	bitmap exists.
Version 1.3 - Added RANDOMIZE/SERIAL settings.
Version 1.4 - DESKTOP now checks to make sure you don't go over the maximum limit of 
	bitmap files.  This check was not performed before and could create unknown problems.
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