READ THIS FIRST! 

CD.EXE - CD Player for Windows, v1.0
note: the last version of this program was CDPLAY.EXE v0.97

completed 1/11/96
e-mail: nsmith@postoffice.ptd.net

Check major FTP sites (such as the one where you found 
	this) for updates and future releases

NOTE: free program updates are available direct from the author 
	(as long as I can keep up with demand) -- e-mail me for
	more info -- 
	
	IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS, TAKE ADVANTAGE 
			OF THIS!
	
	Updates are available on a relatively regular basis.


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
-------------------------

To install the CD Player program, you need only copy it to
	either your Windows directory or any other directory
	where there's room (you could even give it it's own
	directory!) Also make sure you copy CD.HLP either to
	the same directory as the EXE or your WINDOWS
	directory

To run CD Player, use the Program Manager's "FILE | RUN..." 
	command and type "C:\WINDOWS\CD.EXE" (or whatever
	directory you've used to give a home to the
	program) and press "OK".

			- or -
	
	Give it it's own icon in the Program Manager:
		1. Click on File | New
		2. Select 'New Program Item'
		3. Hit 'OK'
		4. Type in a name and the path where 
		   CD.EXE resides
		5. Select an icon
		6. Hit 'OK'
		7. It's that easy!

To un-install CD Player (I'm sure you won't need to read 
	this), just delete the file CD.EXE from wherever it
	resides, as well as CD.HLP and this text file.  
	IT'S THAT EASY!!

NOTE: IF THE CD-PLAYER PROGRAM DOESN'T RUN OR CRASHES YOUR 
	COMPUTER OR DOES ANYTHING ELSE THAT IT OBVIOUSLY 
	SHOULDN'T DO, DON'T GIVE UP!  THERE'S STILL HOPE, 
	as long as you e-mail me to let me know:
		1. what happened?
		2. what kind of computer and peripherals do 
		   you have?
		3. what software was running at the time?
		4. can you already play audio CDs with
		   Windows Media Player (or any other CD
		   playing utility in Windows)?
		4. any comments?
	If I receive any responses of this sort, I'll address
	the problem as soon as possible and send information on
	updates to your return e-mail address (if you include it)



PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
--------------------

-  relatively quick 386 or above IBM/compatible computer running
	Windows 3.1 or above (NOTE: as far as I know this program
	has yet to be tested under Windows 95 or anything else but
	Win 3.1 and Win 3.1 w/Win32s.  However, CD Player should
	run smoothly under any operating system capable of running
	Windows 3.1 programs, such as Win95 and OS/2.
	CAVEAT EMPTOR!)

-  CD-ROM drive and sound card (properly set up)
	NOTE: if you can't already play audio CDs with Windows
	Media Player, then you probably won't be able to with
	this program...

-  a mouse

-  I would recommend use with a display supporting AT LEAST 
	64,000 COLORS (hi-color), simply because it looks like
	%$@# in 256 colors and below (NOTE: if you REALLY like
	this program and you want to keep using it, BUT you 
	don't have a hi-color or true-color display, e-mail me
	(see below) and I'll send you a low-color version) 


GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USAGE
----------------------------

Use it any way you want.

For those who need help, just click on the little question mark
button to open the help file.  

There aren't any hidden features or menus to work through - 
what you see is what you get. 

Any other questions, please e-mail me (see below)


FEATURES (as of version 1.0)
-----------------------------

-  Now includes Windows help file (complete w/diagrams)

-  Fully graphical interface (no standard text or keyboard used),
	can be completely controlled with a mouse
	(NOTE: DO NOT RUN THIS PROGRAM IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A
	MOUSE OR OTHER GRAPHICAL INPUT DEVICE.  THE PROGRAM 
	CAN'T BE CONTROLLED WITH A KEYBOARD)

-  plays CDs

-  no complicated installation: if your computer is multimedia
	equipped and is already set up for use with Windows,
	this program should(?) work just fine.  NOTE: this program
	probably won't play audio CDs unless you can already play
	audio CDs under Windows Media Player...

-  now includes Always On Top feature to keep the Player visible
	above other windows

-  i'm sure there are others, but as of yet they don't exist


PROGRAM INFO & HOW TO CONTACT ME
--------------------------------

NOTE: as stated above, free minor updates are available direct 
	from me -- e-mail me for more info

If for some odd reason you should find yourself using this program
	on a regular basis, I DON'T WANT MONEY!

		THIS PROGRAM IS PUBLIC DOMAIN
			  FREEWARE!!!

	But instead, I would appreciate a few minutes of your time
	to e-mail me any questions, comments, or suggestions for 
	changes and improvements I can make in future releases.
	BUG REPORTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TOO

This program was written, compiled, and in all other ways created
	using Borland Turbo C++ v3.0 Visual Edition for Windows
	on an Intel 486/33 running Windows 3.1 w/Win32s

If you would like to change or improve this program or simply see
	what makes it work, AND you know how to program in C or C++
	(or you're just messing around like me), get the 

			--SOURCE CODE--

	e-mail me to get it direct.


To contact me, please e-mail to:

	nsmith@postoffice.ptd.net
	subject: cd player
	
	please include the version of CD Player that you're
	using (in this case, v1.0)

I'll respond to all e-mail I receive as soon as possible.


FUTURE PLANS
------------

-  VERY SOON: 
	by version 1.1 there will no longer be pauses or 
	erratic stopping and starting of the time display AND 
	there will be practically no effect on system resources 
	(as it is now, the program repeatedly reads the CD drive 
	exactly once every second for status and position 
	information, which taxes about 5% of my system's 
	resources)

-  SOONER THAN YOU THINK: 
	disc and track file memory to store names and track 
	programs for each disc in your collection

  	disc/track repeat and shuffle play

  	track programming

-  SOON ENOUGH: 
	support for multiple video resolutions and color depths
	(technically this is available now, but it would result in
	a HUGE zip file or several separate ZIPs being
	distributed on FTP sites - however, if you really want a
	version with a different resolution or color depth, e-mail
	me your request and I'll send you what you need)
	
	customizable interface, size, and desktop position


KNOWN BUGS
----------

Life-threatening -- version v0.9 was actually a bug fix of v0.8,
	and 0.97 is a few minor updates up from 0.9, and v1.0
	is almost exactly the same as 0.97 (except now it includes 
	a help file) so HOPEFULLY there will be no more GPFs 
	(General Protection Faults) -- however, I can't guarantee this...

Other -- 1. occasionally, some or all of the buttons will 
	disappear while in 'Always On Top' mode - to correct this 
	see the Troubleshooting Guide below (NOTE: this will be
	corrected soon - but, it's not life-threatening...)

	2. once in a very rare while, the CD Player will behave
	'unpredictably' - however, no need to worry, no damage
	can be done - to correct these rare problems, see the
	Troubleshooting Guide in the help file (click on the
	CD Player's question mark button), or contact me 
	directly as detailed above

IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS, or notice a bug or two, please
	e-mail me and let me know (w/details if possible)


AUTHOR'S NOTE
-------------
Although I don't want any 'remuneration' for my efforts in 
creating this program (seeing as how I using it to teach myself 
Windows C++ programming), the fact remains that I'm yet another 
broke college student just trying to keep warm, SO I will accept
donations IF you would like a custom version of the program
OR just feel out of the goodness of your heart that I (he-he)
deserve it... Thanks! (by the way, if you take this seriously,
e-mail me for more info so I can try to talk you out of it...)


LEGAL DISCLAIMER
----------------
NOTE: YOU MUST AGREE TO THESE STATEMENTS BEFORE USING THE PROGRAM!

Just so I don't get sued for trying to make the world a little 
brighter, here's the rules of the game:

	1. I (the author) will not be held responsible for ANY 
	damages, monetary or otherwise, incurred by your (the ever 
	wary end user's) use of this program.  As far as I know 
	the program is virus-free and otherwise free of defects, 
	HOWEVER, this program will have passed through many hands 
	from mine to your own. AGAIN, CAVEAT EMPTOR!

	2. I think that just about covers it (by the way, if 
	someone out there reads this and sees something seriously 
	wrong with any of this, E-MAIL ME NOW! - your efforts will 
	be rewarded)

Thanks for giving my CD-Player a go, and remember that it's YOUR 
FEEDBACK ALONE that supports software authors like myself...

Have a nice night! %)