README.TXT for ACDP

Audio Compact Disc Player (ACDP) for Windows is a program that is primarily a 
means for playing audio compact discs in Windows.  As a by-product, it also 
stores the disc and track titles in a Paradox formatted database.  Track 
programming is also available through an easy to use interface.  The program 
uses and includes the Borland Windows Custom Control Library, and the Borland 
Paradox Engine.  Requires a VGA adapter and Windows 3.1 and a CD-ROM drive!

It is assumed that you already have the CD-ROM installed and properly 
configured.  It is also assumed that you have the Windows MCI CD Audio driver 
installed and properly working.  If not, this program won't work.

ACDP.EXE should be installed in its own directory, as it will generate and 
use more files than what is included in the ZIP file.  The files BWCC.DLL and 
PXENGWIN.DLL should be copied into the Windows directory.  ACDP will also 
create a ACDP.INI file in the Windows directory.  Once the program is copied, 
it will tell you that it can't find its database files, and ask if you would 
like it to create them.  Answer yes, and the installation is complete.  

At this point the program might seem to hang - I have seen this happen only 
on drives (and drivers) sold by Sony.  As it also happens with the Media 
Player included with Windows, you might have seen this already.  It happens 
when there is no disc in the drive (or the "door" is open) upon program 
execution.  It will eventually come back and say "There is an undetectable 
problem in loading the specified device driver."  If the door is open, it may 
not come back at all (so close the door).  Anyway, since the MCI driver can't 
talk to the drive, neither can ACDP and it will let you know about that too.  
If you have a Sony drive, the best way to avoid the wait is to already have a 
disc in the drive before you start the program.  Once started, you will be 
able to change CD's without having to restart the program.  Consider yourself 
introduced to one of the many MCI bugs that I have run across in writing this 
program...

After it's finished generating its files, the next step is to actually enter 
a CD into the database.  This is done by first inserting an audio CD into the 
drive, and selecting File-Read Disc from the menu.  You will be presented 
with a dialog box with a couple of fields to fill out, and a list box with 
nothing but track numbers, and track times listed in it.  Type in the artist, 
the disc title, and the music style.  After entering the style, press TAB 
twice (trust me).  This will take you past the list box, and put you in 
another edit box.  This is where you enter the track titles.  The easiest way 
to do this is to enter the title, press SHIFT-TAB, move down to the next one, 
press TAB, and so on, until all of the titles are entered.  I entered 108 
discs this way, and it really does become "second nature" after only a few!

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Simple database editing, and a few reports are available with this release.  
Although I have quite a few plans for this program, it is only up to you 
whether or not you see these changes.  I intentionally left the nag screens 
out of the program, as I really can't stand them either, and it makes it 
harder to get a "feel" for the program.  But, I really haven't finished this 
version either.  Future versions will include (but not limited to), more 
robust reports (something besides a dump as this one does).  Searching will 
also be an option.  It will also be written to support the latest version of 
the Paradox Engine which promises all sorts of wonderful things.

If you send me $35, I will send you the latest version of the program.  This 
also entitles you to any bug-fixes that may be discovered.  I have enclosed 
an order form for your purchase.

Enjoy the program, I know I have...