Mantis Development Corporation announces Living Desktop, the first
application to provide automated customization of the Macintosh desktop
background.

West Newton, Mass., August 3, 1993 - - Mantis Development Corporation today
announced Living Desktop,  the first application to provide automated
customization of the Macintosh desktop background.  Living Desktop
replaces the standard 8-pixel by 8-pixel desktop background with
sophisticated, professionally designed artwork in the Pixel Pattern
("ppat") format.  Those used by Living Desktop may be up to 128 by 128
pixels in size and contain up to 256 colors.  Living Desktop comes with
110 professionally designed desktop patterns which can be alternated
manually, or automatically using the built-in, user configurable timer. 
Registered users receive a one year Electronic Artists Consortium (EAC)
membership.  EAC provides a continuous supply of high quality patterns,
discounted graphics software and services, and 40 new patterns to newly
registered users.

Highlights of the program's features include: 

1)  Minimal Random Access Memory (RAM) and disk requirements 
    (69k of RAM, 45k disk space).
2)  Automated pattern switching using the built-in, configurable timer.
3)  Fast Forward and Fast Backward controls for "slide show" effect.
4)  Manual pattern switching controls.
5)  Streamlined, intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI).
6)  A total of 150 sophisticated, professionally designed 
    background patterns.
7)  Number of patterns limited only by disk storage capacity.
8)  Option to keep patterns installed even when Living Desktop
    is no longer running.
9)  Free one year Electronic Artists Consortium (EAC) membership 
    upon product registration.
10) 90 day money-back satisfaction guarantee.

"Living Desktop was designed with maximum efficiency, stability and ease of
use in mind," says Barbara Mikolajczak, General Manager of Mantis
Development Corporation.  "As an application, Living Desktop provides
functionality and efficiency not possible with Control Panels or INITs
[System Extensions].  It doesn't eat up your System memory or conflict
with other software as Control Panels and INITs frequently do.  And the
user is always in full control of the program using a familiar,
streamlined Macintosh interface."

Registered Living Desktop owners receive a one year Electronic Artists
Consortium (EAC) membership.  Founded by Mantis Development Corporation,
EAC is composed of software vendors, graphics professionals, artists, and
consumers dedicated to the creation and distribution of superior quality
patterns, graphics software and Desktop patterns are professionally
designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of
categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of
Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous.
Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background
artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with
Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures
& Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Living Desktop patterns are professionally
designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of
categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of
Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous.
Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background
artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with
Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures
& Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as
background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which
ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora,
Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Livdditional patterns are
available through EAC.

Many users have reported that Living Desktop lessens eye strain and
promotes longer, more pleasurable use of their Macintosh.  Says Fidelity
Investments' Patricia Cahalane, "Every day I spend several hours in front
of my Macintosh.  Until I began using Living Desktop, I found my eyes were
fatigued well before the workday was over.  Now I'm regularly treated to a
refreshing background without interrupting my work flow.  My windows and
icons float above the art, giving me something beautiful to look at while
I work.  My eyes are less strained, and I find time on my Mac more
enjoyable now. I've seen plenty of other pattern utilities, but Living
Desktop is the first to offer true artwork."

Says Alex Sirota of Apple Computer Inc.,
"Thanks for giving me the first product which

 1. is compatible fully with everything because it is NOT an 
    extension or control panel but an application. Great decision.
 2. does not take much memory
 3. is utterly beautiful
 4. works as advertised and actually gives me new patterns. This is 
    the After Dark of desktop pattern switchers."

Availability and Price

Currently shipping, Living Desktop is available directly from Mantis
Development Corporation.  $59.95 MSRP.  Several discount incentives are
offered (see below).  Free demonstration versions of Living Desktop are
available through America Online, CompuServe and directly from Mantis
Development Corporation.

Discounts

50% Competitive Upgrade Discount - Users who own a competing desktop
pattern utility receive a 50% discount off the suggested retail price.

30% Network Discount - Members of an electronic network service
(CompuServe, America Online, etc.) receive a 30% discount off the
suggested retail price and receive the product and documentation
electronically.

20% User Group Discount - Members of a computer user group (BCS, BMUG,
etc.) receive a 20% discount off the suggested retail price.

Specifications

Living Desktop can be used on any Macintosh running System Software 6.0.5
and higher (running Multifinder) or System 7.0 and higher, including the
Classic II, PowerBook, Duo, Quadra and Performa series of computers (with
the exception of the PowerBook 100, Mac SE and Mac Plus).  

Supports any size black & white or color monitor at any color depth. 
Multiple monitors are supported.

Living Desktop requires only  69k of RAM and 45k of disk space [pattern
files require additional disk space, but no additional RAM.  Disk
requirements vary depending on the number of patterns installed].

Mantis Development Corporation
(800) 230-6434
(617) 969-6434

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