Thank you for trying EZSaver™, a simple but powerful tool that lets you use images, sound recordings and movies to create new screensavers, slideshows and automatic multimedia presentations.

The sections below contain information on...

   Developing a new screensaver (or presentation, or slideshow)

   Saving your creation to a .SCR or .EXE

   Using the screensavers you make

   Info for advanced users

   Getting technical support

   Getting registration codes

   Other products by EZ Software™

______________________________

EZSaver v2.4 (Copyright 1995-1998)

by

EZ Software™

ezsoft@compuserve.com

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ezsoft


Using EZSlideShow

(Continue to Saving to a .SCR or .EXE file...)

Developing a new screensaver/presentation/slide show

Developing a saver is a very simple process.  First, build a list of images.  The screensaver will display these images in order, and start over when finished.  The Test button (to the right of the image list) runs the entire screensaver, whatever its current stage of development.  Each file in the list can be an image (.BMP format) or a movie (.AVI format).  Each image or movie has its own set of control options:

- the background color to use

- the number of seconds the image or movie should stay on screen

- the built-in animation effects to use (images only)

- the display rate of the animation frames are to be displayed (images only)

- the sound file, if any, to play while the image is displayed

Adding New Files...	Animated Effects...

Transition Effects...	Image Movement...

Seconds On Screen...	Milliseconds Delay...

Adding Sound Files...	Sound Options...

Making Changes Later...	Slideshow Mode...

(NOTE: in order to play .AVI files, a Windows 3.x PC must have Microsoft™ Video for Windows™ installed.  Windows 95 and NT 4 machines should already be able to play .AVI movies.  If using Windows 3.x, visit our web site at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ezsoft for a link to download a free Video for Windows runtime version.  In order to play .WAV sound files, a PC must have a sound card and the required drivers for it properly installed).

Continue to Saving to a .SCR or .EXE file...


Saving to aA .SCR or .EXE

(Continue to Using screensavers...)

Saving the saver or presentation to a .SCR or .EXE

When you are satisfied with the screensaver you've developed, and want to save it as a new screensaver (or program) file, just set the Save Options (see below) as desired and press the Save as New Screensaver button.

This opens a window that lets you specify the name of the screensaver file (if you select a name that already exists, you will be notified and given the chance to either overwrite the existing file or select another name).  If you do not include a file extension, the extension ".SCR" will be added automatically.

(Note: If you want the file to be a program, rather than a screensaver, use the file extension ".EXE".  Use this naming convention for presenations or slideshows)

When the file name is selected and you press OK, you'll see a final window that lets you enter the screensaver's description, plus your registration codes (if you have them - codes are not needed for testing, but the resulting file will display a message regarding the program evaulation status.  You will only have to enter your codes one time).

When you press OK on this window, EZSaver™ immediately creates your new saver!  If you've selected the Make Install Program option (see below), it also at that time modifies the saver-installation program.

Save Options:

Store Images in Saver

If this option is selected, EZSaver™ will add all image and/or movie files to the screensaver file as it is created, making it a completely self-contained screensaver that does not require any other files to run.   This option is usually used if the screensaver file is to be distributed, and you will need to select this option if you plan to distribute the saver using the customized installation program generated by the  Make Install Program (see below).  Note that if you use any redundant image or sound files, EZSaver will store the file only once to save space.

If this option is not on when the saver file is created, EZSaver™ make a new screensaver file, but will not will add the images and movies to it.  In this case, when the screensaver runs, it will expect to find the image and movie files as they were when the saver was developed.   This method is great for home or single-computer use because less hard-disk space is used.

Make Install Program

When this option is selected, EZSaver will customize the included file EZSAVSET.EXE when the screensaver file is created.  EZSAVSET.EXE is an installation program that copies the screensaver to the \WINDOWS directory and makes it the default screensaver.

This lets you make a distribution diskette!  Just copy your new screensaver file to the diskette, and also copy the customized EZSAVSET.EXE to the diskette.  You should probably give it a different name, though, like INSTALL.EXE or SETUP.EXE.

Continue to Using screensavers...


WinSavers
(Continue to For Advanced Users...)

Using screensavers you create

Windows 3.x

Locate the Control Panel icon (usually found in the program grouptitled "Main"), double-click it to run it, then double-click the Desktop icon to run that.  Locate the section titled "Screen Saver".

Click the downward-pointing arrow just to the right of the current screensaver to get a list of all savers in the \WINDOWS directory, and locate the description you typed when you created the saver.  Click the description to select the saver.

Use the Test button to immediately see the saver run, the Setup button to set password options.

(Note:  You may also notice a saver entitled "EZSaver 2.4".  This is a copy of EZSAVER.EXE that has been copied to your \WINDOWS directory during setup, under the name EZSAVER2.SCR.  This saver displays the EZ Software logo demonstrating a few if the animation effects.  As a convenience, you can also use this saver's Setup button to create new savers).

Windows 95

Click the right mouse button anywhere exposed on the desktop.  Then, click Properties to run the Display panel.  Click on the Screen Saver tab at the top of the panel.

(Note: you can also run the Display panel by clicking the START button and selecting Settings/Control Panel, which displays a Display icon you can double-click)

Click the downward-pointing arrow just to the right of the current screensaver to get a list of all savers in the \WINDOWS directory, and locate the description you typed when you created the saver.  Click the description to select the saver.

Use the Preview button to immediately see the saver run, the Settings button to set password options.

(Note:  You may also notice a saver entitled "EZSaver 2.4".  This is a copy of EZSAVER.EXE that has been copied to your \WINDOWS directory during setup, under the name EZSAVER2.SCR.  This saver displays the EZ Software logo demonstrating a few if the animation effects.  As a convenience, you can also use this saver's Setup button to create new savers).

Passwords

Password information is stored in CONTROL.INI, and is the same password used by the standard Microsoft screensavers (Flying Windows, Mystify,  etc.).

If you forget your password, use NOTEPAD to edit CONTROL.INI.  Find the section labelled [ScreenSaver], and delete the line that starts with "Password = ".

Continue to For Advanced Users...


For Advanced Users
(Continue to Getting technical support...)

For Advanced Users....

Tips

You can see from playing with EZSaver a little that the best effect is achieved if the logo image's background matches the selected screen background.  EZSaver performs no image "masking", and therefore can achieve smooth animation on a wide range of PC's.

You should crop the image close to the logo itself (in other words, don't leave a lot of margin) to minimize initial calculations and get full animation rolling as quickly as possible.

The best image format to use is 256 colors.  The vast majority of Windows PCs now have at least this capability, and the images still look very photographic.  If you use 24-bit images, they will look OK on any PC with a 24-bit display, but not good at all on lesser machines.  This is because EZSaver does not spend the time to find the best 256 colors out of a 16-million-color image (this takes even commercial photo-retouching packages a few seconds to do).

Saving several saver configurations

By default, EZSaver stores the current state (of the saver under development) in the file \WINDOWS\CONTROL.INI.  But, if EZSaver is given the name of an existing text file (as a command-line parameter), it will store saver information in that file instead.  This makes it possible to store various configurations, each in a separate .INI text file.

For example, use the NOTEPAD program to create a new, empty text file named C:\EZSAVER\SAVER1.INI.  Next, make a new EZSaver icon by holding down the CTRL key and dragging an existing EZSaver icon to an empty spot in the same window (the "EZSaver" program group or folder), and give the icon a new name (in this example, "Saver 1").  Finally, open the new icon's Properties dialog box, and change the command line (or target) from...

EZSAVER.EXE

...to...

EZSAVER.EXE C:\EZSAVER\SAVER1.INI

Now, when you run EZSaver using this new icon, all info will be stored in the new text .INI file.  You can store as many different saver configurations as needed using this method.

Special uses

CD's

EZSaver has been used as the display engine for nature and instructional image CD's (this type of program use requires either the Corporate or Unlimited license).  The technique you should use to create an .EXE that reads images from a CD (which might be a logical D: on one PC, but an E: drive on another) bears mentioning:

EZSaver stores the entire file paths (of each image, movie or sound file) in the .INI file, including the drive letter.  However, you can manually edit the .INI file to remove the drive letters, making sure the remaining path starts with a '"\".  Then, save the .INI file and create the .EXE (you will want to turn off the "Store images in saver" option).  The resulting program will be able to find the files, whether they are located in C, D, E or any letter.

Corporate network-based screensaver

Since an EZSaver screensaver can read images directly from files at runtime (if the "Store images in saver" option is disabled when the .SCR is created), a dynamic screensaver system is possible.  For example, give all network users read access to a network directory logically named, say, G:\CORPSAVR (or whatever works for you).  Build a saver that reads files from this directory at runtime.  Then, of course, changes to the saver can be broadcast to everyone simply by changing the files (be they image, sound, or even motion) in the shared network directory.

The same screensaver could also be copied to a file with a .EXE extenstion, and the result dropped into users' Startup folders, so that upon starting their PC's they see the latest screensaver pages, even if they never leave their machines alone long enough to activate the screensaver.

Continue to Getting technical support...


Support
(Continue to Getting Registration codes...)

Support

Please send any questions to EZ Software™ via e-mail at ezsoft@compuserve.com.  You can expect a very prompt reply - our systems check e-mail several times each hour, so we can usually reply the very same day.

Please do not call any phone number listed in this help file, because these numbers are for orders only!   The people who answer them are not employees of EZ Software, are not at all familiar with EZSaver, and can not help you in any way.  Thanks in advance for complying with this request, as our order-processing contractor charges us when users call with questions.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does the image bounce around the screen at first?

EZSaver™ calculates animation frames during this first stage.  This is the key to EZSaver's smooth animation effects.  The more effects you select, and the larger the image, the longer this stage requires.  If the Movement option is "Centered", the image will not bounce during this stage.

Why does the screensaver stop working after a minute or so?

This time limit is removed when registration codes are used to create the saver.

Does EZSaver support passwords?  What if I forget mine?

EZSaver supports the Microsoft password system.  The password used is stored in the file \WINDOWS\CONTROL.INI.  To remove a password you can't remember, delete the screensaver password entry in CONTROL.INI using Notepad or any other text editor.

How does the "Make Install Program" option work?

EZSaver modifies the file EZSAVSET.EXE by placing your saver's description and file name into it.  Then you can copy EZSAVSET.EXE to a diskette using a different name (like INSTALL.EXE) and of course also copy your new saver to the diskette, too.  The diskette is then ready to install the saver to any Windows PC.

EZSaver modifies the file EZSAVSET.EXE by placing your saver's description and file name into it.  Then you can copy EZSAVSET.EXE to a diskette using a different name (like INSTALL.EXE) and of course also copy your new saver to the diskette, too.  The diskette is then ready to install the saver to any Windows PC.

Can I rearrange the images without deleting and re-adding them?

Sure.  Just open CONTROL.INI with a simple text editor (like Notepad) and locate the lines that reads:  [Screen Saver.EZSaver 2.4].  Below that are lots of lines that help EZSaver remember how you left it.  The lines that begin Image1, Image2, etc. contain the information seen in the Images List.  Rearrange the order the lines are in, and then make sure the Image1, Image2, etc. sequence is restored.  Save CONTROL.INI and restart EZSaver to see your changes take effect.

I'm using Windows 95, and in the saver list, the 1st letter is gone from a saver's description.  How do I fix that?

Win95 sometimes does this with very short, one-word descriptions.  You can usually fix this by re-creating the saver with a slightly different description.

Can I upgrade from my EZSaver 1.x license?

Yes.  Check for the upgrade product codes on the Registration page.  The registration code you will receive can be used to convert your old password (the second code) into a version 2.x password.

Just run the supplied program UPDPASSW.EXE when you get your upgrade registration code to convert your existing password (the second code) into a new password.  Then, create your savers using the original first code and the new second code.

Continue to Getting Registration codes...


Registration
(Return to Index...)

Registration

EZSaver™ may be registered:

  - with a credit card, through NorthStar Solutions (toll-free number and online ordering!)

  - via CompuServe's Shareware Registration service (GO SWREG)

  - using a VirtualPIN from the First Virtual(TM) Internet Payment service

  - with a check mailed to EZ Software

Each payment method is explained in detail below.

Savers created with EZSaver are improved in the following ways when you have registration codes:

-No "Evaluation" banner message

-No one-minute time limit

-Password protection activated

-"Information" button bypasses ordering info and goes straight to help file

Product Codes

The following table lists the available licenses, their prices and product numbers.  Prices are in US dollars:

License	Price	SWREG #	NorthStar #

-------	-----	-------	-----------

Individual	$25	15520	1657

Corporate	$175	15521	1659

Unlimited	$275	15522	1660

This table lists prices to upgrade from version 1.x to version 2.x

(Note: codes you receive with an upgrade license work only if you already have v1.x codes)

License	Price	SWREG #	NorthStar #

-------	-----	-------	-----------

Individual	$12.50	15523	1661

Corporate	$50	15524	1662

Unlimited	$50	15525	1663

This table lists prices to upgrade from Individual to the other licenses:

License	Price	SWREG #	NorthStar #

-------	-----	-------	-----------

Corporate	$150	N/A	1278

Unlimited	$250	N/A	1277

License Descriptions

The Individual license entitles you to create all the screensavers you wish, but does not allow any business-oriented distribution to other users.   However, distribution of savers you've created to friends and family is encouraged!

The Corporate license permits unlimited distribution of business-oriented screensavers that are NOT resold.  Unlike the individual license, the registration codes supplied with this license let you create savers that contain no reference to EZ Software.

The Unlimited license permits you to create all the screensavers you wish, distribute them freely for any purpose, and sell them.  The registration codes supplied with this license let you create savers that contain no reference to EZ Software.  Also, a personalized version of the software is available at no charge when you purchase this license.

(To create this personalized version, we have you send an icon and a bitmap.  The icon is visible on the Windows 95 screensaver panel, and the bitmap is visible whenever a user presses the Setup or Settings button of a saver you've created.  We will create a personalized demo copy upon request).

Payment Methods

CREDIT CARD ORDERS:

We have contracted NorthStar Solutions to take credit card orders and provide registration codes immediately.

NorthStar provides ONLY registration services and cannot answer ANY technical questions!  Send all questions about the programs to EZ Software.

To order with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card, call 1-800-699-6395 between the hours of 10am and 8pm EST, Monday through Saturday. Callers outside the U.S. can call 1-803-699-6395 during the same hours.

You can also order online at NorthStar's Web Site:

http://nstarsolutions.com/557.htm

A secure form is available at:

https://www24.hway.net/nstars/557-s.htm

You can also send a fax to 1-803-699-5465.

Please provide (or be prepared to provide) the following information when ordering:

* The program you are registering (please include the product number)

* Your mailing address

* Your Visa, MasterCard or Discover # and its expiration date

* Your e-mail address

(Note: NorthStar handles the order taking for many software companies, and their phone numbers are sometimes busy.  If you have difficulty reaching them by phone, please consider using the fax or online ordering options.

Or, send an e-mail to ezsoft@compuserve.com.  If you include in the e-mail your credit card info, we will process the order through NorthStar for you.  If you do not want to send credit card info via e-mail, send your telephone number instead, and EZ Software will contact you to get the info, or arrange some other form of payment.)

COMPUSERVE'S SWREG:

In case you are new to the SWREG system, here are some steps to follow:

Log in and  GO SWREG.

Double-click "Register Shareware"

Read the agreement and click the "Proceed" button

Double-click on the line representing your geographical region

Double-click on "Registration ID" and enter 15520 (or 15521 thru 15525)

Double-click on "Display Selected Files"

Double-click on "EZSaver"

Fill in the form and press the "Continue" button

CompuServe will immediately notify EZ Software via e-mail, and EZ Software will then e-mail registration codes to your CompuServe address, usually on the same day.

FIRST VIRTUAL:

Another alternative registration method is available via the First Virtual(TM) Internet Payment service.  This $5-per-year service lets you use your credit card to make purchases over the internet without sending your card information over the net.

You can register with First Virtual, and learn more about this payment method, by visiting their web page at:

http://www.fv.com/newacct/

MAILING A CHECK:

If you can draw the check on a U.S. bank, then it should be in U.S. dollars for the exact amount of the product. If you can not do this, find out the current exchange rate, add $13 to the product price, convert the total to your country's currency, and make the check out in your currency.

Send all paper correspondance to the following address. To ensure a prompt response, you should also send e-mail notification letting us know that you have sent paper correspondance.

EZ Software

P.O. Box 181302

Fairfield, OH 45018

Return to Index...


Other EZ Software Products

Other products by EZ Software™ (Windows 3.1 and Windows 95)

All product demos are available on the Web...

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ezsoft

...and are also available on CompuServe (GO WINSHARE)

The Talking Keyboard™ (TALKKEY.ZIP)

A friendly female voice clearly pronounces the names of letters, numbers and other keys when pressed.  Each zooms to eye-catching size, and is added to the screen like a word processor.  Other programs locked out to protect system from little fingers.  Record Mode makes customization easy, fun.   **NEW** - pronounces keys while running *any* program!  Selectable fonts, colors, and recording options.   Sound card required, microphone needed to customize. $13

Football 2000™ (FB2000.ZIP)

Action football game.  Over 30 enhancements in this revision include improved player logic and appearance, full color support, great new sounds, penalties, overtime, timeouts and more.   Player vs. computer, computer vs. computer, screensaver, and new coach mode.  Game is fully functional for 31 days once installed.  486-50DX or better recommended.  Speed of play adjustable;  5 difficulty levels; customizable. $13

EZAnimator™ (EZANIM.ZIP)

EZ Animator (Windows 3.x and 95) displays a sequence of images (in .BMP-format) in a fast,continuous loop.   Works as standalone program or screensaver.  Can read images directly from .ZIP files.  Number, size of images limited only by a PC's speed and memory.  Several different loop sequences can be pre-programmed, each for a specified amount of time.  Demo works unhindered for 31 days after it is installed.  $10.

EZDialup™ (EZDIALUP.ZIP)

Turn a PC and modems into a multi-line dialup file server with EZDialup.  Client-side software included.   Securely distributes files to remote callers using pre-programmed scripts.   Developer's API and comms library included for e

xtended flexibility.  Download, upload, zip, unzip, move up, move down, execute programs, and more.  Awarded FOUR STARS by PC Magazine Online (www.pcmag.com).  Source examples included.  $65

Courier Plus™ (COURPLUS.ZIP)

Courier Plus (useful for CompuServe users only) is an email retriever/responder designed for:

   -any WinCIM 2.x user who wants e-mail auto-retrieved at regular intervals

   -shareware developers who send codes when they get SWREG's

   -businesses needing an automatic e-mail subject-line responder

Now supports all WinCIM 2.x versions and languages other than English.  Supports all mailbox types, SWREG authentications, attached files, customized responses, filing, history log, imports from WinCIM, exports to ASCII.  Un-crippled 31-day trial version.  $19

Return to Index...


Adding New Image Files
Adding new files

Click the top line of the Image List.  This opens a window from which you can select a .BMP or .AVI file.  EZSaver supports from 1 to 150 images in this list.

When you press OK, you will see another window from which you can select a background color.  Once the color is selected and you press this window's OK button, you will see the Image Settings window, from which all options are selected.

You can press the Test button at any time to see how the image will behave when the saver runs.


Animated Effects

Each image can use any of the built-in animation effects included in EZSaver™.  Simply check the effect options you want to use with the image.   While EZSaver displays this image, it will randomly switch between the options you have selected, and also occasionally display the image without animation, as a still.

Note that if the file you select is an .AVI file, the effect options will not be visible (since movies can not be controlled by the animation options).


Transition Effects

Each image can use any of the built-in transition effects included in EZSaver.  Simply check which transition option you want to use with the image.   Just before EZSaver moves on to the next image, the selected transition effect will be seen.  If no transition effect is selected, the image will simply blink out just before the next image is displayed.

Note that if the file you select is an .AVI file, the transition options will not be visible (since movies can not be controlled by the transition options).


Image Movement

Simply check the movement option you wish the image to use.  These options will not be visible any time the selected file is a movie (movies are centered in the screen, surrounded by the selected background color).


Seconds on screen

This number specifies the number of seconds the image or movie will appear on screen before moving on to the next image or movie.  Note that when only one image is in the Image List, this number has no meaning (since there are no other images).

If the file is a movie, set this number to 0 to have the movie play through once, then advance to the next image or movie.  Otherwise, EZSaver will repeat the movie until the requested number of seconds has passed.


Milliseconds Ddelay
Milliseconds Delay

This number controls the speed of the animation effects.  The higher the number, the slower the animation.  At 1000, there is a full second delay between each animation frame.  This number pertains only to images and has no meaning for movies.


Sound Files

You can use the Select Sound button to choose a .WAV-format sound file to play while the image. or silent .AVI movie, is displayed.

To later remove a sound file from an image, remove the name of the sound file where it appears below the Select Sound button.


Sound Options

If you select the Play One Time option, the sound file will play one time and stop.

If you select the Repeat While Image Displayed option, the sound file will play again and again until time for the next image (because the Seconds on Screen time has elapsed, or an .AVI movie has completed).

If you select the Start Next Image When Done option, the image or .AVI will stay on the screen until the sound file finishes playing.  This overrides the Seconds on Screen value, and causes .AVI movies to restart if they finish before the sound file does.  This also overrides Slideshow Mode (see below): if this option is selected for an image, EZSaver will not wait for a user click to advance to the next image.


Making Changes Later

You can later return to the Image Settings for any image or movie by simply clicking on it in the Image List.


Slideshow Mode
Slideshow Mode (v2.4 and newer)

You can select the Operate as slide show option to have EZSaver keep each image on the screen until the user clicks the mouse buttons or presses a key.

If this option is selected, the ESC key must be pressed to stop the presentation.

When this option is selected, the left mouse button will make EZSaver advance to the next image, while the right mouse button makes EZSaver retreat to the previous image.  At the same time, any key (other than ESC or BackSpace) will make EZSaver advance to the next image, while the BackSpace key makes EZSaver retreat to the previous image.