*************************************************************** Lankford Screen Copy Utility Version 2.1 (June 1998) README.TXT *************************************************************** LSCU V2.1 VERSION/REVISION RELEASE NOTES: The following sections encompass the information from the LSCU V2.0 README.TXT file. V2.0 was a major version release which included many changes and new capabilities from ALL previous versions of LSCU. V2.1 is a minor version release with no drastic changes from V2.0. Hence, all of the following paragraphs apply to V2.1 as well. Please see the Version History section of the LSCU.HLP helpfile for the details of V2.1 changes. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Lankford Screen Copy Utility is a Windows-based program for automating the capturing/copying/saving of Windows screen images to disk files at the press of a key, and managing stored screen images. In short, if you can see it on a monitor screen, then this utility can capture it, save it to a file, display it, print it, resize it, crop it, add a caption, etc. In addition, starting with V2.0, LSCU now includes JPEG/JPG graphics image file format support. Captured images can now not only be modified/resized/cropped, etc., but they can be converted to JPG format to greatly reduce the file sizes through JPEG image compression. Also of use to those who use the LSCU in a professional capacity, is the ability to insert a comment, or copyright notice, directly into JPG files. This comment/copyright is NOT visible in the image itself, but is contained in the JPG file header. This utility automatically handles all of the details concerning the capturing/copying/saving of Windows screen images to disk files, and the associated viewing and management of stored files. With the utility, capturing and storing what you see is simply a matter of pressing a key. When executed/active, and the user presses the PRINT SCREEN (copies the entire screen), ALT+PRINT SCREEN (copies the active window only), or SHIFT+ALT+PRINT SCREEN (copies the active window client area only) key(s) the current screen image is automatically captured and stored in a disk file. This process repeats each time the user presses the above mentioned key(s), until the user closes the program, shuts down Windows, or the disk becomes full. Note that the above use of the PRINT SCREEN key is for illustration purposes only. The actual screen capture key used is user- selectable from the PRINT SCREEN key, or one of the function keys F5, F6, F7, or F8. The meanings of the ALT and SHIFT keys will be the same as the above, regardless of the user's selection of the screen-capture key. The default screen capture key, of course, is the PRINT SCREEN key. If you choose to use one of the function keys, your selection will be "remembered" when the program is next executed, and will remain so until you select another key to use. LSCU V2.0 is a complete rewrite of the LSCU package in a pure 100% compiled Windows-native programming language. As such, it is much faster than the previous versions, more efficient (takes advantage of Windows techniques and capabilities that previous versions could not), and has numerous items built-in to aid/assist the user. V2.0 also has a better looking interface, JPG/JPEG file format support, and numerous additional capabilities beyond those of V1.7 or earlier releases. While LSCU V2.0 is yet primarily a screen-copy utility, it has various rudimentary graphics capabilities also. Please consult the version history portion of the lscu.hlp online help file for further details of the new capabilities. In addition, LSCU V2.0 has been designed to allow for Windows programmers to extend the LSCU functionality, via add-ons and a control function in the support DLL lscusprt.dll which can be used to programmatically "drive"/control LSCU. Details on the add-ons and programmatic control are contained in the lscu.hlp online help file. EXAMPLE USES: Surfing the Internet: if you see something you like, you can copy it, regardless of browsers, image formats, download ability, etc. Also, remember that all you have to do is press a key to save the image to a file (all image acquisition, file naming, file creation, copying, saving, etc., is done for you automatically by the program). Using commercial online services: same reasoning as above. Also, since time is money when using a commercial service, remember that using this utility can really save some online dollars since you can save a screen without doing anything more than the press of a key. Although most of the commercial online services have now implemented a flat-rate structure, some have not fully done so yet. In addition, using their access software, you are at its mercy in terms of being able to make a copy of an image. Some images can possibly be copied by using a "Copy" menu item, etc., of the software, while still others may not be copied from within the package. With LSCU, this is irrelevant, as LSCU can copy anything that is visible on the monitor screen. Playing games: you can save screens as proof to your friends that you really did achieve a certain score/level in a game, etc. Using CD-ROM applications: want a copy of something you see that a CD-ROM application displays, but the application will not let you copy it? No problem, just press a key and a copy is yours, regardless of any intention to prevent images from being copied, or the inability of the software to support copying. Please consult the lscu.hlp online help file for further details. MISC.: This utility was designed from inception to operate in the Windows 3.1x environment, and was entirely tested in that system. While previous versions have also worked with Windows 95, this is NOT an indication that this particular version will work under W95 as well. If you have a previous version of LSCU that you know works well for you under W95, please backup that version first before installing V2.0, or install V2.0 to a different directory location from the other version. These precautions will allow you to reinstall the previous version, should you discover problems using V2.0 under Windows 95, and are sound practices for installing ANY software upgrades on your system. AUTHOR CONTACT: WRITTEN comments on the LSCU utility software should be addressed to the author as follows: C. L. Lankford 108 Marshall St. SW Hartselle, AL 35640-4106 U.S.A. or, via e-mail to: lankford@net-master.net (NO PHONE CALLS ACCEPTED) DISCLAIMER: As with most other software these days, there is a disclaimer. While there is no possible way for the utility to damage any hardware or software, it is probably best to disclaim damages anyway. So, here it is: The author hereby disclaims and refutes any/all responsibility for any hardware and/or software damages resulting from the use or misuse of this program (LSCU). Users of this utility explicitly assume full responsibility for any damages to their hardware or software, that might result from usage of the utility. Further, users of this utility hereby hold the author blameless for any damages, either real, perceived, or imaginary. Any person not in complete agreement with the foregoing text should not utilize this software for any purposes, whatsoever. COPYRIGHT DATA: Copyright © 1996-1998 C. L. Lankford All Rights Reserved. VERSION HISTORY: Please consult the lscu.hlp online help file for version history details. UTILITY SETUP AND REMOVAL: Setting up the utility is quite simple. If you received the software as a compressed archive file (.ZIP, .ARJ, etc.), then you must first "unzip" (for .ZIP files), or whatever de-archive procedure required, the files to a temporary location on disk (c:\temp, for example). Next, you run/execute the SETUP.EXE program that was placed in the temporary location (which completes the LSCU setup on your system). That is it! You are now ready to execute the LSCU software when you want. To execute, double click on the LSCU program item in the LSCU program group of the Program Manager. As always, make a backup of the original archive file, just in case you ever need to reinstall the package. To remove/uninstall LSCU, you should execute/run the LSCU uninstall program UNINST.EXE to do the removal. The uninstall program will remove/delete all LSCU Program Manager icons (group and items), LSCU files, etc., and should leave your system "cleaned" of all LSCU related items. As some versions/"flavors" of Windows will not permit a program to delete itself from the disk, it is possible that you may need to manually delete the UNINST.EXE file and the LSCU directory. The UNINST.EXE program will notify you, if this applies in your case. If you really want to uninstall LSCU, you need to use the uninstaller program UNINST.EXE, which will remove all traces of LSCU from your system, leaving no "remnants" of itself behind. (Note: The UNINST.EXE program itself does not exist, as such, in the LSCU package contents. UNINST.EXE is effectively created when you execute the setup program SETUP.EXE to install the package. To reviewers: There is nothing "mysterious" about how UNINST.EXE is created. When the user installs LSCU via SETUP.EXE, SETUP.EXE merely copies itself to the user specified directory and renames the copy to UNINST.EXE. The copy knows to execute as the uninstaller if its name is UNINST.EXE at execution time. There are a couple of technical reasons for handling the uninstallation program in this fashion, which we will not bore you with, and this also reduces the total LSCU distributed package size by over 15%.) REQUIREMENTS: An IBM/compatible personal computer, 386 or better, with a hard-drive large enough to hold saved images, 4MB of RAM, and Windows 3.1x/W95 operating system. Also, color printing of color images requires a color compatible/capable printer. In addition, while all other functions of LSCU can be executed via alternative keyboard techniques, a mouse pointing device is required for cropping of images. Per the heavy memory/RAM use for JPEG/JPG (de)compression, it is suggested that you have at least 8MB (eight megabytes) of RAM if you intend to fully utilize the JPEG/JPG capabilities of this package. Of course, if you have a faster processor (486, Pentium, etc.), and more RAM (8MB, 16MB, etc.), the package will work much faster and efficiently for you. PACKAGE CONTENTS: FILE_ID.DIZ - Brief LSCU package description file README.TXT - Description, installation, and usage notes LSCU.HLP - LSCU Help File SETUP.EXE - Setup/installer/uninstaller Program LSCU.EX_ - LSCU Program itself CTL3DV2.DL_ - Windows 3-D Library DLL MWJPEG.DL_ - JPEG image (de)compression Library DLL LSCUSPRT.DL_ - LSCU Support Library DLL The above files constitute the entire application package. If you archive (.ZIP, .ARJ, etc.) the package for distribution to other people or BBSs, please include ALL files. Distribution of the package is encouraged (uploading to BBS, online services, internet, etc.), subject to the following conditions: - The ENTIRE package must be distributed, this means all files listed above, and no others. - You have NOT modified/altered any of the listed files. - You have NOT included any registration codes, etc. SOFTWARE LIBRARIES/VENDORS/DISTRIBUTORS: Subject to the package contents restrictions above, you are hereby authorized to accept this package from ANY individual (or other source) for distribution via your service. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This software uses original software for JPEG developed by the Independent JPEG Group (see ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphics/jpeg). The IJG have made available a library of generic 'C' code supporting JPEG compression and decompression and have permitted its free use provided the source is acknowledged. The IJG code has been modified for use with Delphi and MS Windows and is provided as a separate .dll (mwjpeg.dll for the 16-bit version and mwjpeg32.dll for the 32-bit version). This dll may be freely distributed. OTHER INFO: This package is distributed as shareware. As such, it may be used for a 30-day trial period, without registering the software. The 30-day trial period begins when the package is first USED, and is not related to download dates or setup dates in any way. During the trial period LSCU is fully functional. A reminder info screen will be displayed at the close of the application, to provide trial days remaining info, and direct the user to the appropriate "Help" items for registration. Once registered, no time limits are imposed, no reg. info screens are loaded/displayed, and the program will load faster when executed, as registered versions do not look at any time-lock information or load the order/registration info screens into memory. If not registered, the program will cease to execute (other than provide access to reg./order info) after the 30-day trial period. The program provides the capability to print an order form, etc. Registering is done by entering a numeric code that matches a user's name. This code is sent to the user upon payment, sent by the user's choice of either e-mail or conventional mail delivery. The registration cost is $10 (ten dollars, $U.S., drawn on a U.S. bank, money order, etc.). Users outside the U.S., please note that payment MUST be in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank, or a U.S. Money Order. If you have email access, this is the preferred delivery method, as it is the fastest and least labor/cost intensive method of delivery. Note: if you accept delivery by email, your order will be filled before conventional mail deliveries. Top priority is given to orders that: (1) are accompanied by the order form with all required info entered CORRECTLY, (2) will accept delivery by email, and (3) accompanying payment by check/money-order is properly and correctly filled out per payment instructions. If you wish delivery of the reg. code by conventional mail, then you MUST also provide a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) with your order. This will reduce the time, cost, materials, and labor involved with processing your order, and will speed the registration process/delivery considerably. Once you register, the registration code sent to you will upgrade/register ANY version of LSCU that you acquire. This is its primary selling point, that you only pay reg. fees once, future upgrades will always accept the same reg. code that you already have. In addition, registered users may request problem support for 60 days following the processing of their registration, with the 60 days beginning on the date that their reg. code is mailed/e-mailed out. While there is a "No Refund" policy (since once you have the reg. code, we cant "undo" your use of it), and some problems may not be solvable (due to hardware/software limitations, etc.), every means possible will be used to attempt problem solutions. The 60 days is the time that you have to report a problem and request a solution, if one is possible. Once a problem is reported, the solution effort is "outside" of the 60 day time-frame, and a solution (if any) will be provided to you regardless of the elapsed time since your registration. Last, please contact the author if you have questions or problems. If you need a response to a question (or problem) please use e-mail to contact the author (e-mail is faster and cheaper - much more efficient) at the following e-mail address: lankford@net-master.net Also, please note that the latest/current version of the LSCU can always be downloaded from the following internet WWW web site URL(s): http://www.net-master.net/~lankford/index.html or, simply http://www.net-master.net/~lankford/