Twinkle Bulbs v2.95
(The program formerly known as Holiday Lights)
April 16, 1997

Copyright (c) 1994-98 Barefoot Productions, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

================================================================

New features in v2.95:
- fixed MIDI problem with path not finding all selected music files
- new spring/summer bulbs by tony
- fixed a couple of minor bugs related to drawing bulbs

New features in v2.93:
- updated fish bulbs by Tony
- added miniature bulbs

New features in v2.92:
- Fixed the 100% CPU problem in WinNT and Win95
- updated railroad lanterns and butterflies

New features added to v2.91:
- Icicle bulbs from Tony
- Cleaned up bulb artwork where needed
- Improved user interface so there is more room for music files
  and displaying bulb types/colors
- Added volume settings ability from program
- Rewrote internal music playback code for better compatibility
  using various sound cards and MIDI drivers
- Fixed to work with IE 4.0 and NT 5.0 Active Desktop (release versions)
- Fixed screen saver font color problem
- Fixed ping-pong and chase functions

New features added to v2.9:
- Updated ornament bulbs with 256-colors
- Cleaned up divide by zero errors/DLL icon load fail messages/crashes
- Added custom font selection for scrolling screen saver message
- Updated installer to have data files removed at uninstall time
- Updated snowflake bulbs
- Added random wind to screen saver

New features added to v2.8:
- New bulbs: santas, updated patio lanterns, tombstones,
  turkeys, presents, Indian corn, ice cream cones,
  strawberries and pretzels
- Placed bulbs in separate library (bulbs32.dll) to make
  program more efficient
- Updated screen saver detection routines
- Added scrolling message capability to screen saver
- Uninstall added to the Start Menu for Twinkle Bulbs

New features added to v2.7:
- New bulb icons by Tony Meloche of Hartford, MI including
  updated existing bulbs and candles (more to come from Tony!)
- Fixed show-stopping bugs when running in NT
- When using taskbar, desktop wallpaper or patterns fill
  the Twinkle Bulbs taskbar
- Added ability to change bulb styles/colors based on calendar date

New features added to v2.6:
- Configurable MIDI/music path
- Added more bulb styles, including photo-realistic bulbs
- Added features to falling snow screen saver
- Added falling leaves screen saver
- Cleaned up screen saver hesitation
- More music files
- Can now draw in its own taskbar and not interfere with Windows apps/desktop

New features added to v2.5:
- Added flashing patterns
- Made system tray icon user selectable
- Added updated bulbs
- Changed name from Holiday Lights to Twinkle Bulbs

New features added to v2.4:
- Updated bulb types
- Added a splash screen

New features added to v2.35:
- Fixed MIDI playback problem so now it plays all selected songs in sequence.
- Fixed math problem used to compute dates for the event calendar.

New features added to v2.31:

- Option to draw on the desktop or also on top of other windows (causes sloppy updates)
- Fixed another MIDI detection problem


New features added to v2.3:

- 15 more bulb styles for registered users
- More effects for the snowfall screensaver (registered users)
- Ability to save/load settings as schemes
- Drawing occurs on the desktop and does not interfere with window captions
- Events calendar has been updated to a true calendar


New features added to v2.2:

- Additional MIDI files shipped with LIGHTS95.ZIP
- Additional bulb types added
- An event calendar may be configured so that you are notified of upcoming holidays
- Added an idle process feature so that the program does not hog CPU cycles
- Updated the help dialog to provide more information and to have it fit on the screen


Problems resolved:

- Screen saver now tracks the mouse and keyboard for activity to prevent startup
- Cleaned up some problems with MIDI functionality

================================================================


System requirements:
--------------------
Windows 95
Works with any video display driver.

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Diskette/ZIP contents:
----------------------
LIGHTS95.EXE  	Main xmas lights program
README.TXT  	This file.

Installation:

Copy the Twinkle Bulbs file to a directory of your choice.  To run
the program, you may install the icon to the Program Manager
(using the File|New menu option) or you may double-click on the
file (BULBS97.EXE) from File Manager.  The lights will be hung
from the top of the Windows desktop and an icon will be placed
on the desktop.  To change the lights options, simply
double-click on the icon at the bottom of the screen.

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Settings:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flashing Mode:
==============
None:         Select this to leave lights on (no flashing).
Random:       This allows lights to flash independently.
All At Once:  All lights flash on and off at the same time.
Chase:        Lights "chase" each other.
Alternating:  Every other light in the string is on at the same time.

Bulbs:
======
Check these options to simulate real-world burnt-out and broken light bulbs.
You may also select the bulb type from the combobox.  Note that the broken
option only works with the normal bulb type.

Flash Rate:
===========
Selects the speed at which the lights flash.  Use the slider control
to change the flash rate.

Color:
======
Selects the colors of the light bulbs.  The first option allows random
colors for each light.  The last two options allow red & green or
multi-colored light sets.  You may also select the options which use
the same color bulb for the entire string of lights.

Power:
======
Turns the lights on/off.

Screen Saver:
=============
Allows you to select and configure custom screen saver options for
Holiday Lights.  Select a type from the list and ensure that the
Enable checkbox is checked.  The Setup pushbutton will configure
screen saver options and the Test button will show you what the
screen saver looks like when operating.

Music:
======
Allows you to select one or more background music files to be played
when Twinkle Bulbs is running.  Music will be played if MIDI files
are available in the same folder as Twinkle Bulbs and if you have
a sound card which is capable of playing MIDI files.

Misc:
=====
More Lights: Check this to have more lights on the screen.
Zoom F/X: Check this to see window "zoom" effects.
Sound F/X: Check this to have controls have "click" sounds when clicked.
Flash LEDs: Check this to have your keyboard LEDs flash in sync to the
            Twinkle Bulbs.  (Note that this can provide frustration when
            attempting to type in a word processor while the Caps Lock
            status keeps changing.)


Pressing the "Help" pushbutton on the settings dialog to show this
information.


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   Happy Holidays!!!

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For more information about this program and/or comments / feedback:

Barefoot Productions, Inc.
839 Welsh Court
Louisville, CO 80027  USA
email: barefoot@pobox.com
web site: http://www.barefootinc.com

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Bulbs icons in this program were developed by Barefoot, modified from icons
in existing public domain packages or developed specifically for this program
by Tony Meloche of Hartford, MI.  Music files were downloaded from various
Internet sites, with the understanding that these too were in the public
domain and/or freeware.  If you come across items which appear to be
used without permission or believe we are violating copyrights or trademarks, 
please contact us at the address above.



