--> SPECIAL RELEASE FOR 'APPLE EXPO' LONDON / November 1997

========================================================================
         File: PowerPulsar_076a.zip
       Author: Raphael MOLL (raphael.moll@inforoute.cgs.fr)
      Release: 0.7.6a (beta, November 3, 1997)
Compatibility: PR-DR9
     Location: ftp://ftp.be.com/pub/contrib/audio/PowerPulsar_076a.zip
           or: http://www.guerilla.com/ralf/PowerPulsar_076a.zip
  Description: Outputs psychedelic video effects from music input.
         Note: Best audio source is from an internal Audio CD ROM.
               Comes with default add-ons and all the necessary sample code to
               create your neat effects. Included in the archive are some
               pictures. You need libdatatypes from Jon Watte to use this as
               well as libpref.
========================================================================

1-File Content
--------------
1) File Content (recursive)
2) Installation Guide
3) Disclaimer
4) Shareware info  <-- AT LEAST READ THIS ONE
5) Tutorial link
6) Latest modifications & bugs vs. features list


2-Installation Guide
--------------------
Unzip all the archive in your prefered location. This will create
a directory called "PowerPulsar_075b". Double click the "documentation.html" first (I may or may not include the documentation, if yes it is located in
the documentation folder, if not just browse the net and go to the Pulsar
home page : http//www.guerilla.com/ralf/pulsar).

Hardware limitations :
Audio CD ROM and an audio music CD for best usage.

You need libdatatypes from Jon Watte to use this. You can find it
in BeWare. I added a minimal subset of the latest 1.6.3 version, since this
is supposed to be a "complete archive for the Awards Competition".
Please read "./minimal_datatypes_163/Note_about_this_folder.txt" on how to
get the complete archive and to install it.
In addition, you need the JPG, PNG and TGA handlers. They are done by
Simon Clarke. For fast install, a version is delivered in the minimal datatypes folder but you
must always consider getting the latest from BeWare whenever possible.

How to run this : install, double click the Pulsar icon, insert an audio CD,
press the button "Preview" or "Full Screen".


3-Disclaimer
------------

"This software is provided to the user "as is." I makes no warranties, either 
express or implied, with respect to this software and/or associated materials
provided to the user, including but not limited to any warranty of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or against infringement.
I don't warrant that the functions contained in the software will 
meet your requirements, or that the operation of the software will be
uninterrupted or error-free, or that defects in the software will be corrected.  
Furthermore, I don't warrant or make any representations regarding the use
or the results of the use of the software or any documentation provided
herewith in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise. 
No oral or written information or advice given shall create a warranty or
in any way increase the scope of this warranty. 

Limitation of liability -- I'm not liable for any claims or damages whatsoever,
including property damage, personal injury, intellectual property infringement,
loss of profits, or interruption of business, or for any special, consequential
or incidental damages, however caused, whether arising out of breach of warranty, contract, tort (including negligence),strict liability, or otherwise.

Cope with it."

The author, Raphael MOLL <mailto:raphael.moll@inforoute.cgs.fr>


4-Shareware info
----------------

This software is provided as a shareware.
This shareware is not free. This version costs $10 (US$) or 60 FF(TTC).
The shareware version is NOT limited. If you find that $10 is too high for this software, fell free to send me less or more, or send me whatever you like, including pack of beers or Champagne (as a French guy, I'm very regarding about the Champagne). Or invite me at your teckno parties.
Currently, the better you can do is to register via Kagi.
Use the given Register application.

The final version will probably cost $30 for the full version. There will be a Lite version for free.Both the full and the lite version will allow you to program external add-ons. In order to encourage third-parties to make add-ons, I will maintain a page with the best add-ons and their authors will receive the full version for free (I will be the only judge of which add-ons are best, and delivered source code with full hints/optims and comments will increase an add-on's value :)) -- Well all of this is for future, OK ? ;-)

You're not autorized to put this on a free or public CD-ROM without my written
permission, even if you make no money with that CD.

5-Tutorial
----------
Unpack the archive and double click the "tutorial.html" file in it -- if you can find this file, which is not the case on small limited distributions.
Or go to http://www.guerilla.com/ralf/pulsar


6-Latest modifications & bugs vs. features list
-----------------------------------------------

Version 0.7.6 correct many features.
- Mainly you can use it with ATI cards and IMS128 cards on Macintosh in fullscreen correctly, I mean with a descent speed and flicker-free.
- There is a Preference window : play with the options and close the window. The options as used as soon as you change them (options relative to the fullscreen are only used when you stop and restart the fullscreen mode).
- If you put a Matrox Millenium 2064 as your second video card, it will be correctly handled. I will see later to support any videocard there.
- Prefs are saved with libpref 1.2.2.
- You can change the content of the track while you're playing. Usefull in preview mode or when you use two video cards !
- You can now see the volume change (-/+ keys) or the CD change (n,v keys) on the game kit screen while playing -- you can disable this in the pref/other by unchecking the "use gk sup interface".
- You can also get rid of the useful frame rate display :-p
- The add-ons API has been a bit improved. You know need to link against the _APP_. Your addon can now display a view for settings in the info window -- check the fft2 sample code for an example of ... well see yourself, guess and then ask me.
- Don't care but I will change the addon API soon :-) I have bunch of things to add to them :-)
- There are many others improvements but I can't remember them all right now. And I have bunch of things to code so just stay tuned.

Bugs : the QT read addon is a PURE HACK !! It is slow at death, and it can only read from the "./qt_default.mov" when you launch PowerPulsar from the terminal ! IT WILL CRASH IF YOU TRY TO USE IT OTHERWISE.
You can change the name in the terminal like this before lauchning PowerPulsar :
$ export QT="mybelovedqt.mov"
$ PowerPulsar

Happy Rave !!

-- eof

