LIGHTSPEED SCREENSAVER FREE EDITION  Version 8.1 

         For Microsoft Windows  

INCLUDED FILES: 

         The archive file contains two files:

             LS8SETUP.EXE   ( Install LIGHTSPEED )
             README.TXT     ( This text file )


REQUIREMENTS:

     WINDOWS 98, 2000, Me, or XP
     Accelerated graphic adapter (OpenGL)
     500 MHz or faster!


TO INSTALL:

  Run the included setup program  LS8SETUP.EXE


WHAT IS LIGHTSPEED?

  LIGHTSPEED is a starfield screensaver that generates interactive
  real-time starfield effects. Take your desk top to infinity and
  beyond ...


OPERATION:

  To enter 'interactive mode':  Press the ESC while the screensaver is
  active.  Or, select the "settings" button on the Windows screensaver
  control panel.  

  When the screensaver is in interactive mode, a control panel is 
  displayed that has a drop down list that allows you to select different
  modules. On this control panel are several buttons - including one 
  marked with a "G" (G-lobal controls).  Using the global controls you
  can set a number of things that may be specific to your system.  The
  button marked Full Screen will show the starfield window at full screen.
  [ Use the ESC key to return to the control window. ]    Use the HELP 
  button for registration information.


FLIGHT:

  To fly it yourself, hold the mouse cursor over the starfield window and
  'click' the RIGHT mouse button.  The right mouse button is used to 
  toggle between "mouse control" and "no mouse control".  With mouse
  control you can do the following: Mouse movement controls your view
  direction.  If you press and hold the LEFT mouse button, the view 
  direction becomes your travel direction.  Depending on the selected 
  Module, the flight mode may or may not work well.  Each module
  controls various things that affect flight ability.


GLOBAL CONTROLS:
  
  This window has settings that you may want to customize. Using the
  RESOLUTION settings you can control the Backdrop Shape resolution.
  The higher this number is set, the slower your rendering will be - and
  the 'rounder' the shape of the backdrop image will be.  This is a global
  control that overrides the individual settings in each module only if its
  value is less than the individual setting. If the BACKDROP SIZE is set
  to 1, the backdrop size is reduced - in case you don't have enough
  graphic ram.  When there isn't enough graphic ram, the backdrop image
  will drop out and turn black.  The LCD controls are useful for LCD
  displays (see below under Lighting).


FREE EDITION:

  This edition does not have password features, module editing ability,
  or automatic module cycling.  These are features that are only found
  in the Registered Edition of this program.

  For the latest information, be sure to visit:

             www.starfield-screen-saver.com


LIGHTING:

     To get the best effect from the software, make sure the brightness and
     contrast controls of the monitor are adjusted for maximum brightness
     with a dark black level.  Black should be BLACK, not dark gray.  Best
     results are obtained in a dark room with little or no ambient light. 

     LCD monitors may require adjustment of the Backdrop Brightness 
     and/or the Pixel size controls that are found on the Global control 
     window (small button labeled "G").  LCD users may find that lowering
     the background brightness and increasing the pixel size will improve
     the 'look' .


SPEED:

  For best operation, it is important that your system be fast!  There are
  several things that will affect the speed of rendering:  

  Besides processor speed and graphic adapter acceleration, the
  resolution of your desktop will affect the speed of rendering.
  16 bit color may be a lot faster that 24 or 32 bit color.  A smaller desktop
  will speed things up as well.

  In the Global controls window is a setting for the Backdrop Shape
  resolution.  This can affect the speed in a big way.  Low values will
  speed things up a lot.

  Additionally, the Refresh Rate of your display will control the 
  maximum frame rate.

  Depending on your graphic adapter, there may be some system control
  panel settings that will affect the rendering speed as well.  This program
  uses OpenGL for rendering, so anything that speeds up the 
  OpenGL will speed up the rendering.

  Lastly, it is important that your machine not be busy doing other
  things.  Other programs running will use available processor time
  and may degrade the performance  - which includes spyware and
  other pests that might otherwise may go undetected.
  

UN-INSTALL:

     Both the setup program AND Windows have automatic
     UN-install functions.  Use either to uninstall it.  If you run the setup
     program again, after installation, it will prompt you to uninstall the program.
     The program can also be uninstalled using the Windows Add/Remove
     Programs - that is found on the Windows Control Panel.


LEGAL:

     This entire software package is COPYRIGHT © 2004 Richard Wolton.

     It is made available to you free of charge.

     It is provided AS IS with no warranties or guaranties, expressed
     or implied.

     ENJOY!

     December 2004

     Richard Wolton
     Placerville,
     CA. 95667

    
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