GigAlarm
Version 1.0
16/4/01

Written by Andrew Josef Glina using MASM32
glina@bigpond.net.au


Quick Info...

This program is an alarm program, capable of 1000 different alarms, many alarm options, snooze control and more. It requires less than 50Kb of hard drive space.


Tested on...

Win98SE
Win2000


Installation...

Run "Setup.exe" and follow the instructions. If you do not like GigAlarm, and feel that you require your 50Kb of hard drive space back, use the "Add/Remove Programs" option in the control panel.


Use...

The program is largely self expaining, however, I will explain what each button does.

Alarms - Turns all alarms on or off
Boot - Selects if GigAlarm will start on boot.
Snooze - Selects the length of time after pressing the Snooze button that the alarm will repeat
Once only - Disables the alarm after sounding once.
Cutoff - Turns off the alarm after sounding for an hour.
Repeat sound - Repeats the sound every 3 seconds.
Text - This is where you enter the text to display.
FileName - This is where you enter the file name to work with.
Change - Opens an open file dialog to select a filename.
Test - Tests wave file playing.
All/Work/None - selects alarm sounding days.
Alarm Pages - Selects how many alarms GigAlarm will work with.

The "Alarm Pages" deserves a bit of explanation. GigAlarm by default will work with 5 Alarms. For most cases this should be ample. However, for the power crazy users you can have up to 1000 alarms, selectable in multiples of 5. These are the "Alarm Pages".

The program MUST be running in the tray for the alarms to sound, and if the time passes while the computer is off there will be no notification when the computer is restarted. (This is a possible improvement for the next version, however it is beyond the intent of the program.) The program is also capable of scheduling a shutdown, but this only works in Windows 98.


Notes...

This program is designed for a minimum footprint. It uses around 50Kb of hard drive space and doesn't slow the computer down in any appreciable way even while resident. Memory usage is in no way affected by the number of alarms selected - hard drive space is used instead. The registry is only used if you ask the program to auto-boot, all other setting are stored in the "GigAlarm" directory. It was done this way to enable the same alarms to be used in a dual boot installation, and it also makes saving alarms easier.

Like my only other (currently) released program, QWave, GigAlarm is intended to be small and not have too many unnecesary features. I have no intention, for example, to add built in MP3 support as it would need more space than the rest of the program. However, I am intersted in any improvement ideas. My plans for version 1.1 include volume control, MIDI playback, NT/2000 shutdown and tooltips, but I stopped the program at this stage as I found I was adding too many features and it would of never been finished!


Licence...

This program is essentially free to use for non-profit purposes. Permission is given for all forms of distribution, including CD compilations and Websites. Just keep it in the ZIP file to keep the files together. To help me keep track of its distribution I would like an EMail from you so I get a general idea of its usage to encourage me to improve it. Advice/insults (on the subject of the program, not myself) are also welcome. People who EMail me can also be added to a mailing list and be sent the newest version. Simply send me an EMail with "GigADD" in the subject. The address is at the top of this file and also in the program itself in the version info. (To see it right click the exe file, select "Properties", and then the "Version" tab". To be removed from this list, write me an EMail with "GigREMOVE" in the subject.

Having said all of that, if you find this program useful, I would appreciate $10 AUS (or $5 US) as a token of your appreciation. Send this to the postal address mentioned in the "Version" page of GigAlarm. In return I will send you a "personalized" version, and be glad to help you with any technical problems that you may be having with the software. (Not that there are any!!!) This offer will continue for the life of the program.


History...

1.0  Initial Version

Liability...

I accept no liability for this software. Installing this software is your choice and your choice alone. Any unintentional damage cause by this software is not my responsibility. By installing this software you acknowledge to accept this totally arrogant proposal.

