DISCLAIMER:
!!THIS Program IS COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE AND WITHOUT LIABILITY OF ANY SORT!!


RWBBanner v1.0 is a Java2 SE 1.4.2 program that constructs and shuffles four banners.  It takes in four user defined images and text messages, 
builds four banners, and then shuffles the banners in sequence as it slides across the screen.  It runs on Windows 98, Windows ME & Windows XP.

Your computer system needs to have built-in support for Java2 technology or be set to use j2re1.4.1_01 or higher Run Time Environment for the 
program to work.  To acquire a Java Runtime Environment (Java Virtual Machine or JVM) go to "http://java.sun.com/" website. 
 
The program has 12 parameters that could be set by the user.  You can set any number of parameters at random.  If any parameter is left empty,
the program uses a default or last used value as described below.

The program setup parameters are as follows:

Message1	sets the first banner text to be displayed (default value "Naser El-Sharabasy")
Message2	sets the scond banner text to be displayed (default value "Java2 Platform SE v1.4.2")
Message3	sets the third banner text to be displayed (default value "J2SDK 1.4.2_08")
Message4	sets the fourth banner text to be displayed (default value "nsharabasy@hotmail.com")
Picture1	sets the folder and file names for the first image to be displayed in the first banner (default value "C:/heartUS.jpg")
Picture2	sets the folder and file names for the first image to be displayed in the first banner (default value "C:/Ohioflag.gif")
Picture3	sets the folder and file names for the first image to be displayed in the first banner (default value "C:/heartUS.jpg")
Picture4	sets the folder and file names for the first image to be displayed in the first banner (default value "C:/Ohioflag.gif")
Width		letters sets the width of the window that displays the banner (default value "508")
Height		letters sets the height of the window that displays the banner (default value "60")
Font Size	sets the font size (Times New Roman) (default value "36")
Slide Delay	sets slide delay in milliseconds (corresponds to slide speed) (default value "4")

Note:	To use your own picture files include the directory path and file name.  You can use "\" or JAVA standard "/" as folder separator.
	DEFAULT picuture files (included in the zip file) SHOULD be IN the same folder where "RWBBanner.jar" is.

	When a "File Access Error!" occurs due to missing image file, although you have the option to continue, it is recommended that you
	abort the application.	That is because the program will constantly dump the error stack trace in the background.  This can eat up
	your system resources.  So, fix the missing file problem, and then restart the program.
 
The banner program uses Graphics2D & FontMetrics classes to proportionally arrange text in the middle of double image for each banner. 
Set the width and height of the banner to fit the pictures and font size.

The program setup dialogs and buttons are as follows:

"Display Settings" Dialogue
Pops up at the start of the program prompting the user to set the application to the current desktop resolution.
You can set the resolution WidthxHeight in pixels to:
800x600
1024x768
1152x864 or
1280x1024

The default setting is 1024x768.  Once set, you can press the "Set Resolution" button to load settings.

"Settings Option" Dialogue
It pops up right after the "Display Settings" window and prompts the user if wants to set the above program parameters.
The program has built-in default values as described above.  If you select "YES", "Parameter Settings" window pops up.
If you select "NO" for the very first time, a "File Access Error!" occurs and a "error!" window pops up.  At this point, you
can select "YES" or "x" to abort or "NO" to continue with the default parameters.

"Parameter Settings" Dialogue
Pops up if "Settings Option" is selected.  "Message" and "Picture" parameter are as described above.  Once done, you can
click on one of the following:

"Done" button		Writes the new parameters to a text file named "RWBBanner.txt" located in the same directory.
			If the file does not exit, the program creates it.  The application then loads the new
			parameters and runs the program.
 
"Load Defaults" button	Skips "RWBBanner.txt", loads and runs default parameters.

"Cancel" button 	Skips "Parameter Settings", loads and runs last used parameters.
			If "RWBBanner.txt" does not exist, a "File Access Error!" occurs.

Running the application
Double click on "RWBBanner.jar" to start the program.
Once all of the above screens are passed and you proceed with the program, a Red White & Blue banner is constructed and
displayed at the top right corner of the selected resolution area.  It then starts sliding across the screen passing
through four motion segments.  Banner shuffling happens at the beginning of each segment while in motion.
At any point in time, you can click anywhere on the banner to terminate the program.

Note:	Based on picture complexities and/or system speed, pictures might not (but not necessarily) appear during the very first
	two motion segments!  They should appear fine after that. 

The application uses a Thread to share CPU resources.  If your system resources are low, the program speed slows down
accordingly.  This condition does not relate to "Slide Delay" setting.

This program runs over the desktop and does not interfere with any other program.  It appears as a process in the system Task
Manager if you are running Windows XP.


The download is RWBBanner.zip (a WinZip file) that could be extracted to any folder.  It contains the following:

	RWBBanner.jar		the program executable (self runnable) file
	heartUS.jpg		a sample image in jpeg format (used as DEFAULT)
	Ohioflag.gif		a sample image in gif format (used as DEFAULT)
	Readme.txt		for features and running instructions


E-MAIL:nsharabasy@hotmail.com