Readme file for the Presentation Narrator for Microsoft Agent
=============================================================

This zipped archive contains three files and a sub-folder:

readme.txt - the document that you're reading now

documentation.doc - Microsoft Word document with instructions and information on using the Presentation Narrator for Microsoft Agent

PresentationNarrator.ppt - Microsoft PowerPoint document ready to run with the VBA code and sample slides and scripting

Template files sub-folder - four supplemental template files for creating your own narrated presentations

Note:  The Presentation Narrator for Microsoft Agent requires Microsoft PowerPoint 2000. If you only have Microsoft PowerPoint 97, please use the equivalent files available for download from the Microsoft Agent Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/msagent.


Quick Start instructions
-------------------------------

1. If you are running Microsoft Windows 2000 or a pre-release version, please skip to Step 2 instead. Otherwise, install the following Microsoft Agent 2.0 files - msagent.exe, tv_enua.exe and merlin.exe - to your computer if you have not previously done so. These are available from the Internet at http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/agent2/msagent.exe, http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/agent2/tv_enua.exe, and
http://agent.microsoft.com/agent2/chars/merlin.exe. 
Please proceed to Step 3.

2. For Microsoft Windows 2000 or pre-release users only! Your operating system already has these files or their equivalents installed. It is strongly recommended however that you also install an additional U.S. English Text-to-Speech engine available at http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/agent2/tv_enua.exe.
Please proceed to Step 3.

3. Start Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 and open the PresentationNarrator.ppt document. If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint 97, open the PresentationNarrator97.ppt document instead.

4. If you are prompted to enable macros, select the Yes button. This is necessary to run the narration. There are no damaging or self-replicating code contained in these files.

5. Go to the first slide if the presentation is not already there and switch to the Slide Show view.

6. Wiggle your mouse over Merlin's name in the center of the screen and the narration will begin.

7. Sit back and enjoy the presentation narration.

8. Please read and familiarize yourself with the documentation in documentation.doc.


Developing for Microsoft Agent Support
--------------------------------------

For additional or updated information about Microsoft Agent, visit
the Microsoft Agent Web site at
    http://www.microsoft.com/msagent

Customers can receive technical support for Microsoft Agent by calling 
1-800-936-5800 (this is the developer support phone line). If you are 
an MSDN member, you can use one of your MSDN support incidents for this 
support. If you are not an MSDN member, you can choose the 
"pay-per-incident" option. You can also submit questions electronically 
through the Support Web site at
    http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/gosupport.asp?target=/support/
Note that this is also pay-per-incident unless you already have a support 
contract with Microsoft. 

To report Microsoft Agent bugs, please use the bug form at
    http://www.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/agentbugform.asp

To contact the community of active Microsoft Agent developers, visit the 
public newgroup
    microsoft.public.msagent
Note that Microsoft does not actively monitor this peer-to-peer support
forum.


