                      Welcome to the

              Silent Partner Backup Screen Saver
           Version 2.60 for Windows 3.x, 95 and NT

          Shareware version, 30 days evaluation copy
                     Registering: $25



Content
---------

1. What is Silent Partner Backup Screen Saver?
2. Quickstart guide
3. What is new since 1.50?
4. What is new since 2.00?
5. What is new since 2.50?
6. Do I know of any bugs or features?
7. Registration.
8. Bug reports, suggestions and comments
9. Disclaimer


1. What is Silent Partner Backup Screen Saver?
----------------------------------------------

The Silent Partner Backup is a utility for mirroring files on your
workstation. The main reason I wrote this application was a constant
need for a utility which could make plain mirror copies of some of the
files on my system. I wanted the copies to be easy to retrieve when
needed. The utility should not disturb me when I am using my workstation.

I have experienced that the main threat to my computer system is neither
hardware fault nor software failure. The single cause of 99% of lost data
is me deleting files in a hurry, editing system-files on an experimental
basis, installing everything I get my hands on without taking proper
precautions, doing major cleanups in my projects, an so on. And very
often I notice the damage only seconds after it is done. What I needed
was a kind of safety net for my files.

So I came up with the solution of making a Windows Screensaver which
does the work. Screensavers are (as their name points out) meant to save
the screens from being damaged by blanking the screen or at least doing
some motion on it while the system is not in use. This scheduling scheme
suits my need perfectly. The mirroring job is done when I dont use the
workstation. Besides, it will take place not long after I have left the
computer, keeping the mirrored files nice and fresh.

As a last bonus, a screensaver does not bind up any system resources, like
memory or timers, while not active.



2. Quickstart guide
-------------------

Se the section Quickstart guide in the help-file.





3. What is new since 1.50?
--------------------------

  - You can interrupt the mirroring process. It will complete
    the file it is working on before terminating.

  - The file attributes and time stamp are preserved on the mirrored 
    file.

  - System and hidden files are also mirrored.

  - The UI has changed.

  - A help file is included.

  - Simple hints are added in the Setup property sheet
    (this is optional).

  - The utility can be produced for several languages. It is
    currently only available in English and Norwegian.

  - Loop detect is added to avoid mirroring the destination
    directory.

  - The utility will work properly on Windows95 and Windows NT
    (it is still a 16-bit application).



4. What is new since 2.00?
--------------------------

  - Keep several versions of the mirrored files.

  - Repeat mirroring after a specified amount of time.

  - Exclude periods of the day from the mirroring.

  - Delete all files in the destination directory before
    the source directory is mirrored.

  - Start 32-bit screensavers (when installed on NT/Win95)



5. What is new since 2.50?
--------------------------

  - Destination preview. A little window which outlines
    the effect the current options will have on the
    destination directory.

  - Relative path is now possible

  - Specify a command line which will be run when the 
    mirroring starts.

  - Disable the action for each directory.



6. Do I know of any bugs or features?
-------------------------------------

Well... yes, I do. Here is a list:

  - The list of screensavers to choose after mirroring is done
    contains only the filenames of the 32-bit screensavers. This 
    will be corrected in the 32-bit version.

  - A directory can only be selected once in the list. This 
    means that if you want to mirror all the files in a 
    directory and at the same time want to mirror only a subset
    of the files in the subdirectories, you will not be able to
    specify this without making an entry for each subdirectory.
    
  - When a second screensaver is set to start when the mirroring
    is finished, a keypress will only terminate the second saver, 
    and leave the Silent Partner Backup still running until another
    keypress is done. The same happens for mousemoves, but it is
    hard to see because of the amount of mousemoves produced by 
    the system for even the smallest move. This is not true for 
    Windows NT. This bug will be corrected in a later version
    (not this version either).

  - Long filenames are not preserved. The copy will have the
    short version of the original filename. This will be
    corrected in a future release (at least in the 32-bit version).




7. Registration.
----------------

This copy of Silent Partner Backup is distributed as Shareware. It
will stop working after 30 days. You can get a fully functional 
version by registering.


* On-Line registration:

Albert's Ambry provides a service where you can register the 
Silent Partner Backup and immediately download the registered 
version. The URL is:

http://www.alberts.com/

After (a harmless) login, search for spbck260.zip and just follow
the links and instructions!



* Registration by mail:

Drop me a note including:
    - Your name and address
    - E-mail address (if available)
    - $25 in cash or on a check

I will send you the registered version on a 3.5" disk
as soon as possible.

Send the registration note to:
		  
    Frank Mikalsen
    Utsikten 264
    N-9018 Tromso
    Norway




8. Bug reports, suggestions and comments
----------------------------------------
If you have any comments regarding Silent Partner 
Backup you can reach me at the following address:

		  frankm@telepost.no

My WWW homepage is:

                  http://home.sol.no/frankm




9. And if any doubt
-------------------

SILENT PARTNER BACKUP SCREENSAVER IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IN NO EVENT SHALL FRANK MIKALSEN BE LIABLE OR
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR OTHER PROBLEMS CAUSED BY USING THIS
SOFTWARE. THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING SILENT PARTNER BACKUP SCREENSAVER
IS YOURS.



