
                         Micro Dragon's Ultima Theme
                         ---------------------------

                                 Version 2.3
                       Louis Stice  -  louis@psyber.com
                         http://www.psyber.com/~louis

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Quick Info
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Installation 
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  -- If you have a typical install with the Plus!, this will be easy.

-  Extract this file using Winzip32 to keep the long-filenames to a
   temporary directory.

-  Run the Install.Bat file.

-  Go to the Desktop Themes program in Control panel and select the theme.

This collection is Freeware.


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Long Info
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NOTE: This text file is intended for those without WordPad or Word 6.0.
      If you have either of these programs, then read Ultima.Doc.  There
      are a few changes between the two--such as layout and images.

Introduction
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        Well, here I go again.  This is the latest version of
   the Ultima Desktop theme...  Version 2.3!  I said it before, and I'll
   say it again, I never thought another version would be released.  Well,
   this version of the Theme is more of a refinement than an update. In
   version 2.3, all the little mistakes and errors that I patched with
   previous versions are incorporated here.  The biggest changes are the
   backgrounds--they're now 800x600 in JPEG format (for smaller file
   transfers).  And they look a lot sharper than the older ones!

        In my desktop theme you'll find much more than what other people
   would consider to be "Themes".  There are too many people who grab one
   bitmap, one premade animated cursor, and one sound for startup, slap it
   all together and call it a theme.  It may be a small download, but
   there's no variety--no choice for me!  In my Theme, you'll find variety--
   and a LOT of it.  The idea behind my theme is complete immersion in the
   subject matter: Animated Cursors, Icons, Backgrounds, All sounds, and S
   tart up and Shutdown screens.  I've worked on this Theme for several
   months now, and I hope that the effort put into it shines through.

        Please, have fun with the theme, and change the default settings.
   I've provided many alternative sounds, icons, and cursors from which to
   choose from.  If you don't like my default choices, then change them!  In
   version 2.3 of my theme, I've included several .THEME files to choose
   from.  They're designed to give you ideas about how you might change the
   default settings.  Please modify and change your computer to the way you
   like to see it.

        This will probably be the last update to the Ultima Theme for quite
   some time.  (I said that twice before...)  I've scoured through the
   Ultima's and have collected this much.  There's probably more that could
   be used, but I'm going to call thi s Theme finished.  If someone else
   would like to create a screen saver, please do so!  I would love to see
   it!  This is not to say that there will never be another Ultima Theme, it
   simply means that I feel that this theme is complete.  (Minus the Scr een
   Saver).  Now when Ultima 9 or Ultima Online gets released, perhaps I'll
   create a seperate theme for each.  Until then please enjoy the fruits of
   my labor.

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What's New?
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   Larger backgrounds, and one more background (well, actually its a
   startup screen that works great as a background) and one more Theme
   file.  Since most people are satisfied with my default themes and don't
   change them, I decided to make a theme for (almost) every background.

   I don't use the Savage Empire backgrounds by default.  If you want to
   use them, then you can convert the JPG files to BMP and throw them
   into your Windows Directory and use them.

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Out With the Old
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   If you want the older 16 color mouse cursors and the like, visit:
   http://www.psyber.com/~louis/findx.html for the archive.


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In with the New
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   This is a minor update.  I've made the backgrounds higher-resolution
   and in JPG format.  I've made one more image a default background and
   added one more .THEME file.

   Oh, and I've tried to clean up many little mistakes I made in the
   past.  There may be more in the future, but you may never notice
   what I fix.

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Submissions
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        If you come up with a theme setup that you're particularly fond of
   and think other people would be interested in it, please e-mail the
   .THEME file to me at louis@psyber.com and I'll post it on my site.  Of
   course, there have to be rules, othe rwise I'll lose my mind and you'll
   be upset that I didn't post it.  So please follow these guidlines:

--      If your theme uses files from previous versions, it will not be put
     on the site.  I'm only  going to assume that people have version 2.1.
     If they don't, then they can download the  update file.
--      If you are a member of the Ultima Dragons, then use your Dragon name
     in the title of the  Theme, so we all know who made this masterpiece!
     To bunch all the Ultima related  themes together, be sure to tack the
     word Ultima on the front.

        Example:  Ultima Micro Dragon 1.Theme
                  Ultima Micro Dragon 2.Theme

--      Use only files from the Ultima Theme 2.1... I don't want to have to
     post a bunch of images  or icons belonging to another theme.

--      Do not copyright the Theme file.  That's just dumb.


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Disclaimer
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        The Ultima Theme for Windows 95 is not endorsed or supported by
   Origin (OSI).  I am not an employee of Origin, and am not affiliated with
   them in any way.  I just really like Ultima, and wanted to create an
   Ultima Theme..   If you have any co mments, questions, suggestions or
   problems, direct them to louis@psyber.com.  In the meantime, please
   enjoy!


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Use WinZip to decompress the archive!
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        You must use WinZip (or some other zip program that understands long
   filenames) to open the original .Zip archive.  Trying to decompress this
   archive in a DOS window will truncate all the names of the files and the
   installation program will r efuse to run.  WinZip is a very popular Zip
   extraction utility that knows how to handle long-filenames.  WinZip's URL
   is: http://www.winzip.com/cnet/

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Recommendation
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        I _highly_ recommend that this theme be run on machines in High
   color (or 24 bit) mode.  If you're running in 256 colors, the icons will
   look horrible.  The sounds and cursors will work fine, though.


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Installation
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        What?!  An installation for a Desktop Theme?!  Of course!  Why go
   through the frustration and agony of installing a theme?  It's supposed
   to be easy, with that in mind I tried to make it as easy to install as
   possible.  The file INSTALL.BAT w ill create the default directory where
   99% of the files in the Theme will go.  Then it will move the rest to
   their respective directories.
        The Install program will place the ULTIMA *.THEME files (and the
   other .THEME files) in C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\ by default.  It
   will also place the background bitmaps in C:\Windows.  In addition, a
   directory will be created (C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\Ultima) where
   all the icons, sounds, and cursors will be stored.  If you have your
   Themes directory somewhere else, or your Windows directory somewhere
   else, PLEASE modify the Install.Bat file to point them to the correct
   director y.  There are instructions in the Install.Bat file to help you.
        I've tested this installation on my machine extensively and found it
   to be quite reliable and easy to use.  However, if anything goes wrong,
   it's not my fault.  I claim no responsibility for any weird things that
   may occur on your machine.

        After running the install program, you will be instructed to go to
   the Control panel, then Desktop Themes, and select the Ultima Theme from
   there.  Enjoy!


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If Installation Fails to run properly
       (or Manual Installation of the Theme)
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        There are few reasons why the installation program will refuse to
   run.  One is that you ran out of Environment space (and it will tell you
   so, and how to fix it).  The other is that you've moved things from their
   default installation paths.  For instance, your Plus! pack could be on
   your D drive.  If for any reason you can't get the install program to run
   properly, you can install the theme manually.

        If you'd rather install the theme manually, you can install my
   Ultima Theme in a couple of ways:

1)  Put all the files where the enclosed ULTIMA *.THEME files expect to
        find them.
--   Place the ULTIMA *.THEME files in Program Files\Plus!\Themes\
        directory.
--   Place everything else in a directory that you create
        under the Plus!\Themes directory called Ultima.  (i.e.  C:\Program
        Files\Plus!\Themes\Ultima\)  This is the installation of choice
        because it makes life a lot easier for everyone.

2)   Place the files anywhere you want.  Then, however, you cannot use the
        ULTIMA.THEME files enclosed.  It becomes your burden to change each
        sound, icon, cursor, and background setting.
--   To change the desktop icons (My Computer, Recycle Bin, etc.) right
        click on the background, select Properties, and select the Plus!
        tab.  Select the icon to change, select Change Icon, then Browse.
        Point the browser to the directory where th e .BMP file is located
        for the icon.  (Yes, BMP files can be used as icons.)
--   To change the background, you'll have to convert the JPG files into
        BMP files.  You can use a program like LView Pro to accomplish
        this.  Then put the converted files into your Windows Directory.
        Then you can simply right-click on the background and select the
        new image.
--   To change Sounds, go to the control Panel and select sounds.  When the
        window for selecting sounds comes up, you'll probably notice that
        the Ultima sounds are not listed in the selection box near the
        bottom.  Instead of there, press the brows e button and point
        Windows to the directory where the sound file is stored.  Select the
        sound  you want and there ya go!
--   To change the Mouse Cursors, go to the control panel, select Mouse.
        Then go to the pointers tab.  Select the cursor you want to change,
        then select change.  Point the program to the directory where the
        .CUR and .ANI files are stored, and sel ect the one you want!

        Currently if you want to change the startup and shutdown screens,
   you'll have to do it manually!

                !! Be sure you backup the original files. !!

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Changing the Startup and Shutdown Screens
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        The startup screen is located in the root directory of the Win95
   Boot drive (usually C:).  It is called Logo.Sys.  To change the Startup
   screen, simply copy one of the supplied start up screens (see list below
   for details) over Logo.Sys.  !!!  Be sure you backup the original
   Logo.Sys if want to switch back to it!!!  The next time you restart,
   you'll see the new startup!  The file may be Hidden or Read-only (I can't
   remember).  If it is, then you must un-hide it.  You do this by typing
   the following at the DOS prompt in the root directory of the Windows boot
   drive.

Example:  attrib -r -h logo.sys

You may now do with it as you please.

NOTE:  It's worth the effort to change the startup screens to the ones I've
       created.  The palette is  animated giving it a really cool effect.

        The Shutdown screens are located in the Windows 95 directory.
   (Usually C:\Windows).  There are two of them.  One is called Logow.Sys
   which is displayed while you wait for the computer to shut down.  The
   other is called Logos.Sys which is dis played when the computer is ready
   to be turned off.  I've tried to describe the Bitmap files accordingly.
   Experiment, and see what you can get!


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Removal
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        Simply delete the files that were included in the Desktop Theme.  If
   you followed installation recommendation, most of the files are in
   C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\Ultima.  Delete that directory, and and all
   the files inside.  Goto C:\Progr am Files\Plus!\Themes and delete all the
   Ultima.Theme files.

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What's Included
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        Included in this theme are:

    Install.Bat     The really cool installation program.
    Main.Mnu                A file used by the installation program.
    Readme.Doc              Wordpad readme file
    Readme.Txt              MS-DOS text readme file (this file)
    6 .Theme files          The Theme files that make it easy to setup
                            this package.  Microsoft Plus! uses this file.
    8  Background Bitmaps   Wallpaper
    57 Animated Cursors     Pointers, wait, busy & more!
        (41 are 256 color)
    27 Static Cursors       For users who can't use Animated ones
        (15 are 256 color)
    6  Startup Screens      The palette shifts, too!
    43 Desktop icons        Used on My Computer, Recycle bin...
    6  Shutdown bitmaps     3 sets of 2 bitmaps...
    Britannic Runes.TTF     Thanks to the original creator of this!
    53 Sound Files          Sounds for Startup, Shutdown & a LOT more!

    Over 200 files!

        A more detailed description of each of these files can be found
   later in this document.  (except for the newest additions--sorry, just
   not enough time...)


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Registration
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        There is no registration.  This collection of icons, sounds, cursors
and backgrounds are provided completely free of charge.  Please enjoy this
collection.


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Questions
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Why did you create this?

        Because I like Ultima.  The default Win95 desktop was quite boring.
   And I didn't care for any of the themes that came with the Plus! pack.
   So, I decided to make one that I would like (and be proud of).

Why Ultima?

   See previous question's answer...

The Screen backgrounds look stretched and blocky even at 640x480.
Why ?

	Why?  I've fixed that problem now...  Heh, heh!

I'm not hearing the e-mail notification sound.
How can I use the Ultima E-mail Notification sound?

        Okay, I know it's not the first question on your mind, but I worked
   hard on the E-mail notification sound, and I feel it is well worth the
   effort.  To hear the Guardian say, "Thank you for the information,
   Avatar!  It was most useful!" when y ou get new e-mail is just too cool!
   (For you big Ultima buffs, you'll know that the original sound was "Thank
   you for the information in the notebook, Avatar!  It was most useful!"  I
   was able to take out "in the notebook" and still have it sound go od!
        More recently, I spliced together, "All we found was this enchanted
   scroll."  Not as nice a splice, but there wasn't much more I could do to
   clean it up.  (But it's still cool)
        First off, before you do anything, test the e-mail notification.Wav
   first.  In other words, the sound should play when you get new e-mail.
   If you get new e-mail and don't hear anything, then read on.  Otherwise,
   enjoy!
        If you're using Eudora 1.5.4 (or so), go to the Tools menu, and
   select Options...  Then go to Getting Attention section.  Be sure Play
   Sound is checked, and click on the directory button.  Now point Eudora to
   where all the Ultima files are (p robably C:\Program
   Files\Plus!\Themes\Ultima\) and select the Ultima New Mail
   Notification.Wav file.  You should now hear the Guardian speak each time
   you get new mail!
        Sorry, but for other e-mailers, you'll have to figure out how to get
   the sound to work on your own.  (*big frown*)  I simply can't check every
   program and still have time to make such neet-o themes!  *grin*

I can't find Desktop Themes in my Control Panel!  Why Not?

        If you don't have an option in your Control Panel called "Desktop
   Themes" then you do not have Microsoft's Plus! Pack.  (Or you don't have
   it installed).  The Desktop Theme program makes it easy to change
   backgrounds, icons, and cursors by ch oosing .THEME files.  Without the
   Plus! pack, you will have to do a manual installation of my Desktop
   Theme.  You won't be able to easily change the desktop Icons, (My
   Computer, Recycle Bin, or Network Neighborhood), the background cannot be
   stretche d, and a couple other things.  But you can still change the
   Mouse cursors, Startup/Shutdown screens, and event sounds.  Please read
   the Manual Installation section of this document.

Where's the Screen Saver?

        Since the first release of my desktop theme, I've gotten many
   requests for a screen saver.  I state later that I don't like repetative,
   predictable screen savers (The best I've seen was Dazzle--always random,
   always fresh).  I'd love to creat e a screen saver of my own, but I
   simply don't have the time right now.  I've neglected many things while
   working on this theme (food, sleep...  Ya know, little things like that).
   And I really need a break from it.  Creating such an immersive theme is
   by no means easy.
        What does this mean?  Don't hold your breath on a screen saver
   coming from me.  If someone else would like to write one, please do so!
   If I like it, I'll include it in my next installment of the Theme.
   (Perhaps "Win95 Ultima Theme Plus!" *g rin*).

Where can I get a copy of the 1st Ultima Desktop Theme?

        You can't.  Up until version 2.0, everything that I had created was
   in the theme.  In version 2.1, I've eliminated some files that were a bit
   redundant, and didn't add too much to the overall Theme.  If you really,
   really want them, you can g o to http://www.psyber.com/~louis in the
   files area is a file called OldTheme.Zip which contains every file that
   was deleted from version 2.1.


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The Making of a Theme
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What Programs Were Used to Create This Theme?
        Many programs were used in the creation of this desktop theme.
                Microangelo 2.0
                Lview Pro
                EZ-Sound Wave (comes with EZ-Sounds) otherwise known as
                Goldwave
                Deluxe Paint Animate
                Wordpad (to write this)
                Windows 95 (duh)  (And the Plus! pack.  double-duh)  *grin*
                Simply 3D (for the question mark in the Question Cursor)
                Corel Photopaint
                Windows 95 Paint
                AnEdit.Exe  (Available on the Net)
                Lots and lots of Ultima Games
                Screen Thief 2.56

        Throw in a 20 tons of patience and twice as much time, a little help
   from other's who share such an interest in the subject and you'll be
   making themes also!

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Which Ultimas Were Used During the Creation of This Theme?
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        I have used something from almost every Ultima in existence for at
   least one part of  the theme.  I didn't use anything from Ultima 2 or
   Ultima 3.  Most of the theme came from the 3rd trilogy and concentrates
   heavily on the Guardian.  He's ha d many interesting sayings and phrases
   that begged to be used in a Windows 95 desktop theme.


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Things I'll never get to...
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There are still many things left that I would have liked to do, but will
probably never get to.
        (I finally got to the Multiple Icon format!  Hee, hee!)

ScreenSaver
        For one thing, I'd love to work on my own screen saver, but I can't-
   -I don't have the time for it.  (Creating a really good screen saver is
   much more intensive than creating a theme--if you can imagine that.)  I
   would want it to be entertaini ng, but if I don't release this Theme now,
   It'll never get released.  I hate static-like screen savers and those
   that are completely predictable (like After Dark).  Unfortunately, I
   don't have the time right now to work on such a project.
        If anyone would like to create a Screen saver to add to my theme (or
   act as a companion archive), please do so!

More sounds, Icons, and stuff!
        Yes, more stuff!  (I know, I already have over 200 files, but...)
   You can never have too much Ultima in one's life!

On to other Stuff
        Ultima 9 will be coming out in a year, and Ultima Online is sure to
   provide some input.  I'm not sure what, but more sounds, more
   backgrounds, more pointers, more of everything!  It'll probably manifest
   itself as the Ultima 9 (or Ultima Onlin e) Desktop Theme.

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Thank You's
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        As usual, I have someone to thank for helping me with this theme.
   Without such help, releases such as this one wouldn't be possible.
        Special thanks to Rune Dragon of the Ultima Dragons Internet
   Chapter.  He gave me the idea of using the Guardian's head as the trash-
   can.  It makes sense, and it's funny!  Also, he recommended that the
   default Ultima Theme directory be change d from C:\Windows\Ultima to
   C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\Ultima.  It makes more sense, and keeps the
   Windows directory less cluttered.
        It was also Rune Dragon's suggestion to provide this archive in 8.3
   format for Windows 3.1 users who can't support long-filenames.  And
   thanks for asking about the stretched backgrounds so I could explain it
   in more detail here...
        More special thanks to Jim Hammons (aka Umbrae Dragon at
   http://www.jax-inter.net/users/umbrae/) for letting me peruse his Ultima
   8 Cursor archive.  Thanks for the cursors I used from your cursor
   archive.  Keep up the great work!
        Thanks to Rick Stanford for pointing out that my pointers needed a
   little work...  Thanks for the push in the right direction!

        Extra special thanks to Origin and Richard Garriott for making such
   a fun, incredible series of games.  Thank you for making Ultima my
   favorite game.

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Legal Junk
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        Please do not charge any money for this archive in any shape, manner
or form.  I charge no money for this theme, and neither should you. This
whole package is freeware.  Please do not make changes to this archive and
then re-distribute it.  Y ou may chunk this file into something smaller if
need be, but be sure that this readme file is included.
        No warranty is expressed or implied.  Any damages from the use of
this Theme or the programs therein are the sole responsibility of the user--
not me (Louis Stice).  In other words, if the Guardian suddenly possesses
your computer and grinds y our hard drive to dust, it is not my fault!


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Appendix
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Where did you get all this?

If you want to see the table, you'll have to look in the Wordpad version of
this text file.
