=========================================================================
CODEBRAIN NEWS - FREE VERSION
CodeBrainNewsFree.class - Version 3.0.1 of 5/20/2000
=========================================================================
GENERAL NOTES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print out this guide for use while configuring your new CodeBrain applet!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// The CodeBrainNewsFree applet code is written protectively -- to make
// it easy to set up and get running. Demos and the associated graphics
// are included, with simple HTML pages, to get you rolling quickly.
//
// Other than the "Notice" parameter and a couple of items in the Text
// parameters, you can leave out any parameter and the applet will run.
// That is, "If in doubt, leave it out!"
//
// You can make the applet as simple as you wish, without the clutter and
// confusion of many parameters -- then gradually build more complex uses.
//
// Keep image files (BackImage) to the smallest dimensions and file sizes
// possible. Large images backload the applet and slow it down. Using a
// BackImage and the scroller positioning features can make really great
// displays, though, so do experiment with this.
//
// To get started, place the CodeBrainNewsFree.class file and ALL files
// used by the applet in the SAME directory.
//
// Check out the demo(s) included, and gradually change parameters to get
// a feel for how the applet works.
//
// We know you'll have great success with CodeBrainNewsFree.class. It's
// a simple applet to use, but undoubtedly one of the very best and most
// versatile scrollers you'll find anywhere.
//
// Best regards,
//
// CodeBrain
//
// IMPORTANT:
// CodeBrainNewsFree.class will show a 20-second notice plate when live
// to the Net. The Pro version of the applet does NOT show this notice
// plate, and starts and runs 20 seconds faster. If you choose to upgrade
// to the Pro version, the only code change needed will be changing the
// code= filename from CodeBrainNewsFree.class to CodeBrainNews.class.
P A R A M E T E R S
=========================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Must be present, EXACTLY, or the applet will not run.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// Pause sets the pause (dwell) time each text items makes at the top of
// the scroll. Although this parameter is optional, you usually want
// to set it to some value -- or the reader has difficulty with the text
// going by too quickly. We suggest a range of 2000 to 5000. The value
// is set in milliseconds; that is, value="2000" would pause for two full
// seconds as each text item comes to the top of the applet.
//
// The default for this parameter is value="2000" -- so if you want no
// pause at all, you should set it to value="1".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This sets the applet background color.
//
// Usual RGB format, values 0-255.
// Example: value = "255,0,0" would make the applet background red.
//
// The default color (if you don't use this parameter) is white.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameters sets the (optional) image to be used for the applet
// background. This image sits on top of the applet background, but
// behind the applet text. Leave this parameter out if you use no
// image for the background.
//
// Images may be .gif, transparent.gif, animated .gif, or .jpg format.
// Keep image file sizes and dimensions as small as possible, of course,
// to keep down loading time and redrawing overhead.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This sets the color of the applet text.
//
// Usual RGB format, values 0-255.
// Example: value = "0,255,0" would make the text medium green.
//
// The default color (if you don't use this parameter) is black.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This sets the mouseOver or 'link' color. The text for each item
// changes to this color when the mouse passes over it.
//
// Usual RGB format, values 0-255.
// Example: value = "0,0,128" would make the link color dark blue.
//
// The default color (if you don't use this parameter) is red.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This is the font to be used by the applet, sometimes called the font
// face. JAVA applets universally support the following fonts:
//
// Dialog
// Helvetica
// Courier
// TimesRoman
// Symbol
//
// The default font (if you don't use this parameter) is Dialog.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This sets the overall size of the applet font. Practical sizes range
// from around 10 to 36, though smaller and larger sizes will work.
//
// The default size (if you leave out this parameter) is a compromise 11
// that works well for general use across a variety of screen resolutions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This sets the font style for the text.
// JAVA applets universally support the following styles:
//
// plain
// bold
// italic
// bolditalic
//
// The default font style (if you don't use this parameter) is plain.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// The parameter sets how far from the LEFT side of the applet, in
// pixels, that the text will appear. This is quite useful in
// controlling your layout, so the text won't be slammed against
// the side of the applet, and can be used in conjunction with
// the BackImage (above) to create striking displays.
//
// For example, value="25" would cause the text to begin its printing
// 25 pixels from the left of the applet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// The parameter sets how far from the TOP edge of the applet, in
// pixels, that the text will appear. This is quite useful in
// controlling your layout, so the text won't be slammed against
// the top of the applet, and can be used in conjunction with
// the BackImage (above) to create striking displays.
//
// For example, value="50" would cause the text to begin its printing
// 50 pixels from the top of the applet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// This effectively "clips" the scroller display area. The dimension
// is in pixels, and will be in addition to any LeftMargin if you've
// set that parameter. For instance, if you set LeftMargin as
// value="30" and ScrollerWidth as value="100" the text would begin
// printing at 30 pixels from the left, and be clipped at 130 pixels
// from the left.
//
// This parameter is particularly useful when you're using the scroller
// on top of a BackImage (above), for fitting the scrolling area
// exactly where you want it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// This effectively "clips" the scroller display area. The dimension
// is in pixels, and will be in addition to any TopMargin if you've
// set that parameter. For instance, if you set TopMargin as
// value="50" and ScrollerHeight as value="200" the text would begin
// printing at 50 pixels from the top, and be clipped at 250 pixels
// from the top.
//
// This parameter is particularly useful when you're using the scroller
// on top of a BackImage (above), for fitting the scrolling area
// exactly where you want it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This parameter is optional.
//
// If set, the soundfile will play each time a text item is coming to the
// top of the applet.
//
// The soundfile must be a standard .au file, per usual JAVA use.
//
// Special Note: Your sound file should be as short as possible (time),
// and you should NOT use this parameter unless you have the Pause
// (above) value set. The Pause value really should be longer than
// the duration of the sound file. Doing otherwise won't crash
// anything -- but the sound file may sometimes not play.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This set of parameters sets the text to be used for each item.
//
// For EACH TEXT ITEM, change the number portion of the parameter.
// Numbers MUST be successive, starting at 1, with no skips in the number
// sequence. For example:
//
//
//
//
// For multiple lines in an item, you MUST use the special character |
// (called a 'pipe') at the end of each line. For instance:
//
//
//
// would show up in the applet as:
//
// This is how
// you break
// lines
//
// For spacing, you can use spaces anywhere but at the beginning of the
// first line in the value="". Use spaces to simulate indentation, to
// center text, lay out in cascades, etc. Remember most fonts are
// proportioning, so sometimes you have to fiddle with this to get just
// the effect you want.
//
// To get a space between lines, use two pipes with a space between
// them, like this:
//
//
//
// which would show up in the applet like this:
//
// This is how
//
// you space
// lines
//
// Have a look at the included demo(s) if you need additional examples.
// Also, we usually suggest you do this in NotePad or another plain
// text editor -- it's easier (though not necessary). Some HTML
// editors (notably MS FrontPage) make this simple task painful, at
// times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This would be the link associated with a given text item, following
// the same numbering scheme as in the TextX parameter above -- that
// is, Link1 would be the link associated with Text1, Link2 associates
// with Text2, etc.
//
// If you do NOT want a text item linked -- leave out the tag. Skips in
// the number sequence of the LinkX parameter ARE permitted. If you
// don't want an item linked, just leave out the associate LinkX
// parameter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This is the target frame or window that the corresponding image will
// link to. Again, same numbering scheme as with images. It IS okay to
// skip numbers in TargX. If you don't specify a TargX, the default
// is _top -- that is, same window.
//
// Just so you don't have to go look it up... TargX takes the
// same general values that you use in HTML. Values with an underscore
// usually refer to the browser itself, thus:
// _new - opens a new window
// _blank - also a new window
// _self - loads in the same frame
// _top - opens in the same window
// When using a framed page layout, the value for TargX would be the
// name of the frame where you want the linked page to appear; i.e.,
// main, contents, george -- whatever name you've given the frame.
=========================================================================
The CodeBrainNewsFree.class applet is (c) 1999,2000 by CodeBrain
Redistribution of this applet is strictly forbidden.
All responsibility for use of the applet remains with the user.