Flasher Archive

[Previous] [Next] - [Index] [Thread Index] - [Previous in Thread] [Next in Thread]


Subject: Re: FLASH: Comparison of Flash Screensaver Software (long)
From: Larry Antram
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 18:18:54 +0100

FYI, Screen Saver Toolkit 2.1.41 does everything mentioned except allow
localization of english language text strings.

Regards, Larry Antram
Stardust Software
2869 152nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 USA
Tel: (425)558-4984, Orders: 1-800-300-6943, Fax: (425)558-7948
Web: http://www.sdust.com, http://www.stardustsoftware.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Donkers, Bram <BDonkersatHISCOM [dot] NL>
To: flasheratshocker [dot] com <flasheratshocker [dot] com>
Cc: 'larryaatsdust [dot] com' <larryaatsdust [dot] com>; 'betatestatlivingscreen [dot] com'
<betatestatlivingscreen [dot] com>; 'groovewareatquatro [dot] demon [dot] nl'
<groovewareatquatro [dot] demon [dot] nl>; 'infoatmacsourcery [dot] com' <infoatmacsourcery [dot] com>
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 1998 9:38 AM
Subject: FLASH: Comparison of Flash Screensaver Software (long)


>Dear Flasher members,
>
>--------------
>Introduction
>--------------
>I've tried several (beta) products to create a screensaver from a flash
>file the last days. Some were referenced in this list, some were not. It
>took some time to download all and check them out, so for anyone who is
>interested, reading this posting can save you time.
>
>My ideal product would:
>
>* Support all Flash 3 features, including the Flash Generator
>* Create an Installer with minimum overhead size
>* Offer the possibility to write the messages in the warning boxes
>yourself. (so I'm not bound to English but can create a Dutch
>end-product as well)
>* Install itself automatically as the default screensaver AND
>opens the Settings:Controlpanel:Display:Screensaver tab to set any
>options.
>* Offer the possibility to include a live URL in the about box.
>* Have limited credits. E.g. a version tab with product name under
>properties. No splash screens or large credits on the about box.
>Alright, a 32x32 icon is acceptable ;-).
>* Have a simple Drag and Drop & Explorer style interface to select
>flash movies etc.
>
>This product doesn't exist yet, so developers, the floor is yours !!!
>And if you are aware of any other products I would be pleased to know.
>Anyway, here is my subjective and incomplete comparison of existing
>products:
>
>
>My First Choice:
>-------------------------------
>LivingScreen (Betatest 2)
>-------------------------------
>
>http://www.livingscreen.com/home.html
>Price : ??? (Tell us Chris, what will it be ? ;-) )
>Installer overhead : 239 Kb
>
>
>Livingscreen is the only screensaver which includes an option to
>integrate Flash Generator !!! It also has a clear interface and
>selection sequence to create the screensaver.
>
>Good point: After double-clicking the installer a popup screen appears
>and asks for confirmation before installing.
>Bad point: In Beta 2 the inclusion of the Macromedia and Livingscreen
>logo are much too large. Please make it subtler....
>One major missing feature though: No possibilities to include URL in
>about box yet to direct your enduser to your site.
>
>My Second Choices:
>
>-------------------------
>Screentime for Flash
>-------------------------
>
> http://www.macsourcery.com/web/ScreenTime/screentime.html
> Price: $149,=
>Installer overhead: 377 Kb
>
>It is the most easy to use screensaver product, just drag and drop the
>flashmovie on the app and ready !!
>It also has the best install sequence since it Installs itself as the
>default screensaver AND opens the
>Settings:Controlpanel:Display:Screensaver tab for Dummies to set any
>options.
>A minus for the options box though: No possibilities for an expiry date
>and inclusion of an URL, it's just a plain about box
>
>--------------------------------------------
>Stardust Screen Saver Toolkit 2.1.35
>--------------------------------------------
>http://www.stardustsoftware.com/sstoolkit
>Price: $249,=
>Total overhead: 360 Kb
>
>This is the most complete screensaver creator. I.e. if you are also
>interested in creating screensavers with *.avi files, *.bmp files with
>transitions, external sounds, etc.
>
>Online demo version 2.1.30 doesn't support flash yet ! :-(
>But in a posting in the Flash Group Larry Antram <larryaatsdust [dot] com>
>announced the release of version 2.1.35 with flash support. He will also
>be so kind to create a demo screensaver file for you if you send him a
>demo flash file. Beware: As far as I understood, this product uses the
>*.swf file and not a projector file !! The installer includes the setup
>engine, plus the uninstaller, plus the custom stardust screen saver
>engine (?) (which includes complete support for all options -- flash
>animations, videos, audio, images, transition effects, etc) which has
>about a 360K overhead.
>
>Extra feature: Password protection on installer.
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------
>Not really mature products (yet)
>--------------------------------------
>
>Grooveware's Screenweaver isn't acceptable yet since it doesn't register
>itself as the default screensaver. A lot of endusers won't have a clue
>how to change the screensaver manually themselves, so this is
>unacceptable. And the installer overhead of 648 Kb is rather large,
>especially if you take into consideration crappy 14k4 modems and
>(re)distribution on a floppy disk. But considering the price version 2
>can be promising, so Edwin van Rijkom, give it your best shot !!
>
>Screenweaver
>http://www.grooveware.com/screenweaver/downloadit.htm
>Price: $59,=
>Overhead: 648 Kb
>
>-: Doesn't register itself as the default screensaver
>-: Interface Bug: When starting this app it opens in a tall and small
>window with scrollbars. You need to drag the corner first manually
>before you can use it
>Extra features: URL in aboutbox and expiry date setting
>Note: Installer rather large !! ;-(
>
>Cinoan Screensaver (Only an .SCR file)
>http://www.first-base.demon.co.uk/cinoan/
>Lot's of good idea's but no installer yet, not even a decent .ini file.
>Just the .scr file to be connected with the flash projector to be named
>flash.exe ....
>
>
>Kind Regards,
>
>Bram Donkers
>Interaction Designer
>Hiscom BV


------------------------------------------------------------------------
To UNSUBSCRIBE send: unsubscribe flasher in the body of an
email to list-manageratshocker [dot] com. Problems to: owneratshocker [dot] com
N.B. Email address must be the same as the one you used to subscribe.
For info on digest mode send: info flasher to list-manageratshocker [dot] com

[Previous] [Next] - [Index] [Thread Index] - [Next in Thread] [Previous in Thread]