readme.txt

一个类似于WinAmp的Mp3播放器,功能不错,有换肤等功能,是一个不错的vb播放器.

VBAMP1.06 DirectX特别版全部代码,由于摆脱了微软的MCI控件改用DirectSound所以有级佳的音效,更小的系统占用,更优秀的媒体支持,另外还附带了两个精美的界面插件!!VERY VERY VERY COOL CODE!!这些实在是太棒了!!我将继续观察其更新动态!!

VB-Amp Pro - Readme
===================
Version: 1.06 DX, Nov 21/1999 

VB-Amp Pro is (C)1999 Steve J. Gray. This program is FREEWARE.

FREEWARE. You may copy this and/or use this program freely and
without charge, however I retain the copyright. If you want to use
code from VB-Amp in your own program please see the Development section!

Since VB-Amp Pro is freeware, PLEASE read this entire file and the
documentation BEFORE e-mailing me with support questions! Please pay
particular attention to the requirements section regarding runtime
files!!!!!

When e-mailing with support questions please supply the following:

	* VB-Amp Pro version (specify DX version!!!!)
	* Which OS you are running (95/98/NT4 etc)
	* Which version of DirectX Media or MS MediaPlayer you have installed
	* Where you got your runtime files (If it won't run at all)

The more info you supply the more likely you will receive a reply.

  If you have any comments or suggestions, requested features etc
please don't hesitate to contact me.

  And lastly, my thanks go to all those who have contributed code and
suggestions.

(DirectX Media Version - Thanks to Rollie Ulug for the conversion)

Steve Gray  [e-mail]
http://www.ryerson.ca/~sgray


Requirements
------------

* VisualBASIC 6 Runtimes (including: Common Dialog, SSTab controls)
  
  Full runtimes are available by downloading my Mimic complete release

* Microsoft Media Player 5.2 or higher (6.4 recommended)

  Links to MediaPlayer are on my home page.


VisualBASIC runtime files
-------------------------

	Complete runtimes are available by downloading the full release of Mimic
	from my home page. I cannot guarantee that runtimes obtained from another
	source will include all the nesessary files!!!

	Runtimes from Microsoft and Winfiles.com (windows95.com) DO NOT
	contain all the required files!!!

The following error messages indicate you have missing runtimes:	
	* "A required component is missing..."
	* "Unexpected Error..." 

Other errors:
	* Error 50003. This is caused by installing certain Microsoft upgrade
  	products. This is not a trappable error, so the program crashes.
  	For some people the problem is solved by (re)-registering files.
  	Use the "Run" command from the start menu and enter the following:
		regsvr32.exe comctl32.ocx
  	Some people also need to enter:
		regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll

Development
-----------

  VB-Amp and VB-Amp Pro are (C)1999 Steve J. Gray. I am releasing the
source code for public use, however I retain the copyright. If you
would like to use bits and pieces of the code in your own projects you
are welcome to, however, I would appreciate a credit of some kind.

  If you want to use VB-Amp as a starting point for your own app and you
intend to release the program (either for Free or commercial) to the public
you must include the following notice in your documentation or readme:

	*********************************************
	This program is based on the freely available
	VB-Amp Pro (C)1999 Steve J. Gray
	Source code for VB-Amp Pro is available at:
	http://www.ryerson.ca/~sgray
	*********************************************

  In the spirit of open source code I would encourage you to contribute
to the VB-Amp project rather than releasing a separate/competing product.
If you have used code from VB-Amp and would like a link on my page please
contact me.

  If you would like to contribute please e-mail me. Below are some of
the ideas and thoughts for future releases. If you feel you can code
any of the things on the list let me know. I will coordinate all
enhancements and submissions and make them available on my web site.


Skins
-----

  Please go to the skins download page for more skins.

  Note: VB-Amp (1.05) and my new Mimic (1.00) program can use
	  the same player skins.

If you develop a new skin please send it along and I will add it to my
skins page.


To-Do List / Ideas for Future
-----------------------------

* A nice new ICON for the system tray and exe!
* More Documentation :-)
* Multi-state status indicators
* Analog Dial controls
* Elapsed/Remaining for Digital Display Time
* Simple scope or frequency analyser
* True shuffle play (no repeats for entire playlist)
* Improved continuous playback
* Lyrics playback (like SJGPlay)
* Implement Auto On/Off events
* AutoDetect CD changes for Visual Playlist Selector
* Playlist sorting
* Front-end for a cdda extractor/encoding engine
* CD Audio support with CDDB
* Filetype Registration
* Context sensitive right-mouse button popup menus


Known Bugs/Problems
-------------------

* Adjusting Playback speed while playing MS Audio4 beta files may
  cause the program to crash.


Revision History
----------------

V1.06 DX - Nov 21/1999	
	- Added Transparent Bitmap support
	- Added form background color setting in skin
	- Fixed Skin loading when font not available for label
	- Added Mute Indicators

V1.05b DX - Aug 9/1999
	- Fixed graphics for track-time not updating
	- Fixed skin loading problems (I forgot to copy some changes
	  from Mimic skin loading routine to make them compatible...)
	- Fixed date display to match Mimic (3 letter day and month)

V1.05 DX - Aug 2/1999
	- Converted to DirectX Media by Rollie Ulug ([e-mail])
	- Removed MCI engine and support for non-ActiveMovie file formats
	- Overlap playback support disabled
	- Added Playback Rate Control, modified default skin
	- Elapsed slider now shows time of slider position while adjusting
	- ID Tags can now be saved to currently playing song (there will be
	  a slight pause as it is being saved)
	- Balance control now working
	- Added Bold, Italic and Underlined attributes to skins
	- Moved skin link buttons to thier own letter (K)
	- Skin format compatible with my "Mimic" program
	  (player/clock skins; without timer only)

V1.04 - Jun 5/1999
	- No longer auto repeats playlist
	- Random mode now more random
	- Added resolution-based skin loading (used with skin linking to
	  select proper skin file based on current screen width)
	- Remembers/re-displays playlist cover when no tag in MP3 file and
	  "Load cover from IDTag" option enabled
	- Fixed DirAdd Extension to accept lower case
	- Implemented AutoStart file option. You can now specify a file,
	  playlist, or directory to be loaded at startup. Specify a directory
	  and throw all your files inside it and you'll never need to make
	  a playlist again...
	- Added "Current" button to IDTag editor

V1.03 - Feb 21/1999
	- Improved popup menu code. Added more menu options
	- Improved MP3 IDTag (V1.1) Display/editing with Album Cover picture
	- Increased size of Prefs window
	- New skin header format for bitmap line. Now with import options.
	- Added Importing/blitting commands to skins. Good for importing
	  "fixed-size" skins such as Winamp (WinAmp.skin included - needs work)
	- Added graphic text modes (including WinAmp compatible mode)
	  (Skin "D" elements now have additional parameter)
	- Fixed new Skin Info not displaying if skin selected from prefs window
	- Added "Load Cover from IDTag" option
	- Turned off playlist "integral height" option. The Playlist height in
	  your old skins may need adjustment.

V1.02 - Jan 13/1999
	- Fixed Play/Pause combo button
	- Fixed slider visible even if skin has no slider
	- Fixed VPS restart if cancel clicked while loading pictures
	- Changed AB-Repeat "A" button to function as both "A" and "B"
	  if "B" button is not visible.
	- Added "NOT" indicators
	- Added digital displays for kbps, kHz
	- Added graphic indicator for volume (treated as a slider element)
	- Added adjustable playback overlap (mixing)

V1.01 - Jan 9/1999
	- Fixed DirAdd Valid Extensions option
	- Now reads MP3 file for correct kbps, KHz, mono/stereo info
	  (not sure if stereo/jstereo is correct)
	- Slider now follows mouse correctly
	- Implemented volume slider (also syncs with mixer level)
	- Implemented volume up/down/mute and volume% label
	- Updated sample skins to include volume slider
	- Converted most sample skins from BMP to GIF
	  (Reducing sizes by about 75%. Remember to delete the
	   old BMP skin files!)
	- Fixed OptDefPath, default path for Load
	- Fixed "Element doesn't exist" error in VPS.
	- Fixed indicators flashing when new skin loaded
	- Added code to make sure entire form is visible when skin loaded
	- Added right-mouse menu for main form (same as tray icon menu)
	- Changed hard-coded twips values to actual screen setting
	  (should work better on different resolutions/video cards)
	- Removed emergency quit/skin select button
	  (can use popup menu now instead!)
	- Implemented Multiple regions. Updated skin documentation
	  (I think the skin format is now pretty much set)

V1.00 - Jan 1/1999
	- VPS now scales to screen size
	- VPS now allows for categorization
	- Now remembers skin and file directories
	- Fixed leading zero's on digital displays
	- Updated skin.txt file (removed references to FMTuner:-)
	- Changed skin format to allow commas in comments
	  (useful for disabling element by adding ";," to start.
	- Added skin comment command
	- Added skin position (top left, bottom right, etc)

Preview Dec 13/1998
	- Initial Preview Release
	- Skins 90% complete
	- Visual Playlist Selector (VPS)
	  (displays 16 playlists with album covers)
	- Some Preference options not working