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                 ABC-WARE Software for Kids!

                       Snowman 6.01.0601

                Copyright 1995-2004 J. Behling

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Dear parents,

Children are attracted by computers as if by magic. Being strange and 
suspicious to many adults, to children this modern aid is as natural as 
the telephone and the TV. Just the fact that mum and dad use it excites 
the curiosity of the child.

ABC-WARE is software for children *). Under this name programs are 
developed which do not contain violence and have no racist and other 
contents which are liable to corrupt the young. Here you will not find 
any shoot-'em-up games.

ABC-WARE stimulates the creativity and the intellectual and logical 
capacities, supports the imagination of your child and in an enjoyable 
and playful way practises simple tasks as reading, 
arithmetic, etc., either by itself or together with children of the 
same age or with the whole family.

Make sure that your child spends its time at the computer in a useful 
way. Pay attention to ABC-WARE when buying software. This ensures that 
you always choose the right software.


*) There are supposedly even adults who enjoy ABC-WARE!




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Installation

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The installation program will ask you in which directory Snowman shall 
be installed. You can either accept the default directory or enter a 
directory of your choice. If the directory does not exist already, it 
will be created by the installation program.

After the installation your target directory has to contain the following 
files:

    Target directory:
        readme.txt      introduction
        snowman32.exe   main program
        snowman32.chm   help file
        order.doc       order form
        *\*.dat         sample files containing the vocabulary 
                        for the licensed version
        snowman.mid     sound file

    Windows System directory:
        msvbvm60.dll    Visual Basic runtime module (distributed
                        separately with online versions)

Attention: This file may also be used by other programs! If you 
want to deinstall Snowman for any reason, make sure that no other 
programs use this runtime module, before you delete it!

A program group will be created and the icons for Snowman will be added 
automatically.

Note: To enjoy the sound effects you need a sound card.

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History

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You can download the newest version of Snowman from ABC-Ware's homepage: 
http://www.abc-ware.com/

04.11.2004  Version 6.01.0601
    * minor internal optimizations
    * new setup version

21.03.2004  Version 6.00.0595
    * added new pictures series
    * removal of letters optional
    * fixed some minor problems
    * new setup version

14.12.2002  Version 5.30.0554 
    * minor internal optimizations

03.03.2002  Version 5.20.0502
    * added option "minimum word length"
    * fixed some minor problems

06.02.2002  Version 5.11.0477
    * added french language help file
    * fixed some minor problems

22.01.2002  Version 5.10.0475
    * added french language support
    * fixed some minor problems

09.01.2002  Version 5.00.0459
    * Creation of new vocabulary files from inside program possible
    * added support of accents 
    * added new words and categories
    * enhanced speed of load with large vocabulary files
    * synchronized sound effects
    * fixed minor bugs

29.07.2001  Version 4.21.0427
    * fixed problems on some system configurations

13.03.2001  Version 4.20.0419
    * enhanced speed of loading
    * german "" is now converted to "ss"
    * fixed some problems with "ss" in vocabulary

22.02.2001  Version 4.10.0410
    * added spanish and portuguese language support 
    * more than 12,000 words after registration
    * resized textfield in word editor (depending on screen resolution)
    * optimized loading speed
    * fixed some minor bugs

15.12.2000  Version 4.00.0365
    * added new option background 
    * added possibilty to use multiple words or short meanings
    * automated language detection with first program start
    * added buttons for lamnguage change in main window
    * new HTMLHelp file format
    * new error handling
    * password dialog couldn't be cancelled, fixed
    * enhanced color settings 
    * new setup interface

01.07.2000  Version 3.1.282
    * fixed an error with resize event 
    * new setup version  

14.01.2000  Version 3.0.280
    * fixed an error with password rekognition

11.01.2000  Version 3.0.279
    * new pictures "ship" and "bird" added
    * multilingual version
      Thus enables you to practice your foreign language vocabulary
    * background music on start (optional) 
    * now more than 1000 new words in registered version
    * changed licence conditions for schools
    * changed path for vocabulary files to language specific 
      subdirectories
    * new setup version  

19.09.1999  Version 2.43 
    * changed path for vocabulary files to subdirectory "daten" 
      because of an incompability of the setup uninstall program
    * fixed a minor bug for window resize events  
    * fixed another bug in help call

04.09.1999  Version 2.42 
    * fixed minor bug in help call

24.03.1999  Version 2.41 
    * fixed minor bug in setup

07.03.1999  Version 2.40 
    * optional password protection for vocabulary editor
    * fixed a bug with online help
    * new release of setup program

08.03.1998  Version 2.31 
    * minor bugfix
    * minor changes in setup
    
14.12.1997  Version 2.30 
    * integrated vocabulary editor
    * more words
    
16.11.1997  Version 2.21 
    * minor graphical enhancements
    * new version of installation program

02.11.1997  Version 2.2 (32-Bit)
    * First 32-Bit-Version

27.10.1997  Version 2.2
    * minor bugfix
    * bugfix in setup program

27.06.1997  Version 2.1
    * pictures now may be changed without starting a new game
    * minor bugfix

28.01.1997  Version 2.0a
    * more pictures
    * several vocabulary files option
    * windows resizable
    * better sound effects

01.09.1996  Version 1.0c
    * enhancements in graphics and sound

31.03.1996  Version 1.0b (first english version)
    * enhancements in options window
    * new Setup version


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Shareware

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This program is released as shareware. It may (and shall) be copied and 
distributed without the copyright being violated, provided the program 
and the documentation are not modified and form a complete package when 
distributed.

All rights concerning this product are reserved. It is prohibited to 
distribute the software commercially and/or to profit from its distri-
bution without explicit permission. Only a fee for costs of materials 
and copy costs (which should not exceed DM 10) as well as for postage 
and packing may be charged. If used in shareware bundles (incl. CD-ROM) 
or on supplement disks of magazines a specimen copy has to be submitted.

            SHAREWARE = FAIRWARE

Shareware means that you can test the program thoroughly before you 
decide to buy it. After a maximum trial period of 15 days you are 
expected to register with the author. With a modest registration fee 
you support the further development of this program as well as the 
development of other programs.

As a registered user you have the following advantages:

 * You are a legal user of the program
 * No shareware reminders during the execution of the program
 * After entering your password you automatically have access to more 
   than 13,000 new words and can also insert own wordsand create own 
   vocabulary files
 * Your password is valid for all future versions
 * You will be informed of all ABC-WARE products if you like
 * You will be given a price reduction on all other ABC-WARE products
 * If you have problems you can get support in writing
 * You support the shareware concept!



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Disclaimer

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Snowman has been tested thoroughly, nevertheless errors can have 
slipped in. In view of the multitude of possible hardware and software 
combinations, interactions and incompatibilities cannot be ruled out. 
There is no warranty for a faultless operation of Snowman, the author 
is not liable in any way for any damages which may results from using 
the program. The entire risk as to the use of the software is assumed 
by the user.





