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                 ABC-WARE Software for Kids!

                        Snowman 2.41

                Copyright 1996-99 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.


Often the computer unjustly is condemned as being a cause for isolation,
a lack of creativity, an increasing propensity for violence, etc. This 
is not necessarily so. If the computer is used the right way, i. e. with 
the appropriate software and under control of the parents, it can help 
to encourage creativity and communicational skills.

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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Automatic Installation:


Start the installation by typing

            abcsetup

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
        snowman.exe     main program
        snowman.hlp     help file
        order.wri       order form
        *.dat           sample files containing the vocabulary for the 
                        licensed version
        snowm*.wav      sound files

    Windows System directory:
        vbrun300.dll    Visual Basic runtime module
                        (not included in some versions distributed online)

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 either a sound card or a driver 
for your PC speaker (speaker.drv, available from your shareware retailer 
or by CompuServe).


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History

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24.03.1999  Version 2.41
    * fixed minor bug in setup
    * fixed translation error with next button

07.03.1999  Version 2.40
    * password protection for vocabulary editor (optional)
    * maintenance release
    * new setup program        
    * minor bugs fixed
    
08.03.1998  Version 2.31
    * setup program changed
    * minor bugs fixed
    
14.12.1997  Version 2.30
    * integrated vocabulary editor
    * more words
    
16.11.1997  Version 2.21
    * minor graphical enhancements
    * new setup program

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 500 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.





