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| Cintel Equinox ReadMe file |
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 Version: 1.0 Build 71
 Updated: 04/10/01

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 Contents
 -Welcome
 -Beta notice
 -Evaluation notice
 -Build history
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Welcome
=======
Thank you for choosing to download the beta test version of Cintel Equinox.

Equinox is our premier shell replacement and crown jewel of the DeskPro series, seamlessly melding many of Cintel's popular products and technologies, and proviing enhanced functionality over other products of its type. Building on the features that made DeskPro 2000 so popular, Equinox is even faster, more efficient, and easier to update than previous products. Equinox uses Cintel GRI for on-screen rendering, providing maximum speed in controlling your user interface at minimal memory usage. Full remote networking is supported by Cintel's RNEE technology, allowing users' environments to look identical from whichever computer they log-on to.

As you will have noticed, we have already begun to phase-in some of the associated utilities, as this release will be the last interim build in which we only make the GUI component available. Further releases will incorporate the full shell package, including the Equinox configuration utility, and the Invenio file browser.

For more information:
equinox@cintelsoftware.com
www.cintelsoftware.com

Beta notice
===========
This version of Cintel Equinox is a beta release, and is provided solely for product evaluation and testing purposes. As such, many features do not yet work as they should or are not present at all, being subject to change as the product develops. Equinox should not be installed on any mission-critical computers in the event that a problem occurs. Software by its very nature is not bug free. No software works flawlessly for all parties in all environments. Equinox is subjected to extensive testing prior to release, and we hope to identify and fix any bug that affects the majority of users in a material way.

We have worked hard to improve the previous versions to provide the most stable and effective web server that we can, however, bugs may be present in the code that may affect Equinox's stability or performance. If you encounter any problems, please e-mail us at the address above, providing us as much information about the problem as you can; what you were doing, what error message was displayed (if any), and what happened. For information about the License under which you use Equinox, please see the enclosed Disclaimer.rtf file.

Evaluation notice
=================
This version of Equinox is an evaluation version and is intended to function as the full version for a period of 30 uses, after which time it will cease to operate. You must obtain an updated version from Cintel Software if you wish to continue using the program.

Build History
=============
As Equinox progresses through the development cycle, we will document the changes and issues relating to each publicly-released version.

Build 71
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* Fixed 'Subscript out of range' bug on deletion of last task.
* Equinox now caches and clears Invenio's resources at startup and shut-down.
* New Data file Checker integrated. When an incorrect shut-down of the GUI is detected, or when launched manually, the DFC will verify and restore user data files from backup files.
* Previous network code completely removed. Implemented Cintel's new XPN library and built network login from scratch. This will be the the first public release of the technology, which is still in beta testing.
* Only one port now needs to be set in Network Options; 'Network Data port'. This is used by XPN for both incoming and outgoing connections.
* Finally, the 'Encrypt network data' option functions correctly. XPN handles all security options internally.
* The licence agreement is now displayed at first-run. The user must click 'Agree' to begin using Equinox.
* PLEASE NOTE: The Home Edition now does not feature network support, however, multiple user functionality is still present. Both of the above features will be present in the forthcoming Professional Edition.
* Although included, Cintel Equinox Explorer is not the defualt file browser in Equinox. This can be changed on the General tab of the Options screen.
* 'Encrypt' option for icons added. The interface has not yet been finalised, however.
 
Build 62
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* Fixed not calculating dimensions bug on skin change.
* Finally fixed exit on error loop bug.
* Combined Command Port and Local Port in Network Options into Command Port, and added new File Port for network file transmission.
* Now using Windows API DrawEdge function for menu borders, resulting in a speed increase.
* Now only loads the skin preview if the "Appearance" tab in Options is selected.
* Closed the gap between icons and their captions to prevent flicker when selecting.
* Fixed background image not sized correctly at startup bug.
* Rewritten and optimised login code.
* Personal user data (password etc.) now encrypted.
* The first time Equinox is run, it now adds the contents of the Start Menu to the Programs menu, including all subfolders and files. Since we have yet to optimise the menus, this has led to reduced menu response.
* Now saves Invenios skin settings even if it is not running.
* Fixed stay resident on shut down bug when exiting from the console.
* New "import user" option in Security, which allows the importing of users from Cintel Equinox Server.
* Now includes Cintel Skin Manager, which allows you to download new skins from the Internet as they are released.

Build 60
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* This is an interim build, to test the latest GUI features before the first integrated beta.
* The option to change Invenios skin within the Equinox Options window has no effect.
* STUF20 support has been added, allowing us to use compressed skins and images to save space. To edit the skin files, you must download the Cintel STUF20 Packager from the Cintel website.
* For an optional speed increase, Equinox can be run with the command-line switch -nosub to prevent sub classing of the main window.
* Exit on error loop bug still occurs sometimes.
* New Tasks Manager (formally To Do:) allows customisation of tasks. Fully integrated into the shell, it can also be accessed through the CodeID $tasks
* New inter-application communication system semi-implemented, which should improve performance and remove any ActiveX registration errors.
* Network code completely overhauled, but development still not completed. Build 60 is not compatible with any previous versions.
* New Report a bug feedback form can be accessed when an error occurs, or in the Equinox Start Menu folder.
* New installer application; Windows Installer caused too many system conflicts, so we have reverted to the standard installer.
* New minimum version check for latest version required for an update.

Build 56
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* Many changes have been made in this build as we ramp-up development in anticipation of the soon to be released integrated beta.
* A 30-usage limit has been implemented in this beta release. After this period elapses, Equinox will cease to function.
* Tracked down and eliminated a memory leak where icons would be added to the system cache unnecessarily. Should greatly reduce memory usage when run over long periods of time.
* Integrated new "Allowed actions" feature, which lets Administrators control which CodeIDs can be run by specific users. This allows features such as shut-down, options etc to be enabled and disabled on a per-user basis.
* Items/icons can be set to make Equinox run in "Sleep Mode" when their program/file/folder/Internet resource is clicked-on. This does not shut down Equinox but places it in a reduced-functionality mode in which minimal memory is used.
* Ability to blend items (including icons) into the background. This can be accessed via the item's properties, and allows you to set the percentage of transparency.
* When no background is specified, the desktop now re-paints unlike previous versions.
* The news area of the Welcome Window is now "live," in that it updates automatically with the latest content if you are connected to the Internet.
* If you are connected to the Internet at startup, Equinox can be set to automatically check for updates. This option is enabled/disabled in the Options window.
* The new "Professional" skin has been included in this version.
* The 'Shutdown Options' window has been implemented as the default command for the "Exit" option in the "Commands" menu. It's CodeID is "$exitoptions", and it incorporates the following commands: $exit, $logoff, $reboot, $shutdown
* The "Browse CodeIDs" button now works, when selecting a CodeID for an item or menu item.

Build 52
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* Changed user data storage method.
* All data files (user settings, preferences etc) now encrypted.
* Running multiple instances of Equinox is now prevented.
* Windows Desktop and Start Menu synchronising code updated, but not enabled.
* Temporary help file supplied to check functionality. Press F1 or go to 'Commands' > 'Equinox Help' to view it.
* Console implemented. Press the button above Tab on the keyboard or use 'Commands' > 'Run' to view it. The console can launch files, folders, Internet addresses and also execute CodeIDs (exit, options etc) from within Equinox.

Build 48
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* Error handler added to every procedure should catch (and log) all errors.
* User data storage system optimised.
* Network encryption temporarily disabled while we determine its effectiveness.
* Options window re-arranged. Option to re-enable the Welcome Window added.
* Skin choosing window now integrated with Appearance Options tab.
* Administrators can now be logged-in automatically on startup. Set as default on first run.
* Logout option added to Commands menu. NOTE: If a user is set to automatically log-in, this will have the effect of restarting Equinox without showing the Login Screen.

Build 45
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* Menu editor implemented. Menu items can be edited, however, menus themselves cannot.
* Network handshaking still not implemented. The 'Encrypt network data' option, therefore has no effect on the method of data transmission (data unencrypted).
* Network code slightly optimised.
* Performance is now very acceptable on lowest spec test machine; Pentium II 266MHz, 32MB RAM.

Build 37
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* Fixed caching problem in remote network login. Login should be much faster now and not tie-up the server machine.
* Client log-off issue addressed. Clients should be able to reconnect to a server without changing ports or restarting.
* Refreshing the desktop now reinitialises the graphics, rather than loading them from cache. Icons still need to be refreshed to merge them with the background after dragging.
* Processor usage is much lower than in previous builds.

Build 33
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* Lots of features have yet to be implemented in this version, such as the menu editor (currently menus cannot be edited).
* Shell replacement is unavailable, since DPConfig 2 is not complete. For the time being, Equinox should only be run as a standalone application.
* Remote access works, but login can be very slow and cause the server to temporarily hang (due to caching issues), especially when the remote user has a large background picture.
* When the client logs-off it has to connect via a different port (the server has to use the same port), or restart.
* The Welcome Window is yet to be finalised and some items don't yet do anything.
* Dragging items or icons around can be very slow.
* The options menu needs resorting and the 'compress network data' option doesn't do anything yet.
* There is no option to change a user's password.
* Skins only change the background image and colours. Currently they do not affect the layout or appearance of desktop items in the user interface.