February 19th, 2002

DirectXtras is pleased to announce a new version (3.0) of DirectOS Xtra.

About DirectOS Xtra
-------------------

DirectOS Xtra is a powerful cross-platform Scripting Xtra for Macromedia
Director and Authorware which provides applications with direct access
to the Windows and MacOS operating systems.

The Xtra provides more than 90 functions that perform identically on
both Windows and MacOS and which Director and Authorware developers
can use to:

- Retrieve the operating system type and exact version
- Get and set the screen resolution, color depth and refresh rate as
well as query for all available display settings on the system
- Launch external applications at a specified state with command line
support
- Synthesize mouse clicks and keystrokes
- Create, display, and operate a message box
- Create, display, and operate file and folder selection dialogs
- Open or print a file using its associated application
- Find an application associated with a specific file type
- Log off, shut down, or restart the system
- Encrypt/Decrypt files and string variables
- Get and set sound channels volume and mute information
- Change the desktop wallpaper and pattern
- Search for files in a folder or drive with powerful wildcard support
- Check whether any one or more keys are being held down
- Set the cursor position or confine it to a rectangular area of the
screen
- Query for all available printers on the system; set the default one as
well as its properties
- Set the system time and date
- Retrieve a list of subfolders and files in a folder, with powerful
wildcard support
- Create and resolve file or folder links/shortcuts
- Retrieve a list of all available disk drives on the system
- Retrieve information about disk drives, such as type, name, size and
free space
- Un-mount and eject disk drives
- Get and set the current 'working' folder
- Retrieve the pathname of special system folders
- Check for existence of files and folders
- Retrieve and modify files and folders attributes
- Get and set files date and time
- Retrieve the size and version of files
- Copy, move, delete, and recycle files
- Copy, move, delete and create folders
- Retrieve a unique pathname to a nonexistent file or folder that can be
used as a temporary file or folder
- Read from, write to, and delete from INI files
- Get and set the system time zone information
- Check whether a sound card is installed
- Retrieve mouse settings
- Retrieve the processor speed
- Refresh the desktop items
- Query for all running applications on the system
- Manipulate external applications and their child windows
- Get and set the state, name, position and size of an external
application's windows
- Switch between applications
.... and much more...

In addition, the Xtra provides Windows specific functions that can be
used to:

- Easily read, write, and delete strings, integers and binary data
to/from the Windows registry
- Block keyboard and mouse input events from reaching applications
- Retrieve the command-line string passed to your application
- Install, enable or disable screen savers, get and set their time-out
duration
- Convert long pathnames to short and vice versa
- Disable/Enable Ctrl-Alt-Del, Alt-Tab, Start Menu key and other
system keys
- Get and set system and local environment variables
- Open Windows help files

The Xtra also provides MacOS specific functions which can:

- Get and set the creator and type signatures of files
- Checks whether a specific gestalt selector exists
- Retrieve the value of a particular gestalt selector

New In Version 3.0
------------------

We've added more than 30 new functions to the Xtra and enhanced many
existing functions. A complete list of new features and enhancements
can be found in the 'History' section of the Xtra documentation, which
is available on-line at: www.directxtras.com/DOS_docs.asp

In addition, we've added a new 'Sample Code' section to the Xtra
documentation that demonstrates and explains some common uses of the
Xtra. The following samples, including their source code, are
currently available:

- Waiting for a CD-ROM to be inserted into the drive
- Creating a shortcut to the application on the desktop folder
- Opening a URL using the default browser
- Adding items to the Start -> Programs menu \ Apple Menu
- Opening a file using its associated application
- Changing the screen resolution, color depth and refresh rate
- Finding and launching applications
- Finding and launching the default web browser, then controlling
the launched application
- Restarting the system upon user confirmation
- Changing the system's time, date and time zone settings
- Associate files with applications
- Hiding and showing the Windows taskbar
- Obtaining the DirectX version

Upgrades:
---------

Developers who have licensed DirectOS Xtra in the past month or
obtained a Corporate license will automatically receive the upgrade
free of charge, via e-mail.

Developers who have licensed DirectOS Xtra in the past but do not
qualify for a free upgrade are entitled to an upgrading discount.

Please visit www.directxtras.com/order_in.asp for a complete
licensing information and fees.

Trial version:
--------------

A fully functional evaluation version of DirectOS Xtra can be
downloaded from our web site: www.directxtras.com/ .

The trial version includes a sample Director movie that demonstrates
some of the Xtra's features.

We encourage developers to download the trial version
and look forward to your comments, suggestions, ideas and any
questions you might have.

Best Regards,