The CountDown.ini file stores all the settings and events for the program, so that it can "remember" what you set the program to the last time you used it.
The CountDown.ini file MUST reside in the program folder (where the CountDown.exe file is stored). If for some reason you don't have the CountDown.ini file in the program folder you can create one by manually typing one up in notepad, or you can copy and paste the ini file that is shown at the end of this page. (Make sure that when you save the file that it is saved as a TEXT file and not a binary file. It must have the name CountDown.ini and it must be in the same folder as the program executeable.
When you create new events, or change the setting in the CountDown program, the CountDown.ini file is updated to remember those additions/changes. When you have 10 events created, you will not be able to add (or remove) any by using the CountDown program. You will have to edit the CountDown.ini file manually to delete Events. (Note: you will always be able to EDIT existing events from within the program.
Below follows an explanation of the two sections found in the ini file:
The first section deals with the program settings. (Allows the program to "remember" if you set it to always be on top, or to display the title bar. The section is headed with a title of [Settings]. That heading tells the program where to find all the setting information. The information below settings is divided into a name/value pair.
The writing in Blue below are comments to explain what each element is.
[Settings] 'Section heading
ActiveEvent= 1
Tells the program which even to start when the program
loads. Can be a number from 1 to 10 (provided that there are that many events
created). Eg if you specify ActiveEvent= 5 when there are only 4 events, you will get an
error when the program starts. If you don't want any event to start when the program
loads, then set ActiveEvent to Minus one (ie. ActiveEvent=-1
)
Top=3255
Left=3765
Tells the program where the form should be positioned on the
screen ie 3255 pixels from the top of the screen and 3765 pixels from the left.
ShowTitle=0
ShowDescription=-1
ShowDate=0
ShowStatusBar=0
AlwaysOnTop=-1
The above values are pretty self explanatory. They can take the value of either 0 (False) or -1 (True)
mnuBefore0=-1 ' alert at 1 minute before
mnuBefore1=0 ' alert at 5 minutes before
mnuBefore2=0 ' alert at 15 minutes before
mnuBefore3=0 ' alert at 30 minute
mnuBefore4=0 ' alert at 1 hour
mnuBefore5=0 ' alert at 1 day before
mnuBefore6=0 ' alert at 1 week before
The above values indicate which alerts are set in the alert menu.
They can take the value of either 0 (False) or -1 (True)
The Second section deals with the events set. Each event will be identical in setup to the one below, except for the individual values. The all should start with the event heading. (ie. [Event01], [Event02] through [Event10])
If you type in more than ten events, they will be ignored by the program. If you don't follow the numbering sequence (01, 02...10) the events following (and including) the invalid event will be ignored
NOTE: The end date and end Time must ALWAYS be in the future, or you will get an error message.
[Event01]
Title=Y2K Countdown
Description=Counting down to the new millenium!
EndDate=12/31/1999
EndTime=23:59:59[Event02]
Title=My Birthday
Description=Get me presents before this date!
EndDate=11/21/2000
EndTime=06:00:00
If you have trouble with your ini file, just copy and paste this one into any text editor.
[Settings]
AlwaysOnTop=-1
ActiveEvent=-1
Top=3255
Left=3765
ShowTitle=0
ShowDescription=0
ShowDate=0
ShowStatusBar=0
mnuBefore0=0
mnuBefore1=0
mnuBefore2=0
mnuBefore3=0
mnuBefore4=0
mnuBefore5=0
mnuBefore6=0
[Event01]
Title=Y2K Countdown
Description=Counting down to the new millenium!
EndDate=12/31/1999
EndTime=23:59:59
[Event02]
Title=My Birthday
Description=Get me presents before this date!
EndDate=11/21/2000
EndTime=06:00:00