JM's Mandelbrot Explorer - v1.21

JM's Mandelbrot is one of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to explore the
mysterious world of the Mandelbrot Set. It is easy enough for the most timid 
PC user to pick up, but still has the power to accommodate the needs of the 
hard-core fractal explorer.

-------- Features --------

- Blistering speed 
- Intuitive user interface 
- User-definable fractal equations 
- User-definable palette (up to 24-bit colour)
- Colour-cycling
- Save and restore interesting locations 
- Save and load Fractint-compatible palette maps
- Easily set (with 1-button!) image as your Windows wallpaper 
- Zoom in over 1,000,000,000,000,000 times! 
- Animated (ie. fun!) zoom in and zoom out 
- Comprehensive help, including Mandelbrot Set description
- Did I mention fast? 
- Freeware (friendly emails appreciated!)


-------- System Requirements --------

To run JM's Mandelbrot Explorer on your PC, you'll need:

Minimum:
- 486DX
- Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT operating system

Recommended:
- Pentium or better
- high-color (16-bit) or better video card


-------- Uninstallation --------

Just delete it! The program doesn't mess with your registry or add any 
weird DLLs. 


-------- Frequently Asked Questions --------

(1) Saving a bitmap (or wallpaper) after doing colour cycling sometimes 
results in a strange palette being used for that bitmap. 

Solution: (Workaround) Save the location, then exit and restart the program. 
Load the location, and save it as a bitmap immediately.


(2) I can't exit after I entered my own equation.

Solution: Drawing user-defined equations is very CPU intensive, so it may be 
a little while before the computer notices the exit request. Rest assured that 
it will exit eventually.


-------- Contact --------

The author's email address is minchin@earthling.net 

The latest version of this program will always be available from 
http://surf.to/JMEnterprises 

It will then be distributed to various Internet sites.


-------- Revisions --------

version 1.21 (26-5-99)

- Fine-tuned resizing code to reduce potential bugs and eliminate display glitches
- Reduced occurence of palette and bitmap corruption after save or wallpaper
- Fixed crash when zooming into very small areas
- Reduced memory usage
- Reduced program size
- Added workaround for bug in Microsoft library causing invisible toolbar 
- Removed alternate toolbar layout (due to the above)
- Added better support for large fonts
- Added remove toolbar option
- Rearranged menus


version 1.20 (16-5-99)

- Rewrote core graphics routine for extreme speed increase!
- Added colour-cycling
- Added user-definable palette and palette editor
- Added load/save palette (Fractint compatible)
- Changed to modern flat buttons
- Added alternate (novice) interface
- Separated options dialog into palette and equation dialogs
- Changed Square It! button to a toggle, and renamed it Undistort
- Fixed undistort to work after screen resizing
- Added lots of keyboard shortcuts
- Created new program icon
- Added readme.txt file (finally!)
- Added lots of help


version 1.1 (20-11-1998) 

- Added some different fractal types 
- Added the ability to enter your own fractals (Phew!) 
- Tidied up the user-interface (slightly) 


version 1.03a (2-10-1998) 

- Fixed intermittent redraw bug 


version 1.03 (29-9-1998) 

- Changed to standard Windows Help file format 
- Fixed double-click bug 
- Added options window for palette selection 
- Palette fully user adjustable 
- Palette now saved with location 
- Palette optionally loaded with saved location 


version 1.02 (2-9-1998) 

- Changed to a nicer palette 
- Tidied up print preview window 
- Fixed printing for all printers (maybe) 
- Added 'square it' button, to fix distorted zooms 
- Added status bar down the bottom, with extended help 
- Restructured 'Save As' in menu 
- Added some keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl-Z to undo 


version 1.01 (21-8-1998) - private release 

- Fixed maximise window bug 
- Added print preview window - printing not yet tested 
- Added drag image to move it 
- Added cursor clipping, so you can't move the mouse off the screen 


version 1.00 (13-8-1998) 

- Rewrote core in ASM - now 10 times faster! 
- Fixed bug in window resizing 
- Added multiple undo/redo facility 
- Added save as wallpaper 
- Added copy to clipboard 
- Added save as bitmap 
- Added animated zoom in and zoom out 


version 0.99 (20-7-1998) 

- Resizable window 
- Link to web site 
