Desktop Buddy: Help

Overview

Desktop Buddy is a 3D character that acts as a friendly companion while you're at your computer. Your Buddy will remind you of those important tasks you need to do. You can also ask your Buddy to read to you while you work. Your Buddy can read any plain text file, including the wide range of eBooks that are now widely available on the Internet, and most HTML files and web pages. Finally, Desktop Buddy will also keep you informed with the latest items from your favourite news feeds.

Help for Desktop Buddy is divided into the following sections:

Installing & Uninstalling

Desktop Buddy is built using Java Web Start technology. This makes installation easy. If you already have Java 5 or above installed on your computer, all you need to do is click on the hyperlink on the Desktop Buddy download page and the necessary files will automatically be downloaded and installed on your computer.

Furthermore, the use of Java Web Start means that whenever updates for Desktop Buddy are released, your copy will automatically be upgraded if you launch the program while connected to the Internet.

After downloading the files, you may be prompted to accept a couple of security certificates. You will also be asked if you want icons to be placed on your desktop and in the Start menu. These help make launching Desktop Buddy easier.

Uninstalling Desktop Buddy is also straightforward. From the Windows Control Panel, double click on Java to open the Java Control Panel. Click on the Settings button, then View Applications. This will open the Java Application Cache Viewer. To remove Desktop Buddy, select it from the list of cached applications and simply click on the Remove button.

Launching

If, during the initial download of Desktop Buddy, you opted to install icons on your desktop and Start menu then launching Desktop Buddy is easy. Simply double click on the desktop icon or select the Start menu item just as you would any other application. Otherwise you can start the application from the Java Application Cache Viewer described above. You can also choose to install shortcut icons from the Cache Viewer if you did not do so originally.

As mentioned above, being a Java Web Start application, Desktop Buddy will check for upgrades each time it is launched so long as you are connected to the Internet. If there are updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically. The technology ensures that you always have the latest version of Desktop Buddy on your computer.

The Main Window

The main Desktop Buddy window contains the 3D Buddy character. You can move the window, resize it, and your preferences will be saved and used the next time you launch the software. The main window contains both a menu and a toolbar of buttons. Together they provide a means of accessing the various functions and options available with Desktop Buddy. You can, if you choose, elect to hide the toolbar so as to provide an unhindered view of your Buddy character.

The following table presents the different options and commands that are available from the main Desktop Buddy window.

Character Menu

Select from the list of available Buddy characters.

Change Name Prompts you to enter a new name for your Buddy.

Select Voice Opens a dialog that lists all of the compatible SAPI4 and SAPI5 voices that are installed on your computer and available to Desktop Buddy. This enables you to choose a voice for your Buddy character.

Actions Menu

Follow Mouse Have your desktop Buddy follow the mouse cursor around the screen. This can be both fun and useful.

Emotions Your desktop Buddy will exhibit facial expressions for each of the main emotions. You can either select the emotion from the menu, in which case the character will hold the expression until you select another or until they begin talking, or by pressing one of the Function keys on your keyboard. In the latter case, the Buddy will show the emotion for as long as you keep the function key pressed.

Anger F3 Joy F6 Surprise F8

Disgust F4 Sorrow F7 Normal F9

Fear F5

Tasks Opens the Tasks window enabling you to set reminders for any important dates and tasks that you have.

Read The Reader window opens so that you can have the Buddy read a text file, such as an eBook, a web page or simply an item of plain text that you type in or paste from the clipboard.

Feeds Launches the Syndication Feeds window so that you may subscribe to your favourite RSS and Atom news feeds.

Options Menu

Show/Hide ToolBar You can choose to hide the toolbar, in order to have a better, unhindered view of your Buddy character, or you can show the toolbar so that you have easy access to the different functions of the application.

Clear Preferences Clears all of your preferred settings for window positions and sizes, returning the settings to their default values.

Clear Systems Settings Removes the keycode and serial number information stored on your computer.

3D Renderer Select the renderer that gives the best performance on your particular computer. This depends on the graphics card. You can choose between rendering by DirectX or by OpenGL. You should try each in turn and decide which gives the best results. You will have to restart Desktop Buddy after changing this setting.

Windows Title Bar You can choose between the standard title bar or the Java look & feel bar for the top of the windows in the Desktop Buddy application.

Background Color Launches a dialog enabling you to choose the color of the background. Pick a color that brings out the best in your Buddy.

Help Menu

Help Launches this Help system within your preferred browser. Note: requires an Internet connection.

Licence Displays the Licence Agreement covering the use of Desktop Buddy.

About Desktop Buddy Provides you with copyright and version information for Desktop Buddy.