Screen Angel

by Doug Dodgen and Associates

While practicing with some of my programming projects involving Microsoft Agent (tm) technology, I created an angel character to test several techniques that I needed. I am pleased to offer the resulting project for free to anyone who wants to take the time to download it. I'm sorry but the Screen Angel will only work on a Microsoft Windows 9x or NT or 2000 computer. In response to numerous requests, I have decided to also offer the Screen Angel program on CD to those who do not want to spend the time downloading. Send check or money order for $9.95 to Doug Dodgen & Associates, P.O. Box 180503, Arlington, Texas 76096. Please see announcement at the bottom of the page regarding new version available for mail-order only.

Updated 12-11-2000

Screen Angel was designed to provide the following:

• An attractive screen appearance. The Angel will fly about your screen, trying to stay out of the way. She can be moved by dragging her with the mouse.
• A regular biblical statement (optional), can be spoken by the Angel, or merely appear on the screen in a thought-balloon.
• A method of reading or searching the bible. Screen Angel comes with the full King James version of the bible. There are procedures to read any verse or search for any keyword in the bible. The Angel can also read the verse for you. At some future date, I intend to make other versions of the bible available to Screen Angel.
• Control Angel's settings by clicking on the Angel to display her properties page. Currently settings include: Speech output (on/off), Character Display (always/when speaking), Character Movement (always try to avoide active window/stay where placed)

This was my first attempt at creating an MS Agent character and she does not do very much. As I get time, I intend to make her much more active and life-like. I also have intentions to make her more intelligent and able to carry on conversations, but this will have to wait for another day.

System Requirements:

Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT computer, Optional Sound card if you want to hear her speak, 20MB hard disk space (10MB for the animation and speaking files and 10MB for the King James Bible)

Downloads: (Version 1 only) Version 2 available for mail-order (see below)

1 - Click here to download the 3.7MB Screen Angel program. It is a self-extracting ZIP file that will attempt to unzip itself to a folder called \TempDir\ on your C hard drive. Once the file is unzipped, you should run Setup.exe to install the program. You will not be able to run the program until the other components have been installed.

2 - Click here to download the 8.7MB speech and animation programs. It is a self-extracting ZIP file that will attempt to unzip itself to a folder called \TempDir\ on your C hard drive. Once the file is unzipped, you should run each EXE file to install the programs. You will not be able to run the program until the other components have been installed.

3 - Click here to download the 4MB King James Version of the Bible in the format that Screen Angel expects. It is a self-extracting ZIP file that will attempt to unzip itself to a folder called \TempDir\ on your C hard drive. Once the file is unzipped, you should move the KJV.MDB file to the same folder where you installed Screen Angel. If you accepted the suggested default location, it will be the Screen Angel folder inside of the Program Files folder on your C hard drive.

Angel Character File:

4 - Click here to download the (5-13-2000) ACS file for the Angel. This file is included with the Screen Angel program above and is provided separately for other MS Agent developers who may wish to use it. It is free for all to use provided that they do not use it outside of the licensing requirements set forth by Microsoft for the MS Agent files. The Angel is pretty simply implemented at this time, but I will make her more animated as I find time. This file must be placed in the folder where you previously loaded the original. Normally this is c:\windows\msagent\chars or c:\winnt\msagent\chars if you did not modify the install.

Click here to download just the Screen Angel documentation RTF format file as a ZIP file.  Once unzipped, this file is viewable by WordPad or Microsoft Word.  Click here to view the HTML version of the documentation.

Click here to view Angel's Technical Information for MS Agent Developers:

Participate in the Angel character creation. Click here to view a discussion forum about what people like or want changed about the Angel.

Click here to download just the small (5-26-2000) Screen Angel executable program if you already have installed Screen Angel and just need the latest version. You will need to move this file to the folder where you initially installed Screen Angel.  Please note that this file will NOT run properly if you have not yet installed the complete setup program for Screen Angel before. Be sure you have the latest Angel character file installed also.

Change History:

5-13-2000: Modified Angel character. Provided capability to narrow bible search with second word.

5-26-2000: Corrected error in bible verse location.

11-6-2000: Corrected installation problems.

12-11-2000: Completed Version 2 introducing several important features. Version 2 only available through mail-order (see below). A guy has got to make a little money somehow!

Version 2 now available for mail-order!

I'm still very happy for anyone to download my free Version 1 of the Screen Angel. It has been much more popular than I had expected, and I view it as my gift to the world, sort of a Thank You to God for giving me the ability to program computers. But for those who want more, I have added several additional features to Version 2. As you can see from the low price, I don't intend to make my fortune from sales of the Screen Angel, but it does help support my wife and three daughters.

Additional features found in Version 2 include:

• Users can now edit the quotes file that the Angel uses for her regular statements.
• A Reminder feature has been added to allow you to make a note, then have the Angel remind you of it at any future date and time.
• I have gotten my Conversation feature enabled to allow the Angel to carry on a conversation with the user. This feature will continue to be improved and all who obtain Version 2 will be able to download updates to the conversation engine for free at this web site as they become available.
• I made it possible to designate the Angel as Catholic or not. If Catholic, then she will cross herself at times while the program is running.

To order Version 2 of the Screen Angel, send check or money order for $9.95 to Doug Dodgen & Associates, P.O. Box 180503, Arlington, Texas 76096. We sell several other products, so please indicate that you desire to purchase Screen Angel with your correspondence.