Stims
Version 1.9
18 Dec 22
Website
Program Info
If you want some programs to run while you are away, but don't want to disable the power saving functions of Windows, Stims could be
just what you are looking for. It runs subtly in the tray and can prevent the computer shutting down due to inactivity for a selectable
period from 30 minutes to 2 days. It can also be locked on. Stims can be set to simply prevent shutdowns, or it can make the computer
think someone is active by simulating a button press every minute. Stims can also be activated via the command line, and can be set to
auto-start with Windows and/or automatically close when the Stims run out.
Stims can also use to prevent careless shutdowns by requiring an additional approval, or by automatically cancelling the shutdown.
Contents
Installation
Use
Menu
Command Line Options
System Impact Statement
Programmers Notes
History
Licence and Registration
Liability
Contact
Installation
Run "Setup.exe" and follow the instructions. To remove Stims use the "Add/Remove Programs" option in the Control
Panel. Stims stores all its data files in the designated application data area, often
"C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Sinner\Stims". If you would prefer that it saves in the same directory as
Stims either run the program from a removable drive, such as a floppy of a USB drive, or delete the "DefSet.txt" file from the
Stims directory.
Use
Stims starts in idle mode by default, but if the "Lock On" mode was active when Stims exits then Stims will be active
again when it restarts. If any mode is active the Stims icon is brighter.
Menu
If you right click the tray icon this menu is shown.
| About | Shows info on Stims. |
| Help | Shows this file. |
| Auto Start | Sets Stims to start with Windows. |
| Auto Exit | Sets Stims to close when the Stim runs out. (Only shown if a Stim countdown is active.) |
| Stim Off | De-activates the Stim. (Only shown if a Stim countdown is active.) |
| Stim | From this menu you can select a time between 30 minutes and 2 days for the selected Stim function(s) to be on.
Please note that if Stims is active the time that is just higher than the remaining stim time will be selected. The tray icon tool
tip will also show the remaining Stim time. When any time is selected the "Lock On" setting is cleared. |
| Key Press | Simulates a key press (the left shift key) every minute so Windows thinks someone is on the computer. |
| Prevent | Prevents power status change events. If you are running Windows Vista or later then Stims cannot prevent
suspend and hibernate events with this function due to system design changes. (In short, due to excessive delay caused by
some applications Microsoft has decided to remove the warning sent to programs prior to a suspend or hibernation.) |
| Lock On | Sets the selected Stim function(s) to stay on. |
| Shutdown Warn | Shows a window when a shutdown is initiated allowing you to abort or approve the shutdown. |
| Shutdown Stop | Tells Windows to abandon the shutdown whenever one is initiated. |
Command Line Options
| x | Sets the Auto Exit mode on startup. |
| m= | Selects the Stim time that Stims starts with. |
| p | Enables the Prevent mode. |
| k | Enables the Key Press mode. |
E.g. "c:\Program Files\Stims\Stims.exe" /m=120 /x
Starts Stims with two hours of Stim time, and it will quit automatically when the time is up.
System Impact Statement
We go to great lengths to reduce system impact, but we feel that it is still important to explain here what our programs do to your
system. If you feel we are missing something, or you need further clarification, please contact us.
| Registry | Stims uses the registry if you set it to Auto Start. The installer that comes with Stims
uses the registry only for the required un-installation data, and not at all if you use the "Extract Only" mode. |
| System Settings | Stims does not change any system settings. |
| Files | All of its program files are stored in the installation directory, and all of its data files are stored in the
designated application data area, often ";C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Sinner\Stims". If you would
prefer that it saves in the same directory as Stims either run the program from a removable drive, such as a floppy of a USB drive, or
delete the "DefSet.txt" file from the Stims directory. These directories can be opened via the About box. |
| Network | Stims does not need to access the network. The installer does not access the internet in any way,
but the ReadMe does have three graphic files that are stored on the internet. (They are not used as web-beacons, merely spacers and
images for the payment processors.) |
| CPU | Stims does not have any CPU demanding functions. |
| Memory | Stims has no major memory requirement. |
Programmers Notes
Contrary to our previous statement, we do plan to expand this app... although it may just be smarter to merge this into Volt. Was this
the original intention of this being Guiltware? Anyway, it is probably better to keep maintaining this just the same, partially for further
testing of changes to Windows shutdown, but also as this has been a more useful program than expected, considering the increasing occurance
of working from home. However, like other
1.9 programs, this is meant to a be an updated baseline, not an upgrade...
History
| 1.00 | Initial Version |
| 1.01 | Shutdown Warn and Shutdown Stop |
| 1.02 | Bugfixes and tweaks |
| 1.9 | Sinner Computing re-align and rebuild |
Licence and Registration
This program is released as
Guiltware. If you find it useful and
wish to show appreciation then either simply tell us, donate, or consider registering another program. There is no requirement to do
anything; the program will not nag, expire, nor is it missing any features. Permission is given for all forms of distribution, including
CD compilations and Websites, providing the ZIP file is unaltered and it is made clear that Stims is a Guiltware program and that any
costs are for the distribution, not the program itself.
Stims is a copyrighted work and thus permission is not given for you to decompile, disassemble, modify, translate, enhance or create
derivative works from this program. If you feel that you need to do any of those actions, and that those rules do not apply to you,
contact us first.
Liability
Sinner Computing accepts no liability for this software to the maximum extent allowable by law. Installing this software is the decision
of the installer, and signifies that you agree with this liability statement. Thus, any damage/loss caused by the use of this software is
not in any way the responsibility of Sinner Computing. This includes, but is not limited to, physical damage and loss of income/time. In no
event shall the maximum liability of Sinner Computing exceed the registration fee paid by the user, if any. Because some jurisdictions do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such jurisdictions the liability of
Sinner Computing shall be limited to the extent permitted by law. If at any time you do not find these conditions agreeable you are required to
remove this software.
Contact
Advice/insults (on the subject of the program, not the programmer) are always welcome. To help users keep up to date we send out
newsletters whenever there is a major new version of Stims. To join this list simply send an
EMail with "StimsADD" in the subject. To be removed from this list, write an EMail
with "StimsREMOVE" in the subject. (Sinner Computing does not sell your EMail address or any other personal information to anyone.)
In addition, we have a RSS feed that is updated whenever there is a new version of any program.
For software As Compact As Possible
