Rouge et Noir Desktop Theme

The universe is the master fractal that contains us all within its 
pattern. Thus, we are one. Thus, we are many. 

Aladrin Faehan

Contents
---------

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - Theme Installation

Part 3 - Troubleshooting

Part 4 - What are Fractals?

=====================================

Part 1 - Introduction
----------------------

Since many people complained that the wallpapers in my FRACTALS theme 
(eventhough being mathematically generated) were not really fractals, 
I've decided to create ANOTHER theme based on true fractals. I hope
you enjoy the result... If you have already my FRACTALS theme 
installed on your computer, you'll realize that the sound events on
this package are the same as the ones on that theme. This not only
will save disk space on your computer but also will give the
appropriate atmosphere to the themes.

This package includes three different desktop themes, a really cool
screensaver and a mesmerizing set of startup/shutdown screens.

Your display should be set to 800x600 and true color for these themes. 
Do not stretch the wallpaper. 

The screensaver and animated cursors included in this package were 
created by Damien Jones. If you are really into fractals, visit 
Damien's webpage. It is simply astonishing:
http://www.fractalus.com/. 
Please note that the screensaver contained in this package is a
SHAREWARE. Read its Readme text for further information.

Most of the graphs in this theme set were created by Christian 
Gonzales. He also has a great webpage on fractals!
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7875/fractals.html.
Make sure to visit it for other great graphs.

Please rememember that all my desktop themes are free for personal use.
I always spend a great amount of time to come up with something that,
in my opinion, displays aesthetic coherence and quality. If enjoy my 
work and would like to show your appreciation, I propose a very nice 
deal: in all theme preview pages on my webpage I recommend excelent 
books (or audio-visual materials) that develop further the topic of 
the desktop theme. You can buy them online. By doing this, I get some
bucks (that will help with my studies) and you get some knowledge. 
Fair enough?

If you have any question or comments, please, drop me a line:
Vanessa Zoe (vzoe@webave.com).
http://members.xoom.com/v_zoe


Part 2 - Theme Installation
----------------------------

To install this theme:

1. Run a decompression program like WinZip;
2. Unzip all the files into your Theme file directory 
   (usually c:\program files\plus!\themes);    
3. Run Microsoft Plus! or any other theme file installer and 
   select the theme file that you just unzipped;
4. Enjoy!


Part 3 - Troubleshooting
-------------------------

Common problems and fixes.

If errors are encountered while installing the theme:

  - Make sure you used a long file name-compatible uncompression 
    program like WinZip to unzip the theme;
  - Check that all the correct directories have been made;
  - Make sure that you have Microsoft Plus! or another theme file 
    installer installed. The theme file will not install automatically
    as soon as you unzip it!
  - If you don't have MS Plus! you can download a very nice theme
    installer called "Desktop Themes" at http://www.lss.com.au/


Part 4 - What are fractals?
-----------------------------

The term fractal, derived from the Latin word fractus ("fragmented," 
or "broken"). Fractals are images of the process of a mathematical 
exploration of the space in which they are plotted. Let's take the 
computer screen as representing a space. Each point on the screen is 
tested in some way. Usually an equation is iterated with this point as 
its starting value. That means a result is calculated using the 
equation, and this value is fed back into the equation leading to a 
further result being calculated. This process is repeated over and 
over and over. As a result of this calculation, the point on the screen
at which we started is plotted in a particular colour. Then the 
computer repeats the process for the next point on the screen. And so 
on over the whole screen until the coloured image is fully produced. 
The resulting image, however, is far more than a flat picture in 
magnificent colours. A fractal is infinitely complex. That is, if you 
zoom spider in on any part of the fractal you will always find more 
detail. Each stage tends to have the same form as the original. So the 
fractal lacks scale. A small portion of the fractal is just as detailed
as the original. The amazing thing about fractals is that the formulae 
used to generate them are often extremely simple. A simple formula can 
lead to complex images. These images are sensitive to the initial 
conditions. A piece of cauliflower has a fractal form. Each segment of 
the cauliflower is similar to the whole. And the segments then break 
down into littler, similar segments. Cauliflowers are limited by the 
real world. Mathematicians, computers and imaginations are not. Hence
mathematically generated fractals go on forever, deep within 
themselves. 
 
the Polish-born mathematician Benoit B. Mandelbrot, in 1979, was 
playing with a rather simple little equation. Out of this seemingly 
simple equation and simple steps performed on it arose what some claim 
to be the most complex mathematical object ever discovered: the 
Mandelbrot set. Many mathematicians are still exploring it, finding 
more patterns, twirls, filaments, mini-Mandelb rots, dragons and 
spirals as they plunge deeper and deeper into its depths. 

Colour was added, indicating how quickly the iteration went out of 
control, and programmers made their computers cycle the colours. 
So the image needs a computer to exist. It needed the computer to be 
able to perform the vast number of calculations, to produce the colours
at rapid speeds and to allow us to choose any part to explore further. 
Mandelbrot coined the word "fractal" to describe his new object and 
those like it. He argued that the edge of the set was more than a line 
(of dimension 1) and less than an area (of dimension 2). He claimed it 
had a dimension somewhere between the two. A fractional dimension. 
Since then fractal enthusiasts have appeared anywhere the technology 
existed to allow them to play with this new discovery. One group, the 
Stone Soup Group, became so enamoured of these creatures they 
collaborated, via the computer networks, never meeting, to produce a 
piece of software to generate an infinite variety of these images. 
They allowed the user to colour cycle the fractals, to change the 
colours, to zoom in on any part and to recalculate the work of others 
lodged on the network bulle tin boards. The program, Fractint, is 
unrivalled and free. the authors do not permit it to be sold. More of 
them later. But what can stir people up so much to spend countless 
hours working on something for no financial gain? Fractals! 
