synergistic enterprises TM 8033 Sunset Blvd., #975 Los Angeles, CA 90046 (213) 852-1688 June 8, 1990 Dear Sir or Madam, This letter is being sent to all registered users of Synergistic Enterprises software, as well as to others who have requested information. I have been swamped with requests from people for Windows v3.00 versions of GCP and Fireworks... Unfortunately, I cannot build or release a Windows 3.00 version until I receive the new Software Development Kit (SDK) from Microsoft, which is tentatively scheduled to be released "sometime in June". (Knowing Microsoft's reputation for being late, it will probably be July or August.) In the meantime, the current versions of Fireworks and GCP can be used under Windows v3.00 with some limitations. Caution should be used, of course (don't leave other programs running with open files that aren't saved in case of a crash), but for the most part they both work with the following known problems: 1: Under standard or 386 mode, when Fireworks is running, Windows will bomb on exit (if you use the program manager to exit Windows.) (Curiously, if you use Command Post to exit Windows there is no problem.) The solution is to close the Fireworks application before exiting Windows. (Or use Command Post to exit.) 2: Under 386 mode, Windows will crash if you try to use the "File, Show Info..." option of GCP. (Don't use this feature.) (No problem in real or standard mode.) 3: Under all modes of Windows v3.00, when switching from full-screen mode to normal in GCP, the display is not updated correctly. Press Alt-spacebar R to restore the screen to normal. 4: You can of course run both programs in real mode with virtually no problems (other than #3). There are few problems under "standard mode", and GCP will take advantage of the new memory management features of Windows v3.00, allowing large bitmaps (if you have enough extended or expanded memory) to be displayed and converted. (Also under 386 mode.) 5: When initially starting GCP in standard or 386 mode, an error message such as bad file name or can't find file may appear. Just cancel the dialog box and you can proceed normally. 6: The new format .BMP files cannot be read or written by GCP. When I get the new SDK I will have to read up on this format and it will be supported. 7: Support for 256 color drivers is included in GCP, so with the proper high resolution Super-VGA card and drivers installed, (640x480x256 or 800x600x256, etc.) you can display 256 colors. The standard VGA driver now supports 16 colors, and GCP does use all 16 colors. 256 colors on a standard VGA is impossible because the resolution (320x200) is too low for Windows. Palette control is not supported yet. 8: You can use the "MARK30" program (available on Compuserve and the Synergistic Enterprises BBS and elsewhere) to mark Fireworks, Firelib and GCP as Windows v3.00 applications to avoid the warning message box which comes up when you start the programs under standard or 386 mode. When I initially get the Windows v3.00 SDK, I will probably issue new versions with essentially the same features as the current versions, but fixed to run cleanly under standard and 386 mode. Later I will be adding more features and support for more file formats. I have a major rewrite of GCP in mind that may take awhile but should offer many advantages over the current version. I also eventually plan on releasing a new Fireworks which will run faster and use less memory. Registered users will be able to upgrade to the new versions for a reasonable fee to be decided later. I will send out notices when the new versions are available. The Colorfix program, by the way, is no longer needed as Microsoft finally fixed the VGA/EGA palette to use the correct colors. So this program will be dropped from my lineup. For further information, you can call the Synergistic Enterprises BBS, (300/1200/2400 baud 24 hrs. (213) 653-6398). The latest shareware versions are available on-line and there are messages on-line regarding Windows v3.00, etc. Yours truly, Mr. Kim Levitt