Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr55/abp_faq.zip/ABP_PIX.FAQ

Internet Message Format | 1993-06-25 | 114KB

Path: nlbbs!pagesat!news.cerf.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!matt.ksu.ksu.edu!news
From: [e-mail] (Clyde Wassom)
Newsgroups: alt.binaries.pictures.erotica
Subject: Pictures FAQ
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 24 Jun 1993 21:42:00 -0500
Organization: Kansas State University
Lines: 2375
NNTP-Posting-Host: matt.ksu.ksu.edu


Archive-name: pictures-faq/part1
Last-modified: 13 November 1992

    This is part 1 of the FAQ for the alt.binaries.pictures* hierarchy.
    This part of the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ contains "general etiquette
    suggestions", those handy little rules that'll help you avoid getting
    flamed by dozens of other a.b.p* readers.  It is *HIGHLY* recommended
    that you read and understand this section fully before posting to any of
    the a.b.p* groups.

      For information on "general", or operating-system independent
    information, questions you may have about the pictures newsgroups,
    decoding and encoding techniques, or picture formats, consult part 2
    of this posting.

      For information on your particular system and on specific utilities,
    consult part 3 of this posting.

    Before posting to these groups for the first time, please check the FAQ
    list (this posting - including parts 2 and 3), and also read the newsgroup
    news.announce.newusers, which contains many answers to questions about
    UseNet in general.

    If you've read previous versions of this FAQ, you'll probably only want
    to read anything that has changed since the last distribution.  These
    changes appear both in this document and in the accompanying "Changes to
    the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ".  Note that this is a "live" document, and
    is always getting important information added or updated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS
   I.     NEWSGROUP USAGE
  II.     POSTING VOLUME
 III.     WHAT/WHEN TO POST
  IV.     POSTING CONTENT
   V.     Subject: LINE STANDARDS
  VI.     ANONYMOUS FTP
 VII.     "REPOST" REQUESTS
VIII.    TEST POSTS
  IX.    DEALING WITH THOSE WHO DON'T/WON'T FOLLOW ETIQUETTE


I. NEWSGROUP USAGE

Alt.binaries.pictures.erotica is for erotic pictures ONLY.
    Erotic (adj): Of or arousing sexual feelings or desires;  having to do
    with sexual love;  amatory.
    ONLY the erotica newsgroups should be used for pictures of human nudity
    or any form of pornography.

Alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.d is for the Discussion of pix in ABPE, etc.

Alt.binaries.pictures.tasteless is for "tasteless", "bizarre", or
  "grotesque" pictures ONLY.

Alt.binaries.pictures.fractals is for fractal pictures ONLY.

Alt.binaries.pictures.misc is for the remaining types of pictures ONLY.

Alt.binaries.pictures.d is for the Discussion of pix in ABPT, ABPF, ABPM, etc.

Alt.binaries.pictures.fine-art.graphics is for the posting of ORIGINAL
  artwork created using computer programs ONLY.  Moderated.

Alt.binaries.pictures.fine-art.digitized is for the posting of scanned
  ORIGINAL artwork ONLY.  Moderated.

Alt.binaries.pictures.fine-art.d is for the Discussion of pix in ABPF-AG or
  ABPF-AD ONLY.  Moderated.

Alt.binaries.pictures.utilities is for the posting of source or binary
  executables of pictures-related software.

Comp.sources.misc is a good place for image-viewing source code.

Comp.graphics is a good place for discussion of image formats.

Alt.graphics.pixutils is for discussion of image format translation.

Throughout the remainder of this document, any newsgroup in the
alt.binaries.pictures.* hierarchy WITHOUT the '.d' extension (including, but
not limited to alt.binaries.pictures.erotica, alt.binaries.pictures.tasteless,
and alt.binaries.pictures.misc) will be referred to as "the pictures
newsgroups", and those WITH the '.d' extension (including, but not limited to
alt.binaries.pictures.d and alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.d) will be referred
to as "the discussion newsgroups".  These two types of newsgroups work
basically the same way as the comp.binaries.ibm.pc and c.b.i.p.d groups;  one
is for posting new material, and one is for discussing posts and other issues.

BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ABP* ETIQUETTE IS:
The pictures newsgroups are for pictures ONLY (if it's not a picture,
don't post it in any of these newsgroups)!!!!  It has been pointed out
that some sites carry the pictures newsgroups without also carrying the
discussion newsgroups.  This is very unfortunate, as there is often
valuable information contained in the discussion newsgroups that anyone
who frequents the pictures newsgroups would find of interest.  If your
site doesn't carry the discussion newsgroups, complain to your news
administrator!

The basic idea is this:  if it is a picture, post it to the appropriate
pictures newsgroup.  If it is *ANYTHING ELSE* ANYTHING ANYTHING ANYTHING
ELSE (INCLUDING UTILITIES!!), post it to the associated discussion newsgroup
or to an appropriate utilities newsgroup (like a.b.p.utilities, for example)!
The truth is that I feel bad about posting *THIS FILE* to the pictures
newsgroups, because it is not a picture.  However, the benefits of restricting
the requests for info far outweigh the detriment of breaking this rule.

PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING TO THE PICTURES NEWSGROUPS THAT IS NOT A
PICTURE OF SOME SORT!!!!


II. POSTING VOLUME

The first thing is this: please restrict yourself to a maximum of 400
KB of images per day.  If you've got a bunch of extremely small (50K
to 100 KB) pictures, then you can post several of them at once.  If
you've got a few medium-sized pictures (150 to 200 KB), then you should
only post one or two of them per day.  If you've got a few rather large
to huge (400K or more) pictures, you should only post one of them per
day.  It's best to post the full image the same day, as some sites
expire things daily (sometimes in an even shorter period), so your
complete image would never be available there.

As you're no doubt thinking, this is inconvenient.  Wouldn't it be nice
just to be able to post everything at once?  Well, the problem is, if
you do this, you're essentially cutting your own throat (and others'
as well.)

The problem is that it takes a lot of time and effort (albeit automated,
but still), money, and disk space to transmit your pictures all over the
world.  Unlike a lot of students at universities (for example), many
people at many sites have to pay directly out of their own pockets to
transmit news articles, in the form of phone bills for their modems.
Also, a lot of sites don't have infinitely large disks, and a
particularly heavy day of posting can actually fill up entire partitions.

You still might be thinking, "Well, that's their problem." - and you're
right.  However, it becomes YOUR problem because a lot of sites still
propagate news articles in serial chains:

    A <---> B <---> C <---> D <---> E

Now, say you're site A.  You decide to post a few MB of pictures in one
day.  Site B connects to your site, A, and grabs the articles.  Site C
connects to site B and attempts to grab the articles.  But site C is
rather limited.  Its disks fill up a few times, perhaps the system
crashes.  The sysadmin knows he will get an outrageous phone bill caused
by just ATTEMPTING to transmit all of your pictures.

So the sysadmin of site C "drops" the group (or groups) in which you posted
all of your pictures.  So the people at sites D and E will now NEVER SEE
ANY OF THE PICTURES YOU POST.  Conversely, because the chain is
bidirectional, if the people at sites D or E post some pictures, YOU
WILL NEVER SEE THEM.  Congratulations, you've just slit not only your
own throat, but the throats of EVERYONE at sites A, B, C, D, and E as
well.

This is why everyone must post only limited amounts per day.  As it is,
pictures newsgroups account for something like 50% of the entire net
traffic, and 75% of the alt.* traffic.  We need to be self-policing, or
the pictures newsgroups will die out because of the phenomenon mentioned
above.


III. WHAT/WHEN TO POST

A common question that is asked is this one:  what should I post to the
net?  The basic answer is: anything you'd like to see here yourself!

If you got the file from some FTP site that was announced over the net,
don't bother posting it.  5-to-1 odds say that everyone and his dog
already have it, and we *really* need to be careful about wasting
bandwidth!  If you're unsure of whether there's any interest in it,
just post a short message saying: "I have this file.  Mail me if you
want a copy."  If 500 people say they want one, post it... if only one
bozo from outer mongolia wants it, it's a sure bet that the picture has
already made the rounds!  You might consider *e-mailing* it to the bozo
from outer mongolia instead!

The same goes if you see a request!  If that same bozo posts a request
for T2.gif and you've got it and are thinking about posting it, *MAIL*
it to him/her instead!  This will eliminate the problem of the same
picture getting posted to the net on a weekly basis (and pissing a lot
of people off in the process)!!!


IV. POSTING CONTENT

In the actual message you're posting (commonly in either part 0 or part
1), be sure to give at least a brief description of what's in it, like:

   CRSH+BRN.GIF   800x600x256 (in 8 parts)

   This is 15th in the series of this plane crash at the Beirut Air Show
   taken at every single conceivable angle.  This one was taken from a
   photograph by a guy who happened to be standing directly under the
   plane as it came down.  Pulitzer Prize material.  At least the camera
   was saved.

Also, checksums are nice, for people with access to sum programs.  It
helps people identify erroneous transmissions.  Usually people include
things like

   Checksums: (obtained with 4.2 BSD 'sum' or SysV 'sum -r')
   between 'CUT HERE lines':
      part 1: 76663 9082
      part 2: 78973 1234
   etc...

If you have a GIF file, don't bother trying to run some compression
routine on it... it *won't* work.  LZW compression (the kind used in
GIF files) is a very efficient compression scheme, and happens to be
the one used in many common compression routines (including the standard
UNIX `compress' utility!).  If you try to compress a GIF file, it will
usually just end up getting bigger, and cause undue hardship to those
trying to download and decode the picture as well.

The most common standard for binary file transmission is the UUENCODE
standard.  Apple's BinHex is also frequently used.  Be aware, however,
that the further you stray from a standard, the fewer the people that
will be able to decode your posting, and the more it begins to become
high-volume garbage.

It is necessary to split large files because of a few reasons.  First of
all, not all news software can handle huge files.  Secondly, and more
important, if some sort of error in transmission occurs (yes, it *does*
happen from time to time) you only need to re-broadcast one small part,
rather than the whole multi-megabyte image.

If you do post a multi-part file, be sure to add lines before and
after the data that say 'CUT HERE' so that people trimming the headers
and trailers by hand know where to cut.  A recent addition to the
etiquette also has you make the lines say 'BEGIN-----Cut Here' and
'END-----Cut Here' at the obvious locations, so that simple AWK and
PERL scripts can handle multi-part files.  Another nice thing to do is
to put the part (02/06) numbers in each file.  There are several
"super" uuencode programs that will do most of this for you (see part
3 for more details).  It is important to make the "Cut Here" parts in
mixed-case or lower-case letters;  some decoders detect data based on
the presence of characters which belong in the normal uuencoding
character set, and they will choke on lines which are all upper-case,
as these are valid uuencode characters.  If you mix the cases, these
decoders will do fine...  Remember (if you add "BEGIN" and "END"
keywords) to make "BEGIN" and "END" all caps so existing scripts won't
miss them, and so uudecoders won't choke on them.


V. Subject: LINE STANDARDS

Above all else, be sure to give subject lines that are informative.
The subject line should contain (at an absolute minimum):
    The file name
    Which part this is, and how many total parts

As an expanded suggestion for a standard, consider the following:

- filename.type (part/total) {label} ^REPOST^ [sh] "extraTitle"
^ ^        ^     ^    ^       ^       ^        ^    ^
| |        |     |    |       |       |        |    |
1 2        3     4    5       6       7        8    9

1) The '-' character sets this off as a picture posting (not a follow-up,
   not a request, not a flame for a follow-up or a request, etc.).
   OPTIONAL (but highly suggested).
2) The name of the file.  You might consider limiting this to a maximum
   of as few as 8 characters, since this is the limit of some archaic
   operating systems.  Other nearly equally archaic OS's limit you to 14
   characters.  Do what you will, but realize others' limitations...
   REQUIRED.
3) The type of picture (GIF, JPEG, PostScript).  The suggested standard
   is to stick to all lower case, three characters maximum (gif, jpg, ps).
   REQUIRED.
4, 5) Which part of how many this is.  Enclosed in parentheses.
   REQUIRED.
6) The type of picture ("male", "female", "both", "plane", "scenic", etc.).
   Enclosed in curly brackets.
   OPTIONAL (but very considerate).
7) Notifies everyone that this is a repost of a posting that went sour.
   Enclosed in up-arrows (what's their real character name?).
   OPTIONAL (but very considerate).
8) Flag that notifies people that this posting uses script wrappers (in case
   they have to handle these special).  Enclosed in square brackets.
   OPTIONAL (but very considerate).
9) Additional descriptive text to give a better idea of what's in the picture.
   Enclosed in double quotes.
   OPTIONAL (but very considerate).

This suggested standard is intended to be strictly ordered (i.e. if there's
a ^REPOST^ notification, it appears after any label info and before any
script wrapper notification).

For example:

   - CRSH+BRN.GIF (02/08) {plane} "Plane crash at an air show, 800x600x256"
Notice that it includes everything: the file name, what part of how
many this one is, a short description, and the resolution.  If you
insist on leaving everything *else* out, at least say the name of
the file and which part of how many it is!
In the "erotica" newsgroups, it's also popular (and often demanded!)
to include the picture subject's gender (i.e. "{male}", "{female}",
"{both}", etc.).  The gender should be considered as part of the
minimal set of information in the "erotica" newsgroups, as the addition
of this information to the subject line makes it possible for people to
avoid spending time downloading stuff they don't care about.

Certain newsreaders (NN, for example) sort the articles alphabetically
by title, so subject lines with part numbers get displayed and saved
in order.  There is an obvious (and common) way to torpedo this
process: make subject lines which do not follow sequentially.

An example:
        first article's subject: "plane crash GIF: CRSH+BRN (part 1 / 4)"
  subsequent articles' subjects: "CRSH+BRN (part N / 4)"
These subject lines will not be displayed and sorted correctly by NN.

However, if you change the arrangement a little, like this:
        first article's subject: "CRSH+BRN (part 1/4) plane crash GIF"
  subsequent articles' subjects: "CRSH+BRN (part N/4)"
you will please NN-users the world over.


VI. ANONYMOUS FTP

A word about anonymous FTP and GIF files.  When you log onto a remote
machine via anonymous FTP, please try to restrict yourself to no more
then ten minutes of transmission time, or about five to ten files.  As
you can imagine, when people discover a new archive of GIF files,
they are all hot to download every one they can, and often they jam up
the site for *days*.  You'll notice this effect the first time some
bozo announces the name of a new GIF archive.  You won't be able to
get through without persistent efforts over several hours or even a
day or two.  Then the system administrators of that site notice that
they have had about $5,000 worth of anonymous FTP over the last two
days, and revoke the anonymous FTP privilege.  Now every one is
screwed.

Be considerate; grab only a few files and then let someone else have a
chance.  This probably won't solve the problem in the long term (still
everyone and his dog will be ftp'ing into that machine), but at least
it will spread the wealth a bit.

As for anonymous FTP sites for erotica pictures, THEY DO NOT EXIST.  Even
if you find an anonymous FTP site that *appears* to have erotica pictures,
it is merely an illusion.  As the sage once said, "Revel in your illusions,
don't share them."  The effects of sharing your illusion in this case
*ALWAYS* results in your illusion being rendered non-existent (in one way
or another).  For this very same reason, it is considered very poor form
to ask someone else to share their illusions with you.  If you were
considering asking for a list of anonymous FTP sites with erotica pictures
-- don't.


VII. "REPOST" REQUESTS

Your absolutely last course of action should be to ask for a repost of
an article.  There are so very many other ways that the download and
decode process could have failed, you should be very sure that none of
these steps went south BEFORE asking for a repost.  After you have
exhausted all of the possibilities from your end, post to the discussion
newsgroup and request someone to send you their (working) copy.  If
enough people post requests of this sort, eventually the original
poster will usually re-post it.  If you're the only person with a
problem, someone is bound to send you the file, and you'll save the
net 'hundreds if not thousands of dollars.'
Also, just because you've already read an article doesn't mean it has
vanished off the face of the earth.  It is a fairly simple matter to get
back to articles you've already read (unless your site administrator
has removed them or they've expired).  There are essentially four methods
to accomplish this (examples assume you're using rn):
    1.  Assuming you know the article number(s) of the postings, just
        enter the article number from within that newsgroup.  Voila!
    2.  Since you probably DON'T know the article number, once you are
        in the appropriate newsgroup, you can step backwards or forwards
        through the articles by using "P" (previous) and "N" (next).
    3.  So you don't know the article number, and you don't want to step
        backwards through 50+ articles - what now?  As long as you
        remember something from the subject line of the article, you can
        use regular expressions to search backwards, using the command
        "?pattern?r", where pattern is the part you remember.  For
        example, you read an article with the word "howdy" in the subject,
        then decide later you want to get back to that article.  Just get
        into the right newsgroup, then enter "?howdy?r" and rn will search
        back through all the articles you've read to find the last one
        with "howdy" somewhere in the title.  Not the right one?  Enter
        "?", and rn will retrieve the next-to-last article with "howdy"
        in the title.
    4.  You can modify your .newsrc file so that articles are no longer
        marked as being read (this file usually resides in your home
        directory).  This is especially valuable if you forgot the name
        of a particular posting, but you know it was in the last ?x?
        number articles.  For example, if your .newsrc file reads:
        alt.binaries.pictures.misc: 1-2380
        ...and you know that the article you're looking for was in the
        last 30 or so postings, you could edit this line to read:
        alt.binaries.pictures.misc: 1-2350
        ...so that your news reader would think that you hadn't yet seen
        these articles (of course you'll have to re-sort through many
        other articles you've already seen, but hopefully you'll at least
        be able to find the "lost" article!).  IMPORTANT NOTE!!:  If you
        edit your .newsrc file, make *absolutely sure* that you aren't
        currently running a news reader session - this may munge the
        .newsrc file, or cause other undefined or undesirable side-effects.

By using these techniques, you won't have to ask for someone to e-mail you a
copy or to re-post the article, since you already have it and know how to
get back to it!


VIII. TEST POSTS

If you're trying out a new method of posting, or if you are posting a
picture for the first time, or if it's been a while since you posted a
picture and you're not really sure you remember all the details on how to
do it right, by all means, PLEASE DO A TEST POSTING FIRST!  Test postings
should *NEVER* be made in any of the pictures newsgroups or the pictures
discussion newsgroups - there are plenty of test newsgroups made for just
this purpose (local.test is your best choice, misc.test is also nice).
Wherever you do your test posting, make sure to add the line
Distribution: local
in the heading so your post doesn't go outside your site.  Make sure that
you can download, re-construct, and view the picture you've posted.  Then,
when you're satisfied that all is well, post it into the appropriate
pictures newsgroup!


IX. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO DON'T/WON'T FOLLOW ETIQUETTE

How should you react if you notice someone violating any of these items
of netiquette?  It depends on what they've done, of course.  In the case
of some posting that you find offensive, the best course of action is
just to ignore it.  95% of the time, these people are just trying to pull
someone's chain - and they are usually pretty successful (I can't tell
you how many megabytes of responses I've seen to just one sentence of
crap).  Another 3% of the time, someone has left themselves logged in and
is having a "joke" played on them by a "friend".  The other 2% of the time,
they actually believe what they are saying.  In this case, do you really
think that they care that you find what they say offensive?  Especially in
the last case, silence does more to thwart their behavior than anything
else.  Refusing to even acknowledge someone usually damages them more than
you could possibly hope to do by responding to them in any way.  Don't even
waste the time, effort, and money (after all, someone *is* paying for what
you say, somewhere) to follow up.

In the case of posting a discussion to a pictures newsgroup, probably the
*worst* thing you can possibly do is follow-up to the offending posting
and yourself violate the same rule!  After all, what good are you doing
by complaining about someone violating a rule you ignore yourself?  If you
really *must* follow-up to this type of posting, make sure and edit the
Newsgroups: line so that your post is re-directed to the discussion
newsgroup.  Another technique you might try is just ignoring the post -
if enough people did this, it's entirely likely that there would soon be
no discussion at all in the pictures newsgroups, except for the occasional
newbie or someone not wise enough to read this FAQ - and they'd learn
eventually.  I suggest the following course of action, in order of
preference:
    1) Respond via e-mail.  Gently suggest that they take discussion to
       the discussion newsgroup.  Answer the question/request if you can.
       Suggest that they read this FAQ to get more information and to
       better understand pictures newsgroup etiquette.
    2) Follow-up only if you can answer the question/request, re-directing
       your posting to the appropriate discussion newsgroup (edit the
       Newsgroups: line).  Suggest that they read this FAQ to get more
       information and to better understand pictures newsgroup etiquette.
    3) Ignore the posting.  They'll most likely get the hint eventually.
    4) Follow-up only if you can answer the question/request, re-directing
       the follow-ups of your posting to the appropriate discussion
       newsgroup (edit the Followup-to: line -- your posting will go to
       the pictures newsgroup, but anyone following up to your posting
       will go to the discussion newsgroup).  Gently suggest that this
       type of posting belongs in the discussion newsgroup, and that
       that's where follow-ups have been re-directed.  Maybe even throw
       in a small uuencoded picture at the end of your posting, just to
       make it "legal".  Suggest that they read this FAQ to get more
       information and to better understand pictures newsgroup etiquette.
The more people that respond in a positive way, the fewer the flame wars,
and the more pictures vs. discussion will end up in the pictures
newsgroups!  That *is* what we're here for, after all!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HISTORY OF THIS FAQ:
This file originally began life as the FAQ for alt.sex.pictures, and
was first created and maintained by Dave Read ([e-mail]).
Minor changes and a few additions to clean it up a bit and make it a little
more relevant to the alt.binaries.pictures group were made by Steven M.
Quinn ([e-mail]).  A hierarchy of pictures groups (all under
alt.binaries.pictures) was put into place in the fall of 1991, and since
that time, Jim Howard ([e-mail]) has come forward to take over
the maintenance of the "new" FAQ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgements (part 1):
  * Thanx to both James Ralston Crawford ([e-mail]) and
    Silver ([e-mail]) for input and suggestions on posting
    volume.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's about it for the "general etiquette" information.  General pictures
information is continued in part 2 of this FAQ.  If you have any
suggestions for things to include in future versions, don't hesitate
to let me know...

         ~ deej ~              | (If I were expressing Cadence's opinions, )
Jim Howard -- [e-mail] | (they'd probably make me wear a tie...    )
        (^:=             Flames cheerfully ignored.             =:^)
"Time is a gypsy caravan, steals away in the night,
 To leave you stranded in dreamland" -- Rush

Archive-name: pictures-faq/part2
Last-modified: 13 November 1992

    This is part 2 of the FAQ for the alt.binaries.pictures* hierarchy.
    This part of the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ contains "general", or
    operating-system independent information.  It answers (hopefully) all
    the questions you may have about the pictures newsgroups, decoding and
    encoding techniques, and picture formats.

      For information on issues of etiquette and posting policy and/or
    suggestions, consult part 1 of this posting.

      For information on your particular system and on specific utilities,
    consult part 3 of this posting.

    Before posting to these groups for the first time, please check the FAQ
    list (this posting - including parts 2 and 3), and also read the newsgroup
    news.announce.newusers, which contains many answers to questions about
    UseNet in general.

    If you've read previous versions of this FAQ, you'll probably only want
    to read anything that has changed since the last distribution.  These
    changes appear both in this document and in the accompanying "Changes to
    the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ".  Note that this is a "live" document, and
    is always getting important information added or updated.


***********************************************************************

This file is intended to be a general introduction to the pictures
newsgroups, answering some common questions concerning pictures posted
in those newsgroups, namely how to decode and view them.  It is not, of
course, possible to cover everything, but I will try to to get as much
as I can into this file.  If you feel something important has been
omitted and you know the subject well, please write me so I can
include the info for future releases.  E-mail should be sent to
[e-mail] for these purposes.

Before you miss an important detail contained in this file, let me
"pre-repeat" that many of the programs mentioned in this document are
available for anonymous ftp at bongo.cc.utexas.edu (128.83.186.13), in
the gifstuff directory.  Also: there are NO GIF files of any kind at
this site!  Save your time and don't bother looking for them!

Articles contained in the news groups in the alt.binaries.pictures*
hierarchy are available ONLY by subscribing to those groups through UseNet;
there are no FTP archive sites (with the exception of a.b.p.fractals - see
the "ftpsites" list on bongo), mailing list, or mail servers that allow
access to these articles.  If you want access to the pictures hierarchy, your
site must subscribe to it;  talk to your news administrator!
Alternatively, you might be able to access these groups by connecting to
another site that *does* carry them, and do your news reading there (then FTP
the articles back to your site).  This may also be a problem, as you may not
be able to telnet to another site (because you don't have a true Internet
connection), and you might also not be able to access news at that site
without the OK of the systems administrator.  You might check out either the
alt.internet.access.wanted or the alt.internet.services news groups to get
more info or make requests for remote access...

OK... on to the real reason you're reading this document...


TABLE OF CONTENTS
   I.   ABOUT THIS FAQ
  II.    DOWNLOADING AND DECODING FILES
 III.   COMMON PICTURE TYPES
  IV.   ENCODING AND UPLOADING FILES
   V.   ALTERNATE SOURCES FOR PICTURES/HOW-TO'S OF FTP
  VI.    COMMON PROBLEMS
 VII.   COPYRIGHT


I. ABOUT THIS FAQ

This FAQ is posted every other Monday to the alt.binaries.pictures
newsgroups and to news.answers.  It is also available by anonymous FTP,
from UUCP, or through e-mail by using the services available from a couple
of mail servers.  For anonymous FTP access, you can look on either
pit-manager.mit.edu [18.72.1.58] in the directory /pub/usenet/news.answers,
on ftp.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.17] in directory NEWS.ANSWERS, on
cnam.cnam.fr [192.33.159.6] in directory /pub/FAQ, or on ftp.uu.net
[137.39.1.2, 137.39.1.9, or 192.48.96.2] in directory /pub/usenet.  In all
cases, you'll want to get one or all of the FAQ parts named as files
"pictures-faq/part1", "pictures-faq/part2", and "pictures-faq/part3".
You can get the FAQ via UUCP by retrieving the appropriate part from
"uunet!/archive/usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part1",
"uunet!/archive/usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part2", or
"uunet!/archve/usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part3".
    For e-mail access, send a message to [e-mail]
with the mail body "send usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part1" to get the
first part, "send usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part2" for the second,
and "send usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq/part3" for the third, or e-mail
to [e-mail] with "send NEWS.ANSWERS/pictures-faq/part1",
"send NEWS.ANSWERS/pictures-faq/part2", and/or
"send NEWS.ANSWERS/pictures-faq/part3" in the body of the message.


II. DOWNLOADING AND DECODING FILES

    Basic checklist:        Alternate checklist:
    ----------------        --------------------
    News reader            News reader (optional in some cases)
    Text file editor        "Super-decoder"
    UUDECODEr

By far the most common method of posting files to the pictures
newsgroups is the UUENCODE standard.  This program, shipped standard
with most implementations of UNIX, converts binary files into plain-text
ASCII files which can be handled by the mail system.  You will need a
version of UUDECODE before anything else in order to view anything
downloaded from the net.  If your system does not have a version of
UUDECODE available, you can get one via anonymous ftp from
bongo.cc.utexas.edu, in the gifstuff/uutools directory.

The format of a uuencoded file consists of an optional "table specification",
which consists of the word "table" alone on a line, followed by one or more
lines containing the characters that will be used in the remaining encoded
data.  Following this, the standard requires the line containing only the text
"begin <permissions> <filename>" (where "<permissions>" is a three-character
numeric string, and "<filename>" notes the name of the decoded file - for
example "begin 640 myfile.gif").  This "begin" line is then followed by
several lines of approximately 63 characters, all beginning with a capital
"M", and containing any non-lower-case printing character (and very rarely
resembles anything but absolute gibberish).  Optionally, one to two lines
may be blank or contain less than the normal number of characters if those
lines are immediately before the line containing the "end" notation.  The
"end" text alone on a line marks the conclusion of the uuencoded data.  Any
information that does not fit into the above classifications are termed as
either "headers" or "trailers", and are not intended to be included in the
information to be decoded.  For example, the following represents a valid
uuencoded file (although it contains no useful information - don't bother
decoding it!):

begin 666 bogus.file
MLEHHWHURHUH %$^4653%#$#&^%$$46^%#^%)LKDUHEWFHIUG^$^#DJIUTE&F^R
M&#H:FNP(ENER(*HNFUHDG(&#&B#HY@#(*@YNUF(&$HU$HF(YSAUHIRY(&YHHEU
M(*NUFE(YHDH

end

Most decoders are smart enough to ignore anything before the "begin" line
and after the "end" line.

The first step is to save the file you want to view... in most versions
of the newsreader, this is done by pressing 's' followed immediately (no
spaces usually, although some versions don't care) by a file name.
You will usually be asked if you want to save it in mailbox format;
you should answer 'n'.  When saving an article to a file in
mailbox format, the article is sometimes changed in a subtle
way, making it impossible to decode.

In the case of a single-part file, you can now uudecode the file,
which will create whatever output file is encoded.  You can usually
tell if it's a single-part file by looking on the subject line;
standard netiquette is to make something like [03/06] part of the
subject line, which indicates you're on part 3 of a 6-part file.  If no
numbers are there, you can usually assume it is a 1-part file.  If
not, feel free to write the poster (directly... please don't waste
bandwidth by posting) and request that he/she put this info in the
subject line.  Be nice about it!  Another way to determine if a file
is a single-parter is if both the uuencode "begin" and "end" lines
(as outlined above in the description of the uuencode format) are
included in the file.

For multi-part files, life is a little more difficult.  If all you
have is a standard UUDECODE program (as opposed to a "smart decoder"),
you will need to trim the headers and trailers out from the rest of the
information.  You can either do this by saving each part in its own file
and editting them separately, then concatenate the editted files together
to make one big file (this might be your only choice if your editor can't
handle large files!), or you can save each part in order into one big
file and then edit all the headers and trailers out from that file.
Either way, you'll need to run the result through UUDECODE.  You can use
your favorite text editor to strip out header and trailer information.

There are several "smart decoders" out there that will handle all of
the header/trailer stripping and decoding for you (some will even make
sure that the pieces are in order!) - see part 3 of this posting for
specifics.

Some articles are actually posted with easy decoding in mind, and contain
UNIX shell script headers/trailers that facilitate easier decoding.  This
is often very helpful, as it saves you a lot of work, and can also provide
error checking not available in a "normal" uuencoded posting.  These
postings nearly always contain instructions on their use, so I won't
attempt to explain all the details here.  There's no set "standard" for
this type of posting anyway - except for MIME.  MIME, the Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extensions, proposes a standard for the posting and mailing
of multi-media articles (postings may include pictures, sounds, movies,
or other media types - which may be combined in one article).  Public-
domain packages using MIME are available (Metamail, for example).  For
more information on MIME and Metamail, contact [e-mail].

Some news readers have an "extract" capability that greatly simplifies
life by automatically decoding articles - this means you don't have to
go to the hassle of saving to a file and then decoding.  Newer versions
of rn, nn, and trn can handle this - check the "man" page or ask your
news administrator to find out if you can let your news reader do the
work for you!

If you're going to download the decoded picture file to a home machine,
or move it around a network, remember that most decoded file outputs are
going to be BINARY files, so set your transfer protocol accordingly.
If you are moving around just the uuencoded data, an ASCII transfer will
work just fine, however (you'll have to decode it eventually, of course).
Note that if you *don't* transfer the decoded file in BINARY mode,
everything will appear to work just fine - until you try to view the
picture.  Then you'll get all sorts of undefined results...


III.  COMMON PICTURE TYPES

    Basic checklist:        Alternate checklist:
    ----------------        --------------------
    GIF viewer            Multi-format viewer
    Format conversion tool(s)    Format conversion tool(s)
                    Image manipulation tool(s)

OK.  Now you've got this great picture file from downloading it and
running it through UUDECODE.  What is it, and what do you do with it?

The most common type of picture is the GIF format (which usually has
a .GIF or .gif file suffix).  GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format,
and is a standard format for images that was developed by CompuServe to
be a device-independent method of storing pictures.  It includes
Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression, which makes the files fairly small.

JPEG is another standardized image compression mechanism, which stands
for Joint Photographic Experts Group (the original name of the committee
that wrote the standard).  It seems more and more common that JPEG-type
pictures (.JPG or .jpg file suffix, usually) are getting posted to the
net.  Some claim that JPEG is destined to overtake GIF format in popularity,
because it is the most compact method to store 24-bit data, but mostly due
to the fact that it uses much less space to store the same picture (this is,
in fact, true - I have seen many examples of this phenomenon).  This may be
an accurate assessment, but this will probably take a while to happen, as
most people HAVE GIF software/viewers, but lack JPEG equivalents.
Undoubtedly, however, this too shall change, but at this point, JPEG is
recognized as still being in its infancy.  But, if you prefer to be on the
leading (bleeding?) edge, it is possible to get software both to view JPEG
pictures, and to convert JPEG to and from other formats, as detailed in
part 3.

The latest and greatest info about JPEG is included in the Tom Lane's
"JPEG image compression: Frequently Asked Questions" (archive name is
"jpeg-faq"), posted on a regular basis to the alt.binaries.pictures.d,
alt.graphics.pixutils, alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.d, alt.sex.pictures.d,
and news.answers newsgroups.

Of course, to view a picture of a particular type, you will need a viewer
that supports that type (again, for specifics on viewers for your
particular configuration, see part 3 of this posting).

There are other types of single-picture files posted to the net,
although they are not as common as GIF or JPEG files.  Other than the
difference in the viewing software, the downloading/decoding and
encoding/uploading procedures are identical as for other types of pictures.
Platform-dependent picture types and conversion programs are discussed
in part 3 of this posting.

Occasionally people get into an argument about which standard is best.
I think the answer is:  WHO CARES?!?  The only thing I have to say
about this matter is that almost every machine under the sun already
has a program written for it to view GIF files, and if yours doesn't,
shareware or PD source code is available almost everywhere.

Commonly people post files to the net with a .GL extension.  These
files are actually animated picture-shows that can be viewed on a small
number of system types.

Usually, GL files are huge, so people often compress them with one of
several popular compression/archiving packages.  Perhaps the most
common is the PC family's PKZIP package.  If a GL file is posted with
a .ZIP extension, you know it's been ZIP'ed.  Similarly, if it has a
.Z extension, it's been compressed with the UNIX `compress' utility.
"Uncompression" tools of either type are available for various types of
systems - part 3 has the necessary details.

Files of a .DL extension are also sometimes posted.  These are very
similar to GL files, except in format and in the fact that DL files allow
color "movie" viewing, so of course it takes different software to view
them (this software is also discussed in part 3).

Then there's FLI - yet another GL/DL type of file.  FLI's are generally
considered poorer quality than either GL or DL, however.

The table below lists many of the common file types for pictures or
compression formats for different systems.  This information may be useful
if you download a tool and then don't know how to decompress it into a
usable form, or as a "quick reference" of file types.   Decompressors or
viewers of "unlike" system types exist on some systems - see the particular
system information for details on this aspect.

    File extension        File  type
    --------------        ----------
    ARC            ARChive (many OS's support) - compressed file(s)
    ARJ            Yet another archive format - compressed file(s)
    BMP            IBM BitMaP picture file
    CPT            Macintosh CompactPro compressed file.
    DL            Animated picture file (system independent, for
                those with viewers)
    FLI            Animated picture file (system independent, for
                those with viewers)
    GIF            Graphics Interchange Format -
                system independent picture file
    GL            Animated picture file (system independent, for
                those with viewers)
    IMG            IMaGe - ? picture file
    JPG (JPEG)        Joint Photography experts Group - system
                independent picture file
    LZH            Amiga LZH - compressed file(s) - LHarc output
    MAC (MACP)        Macintosh MacPaint - Macintosh picture file
    HQX            Macintosh BinHex - encoded file
    IFF            Amiga Interchangeable File Format - Amiga
                file interchange (used for many types of binary
                data).  If it contains a picture file, then
                the picture is either an ILBM (InterLeaved
                                BitMap), HAM (Hold-And-Modify), DHAM (DynaHAM),
                or SHAM (Sliced HAM).
    IM8 (RAST)        Sun RASTer file - Sun picture file
    PCX            IBM PC Paintbrush - IBM picture file
    PICT            Macintosh QuickDraw PICTure - Macintosh picture
                file
    PS (PSID)        Encapsulated PostScript/PostScript Image Data -
                printer-ready text/picture file
    RAW            RAW RGB - 24-bit system independent picture file
    SEA            Macintosh Self-Extracting Archive
    SHK            Macintosh Shrinkit - compressed file(s)
    SIT            Macintosh StuffIt - compressed file(s)
    TGA            TrueVision TarGA file - ? picture file
    TIFF            Tagged Image Format File - 24-bit system
                independent picture file
    UUE            UNIX UUEncoding - encoded file
    XBM            X windows Bit Map - UNIX/X windows picture file
    Z            UNIX LZW "compress" - compressed file(s)
    ZIP            MS-DOS ZIP - compressed file(s)
    ZOO            MS-DOS ZOO - compressed file(s)


IV. ENCODING AND UPLOADING FILES

    Basic checklist:        Alternate checklist:
    ----------------        --------------------
    UUENCODEr            "Auto-posting" tool(s)
    Editor or file splitter
    News posting software

First things first:  before you do any sort of posting, be sure you've
read and understand the a.b.p* netiquette as outlined in part 1 of this
FAQ.  This will save you from countless flamings!

OK.  You need to UUENCODE the file.  Find an encoder and encode it!
If the output file is particularly large (i.e. more than 60 KB), it
would be wise to split up the encoded file into smaller parts (<= 60 KB)
and then post those.  You can split the file with a text editor if you
like, or check part 3 for more specifics on splitting utilities.

Now post the files... and remember to include the neat info mentioned
in part 1, like subject lines that mean something, descriptions,
checksums, "Cut Here" lines, etc...

There are some very nice "super posting" utilities out there that will
handle all the lower-level details for you.  See part 3 for more info
on these utilities.  If you don't use one, you'll obviously need to do
all the uuencoding, splitting, and the posting of each split part
yourself - which can become quite a tedious process!  Another benefit of
the "super posters" is that they enforce some standardization on the way
posts look - making an auto-decoder's job much easier in the process!


V. ALTERNATE SOURCES FOR PICTURES/HOW-TO'S OF FTP

    Basic checklist:        Alternate checklist:
    ----------------        --------------------
    Direct Internet access        E-mail software
    FTP software

The pictures newsgroups are certainly not the only source for pictures,
nor are GIF files the only types available (see section III).  The most
likely place you are to find other pictures is in an archive that is
reachable via FTP.  FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and is a
program for transmitting files over the network.  To use FTP, you will
need access to a computer with the FTP program, and a network connection.
Be aware that files on FTP sites will probably NOT be UUENCODED, so
remember to transfer in binary when getting non-text files.
For the greatest level of detail on FTP, you should refer to the posting
"How to find sources (READ THIS BEFORE POSTING)", which is periodically
posted to comp.sources.wanted, alt.sources.wanted, and news.answers.  OR
you can execute either 'finger [e-mail]' or
'finger [e-mail]' to get a quick tutorial.
Additionally, it is possible to get files from anonymous FTP sites via
e-mail.  For details on this wonderful facility, send an e-mail containing
the text "help" to [e-mail].  For those of you on BITNET,
send an e-mail containing the text "help" to [e-mail].
Now you too can get all sorts of great utilities from anonymous FTP sites
using an e-mail proxy!

Due to popular demand, an anonymous FTP site list of pictures-related
"stuff" has now been compiled and is available from bongo in
/gifstuff/ftpsites.  This list is by no means guaranteed to be accurate
or comprehensive, but hopefully most of the information is valid.  BTW,
this list is a condensed and supplemented version of the Jan. 20, 1990
revision of Jon Granrose's ([e-mail]) "List of Hosts that
Accept Anonymous FTP Requests", which is posted regularly to comp.misc,
comp.sources.wanted, and alt.sources.wanted, and also available via
anonymous FTP from pilot.njin.net (128.6.7.38).  Any additions or
corrections would be most welcome and appreciated!

Most ftp programs will allow you to enter something like
  ftp wsmr-simtel20.army.mil
which will connect you with the mighty SIMTEL-20 archives at the White
Sands Missile Range.  Occasionally, you will encounter an ftp program
that is old enough or slothful enough that it does not recognize
internet-style addresses like the one above.  In that case, you'll
need to know the computer's numeric address; for SIMTEL-20
you would enter
  ftp 192.88.110.20

Once you're connected, you'll have to tell the computer at the other
end that you want to log in, by entering USER (some machines save you
this step by *assuming* you want to log in.  What else would you want
to do?)  When you are prompted for an account name, enter
  anonymous
When it asks you for a password, enter *your* internet address.

Often the machine to which you are trying to connect will be busy
(i.e. too many anonymous users), in which case the machine will inform
you of this and throw you off.  Try again later.

Now you're in.  What do you do?  Well, you need to know where the
files are stored that you want.  If you know this, just
  cd directory-name
to the directory in question.  Then you can do a DIR to find out
what is in it.

So you see a file called CRSH+BRN.GIF and you want it for yourself.
What do you do?  Well, the first thing is to tell the computer on the
other end that you want it to transmit a binary file.  On most FTP
servers, entering the magic word TENEX will do this.  If the machine
doesn't recognize TENEX, try BINARY, or if all else fails, you can
enter
  TYPE L 8
Be sure to do this for GIF files or you'll get garbage when you try
to view them!
The difference between TENEX and BINARY is in translation of data type
sizes - if your machine type has different data type sizes than the one
you're downloading from, use TENEX, otherwise use BINARY.  If you're not
sure, try TENEX first (if the command isn't recognized, you're probably
OK).  On some VAX platforms, the keyword "IMAGE" is also sometimes used
to denote binary files.

Now you're ready to grab the files you want.  You have two options:
you can type
  get filename
or
  mget wildcard
where wildcard is any UNIX-style wildcard.  MGET will get all files
that satisfy the specification.

When you're done grabbing files, type QUIT or BYE to log off the remote
machine and return to yours.  Now you're ready to view the picture -
no decoding step necessary (neat, eh?)!

Most of the non-erotica pictures that appear in postings to the
alt.binaries.pictures* hierarchy are available from anonymous FTP sites
(again, see bongo's "ftpsites" list), but this is of course not guaranteed.

The other most common method for obtaining files is from an archival
file server.  Most of these work in the following way: you send mail
to the server's address, with one-line commands in your message, like
   help
   directory \pictures\gif\family-oriented
   send \pictures\gif\family-oriented\CRSH+BRN.GIF
and the requested info is sent back to you at some later time, when
the server has time to get around to it.

The first step when you discover a server system is to send a HELP
command so you can learn what the commands are for that server.
However, most servers operate with commands basically similar to those
listed above.


VI. COMMON PROBLEMS

    Basic checklist:
    ----------------
    At least one clue
    Some small level of intelligence
    Self-determination

Well, you've downloaded the file, tried to view it, and got garbage.
What went wrong?

The two most likely places for something to go wrong are both in the
transmission of the file.  The first is this:  when you downloaded the
file to your home computer, did you remember to tell the modem-
transfer software that you're sending a binary file?

The second-most likely is that you forgot to say TENEX before you
grabbed the file via FTP.

Either of these will result in mangled files that are unviewable by
anything known to man.

Also: did you remember to trim off the header and trailer information if
you are/were using a "simple" uudecoder?  The symptom of forgetting to
do this is usually a message something like "short file" from your GIF
viewer.  There could also be the problem where blank lines are left
between parts (or anywhere for that matter) within the 'begin' and 'end'
lines of the uuencoded file.  Uudecode will get through them fine, but some
GIF viewers will choke on the results.  The only blank line I've seen
get by is the one just before the 'end' statement.  Beware of taking
too much or not enough off of the headers and trailers.

Another common problem is this one:  IBM mainframes often use an
EBCDIC character set (yes, there's more than one EBCDIC set!) instead
of the ASCII set used by everyone else.  This wouldn't be a problem except
that most ASCII-EBCDIC converters have a bug which mungs the translation
of several characters, including ^ { } and a few others.  Even this
wouldn't be a problem except that the particular munging it does is to
map several of these characters onto the *same* wrong character.  Ooops.

The way around this is not to use uuencode to transfer these files,
but to use xx-encode, which produces files which look almost exactly
like uu-encoded files, but they use a character set which is
IBM-proof.  If you are using an IBM mainframe as your host computer
and you're having trouble decoding files, this is most likely your
problem.  Solution: 1) find a kind soul who is willing to uudecode the
files, xxencode them and send them to you, 2) get the files via FTP,
which should be EBCDIC-proof, or 3) get a better computer that uses
everybody else's character set. :-)

Almost all of the problems described above can be checked by using
GIFTEST to check the GIF file's integrity on your host machine before
you download it.  I have recently added the source code for GIFTEST to
the archive at bongo.  I highly recommend that you get a copy of this,
even if you only occasionally have problems with your GIF files; it
runs in only a few seconds, and has the potential to save you hours of
download time!

The last and least likely problem is that some mailer somewhere
actually munged the file.  It happens.  Fortunately, it doesn't happen
all that often.  When it does (and please check all of the other
problems *FIRST*), it's time to ask for a re-post, as detailed in part 1.


VII. COPYRIGHT

Bottom line:  It's OK to copy something (electronically or otherwise) for
your own personal use.  It's NOT OK to re-distribute that copy, whether or
not you make any money doing it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's about it for the "general" information.  System-specific
information is continued in part 3 of this FAQ.  If you have any
suggestions for things to include in future versions, don't hesitate
to let me know...

         ~ deej ~              | (If I were expressing Cadence's opinions, )
Jim Howard -- [e-mail] | (they'd probably make me wear a tie...    )
        (^:=             Flames cheerfully ignored.             =:^)
"Time is a gypsy caravan, steals away in the night,
 To leave you stranded in dreamland" -- Rush

Archive-name: pictures-faq/part3
Last-modified: 13 November 1992

    This is part 3 of the FAQ for the alt.binaries.pictures* hierarchy.
    This part of the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ contains information specific
    to particular systems and on available utilities.

      For information on issues of etiquette and posting policy and/or
    suggestions, consult part 1 of this posting.

      For information on "general", or operating-system independent
    information, questions you may have about the pictures newsgroups,
    decoding and encoding techniques, or picture formats, consult part 2
    of this posting.

    Before posting to these groups for the first time, please check the FAQ
    list (this posting - including parts 1 and 2), and also read the newsgroup
    news.announce.newusers, which contains many answers to questions about
    UseNet in general.

    If you've read previous versions of this FAQ, you'll probably only want
    to read anything that has changed since the last distribution.  These
    changes appear both in this document and in the accompanying "Changes to
    the alt.binaries.pictures FAQ".  Note that this is a "live" document, and
    is always getting important information added or updated.

***********************************************************************
Before you miss an important detail contained in this file, let me
"pre-repeat" that *many* programs mentioned in this document are available
for anonymous ftp at bongo.cc.utexas.edu (128.83.186.13), in the gifstuff
directory.  Also: there are NO GIF files of any kind at this site!  Save
your time and don't bother looking for them!
Additionally, the file "ftpsites" on bongo in the gifstuff directory gives
many examples of places to find these utilities.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
   I.   UTILITY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  II.   COMMON FTP SITES
 III.   PORTABLE UTILITIES
  IV.   MS-DOS PROCEDURES/UTILITIES
   V.   Apple UTILITIES
  VI.   Amiga UTILITIES
 VII.   Atari UTILITIES
VIII.   VAX/VMS UTILITIES
  IX.   NeXT PROCEDURES/UTILITIES
   X.     UNIX/XWINDOWS PROCEDURES/UTILITIES
  XI.     APPENDICES: AWK, SED, AND PERL SCRIPTS
 XII.    BONGO FILE LISTING


I. UTILITY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Ever since the new format was adopted, lots of people want to see their
favorite utility listed here!  That's great - the whole idea behind this
FAQ is sharing the net wisdom (most of whats in this FAQ represents the
combined knowledge of the pictures and graphics community's readership).
BUT... in order to include information on a particular utility, it has to
meet the following criterion:
    1) It has to fit into one of the classifications that make sense for
       pictures (viewers, converters, decoders, posters/unposters, etc).
    2) It's either Public Domain, FreeWare, or ShareWare software.  It
       doesn't make a lot of sense for this FAQ to become one big
       advertisement!
    3) It has to be readily available.  It doesn't do me (or anyone else,
       for that matter) much good to know "I don't know where I got it,
       but the MajorHonkinTool utility solves all my problems...".
So, to submit a utility, I need to know (in as much detail as you can
possibly give):
    A) What's the utility's name,
    B) What it does,
    C) What platforms it runs on (probably one or more of the ones listed
       in this FAQ are most appropriate =:^) ),
    D) Where to get it.  Anonymous FTP or mail server archive is the best,
     but if it's been posted to a newsgroup, that would be OK, too.  If
     you want to set yourself up as an e-mail distribution for a utility,
     that's OK too - but be prepared for a deluge of requests!  I WILL
     NOT accept someone else's address as an e-mail distribution unless
     they specifically send their approval (for obvious reasons).  Don't
     just send me something expecting that I'll put it on bongo, either
     - bongo has very limited file resources (and is pretty much at its
     quota already)!
Without the full information above, I can't list the utility in this FAQ in
good conscience, since it won't be very useful...
Please keep up the good work and let me know how this document should be
kept up-to-date!


II. COMMON FTP SITES

There are a few sites out there that are mentioned time and time again in
this document.  In order to save a little space (and make things easier to
maintain), the following convention has been devised.  The shorthand for
a site or sites is listed first, the site address(es) is noted, and any
special information relative to the sites is also given.  Hope this isn't
too confusing!

BONGO            bongo.cc.utexas.edu (128.83.186.13)
        In this FAQ, a notation of "BONGO:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on bongo in /gifstuff/<some_file_path>.
EXPORT            export.lcs.mit.edu (18.24.0.12)
        In this FAQ, a notation of "EXPORT:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on export in /pub/contrib/<some_file_path>.
SIMTEL            wsmr-simtel20.army.mil (192.88.110.20)
    In this FAQ, a notation of "SIMTEL:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on simtel in pd1:<some_file_path>.
WUARCHIVE        wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)
        In this FAQ, a notation of "WUARCHIVE:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on wuarchive in <some_file_path>.
OAKLAND            oak.oakland.edu (141.210.10.117)
    In this FAQ, a notation of "OAKLAND:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on oakland in <some_file_path>.
MIRRORS            wsmr-simtel20.army.mil (192.88.110.20),
            wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4),
    These hosts "mirror" a lot of common information.  In this FAQ, if you
    see the notation "MIRRORS:some/file/path", this means that you
    can find the file on simtel in pd1:some.file.path, and on its mirror
    site (wuarchive) in /mirrors/some/file/path.
GARBO            garbo.uwasa.fi (128.214.87.1)
    In this FAQ, a notation of "GARBO:some_file_path" means that you
    can find the file on garbo in <some_file_path>.


III. PORTABLE UTILITIES

"GENERAL UTILITY" TOOLS:
GIFtest.c               Tests integrity of GIF files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:gifutils/giftest.c, or from
    ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw.

DECODERS/ENCODERS:
unc            "Smart decoder" by Mark Maimone ([e-mail]) - uses
            article headers to determine the posting order and puts
            parts in appropriately named files to aid processing
            through uudecode.  Newest version handles missing or
            "noisy" info in Subject: lines more gracefully, and also
            provides better MS-DOS support.  Portable only across
            UNIX and MS-DOS systems (so far).  Mark is interested
            in any port feedback you can give him - especially VMS.
            He's even willing to help with the porting effort!
    Available via anonymous FTP on vacation.venari.cs.cmu.edu
    (128.2.209.207) in directory /usr/anon, file unc-*.Z (or exploded files
    in the unc-* directory - also posted to alt.sources).

COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION TOOLS:
cjpeg/djpeg         Free, portable C code for JPEG compression from the
            Independent JPEG Group, lead by Tom Lane
            ([e-mail]).  This software has been tested on
            numerous Unix machines, PCs, Macs, and Amigas; it is
            believed that it can be ported to almost any machine
            that has a (reasonable) C compiler.
    Available via anonymous FTP from several places.  The "official"
    archive site for this source code is ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9 or
    192.48.96.9).  Look under directory /graphics/jpeg; the file to
    retrieve is jpegsrc.v?.tar.Z.  You can retrieve this file by FTP or
    UUCP.  Folks in Europe may find it easier to FTP from nic.funet.fi
    (see directory /pub/graphics/programs/jpeg).  The source code is also
    available on CompuServe, in the GRAPHSUPPORT forum (GO PICS), library
    10, as jpsrc*.zip.
    If you are not reasonably handy at configuring and installing portable
    C programs, you may have some difficulty installing the free source
    code.  There is currently an FTP archive of pre-built executable
    versions of the free JPEG code for various machines, accessible at
    ftp.cis.ksu.edu (129.130.10.80); look under /pub/JPEG to see what is
    currently available.  The administrators ask that FTP traffic to this
    system be limited to non-prime hours.

CONVERSION TOOLS:
PBMPlus tool kit     Maintained by Jef Poskanzer ([e-mail]).  Very
            nearly a de-facto standard for converting between many
            different formats.  Includes "utility" tools to scale,
            quantize, crop, flip, rotate, and many other graphics
            operations.
    Available via anonymous FTP from EXPORT:pbmplus*.tar.Z and from
      ftp.ee.lbl.gov (128.3.112.20) as /pbmplus*.tar.Z.  Visit the newsgroup
    alt.graphics.pixutils for more details, discussion of usage, etc.
UtahRaster Tools    Converts between many file formats, somewhat similar
            to the PBMPlus tool kit.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    WUARCHIVE:/graphics/graphics/packages/urt/urt-*.tar.Z
GIFtoPS            GIF to postscript converter.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:gifutils/giftops.c.


IV. MS-DOS PROCEDURES/UTILITIES

There is an archive of MS-DOS OS/2 tools available either via anonymous FTP
(on hobbes.nmsu.edu - 128.123.35.151) or via e-mail, by sending a one-line
mail command message.  Many of the utilities listed in this section can be
obtained here;  these will be identified by the notation
"HOBBES:<archive-file>(<mail name>)".
This would mean that you could get that utility in the pathname specified as
/pub/os2/general/graphics/<archive-file>, or via e-mail by sending a message
containing "GET <mail name> OS2" to [e-mail].
I might also suggest to OS/2 users that you get a copy of the index (one-line
e-mail message is "INDEX") and help (one-line e-mail message is "HELP") for
this site - there's over 150M of OS/2 programs, and the list is growing...

SYSTEM-SPECIFIC PROCEDURES:
    * To concatenate multi-part picture files together, execute:
  copy part1 + part2 + part3 + ... + partN file

DECODERS/ENCODERS:
UUDECODE/UUENCODE    Decoder/encoder for uuencoded files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.cica.indiana.edu in
    /pub/pc/win31/util.
UUEXE            "Smart decoder/encoder" written by Richard Marks.
    Available via anonymous FTP from OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/filutl/uuexe*.zip,
    on GARBO:/pc/decode as uuexe*.zip, or on many other PC archives (like
    SIMTEL or WUARCHIVE).  Also posted at the beginning of each month to
    comp.binaries.ibm.pc.
UUXFER            "Smart decoder/encoder" written by Dave Read.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:uutools/uuxfer*, or from
        OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/filutl/uuxfer*.zip.

COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION TOOLS:
cjpeg/djpeg        (See description under "COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION
            TOOLS" in the "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above)
    MS-DOS executables are available via anonymous FTP from
    MIRRORS:msdos/graphics/jpeg*.zip, on ftp.pitt.edu in
    /users/qralston/jpeg/jpegv*.zip, on hobbes.nmsu.edu in the directory
    /pub/os2/archives/volume8 or /pub/os2/graphics as file jpeg3os2.zoo,
    and have been/will be posted on comp.binaries.ibm.pc.  DJGPP compiled
    versions are also available on ftp.math.niu.edu in
    /pub/msdos/djgpp.stuff/contrib (these run under MSDOS, with a 386 or
    better machine).
COMPRESS        Uncompresses UNIX compress files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/sq-usq/comp*d.zip.
PKUNZIP         Uncompresses MS-DOS ZIP files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/sq-usq/pkunzip*.
ARJ            Compresses/decompresses ARJ format files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/msdos/arc-lbr/arj*.zip.

CONVERSION TOOLS:
GIF2BMP            Converts among GIF and OS/2 BMP (bitmap) image formats.
            (OS/2 only!!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:gif2bmp.zoo(GIF2BMP ZIPXXE),
    or on WUARCHIVE:/mirrors2/win3/desktop/gif2bmp.zip.
GDS            Allows construction of "contact sheet" images, panning
            and zooming within an image [Shareware].
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/gif/gds*.zip.
JPEG2OS2        Converts among several different image formats
            including JPEG and GIF. (OS/2 only!!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:jpeg2os2.zoo(JPEG2OS2 $PACKAGE).
JPEG3            JPEG to GIF converter.
    Available via anonymous FTP from WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/msdos/graphics as
    file JPEG3.zip (JPEG3386.zip and JPEG3s.zip also available), or from
    OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/graphics/JPEG3.ZIP.
JPEG3OS2        Library of JPEG routines for inclusion in your 32-bit
            OS/2 programs. (OS/2 only!!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:jpeg3os2.zoo(JPEG3OS2 $PACKAGE).
GIF2JPG/JPG2GIF     Provided by Handmade Software, converts between GIF and
            JPEG formats.
    Available via anonymous FTP on msdos.archive.umich.edu in directory
    /msdos/graphics/gif as file gif2jpg5.zip.  Also available from
    MIRRORS:/msdos/graphics/gif2jpg5.zip.
Graphic WorkShop    Converts between/views many picture types, including
            PIC, PCX, BMP (windows 3), EPS, GIF, and Macintosh PICT.            [Shareware]
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/graphics/grfwk*.zip,
    from ftp.cica.indiana.edu in ~ftp/pub/pc/win3/desktop/gwswin*.zip,
    from WUARCHIVE:~ftp//mirrors/msdos/graphics/grfwk*.zip, from
    WUARCHIVE:/msdos/graphics/grfwk*.zip, or from pascal.math.fu-berlin.de
    (130.133.4.50) in /local/pd-soft/pc/imgsoft as file gws_*.zip.
Image Alchemy         Provided by Handmade Software, converts between/views
            many picture types, including GIF and JPEG [Shareware]
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/graphics/alch*.zip, or
    from WUARCHIVE:/msdos/graphics/alch*.zip.
IMDISP            Image processing and display.  It runs on just about
            any DOS PC, utilizes graphics cards from EGA to SVGA,
            does most basic image processing functions (histogram,
            contrast stretch, zoom, shrink, smooth, edge enhance,
            adjust color palette, etc.).  It can read 1, 2, 4, 8,
            16, or 32 bit integer binary images, as well as
            PDS/VICAR, FITS, and GIF.  Public domain.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/graphics/imdisp*.zip
PBMPlus tool kit     (See description under "CONVERSION TOOLS" in the
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above).
    A MS-DOS compiled version of the PBMPlus tool kit is available on
    GARBO:/pc/graphics/pbmplus.zoo, from
    WUARCHIVE:/usenet/comp.binaries.ibm.pc/volume15/pbmplus, or from
    HOBBES:pbmplus4.zoo.
PaintShop Pro        Allows viewing/conversion of multiple image types under
            Windows, including GIF, PCX, TGA, and BMP. [Shareware]
    Available via anonymous FTP on ftp.cica.indiana.edu in
    ~ftp/pub/pc/win3/desktop/psp*.zip, or from
    WUARCHIVE:/pub/pc/msdos/win3/pspro101.zip.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
CompuShow (CSHOW)     Multiple format (including MacPaint image and Amiga
            IFF) viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:ibmpc/cshw*.zip, from
    MIRRORS:msdos/gif/cshw*.zip, and from nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100)
    in /pub/msdos/graphics/gif/cshw*.zip.
CView            JPEG file viewer for Windows.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/win3/util/CVIEW*.zip or
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/win3/desktop/CVIEW*.zip.
DVPEG            JPEG file viewer including panning, shrinking, and
            brightness control.  Requires a 386 or better with a
            super VGA card (256 color - most video cards are
            supported).  Freeware - written by Eric Praetzel.
            ([e-mail])
    Available via anonymous FTP from WUARCHIVE:/pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS as
    dvpeg*.zip, at sunee.waterloo.edu in pub/jpeg/viewers as dvpeg*.zip,
    or from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/pc.
HiView            JPEG file viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from sunee.waterloo.edu in pub/jpeg/viewers,
    from WUARCHIVE:/pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS, or from SIMTEL:<msdos.graphics>, as
        hv*.zip.
Graphic WorkShop    (See reference in "CONVERSION TOOLS")
Image Alchemy        (See reference in "CONVERSION TOOLS")
SVGA            Multiple format (GIF, PCX, BMP, TGA, etc. - no JPEG)
            viewer - allows scrolling and supports many graphics
            boards.  [Shareware]
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/graphics/svga*.zip.
ShowBMP            Displays OS/2 bitmaps in a Presentation Manager window.
            (OS/2 only!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:showbmp.zoo.
ShowGIF            GIF viewer that allows you to view as you download.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SIMTEL:<msdos.gif> as showgif.arc.
OS/2 GIF        Displays GIF encoded images full screen. (OS/2 only!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:os2gif.zoo(OS2GIF ZIPXXE).
PMGIF            Displays GIF encoded images in a Presentation Manager
            window. (OS/2 only!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:pmgif.zoo(PM-GIF1 ZIPXXE).
ViewGIF            Displays GIF encoded images in a Presentation Manager
            window. (OS/2 only!)
    Available via anonymous FTP from HOBBES:viewgif1.zoo(VIEWGIF1 ZIPXXE).
VPIC            Multiple format (GIF, PCX, BMP, etc. - no JPEG) viewer
            and image manipulator.  Written by Bob Montgomery
            (current version is 5.1).
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:ibmpc/vpic*.zip, from
    athene.uni-paderborn.de in /pcsoft/msdos/gif/vpic*.zip, from
    nic.funet.fi in /pub/msdos/graphics/gif/vpic*.zip, from
    rigel.acs.oakland.edu in /pub/msdos/gif/vpic*.zip, or from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/msdos/gif/vpic*.zip.
WinGIF            GIF viewer for Windows 3.x
    Available via anonymous FTP from MIRRORS:msdos/windows3/wingif*.zip,
    or ftp.cica.indiana.edu in the /pub/pc/win3/util sub-directory, or
    from GARBO:/win3/gifutil/wingif14.zip.
WinJPEG            Shareware JPEG viewer for Windows 3.x.
    Available via anonymous FTP from either
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/msdos/windows3/winjp*.zip,
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/win3/desktop/winjp*.zip,
    WUARCHIVE:/pub/pc/msdos/win3/winjp*.zip, or ftp.cica.indiana.edu in
    the /pub/pc/win3/util sub-directory.
JView            JPEG viewer for Windows 3.x.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.cica.indiana.edu in
    /pub/pc/win3/desktop/jview*.zip, or from OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/windows.
VUIMG            GIF/TIFF viewer (latest version is 330).
    Available via anonymous FTP from WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/msdos/gif/vuimg*.zip
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors4/garbo.uwasa.fi/gifutil/vuimg*.zip, ftp.uu.net
    (137.39.1.9) in /systems/ibmpc/msdos/simtel20/gif/vuimg*.zip,
    nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in /pub/msdos/graphics/gif/vuimg*.zip or
    /pub/msdos/SIMTEL20-mirror/gif/vuimg*.zip, GARBO:/pc/gifutil/vuimg*.zip,
    or from OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/graphics/vuimg*.zip.

"MOVIE" VIEWERS:
AAPLAY            FLI file viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/pc/aaplay.lzh, or from nic.funet.fi in,
    /pub/msdos/graphics/animation/aaplay.zip.
DL-VIEW            DL file viewer (color!).
    Available via anonymous FTP on aix370.rrz.uni-koeln.de (134.95.80.1)
    in /msdos/graphics/animation, file dlview21.zip, from ftp.rahul.net
    (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/pc/dlview*.zip, or from
    OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/graphics/DLVIEW*.ZIP.
FLIPLAY            FLI file viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/pc.
GRASPRT            GL file viewer.  An older version admitted only CGA
            monitors, but a newer one allows VGA as well.
            Unfortunately, the older version doesn't even
            *recognize* the VGA standard, while the newer
            version (which, BTW, is *much* faster than the old
            one) will not let you display the VGA GRASP files
            on a CGA or EGA monitor.  Unlike the GIF standard,
            GL files are not resolution-independent!
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:ibmpc/grasp*.zip, from
    ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/pc/grasp*.zoo, or from
    OAKLAND:/pub/msdos/graphics/grasp*.zoo.
MPEGXing        MPEG movie viewer from Xing Technology.  Only works
            under Windows 3.x, and only with certain SVGA boards.
    Available via anonymous FTP on phoenix.oulu.fi (130.231.240.17)
    in the /pub/mpeg directory as mpegxing.lzh or from
    WUARCHIVE:/pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/mpegxing.lzh
WAAPLAY            FLI file viewer for Windows.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors2/win3/desktop/waaplay.zip.

Consult the comp.binaries.ibm.pc* or comp.sys.ibm.pc news groups for
MS-DOS-specific information.


V. Apple UTILITIES

In this section, the notation SUMEX:/some/file will mean that the utility
mentioned can be accessed on sumex-aim.stanford.edu (36.44.0.6) in directory
/some/file.

DECODERS/ENCODERS:
UULite            Decoder for uuencoded files, written by Jeff Strobel
            ([e-mail]).  Also concatenates article
            parts, strips headers/trailers, and does creator/type
            stamping.  Handles multiple pictures in a single file.
            "Smart" decoder in every sense.  Latest version is 1.4.
    Available via anonymous FTP on mac.archive.umich.edu (141.211.164.153)
    in /mac/utilities/compressionapps/uulite*.hqx, or on world.std.com, in
    the /pub directory.  Also posted to alt.binaries.pictures.misc by
    Patrick Chase ([e-mail]).
UUCat            Decoder for uuencoded files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/uucat-*.hqx.
UUTool            Decoder for uuencoded files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/uutool-*.hqx.

COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION TOOLS:
BinHex            Decompresses HQX (BinHex) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/BinHex*.
DeHQX            Decompresses HQX (BinHex) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/DeHQX-*.
CptExpand        Decompresses CPT (CompactPro) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/CptExpand*.
MacCompress        Decompresses Z (UNIX compress) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/MacCompress*.
MacLha            Decompressor for LZH (LHarc) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/mac-lha-*.hqx.
StuffIt Expander    Decompressor for SIT (StuffIt) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    SUMEX:/info-mac/util/Stuffit-Expander-*.hqx.
StuffIt Lite        Decompressor for SIT and HQX (BinHex) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    SUMEX:/info-mac/util/Stuffit-Lite-*.hqx.
UnARJ            Decompresses ARJ format files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/unarj-*.hqx.
UnZip            Decompresses ZIP files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/util/unzip*-*.hqx.

CONVERSION TOOLS:
GIFConverter        Converts between many file formats, and now supports
            JPEG and 24-Bit PICT and TIFF files.  System 6 required.
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    SUMEX:/info-mac/art/gif/gif-converter-23b2.hqx.
IFFConv            Converts from Amiga IFF format.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:apple/iigs/iffconv.shk.
Imagery            Converts from Atari, Amiga, AppleII, PC, and Sun
            picture formats to Macintosh GIF, PICT2, or TIFF.
            Also allows "decomposition" of GL files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/app/imagery-*.hqx, or
    on mac.archive.umich.edu:/mac/graphics/graphics.utilities/imagery*.hqx.
PictCompressor         Importer, viewer, and converter for multiple picture
            types (including JPEG).
    Available on the QuickTime 1.0 CD-ROM and via anonymous FTP on
    SUMEX:graphutils, or on mac.archive.umich.edu in graphics/quicktime.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
JPEGView        Multi-featured JPEG viewer by Aaron Giles
            ([e-mail]) - requires both System 7.0 and
            QuickTime).
    Available via anonymous FTP from SUMEX:/info-mac/app/jpeg-view-*.hqx,
    ory, or on mac.archive.umich.edu in mac/graphics/graphics.utilities as
     jpeg-view-*.hqx.
PictPixie        Multiple format (including GIF and JPEG) viewer.
            Requires QuickTime.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.apple.com in /dts/mac/quicktime
    as pictpixie.hqx.
Picture Decompress     Macintosh JPEG viewer by Storm Technology (get version
            2.0.1 or later; earlier versions are not compatible
            with JFIF file format).  Also, you'll need to change
            the file type to "JPEG" and the creator to "StPP" -
            you can do this by setting the appropriate preferences
            in UUTool, or by using the application FileTyper (also
            available on SUMEX) or McSink, which is a common DA.
            Picture Decompress takes over 4M of free system
            memory to run (you may need to uninstall some things).
    Available via anonymous FTP from
    SUMEX:/info-mac/app/picture-decompress-*.hqx.
QuickGIF        Color Macintosh GIF viewer - gives thumbnails.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:mac/quick-gif.hqx.
VisionLab        Monochrome Macintosh viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:mac/visionlab.hqx.
][GIF            Apple ][+/e/c GIF viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:apple/ii/iigif.
GIF3200            Apple ][GS GIF viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:apple/iigs/gif3200.shk
VIEW3200        Apple ][GS GIF viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:apple/iigs/gif3200.shk

"MOVIE" VIEWERS:
GLViewer        GL viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP on mac.archive.umich.edu in directory
    mac/graphics/graphics.utilities as file gl-viewer.

Consult the comp.binaries.apple2, comp.binaries.mac, comp.sys.apple*, or
comp.sys.mac* news groups for Apple-specific information.


VI. Amiga UTILITIES

CONVERSION TOOLS:
AmigaJPEG        Converts JPEG to/from PPM, GIF, TGA formats.
    Available via anonymous FTP from funic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in
    directory /pub/amiga/graphics/applications/convert as file
    AmigaJPEG-*-bin.lha.
HamLab Plus        Multiple format viewer/converter.  Shareware ($20) -
            latest version, 2.0.8, supports JPEG.  The demo version
            will crop images larger than 512x512, but it is
            otherwise fully functional.
    Demo copy available via anonymous FTP from amiga.physik.unizh.ch
    (130.60.80.80) and mirror sites (including WUARCHIVE), file
    amiga/gfx/hamlab208d.lha.
GIFMachine         Multiple format viewer/converter.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:amiga/GIFMachine.lzh.
PBMPlus tool kit     (See description under "CONVERSION TOOLS" in the
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above)
    Amiga-specific executables (including update.lzh) are available via
    anonymous FTP from funic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in directory
    /pub/amiga/graphics/applications/convert/pbmplus.
WASP            Fast multiple format converter.
    Available via anonymous FTP from funic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in
    directory /pub/amiga/graphics/applications/convert/Wasp-*.lha.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
HamLab Plus         (See reference in "CONVERSION TOOLS")
GIFMachine         (See reference in "CONVERSION TOOLS")
ViewJPEG        Amiga JPEG viewer (uses old IJG v2 code - sub-optimal
            quality results).
    Available via anonymous FTP from funic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in
    directory /pub/amiga/graphics/applications/display/ViewJPEG-*.lha

"MOVIE" VIEWERS:
gl1-1            GL viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:amiga/gl1-1.lzh.

Consult the comp.sys.amiga* news groups for Amiga-specific information.


VII. Atari UTILITIES

There is a wonderful archive of Atari tools available either via anonymous
FTP (on atari.archive.umich.edu - 141.211.164.8) or via e-mail, by sending a
one-line mail command message.  Many of the utilities listed in this section
can be obtained here;  these will be identified by the notation
"ATARI-ARCHIVE: <archive-file>".
This would mean that you could get that utility in the pathname specified as
atari/<archive-file>, or via e-mail by sending a one-line e-mail message
containing "send <archive-file>" to [e-mail].
I might also suggest to fellow Atari-ites (Atarions?) that you get a copy
of the index (one-line e-mail message is "index") and help (one-line e-mail
message is "help") for this site - there's all *sorts* of good stuff out
there!

COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION TOOLS:
cjpeg/djpeg        (See description under "COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION
            TOOLS" in the "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above)
    Atari-specific executables are available from your friendly neighborhood
    ATARI-ARCHIVE:graphics/JPEGV3.lzh, or from ftp.tu-clausthal.de
    (139.174.1.3) in /pub/atari/graphics/convert/jpegv3.lzh

CONVERSION TOOLS:
dmjgif            Converts GIFs to Spectrums.  Excellent - many options.
            Slow (unless you register!) but effective.  [Shareware]
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/dmjgif3.lzh.
GIFSpec            Converts from GIF to Spectrum format.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/gifspc.arc.
PBMPlus tool kit     (See description under "CONVERSION TOOLS" in the
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above)
    Atari-specific executables are available from your friendly neighborhood
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: printing/pbm/pbm-readme     (The file that explains it all)
               printing/pbm/pbm-man.zoo     (man pages)
               printing/pbm/pbm-bin.zoo     (Portable bitmap binaries)
               printing/pbm/ppm-bin.zoo     (Portable pixel map binaries)
               printing/pbm/pgm-bin.zoo     (Portable grey map binaries)
               printing/pbm/pnm-bin.zoo     (Portable any map binaries)
SpecDec            Converts from Spectrum to Degas format.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: misc/specdeg.lzh.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
giffer            Monochrome GIF viewer (4 dithering options).
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/giffer.arc.
gifshw2        Color GIF single or "slide-show" viewer.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/gifshw2.arc.
mgif            Monochrome GIF viewer.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/mgif37b.arc.
quickgif        GIF "slide-show" viewer.  Very fast and good results.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/quickgif.lzh.
SPShow            Spectrum file viewer.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/specshow.arc
SPSlide            Spectrum file "slide-show" viewer.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/spslidex.arc
viewgf            Image viewer (many formats, including GIFs) - good.
    ATARI-ARCHIVE: graphics/viewgf12.lzh.

Consult the comp.binaries.atari.st, comp.sources.atari.st or comp.sys.atari.st
news groups for Atari-specific information.


VIII. VAX/VMS UTILITIES

CONVERSION TOOLS:
PBMPlus tool kit     (See description under "CONVERSION TOOLS" in the
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above)
    VMS-specific support of the PBMPlus tool kit is provided by David
    Jones ([e-mail]).  The current patch version
    is 1.01, and is available via anonymous FTP from TGV.COM, in directory
    [.mahan], file PBMPLUS.SHAR.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
xv            X-windows viewer supporting multiple formats,
            including JPEG.  Also writes many formats, making
            it viable as a format conversion tool as well.
    VMS-specific patches to allow building under ULTRIX or VMS have been
    posted to the vmsnet.sources newsgroup and are available via anonymous
    FTP on acfcluster.nyu.edu in directory [.VMS].  The VMS executables
    including the patches are also available from black.cerritos.edu in
    the BACKUP save-set [ANONYMOUS.VMSNET]XV*.BCK_Z (PostScript docs are in
    file XV*.PS_Z) - also get [ANONYMOUS]LZDCMP.EXE to decompress.  A
    ready-to-use XV.EXE is also available from bilbo.imsd.rwth-aachen.de
    (134.130.12.5).

Consult the comp.sys.dec* news groups for Digital-specific information.


IX. NeXT PROCEDURES/UTILITIES

    For viewing on NeXT computers, the easiest way is to use NewsGrazer
    and ImageViewer (both PD and available at sonata.cc.purdue.edu.)
    Step 1: If the parts of the .gif are not in are the correct order,
             control-drag them until they are.
    Step 2: Select all the parts (in a group holding down the shift key).
    Step 3: Click UUDECODE in the Tools menu.
    Step 4: Double click on the GIF icon in the document well.

CONVERSION TOOLS:
PBMPlus tool kit     (See description under "CONVERSION TOOLS" in the
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" section above).
    NeXT binaries of the PBMPlus tool kit are available from
    sonata.cc.purdue.edu in /pub/next/2.0-release/binaries.

Consult the comp.sys.next* news groups for NeXT-specific information.


X. UNIX/XWINDOWS PROCEDURES/UTILITIES

There is an "unofficial" archive of a lot of UNIX utilities at uranie.inria.fr,
maintained by Nathan Maman ([e-mail]).  For purposes of this FAQ,
this site will be identified by the notation:
    URANIE:<filename>
...which means that <filename> is available on uranie.inria.fr in directory
/pub/images/scripts.  There are utilities on this site that are not mentioned
in this FAQ, but are definitely worth checking out...
Also, the best place to look for any sort of X utility is on EXPORT.  There
are all sorts of X applications archived there, and should probably be your
first resort as to where to find any given X utility.

SYSTEM-SPECIFIC PROCEDURES:
    * To concatenate multi-part picture files together and decode, execute:
  cat part1 part2 part3 ... partN | uudecode
    * To encode a file for posting, (assuming the file is named fyle - encoded
      output will be in fyle.uu):
  uuencode fyle fyle > fyle.uu
    * To split a uuencoded file into multiple parts, use the "split" utility
      (assuming the file containing the uuencoded data is fyle.uu - split
      output will be in files fyle_<two-char-code>, where <two-char-code> is
      "aa", "ab", "ac", etc.):
  split -1000 fyle.uu fyle_
    * Of course, it's possible to combine the encoding and splitting steps
      into one operation using pipes (same example as above):
  uuencode fyle fyle | split -1000 - fyle_
    * Sometimes, files get posted with Mac "header" information in it.  To get
      rid of this extraneous information (assuming the Mac file is named
      "macfile", the output file will be named "newfile"):
  dd if=macfile of=newfile bs=128 skip=1

DECODERS/ENCODERS:
aub            "Smart automatic decoder" by Mark Stantz (written in
            perl). aub connects to an NNTP-based news server or to
            raw spooled news files and scans for new pieces of
            split, encoded binaries that have recently been
            received.  Binaries are expected to contain subject
            lines conformant with de-facto UseNet standards; aub
            may not be able to identify pieces of binaries which are
            not named according to accepted  conventional practice.              If new binaries are found, aub retrieves, organizes and
            decodes them, leaving the decoded files in a
            configurable location.  aub also allows for conditional
            decoding and postprocessing of decoded binaries.  Highly
            recommended by me (deej) as a time-saver - I run it from
            cron nightly!
    Available via anonymous FTP on liasun3.epfl.ch (128.178.36.30) as
    /pub/util/aub-1.0, or at ftp.cc.gatech.edu (130.207.119.241) as
    /pub/unix/aub.tar.Z, at URANIE:aub-1.0.shar.Z, the "official" archive
    at sgigate.sgi.com (192.82.208.1) in pub/aub/aub.2.0.5.shar, or from
    ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/unix.  Also posted to
    alt.sources.
comb            Automatic decoder by Stephen James Kutnar.
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE: comb.news.Z.
dlhunter        Automated news binary extraction PERL script by
            William J Middleton ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:dlhunter.*.
mcvert            Decodes Macintosh BinHex files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from sumex-aim.stanford.edu (36.44.0.6) in
    directory /info-mac/unix, or from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/info-mac/unix/mcvert-*.tar.Z.
myuud            Intelligent uudecode by Nathan Maman
            ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:myuud.c.
sift2            Automatic graphic file extractor/decoder by Tom Yager.
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:sift2.*.
sortuud            Combines multi-part images - by Nathan Maman
            ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:sortuud (URANIE:douud will use
    sortuud in a more automated manner).
splituue        Splits images and post them - by Nathan Maman
            ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:splituue.
undo            Undo an archive from the net - by Tim Steele.
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:undo-*.
unpost            Decodes multi-part or multi-images from a single file.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/unix.
uudecode/uuencode    (normally UNIX standard)
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:uutools/uudecode.c,uuencode.txt.
uuxfer            "Smart decoder/encoder" written by Dave Read.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:uutools/uuxfer*.
uucat            "Smart decoder", will concatenate the files you
            specify, removing the headers and trailers almost
            flawlessly.  Usage:
            uucat file1 .. fileN | uudecode
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:uutools/uucat.c.
uuconvert        "Smart decoder" written by Jeff Wiegley
            ([e-mail]).  Incorporates uudecode
            into uucat so that running uuconvert gets the job
            done in one fell swoop.  Also allows you to store
            all the parts to a picture or multiple pictures in
            ONE file (in order) and run uuconvert on that one file.
            EMPHATICALLY recommended by Steve Quinn, who adds a
            tip for interested people, "If you use UUCONVERT,
            here's a really good downloading strategy I've evolved
            with rn:
            1) Run the list of subjects with '='.
            2) Choose a picture and type 'id#1,id#2,...id#N:s
               filename' to save all the parts in one file (where
               id is the article number, and #N in the part of the
               picture).  You can also use id#1-id#N if they're
               posted in order.
            3) Do this with many files (in separate file names).
            4) When I get out of rn I do a convert *.gf' (where gf
               is just the extension I use when saving UUENCODED
               GIF files), and all my files are decoded and ready
               to go.   (Well, most of the time it gets them all
               on a wildcard, but it's been known to miss others
               sometimes.  Double check before you destroy your
               UUENCODED copies.)
            If I find a whole string of pix I want, and all the
            parts are in order, I do a id#1-id#N through the whole
            set of them and save them all to one file."
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:uutools/uuconvert.c.
viewer             Allows you to view or archive pictures directly from
            NNTP with no user intervention whatsoever.  It even
            scans the article headers to determine which pieces go
            together, and in what order.  It will optionally open
            an X window to display the pictures.  So once you've
            installed it, you just type "viewer", and sit back.
    Available via anonymous ftp from cs.utk.edu in ~ftp/pub/viewer*.
xmitBin            Binary file poster/mailer (includes picture stats and
            anonymous posting capabilities) by Jim Howard
            ([e-mail]).  Latest version is 1.8.
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:xmitBin.tar.Z, or from
    ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/unix.

Several people have also written scripts in AWK, SED, or PERL which will
strip headers and trailers, concatenate the results and pipe them through
UUDECODE.  See section XI. (Appendix) if you want to run one of these.

COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION TOOLS:
compress/uncompress    (normally UNIX standard)
unzip            Uncompresses MS-DOS ZIP files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from SIMTEL:<unix-c.file-mgmt>unzip*.tar-z,
    and from WUARCHIVE:/mirrors/misc/unix/unzip*.tar-z, or from
    GARBO:/unix/arcers directory as unzip*.tar.Z (you'll have to decompress
    these with the UNIX compress utility).  Also supposedly available from
    WUARCHIVE:/mirrors2/ka9q/util/unzip.tar.Z.
lha            Uncompresses LZH (LHarc) files.
    Available via anonymous FTP from akiu.gw.tohoku.ac.jp in directory
    /pub/unix/lha as file lha-*.tar.Z, from lysator.liu.se in the
    /pub/amiga/LhA directory, and from sun.soe.clarkson.edu in /pub/src.

CONVERSION TOOLS:
dltogl            Converts DL files to GL files - written by
            [e-mail].  (Usage note from Neil Nelson -
            [e-mail]):  There have been a few comments of
            late concerning the use of dltogl and xgrasp.  It *is*
            possible to make the two coexist.  dltogl can be used
            one of two ways:
                1) dltogl file.dl file.gl
                2) dltogl file.dl
            The first method produces a gl file which will cause
            xgrasp to drop a core (although xviewgl has no trouble
            showing the resulting gl file).  The second method
            will decode file.dl, leaving the constituent parts in
            the current directory.  One of the files will be called             dl.txt.  Simply rename this to file.txt, and then run
            glib -u file.gl file.txt <all of the .clp and .pic
            files produced by dltogl> to build the corresponding
            gl file.  I don't know why renaming the .txt file
            makes xgrasp happy, but it does.  See the shell script
            "dltogl2" in the Appendix to automate this process.
    Available via anonymous FTP on reseq.regent.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de
    in /informatik.public/news/alt.sources/1/dltogl.Z, on cs.ubc.ca in
    /pub/local/src/dltogl.c, on nuri.inria.fr in /graphics/dltogl.c.Z, and
    from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/dltogl.c.
fromGIF/toGIF        Converts GIF to/from Silicon Graphics IRIS format.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:iris/fromgif.c,togif.c.
GIFtoJPG        Conversion utilities, including gif2jpg, giftest.c,
            and rmbigger.c - by Andrew Scott Beals.
    Available via anonymous FTP from URANIE:gif2jpg.shar.Z.

PICTURE VIEWERS:
GIF320            GIF viewer for DEC VT320 terminals written by "Doctor
            Gonzo" ([e-mail]).  Looking for volunteers
            with VT420s to help with program enhancements!
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.maths.tcd.ie in directory
    /pub/sboyle as file gif320_*.tar.Z.
artshow                 SunView viewer by Alan Sparks
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:sunview/artshow/*.
ImageMagick        Multiple format (24-bit) viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from EXPORT:ImageMagick.tar.Z.
viewgif                 SunView GIF viewer
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:sunview/viewgif/*.
viewer            (See reference in "DECODERS/ENCODERS")
xli            X-windows viewer supporting multiple formats
            including JPEG).
    Available via anonymous FTP from EXPORT:xli*.
xloadimage        X-windows viewer supporting multiple formats (also
            provides "true" 24 bit viewing).
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:xwindows/xloadimage/*,
    or from EXPORT:xloadimage.*.tar.Z.
xshowgif        X-windows GIF viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:xwindows/xshowgif/*.
xv            X-windows viewer supporting multiple formats,
            including JPEG.  Also writes many formats, making
            it viable as a format conversion tool as well.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:xwindows/xv/*, from
    EXPORT:xv-*.tar.Z, from ftp.cis.upenn.edu (130.91.6.8) in the pub/xv
          directory or from gatekeeper.dec.com (16.1.0.2) in the /.1/X11/contrib
          directory, both as file xv-*.tar.Z. (Latest version 2.21)

"MOVIE" VIEWERS:
ImageMagick        (See reference in "PICTURE VIEWERS" above).  As well
            as providing other utilities, it can also do animation!
UtahRaster Tools    (See reference in "CONVERSION TOOLS" section of
            "PORTABLE UTILITIES" above).  Also includes facilities
            to generate animations!
xanim            X-windows multi-format movie viewer (DL, FLI, even GIF)
            by Mark Podlipec ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/unix/xanim.tar.Z.
xdl            X-windows DL viewer by Jonas Yngvesson
            ([e-mail]).
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/unix/xdl.c.
xgl            X-windows GL viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP on aix370.rrz.uni-koeln.de in
        /pub/usenet/comp.archives/graphics/pixutils, on cs.dal.ca in
        /pub/comp.archives, on srawgw.sra.co.jp in the directory
        /.a/sranha-bp/arch/arch/comp.archives/graphics/pixutils, and on
    dutepp0.et.tudelft.nl in directory /Unix/X.
xflick            X-windows FLI viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from ftp.rahul.net (192.160.13.1) in
    /pub/bryanw/unix/xflick.tar.Z, from nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in
    /pub/X11/contrib/xflick.tar.Z, from GARBO:/X11/graphics/xflick.tar.Z,
    from ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9) in /pub/window-sys/X/contrib/xflick.tar.Z,
    or from EXPORT:xflick.tar.Z.
xgrasp            X-windows GL viewer (color only).
    Available via anonymous FTP from EXPORT:xgrasp*, and from ftp.rahul.net
    (192.160.13.1) in /pub/bryanw/unix/xgrasp*.tar.Z.
XTango            X-windows animation system.
    Available via anonymous FTP from par.cc.gatech.edu as /pub/xtango.tar.Z,
    or as xtangovararg.tar.Z for those on HP or DEC workstations.  Both
    represent the latest version (1.42).
xviewgl            X-windows GL viewer.
    Available via anonymous FTP from BONGO:xwindows/xviewgl/*, or from
    EXPORT:xviewgl_v*.tar.Z.

Consult the comp.sources.unix, comp.sources.x, comp.sys.<sys_name> (where
<sys_name> is your system type - i.e.  hp, mips, sun, etc.) news groups for
UNIX, X-windows and other system-specific information.


XI. APPENDICES: AWK, SED, AND PERL SCRIPTS

Below are the scripts mentioned in the previous section.  I make no
assurances as to how well they work;  I use one of the 'super' uudecodes
instead.  Note that the SED script will not work unless people follow this
recent trend of putting 'BEGIN' and 'END' in the 'cut here' lines.  The
AWK and PERL scripts will work on most files, but some uuencodes put out
non-standard data, in which case these scripts will bomb and you'll have
to do the work by hand.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWK script:

#!/bin/sh

if [ X$1 != X ] ; then cat $* ; else cat <& 0 ; fi        | \
awk '/begin [0-9]/                {ok = 1}
     /^Message/                    {ok = 0;next}
     /^M/ && (length == 61 || length == 62)    {ok = 1}
     /[cC]ut [hH]ere/                {ok = 0;next}
     /^END-----/                {ok = 0;next}
     /^Path:/                    {ok = 0;next}
     /^$/                    {ok = 0;next}
     /^-/                    {ok = 0;next}
     /^_/                    {ok = 0;next}
     {if (ok) print}
     /^end/                    {ok = 0}' $*     | \
(cd $HOME/tmp; uudecode)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

SED idea from Alan Sparks ([e-mail]):

cat $* | sed '/^END/, /^BEGIN/d' | uudecode


Recall that this won't work except on files with BEGIN and END as part
of the 'CUT HERE' lines...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERL script from Dave Mack ([e-mail]):

#! /usr/local/bin/perl
#
# Combine split uuencoded files into a single data stream with
# e-mail garbage removed and pipe into uudecode. The uuencoded
# files must be in the correct order on the command line - in
# particular the first file must contain the "begin" line and
# the last file must contain the "end" line.
#
# WARNING: this code relies on uuencode putting out all lines
# of the form "M[61 ASCII characters]\n" for every line of the
# file except the last few before the "end" line. If you come
# across a uuencoded file that doesn't do this, you'll need to
# modify the code to handle it.
#
# DISCLAIMER: You use this code at your own risk. Also, don't
# take this is as a sterling example of Perl programming. Corrections
# and improvements welcome. You may do whatever you like with this
# code as long as you leave in some reminder of who the original
# culprit^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hauthor was.
#
# Usage: uumerge filename [filename...]
# Requires Perl 3.0 - my copy is at patchlevel 18
#
# Dave Mack [e-mail]
#
# TODO: modify to allow more than one collection of files on
#    command line.
#
# KNOWN BUGS:
#
# If some bozo puts a line beginning with "M" in the body of one
# of the intermediate/last chunks, uumerge will assume that uuencoded
# part starts there.
#
# If the last chunk only contains the last two or three lines of
# the uuencoded file (the ones that don't start with "M"), uumerge
# will die.
#
# CHANGES
#
# PATCH 1:
# It appears that some versions of uudecode are too stupid to skip
# past the lines preceding the "begin" line, so feeding a one-part
# uuencoded file to uumerge will bomb.
#
if ($#ARGV < 0 ) {
    print "Usage: uumerge filename [filename...]\n";
    exit 1;
}

$| = 1;
# open a pipe into uudecode
open(DECO,"|uudecode") || die "Can't pipe into uudecode\n";

# if we only have one file, pump it straight into uudecode and die
if ( $#ARGV == 0 ) {
    open(FIRST,"<$ARGV[0]") || die "Can't open $ARGV[0] for input\n";

    while ( <FIRST> ) {
        # skip past everything before the "begin" line
        next unless /^begin [0-9]/;
        last;
    }
    die "$ARGV[0] doesn't contain \"begin\"\n" if eof(FIRST);

    print DECO $_; # the begin line

    while ( <FIRST> ) {
        print DECO $_ unless /^end/;
        if ( /^end/ ) {
            print DECO $_;
            last;
        }
        die "$ARGV[0] doesn't contain \"end\"\n" if eof(FIRST);
    }

    # done with file
    close(FIRST);
    exit 0;
}

# process the first file - make sure we have a "begin" line

open(FIRST,"<$ARGV[0]") || die "Can't open $ARGV[0] for input\n";

while ( <FIRST> ) {
    # skip past everything before the "begin" line
    next unless /^begin [0-9]/;
    last;
}
die "First file on command line doesn't contain \"begin\"\n" if eof(FIRST);

print DECO $_; # the begin line

# the remaining "real" uuencoded lines in this file should begin with "M"
while ( <FIRST> ) {
    if ( /^M/ ) {
        print DECO $_;
    }
    else {
        last;
    }
}

# done with the first file
close(FIRST);

# do all except the last file
$maxindex = $#ARGV;
$curr = 1;

while ( $curr < $maxindex ) {
    open(CURR,"<$ARGV[$curr]") || die "Can't open $ARGV[$curr]\n";
    # skip the header junk
    while ( <CURR> ) {
        next unless /^$/;
        last;
    }
    # at the body of the message - start looking for /^M/
    while ( <CURR> ) {
        next unless /^M/;
        last;
    }
    die "$ARGV[$curr] isn't a uuencoded file\n" if eof(CURR);
    # OK, we're at the start of the good stuff (probably)
    print DECO $_;
    while ( <CURR> ) {
        if (/^M/) {
            print DECO $_;
        }
        else {
            last;
        }
    }
    # done with current file
    close(CURR);
    $curr++;
}

# time to do the last file in the set
$curr = $maxindex;
open(CURR,"<$ARGV[$curr]") || die "Can't open $ARGV[$curr]\n";
# skip the header junk
while ( <CURR> ) {
    next unless /^$/;
    last;
}
# at the body of the message - start looking for /^M/
while ( <CURR> ) {
    next unless /^M/;
    last;
}
# OK, we're at the start of the good stuff (probably)
print DECO $_;
while ( <CURR> ) {
    print DECO $_ unless /^end/;
    if ( /^end/ ) {
        print DECO $_;
        last;
    }
    die "Last file on command line doesn't contain \"end\"\n" if eof(CURR);
}
# done with final file
close(CURR);
# close the pipe to uudecode and exit
close(DECO);
exit(0);

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shar of a perl script from Randal Schwartz ([e-mail]):

#! /bin/sh
# This is a shell archive.  Remove anything before this line, then unpack
# it by saving it into a file and typing "sh file".  To overwrite existing
# files, type "sh file -c".  You can also feed this as standard input via
# unshar, or by typing "sh <file", e.g..  If this archive is complete, you
# will see the following message at the end:
#        "End of shell archive."
# Contents:  uumerge
# Wrapped by merlyn@iwarpti on Sun Oct  6 22:22:36 1991
PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/ucb ; export PATH
if test -f 'uumerge' -a "${1}" != "-c" ; then
  echo shar: Will not clobber existing file \"'uumerge'\"
else
echo shar: Extracting \"'uumerge'\" \(600 characters\)
sed "s/^X//" >'uumerge' <<'END_OF_FILE'
X#!/local/usr/bin/perl
X
X## Version 1.03 on 91/09/27
X## Written by Randal L. Schwartz, Stonehenge Consulting Services, Portland, OR
X## uudecodes the arguments (or stdin), ignoring non-uuencoded lines
X
Xwhile (<>) {
X    last if ($mode,$file) = /^begin\s*(\d*)\s*(\S*)/;
X}
Xdie "missing begin" unless $_;
Xopen(OUT,"> $file") if $file ne "";
Xwhile (<>) {
X    last if /^end/;
X    s/[a-z]+$//; # handle stupid trailing lowercase letters
X    next if /[a-z]/;
X    next unless int((((ord() - 32) & 077) + 2) / 3) == int(length() / 4);
X    print OUT unpack("u", $_);
X}
Xdie "missing end" unless $_;
Xchmod oct($mode), $file;
Xexit 0;
END_OF_FILE
if test 600 -ne `wc -c <'uumerge'`; then
    echo shar: \"'uumerge'\" unpacked with wrong size!
fi
chmod +x 'uumerge'
# end of 'uumerge'
fi
echo shar: End of shell archive.
exit 0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another awk script - this one from Nasir Ahmed Noor
([e-mail]) updated from an earlier version:
#! /bin/sh
# A shell script to extract binary files from their uudecoded parts.
# WRITTEN BY NASIR AHMED NOOR ([e-mail])
#
# Usage:
# Store all uudecoded parts of a file (in right order) in a file and give
# that file as argument to this script. AN INPUT FILE CAN CONTAIN UUDECODED
# PARTS OF MORE THAN ONE FILE AND THEY ALL WILL BE EXTRACTED. You can
# provide multiple file names [wild cards also ok] on the command line.
#

infunc () {
 while ( test $curfield -le $fields )
    do
       myrec=`echo $linenums|nawk '{print $mynum}' mynum=$curfield`
       nawk  '$0 ~ /^begin / && NR > rec {print $0}; $0 ~ /^M[^a-z]/ && NR > rec {print $0}; NR > rec {sl=lr; lr=pr; pr=$0}; $1 ~ /^end/ && NR > rec {print sl; print lr; print pr; exit}' rec=$myrec $binfile | uudecode
       curfield=`expr $curfield + 1 `
    done
}

for binfile in $*
 do
   linenums=`nawk '$0 ~ /^begin / {myrec = (NR - 1); print myrec}' $binfile`
   fields=`echo $linenums|nawk '{print NF}'`
   curfield=1
   if ( test $fields -ge 1 )
      then infunc
   fi
 done

exit
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"dltogl2" script from Neil Nelson ([e-mail]):
#!/bin/sh
# File name: dltogl2
# Usage: dltogl2 dl-filename

NAME=`basename $1 .dl`
dltogl $1
mv dl.txt $NAME.txt
glib -u $NAME.gl $NAME.txt *.pic *.clp
rm -f $NAME.txt *.clp *.pic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


XII. BONGO FILE LISTING

Here's the most recent 0filelist from bongo, showing all the archived
software there (all under the "gifstuff" directory).


0filelist           ;this file... an annotated ``ls -R''
apple               ;directory for Apple ][ series
amiga               ;directory for Commodore Amiga
ftpsites            ;list of pictures-related FTP sites
gifutils            ;directory for miscellaneous GIF utilities
ibmpc               ;directory for PC-Clones
iris                ;directory for Silicon Graphics Iris conversion utilities
mac                 ;directory for Macintosh line
sunview             ;directory for Sun series running SunView
uutools             ;directory with source for current version of UUXFER
                      and other uudecode tools and info...
xwindows            ;directory with source for X11R4

amiga:
GIFMachine.lzh      ;LZH-compressed GIFMachine
gl1-1.lzh           ;LZH-compressed GL viewer for Amiga

apple:
ii                  ;directory for Apple ][+/c/e
iigs                ;directory for Apple ][GS

apple/ii:
iigif               ;][Gif program for Apple []+/c/e

apple/iigs:
gif3200.shk         ;GIF3200 and VIEW3200 shareware files (Shrinkit)
iffconv.shk         ;shareware to convert AMIGA IFF files (Shrinkit)

gifutils:
giftest.c           ;C source code for testing integrity of GIF files
giftops.c           ;C source code for GIF to postscript converter

ibmpc:
cshw821b.zip        ;CSHOW v 8.21b in ZIP format
grasp35.zip         ;ZIP'ed GRASP viewer (GRASPRT v 3.5)
vpic34.zip          ;ZIP'ed VPIC v 3.4 (*HIGHLY* recommended!)

iris:
fromgif.c           ;C source to convert GIF files to IRIS format
togif.c             ;C source to convert IRIS format to GIF

mac:
quick-gif.hqx       ;QuickGif, in BinHex 4.0
visionlab.hqx       ;VisionLab, also in BinHex 4.0

sunview:
artshow             ;Directory for Alan Sparks' ARTSHOW viewer for SunView
viewgif             ;Directory for ViewGif for SunView

sunview/artshow:
Makefile            ;Makefile for ArtShow
README.artshow      ;Installation notes for ArtShow
artshow.tar.Z       ;ArtShow sources, tar'ed and compressed.

sunview/viewgif:
viewgif.shar.Z      ;Compressed shar file for ViewGif

uutools:
uucat.c             ;C source for uucat
uuconvert.c         ;C source for uuconvert
uudecode.c          ;standard Berkeley uudecode (source)
uuencode.txt        ;description of uuencode 'standard'
README              ;Notes for UUXFER
uuxfer20.c          ;C source for UUXFER ver. 2.0
uuxfer20.doc        ;Documentation & installation notes for UUXFER v 2.0

xwindows:
xloadimage          ;Directory for Xloadimage
xshowgif            ;Directory for xshowgif
xv                  ;Directory for xv
xviewgl             ;Directory for xviewgl

xwindows/xloadimage:
README.1st             ;Installation notes for xloadimage
xloadimage.3.01.tar.Z  ;Compressed tar file for xloadimage 3.01

xwindows/xshowgif:
README.1st          ;Installation notes for xshowgif
xshowgif.tar.Z      ;Compressed tar file for xshowgif

xwindows/xv:
README.1st          ;Installation notes for xv v. 2.00
xv2.tar.Z           ;Compressed tarfile for xv v. 2.00

xwindows/xviewgl:
README.1st          ;Installation notes for xviewgl
xviewgl_v1.0.tar.Z  ;Compressed tar file for xviewgl
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's about it for this introduction.  If you have any suggestions
for things to include in future versions, don't hesitate to let me
know...

         ~ deej ~              | (If I were expressing Cadence's opinions, )
Jim Howard -- [e-mail] | (they'd probably make me wear a tie...    )
        (^:=             Flames cheerfully ignored.             =:^)
"Time is a gypsy caravan, steals away in the night,
 To leave you stranded in dreamland" -- Rush
#