Suzy B Software 2/Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso/extras/boot_up/dmjfnts2/readthis.1st

Text File | 1995-04-27 | 8KB | 169 lines

  -- What should have been in the .ZIP file ----------------------------------
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     READTHIS.1ST       This file.

     SHARP_9L.FNT       "Sharp Light" Warp 9 font.
     SHARP_9M.FNT       "Sharp Medium" Warp 9 font.

     SHARP_GL.FNT       "Sharp Light" GDOS font.
     SHARP_GM.FNT       "Sharp Medium" GDOS font.

     SMOOTH9B.FNT       "Smooth Bold" Warp 9 font.
     SMOOTH9H.FNT       "Smooth Half" Warp 9 font.
     SMOOTH9L.FNT       "Smooth Light" Warp 9 font.
     SMOOTH9M.FNT       "Smooth Medium" Warp 9 font.

     SMOOTHGB.FNT       "Smooth Bold" GDOS font.
     SMOOTHGH.FNT       "Smooth Half" GDOS font.
     SMOOTHGL.FNT       "Smooth Light" GDOS font.
     SMOOTHGM.FNT       "Smooth Medium" GDOS font.


  -- What they are -----------------------------------------------------------
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  These are replacement system fonts you can use with Warp 9 or NVDI.  I've
  seen lots of fonts for Warp 9 (it comes with a bunch of them), but most of
  them are seriously lacking in the readability department.  These fonts are
  designed to be readable, with more character than the system font.  They are
  also mainly the same size and height as the system font, which makes them
  more usable with programs that position underlines and such based on the
  system font's position.  (Some replacement fonts I've seen are not the same
  height as the system font, which makes some dialogs look funny.)  All of the
  fonts also provide international characters in a style that is consistent
  with the rest of the font (except Smooth Half--see below), as well as
  replacement window gadgets; the gadgets, however, do NOT vary with the font
  weight--they are all bold.  While creating these fonts I used them each for
  a couple of days, so I could make sure they were usable and consistent.

  There are two families of fonts, Sharp and Smooth.  Each family contains
  various weights--you can tell the weight by the eighth character in the
  name.  (B for Bold, M for Medium, L for Light, and H for half-height font.)
  Each font also comes in two different formats: DEGAS (for use with Warp 9)
  and GDOS (for use with NVDI).  The format is specified by the seventh
  letter in the name; 9 is used for DEGAS/Warp 9 fonts, and G is used for
  GDOS/NVDI fonts.

  The Sharp font is a "serif" font; that is, it has little feet and widgets
  ("serifs") on the ends of letters.  It's sort of a cross between Times and
  Courier.  Because it requires quite a bit of detail to display serifs, this
  font comes in only two weights, Light and Medium.  Light is very thin,
  while Medium is heavier.  (In case you're curious, the Atari system font is
  a bold font.)

  The Smooth font is a "sans serif" font; it does not include the serifs, and
  provides a "cleaner" look.  Because this requires less detail, it is easier
  to make different weights.  Light, Medium, and Bold are available, as well
  as a Half version.  The Half version is specifically designed for use in ST
  Medium and ST Low resolutions; it is half the height of the others.  In
  weight it is closest to Smooth Bold.

  (Note: because of how the Smooth Half font was created, the Greek and Hebrew
  characters are garbled in this font.  However, since use of these symbols is
  pretty limited, I did not think this was a problem.)

  To summarize:

  -> Readable fonts.
  -> Same size as system font.
  -> Consistent extended characters.
  -> Better window gadgets.
  -> Several different weights.
  -> Warp 9 and GDOS versions included.

  In case you're curious, I prefer the Medium weights.  I mostly use Sharp
  Medium, but some people find serifs distracting--hence the Smooth fonts
  (which were actually done first).

  -- Using the fonts ---------------------------------------------------------
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  For Warp 9, it's easy; just open up the Warp 9 Control Panel, select
  "Fonts/Pix" from the bottom of the dialog, and select "Load Font" from the
  top of the dialog.  Select one of the DEGAS/Warp 9 fonts (indicated by a
  "9" as the seventh character) and you're done.  If you like the setup, be
  sure to click "Save" at the bottom of the dialog to save your configuration.
  (For further details, see your Warp 9 manual!)

  For NVDI, it's a bit more complicated.  Put the GDOS fonts in with your
  other GDOS fonts; NVDI by default puts all your fonts in a GEMSYS folder, so
  put these fonts in there too.  Now you need to list these fonts in your
  ASSIGN.SYS file; you can either use a program to manage this for you (which
  is a lot simpler) or you can edit ASSIGN.SYS with a text editor.
  Unfortunately, explaining how to edit your ASSIGN.SYS properly is a bit
  beyond the scope of this short text.

  Once the fonts are loaded, you can use the fonts in any program that uses
  GDOS fonts.  Many European programs allow you to choose which font they
  will use; Geneva will also do this, and new programs are appearing that
  allow this.  You can also replace the system font with the Sharp or Smooth
  fonts, and any program which uses the system font will use the replacement
  instead.


  -- Distribution ------------------------------------------------------------
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  You may distribute these fonts free of charge, with the following
  conditions:

  1. You do not distribute modified versions of these fonts.  You may modify
     the fonts for your own use, but if you modify them, you cannot distribute
     them.

  2. You may not charge for these fonts, except charges to cover the costs of
     the media the fonts are on.  For floppies this cost should be less than
     $10; CDs may, of course, cost more.


  -- Where to reach me -------------------------------------------------------
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    Snail Mail: Damien M. Jones
            dmj software
            Route 1, Box 168
            Milford, TX 76670
            U.S.A.
         Voice: [phone]
           Fax: [phone]
         GEnie: DMJ, or ST RT, CATegory 2, TOPic 6
      Internet: [e-mail]

  In general it is easier and faster to get a response electronically.


  -- The obligatory advertisements -------------------------------------------
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                                Art For Kids

  Art For Kids is a terrifically fun painting program designed just for kids!
  It combines lots of whacky paint effects with crazy sounds and animation to
  create just the right atmosphere for children to create their own
  masterpieces.

  Art For Kids has a whole range of crazy brushes to create and experiment
  with, there's also hidden pictures that magically appear, special stamps
  ready to use and a whacky blender to mix up your art in hundreds of ways.
  There's even fun ways to clear your picture and start again.

  Art For Kids was designed with the help of children, parents and teachers to
  create the most fun creativity tool possible.

  Art For Kids is Copyright ╜ 1993-94 Moving Pixels.

  Art For Kids is available for the Atari STE, TT030, and Falcon030 now.

  To order your copy contact:   Moving Pixels
                                2/39 Frazer St
                                Leichhardt 2040
                                Australia
                                Ph/fax [phone]
                                Compuserve 100241,466

  Or in North America:          It's All Relative
                                2233 Keeven Lane
                                Florissant, MO 63031 USA
                                Tel [phone]
                                Compuserve 70357,2312
                                GEnie or Delphi GREG
                                Internet [e-mail]

  Ask at your favorite Atari dealer!