Monster Media 1994 #2

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Text File | 1994-06-22 | 17KB | 404 lines

▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ █ ▄▄ █ █▄ █▄▄ █▄ █▄ Gif File Previewer █▄▄█ ▄█▄ █ ▄▄█ █▄▄ █▄▄ Version 1.08 Copyrighted Pete Rocca & Multiboard Communications Center, 1994 ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee 1.08 ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ A great utility that allows your users to save time by downloading a collection of compressed GIF files instead of all the larger ones. ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee - What's new? ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ Version 1.08 ■ Can precompile CDROM lists for faster startup ■ Chat program redraws screen after ■ Support for upto 30 areas and staggered ■ Few color changes ■ Nicer log and configurable file name/location ■ Pressing (N)ext, (P)revious when no more in that direction does not redraw the screen Version 1.07 ■ Support for multinode operation ■ Creates unique working directories ■ Support for local downloads ■ Fixed a bug that caused data corruption if too many areas were defined ■ Does an alphabetical sort of the file names ■ Added a great utility that will silence the program ■ Multiple configuration file support ■ Better documentation ■ Fixed stupid garbage display mistake with 1.04 ■ Fixed slow system display under OS/2 with SIO driver ■ Allowed configurable GIFSEE.GIF in registered mode ■ Allowed configurable help file ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee - Configuration ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ ■ GifSee is very easy to install. ■ The configuration file format is displayed below... Line 1 : BBS Name Line 2 : Sysop Name Line 3 : Registration Number Line 4 : Path/Name of DSZ program (Example C:\UTIL\DSZ.EXE) Line 5+: Three types of codes: @ = Filearea @File area description|file area path eg) @General Files|c:\files\gifs eg) @Other GIFs|c:\files\gifother * = Precompiled listing *File area description|precompiled file name ex) *CDROM 1 Files|c:\files\gifsee\cdrom1.dat ex) *CDROM 2 Files|c:\files\gifsee\cdrom2.dat $ = Logfile $log file name ex) $c:\bbs\bbs.log ex) $c:\bbs\bbs*N.log Note: placing a *N will translate to the current node number IF AND ONLY IF, you are using DOOR.SYS as your drop file. (It's easier to look at the config file to catch on to this) A couple of quick notes: 1) This program can be run without any graphics being displayed locally by setting an enviroment variable "SET GIFDESK=FILE" in your batch file just before running GifSee. Example: @echo off cd \util\gifsee set GIFDESK=FILE GIFSEE \ra\door.sys I highly suggest the GIFDESK=FILE command, but remember you should run a disk cache program if you are not already. 2) This program WILL accept the DSZPORT redirection enviroment variable. (see DSZ documentation for more information) Example: @echo off set gifdesk=file cd \ra\doors\gifsee if (%1) == (1) set DSZPORT=4 if (%1) == (2) set DSZPORT=02f8,5 if (%1) == (3) set DSZPORT= gifsee \ra\node%1\door.sys And I pass the node number to this batch file as it's only parameter: \ra\doors\GIFSEE.BAT <nodenumber> 3) The file GIFSEE.GIF _must_ be in the current directory along will GifSee and GifDesk. (in unregistered mode) 4) You can change the help file the GifSee displays by creating a text file called GIFSEE.HLP in the same directory as the GIFSEE.EXE file. ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee - Running ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ -TWO- options... 1) The GifSee program must be run in the same directory as GIFSEE.CFG and GIFDESK.EXE and must be called with one parameter, which is the drop file. Example ══ \gifsee\GIFSEE.EXE \bbs\DORINFO1.DEF 2) The GifSee program must be run in the same directory as GIFDESK.EXE and must be called with two parameters, the first being the drop file and the second being the path\name of the configuration file. This allows you to define multiple configurations depending on your security setups, etc. Example ══ \gifsee\GIFSEE.EXE \bbs\DOOR.SYS \gifsee\ADULT.CFG (With this way, you can have multiple menu entries that can be accessed by users with certain age/security settings) Valid drop file formats are EXITINFO.BBS (type 2+ only), DOOR.SYS, DORINFO?.DEF. (altough, if running TriBBS, stick with the "DORINFO1.DEF", as reports say that DOOR.SYS may cause a problem, generating a Runtime Error 106) ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee - Common questions ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ Q) How do I stop the graphics from displaying on my montior? A) Use the GIFDESK=FILE setting before running GIFSEE Q) It makes the picture, but it looks all garbaled! A) Use the GIFDESK=FILE setting before running GIFSEE, as your monitor does not support 640x480x256 color mode. Q) The pictures it makes are small, but is there anyway to make them even smaller? A) Try using the GIFDESK=VGA mode if you don't mind the graphics being displayed locally. It will make a 640x480x16 color file which is pretty small usually. Refer to the GIFDESK.DOC file for other modes you might want to try. Q) How much hard drive space does this take when running? A) Well, due to what it's doing, sometimes quite a bit. It copies each file to a temporary directory, and then creates the new file. This alone could be some amount if the user combines 8 300k files (2.4megs), the swapping routine may also need to use hard disk space if not enough XMS or EMS is available (upto 450k more) and if you are using the GIFDESK=FILE setting, another 768k gets eaten up, so the maximum it might require is about 4 megs, remember that this is temporary, and as soon as the user has completed their download, it will be released. With normal circumstances, the usual amount of temporary space is around 1-2 megs. Q) I have less than 12,000 files, but not all of them are being displayed. A) Either you haven't registered it :) or you have run out of memory. Q) Can I change the help file that GifSee displays? A) Yes, make your own text file called GIFSEE.HLP and it will be displayed instead of the original hardcoded one. Q) How much memory does GifSee need? A) It really is dependant on how many files you have. If you have a small GIF file collection, probably around 220k will be enough. However, if you have 12,000 files, you will probably need about 300k to run successfully. If you experience problems, try to increase the memory. Personally, on my system, I run with about 400k free in the window. Q) Why copy them to a temporary drive? A) Because it takes about 10 times longer to read them from other directories, expecially CDROM drives. Q) What are precompiled lists? Should I use them? and how do I make them? A) A precompiled list is simply a data file that is made with the program COMPILE included in the package. It scans your drive you enter and creates a compiled data list. Then if you use this datafile in the configuration (using type * command), then instead of scanning your drive again, all it needs to do is read this file. It is suggested that you do this if you have many CDROM drives, and only do it on the CDROM drives, as files cannot be moved/deleted from them. If you do it on your hard drive, it will work, but if you edit, delete or move any of the files that are in the list, you will need to recompile that directory again. Q) Does it respect my BBS's security levels for file areas? A) No, I want it to be flexible and able to be used with any BBS system. It is up to you to make menu options that pass an appropriate configuration file to GifSee. Q) How do I restrict certain users from certain areas? A) You will have to make multiple configuration files that will configure the correct file areas for each security level. For example, if you have two types of users, say Minor and Adult, then you could have two config files, and in your menu options, you would make two options, the first would be available to the adult user, and the second to the minor user. The menu would call GifSee and pass it an appropriate configuration file. Q) What if I have more than 30 areas? A) Bascially use the same method as above, except instead of user security levels, you might have it divided into library configuration files. GifSee is very flexible in the way it's design is implemented. Q) Will GifSee in the future support BBS package security levels? A) Not likely, due to the fact that there are toooo many different packages. Q) How do I stop that damn beeping sound? A) Run the NOBEEP program once, that will stop it forever. To return sound, simply rename the .OLD file back to an .EXE Q) Does this work with multinode? A) Yes. Q) Can I change the GIFSEE.GIF file? A) When you register, you can replace the GIFSEE.GIF picture with any GIF of your own. (For example, a BBS Advertisment, or whatever else you wish) Q) Is this program only $7.00 for real? A) Yes, so please register, hey it's real cheap! ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ GifSee - Common error codes ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ 1-1: Not enough memory to swap 4-0 to 6-255: Error swapping 2-0: File not found 2-1 to 2-4: Bad path 2-5: Path too long 2-6: Drive not ready 3-2: File not found 3-3: Path not found 3-5: Access denied 3-10: Out of memory If you cannot resolve an error, then please forward the error code as well as a description of what it was doing at the time of error and a copy of your CFG, recent LOG and BAT file to my Fido address 1:2401/123 or call me data at (519)660-8981 [1200-14400] ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ License and Disclaimer ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ GifSee is not free, it is being marketed under the "try before you buy" or shareware concept. You are entitled to use GifSee for a period up to thirty (30) days, after which you MUST register it. Registration entitles you to use this version of GifSee as well as any future versions of the programs that may or may not be released. By running any of the executable programs included, you agree that Pete Rocca, nor any affiliates of Pete Rocca are responsible for any damage ever experienced, however so created. If you cannot agree to this, then your privilege to use any of these programs is revoked and it becomes illegal for you to execute any programs included with this documentation. You may freely copy and distribute the shareware version of GifSee as long as its original archived contents are not modified in any way. You may not use nor distribute a registration key without the written consent of Pete Rocca of Multiboard Communications Centre. It is illegal to hack, reverse engineer and/or modify any components of the GifSee archive. If you agree to all of the above, then you may use this program. ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ Registration ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ Please see the enclosed registration forms. REGISTER.CAN - For registration from in Canada REGISTER.EUR - For registration from in Europe REGISTER.FRM - For registration from anywhere else ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ Support, Comments ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ If you have any questions or comments, you can Netmail me at the FidoNet (1:2401/123) XA,CM,V32,V42. Registered users will get their replies sent out direct, however,unregistered users will either have to poll my system for responses, or request I route the message back to you. (Sorry, but I have to keep costs down) You can also find me in the RemoteAccess Utilities FidoNet area. The latest version can always be FREQ'd with the magic name "GIFSEE". Current Support Sites ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── CANADA Southern Ontario Pete Rocca RemoteAccess 2.01+ Multiboard Communications DESQview 2.62 London, ON PCL 14,400 (519)660-8981 Worldwide Registration Site Fidonet 1:2401/123 UNITED STATES Wisconsin Scott Hansen RemoteAccess 2.01/Pro+ Ye Olde Pawn Shoppe ]I[ DESQview 2.62 Milwaukee, WI HST16, VFC (414)649-9361 Fidonet 1:154/750 Missouri Tom Stoltz RemoteAccess 2.01/Pro+ Happy Hour RA HST DualStandard Raymore, MO (816)322-1133 Fidonet 1:280/301 EUROPE Germany David Silver ProBoard Beta Site+ Silverado ZYXEL 28,800 Heidelberg European Registration Site 49-6221-767992 Fidonet 2:2468/6018 ╓───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ Acknowledgments ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ This program is tested on Dos 3.3 upto Dos 6.2, DesqView 2.40 thru 2.62, DV/X 1.2 thru 2.0, Windows 3.1, WinOS/2 and OS/2 2.0 thru 2.11 Other enviroments should be fine, but they have not been tested yet. GifDesk(tm) is a copyrighted piece of freeware, being distributed with GifSee as legally stipulated in the GifDesk documentation. GIF is a registered trademark of CompuServe. Thanks to my wife Laurie, who hates me being on 'this damn machine', but still finds the way to support me. Thank you. Thanks to you, the user, for actually reading to the end of the documentation, congratulations, and remember, please register. --- Documentation End / June 22nd, 1994