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1991-07-10
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Welcome to GIF Descriptor V1.1(7/10/91)
by Rollin White
INTRODUCTION
GIF Descriptor is a pair of utilities that reads and writes
descriptions of your .GIF files. Adding descriptions using
GIFWRITE does not interfere with the image itself and completely
complies with the Compuserve GIF 89a and 87a specification.
These utilities are useful under many circumstances. First,
when uploading a file, you no longer have to shell to your
viewer and bring up the GIF to remember exactly what the GIF is,
the description is more easily available. Second when searching
through your collection, it is much easier to find that picture
you are looking for when you have descriptions to read instead
of just filenames. This is especially helpful if you have 100's
or 1000's of GIFs(like D.D.). Let's face it 8 characters is not
a lot of space to describe a picture. Finally this may be of
use to SysOps since the descriptions can be exported into a
PCB/GAP formatted directory file, which can be incorporated into
your filebase Users may also find this useful to print out a
list of your files.
HOW TO USE THE GIF DESCRIPTOR UTILITIES
There are two programs that make up the GIF Descriptor
utilities GW and GD which stand for GIFWRITE and GIF DIR
respectively. The process begins by running GW which adds the
actual comments to the file. Then GD allows you to have
directory of your GIFs including their comments. A detailed
description of each utility follows.
GW(GIFWRITE)
To start GW use the following command line syntax:
GW <d:\path\filespec> <-v>
Where d is stands for any valid drive, path is any valid
path, and filespec is either a valid file or a valid set of
wildcards. An example is:
GW e:\gifs\*.*
Drive letter and path are optional, but you must include a
filespec whether it involves wildcards or is and exact file
name.
Once GW finds a file it takes one of two courses of action.
If the file is not a GIF file it lists the name and tells you
that it is not a GIF file. This might be the scenario if you
were to use the "*.*" filespec.
If the file is a valid GIF file, GW informs you of the file
name and its current description. If the file has no
description or if GW has not been run on the file before GW will
provide a description of "No description given". You will then
be prompted to enter your new description of thirty characters
or less. You also have the option of pressing enter which leaves
the current description unchanged. An example is given below:
The current description for CAT85.GIF is:No description given
Enter your new description or press Enter for no change.
<-30 limit of 30 characters or less
As you can see everything is pretty straight forward. This
process will continue for every file that qualifies under
filespec.
The -v option stands for viewer. This will invoke the
Vpic .GIF viewer each time GW finds a valid .GIF file. This
allows you to easily view the picture before describing it.
VPIC must be in your path. Support for other viewers will be
added in future revisions.
GD(GIF DIR)
GD provides a directory of files including name, size,
dimensions, and description. The command line syntax for GD is:
GD <d:\path\filespec> <-wd:\path\file>
Where d represents drive letter, path represents any valid path,
and filespec represents and valid DOS filespec. If no
parameters are given, GD will use the current directory. If the
number of files requires more space than is available on the
screen, GD will pause with a "--more--" prompt waiting for any
key to be pressed.
The -w option will write a PCB/GAP file list to the specified
file. Note that there are no spaces between the "-w" and the
file. The pause between each screenful is turned off for this
option. The resolution of the image is put into the description
and is right justified at 77 characters.
REGISTRATION
This program is SHAREWARE. If you decide that you like
this program and it is useful to you, please register it.
The cost of registration is a one time fee of $10. If you
register you will receive a KEY file which will register all
future versions of the program. On registered versions, the
final screen of GW is not present. If you decide to register,
please fill out the form in the file REGISTER.TXT and mail it
to the address below.
COMMENTS
All comments and criticisms are appreciated. What can I do
to make this better? Do you have ideas for other programs? I
WANT TO KNOW! I can be reached my mail at the address below or
at CES BBS at (714)-968-3143 which operates from 8 PM. to 8 AM.
Please send all registration and comments to:
Rollin White
20222 Windcave Ln.
Huntington Beach, Ca. 92646-5341.
Thank you for your support and comments.
Graphic Interchange Format(GIF) is a registered trademark of
Compuserve Inc.
VPIC is shareware. If you use this utility, please register it.
WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM AND DOCUMENTATION IS BEING OFFERED FOR
EVALUATION PURPOSES "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS
TO PERFORMANCE. BY USING THIS SET OF PROGRAMS YOU ARE EXPRESSLY
RELEASING THE AUTHOR FROM ANY LIABILITY RESULTING
FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION. THE USER MUST
ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THIS SOFTWARE.
LICENSE AGREEMENT
1. These programs(GW and GD) are being distributed as
Shareware. You may evaluate them for a period of 21 days.
After that, if you continue to use them you must register them
by filling out the form REGISTER.TXT.
2. You may make as many copies as you'd like for personal use.
You may also freely distribute them to other BBSs and your
friends.
3. You may NOT receive compensation, monetary or otherwise for
distributing this software including the cost of storage
medium(disks).