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Amigaguide Document
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1996-04-07
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8KB
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168 lines
@DATABASE "reko.datatype.guide"
@$VER: reko.datatype.guide 39.2 (22.1.95)
@AUTHOR "Arthur Pijpers"
@NODE Main "reko.datatype Documentation"
@{B}Table of Contents@{UB}
@{" Introduction " link Introduction}
@{" Requirements " link Requirements}
@{" How to Install " link Installation}
@{" What is a REKO Cardset ? " link REKO }
@{" What is a datatype? " link Datatypes}
@{" Implementation Details (Release Notes) " link Implementation}
@{" Revision history " link History}
@{" Bugs " link Bugs}
@{" Acknowledgements " link Acknowledgements}
@{" Author " link Author}
@ENDNODE
@NODE Introduction
@{B}Introduction@{UB}
This is V39.2 of the @{"REKO" link REKO} @{"datatype" link Datatypes}. The version information can be verified
by using the AmigaDOS @{B}version@{UB} command on the datatype file
SYS:classes/datatypes/reko.datatype after installation.
Once installed, the REKO datatype means that any datatype-aware programs can
read @{"REKO Cardset" link REKO} files.
The REKO datatype is freely distributable, but you may not charge for it,
other than for reasonable media and distribution costs such as those charged
by Fred Fish and other reputable PD libraries.
The REKO datatype can be distributed as part of a datatype collection, but
then you have to supply both the 68000 and the 68020 version.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Requirements
@{B}Requirements@{UB}
Datatypes were introduced with Workbench 3.0, so the main requirement is
that you have this version of the OS. Presumably, any future versions of the
OS will also support them.
Do not try to install the datatype if you are using an OS older than 3.0
(i.e. 1.3, 2.04, or 2.1). The correct directories do not exist, and nothing
will work even if you create them.
When you use the datatype on a computer without the AGA chipset, then
pictures with more than 16 colours are automatically dithered to the maximum
number of available colours, unless you have a graphical card added. The
HAM and HAM8 cardsets need AGA or AGA emulation to be displayed correctly.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Installation
@{B}How to Install@{UB}
Installation can be done in one of two ways:
1) Using Installer
2) Manual Installation
If you have a copy of Installer, you can simply double click on the
reko.datatype.install icon and follow the onscreen instructions. The
Installer script follows the manual sequence below, so you are advised to
read it quickly so that you know what to expect.
If you do not have Installer, (which is strange, because you have
Workbench 3), then follow the procedure below:
1) Copy the file reko.datatype.68000 or reko.datatype.68020 to the directory
SYS:classes/datatypes and rename it to reko.datatype (SYS: is a logical name
for the disk you boot from). You can perform the copy either from the
Workbench or the Shell. Use the 68020 version only on Amigas with a 68020
processor or higher.
2) Decide whether you want the datatype to be permanently enabled, or
manually run whenever you want to use it. Proceed to step 3 for a
permanently enabled installation, otherwise proceed to step 4.
3) Copy the file "REKO Cardset" to the directory DEVS:Datatypes (DEVS: is a
logical directory on the disk you boot from. It is the same as the DEVS
drawer on the boot disk). If using the Shell, you will also have to
manually copy the icon file "REKO Cardset.info". When you reboot your system,
the REKO datatype will be avaliable for use.
4) Copy the file "REKO Cardset" to the directory SYS:Storage/Datatypes. If
using the Shell, you will also have to manually copy the icon file
"REKO Cardset.info".
The REKO datatype will not be available until you double click on the
"REKO Cardset" icon, at which point it will remain installed until a reboot.
This completes installation.
@ENDNODE
@NODE REKO
@{B}What is a REKO Cardset ?@{UB}
A REKO Cardset is a set of cards that is used in the program
Klondike Deluxe AGA from @{"REKO-Productions" link REKO-Productions}.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Datatypes
@{B}What is a Datatype?@{UB}
Datatypes were introduced with Workbench 3.0, and provide a way for
applications to read data files without having to learn all the messy
details about how the data in the files are stored.
As an example, consider storing pictures on computer. As Amiga owners, we
are relatively lucky in that all images are stored using the IFF ILBM
format. Other computers have a bewildering array of incompatible formats,
and there exist commercial packages with the sole purpose of converting
images between them.
If I wanted to write a paint program, it would certainly be more useful if
it could read and maybe write out images in some of these other formats.
However, implementing such feature would be a bit of a nightmare, as I would
have to obtain the specifications of these formats, plus some test images,
and write (and support) a significant amount of code to read and write these
various formats.
A datatype is a little program that performs this conversion for me, and
completely hides all the messy implementation details about what file
headers exist, how they are structured, etc. My application can open the
datatypes library, pass a file to it and ask if it recognises the format.
The datatypes library has a look at the file, and then consults its list of
installed datatypes to see if any of them recognise it. It then comes back
to the application with a reply saying "Yup, its a REKO Cardset".
My application can then ask for the data to be read in, and after a short
while the library will return the information in an Amiga standard format,
in this case, an IFF image. Of course, someone has to write the datatype,
but once written and installed, any other program that uses datatypes can
take advantage of it at no extra cost or expense.
This datatype decodes REKO Cardsets, and any application that wishes to read
this format of images can do so without having to know anything about them.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Implementation
@{B}Implementation Details (Release Notes)@{UB}
These are the release notes for V39.2 of the REKO datatype.
This implementation will decode @{"REKO Cardsets" link REKO} files from
Klondike Deluxe AGA and Klondike Deluxe AGA II. All types of cardsets
from 4 to 256 colours, including HAM and HAM8, are supported. Even cardsets
with sizes other then 88 * 130 are supported, as long as the width is a
multiple of 8, but this feature has not been implemented in Klondike, so
you'll probably never need this.
There are no special Klondike III cardsets.
@ENDNODE
@NODE History
@{B}Revision History@{UB}
Version 1.0 released 15-6-1994
- First release
Version 39.1 only released local
- Arrangement of extra cards has been changed a little, to show the
bottom cards 4 in a row with version II sets.
- Only 1 space between cards in y-direction to save 'some' chip memory.
- Version changed to 39.1 to show it needs 3.0.
Version 39.2 released 22-1-1995
- Arrangement changed again.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Acknowledgements
@{B}Acknowledgements@{UB}
REKO datatype needs the cardsets from the program Klondike Deluxe AGA from
@{"REKO-Productions" link REKO-Productions}.
REKO datatype is based on Sun datatype, also written by me.
This AmigaGuide
file and the Installer script have been copied from the
JPEG.datatype by Steve Goddard and have been adapted to the REKO datatype.
REKO datatype was compiled using SAS/C V6.51
@ENDNODE
@NODE Bugs
@{B}Bugs@{UB}
When using the datatype in combination with a Picasso II card, there seems
to be a problem. The computer can crash. I can't find the problem.
@ENDNODE
@NODE Author
@{B}Author@{UB}
Please feel free to contact me at:
Arthur Pijpers
2e Scheepvaartstraat 24
3151 NP Hoek van Holland
The Netherlands
Usenet : arthurp@grafix.xs4all.nl
FidoNet : 2:286/407.37
AMYNet : 39:153/201.37
NLANet : 14:101/200.37
@ENDNODE
@NODE REKO-Productions
@{B}REKO-Productions@{UB}
REKO PRODUCTIONS or REKO PRODUCTIONS
p/a Remy Nusteling p/a Koos Roodbol
Krommedijk 145 Hoekkamp 30
3312 LC Dordrecht 3343 CJ H.I.Ambacht
The Netherlands The Netherlands
@ENDNODE