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1991-12-19
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SHOWANSI V1.0 October 1, 1991
-------------
As If You Care:
---------------
SHOWANSI.EXE was written early October 1991 by Matthew E. Desmond, under
the watchful eye of Barry Redwood. It was written in Turbo Pascal 5.5, and
should work under any hardware/software configuration you can squeeze it into.
This program does NOT do direct screen writes, so you can multitask without
being interrupted by crap generated from them.
Legal Stuff:
------------
This software is free.
This software is not guaranteed to work.
This software comes with no warranty (express or implied).
This software may be distributed in any form, and may be included
as part of any package.
The BeWare concept:
-------------------
This software IS (from the verb to BE!). If you use this software,
you are in no way obligated to do anything much, except use it if
you have it on your disk -- or else its just taking up space.
Nonsensical Preamble:
---------------------
This small package was written on a whim to fill a much needed void! It
is basically an easy way for users to view ANSI (X3.64) pictures directly from
any Opus 1.7X (or just about any BBS that uses a fossil and can call external
programs...)
What does SHOWANSI do?
----------------------
SWOWANSI will allow your users to view ansi files on line. It was written
to be used with Opus 1.7x and has not been tested on prior versions but there
is really no reason we can see why it will not work although the .OEC files
will may have to be modified for use with earlier versions. People who do
not use Opus are on their own, but setting this thing up to work should
be easy.
Set-UP for SHOWANSI
-------------------
SHOWANSI.EXE takes either one or two parameters. The command requires
at least the name of the picture file, and optionally the fossil port number
that you wish to send the picture to. So, to view a picture locally the
command is:
SHOWANSI filename
To send the file to port 1, the command would be:
SHOWANSI 1 filename
OPUS BBS.CTL FILE
-----------------
Here is how to set up your OPUS 1.7X BBS.CTL file:
Add this line to the appropriate (MAIN MENU) section of your control file.
The command name may be anything you wish.
_SHOW Normal "Ansi-Art" = d:\opus\misc\ansicon#
This line will add a new menu option 'Ansi-Art' that will invoke the
ANSICONx.BBS file when selected.
The #, <TASK #>, is only required if you are running a multiline system.
You will find sample ANSICON1.OEC and ANSICON1.BBS, ANSICON2.OEC and
ANSICON2.BBS, files in the SHOWANSI.ZIP file. You may have to modify this
to suit you set-up.
The test BBS has two BBS tasks: #1 is a local task and #2 is running on
the second fossil port. The BBS files that call SHOWANSI for task 1 do not
specify a port number, so the picture is displayed locally. The BBS files
that call SHOWANSI for task 2 specify port 2, and so the picture is sent
to the fossil port 2.
Menu .OEC ANSIMENx.OEC and ANSIMENx.BBS
---------
We have provided a sample Menu file that you may find useful as a guide.
You will want to configure this menu to correspond the ansi files on your
system.
That is about all there is to it. The set-up is rather simple, (I hope),
and now it is only a matter of doing all the fill in work.
We have provided a few sample ansi files for you to experiment with:
CITY1.GBS CITY2.GBS ROCKET.GBS MISSILES.GBS
GOODBYE.GBS EXIT1.GBS TRUCK.GBS RAIDIO.GBS
ANSICONF.GBS
You may find the batch file included, helpful as well. It will allow
you to view your ansi screens as you wish to view them. If you were to type
"Z city1" you will be shown CITY1.GBS and as to press any key to continue,
at which time you will be give a directory of the files with the extention
.GBS. If your ansi files have another extention just modify the batch file
to suit the extention used.
Good Luck and happy VIEWing...
GRIPES:
-------
This damn PC keyboard I am using has the CAPS-LOCK key next to the A key
and the CONTROL key down near the space bar. The rightful place for the
CONTROL key is next to the A key, and CAPS-LOCK is more bother than it is
worth anyway. Help stamp out this bastardization of your keyboards, write
to your local keyboard manufacturer!
Why do so many people insist on writing programs that use direct screen
writes? On most '286 systems direct screen writes will bleed through from
the hidden task -- which is really annoying.
Tip for Turbo Pascal users:
DO NOT include the crt unit -- since using it guarantees direct
screen writes (and redirection with a > doesn't work well either).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
-----------------
Matthew Desmond for writing the stuff
Barry Redwood for the idea suggesting bits and pieces and writing the docs
Matthew Desmond for re-writing Barry's docs a little
Marion Redwood for making the tea
Matthew Desmond for drinking the tea
Geoff Welsh for no particular reason (he'd be upset if he didn't get a
mention)
Matthew Desmond for acknowledging Geoff
City Limits BBS for being a guinea pig
Matthew Desmond for using City Limits BBS
Borland for such wonderful toys
Matthew Desmond for writing the acknowledgements
Matthew Desmond for reading the acknowledgements
YOU!!! for still reading this drivel
P.S. Who is this Matthew Desmond guy anyway?
Stupid Question Dept:
---------------------
If you have any questions or suggestions, we don't want to hear from you!
But, if you wish to praise us to high heavens, you may do so:
Barry Redwood or Matthew Desmond,
City Limits BBS Cambridge, Ontario
1:221/203 1-519-658-0311.