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1992-02-15
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VIEWPIX - Online GIF File Viewing Door
Copyright (C) 1991 No Anchovies - Frank Capo
All Rights Reserved
--------
Overview
--------
VIEWPIX is a BBS door designed to allow your users to preview GIF
graphics online. VIEWPIX works in conjuction with GIFDesk - a freeware
utility written by Jay Wherley, and SHOWGIF - a shareware utility written
by Bill Parquet. Both GIFDesk and SHOWGIF are excellent programs in their
own right and you are urged to spread the word about them.
------------
Installation
------------
***** IMPORTANT *****
It is VITAL to this door's operation that you include a line in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file that looks like this:
SET GIFDESK=FILE
Included in the VIEWPIX package are VIEWPIX.EXE, GIFDSK40.ZIP,
SHGIF55C.ZIP, SAMPLE.LST, SAMPLE.DIR, SAMPLE.CNF, and VIEWPIXG. Put the
SHGIF55C.ZIP aside for now - unpack all the rest to a subdirectory on your
BBS drive. Multi-node systems must do the same for each node.
Edit SAMPLE.CNF to conform to the following:
c:\gap <- Drive\path to DOOR.SYS (or other "door" file)
No Anchovies PC <- The name of your BBS
GAP <- Type of BBS software (see Note below)
0000 <- Serial Number (for registered version)
c:\viewpix\sample.lst <- Fully qualified drive\path\filename (see below)
c:\viewpix\sample.dir <- Fully qualified drive\path\filename (see below)
F: <- Drive spec for work Directory (or NONE)
7 <- Default VIEWPIX configuration (see below)
456789 <- Allowable configuration options (see below)
Note : Line #3 above can be set to the following BBS software types:
GAP - GAP BBS (uses DOOR.SYS)
PCB - PCBoard (uses DOOR.SYS ONLY!)
WC3 - Wildcat! v3.x (uses DOOR.SYS)
WWIV - WWIV (uses CHAIN.TXT)
SF - Spitfire (uses SFDOORS.DAT)
RBBS - RBBS (uses DORINFOn.DEF)
Note : Lines #5 & #6 above reference two files that are vital to VIEWPIX
operation. These lines MUST be fully qualified drive\path\filenames.
Let's examine the contents of these two files.
Note : Lines #8 & #9 refer to the type of graphic that GIFDesk will
compose. Here's a rundown:
# Grid Resolution
---------------------------------------
1 -> 1 x 1 Grid 640x480 resolution
2 -> 1 x 1 Grid 800x600 resolution
3 -> 1 x 1 Grid 1024x768 resolution
4 -> 2 x 2 Grid 640x480 " "
5 -> 2 x 2 Grid 800x600 " "
6 -> 2 x 2 Grid 1024x758 " "
7 -> 3 x 3 Grid 640x480 " "
8 -> 4 x 4 Grid 800x600 " "
9 -> 5 x 5 Grid 1024x768 " "
Line #8 is the DEFAULT setup you wish the door to start with. Users can
change this to any of the allowable options (1-9) you place on Line #9.
SAMPLE.LST and SAMPLE.DIR contain directory information that VIEWPIX
uses to find and display the GIF files on your system.
SAMPLE.LST contains the drive\path specs for all directories on your
system that contain GIF files. You can have as many specs as you need.
Just make sure you put ONE SPEC PER LINE and make sure the subdirectories
actually exist somewhere on your system.
SAMPLE.DIR contains the "header names" of each directory in SAMPLE.LST.
If you have several directories with various types of GIF files, you can
place a descriptive name here - again, ONE PER LINE with a number in front
of it followed by a space. SAMPLE.LST and SAMPLE.DIR must have the same
number of lines.
Okay, we're almost there. Now, all that remains is to create a batch
file that will run the whole thing. BBS software differs a bit as to
where you place the BAT file. Put it where you would for any other door.
Here's what VIEWPIX needs to execute. We'll call it VIEWPIX.BAT.
@echo off <- My preference
c:\ <- Just to be sure
cd \viewpix <- Change to door directory
viewpix viewpix.cnf <- Run VIEWPIX with config file parameter
c:\ <- Just to be sure again
cd \gap <- Back to BBS directory
The line above that runs VIEWPIX can have any filename as a parameter.
Just make sure you have that filename (as in SAMPLE.CNF above) in the
door directory. Likewise, the names of the ".LST" and ".DIR" files can
be anything you choose as long as you tell VIEWPIX in the config file.
That, pretty much, does it! The door should run now providing you've
set it up properly.
--------------
Door Operation
--------------
Your users are gonna love it! How many times have you downloaded
300+ k GIF files only to find that they're really not what you expected?
That's where VIEWPIX comes to the rescue. Here's what actually happens.
Users can display file listings of all your GIFs and, depending on
how they choose to configure VIEWPIX, download and/or view a single
"preview" GIF file containing the pictures they've selected. GIFDesk,
an amazing piece of software, is responsible for making up this "preview"
GIF file. VIEWPIX passes filenames to GIFDesk and GIFDesk works it's
magic. VIEWPIX then takes the "preview" file, gives it a unique DOS
filename, and sends it to the user. If the user has SHOWGIF loaded as a
TSR, they'll see the graphic as it's being downloaded. If not, they can
look at the "preview" afterwards with any GIF viewer.
Before I forget - VIEWPIX also needs DSZ to perform file transfers.
DSZ from Omen Technologies is a fine protocol package that no sysop should
be without. Get it and REGISTER IT! Make sure it's in your path, too, so
VIEWPIX can find it.
Back to the door's operation. VIEWPIX will run locally from within
your BBS. Logon locally, go into VIEWPIX, and have it make a preview for
you. You won't be able to view the file online, but you will be able to
store the file in any directory you choose and view it later with your
favorite GIF viewer. --- OR --- load up SHOWGIF and give No Anchovies BBS
a call (see numbers below).
-----------
SysOp Stuff
-----------
VIEWPIX is written in QuickBASIC 4.5 using Kenny Gardner's GAPQBDR door
library. VIEWPIX has been compiled to "stand alone" and needs no fossil
driver or runtime library to execute. As sysop, you have certain function
keys available to you while users are in VIEWPIX.
[F5] <- Shell to DOS ("EXIT" brings you back)
[F8] <- Twit the user back to the BBS
[F10] <- Chat with user (ESC to end chat)
[Home] <- Main user stats in sysop window
[End] <- Displays sysop function keys
[PgDn] <- More user stats
[Up Arrow] <- Increase user's remaining time
[Dn Arrow] <- Decrease user's remaining time
*********************************************************
***** DO NOT ALTER FILES "VIEWPIX" & "VIEWPIXG" *****
***** BOTH HAVE NO FILENAME EXTENSION *****
***** DOING SO WILL RENDER VIEWPIX IN OPERABLE *****
*********************************************************
------------
Registration
------------
VIEWPIX registration is $35.00 payable by check or money order to:
No Anchovies PC
1205 Lake Avenue
Ashtabula, OH. 44004
The unregistered demo version will only allow 10 GIF files to display
in only one directory.
When you register, you'll be given access to the VIEWPIX support forum
on No Anchovies BBS (216-466-1152 and 1153, both HST Dual Standard). It
is here that you will receive a serial number that will register the door.
Any questions, comments, etc. can be addressed in a comment to SYSOP
on No Anchovies.