synchro.net

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ synchro.net / synchro.net.tar / synchro.net / main / BBS / HDISP16.ZIP / HACKDISP.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1995-01-29 | 20.8 KB | 528 lines

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ ███ ███ ▄█████▄ ██████ ███ ███ █████▄ ▀███▀ ▄█████▄ ██████ │ │ ███ ███ ███ ███ ████ ▀ ███ ██▀ ████ █ ███ ▀██▄▄ ▀ ████ █ │ │ ███████ ███████ ████ ▄ █████ ████ █ ███ ▄ ▀▀██▄ ████ █ │ │ ███ ███ ███ ███ ██████ ███ ██▄ ██████ ▄███▄ ▀█████▀ ████▀▀ │ │ version 1.666 copyright 1992-1995 James L. Powers │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ with MOTAMA and HDUDD/IM The screen conversion utility of choice for LAUGHING DOG Synchronet PCBoard Wildcat Binary &ANSI display files! ================================================================================ DISCLAIMER OF WARANTY ===================== ALTHOUGH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM AND DOCUMENTAION ("HACKDISP with MOTAMA and HDUDD/IM" OR "HACKDISP") IS BEING OFFERED FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PREFORMANCE OR MERCHANTABILITY. BY USING HACKDISP, YOU ARE EXPRESSLY RELEASING JAMES L. POWERS FROM ANY LIABILITY RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND/OR DOCUMENTATION. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING HACKDISP. BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OF CONDITIONS, HARDWARE AND OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS UNDER WHICH HACKDISP MAY BE USED, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. THE USER IS ADVISED TO TEST AND SUPERVISE HACKDISP THOROUGHLY BEFORE RELYING ON IT. COMIC RELIEF ============ Before running HACKDISP with MOTAMA and HDUDD/IM or any other software for the first time, make a complete backup of your hard drive(s), use a grounded wrist strap, wear protective clothing, provide adequate ventilation, seek shelter in low lying areas, winterize your car, say three Hail Marys, put your head between your knees and.... ================================================================================ INTRODUCTION ============ HACKDISP with MOTAMA and HDUDD/IM (hereafter referred to as HACKDISP) is the de facto standard in real time mission critical display file conversion empowerment and enabling technology for the information age! HACKDISP rapidly converts color text mode display screens on the IBM PC, XT, or AT (and 100% compatibles) between a variety of popular and unpopular formats. HACKDISP was created in 1992 as a tool to convert ANSI color coded screens to so-called "@-codes". Up until the current version (1.666), HD relied on the host machine's ANSI driver to provide a display mechanism for ANSI files, limiting output to the size of the host's screen. HACKDISP is now totally self-contained and no longer relies on an external driver. The features and limitations the HACKDISP Universal Display Driver with Intelligent Monochrome (HDUDD/IM) are discussed in "HDUDDIM.DOC", included in this archive. Restrictions on the use of the HACKDISP Universal Display Driver are documented in "REGISTER.DOC", also included. HACKDISP's Moron-O-Tronic Attribute Minizing Algorithm (MOTAMA) guarantees the most efficient conversion between ANSI and its @-, @X-, and ^A- coded cousins. It also provides tighter compressed Laughing Dog files than Laughing Dog Screen Maker itself. For a complete description of MOTAMA, see "MOTAMA.DOC", which is also included in this archive. Let's get on with it, shall we? ================================================================================ VIEWING FILES ============= HACKDISP determines the file input format depending on the filename extension you specify: *.ANS or *.SCR = ANSI format *.DOG = Laughing Dog format *.ASC = Synchronet ^A format *.PCB = PCBoard @X codes *.BBS = Wildcat @ codes *.TXT = ASCII text *.BIN = binary screen dump (80x25 only) Therefore, entering: HD MYFILE.ANS on the DOS command line causes MYFILE.ANS to be displayed. The default file extension can be overridden with the -IN: (or /IN=) switch. Therefore: HD README.DOC -in:txt will tell HACKDISP that README.DOC is an ASCII text file. HACKDISP makes an excellent text file browser. You may want to create a DOS BATch file for this purpose: REM "HT.BAT" - a HACKDISP text lister HD %1 -! -in:Txt %2 %3 %4 With HT.BAT you could view "README.DOC" without overriding the default file extension: HT README.DOC Wildcards in filenames are not currently supported. OPTIONS FOR VIEWING =================== If a file is larger than a single screen, HACKDISP will pop up a "Pause" prompt before scrolling. If you want to watch the file zing by, HD MYFILE.ANS -f will cause a FAST display. HACKDISP's ANSI driver is extremely fast. To view ANSI animation at "normal" speed, you may want to use the ANSI driver you installed in your computer: HD MYFILE.ANS /MYDRIVER will force HACKDISP to use your computer's internal ANSI driver. HACKDISP can also take advantage of EGA and VGA modes: HD MYFILE.ANS -50 will cause HACKDISP to use 80x50 mode. Other modes include -28 and -43. 28 and 50 line mode are available ONLY with VGA. 43 line mode is available in either VGA or EGA. If you plan to use HACKDISP only for viewing files, get outtahere. You're done. ================================================================================ CONVERTING FILES ================ The same default file extensions used for viewing are used in the conversion process. There are two exceptions. "SCREEN", the default output file, may be used for input. An extension of "*.C" will cause the output of C source code if the input is a Laughing Dog file. To convert an ANSI file to Wildcat @-codes: HD ANSI.SCR ANSI.BBS is all that is needed. To output to a file with a non-standard extension: HD ANSI.FIL ANSI.HD /in=ANS/out=PCB would cause HACKDISP to interpret "ANSI.FIL" as ANSI input and "ANSI.HD" to use PCBoard @X color codes. The /IN and /OUT switches can have the following formats: -inASC /IN=Ans /OUT:BBS -out=DOG -in:Pcb /OUTbin et cetera for all supported file types. The separator ( "=" or ":" ) is optional and is only provided for backward compatibility with older versions of HACKDISP. By default, HACKDISP displays the input screen. This is due to its previous reliance on an external ANSI driver. You may or may not want to see the screen that is being converted. Therefore: HD COLOR.DOG COLOR.ASC /NOSHOW Will cause HACKDISP to use its internal memory and conventional memory (if needed) for its work space. This is usually faster than using screen memory, especially when combined with the /F switch. Many converters or color editors do not produce optimized files. There may be times you want to use HACKDISP with MOTAMA to optimize existing files. HACKDISP will not let you use the input file as the output file unless you specifically tell it to: HD C:\WC30\BULL\BULL15.BBS C:\WC30\BULL\BULL15.BBS /O -O or /o causes HACKDISP to overwrite the file. Note this applies ONLY when the input and output files ARE THE SAME. HACKDISP will normally overwrite ANY file that already exists. BBS USE ======= The best use of HACKDISP is in the automatic translation of ANSI score files to native BBS format. This is where file suffixes and prefixes come into play. Consider: HD SCORE.ANS BULL5.BBS /!/f/n/nos/p:@07@@CLS@~M/s:~M~M@PAUSE@ The "/!" switch tells HD to ignore any environment variable or configuration file (more on that later). The "/f" tells HD to use FAST mode. The "/n" switch tells HD to cut off everything past the last non-blank character. The "/nos" switch is the previously mentioned /NOSHOW option. "/p:" introduces text to be prepended to the output file. In this case we send a "@07@" to set the foreground and background colors and a "@CLS@" to clear the screen. "~M" tells HD to add a carriage return/line feed (Ctrl-M). "/s:" introduces text to be appended to the output file. Here, since we used the "/n" switch to chop off everything up to the last character, we threw in a few cr/lfs (~M's) just to pretty things up a bit. Then we added a @PAUSE@ just for funsies. As with the /IN and /OUT options, you can use ":" or "=" or nothing at all to separate the text from the switch. There are SIX special two-character combinations that can occur in a file suffix or prefix. They are: ~M or ^M cr/lf ~A or ^A Ctrl-A (for Synchronet) ~[ or ^[ the ESCape character ~/ or ^/ switch character ~- or ^- switch character ~_ or ^_ underscore character The caret character is JUST THAT: it is the caret (^) character! It does not mean the Ctrl key. Always use the tilde ("~") if you run under DESQview, which will take caret-M to mean Ctrl-M! From the command line, spaces within a prefix or suffix MUST be represented by UNDERSCORES. When using an environment variable or configuration file, this is NOT necessary. Prefixes and suffixes can be up to 80 characters long. THE DSZ VARIABLE & HD.CFG ========================= Commonly used options can be held here, for instance: SET HDZ=/!/f/n/p:@07@@CLS@Perverted by @8E@HACKDISP@07@!~m/s:~m in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file (or anywhere else) will cause HACKDISP to prepend: Perverted by HACKDISP! to every file it processes. HACKDISP will search its home directory for a file named "HD.CFG" and use any options found in it. HD.CFG can be up to 256 characters long. Obviously, this is primarily for very long prefixes or suffixes. You can specify an alternate configuration file with the "-Z" switch. For instance, here's a hypothetical "BARFDOOR.CFG" for translating an ANSI score file to @-codes: -!-r/F/n-NoShow /p:@07@@CLS@~M -s=~m@07@Thanks to @0F@JOE SCHMO@07@ for registering BARF DOOR!~m Your BATch file for running BARF DOOR (assuming it creates a score file called BRFSCORE.ANS after each play) might look like this: @ECHO OFF CD\BARF BARF C:\BBS\DOOR.SYS REM Translate score file with HACKDISP! REM----------------------------------------------------------- HD BRFSCORE.ANS C:\WC30\BULL\BULL10.BBS -zC:\BARF\BARFDOOR.CFG REM-------------------------------------^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ REM make sure HD translated the file (non-zero means trouble) IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO OOPS REM It's OK, trash the original ANSI score file DEL BRFSCORE.ANS :OOPS Then every time a new score is posted Joe Schmo gets credit for providing the ca$h to register BARF DOOR on the first line of the bulletin. Awww, ain't that special? Note that HACKDISP can use any combination of the supported switch and separator characters but using "=" in an environment variable is ILLEGAL. Also, using the ">" or "|" characters on the command line or in the HDZ variable will cause an error. If you have to use either of these characters you MUST use a configuration file. Case is ignored, but everything between two "@"'s is ALWAYS converted to UPPER CASE. ================================================================================ ================================================================================ -=≡COMMAND LINE OPTIONS IN DEPTH≡=- NOTE: a "-" (minus) character (ASCII 0x2D) can be used in place of a "/" (slash) character (ASCII 0x2F). Command line switches may be separated by spaces, but each MUST be preceded with "-" or "/". Switches that take parameters use "=" or ":" or nothing between the switch and the parameter. /! "Immediate" mode. Ignore HDZ and HD.CFG if they exist. It's a good practice to precede ALL command line switch sequences with this switch. /F FAST mode. HD will pause for two seconds after converting a file if this switch IS NOT present. Will not pop up "Pause" prompt when viewing. Very common. /N Stop at last non-blank character. Most often used switch. /Q Quiet mode. Never beep for ^G's or @BELL@'s. Provided because the PC speaker is SO annoying! /T Expand TABs. Very useful. TABs are a pain. /E Use EOF (end of file) marker. Some editors may not like HACKDISP's default behavior of not using the EOF marker. Some BBS and "front door" software will display EOF, so use cautiously. Generally not needed. /B View in B&W. /M Use "intelligent monochrome". The results may or may not look different than with the /B switch. This option is EXCELLENT for creating readable monochrome versions of your color screens. /K Kill the last carriage return/line feed. As opposed to /n, which kills EVERYTHING between the end of the file and the last non-space character. Seldom needed. /P File prefix. See above under "BBS Use". /S File suffix. See above under "BBS Use". /R Retry locked files. May be necessary for multi-line BBS use. Otherwise rarely used. /A Strip ASCII characters 0-31. Replaces them with spaces. /O Overwrite the input file. Seldom used. /Z Specify alternate HD.CFG file. (See above) /? Displays help screen. Or is it a BBS ad? YOU decide! /Dxxx Wait for xxx (0-999) seconds after displaying or converting. Handy for "slide shows". /Lxx Use only xx lines of screen. Not a very commonly used option. Retained for backward compatibility. /28 Twenty-eight line VGA mode. /43 Forty-three line EGA or VGA mode. /50 Fifty line VGA mode. At times you may see "ghost characters" in some of these VGA modes. /IN File input override. See above. /OUT File output override. See above. /CLS Prepend "clear screen" to file. This is actually better handled by use of a file prefix. Retained for backward compatibility. /NODV Don't worry about DESQview. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! /MSANSI Extends background attribute to end of line when screen scrolls up. 99% of the time, you don't want to do this, but it's the way MSDOS ANSI.SYS works. /NOSHOW Do not send file to be converted to the screen. Use with /F for FASTEST conversion. /NOBLINK Strip out blinking attributes. /TRICKS Replaces 0xDB's (the "█" character) with spaces when the foreground and background attributes are the same. /MYDRIVER Use DOS ANSI.SYS or equivalent. HACKDISP will assume one is installed. Although HD handles most ANSI commands, there may be occassions you would want to use your own driver. See "HDUDDIM.DOC" for details. /NOMOTAMA Do not use HACKDISP's Moron-O-Tronic Attribute Minimizing Algorithm. See "MOTAMA.DOC" for more information. =============================================================================== PCBoard copyright Clark Development Co., Inc. Wildcat & Tomcat copyright Mustang Software Inc. Synchronet copyright Digital Dynamics RIP copyright TeleGrafix OS/2 copyright IBM MSDOS & Windows copyright Microsoft DESQview copyright Quarterdeck Office Systems CKIT copyright Rickie Belitz Laughing Dog copyright Jeff Sloan & Yardbird Software HACKDISP, HDUDD/IM, & MOTAMA copyright James L. Powers =============================================================================== =============================================================================== -=≡STANDARD DISCLAIMER≡=- Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error, or failure to perform. No other warranty expressed or implied. Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only. Backup all hard drives, floppies, and CD-ROMs before running this or any other program. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. List each check separately by bank number. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. It takes ten first class stamps to mail a VHS cassette. This product is meant for educational purposes only. Do not apply to mucous membranes. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. Your mileage may vary. This is not a news broadcast. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Contains a substaintial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Celebrity lookalike. Colors may, in time, fade. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. List was current at time of printing. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Grass catcher must be attached or door closed while engine is running. Do not write below this line. Falling rock. Lost ticket pays maximum rate. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Add toner. Place stamp here. Avoid contact with skin. Sanitized for your protection. Be sure each item is properly endorsed. Sign here without admitting guilt. Slightly higher west of the Mississippi. Not affiliated with Snyder's of Berlin. Employees and their families are not eligible. Beware of dog. Not responsible for errors in typesetting or photography. Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show. Limited time offer, call now to insure prompt delivery. You must be present to win. Dramatized for television. Persons using hold-open latches must remain at the refueling point during refueling. No passes accepted for this engagement. No purchase necessary. Use only in well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flame. Replace with same type. Approved for veterans. Booths for two or more. Check here if tax deductible. Bleu Cheese 25¢ extra. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes. No Canadian coins. Not recommended for children. Prerecorded for this time zone. Reproduction strictly prohibited. 3% surcharge on Visa and MasterCard. No solicitors. No pedestrians, bicycles, or farm machinery. No anchovies unless otherwise specified. Vapors harmful. Stop engine. No smoking. List at least two alternate dates. First pull up, then pull down. Call toll free before digging. Driver does not carry cash. Record additional transactions on back of previous stub. Dealer retains incentives. May not be available in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Sorry, Tennessee! This notice supersedes all previous notices.