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=================
C o m p u S h o w
=================
Standard Version 8.50a
for the
IBM PC, XT, AT, PCjr, PS/2 (and compatibles)
with
Hercules Monochrome Graphics Adapter
or
Color Graphics Adapter (CGA)
or
Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
or
Multi-Color Graphics Array (MCGA)
or
Video Graphics Array (VGA)
Complete CompuShow documentation consists of the following files:
WHATSNEW.DOC A summary of the changes in this version. "Last minute" changes
(since CSHOW.DOC).
SETUP.DOC Installing CompuShow on a floppy or hard disk. Selecting a video
driver. Deleting unnecessary files.
DRIVERS.DOC A complete list of CompuShow video and printer drivers.
CSHOW.DOC This complete, detailed CompuShow User's Guide.
Q&A.DOC Frequently asked questions, complete with answers!
CATALOG.DOC The CaSSS software catalog.
ORDRFORM.DOC Software order form.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| See SETUP.DOC for instructions on installing CompuShow and configuring |
| it to work with your computer. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Using CompuShow: A Quick Start Overview
=======================================
CompuShow is a program for viewing graphics on an IBM compatible computer.
This section is designed to give you a brief overview and get you started
quickly.
1) Start the program from your DOS prompt by typing 'CSHOW' and a carriage
return. The screen shows a sorted list of the disk files in the current
directory. If you loaded CompuShow from a floppy disk, you can remove the
disk to mount other floppies and use Alt-A or Alt-B to "log in" the new
disk.
2) The cursor is positioned in an "input area" near the bottom of the
screen. Use the "up arrow" cursor key (or your mouse) to move up into the
file directory.
3) Move the highlight bar around the list of files using the mouse or cursor
arrow keys, PgDn, PgUp, Home, End, etc. (Click the mouse above the top
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 1
line of file names to page up or at the bottom of the screen to page
down.)
4) With the highlight bar positioned at a graphic file, press the spacebar
(or click the left mouse button) to view the picture. If you don't know
which files are graphics, just try each one in turn. CompuShow will tell
you if a file isn't a graphic.
5) If the image is larger than the screen, you can "pan around" the image by
moving the mouse or pressing the cursor arrow keys.
6) Press ESCape (or click a mouse button) to return to the file directory
and you're back at step 3 ready to select another file, or...
7) Press ESCape (or click the mouse in the input area) to return the cursor
to the input area (you're back at step 2).
8) Press ESCape (or right-click) in the input area to exit CompuShow and
return to DOS.
Of course, you may have graphics files on a different disk drive and/or in a
different directory (and it's quite possible that there are no graphics files
listed on the current directory screen). There are several ways to select a
different directory:
a) With the highlight bar at a directory (marked <DIR>), press carriage
return (or click the mouse) to move into the directory.
b) Press F2 or click on [Log] to pop up the "log box" to switch to a
different drive or one of the special sub-directories listed.
c) Use Alt-A and Alt-B (hold down the 'Alt' key and type 'a' or 'b') to "log
in" a new disk in floppy drive A: or B:
Using a Mouse
-------------
With no mouse installed, function key reminders (like 'F2=Log') appear at the
bottom of the screen. With a mouse installed, it's '[Log]'. When we say
'F2/Log' it means pressing F2 or clicking on [Log].
Click on [Mouse] to change the shape of the mouse cursor on an EGA or VGA. If
the characters on the screen ever appear to be 'corrupted', click repeatedly
to change to the hardware (blinking) cursor, which will restore the original
characters.
Tagging Files
-------------
- Press F7 or click the space to the left of the file name to tag the file
at the highlight bar. A "tag-pointer" appears and the highlight is moved
down one file.
- Press F7 or click a tagged file to un-tag it.
- F9/All to tag all files (on all screens of the current directory.)
- F8/Show to show all tagged files.
- As each image is displayed in turn, you may pan, adjust the appearance,
etc., just as though you'd displayed it individually.
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 2
- AltK/K to display the number of files in the current directory, bytes,
total size in K-bytes and open space in K-bytes on the current disk drive.
If files are tagged, the number, bytes and K-bytes for tagged files appear
on a second line.
- AltD/Del to Delete file(s).
- AltR/Ren to Rename file(s).
- AltC/Cpy to Copy file(s).
- AltM/Mov to Move file(s). Move only deletes if the copy was successful.
If no files are tagged, AltD, AltR, AltC, and AltM work on the current
file; the one at the highlight bar, and clicking on [Del], [Ren], [Cpy]
or [Mov] has no effect.
- F10/Clr to clear all tags.
Command-line file specification
-------------------------------
To start CompuShow logged to a different drive and/or directory:
>cshow d: log to drive d:
>cshow e:\pics log to drive e:, sub-directory \pics
You can also specify a file mask:
>cshow *.gif set the mask to *.GIF
>cshow c:\graph\pix\*.pcx log to c:\graph\pix, set the mask to
*.pcx
CompuShow can display one or more files as specified on the command line:
>cshow c:\pics\favorite.gif+ display one graphic
>cshow d:\pics\*.gif+ display multiple graphics
As each image is displayed in turn you may adjust the appearance, pan, etc.
>cshow e:\graph\sample.pcx+x display and exit to DOS
Add a '+X' to the end of the file name to display it and exit to DOS with the
graphic still on screen.
Start-Up Options
================
CompuShow requires at least 295k of available memory (depending on the
start-up options specified.) If the program displays an "Insufficient memory"
message, you need to make more memory available. (Remove some memory-resident
programs, for example.)
"Command-line switches" let you control graphics video features and the way
that the program allocates memory for various purposes.
Program Options
---------------
A "#" switch is used to specify optional features. (We use UPPERCASE letters
in these examples for emphasis; you can use either UPPER- or lower-case.)
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 3
>cshow #B use <B>lack and gray screen colors. If you have an LCD screen,
this option will provide readable colors.
>cshow #D300 controls the amount of memory reserved for the <D>irectory. The
"default" is 120 files. Specify any number from 0 to 9999.
>cshow #E use if your <E>GA display is "scrambled".
>cshow #I0 controls d<I>thering. The number following the letter "I" is
the type of dithering where 0=none, 1=Rough, 2=Floyd Steinberg,
and 3=Burke (which is the default). You may also change the
type of dithering with F6/Optn while the program's running.
>cshow #J enables PC-<J>unior/Tandy-1000 video modes.
>cshow #K <K>eyboard only. Ignore the mouse.
>cshow #L use this switch if the CompuShow screen goes blank on your
<L>eading Edge "IBM compatible" computer.
>cshow #MS to control the amount of <M>emory that the program sets aside
for the file read buffer: #mS (Small=2k), #mM (Medium=32k), #mL
(Large=62k). A small buffer is the default.
>cshow #N <N>ormal memory. Don't use EMS/XMS memory.
>cshow #O <O>riginal size. Don't automatically rescale to fit/fill the
screen.
>cshow #Q Turns off the sounds that the program makes (<Q>uiet).
"Super-Ega"
-----------
A "/" switch is used to indicate the presence of a 480 line "Super-EGA"
adapter. The program knows about several:
>cshow /A Ahead Systems (mode 38)
>cshow /G Genoa (mode 115)
>cshow /P Paradise (mode 80)
>cshow /T Tseng (mode 37)
>cshow /V 'VGA' (Zenith) (mode 18)
>cshow /71 (mode 71)
Video Hardware Identification
-----------------------------
IT SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY to override the automatic detection of the type of
video adapter. However, if there's something wrong with your hardware or a
software conflict of some kind:
>cshow +H force Hercules mode
>cshow +C force CGA mode
>cshow +E force EGA mode
>cshow +B force EGA (monochrome monitor) mode
>cshow +M force MCGA mode
>cshow +V force VGA mode and disable non-standard "[]" modes
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 4
Super-VGA and other Hardware support
------------------------------------
The "+S" switch is a special case, used to specify a hardware-<S>pecific
video driver (as described in SETUP.DOC and DRIVERS.DOC).
>cshow +sT4 loads the videoT4 (Tseng Labs ET4000) driver.
Dual Monitor Operation
======================
On a system with both a monochrome (MDA or Hercules) and color (CGA, EGA,
VGA, etc.) adapter installed, start the program on the monochrome adapter to
operate in dual monitor mode. When you finish displaying a graphic, press
carriage return to leave the graphic image on screen, or <ESCape> to clear
the graphics screen.
Help and Information
====================
Press F1 or left-click [Help] to pop up the quick-reference Help screens.
Hold down a shift key and press F1 or right-click [Help] to pop up a Program
Information box, which identifies the amount of memory used by the program
for various purposes. Several of the start-up options control the way the
program allocates memory, which is important for several reasons.
- The size of the "virtual screen" determines the extents for panning
images, and can affect the operation of transparency and restore-to-
previous functions.
The (default) small read buffer provides the most memory for a large
virtual screen. If you specify a larger read buffer (eg. with the '#MM' or
'#ML' command line switch), you take memory away from the virtual screen.
- If you have a lot of files in the directory, and the program needs memory
to pop up a box, it will have to "abandon" the sorted file list. The '#D'
option lets you reserve memory for a directory of up to 9999 files. Keep
in mind that reserving memory for a large directory leaves less memory for
the virtual screen.
If CompuShow uses EMS or XMS memory for the virtual screen, the #M and #D
switches have no effect on the size of the virtual screen.
The Graphics Information Box
============================
If you type the name of a graphic file in the input area or position the
highlight bar on a graphic file and press carriage return (or right-click),
the Graphics Information Box pops up. The top line of the box identifies the
type of graphic, the width, height, and number of colors.
In the main body of the box are listed all the "standard" graphic display
modes available on your computer (plus any modes provided by a video driver
that you've loaded). For example "EGA 5=320x200x16":
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 5
- The "5" will appear in a bright text color if it's "recommended" or in a
dim color if the graphic is larger than the screen, or has more colors.
- The "=" indicates that this is a "true" graphic mode. A ":" indicates a
simulated mode where the program sets the screen to a certain resolution
and then simulates a different size by either repeating or skipping
columns and rows. These simulated display modes generally provide a good
looking display of most graphics, except for areas that contain text,
which may be illegible due to the detail lost in skipping pixels. If you
have a choice between a simulated mode and a true mode, you'll always see
better image quality with the true mode.
- "320x200x16" means that the screen is 320 "pixels" (dots) wide by 200
pixels (rows) high in 16 colors.
- Based on the type of video adapter(s) installed, you may have Hercules,
CGA, PCjr/Tandy, EGA, MCGA, and VGA modes available:
Mode (width x height x colors) Herc Cga Ega Ega-480 MCGA VGA
--------------------------------+----+---+---+-------+----+---+
720x348 monochrome | Y | | | | | |
640x200 monochrome | | Y | Y | | | |
640x350 monochrome | | | M | | | |
640x480 monochrome | | | | | Y | Y |
320x200x4 color (4 palettes) | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
320x200x16 color "PCjr/Tandy" | | O | O | O | O | O |
640x200x4 color "PCjr/Tandy" | | O | O | O | O | O |
320x200x16 color EGA | | | Y | Y | | Y |
640x200x16 color EGA | | | Y | Y | | Y |
640x350x16 color EGA | | | Y | Y | | Y |
640x480x16 color EGA | | | | Y | | Y |
320x200x256 color MCGA | | | | | Y | Y |
320x400x256 color extended MCGA | | | | | P | P |
360x480x256 color extended MCGA | | | | | P | P |
--------------------------------+----+---+---+-------+----+---+
O=Optional, M=EGA+mono monitor, P=PS/2 and compatible VGAs
- If the image is a size that "doesn't fit" your screen, one or two
additional (simulated) modes are available:
- Press '-' to rescale the image to FILL the screen. This mode simulates
a screen the same size as the image.
- Press '=' to rescale the image to FIT the screen. This mode preserves
the original aspect ratio by expanding or compressing the image the
same amount vertically and horizontally.
You may display in any of the modes listed on the screen by pressing the key
(or clicking) the mode you want. The "best available mode" (the mode used if
you press the spacebar or left-click from the directory screen) is the
character displayed at the cursor. Press the spacebar (or left-click) to
display in this mode. Press '0', carriage return, ESCape (or right-click) to
return to the directory screen.
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 6
During Graphics Display
=======================
As the image is being displayed, press ESCape (or right-click) to interrupt.
The partial image will remain on the screen; press carriage return or ESCape
(or click) to return to the information box or directory screen.
- Images larger than the screen may be "panned", using the mouse or the up,
down, left and right cursor arrow keys. Press a key (once) to pan in that
direction. Panning will stop at the end of the image, or may be interrupted
by pressing any key.
Keep in mind that panning depends on the amount of memory available. (Check
the size of 'VScreen' on the Shift-F1 information box).
- TAB displays the file name and graphic size.
- Alt-N negates any monochrome (or grayscale) display.
- PgUp/PgDn adjusts the brightness of monochrome and color displays (unless
they're dithered.)
- On an EGA, adjust a color image displayed in mode 7, 9, or Z:
The sixteen colors displayed are numbered 0 to 9 and A to F (color zero is
always the background). To select a color to adjust, type the color number
(0..9 or A..F). That color will flash, so that you can see where it is and
decide whether it should be adjusted. There are two methods for adjusting
colors:
- Increase or decrease the Red, Green, or Blue component:
RED: decrease [F1] [F2] increase
GREEN: decrease [F3] [F4] increase
BLUE: decrease [F5] [F6] increase
- "Step through" all sixty-four colors in color number sequence:
COLOR NUMBER: decrease [F7] [F8] increase
Press Alt-F10 (hold down the Alt key and press [F10]) to save the adjusted
palette to disk. When you display the GIF file in mode 7, 9, or Z, the
program automatically uses this saved palette (press [F9] to see the
original color palette; [F10] to switch back to the saved color palette.)
- Adjust a color image displayed in an MCGA, VGA, or "Super-VGA" 16 or 256
color mode (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Z, S..Y):
- The color may be adjusted:
RED: decrease [F1] [F2] increase
GREEN: decrease [F3] [F4] increase
BLUE: decrease [F5] [F6] increase
- PgUp/PgDn brightens/darkens the image.
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 7
As with an EGA, the adjusted palette is saved to disk by pressing Alt-
F10, and [F9] and [F10] allow you to review the differences between the
original and the adjusted palette.
- Press Alt-G to display a color image as <G>rayscale.
- Press Alt-N to <N>egate a grayscale image.
- Press PgUp/PgDn to lighten/darken the grayscale image.
- Press Alt-C to return to a <C>olor display.
- Alt-R <R>otates the palette of a color, grayscale, or negated image.
CompuServe GIF Graphics
-----------------------
With the release of GIF version 89a (July '90) several exciting new features
are supported:
- Text may be included for display with the graphic.
- A "user input" request causes CompuShow to wait for you to press a key
before continuing, to allow you time to read text, etc. To indicate that
it's waiting for you, the program "ticks". Press ESCape or right-click to
interrupt further processing; any other key or left-click to proceed.
- Delays between images may be used for animation or to allow time for you
to read text.
- Transparency may be used to create non-rectangular images (or text
characters) to appear "on top of" the underlying image.
- Images may appear which are "disposed of" by restoring to either the
background color or the previous (underlying) image.
- Comments may be included by the person creating the GIF. After you've
viewed a GIF with comments, you're asked whether you want to read them.
Press "Y" or left-click to read the comments; press 'N', ESCape, carriage
return or right-click to skip comments.
As a rule of thumb, transparency and restore to previous functions in a
640x480x256 GIF will require either EMS/XMS memory or a 640k system, with no
RAM resident programs loaded (TSRs, RAM disks, etc.), so that at least 530k
of memory is available to CompuShow. If there isn't enough memory available,
the transparent color will be displayed, and restore to previous will be
handled as a restore to background.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| See CATALOG.DOC for information about "CompuMake Tools" for converting |
| your existing graphics images to GIF, including support for all |
| features of the GIF89a format. |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 8
CompuShow Standard Version 8.50a
S H A R E W A R E
=================
CompuShow is copyrighted software. However, you are encouraged to copy and
share the standard version with others according to the following
requirements:
The standard version of CompuShow may be freely copied and shared
with others, so long as no charge is made for the software, and it
is unmodified and copied in its entirety, including all program
documentation and all support files. It may be distributed via
modem, provided that all files are transmitted (archived) together.
Notice that ShareWare is copyrighted software. It's not "Public Domain"
software, nor is it "free" software. If you continue to use this program
beyond a reasonable "trial period", not to exceed 21 days, you must pay for it
by registering.
- Your registration fee makes it possible for us to continue to improve the
program and to provide similar high quality software at reasonable
prices.
- IF YOU USE THE PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, YOU MUST REGISTER.
- For your registration fee you receive the LATEST COMPLETE VERSION of the
ENHANCED PROGRAM.
- As a registered user, you'll be notified as new versions are released,
and may upgrade for a nominal charge.
Registering for the Enhanced Program
------------------------------------
The enhanced program (CompuShow version 8.50b) includes all features of the
standard program, plus:
- Printing of all graphics images on most dot matrix and laser printers.
See DRIVERS.DOC for a complete list of supported printers.
- F8/Show tagged files allows you to specify an optional delay in seconds
between images for a continuous "slide show".
- Similarly, you may specify a delay for a one-pass or continuous "slide
show" of the files specified on the command-line.
- The scripted slide show feature follows a prepared script to provide
automated display of graphics:
- from any drive and sub-directory,
- using the best (space bar) mode or a specified mode,
- with control of (up, down, left, right) panning,
- specifying an optional delay in seconds between images,
- providing a "wait for a key press",
- to run continuously or quit after one pass.
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 9
- A System Configuration program, which lets you change screen colors, and
specify "start-up" options, making the command-line switches unnecessary.
You can also automatically log to a disk drive and/or sub-directory, and
set the type of directory display you want, including:
the F3/Wide directory display,
the F4/Mask (eg. "*.GIF"),
the F5/Sort directory sort options.
For your convenience, we've included an order form (ORDRFORM.DOC) with space
for all the required information. (Complete it by hand or with a word
processor.) Orders are shipped first class mail, and registration puts you on
our mailing list for notification when future versions are available.
Uploading to a Bulletin Board:
-----------------------------
We encourage you to copy and share CompuShow with others, but please be
considerate when you upload to a BBS or give a copy to a friend. Be sure you
include ALL FILES! This is A REQUIREMENT for distributing CompuShow as
ShareWare, and if all files aren't present, CompuShow will display the
"missing files" message, indicating that it MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED!
BBS SysOps and ShareWare Distributors:
-------------------------------------
We appreciate the distribution of CompuShow on electronic bulletin boards and
ShareWare disks. If you're a BBS SysOp or ShareWare distributor, contact me
to receive the latest complete version of CompuShow and automatic free
upgrades as new versions are released.
Viruses and Trojan Horses:
-------------------------
Due to the growing concern over computer viruses, Trojan horses, and other
malicious programs, BBS SysOps and ShareWare distributors have started
establishing "direct from author" libraries. We feel this is an excellent
policy, and expect to see it become more common as time passes.
For your information, we post CompuShow to CompuServe (PICS, LIBrary 3),
GEnie (IBMPC RT, LIBrary 14) and the "One Stop Bit BBS" (602-282-9035) and
mail copies directly to a number of BBS SysOps and ShareWare distributors.
(Just to put in one last "plug"), your concern about possible "virus
infection" is another reason to register the ShareWare that you intend to
continue using.
Thank you for your support: Bob Berry
BBS: (602) 282-9035 Canyon State Systems and Software
CompuServe: [76555,167] Post Office Box 86
Internet: 76555.167@compuserve.com Sedona, Az. 86336
GEnie: R.BERRY7 Voice: (602) 282-5070
Graphics Interchange Format(c) copyright CompuServe Inc.
GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Inc.
Copyright (c) 1992, Canyon State Systems and Software (tm), Sedona, Az.
[CSHOW.DOC] Page 10