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1995-06-18
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116 lines
NAPLPS/JPEG DEMONSTRATION
The purpose of this program is to demonstrate how smoothly JPEG high
resolution graphics and NAPLPS can be integrated within a TDBS application.
What makes this graphic system unique is that it requires no special
preparation on the part of the SYSOP. Just install it like you would any
TDBS application. Make the SOFTCOM GRAPHICS TERMINAL available to your
users and Walla instant graphics. We have also included an .SDL and .ANS
file to make installation even easier.
INSTALLATION:
As mentioned this program is installed like any TDBS application. If you
wish to take advantage of the JDEMO.SDL and JDMO.ANS file, create a
directory called D:\TDBS\JDEMO (or modify the .SDL to reflect where ever
you wish to place the files). Copy JDEMO.ZIP to the directory and UNZIP it!
Compile JDEMO.SDL place it along with JDMO.ANS where your MENU*.CTL and
related {MENU.ANS} files are located. Then call MENUDMO.CTL from an
existing menu.
If you wish to create your own menu, JDMO.SDL has all the information
needed to set it up. That's all there is to it.
WHAT:
The DEMO consists of 6 menus each containing 6 NAPLPS/JPEG combinations for
a total of 36 JPEGS. In this case the JPEG is printed over A NAPLPS frame
and shows how we can take any JPEG size it so it will fit whatever co-
ordinates we choose. It also shows how fast the JPEGS are displayed. Even
though we have compressed .GIF files as large as 200K down to 20K JPEGS, you
can easily see that the quality of the pictures are well within limits of
acceptable on line graphics.
WHY:
We were commissioned by Cognitive Training Association (CTA), a company in
Texas to rewrite a NAPLPS terminal we had previously wrote and then
shelved for lack of interest. The big differences in the new version is it
supports JPEG and is written in C and handles ANSI correctly. Since we were
getting paid up front for our work, we were able to acquire the software,
hardware and could spend the time required to do the job correctly. BTW,
this is the reason why we are not able to release the terminal as
Shareware. It is commercial software owned by CTA, although we do retain
the rights to distribute it under our own name and can release a crippled
version as a DEMO.
During this time I decided that I would try to implement a system similar
to the one I previously developed for my original terminal. The system
allowed me to transmit NAPLPS directly from a TDBS program. JPEG presented
a far more difficult problem and so consequently had to revise the whole
algorithm so that it could support both NAPLPS and JPEG and uses the same
formula for both. This formula allows compiled NAPLPS and JPEG code to
transmitted directly from a TDBS program without the need for download
protocols or the necessity of placing the file on the users end.
This means complete control of the GRAPHICS environment without requiring
the use of DOTBBS commands.
I really did not expect to get a lot of reaction from our users, since most
are RIP oriented and suspected they would not take the time to download
another terminal just to view a few pictures. To my surprise they have and
even though our graphics environment is still limited, it is getting good
play from our users.
This means that games and programs using this graphics protocol are not
only viable, but practical. It also means that a program containing this
graphic implementation can compete with RIP and because NAPLPS is more
powerful in general may well exceed if the program itself is well written.
TOOLS:
There have been many tools available that support NAPLPS for some time now.
We are developing tools which will make NAPLPS more friendly to the
developer. And of course some tools such as the NAPLPS/JPEG compiler and
decompiler are TDBS specific, although I suspect this protocol will work on
most of the more popular BBS systems. It should also be noted that we will
make the compiler algorithms public domain so that as TDBS developers you
can code graphics directly into your programs.
WHERE TO:
With a graphics protocol which is totally compatible with TDBS, there is no
limit to the POSSIBILITIES (Sorry Phil). Catalogs with product pics, Match
programs with on-line photo's, games that can mix JPEG and NAPLPS and ANSI
at will, the list is endless.
So if your a TDBS developer and would like more information give us a call
our numbers are below.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Our purpose here is not to sell TERMINAL programs, although if someone
wants to buy one 'GREAT'! We started out as TDBS programmers, and got
sidetracked by NAPLPS. While everyone else was out chasing the RIP dream,
we hung on to our belief that NAPLPS was the way to go, and just needed a
little kick in the backside to get it off the ground.. CTA gave us that kick
and now we will make it available to you. And now we can get back to
finishing those many TDBS projects we have in LIMBO.
Since this product is FREE, there is no need for the all the LEGAL mumbo
jumbo associated with these documents. So load it up and let us know what
your users think.
Glen & Elenor Billings
MASTER BBS SERVICES
Box 976
Goodyear AZ 85338
VOICE (602) 932 0072
FAX (602) 925 1150
DATA (602) 925 0086 14.4