FastGIF Version 2.0


    1. FEATURES

        FastGIF  is an off-line decoder for the display  of  Graphics 
    Interchange  Format  (GIF) images on IBM  personal  computers  or 
    compatibles,  equipped with EGA or VGA display systems.  GIF  was 
    developed by CompuServe and features:

        Machine Independence

        GIF  files may be exchanged between different  computers  and 
    graphics  systems.   With the proper decoder,  each  system  will 
    display all GIF files to the best of the machine's  capabilities.  
    This allows the widest possible audience for artists distributing 
    their  images  in  the GIF format, and an  immense  selection  of 
    images for those who enjoy viewing computer images.

        Compression

        GIF files are compressed using a highly effective  adaptation 
    of  the LZW algorithm.  Communication and storage costs are  held 
    to a minimum with the compression scheme. Since all GIF  decoders 
    can  uncompress GIF images, machine specific  archival  utilities 
    are not required for the images.

        Performance

        The Graphics Interchange Format allows for images up to 65535 
    dots  wide  by  65535 lines high, containing  up  to  256  colors 
    selected  from  up  to  16 million  different  colors.  While  no 
    graphics  hardware has these capabilities today, the format  will 
    be  able to handle the interchange of raster graphics  well  into 
    the future.

        FastGIF was developed by James C. Beebe, and features:

        Speed

        FastGIF, as its name implies, is highly optimized for  speed.  
    On any given computer, no current decoder achieves anywhere  near 
    the  display  speed of FastGIF.  Reportedly, fast '286  and  '386 
    computers  using  FastGIF display images much faster  than  other 
    computers   utilizing  specialized  graphics  support   hardware.  
    FastGIF  is  offered  as  evidence  that  the  Intel  family   of 
    processors  and  the  IBM family of  personal  computers  are  as 
    suitable   for  high  performance  graphics  as  any  series   of 
    microprocessors in any current personal computer!

        Slide Shows

        FastGIF  will  display a series of  images  automatically  by 
    following a user-generated command file.


        FastGIF  is the copyrighted property of James C. Beebe.   All 
    rights  are reserved other than those rights specified above.  If 
    you  do not pay for a license for the continued use  of  FastGIF, 
    you are obligated to discontinue its use after the ten day  trial 
    period.   FastGIF  may not be modified by anyone other  than  the 
    author.   FastGIF  may  be  distributed to  others  only  in  its 
    complete,  unmodified form, with no fee charged other than a  fee 
    for media and duplication.  No matter how you received your  copy 
    of  FastGIF,  you are obligated to pay for a  license  after  the 
    trial period.

        FastGIF is available to be included with a product, or to  be 
    incorporated into a product.  Contact James C. Beebe for  further 
    information.

        All registrations will be promptly acknowledged.

                               James C. Beebe
                               2170 Dow Drive
                             Akron, Ohio 44313

                           Compuserve 74746,2444




        You could start FastGIF by typing:

        Fastgif image.gif

    5. DISPLAY MODES


    6. OPERATING MODES

        FastGIF  can  be operated in several  different  modes.   The 
    simplest  mode  is invoked by giving a single  filename  (without 
    wildcards)  on  the command line of FastGIF.  The image  will  be 
    decoded directly to the screen, and if it is too large to fit  on 
    a single screen, it may be scrolled using the SHIFT keys.   Press 
    the return key to return to DOS.  An example would be:

        C>FastGIF trees

        The  second mode is menu mode.  This is invoked by giving  no 
    file  argument  on  the FastGIF command line, by  giving  a  file 
    argument containing wildcards, by giving a directory name as  the 
    file  argument, or by giving a drive name as the  file  argument.  
    Further details on menu mode are given in the menu section below.  
    Examples:

        C>FastGIF
        C>FastGIF t*.gif
        C>FastGIF \pictures
        C>FastGIF a:

        The third mode is slide show mode.  This is invoked by giving 
    the  name  of  the  slide  command  file,  preceded  by  the  "@" 
    character, on the command line.  Further information is  provided 
    below.  An example:

        C>FastGIF @myslide

    7. MENU MODE

        FastGIF's  menu  mode provides a  "user-friendly,"  intuitive 
    method  to  select  files from a menu displayed  on  the  screen. 
    Special  care has been taken to make menu mode easy for  advanced 
    users,  as well, by minimizing the number of keystrokes  required 
    to select and display files.

        Help screens are available by pressing F1.  The help  screens 
    give  a condensed version of the information in this manual,  and 
    should  be  sufficient  to allow  operation  of  FastGIF  without 
    referring to the manual.

        Menu  mode  allows the selection of a series  of  images  for 
    display, as described below.  The time delay between these images 
    is  selected  by  pressing F2, then entering  a  delay  time  (in 
    seconds)  at the prompt.  A negative entry will cause FastGIF  to 
    wait for a key to be pressed between images.