Frequently Asked Questions
==========================
GIF files:
---------
WHERE DO GIF FILES COME FROM?
WHERE CAN I FIND A DESCRIPTION OF THE GIF FILE FORMAT?
WHERE CAN I GET MORE GIF GRAPHICS?
HOW CAN I CREATE A GIF FROM A PHOTOGRAPH?
The GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), pronounced "JIF", was designed by
CompuServe and the official specification released in June of 1987. Since
that time, it has become very popular, due to several factors.
First, GIF uses an efficient compression routine which makes graphics files
significantly smaller than in virtually any other format. Secondly, by
design, it's an INTERCHANGE format. Graphics may be created by paint
programs, fractal generating programs, on scanners or video capture boards.
The originating computer might be an IBM, Apple, Color MAC, Amiga, or
virtually any type of computer. Since most computers with graphics
capabilities have (at least one) GIF display program, the graphics can
easily be "moved" from one type of computer to another.
In July of 1990, CompuServe released an extension to the GIF specification,
known as Version 89a, adding a number of sophisticated features designed to
make GIF a more powerful and flexible graphics format.
As GIF was created by CompuServe, the Graphics Support forum (PICS) is the
place to find complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about GIF. If
you're not a CompuServe subscriber, but are seriously interested in trying
graphics programming, I do recommend subscribing (call 1-800-848-8199,
operator 229, to sign up or to verify current costs. As of 4/91 it's $39.95
for a "start-up" subscription which includes a hard-bound user's guide, a
subscription to the CompuServe Magazine, and $25 credit toward connect time,
which is currently $12.50 per hour at 1200/2400 baud.)
We've had a number of requests for "disks full of GIFs" or other graphics
files. While CompuShow has been included on ShareWare disks with GIFs of
various descriptions, these disks did not come from Canyon State Systems. We
don't sell or distribute GIFs or other graphics files, with the exception of
a few samples that are included on the enhanced program disk.
The best place to look for GIF images is CompuServe; "GO GRAPHICS" for a
menu of graphics forums, containing literally thousands of images and
related files. GIF images are also beginning to appear in significant
numbers on other commercial services and a number of BBS's.
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+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The following registered users of CompuShow operate bulletin boards. |
| Other registered users who would like to be added to this list, please |
| contact me. |
| |
| We reserve the right to remove from this list any BBS which tampers with |
| any CompuShow documentation or fails to comply with the requirement that |
| CompuShow must be distributed unmodified and intact. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
JPix BBS 219-267-2188 (to 2400 baud) has a free public-access section and a
restricted pay-per-access section. SysOp Jim Priser also operates a high-
quality scanning service (download info/rates from the BBS or contact him by
voice line at 219-267-3980.)
New Dimensions BBS 408-274-5550 has a large and growing GIF library.
The Godfather BBS 813-289-3314 has a free public-access section and an adult
section requiring subscription.
Adline USA BBS 708-260-8818 for GIF files online and a scanning service.
Mating Mystique 612-890-1001 appears to be an adult-oriented subscription
service.
Converting to GIF:
-----------------
HOW CAN I CONVERT OTHER GRAPHICS TO GIF FORMAT?
WHAT IS "COMPUMAKE TOOLS"?
CompuMake Tools, our graphics conversion utility is described in CATALOG.DOC
Integrating graphics with other software:
----------------------------------------
MY COMPANY PRODUCES DATA BASE SOFTWARE, AND WE'D LIKE TO ADD GRAPHICS
DISPLAY CAPABILITIES. CAN WE CALL COMPUSHOW FROM INSIDE OUR PROGRAM?
There's been quite a bit of interest in adding graphics to database and
other software, and we've developed a version with that in mind. Write or
phone for details.
Incompatible drivers
--------------------
WHY IS MY VIDEO OR PRINTER DRIVER SHOWN AS "WRONG DRIVER VERSION!"
You're trying to use a driver designed for an earlier (or later) version of
the program. The driver MUST MATCH the program.
[Q&A.DOC] Page 2
Missing Files
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WHY DOES A BOX POP UP EVERY TIME I RUN THE PROGRAM, SAYING THAT THERE ARE
FILES MISSING?
At program start-up, CompuShow checks to see that all the documentation and
support files are on the same disk and sub-directory as the program. Once it
finds all the files there and creates CSHOW.DAT, you can run CSHOWDEL.BAT to
erase the documentation files, drivers, etc. that you no longer need.
If you move the program to another computer, pass it on to a friend, or post
it on a BBS, you must include all the original files. In addition, if you
modify your computer (add memory, upgrade the video adapter, etc.) CompuShow
will detect that it's not the same computer, and will look for the
documentation and support files again (so keep a copy somewhere.)
Not quite compatible VGAs:
--------------------------
MY LAPTOP COMPUTER CAN'T DISPLAY ANY OF THE "EXTENDED MCGA" MODES. HOW CAN I
PREVENT THEM FROM BEING USED WHEN I PRESS THE SPACEBAR?
These "PS/2 and register-compatible VGA" modes selected with the [ ] , . /
keys do overdrive a few VGAs. Force VGA mode with "CSHOW +V" to disable
them.
Other Hardware-Specific Modes:
-----------------------------
I'VE GOT A NEW GRAPHICS ADAPTER THAT I'D LIKE TO USE, BUT THERE'S NO VIDEO
DRIVER FOR IT. (Sometimes this question starts "I've got an OLD adapter...")
The external video drivers used by CompuShow make it easy to add support for
additional graphics devices. We'll continue to add video drivers as we
become aware of new video hardware. If you have a new graphics adapter that
isn't listed, we may already have a driver available for it.
If you're an assembly language (MASM/TASM) programmer, and would like to try
to develop a driver yourself, I can send you a "Video Driver Developer's
Disk", which will let you add support for your video hardware. If you're not
an assembler programmer, but have the programming specs, contact me, and
we'll see if we can develop a driver together.
Unrecognized Graphics Files:
---------------------------
I DOWNLOADED A GIF FROM A BBS, BUT COMPUSHOW SAYS IT'S NOT A GIF
It was probably uploaded by someone with an Apple computer, and has the
infamous 128 byte "binary header". A legitimate GIF file starts with
"GIF87a" (or "GIF89a") in the first six bytes, so this "header" which some
Apple software tacks on the front end of the file, actually creates a
corrupt GIF.
Please contact the BBS SysOp. He probably has a program for stripping off
the header, as BBSs frequently run into this problem with Apple uploads. In
[Q&A.DOC] Page 3
addition, he'll probably want to contact the uploader, so that future
uploads can avoid this problem.
I KNOW I'VE GOT A LEGITIMATE GRAPHIC IMAGE, BUT IT'S NOT RECOGNIZED
Graphics such as MacPaint, PC Paint, PC Paintbrush, and Dr. Halo, can vary
in format from one version to the next. Also, some programs which claim to
produce "compatible" files, may not conform to the specification. We've made
every effort to identify and support as many formats as possible, and have
distributed Beta Test programs to attempt to track down graphics which
CompuShow can't identify or display correctly.
If you do find other examples, we'd appreciate a copy of the file, so that
we can add support for the format. Keep in mind that some compression
schemes (such as RIX) are confidential, so we may not be able to support
them.
CompuShow upgrades:
------------------
WHAT'S YOUR POLICY ON UPGRADES FOR REGISTERED USERS?
As we release new versions of CompuShow, registered users are notified by
mail, and may upgrade for a "nominal cost". For the past couple of years,
we've held this cost to $9, and have offered upgrades at $5 for anyone who
registered (or upgraded) to the previous version within 60 days of the
release of the new version. We'll try to stick to the $9/$5 upgrade prices
as long as our costs hold relatively steady.
I JUST SAW A NEW VERSION ON A BBS, BUT HAVEN'T RECEIVED AN UPGRADE NOTICE!
New releases of CompuShow sometimes seem to travel at the speed of light.
Our first step is to post a new release on CompuServe and GEnie and then
mail copies to our list of BBS SysOps and ShareWare distributors. It may
take a couple of weeks to mail notices to registered users.
In addition, keep in mind that some "minor revisions" have relatively small
changes that don't justify a mailing to all registered users. Registered
users who want to upgrade to the latest "minor revision" should contact me
for costs.
Finally, keep in mind that you may have a COUNTERFEIT! Since December 1989,
we've seen a number of programs claiming to be version "8.01", "8.31",
"8.51", etc. appear on electronic bulletin boards. Generally these
counterfeits have been "hacked" copies of version 7.0 or 7.2, with the
documentation and on-screen version number changed (and this supposedly
"new" version usually has 1989 file dates!) If you find the on-screen title
about 12,700 bytes into the file (at hex offset 31A0h) then you definitely
have a counterfeit!
Our best guess is that these counterfeit programs are a direct result of
BBSes that give "credit" for uploads. Evidentally, some people are so
desperate to get credit that they'll "hack together" a counterfeit program
when they don't have anything legitimate to upload. Apparently the only
malicious intent is to disappoint anyone who's looking for the latest
version, although there have been some (unconfirmed) reports of VIRUSES
attached to some counterfeit programs.
[Q&A.DOC] Page 4
CompuShow Configuration and Drivers:
-----------------------------------
CSHOW.EXE IS IN A SUB-DIRECTORY POINTED TO BY THE DOS "PATH" COMMAND. I'VE
USED CSHOWI TO INSTALL SCREEN COLORS, ETC. WHY DO I GET THE ORIGINAL COLORS
AND OPTIONS WHEN I START THE PROGRAM IN A DIFFERENT SUB-DIRECTORY?
CShow looks for the configuration file, the printer and video drivers on the
same disk and sub-directory as the program. Actually, it depends on DOS
(version 3 or above) to tell it where the EXE was found. If you're using a
version of DOS below 3, add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
(assuming CSHOW.EXE is in C:\PROGS):
SET CASSS=C:\PROGS
When the program discovers that it's running under DOS version 2, it will
look in C:\PROGS for the configuration file and drivers.
The HP Laser Printer:
--------------------
THE PRINTER LIGHTS BLINK FOR A FEW SECONDS (INDICATING THAT IT'S RECEIVING
THE GRAPHICS DATA) AND IT THEN EJECTS A BLANK (OR PARTIALLY PRINTED) PAGE.
If you've loaded "soft fonts", the printer may "reject" the graphics data,
since it doesn't have enough internal memory to store BOTH the soft fonts
and the graphics data. You need to remove the soft fonts from printer memory
to be able to print graphics. With minimum memory installed, you may need to
use the 75dpi HP Laser driver, instead of the 150/300dpi driver.
PCjr/Tandy Modes:
----------------
THE PCJR/TANDY 1000 MODES DON'T APPEAR AS DISPLAY OPTIONS
The #J command line toggle is used to enable these video modes. Starting
with version 6, these were made "optional" modes, since they require the
program to "reserve" 32k of memory. When #J is not used, the program can use
this 32k for other purposes.
[Q&A.DOC] Page 5
