NOTES, HINTS and TECHNICAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
==============================================

    MISC:
    ----- 

    Autoload: When starting PMPro the latest catalogue will
    automatically be loaded, which had been active when leaving the
    program the last time.
    If you do not want that, keep the left mouse button pressed, while
    program is in the initialisation phase.

    Virtual memory: PMPro now works together with the shareware-tool
    VMM. It allows you to catalogue or process very large graphics
    even with low memory.


    HINTS:
    ------

    * Use the RAMDISK function as often as possible since
      nearly all functions will then become significantly faster.
      Especially use these functions when working with slow volumes
      like CD-ROM, MO-drives, etc.

    * Should the catalogue have been sorted and this sort order
      is to be permanent, you should use the OPTIMIZE function
      to increase access time to the single data records.

    * Too large catalogues will result in less overview and decrease
      access time to the single data records.
      Tests have shown that not more than 300-500 entries should be
      stored into one single catalogue. This value strongly depends
      on the speed of the hard disk and size of the xxx.image file.

    * Speed optimisations when browsing catalogues: access of data records
      e.g. when browsing through catalogues has again been increased.
      To get that speed improvements even with large catalogues, note
      the following:

      - Increase caches of your data partition to about 200 kb
        (this means 400 buffers on a partition with  block size of
        512 bytes). Please consult your AmigaDOS manual for a
        description of the AddBuffers command.
      - Great speed improvements with catalogues of 1000, 2000 or even
        5000 entries can be reached, by increasing the block size of your
        hard disk to 2048 or 4096 Bytes. This can be done with the
        system tool HDToolBox when partitioning the hard disk. But this
        does require reformatting. With AmigaDOS 3.1 it may not be possible
        with all hard disk controllers, since there are still some small
        bugs in the Amiga FileSystem left.
        A reworked version of the file system is already is under development
        and may be available soon.

    * Owners of Amigas with AGA chipset should, when possible, start
      the program DBLPAL mode and via IControl select "keep mode".
      This prevents graphics from being displayed in PAL as DBLPAL 
      would be the better choice for these.
      Also, when running PMPro in DBLPAL the vertical and horizontal
      frequencies will not have to be changed which is better for
      the monitor.

    * If you own a graphic card it is better to use the high
      resolution modes of the graphic cards with higher frequencies.

    * Owners of Bernoulli drives should save their catalogue files
      to these (don't forget to change the data path).
      That way unnecessary data storage on the usually faster hard disk
      may be prevented and speed is usually still sufficient.


    NOTES:
    ------

    * When starting the program several times, please take care
      that you are not accessing the same catalogue files. This may
      cause collisions and in the worst case program crashes.

    * When cataloguing graphics the required memory will be allocated
      as a single block in memory. Should the memory have been highly
      fragmented, it may appear that there is still enough memory
      available  but it cannot be accessed as a single chunk
      (-->PROGRAM/INFORMATION). In such a case rebooting the system is
      necessary but usually it may also help to just leave the program
      for a moment, wait a few seconds and then start it again
      and continue.


    TECHNICAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
    -----------------------------


       Construction of the catalogue files
       ---------------------------------

       A catalogue consists of the following files which can be found
       in the selected data path:

         name.CAT   : Contains global catalogue information like e.g.
                      number of entries, type, ...

         name.INDEX : Information on each catalogued graphic (size,
                      save path, screen mode, comments, etc.)

         name.IMAGE : Thumbnails for each catalogued graphic.

       Deleting or manipulating any of these files will probably destroy
       the whole catalogue!



       Required volume space for catalogues:
       -------------------------------------

       A lot of space on the volume may be required for
       the catalogue files, especially for large catalogues.
       This depends a great deal on the catalogue type.
       The following table shows the required space for each
       entry of the catalogue:

               80x64  grey : 2.5KB       80x64  colour :  5 KB
              120x96  grey : 6 KB       120x96  colour : 12 KB
              144x112 grey : 8 KB       144x112 colour : 16 KB


       Example:
       A catalogue with 400 entries (120x96 grey) would need about
       2.4 MB volume space. For a whole CD-ROM with 2000 graphics
       (120x96 grey) this would already be 12 MB.
       Colour catalogues would need twice as much space.


       Required RAM:
       -------------

       To run the program without problems at least 1.4 MB
       plus about 260 KB CHIP RAM should be available before starting
       the program (some graphic cards may accept FAST instead of
       CHIP ram). When working with colour catalogues the required
       amount of CHIP memory is about 520 KB.
       The display of quite large graphics and starting of external
       programs will increase the required amount of memory.
       (for example a 1024x768 pixel graphic with 256 colours will
       require an additional 750 KB in one single chunk).
       The function Program/Information displays the currently
       available memory. Also, the Tool MEM-Meter may be opened on
       the PMPro screen (ARexx pulldown) to allow permanent visual
       controlling of the free amount of memory.

       When considering working with 24BIT graphics it is suggested
       to make at least 8 MB (or more) FAST memory availalbe.
       This is native to 24 Bit graphics, not PMPro.

       Note:
       Any memory limits mentioned above are a necessary minimum.

       Graphic cards may reduce the required amount of CHIP RAM but
       usually increase FAST RAM usage.


       Program restrictions:
       ---------------------

        * Catalogue names are restricted to 20 characters, catalogue
          descriptions may not exceed 40 characters.

        * Comments (patterns) are limited to 20 characters, image
          descriptions may not exceed 40 characters.

        * The naming conventions of AmigaDOS have to be respected
          (no "/" or ":" within the catalogue name).

        * The number of entries per catalogue is limited to 999
          for reasons of keeping an overview and faster access times
          to the single data records.

        * For cataloguing a graphic the related save path should
          not exceed 100 characters in length. If you have longer
          path-names, add an ASSIGN to this path
          in your user-startup-File.

        * When running, the program will not allow any more writing
          activities when the free space within the data path becomes
          smaller than 300 KB. Please take care that at least 1-2 MB is 
          always available in this path.

        * The size of the graphics to be catalogued is only limited
          by the available RAM.



