*************** * * * S P E E D * * --=====of * * L I G H Tı * * * *************** Version 2.6 by Stuart Denman (StuSoft¿) May 25, 1993 This program is (c) Copyright, 1993 StuSoft¿ All rights reserved by the author. WHAT IS VERSION 2.6? (THE CHANGES) This version basically fixes more bugs. I haved fixed an early problem in v2.5 that caused bombs when you tried to load in a GIF with less memory than the picture could fit into. I have also finally got the bugs out of displaying interlaced pictures. This was actually fixed by the release of v2.5, but I forgot to put it in (I had programmed it into v3.0). The rest of this README file is the same as the one that came with version 2.5: WHAT IS VERSION 2.5? I am hard at work on Speed of Light and at this time I am almost half way finished with the "awesome" version 3.0. However, I have found various bugs in version 2.1 that make it difficult to use the program under certain circumstances. Thanks to all who gave suggestions! So, me being the great supporter of the Atari shareware market (although it does little to support me: e.g. $$) I have decided to fix some of those bugs, impliment some of those suggestions, and put out an intermediate version. So, me being the nice guy I am, I also decided to throw in a few goodies (see below for the full details). PLEASE NOTE that this version is almost exactly the same as version 2.1 except for these few changes. I have included with this program the same documentation that came with version 2.1 with some minor modifications for clarity. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU READ THE CHANGES BELOW in ordered to use the program because some of the keyboard commands and other things are DIFFERENT. This is so that it acts more like version 3.0. ***** I HAVE ALSO THROWN IN (FREE OF CHARGE!) SCREEN SHOTS OF THE MAJESTIC ***** VERSION 3.0 TO TEMPT THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED INTO DOING SO ***** IMMEDIATELY AFTER GAZING UPON THESE WORKS OF ART. (Note that these are in GIF format for ease in display, and speed too!) (Note also that these are just two of many screens available!) SPOFLT30.GIF -- Main Options screen. COLEDT30.GIF -- Powerful Color Map Editor. (Why don't drawing programs have editors like this?) As with version 2.1, an icon for the new desktop is included, but I have CHANGED it so that it is colored correctly. (I can't figure out how it got backwards). I'd like to just mention to those of you using Mint or MultiTOS that this program not only doesn't work in Mint, but was NOT made for that operating system. Don't try it. The way the program handles screen swaping and the speed requirements of the program are just not compatable with such a system. Sorry. I am not including any detailed information about version 3.0 in this file except the screen shots. That is probably too much information already. The reason behind this is that a lot of the ideas added in version 3.0 are ORIGINAL ideas and I don't want them spread to other developers. I'm a little more willing to give out information to those who register, but I ask that rumors not be spread. I've already heard some pretty wild stuff that version 2.1 is supposed to be capable of. =) Thanks. CHANGES TO VERSION 2.5: -- ALL GIF formats can now be loaded! Including 89a and pictures with comment blocks. It can even load some GIFs that have junk at the begining of the file (I've found some corrupt ones out there). -- SPEED!!! Increases in uncompression time bring it down to 60% of the time that version 2.1 took FOR SOME GIFS (not all)! -- SPEED!!! Averaging is now considerably faster! -- SPEED!!! Color reduction and mixed color calculations are much faster! -- SPEED!!! The drawing of the screen is also faster! -- TT RAM!!! The program not only WORKS in TT and Fast Ram, but it SCREAMS!! -- Memory conflicts: The program now uses a "cleaner" way of handling memory so this should solve rare conflicts with some resident programs. -- Dialog boxes in higher resolutions now look a little nicer. -- Program file size is now smaller. -- Keyboard commands have been changed: N selects a new file instead of F. ESC goes to the options menu instead of quitting. S Saves the screen as Degas .PI1 picture (see below). -- Canceling at the fileselect box only quits if you have NOT viewed a picture yet. This is more intuitive. -- A quick "hack" allows you to save the screen as a DEGAS PI1 picture. This can only be done in ST Low resolution 320 x 200 in 16 colors. Press S on the display screen and type in the file to save it as into the fileselect box. It saves the picture as it looks on the screen (without flickering), so if the screen is not through drawing when you hit 'S', you'll get a partial screen. This should be obvious. -- Shareware fee has been increased to $20. This is because the work involved in producing version 3.0 has been tremendous. I'd also like to point out that when you pay the fee, you're essentially "buying" version 3.0! You might not think these measly "viewers" are worth it, but version 3.0 is a powerful color and image processing tool. It will also allow conversions between picture formats and will be able to view them. I will hopefully be adding the ability to load JPEG format pictures, also! Those who have already paid the $15 fee do not need to register again. Think of it as a reward for registering early. Thanks. THIS PROGRAM IS SHAREWARE!!!!! SHAREWARE!!!!! SHAREWARE!!!!! SHAREWARE!!!!! If you use Speed of Light, SEND $20 TO: STUART DENMAN 1751 N.E. NAOMI PL. SEATTLE, WA 98115 USA You will recieve more information about version 3.0 as well as a PERSONAL KEYCODE allowing you to access the new features that will be partially disabled on the new program. I am requiring that users of Speed of Light who do not plan on registering the program to discontinue use after 15 days. I am not putting any timers or time gates on the program because I trust the Atari users out there. This program is NOT TO BE USED IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER!!! I will be living at a different location from the MIDDLE of JUNE to the MIDDLE of SEPTEMBER during the summer of 1993. I will then return to the address above. I will, however be collecting mail and forwarding some of my mail from that address to the one listed below, so don't worry if you send it there during that summer. However, if you want a speedy return, please mail your registration DURING THAT SUMMER TIME PERIOD TO: STUART DENMAN 500 S. PINE ST. ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 USA (June to Sept, 1993) Please Email me with questions at: stusoft@u.washington.edu or Contact me on the Newsgroup comp.sys.atari.st on the internet. or TRY to contact me on F-NET or X-NET (try is the key word here, I don't always read these message groups). and as always... ENJOY SPEED OF LIGHT!!! LEGAL STUFF -- PLEASE READ!!! The Graphic Interchange Format(c) is the Copyright property of CompuServe Incorportated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated. The author makes no claims and is not liable for damage/problems that this program may cause. Use it at your own risk. You are free to distribute this program "as is" BUT ALL DOCUMENTATION AND FILES MUST BE INCLUDED WITH THE PROGRAM JUST AS WHEN IT WAS FIRST RELEASED. YOU MAY NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE INCLUDED FILES! THE SALE OF THIS PROGRAM AND ALL VERSIONS OF SPEED OF LIGHT FOR PROFIT BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE AUTHOR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED! Use of this program is restricted to 15 days, after which, if you do not register the program and pay the $20 Shareware fee, you must TERMINATE USE. BY USING THIS PROGRAM FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THE TERMS STATED ABOVE.