ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 …eeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)/ProfitPress-MegaCDROM2.B6I/GRAPHICS/EGAVGA/QUIXX.ZIP/README.!

Text File | 1991-05-16 | 7.0 KB | 199 lines

PROGRAM:  Quixx
AUTHOR:   Jonathan Kraidin on 2/90
VERSION:  2.03 on 05/16/91
LAST VER: 2.00 on 05/05/91
USE:      TSR Screen Animator
REQUIRES: DOS 3.0 or above (might work with 2.1 and above, but not tested)
      CGA, EGA, VGA
          Extended or Expanded memory strongly recommended
          CGA = 32K, EGA = 64K, VGA = 160K
SOURCE:   ASSEMBLY


1. USE:

  This is a TSR program that generates a beautiful selection of vapor-
  like trails after a given idle period.  A simple help file can be called by
  typing QUIXX ? at the DOS prompt.  The program is loaded into memory with:
  QUIXX TimeOut Mode

  OR

  QUIXX Special (after the Quixx is already loaded)

  where TimeOut is the idle time in minutes (1 to 99) and Mode is from
  0 to 19. Modes 1 through 15 select a constant color display for the QUIXX
  using a color palatte corresponding to the Mode.  That is Mode 2 = color 2.

  Mode 0 selects an alternating color display.  Every time the Quixx pattern
  bounces off of a wall the color increments.  Mode 16 selects a pattern where
  the colors vary within each line of the Quixx pattern.  This yields a
  constantly changing image as the vapor trail moves.  Mode 17 selects the
  same pattern-type, but in VGA mode19, allowing 256 colors.  The resolution is
  320x200.  Mode 18 is also in VGA mode19, but here the lines of the vapor
  trail are solid.  As a new lines are drawn they go go through all 256 colors.

  Mode 19 is the Glide mode.  Here the Quixx pattern is one color,
  but as the image moves its color goes through a continuous spectrum of 384
  shades.  THIS IS A GREAT MODE.

2. SUMMARY OF COLOR MODES:

   0       Alternating Colors
   1 - 15  Default Colors in Palette
   16      High Resolution Pattern1
   17      Vga Mode19 Pattern1 (320x200)
   18      Vga Mode19 Pattern2
   19      Glide Mode (Recommended Mode)

3. EXAMPLES OF OPTIONS

  The options can be changed at any time by retyping the command.  So if you had
  typed:

  QUIXX 2 15

  selecting a 2 minute time-out using mode 15, and you then type

  QUIXX 5

  you change the timeout to 5 minutes and leave the mode unchanged.
  If you typed

  QUIXX 5 19

  you will have also changed the mode to mode 19.

4. UNLOADING THE TSR

  If you wish to unload the TSR type

  QUIXX r

  This will Remove the TSR from the TSR memory chain, regardless of the number
  of TSRs loaded before or after the QUIXX program.

5. ADDITIONS MADE IN NEWER VERSIONS


  ENABLE/DISABLE ACTIVITY

  Version 1.70 includes an enable/disable feature.  This allows Quixx to remain
  in memory as a TSR but remain dormant.  By typing

  Quixx -

  the user disables the sleep count-down.  The Quixx will never become active.
  By typing

  Quixx +

  the Quixx's sleep count-down is re-enabled.  One can use this feature in a
  BATCH file if you want to selectively enable/disable the Quixx without
  changing the programs in active memory.  REMEMBER, Quixx's interrupts are
  still hooked into the BIOS.


  SPEED CONTROL OF PATTERN

  The program automatically adjusts its pattern speed to your processor.  The
  user can now over-ride this with the speed control in Version 1.71. By typing

  Quixx f    OR    Quixx s

  the user can speed up or slow down the vapor image. This can be repeated
  multiple times to go really FAST or SLOW.  The user will be informed
  when the limit is reached.  The default speed will be used each time the user
  changes the sleep-period or the image color mode.

******************************************************************************

IT IS STRONLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE EXPANDED OR EXTENDED MEMORY to prevent
memory conflicts when the TSR saves your video screen.  While the program will
use higher memory without EXPANDED memory, the program may crash your system
depending on what applications are running.  This program has worked well using
Expanded Memory with programs like WordPerfect and Harvard Graphics.


  EXTENDED MEMORY ADDITION

  Version 2.00 now senses and uses extended memory.
  Quixx will first check for the expanded memory driver; if not found,
  quixx will check for the extended memory driver, HIMEM.SYS.
  If none of these are found then High
  Memory is used.  Again, if you see the warning message Quixx can cause
  machine crashes.


  IF USING EXTENDED MEMORY YOU NEED **** HIMEM.SYS *****
  IF USING EXPANDED YOU NEED AN EXPANDED MEMORY DRIVER MEETING THE LIM SPECS.
  IF YOU DO NOT SEE QUIXX DISPLAY THAT IT RESERVED MEMORY FOR ITSELF THERE
    CAN BE CRASHES!

6.  SPECIAL NOTES

   If only a CGA is present only the color white is used.  No other modes work.
   Modes 17, 18, and 19 are meant for the VGA and will not work properly on an
   EGA monitor.

7. MOUSE SENSING

   Mouse is polled at COM1 and COM2. The port is only checked for
   activity if it is present.  If you are using a Bus Mouse there is a chance
   that your mouse will not be sensed if it is NOT an MS Bus Mouse (InPort
   Mouse) or a Mouse Systems Bus Card.  This is because the mouse protocols
   can be different for each manufacturer.

8. WINDOWS COMPATABLITY

   The program as of the above date has been tested briefly with Windows 3.0.
   If you are using a mouse on COM 1 or 2 your mouse will be 'sensed' when you
   move it and Quixx will terminate.  The keyboard should also get you out.

   Quixx only works with WINDOWS if you have EXTENDED MEMORY.  In addition,
   Quixx must be loaded before WINDOWS in order to reserve the necessary
   memory for its screen saves.

   Because of the means necessary to make Quixx compatable with Windows the
   mouse may not always behave properly with other applications, although this
   is unlikely.  This problem can be solved very simply.  If you are
   EXITING Windows (whether you have a mouse or not) you should use a
   BATCH file that will REMOVE Quixx from memory and then RE-INSTALL it.
   (Quixx r).  Do this only if you are having problems.


9. SOURCE CODE AVAILABILITY

   The assembly source is available on request.  It is several pages long and
   includes four modules:

   1. TSR and DOS interface routines
   2. QUIXX animation routines
   3. Graphics routines/Expaned memory routines
   4. Command line routines

   The code is well commented in most parts and can teach the reader about:

   .non-reentrant TSRs
   .unloading TSRs
   .accessing Video Memory/saving/restoring
   .reading COM ports
   .using Expanded and Extended Memory
   .writing graphics algorithms
   .reading/writing directly to the CGA/EGA/VGA graphics registers

   The program is free to use, copy, and distribute.  The source is only $15
   and well worth it.  If interested write to:

Jonathan Kraidin
3301 Indian Queen Lane
Philadelphia, PA  19129

CIS 72571, 2122

(As of June 1, 1991 I will no longer be at the above address.  However, I
will still be in the Philadelphia area for one more year.  One can write to
my CIS number to get my address or call information at area code 215 to get
my number.)