The Datafile PD-CD 4/DATAFILE_PDCD4.iso/utilities/utilst/texturgdn/!TexturGdn/Docs/Register

Text File | 1996-09-28 | 9.0 KB | 201 lines

                               Register
                               ========

1.0 Why register?
2.0 The versions
3.0 What you get
4.0 How to register
5.0 Obtaining upgrades

Warning: this document contains sales talk trying to persuade you to register
the Texture Garden program (if you have not already done so).

1.0 Why register?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firstly, although this file is written by the author in the hope that you
will offer him money, this program is not distributed as "shareware".  The
license under which it is distributed allows free copying and unlimited use.
The freeware version of the program does however contain some limitations
which will be removed in the event of the user deciding to register it with
the author.

I have tried to make the program as easy and fun to use as possible so that
new users can enjoy manipulating the textures with little in the way of
introduction.  What is more it is my hope that those users who only need to
use textures occasionally for a new desktop backdrop for example, can use the
free version of the program, and save the sprites and animations that it
generates.

For intensive users, however with multiple web pages and complex
texture-mapped objects to deal with there have been two main limitations
imposed upon the program's use to encourage registration.  This is a form of
distribution known as "The Commercial Demo" by software houses and as
"Crippleware" by PD authors.  The limitations are as follows:

FIrstly, the program will not allow new texture programs, generated by the
user to be loaded and displayed, although textures may be mutated and
sexually recombined and then saved as sprites.

Secondly, in modes with high colour-resolutions, the maximum picture size is
limited as follows:

  Number of colours  :  Maximum texture size
         2                      1024
         4                      512
         16                     256
         256                    128
         32K                    64
         16M                    32

For those who are making web page backgrounds, the 128 by 128 limitation in
256 colour modes will not be enough to remove the tessellation patterns.
Using JPEGs as backgrounds (as is recommended on low bandwidth connections)
will lead either to tiny images, or ones that do not exploit the 24 bit
colour provided by the format.  Using low colour resolution produces JPEGs
that not only have poor colours, but do not have good compression either.
This is because dithering patterns are interpreted by JPEGs as high frequency
spatial noise.  If you can afford to do so, JPEGing 24 bit images with no
dithering is the recommended method.

The first limitation may need some explanation:

Texture files may be loaded and manipulated and their results saves as
sprites and text.  However any textfiles saved or modified will not be
loadable by the freeware version of the program.  This is implemented by the
use of a checksum, which each texture has and must be correct for the
Freeware version of the program to accept the texture.

In registered versions, an additional module is supplied which will enable
the program (and all future upgrades of it) to read textures independently of
the checksum.

The registered version completely ignores the checksum, and the site license
or super-user version will also display whether the checksum is correct, and
will write texture files with correct checksums, enabling people other than
the author to distribute textures readable by the freeware distributed
version of the program.

This has been done so the author does not have a monopoly on distributing
textures for his program so that users should be able to rely on a diverse
variety of inexpensive textures coming into existence.  He is, however
prepared to pay for the priviledge of distributing textures.  Please see the
"Distribute" file for further details.

Please note that the author may make different limitations in future versions
of the program.  In particular, he may change the colour-resolution
limitation or add other limitations as he so chooses.  The checksum
sensitivity is unlikely to change.

3.0 The versions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Freeware version       : Checksum is checked.  The high colour-resolution
                         limitation is imposed.
                         "Unregistered Freeware" is in the info box.
                         Free

Registered single user : Single user license.
                         Completely ignores the checksum.
                         "User:" is added to the Info Box.
                         Registration fee: £8

Registered super-user  : Single user license.
                         Displays whether the checksum of the file is
                         correct, and will always write texture files with
                         correct checksums.
                         "Owner:" is added to the Info Box.
                         Registration fee: £10

Registered site        : The site license has the same feature set as the
                         super-user version.  Please specify the entire
                         address of the site involved.
                         "Site:" is added to the Info Box.
                         Registration fee: £10

It is recommended that most people choose the "Registered single user"
version of the program at £8.00.  Upgrades from this to any other version are
available and involve sending £2.00 to the author, but it is expected that
this will not normally be required.

Please note that these prices are only valid for 1996.  In 1997, a revised
pricing structure will be announced.

3.0 What you get
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Registration will provide you with the latest freeware version of the program
on a single 800K disc.

There will be the registration module which transforms the operation of the
program, enabling its full use.  This module will be compatible with all
future freeware versions of the program, so there should be no need to send
discs back to the author for upgrades.  It is recommended that the original
disc is kept however, in order to take advantage of possible future offers.

There will be a broad selection of textures, palettes, and animation types,
and I will do my best to make this include ones more up-to-date than those
currently available freely.

Lastly there will be a !Zap syntax-colouring mode for texture files and a
corresponding !Help file.  This is also compatable with Studio-24 textures.

If it is decided at a future date to produce a generic manual for the
program, then this will be mailed to all existing registered users.  Any
such manual will merely reproduce in convenient hard-copy those sections of
the on-line documentation that are considered unlikely to change in future
versions of the program.

4.0 How to register
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Registration involves sending your name address to the author with a cheque
(or similar) for the appropriate sum.  I cannot currently accept payment by
credit card.

Please indicate clearly the text to be inserted into the info box if this is
to be different to your name.

The author will send the "Registered single user" version unless another
version is specified.

The author will store the names and addresses of the registered users on a
database which he may use for the purposes of advertising his other
computer-related activities if he believes they are of interest to users.  If
you do not wish to receive mail from him in the future, please indicate this
by using the phrase "No Junkmail".

If sending from overseas, IMOs (expensive) or cash in any currency (slightly
risky) are probably the best methods.  If the sum offered is unexpected (for
example if a foreign currency is sent), then the author will act in whatever
manner he sees as being appropriate.  Rapid delivery, and insurance may be
available on request if required.  The author will send mail abroad using the
least expensive method he can find, unless the sum offered is larger than
normal, in which case he will do his best to spend the difference on sturdy
packaging, speedy delivery security and insurance.

The author's address is available in the "Contact" file.

A sample registration form is available as the file "Reg_Form".  If you have
a printer it may be convenient to print this file and send it directly.

5.0 Obtaining upgrades
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free upgrades to the program should be available indefinitely, either over
the internet, from PD libraries, or direct from the author.

The registration module will work with all future versions of the program, so
if you have registered, all you need to do to upgrade is to get a copy of the
latest freeware version and copy your own "TextureReg" module into its main
directory.

The program is currently available on the web at
"http://www.varuna.demon.co.uk/tmc".  I propose to send future versions of
this program to APDL and HENSA.  If access from these is inconvenient, the
latest version will be available directly from the author.

Simply send one of the following...

  1. a £1.00 cheque, or...
  2. 4 x first-class UK stamps, or...
  3. a S.S.A.E and a blank formatted (ADFS 800K E) double-density disc...

...to the address in the "Contact" file.