johnmac@fawlty.towers.oz (John MacLean) (09/06/89)
To everyone:
Thanks for the great responses for my requests about GIF,
I have been flooded. I started to respond individually, but I have to do
some work sometime. GIF format will NOT be supported in version 4.0,
but there will be further upgrades/extensions, and it is now high on
my list of new features.
There have been a number of questions directed my way about TGE
version 4.0. I want to tell all (I am rather pleased with it) but RWP would
not be happy. (How many real super hires pictures have you seen using all **
palettes and all *** colors?). Launch is set for Applefest (I believe it is
20th September), at this time I will post a full description. Feel free
to hassle RWP to make sure the docs and packaging are ready, I have fixed
all the bugs I know of...
For those of you who wanted to know who the hell I am, TGE background,
what Apple support is like down here, etc - here is a brief description...
Well I am a dedicated Apple II programmer and long time user.....
I had a ][+ (with a TV for a monitor and 1 5.25" drive {I remember using
a cassette tape}) for about 7 years while I was a student, and on finally
getting into the real world, I was able to afford a IIGS - and I started
work on TGE.
Originally it was a bit of a hack to learn about super hires and double
hires (I only had a ][+ remember).
These days the thing has grown extremely large.
I began writing TGE version 4.0 in about March/April 89 (after shelving
a Prolog system I was working on) - it is a complete rewrite.
The main reasons were as follows:
- Users wanted a GS/OS interface.
- I wanted an extendable system, so that support for new formats could
be added without ANY modification to the main program. This would
possibly relieve me of future work (no such luck), but definitely
extend the life and usefullness of the product.
- Users kept requesting new features (eg: batch transfers, control over
color translation, full page graphics, etc).
- I heard about FSTs and new what this would eventually mean to TGE.
- My dream of what could be done started to grow out of control.
Apple support in Oz is fairly poor these days, the IIGS is simply too
expensive to compete in the home market with the Amiga, and business
is all IBM clones (extremely cheap); MAC sales are good and increasing.
IIs are still doing well in education, although we never saw the //c+
because it would require a new power supply (Apple does not want to
build it).
Anyway, I am fairly isolated from the sales of TGE and get little
feedback, although I see a few mentions in mags which appear to be
quite good.
Please DO NOT send any more info on GIF - I promise I will implement
GIF support (Next weekend?). Thanks again for responses - you have
got me inspired again. I would still like some docs on the formats
for Print Shop GS full panel graphics and fonts (I already have
borders and graphics)...
John MacLean
"Real Apple freaks can type 'catalog' in 7.5 nanoseconds, or at least 'catalgo'"
Internet: johnmac@fawlty.towers.oz.au Phone: +61 2 427 2999
UUCP: uunet!fawlty.towers.oz.au!johnmac Fax: +61 2 427 7072
Snail: Tower Technology
31-33 Sirius Rd, Lane Cove, NSW 2066, Australia.
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Internet: johnmac@fawlty.towers.oz.au Phone: +61 2 427 2999
UUCP: uunet!fawlty.towers.oz.au!johnmac Fax: +61 2 427 7072
Snail: Tower Technology
31-33 Sirius Rd, Lane Cove, NSW 2066, Australia.