Version 1.0b. This is the first official release of PixelFlipper. Main reason
for release is to assess the fitness of PixelFlipper on other systems and
configurations. Be advised that although this package has been extensively
tested with a combination of INITs and different hardware, I can't test for all
configurations, and; therefore, greatly respect and appreciate your bug reports
and comments. I have tested it on an SE/30, Mac II, IIx, IIcx, and a IIci, with 2
Apple RGB Hi-Res Monitors. If you have other types of monitors and video
cards, give it a try to see how it reacts.
Revision History:
12/4/90 - 1.0b Public release.(CS)
12/10/90 - 1.0b1 Updated cdev to display the proper monitors settings on
multiple monitor systems. Didn’t always work properly. Changed INIT to
update the Slot Parameter RAM record if a permanent change is made.
Use different technique to determine which entry in the scrn 0 resource is
associated with the current GDevice.(CS)
12/28/90 - 1.0.1b2 Wasn't saving the registers for _GetNextEvent or
_WaitNextEvent. I'm doing it now. Now using proper version
conventions as specified by Apple.(CS)
01/04/91 - 1.1b3 Fixed problems with MultiFinder running. The Finder doesn't
respond to updateEvt like regular applications; therefore, when you
switch depths, the DeskTop would not update when applications quit or
windows are closed. No longer patching _GetNextEvent or
_WaitNextEvent for MultiFinder compatibility reasons. Now a patch to
jGNEFilter. May mean it is less of a tail patch since the proc won't get
called until after all GNE processing is completed. Reworked some of
the documentation. Comments anyone?(CS)
1/15/91 - 1.1b4. Fixed problem with PF cdev losing the credits picture. Never
released (CS)
1/16/91 - 1.2b2 Added support for Gestalt. New icl8s for 7.0. Other misc
resources for 7.0 compatibility. This version has been tested with 7.0.
Preliminary evaluation: Very little problems. Keyset for QuicKeys 2
users in the file PF QuicKeys.(CS)
2/06/91 - 1.3 This is the first official release of PixelFlipper. Fixed a small bug
with PF cdev in System 7.0. It would occasionally bomb when closing the
cdev. If you discover any bugs in System 6.0x or 7.0, let me know so I
can fix them. I am trying to make PF as stable as possible and you are
the best test of that; so I appreciate your comments and bug reports.
What good is an INIT if it won't work as promised after all.(CS)
I have changed the distribution policy for PF from FreeWare to
ShareWare ($10). This version will be supported via e-Mail and US Mail,
see cdev for instructions for details. All previous versions of PF will not
be supported via these means. By registering, you are entitled to free
updates of PF (bug fixes and new feature versions).
2/21/91 - 1.3.1 Fixed a small bug with PF cdev in System 7.0.(CS)
3/13/91 - 1.3.2 If loading PF was aborted, then PF INIT would still remain in the
system heap. It doesn’t do this now. This version has no problems with
System Software up to 7.0b4.
8/3/91 - 1.3.3 Tested with release of System 7.0. Been mostly working on PF 2.0
so this release is in response to the version included in The Power’s
Users Toolkit 6.0. It fixes a bug with System 7.0 Finder Help getting
knocked off the air if you popped up the PF menu.
Unless there are no other bug reports that I can confirm, this version will be the last before PixelFlipper 2.0 gets released. There is a high probability that PF 2.0 will go commercial, so people that are already registered by 8/31/91 will get free updates to 2.0.
8/31/91 - 1.3.4 Fixed a bus error crasher that was discovered using
EvenBetterBusError. See the Bug Reports for more info.
Thanks Andrew. (CS)
This version was also updated to for THINK C 5.0.
About PF 2.0:
This is where I have been focusing my free time. The only thing that 1.3.3 and 2.0 will have in common is the popup menu. In other words, PF 2.0 is a BIG change. It gives you complete control over the color environment of your Mac. Among PF 2.0’s new features are what I call ColorLaunching. ColorLaunching is the ability to define a ceartain environment that you want an application to be in when you are running it. For example, if you are programming in THINK C, if you aren’t, you should be, you always want to be in 1 bit mode. With PF you can add THINK C to an application list and specify which monitor(s) you want to change to 1 bit mode when you enter THINK C. When you launch THINK C or switch to it via MultiFinder, PF will change the monitors you specified to the depth you wanted. You can even specify Maximun depth and PF is smart enough to figure out what that depth is, 32bit or even 64 bit (if there is such a beast).
Also included in PF 2.0 is what I call a Pixie. It is a color environment setting that you save and invoke by a hot key that you define. For instance, if you want increment/decrement the bit depth, then you define a Pixie to increment without changing the mode (Color or Grey) and assign a hot key to it and from then on, every time you invooke the hot key, PF will execute the Pixie!
Also, there will be a special Pixie called a Multi-State Pixie, and that will allow you to switch between two different Pixies, similar to Switch-a-Roo by Bill Steinberg.
There will be no limitation on the number of Pixies you can create, except for memory. You’ll even be able to cut, copy and paste Pixies that somebody else sent you directly into PF 2.0.
Enhancements made to the PF popup menu include defining the way that you want the menu to popup and whether or not you want the mouse monitor, all monitors, or a specific monitor to change when you popup the menu.
Time permitting, I’ll add an interface so programmers can make calls to PixelFlipper to do all the work for them. We’ll see if there is a demand for this type of API interface. AppleEvents????
By the way, PixelFlipper will be System 7.0 Saavy. Including Help Balloons.
Hope this little tidbits encourages you to register your copy. I really think that it will be worth while.
