Figshell for OS/2 Released

Hi all

I have (finally) released figshell for OS/2 to the general public.
You can get a copy of Figshell from:
	ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/os2/apps/misc/figshell.zip

Here is the general readme file that comes with the program:

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                     | |  | | (_| | (__| | | | | | | |  __/
                     |_|  |_|\__,_|\___|_| |_|_|_| |_|\___|  Version 1.2


                      by Gregory Spath
                         gsp...@epix.net
                         http://www.epix.net/~gspath
                         Wease on the IRC

==============================================================================

Hello, and thank you for trying The Figlet Machine!  I have put a lot of work 
into this fun little program, and hope you enjoy using it as much as I enjoyed 
writing it!  Please read this file before using the program for information 
about installating and using it.



SHAREWARE NOTICE:
-----------------
This program is shareware.  It is free to try and play with for a reasonable 
amount of time.  If you find it useful, entertaining, or find yourself liking my
coding efforts, please register!  Pricing information and licensing is located 
in the last section of this file, REGISTERING FIGSHELL.



WHAT IS THE OS/2 FIGLET MACHINE?
--------------------------------
FIGSHELL is a fun and easy OS/2 Presentation Manager interface to the popular 
FIGLET program written by Glenn Chappell and Ian Chai.  FIGLET is used 
to create impressive lettering quickly and easily. Figshell puts a fast and easy
to use interface on the OS/2 version of Figlet.



WHAT DO I NEED TO RUN FIGSHELL?
-------------------------------
FIGSHELL is only a shell for the FIGLET program.  You will need to Compile 
FIGLET for OS/2, or Download a version of FIGLET compiled for OS/2.  You will 
also get the most use out of the program if you have a good collection of fonts.
                                                           
You can download an OS/2 Native version of Figlet from:
	
	ftp://ftp.nicoh.com/pub/figlet/program/os2/

A good collection of fonts for use with FIGLET is located at:
	
	ftp://ftp.nicoh.com/pub/figlet/fonts/
	(be sure to check out the 'contributed' directory!)

I may also keep fonts and the OS/2 executable at my web site,
	
	http://www.epix.net/~gspath

at a later time.



USING FIGSHELL:
---------------
To run Figshell for OS/2, simply unzip all files to a single directory. You can 
then create a desktop object for the program, or simply type 'figshell' on the 
command line to run the program.  The very first time the program is run, it 
will prompt you for the location of 'FIGLET.EXE' and the location of your figlet
fonts.  You must type the DIRECTORY ONLY for these locations.  FIGSHELL 
requires that your main FIGLET program be OS/2 native, and that it is named 
FIGLET.EXE.  All font files must end in the extension FLF.

After entering the locations of the executable and fonts, FIGSHELL will 
automatically poll the font directory for a list of Figlet fonts.  This way, you
can keep adding fonts, and FIGSHELL will always be aware of them, with no 
configuration changes to the program necessary!  If you add a font while running
figshell, simply bring up the configure, set font path dialogue, and click OK. 
The new font list will be automatically generated.

The rest of the interface is very straightforward.  There is help text at the 
bottom of the window that explains what each object in the main FIGSHELL window 
does.


CONFIGURATION:
--------------
FIGSHELL will keep track of the following settings automatically and load those 
settings the next time the program is run (Registered Version Only)

     FIGLET.EXE location
     location of fonts
     Preview colors (see next section for info on modifying these)
     Output colors  (see next section for info on modifying these)
     Figlet Font to use
     Width
     Justification
     IRC Attributes
     translation strings
     REXX and DOS output options


HINTS AND TIPS:
---------------
*In a later version of this program, I plan to include Right Mouse button support 
for settings like the colors for the output and preview window.  Until then, 
you can STILL customize your FIGSHELL colors.  Here's how:
      - Open the OS/2 Solid Color Pallette.
      - To change the Background color, Drag the desired color with the right 
        mouse button to the font preview or output window
      - To change the Foreground color, Hold the <Control> key down while 
        dragging the desired color to the font preview or output window.
      - If you have registered FIGSHELL, these settings are saved and loaded the
        next time you run the program.

*As an incentive to register the program, I have disabled the ability to load 
settings (this will be obvious each time you run the program) and have also 
disabled the 'To Clipboard' button.  Everything else functions normally.  You do
not need the 'To Clipboard' button to copy your output to the clipboard.  You 
can achieve this by selecting the output text with the mouse, and then pressing 
<Control>-<Insert>.  The 'To Clipboard' button is faster, and much easier, 
though, so please register! :)


REGISTERING FIGSHELL:
---------------------
*Why register?

Registration will allow you to save all of the configuration options for figshell.
In addition, the <to Clipboard> button will be enabled.  Other than these two 
incentives to register, the program functions normally.

Your support will also help me create more programs, and support this program in 
the future.


*How to register

See the included file, Order.frm for instructions on registering the program.  

After receiving your order, I will Email a special registration number to you
that will unlock all of FIGSHELL's features.  If you do not have an Email address, 
I will send this number via normal mail at no charge to you.


*Entering your registration number

After you receive your registration number, use the menu to select the Enter 
Registration Number option.  A dialogue will pop up prompting you for your 
registration number.  Type in the number that was sent to you.  The next time you 
run FIGSHELL, it will remember all of the settings as described in the 
CONFIGURATION section of this document.


Future Releases
---------------

 - Registered users need only register once.  All updates to the program are FREE
 - I will soon be releasing REXX scripts for Gammatech IRC which will closely 
   integrate FIGSHELL with GTIRC...Please don't abuse these and get yourself 
   banned from a channel :)  (oh yeah....I also have a cool set of REXX scripts 
   I have written for Gammatch IRC, so check them out, if you'd like.
   They are on my web site, http://www.epix.net/~gspath)
 - Right Mouse button support for object settings
 - Quick Render Option to automatically generate one line of FIGLET output when
   the <Enter> key is hit while in the 'Text to Convert' box.
 - Clean up of the Config Menu, integrating it into a settings notebook
 - Different colors for IRC output?
 - ANSI Animation Effects / Colors?
 - Any kewl suggestions that users make!


Thank you for trying FIGSHELL.  If you have problems, suggestions, or questions,
please contact me at gsp...@epix.net, or look me up on the IRC.  I usually go by
the nick, Wease.

-- Greg Spath, Author of FIGSHELL.
__________________________________________________
reply-to address is incorrect.  Please send any
email to gsp...@epix.net.
__________________________________________________
Greg Spath (Wease on IRC)     |  SKYDIVING
gsp...@epix.net               |  MOUNTAINBIKING
http://www.epix.net/~gspath   |  OS/2 and IRC
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