PROGRAM: Quixx AUTHOR: Jonathan Kraidin on 2/90 VERSION: 2.21 on 07/91 LAST VER: 2.30 on 08/18/91 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 sensed at COM1, COM2 and PS/2 port. 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. Because Quixx modifies the execution of its code if a mouse is present I suggest that if you are using a mouse to always have the MOUSE.SYS or MOUSE.COM file already loaded from your config.sys or autoexec.bat file. Otherwise, Quixx may not properly detect your hardware. 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 (COM or Bus Mouse) or a PS/2 mouse it will be 'sensed' when you move it and Quixx will restore your screen. The keyboard will not work if you are using a mouse. 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. ** Please note ** Version 2.30 includes the memory override option. This is useful if you have both Extended and Expanded memory installed. By typing 'Quixx x' you force Quixx to use Extended memory if available; by typing 'Quixx e' you force Quixx to use Expanded memory. These options will only work if you have the memory driver and enough memory for your monitor type. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- **** Version 2.1 was released so that Quixx would be more completely compatible with Windows. Version 2.03 only worked with Windows in REAL mode. That is, Windows operating like conventional software. When in Enhanced mode, Windows becomes an operating system that puts other programs in a virtual environment: their own universe. This created a situation where Quixx would run, but one could not stop it since the keyboard and mouse no longer responded to the user. Version 2.1 should take care of this problem; however, I can not make any guarentees, yet. I would appreciate your input and comments letting me know if this works. Believe me, this took a lot of time and effort. **** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are having problems with Windows I suggest you make a BATCH file to remove/load Quixx when entering/exiting Windows. If you are EXITING Windows (whether you have a mouse or not) you should use a BATCH file that will REMOVE Quixx from memory (Quixx r) and then RE-INSTALL it after you are done with Windows. 9. OTHER APPLICATIONS Version 2.11 was developed such that the user can move in and out of applications without worrying about conflicts. A user can be running a CAD application and then move to another without worrying about the Quixx TSR. However, I can not test Quixx with all applications. There may be some incompatibilities. If so, please mail me a letter stating the version of Quixx, your hardware (including type of mouse & location), and a copy of the application (in case I don't have it). You can also inform me of the problem via CompuServe. 10. 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 6100 City Line Avenue Apartment 1504 Philadelphia, PA 19131 CIS 72571, 2122 Disclaimer: The author of this program makes no guarentees to its function, compatibility with other software or lack of risk in its use. While Quixx should not cause any problems, this program is executed at the users own risk and the author is not responsible for any damages, data loss or problems resulting directly or indirectly from its use. In no event shall the author or distributers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this product, even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Windows is a product of MicroSoft Corporation.