Jan 012018
 
New screen fonts for Prodigy; requires VGA monitor; excellent.
File VGA720X.ZIP from The Programmer’s Corner in
Category Communications
New screen fonts for Prodigy; requires VGA monitor; excellent.
File Name File Size Zip Size Zip Type
INSTALL1.BAT 1626 565 deflated
SETSPEED.COM 506 418 deflated
VGA720X.DIZ 462 314 deflated
VGA720X.DOC 8837 3548 deflated
VGA720X.OL0 20688 9905 deflated
VGA720X.OL1 20694 5896 deflated
VGA720X.SCR 5984 4494 deflated

Download File VGA720X.ZIP Here

Contents of the VGA720X.DOC file


VGA720X 1.06 Copyright (c) 1992 David Kronenwetter (DDDV17B) 1



Description:
----------------------------------------------------------------
The VGA720X is a fully custom, independently developed screen
driver for use with PRODIGY PC software version 3.1, 3.1.1,
or 3.2. These files were created without ANY assistance from
Prodigy Services Company ("PRODIGY") and do not infringe on
the copyrights of either PRODIGY or Microstar Software Ltd..



System requirements:
----------------------------------------------------------------
The VGA720X files expect:

o PRODIGY software version 3.1, 3.1.1, or 3.2. The internal
version number displayed at the lower right of PRODIGY's
sign-on screen should be either 8.19.16 or 8.19.22.

o A VGA-compatible video card.

o An 80286 or better CPU.



Registration:
----------------------------------------------------------------
The VGA720X is offered as "shareware". Try these replacement
files for 10 days. If you intend to continue use beyond the
10-day trial period, then I request a $10.00 registration fee.
Registered NEWFONT users can upgrade for just $5.00! To
register, send your name, address, PRODIGY ID, product name
(i.e. VGA720X), and check or money order to:

David Kronenwetter
4054 Palau Drive
Sarasota, FL 34241-5843

This is an intermediate release of what I hope will be an
ongoing project. Due to the uncertainty of inevitable PRODIGY
changes, these files are provided "as-is" with no warranty
other than my personal commitment to make available timely
upgrades in response to PRODIGY changes. I reserve the right
to charge a nominal $2.00 S&H fee for upgrade disks.



Installation:
----------------------------------------------------------------
This VGA720X 1.06 "package" should include the following files:

INSTALL1.BAT, VGA720X.DIZ, VGA720X.DOC, VGA720X.SCR,
VGA720X.OL0, VGA720X.OL1, and SETSPEED.COM

VGA720X 1.06 Copyright (c) 1992 David Kronenwetter (DDDV17B) 2



Copy this file: to this file in your PRODIGY directory:

VGA720X.SCR --> DRIVER.SCR
VGA720X.OL0 --> VGA720X.OL0
VGA720X.OL1 --> VGA720X.OL1

For example, if you've got PRODIGY installed on hard drive C:
and you're installing these files from floppy drive B:, then
you'd type:

C:
CD \PRODIGY
REN DRIVER.SCR DRIVER.OLD(optional)
COPY B:VGA720X.SCR DRIVER.SCR
COPY B:VGA720X.OL?

If you're installing from the A: floppy, or to a different hard
drive or directory, then make the appropriate drive\path
substitutions. It's important that all THREE (3) files reside in
your PRODIGY directory.



Command line options:
----------------------------------------------------------------
These options may be added to the end of PRODIGY's command line:

option: action:

/gselects gray-scale color scheme

/7selects 720x480 physical resolution

/w[virtual_width] sets PRODIGY's virtual pixel-width

/h[virtual_height] sets PRODIGY's virtual pixel-height

The order is arbitrary and options may appear more than once.
The default physical resolution is 640x480. Use the /7 switch
to boost this to 720x480. Unless explicitly set via the /w and
/h options, the virtual dimensions will default to the physical
dimensions. /w and /h support values ranging from 50 to 2000.

Examples:

PRODIGY "nickname" ; same as PRODIGY's VGA640
PRODIGY "nickname" /7 ; select 720x480 resolution
PRODIGY "nickname" /w400 /h300 ; select 400x300 window
PRODIGY "nickname" /7 /w640 ; 640x480 with room to spare

PRO-UTIL users should substitute "P" for "PRODIGY".

VGA720X 1.06 Copyright (c) 1992 David Kronenwetter (DDDV17B) 3



Hot-keys:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Assuming that the line "repaint key" appears somewhere in
PRODIGY's CONFIG.SM file (PRO-UTIL 5.0x and PRO-MASTER 3.0x add
this line automatically), you can use the following (with plain
PRODIGY or PRO-UTIL, but not PRO-MASTER which traps these keys).
Note: you must close any open PRODIGY windows before using
SHIFT-F6 or SHIFT-F7.

hot-key:action:

CTRL-Rrefreshes PRODIGY's display

SHIFT-F6similar to CTRL-R, but also resets the
SHIFT-F7video mode and reinitializes the driver

CTRL-R can be used to clean up the stray marks left by many
PRODIGY features. SHIFT-F6/F7 are provided for multi-tasking
environments where the task-swapper fails to properly restore
PRODIGY's previous state. Use SHIFT-F6 to select 640x480
physical resolution or SHIFT-F7 to select 720x480 resolution.



Some technical background:
----------------------------------------------------------------
The VGA720X.OL? files contain 22 bit-mapped fonts, the
replacement mouse pointer and watch icons, and the default VGA
palette. These files are loaded into unused video memory right
on the graphics card. Only DRIVER.SCR resides in DOS memory.

PRODIGY uses two types of text-- bit-mapped and vector. Bit-
mapped text is like a rubber stamp. The entire character image
already exists in memory, and is simply replicated on the
screen. Vector text is actually "drawn" with lines-- sort of a
"freehand" method. Each method has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Bit-mapped text looks better and is much faster
than the vector variety, but is limited to a finite number of
sizes (usually dictated by disk or memory considerations).
Vector text requires very little memory overhead, and can be
scaled to any size. However, that scaling requires time-
consuming mathematical calculations to determine the coordinates
of the individual lines, or "vectors", which will make up the
character.

Except for a few unusual circumstances, PRODIGY will always try
to display text as bit-mapped. If DRIVER.SCR can't support a
particular size as bit-mapped, then PRODIGY will proceed to draw
that character with lines. The VGA720X includes 22 different-
sized bit-mapped fonts (that's 2068 different images!). For
added flexibility, each size supports a range of widths and
heights. This set-up provides fairly thorough coverage at the
standard 640x480 and 720x480 resolutions. The forementioned
"usual circumstances" include text which borders the edges of
the screen and text that is displayed when PRODIGY redraws the
area previously covered by a menu or dialog box.

VGA720X 1.06 Copyright (c) 1992 David Kronenwetter (DDDV17B) 4



Compatibility issues:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Let me start this section by saying that I believe that the
VGA720X driver is 100% compatible with the current PRODIGY
software (version 3.1, 3.1.1, or 3.2). However, this doesn't
necessarily mean that all of the existing PRODIGY utilities are
automatically 100% compatible with the VGA720X.


PRO-UTIL 5.0a known problems:

o .PCX save doesn't work in either resolution
o Viewport markers aren't visible with /7
o PU's (not PRODIGY's) mouse pointer is scrambled with /7
o Some values for /w and /h may result in blank PU menus


PRO-MASTER 3.0x known problems:

o .PCX save doesn't work with /7
o On-screen clock doesn't work with /7
o CTRL-Z doesn't work with /7


VGAUTIL 2.0x known problems:

o ALT-O should not be used at either resolution
o ALT-M should not be used while running with /7
o If you access the menu with ALT-M, then you should press
SHIFT-F6 before you continue with your PRODIGY session


The supplied SETSPEED utility can be used to adjust the mouse
sensitivity. PRODIGY's MOUSE TOOL doesn't apply to the VGA720X.


Think you've discovered a new problem? Hang your reply on the
VGA720X-- PROBLEMS note that's posted under the MEMBER UTILITIES
topic of the PRODIGY Exchange bulletin board. This will allow
others to verify your claim(s). The VGA720X was subjected to
extensive beta testing prior to its public release. I've
personally tested under DR-DOS 6.0, Windows 3.1, and OS/2 2.0.
BTW, if you want to run PRODIGY in an MS or OS/2 window, then
don't use the /7 option. One last thing-- despite all the
apparent problems, /7 (720x480 resolution) looks superb!



How to contact me:
----------------------------------------------------------------
My PRODIGY ID is DDDV17B. You can write to me privately via
e-mail, or post your questions or comments under the MEMBER
UTILITIES topic of the PRODIGY Exchange Bulletin Board. [JUMP]:
EXCHANGE BB. Thanks for trying the VGA720X! --David Kronenwetter


 January 1, 2018  Add comments

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