EASYVIEW GIF version 1.2

Release Date June 1, 1994


Features:

Easyview GIF helps you organize and view your GIF files.
Easyview GIF is much more than just a great GIF viewer. With
Easyview, you can quickly group your GIF images into categories
that you define. Your images may reside on any disk even a CD
ROM. You may create both a short and long description for
each GIF file; you no longer need to deal with cryptic eight
character file names. Once you have cataloged your GIF, you can
quickly view them and read the narratives without having to
know where the GIF file actually resides. Both a selective and
a slide show mode are available for viewing your GIF. Easyview's
rating and password features will keep GIF of a mature theme
hidden from users without the proper security level.
Easyview GIF utilizes one of the computer industries premiere
GIF file viewers. Easyview GIF is capable of displaying GIF
files on all monitor types supporting over 40 different video
cards including VESA BIOS cards. Once you have tried Easyview,
you will never want to use another viewer!


Installation:

Make a new directory on your hard disk, then copy the file
"ezvgif.zip" into the newly created directory. Next, you will
need to use the program PKUNZIP to unpack this compressed file.
Before running Easyview GIF you will need to create a variable in
the DOS environment table of your computer. The environment table
can be updated by using the DOS "SET" command. Since the DOS
environment table is lost each time you turn off your computer, it
is best to add the "SET" command to your "autoexec.bat" file. The
set command must read as follows: SET CLIPPER=x32


Using:

To begin using Easyview GIF, change into the directory where you
had installed the program and type "EZVMAINT". This will bring
up the maintenance program of Easyview GIF. Type "ADMIN" as both
the user login name and the password. Note, this login allows
full access to all photo albums regardless of the ratings you
have assigned to them. You might want to create other logins
if there will be other people using Easyview GIF. The "ADMIN"
login is the only login that will allow access to the Easyview
maintanance program. You may change the password for the "ADMIN"
login if you desire. If you change the "ADMIN" password and
forget the new password you can run the program "ADMINPAS.EXE"
to reset the password for the "ADMIN" login back to "ADMIN".
Next, you need to run the setup option. This option will ask you
to enter DOS paths to your GIF files. You may enter three
separate paths which can be directories all on the same drive
or on different drives. If you have a CD ROM disk containing GIF
files you can enter the drive letter of a CD ROM drive as one
of your three path statements. Now you are ready to begin
cataloging your GIF files into computer photo albums. Choose
the "Create/Update Albums" option to create new photo albums.
Photo albums are simply a means for grouping your GIF images
into categories. Once you have created your albums you can
add GIF images into the albums using one of two options. The
"Uncataloged GIF" option is the best way to begin cataloging your
GIF images since this option will first allow you to preview
your image and then select an apropirate photo album. However,
once an image is cataloged it will no longer appear in the
uncataloged GIF pick list. If you desire to cataloge a GIF
into more than one cataloge you will need to first open a
photo album using the "Update/Create Albums" option. This
option will allow you to select images from a pick list
containing all your GIF images.

After you have cataloged your GIF files you can begin using
just the viewing part of the Easyview GIF system. To do this
exit the Easyview GIF maintenance program and type "EZV". You
will need to enter a login name and password to begin. From this
program you will be able to access your photo albums and view
them in either single or slide show modes.

Trouble Shooting:

The Easyview and Easyview Maintenance programs both operate using
the DOS text mode until you choose to view a GIF file at which
time the programs enter the DOS graphics mode. If the Easyview
programs run but your GIF files do not display, the Easyview
system may be having problems entering graphics mode. The
first thing you should do is be sure you have entered the
command "SET CLIPPER=x32" at the DOS prompt or in your
"autoexec.bat" file. If your GIF still do not display, you
may need to free up some memory (RAM). To free up memory you
could remove any unnecessary terminate stay ready (TSR)
programs. TSR programs are loaded from your "autoexec.bat" each
time you start your computer. Examples of TSR's are programs
like SideKick, screen savers CD ROM drivers etc ... . If your
GIF still do not display, you should be sure that other graphic
programs on your computer work. It is possible you need to load
a driver file or run a utility program that came with your video
card before running the Easyview system. If Easyview can not
identify the chip set used on your video card, it will look for
a VESA BIOS extension (VBE) program and attempt to use VESA
support. Some super VGA cards have VBE programs built into the
card while others require the user to load a VBE programs as
a TSR. If a VBE program was supplied on a diskette with your
video card, you may need to run that program before running
Easyview. Finally, if you attempt to display a GIF which was
created for a video mode or resolution not supported by your
video card, the GIF will not display.