initial commit

THING/APFELIMG/APFELIMG.INF

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# apfelimg.inf
+#
+# (Translator's note: The name of this folder and file group is taken
+# from the word 'Apfelm<6C>nchen', which is the German term for fractals.)
+#
+# With this file, which is looked for first in the configuration 
+# directory (for instance in $HOME or $THINGDIR) and then in Thing's
+# starting directory, one can specify the size of the calculated 
+# fractal tiles (the assumed default is 64x40). With the commands 
+# 'x_size=<tile-width>' and 'y_size=<tile-height>' one can set the 
+# size in both directions; a value of -1 here means that for the 
+# appropriate direction the corresponding size of the desktop's working
+# area will be used.
+#
+# Those who do not own a Medusa with a 68040 are advised not to increase 
+# the standard 64x40 size by much, as otherwise the tiles will take an 
+# agonisingly long time to calculate (I'm no expert in fractal algorithms).
+# But as ApfelImg was anyway only meant as a gag that no one is likely to 
+# want to use permanently, this should be bearable. It is mainly meant to 
+# illustrate the possibilities of Thing's picture-module interface.
+
+x_size=64
+y_size=40
+

THING/APFELIMG/APFELIMG.TXT

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+Short description of ApfelImg, as of: 18.09.1996
+------------------------------------------------
+
+ApfelImg is an external picture module for Thing from Version 1.08 on; 
+it calculates random fractal tiles, which then fill Thing's desktop.
+
+Using it is easy: Copy APFELIMG.OVL into Thing's start directory and 
+rename it to THINGIMG.OVL (the original module of this name should be 
+saved elsewhere first, or re-named). If desired one can also create an 
+APFELIMG.INF (you will find an explanation about this in the sample file 
+in this directory). Those using a computer with a 68020 CPU or better 
+should use the faster APFEL020.OVL in place of APFELIMG.OVL.
+
+If you now open Thing's 'Configuration...' dialogue ('Extras' menu), 
+activate 'Use image' in the 'Background image' area on the 'Desktop' page 
+and quit the dialogue with 'OK', then instead of a finished picture a 
+random portion of the well-known fractal graphic will be calculated. 
+Depending on the computer type, size of the portion and set picture size 
+this can easily take several minutes. If one has set the 'Centre image' 
+option, then only a small picture in the centre of the desktop will be 
+displayed, of course. For tiling the whole desktop area, 'Centre image' 
+must not be active. The 'Use image palette' option as well as the image 
+'File' have no meaning when ApfelImg is used.
+
+Of course ApfelImg is not a particularly meaningful module, specially as 
+it is not exactly fast in action. But it illustrates nicely that, with 
+external modules, Thing is not limited just to loading ready-made 
+pictures. Someone could also design a module, say, to load a random image 
+from a pool of graphics (a kind of 'Picture of the day' module).
+
+Anyone interesting in writing their own image module for Thing (that of 
+course can also load quite 'normal' pictures of a given format), should 
+get in touch with me. A basic condition, though, is that the finished 
+module should be freeware, and in its original condition (i.e. before 
+copying to the Thing folder) is not called THINGIMG.OVL. Any INF-file 
+included may also not be called THINGIMG.INF, since these two names are 
+reserved for the module by Thomas K<>nneth included with Thing.
+
+My address:
+
+Thomas Binder
+Johann-Valentin-May-Stra<72>e 7
+64665 Alsbach-H<>hnlein
+
+EMail: binder@rbg.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de (InterNet)
+       gryf@hrz.tu-darmstadt.de (ditto)
+       Thomas Binder @ HD (MausNet, no mails > 16K!)
+