TISShot version 2.0
 (C) 1999 Kirk Meyer
kirkmeyer@bigfoot.com
=====================

NOTE: This is the first public release of this program, which was previously
proprietary to ticalc.org. It is now available for the community to use.

Well, it is finally done. This program allows you to quickly and easily take
screenshots using a Windows emulator. The program seamlessly integrates with
emulators, automatically detecting where to take the screenshot from and how
to configure the colors. This version includes support for Emu86, Virtual TI
v2.0, and Virtual TI v2.5. Additional support can be easily integrated through
the registry.

Before you can use the program, you must install the emulator descriptions
into your registry. Do this by running "regedit", then import the included
"TISShot.reg" file into your registry. If you're scared of this, look at the
file first and you will see nothing malicious. ;) Currently supported are
Virtual TI (all calculators), and Emulator86 (TI-86). Other support can be
quite easily integrated.

NOTE: Recent versions of Virtual TI have support for "skins". TISShot has
been modified to work with the skins that come with VTI, but if you use any
other skins, the program will not work. Also, you _must_ be sure that you do
not resize your VTI to an arbitrary size. If you do so TISShot won't work. To
get back to a standard size (1x or 2x) use the right-click menu in VTI. In
the future, animated screenshot ability may be integrated directly into VTI.

Now you can run the program. I recommend putting the program in the same
directory as you will want to store most of your screenshots to (just to make
it easier). The program creates an icon in your system tray. It looks like a
very small calculator with a stoplight next to it. When red, the program is
idle. When yellow, the program is ready to begin. When green, the program is
taking a screenshot. To take a screenshot, simply click the icon with your
left mouse button. If a supported emulator is open, the program will latch on to
it, ask for a filename, and the stoplight will stay yellow. When you're ready
to go, just click it again. To stop, just uh click it again :) You may decide
that you want to put the program in your startup folder for easy access.

You can right-click on the icon to bring up the configuration dialog box.
From there you can modify timer settings. I recommend a value of 110ms for
the smoothest screenshots. Graphics-intense programs, such as RPGs, may work
better with a sampling rate of 220ms or 330ms. Be sure to turn off the
utility when done taking a screenshot; _REALLY_ big files can result if you
don't ;) There is also an option that lets you take still-motion screenshots
with the same program; many people find this preferable to using the
emulators' method of taking screenshots. Finally, you can change the comment
you want to appear in all of your GIFs. Note that if you want you can have no
comment at all by making this field blank (this is the default).

The program automatically brings the emulator that it has hooked to the front
when taking a screenshot. However, it cannot be sure that you don't do some
dimwitted thing. If you bring another window to the foreground while taking a
screenshot, you'll take a screenshot of a Windows program instead of a
calculator. The program does ignore mouse movements over the calculator
screen, and also will compensate for changes in contrast.

A few miscellaneous things now. You can have the emulator in any mode you
want, it should still work. It can be realistic mode 200%, screen only 400%,
whatever. The program always reduces the screenshots to their smallest size,
to make them take the least space. Note that new versions of VTI allow you to
stretch the screen. This is NOT supported, unless it is a perfect stretch
(i.e. 100% 200% 300% 400%). If TISShot recognizes your emulator, it will
automatically activate it. When used on a web page, I recommend using the
WIDTH and HEIGHT attributes of the <IMG> tag to expand 82, 83, 85, and 86
screenshots to double their normal size. 89 and 92 are generally good
as they are. Borders are automatically supplied around the image.

If you have problems with the program, please email me, and I'll try to fix
it! I plan on giving the source code to Rusty so that the next version of VTI
will be able to take animated screenshots...

=====================
 The Fine Print (TM)

You may use this program freely as long as:
* you do not tamper with the files generated by it in any way;
* you do not attempt to decompile, reverse assemble, etc. the program itself.

You may distribute this program freely as long as:
* it is kept in its unmodified archived form (3 files in the ZIP);
* you do not charge for the distributed copies of the program.

This is free software -- use at your own risk! The author is not responsible
for any damages, consequential or unconsequential, resulting from the use of
this program, including but not limited to loss of property or money. The
author makes no guarantee about fitness for a particular purpose.