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Reichart · 03-08-2003, 07:33 PM

I use “DUAL” to refer to all multi-monitor issues because it is easier to type.

Morgan is correct: 1.1.7 is a mess. But the reason it is a mess is a good thing. Permit me to explain:

We set out to build a multi-monitor version, and went about it by studying the docs (of what little is available), and then implementing it the way it SHOULD BE. It worked on our systems in the office.

But has not worked on just about 95% of the systems out there, which is why we did a small private test with Morgan, and the Fans here.

What we have since learned is:

1. There are a LOT of configurations out there.
2. they are not support correctly by M$ (what’s new?)
3. Each video company has their own standard.
4. there are User Interface issues that reach beyond even what the video card companies can solve, or M$ for that matter.

The good news is: more and more people are getting multiple monitors. We, here at Prolific, have 5 people now running DUAL, and growing. And we REALLY want to support this in all its glory.

Why is this good? Because instead of depending on generic function calls, which when used correctly will in fact only support some percentage of system, because M$ does not have their act together…we will do this all from scratch so that it all works. So, our pain will mean this works for everyone.

The #1 request is for the multiple monitors to have different backgrounds, and that the fish can move from one monitor to another. This has a few difficulties associated with it, but we WILL do this one day, but not for a while.

Here is a list of the features we are trying for:

1. Allow the screen art to show up on all monitors (using the fastest blitting methods possible).
2. Allow the screen art to show up on selected monitors, blacking the others.
3. Allow the screen art to show up on selected monitors, while allowing others to continue being used (this is very tricky).

We decided to wait until after 2.0 was completed to re-engage the DUAL issues because they are really a subset of the new UI we just completed, which handed resolutions, CPU speed, and colour depth much more intelligently. The next step we have to do before we do the DUAL issues is to build into the product a complete system to detect the system’s specs, video card(s), and drivers, and help each user either get the product running in the first place, or optimize and run the most efficiently.

03-08-2003, 07:33 PM	#96
Reichart CTO Prolific Publishing Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Maui Posts: 423	Dual I use “DUAL” to refer to all multi-monitor issues because it is easier to type. Morgan is correct: 1.1.7 is a mess. But the reason it is a mess is a good thing. Permit me to explain: We set out to build a multi-monitor version, and went about it by studying the docs (of what little is available), and then implementing it the way it SHOULD BE. It worked on our systems in the office. But has not worked on just about 95% of the systems out there, which is why we did a small private test with Morgan, and the Fans here. What we have since learned is: 1. There are a LOT of configurations out there. 2. they are not support correctly by M$ (what’s new?) 3. Each video company has their own standard. 4. there are User Interface issues that reach beyond even what the video card companies can solve, or M$ for that matter. The good news is: more and more people are getting multiple monitors. We, here at Prolific, have 5 people now running DUAL, and growing. And we REALLY want to support this in all its glory. Why is this good? Because instead of depending on generic function calls, which when used correctly will in fact only support some percentage of system, because M$ does not have their act together…we will do this all from scratch so that it all works. So, our pain will mean this works for everyone. The #1 request is for the multiple monitors to have different backgrounds, and that the fish can move from one monitor to another. This has a few difficulties associated with it, but we WILL do this one day, but not for a while. Here is a list of the features we are trying for: 1. Allow the screen art to show up on all monitors (using the fastest blitting methods possible). 2. Allow the screen art to show up on selected monitors, blacking the others. 3. Allow the screen art to show up on selected monitors, while allowing others to continue being used (this is very tricky). We decided to wait until after 2.0 was completed to re-engage the DUAL issues because they are really a subset of the new UI we just completed, which handed resolutions, CPU speed, and colour depth much more intelligently. The next step we have to do before we do the DUAL issues is to build into the product a complete system to detect the system’s specs, video card(s), and drivers, and help each user either get the product running in the first place, or optimize and run the most efficiently. *Reichart...* , CTO, Prolific Publishing, Inc. Come visit us Prolific Publishing, Inc.