Copyright: Copyright® 1994 DPM Computer Solutions


CONTENTS


About The Publisher

The Shareware / Freeware Report

     Editor-in-Chief: David McCarter

The Shareware / Freeware Report is published by:

DPM Computer Solutions
8430-D Summerdale Road
San Diego, CA 92126-5415 USA.

InterNet:DPMCS@HIGH-COUNTRY.COM
CompuServe: INTERNET:DPMCS@HIGH-COUNTRY.COM

All  brand names and product names used in this newsletter are rademarks, registered trademarks or trade names of their respective holders.

Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

Copyright 1994, DPM Computer Solutions, all rights reserved.

Non-Biased

To keep our reviews as non - biased as possible, TSFR is not affiliated with ANY software developer, BBS system or on-line service (CIS, AOL etc.).

 Where To Find New And Old Issues Of This Newsletter


WHERE TO FIND THE SHAREWARE FREEWARE REPORT
Where To Find The Shareware/Freeware Report

(The) Centre - BBS (New Zealand):

9-443-7679 / 24 hours (V22bis, V32, V42bis, MNP5)

CICA- FTP InterNet Site:

ftp.cica.indiana.edu [129.79.20.17]

High Country East - BBS (San Diego, CA):

619-789-4391  USR Dual Standard V32bis,   619-788-0831  Compucom. Featuring quality PD and Shareware software.  San Diego callers use 619-440-0231

Lakeside Wildcat!- BBS (San Diego, CA):

(619) 390-7328 9600 HST, (619) 443-4089 Dual Standard

Oakland - FTP InterNet Site:

[141.210.10.117]

Windows-R-Us - BBS (San Diego, CA):

(619) 944-7368 2400/ 1200/ 300. (619) 944-8583 USR 14.4.  **Offical site of TSFR! Carries all programs reviewed and the latest issues. Join conference SFREPT for file listings or to leave messages for the editor.**


Attention Developers

We Need Your Programs!

Rules for submitting your program: All programs submitted must be  compatible with DOS 6.2 or Windows 3.11. Programs must not be crippled in anyway or missing features (the ASP guidelines apply). Programs must be submitted on a 3 1/2 floppy disk mailed in a floppy disk mailer. If you submit a 'Press' or 'Registered' copy, please also submit the shareware or
freeware version zipped using the latest version of PKZip. Also supply the easiest way to get in contact with you. I prefer CompuServe or InterNet.

Send to:
The Shareware / Freeware Report
Attn: Reviews
8430-D Summerdale Road
San Diego, CA 92126-5415 USA

All programs submitted will be reviewed!. When reviewed you will receive notification in what issue it was reviewed in and where to obtain a copy (via E-Mail).

TSFR Offers Low Cost Advertising For Developers and BBS Sysops

TSFR is now offering low cost advertising to developers of shareware and BBS sysops. This will keep TSFR free to users. This will lead to a larger number of readers who can read your advertisement and purchase your product.

Since there is one issue per year of TSFR with updates released about every two months, your advertisement will be carried in TSFR for an entire year.

For more information about advertising in TSFR, write to the address above or send an e-mail message to DPMCS@HIGH-COUNTRY.COM


Back Issues

Vol. 1 #1- Nov./DEC. 1993

TSFRV1N1.ZIP

Windows Programs

•	MicroLink 1.04

•	FontShow 5.1a

•	PrintEnvelope 2.32c

•	UltraClip 1.7

DOS Programs

•	PostCardMaster 4.11

•	The Invoice Store 3.0

•	SkyGlobe 3.5

Games

•	1993TRIS 6.0

Programmer Utilties

•	MessageBox Value

Beta Issue - Aug. 1993

S&FBETA.ZIP

Windows Programs

•	Paint Shop Pro 1.01

•	WinGif 1.4

•	Graphics Workshop 1.0e

•	Rockford 2.0

DOS Reviews

•	Over_LAZ 3.0

•	CopyQM 3.02

•	MicroMacroBat

Games

•	WinWheel 1.6


BBS SYSTEMS
High Country Eats BBS

Windows-R-Us


High Country Eats BBS

High Country Eats BBS is an all purpose bbs in Ramona, CA that has over 67,000 files, over 50 online games, Fidonet Echo mail, and connection to the Internet for Email and Newsgroups.  High Country Eats BBS has one of the largest and most complete set of files in the nation for cooking enthusiasts.
The bbs opperates 3 incoming phone lines on high speed US Robotics modems.  About 3,000 new files are added every month. First time users are offered a free 30-day full access to determine whether they would like to subscribe for $25 for a full year.


WINDOWS R US
Windows-R-Us Is The First Official Site Of The Shareware / Freeware Report!

All reviews and programs reviewed in TSFR will be available on Windows-R-Us in San Diego, CA. Until the next issue is released, everyone will be able to access TSFR conference "SFREPT". When the next issue is released, only users with TSFR subscriptions will be able to access the conference. Users with subscriptions will also be able to access the high speed line FREE!


CopyQM 3.10

In October of 1993, Sydex released their latest version of CopyQM. This DOS based program is the best disk copy program I've been able to find (DOS or Windows).

These are just some the new features in version 3.10:

•	Uses Direct Hardware Access as the default control access. BIOS Access is still available for users who plan to use CopyQM under Windows or OS/2.

•	Comment records may now be added to diskette image files (registered version only).

•	Allows the user to copy Apple Macintosh high-density diskettes without special processing.

The new program comes with a new, better looking interface. Sydex also states that the new version is faster. I did a quick test using 3.02 and 3.10. I used no special switches. The new version seems to be a little slower then the older version. Still, CopyQM is still fast, especially when making massive copies of disks. I still don't recommend using CopyQM under Windows, it really slows down the process.

This program is a must for any shareware developer. It will save you a lot of money and keep your frustration level down.

CopyQM Is Developed By:

Sydex, Incorporated
PO Box 5700
Eugene, OR 97405
Phone: 503.683.6033 - Fax: 503.683.1622 - BBS: 503.683.1385

Registration Fee: $25
Original Review: August 1993 (S&FBETA.ZIP)
Original ScoreCard Grade: A


Corrections

The Invoice Store - Nov/Dec 1993 Issue

There were a few erros in the review of The Invoice Store 3.0. The registration fee for version 3.0 is $95 not $35. Non-whole numbers can be entered into the quanity field if the item is marked as a 'Service'. We stated that it did not print well on a HP DeskJet. The laser forms were designed to work with a fully compatible HP LaserJet printer... the HP DeskJet is not fully compatible.


COSMO
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure- The Forbidden Planet

If you are looking for a fun, entertaining and nonviolent game for your kids, then try Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure! It's so fun, parents will enjoy it too.

This DOS based game, is about a space creature, Cosmo. Cosmo's space ship was hit by a comet and crash landed on a planet. While Cosmo's dad was fixing the ship, Cosmo decided to go out and play. When he came back, he discovered that his parents were taken by a hungry alien creature. Cosmo's mission is to rescue his parents before it's too late.

This adventure comes with ten different levels, The first few levels are fairly easy, then they become increasingly difficult. Each level is a different part the planet. One level is a scary forest with ghosts. Another is a underground cave with falling rocks with faces on them. There is also an ice cave and a structure with flames shooting from tubes, just to name a few.

Cosmo defeats a wide variety of creatures by either jumping on them or exploding bombs next to them. Cosmo earns points by collecting stars, strawberries and other items. He collects health by collecting molecules. He can also collect more bombs to help defeat his enemies.

The graphics for this game is excellent! The game also supports sound cards (I have a SoundBlaster). The keyboard is re-mappable to suit your liking. The sound and music can be toggled on or off.

The shareware version of Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure is the first game in a series of three adventures. To save Cosmo's parents, you need to purchase the other two adventures. Registration goodies include the latest versions of all three adventures, a secret cheat-mode password, hints and secrets guide and a free bonus game.

Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure Is Developed By:

Apogee Software
PO Box 476389
Garland, TX 75047

Registration Fee: $39
File Name: #1COSMO.ZIP


DOS Reviews


Drag And Zip 3.2

Have you ever wanted to zip and unzip files in Windows using PKZip instead of going to the DOS prompt ? Well now you can, using the File Manager and the program Drag And Zip. This new version of the progam now supports the new PKZip 2.04G.

Unzipping a file is as easy as double clicking on the file in File Manager. That brings up a Zip Viewer that gives you the opportunity to view any file in the zipped file, delete a file, run a file, extract one or more files or make a .EXE file! Running a file (like a Windows Write file) will automatically extract the file and bring it up in the appropriate program. After editing the file, it can be zipped back into the original zip file.

Drag And Zip can also scan your zip file for viruses (providing you have a virus scanning program). It also has a feature called "Check Out". Check Out temporarily unzips a file and puts the extracted files in a "Check Out" program group so you can try them out.  When you're all done you can delete the extracted files and the "Check Out" group automatically, or if you want to keep the group, you can save it under another name.

To zip a file or group of files or a directory, simply highlight them in File Manager and drop them onto the Drag And Zip icon! A dialog box will appear asking you for the file name, output directory and also let you enter command line arguments. If you are like me and alway forget the arguments, the handy 'browse arguments' features will allow you to coose the arguments you want and will automatically add them.

The program also comes with a handy icon that allows you to launch the File Manager and Drag And Zip at the same time.

To use Drag And Zip you must be using Windows 3.1 and have your own copies of PKZIP, PKUNZIP and ZIP2EXE.

DragAndZIP Is Developed By:

Dan Baumback
Canyon Software
1537 Fourth St. Suite 131
San Rafaell CA 94901

Registration Fee: $25
File Name:


Dupe 1.4c

Running out of disk space on your hard drive? Before you run out and purchase Stacker or another hard drive, check out Dupe. Dupe will scan any drive for duplicate files. Due to the nature of Windows programs that have either no install program or a poorly written one, you might have the same file located in many different directories on your fixed drives. The biggest culprits are DLL, VBX, COM or even EXE files.

Files such as DLL's or VBX's are for the most part, common files. This means that they are used by many different Windows programs. In most cases they should be located in the Windows system directory. When some programs install, they might put those files in the program directory, the Windows directory or ideally in the Windows system directory. This can cause many duplicate copies of the same file.

Files such as COM or EXE are usually duplicated when a new version of a program is installed. For instance, if you upgrade to DOS 6.2, it will copy to the DOS directory new versions of Smartdrive, EMM386 and Ramdrive programs. These programs also reside in your Windows directory. Not only should you use the new versions, you can free up disk space by deleting the old files.

Dupe makes this process very easy. As many drives as you want can be configured to search. Specific directories can be searched as well as specific file types (*.*, *.bat etc.). Searches are performed either by name, size or contents. Checksums can also be used. Minimum and maximum file sizes can be set as well as checking for hidden files and subdirectories. After starting the search, the multi-tasking switch can be set and Dupe can be minimized. Dupe works so well the background, you won't even notice it running. When it's done the  "Search Results" box will display.

The "Search Results" box displays each group of duplicate files. The files can be compared to each other to make sure they are the same. If they are, one or more can be chosen to be deleted. The files are not deleted at that time. When you are finished reviewing the duplicate files and choose "Exit and Delete", you will be given one more chance before they are really deleted.

Be for warned!! When it comes to program files (EXE, COM, DLL, VBX etc.), if you are unsure if the file can be safely deleted, DON'T DELETE IT! It's a good idea to run Dupe every once in awhile to keep your drive free of duplicate files.

Dupe 1.4 Is Developed By:

Babbacombe Computers Ltd
397 Meanwood Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
UK
LS7 2LL

Registration Fee: $25
File Name:DUPE14C.ZIP


Editorials


Game Reviews

 Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure- The Forbidden Planet


Hall Of Fame

The section contain all the programs that receive a grade of "A" or "A+" from previous reviews. Refer to this section to find the best shareware or freeware programs on the market!

CopyQM

This DOS based program the the best full featured disk copier around! A must for anyone who does a lot of disk copying (like shareware or freeware developers).
Shareware fee is: $25
Developed By: Sydex
Issue Reviewed In: August 1993 (S&FBETA.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A

FontShow

This program is fantastic for creating catalogs of all those fonts loaded in Windows. FontShow is compatible with Adobe Type Manager, Bitstream Facelift, SuperPrint, Publisher's PowerPak and TrueType fonts.
Shareware fee is: $15
Developed By: Harvey J. Kaye
Issue Reviewed In: Nov/Dec 1993 (TSFRV1N1.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A

MicroLink

This is the best Windows based communications program around. Even better than any commercial package I've found.
Shareware fee is: $35
Developed By: MicroWerks
Issue Reviewed In: Nov/Dec 1993 (TSFRV1N1.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A

SkyGlobe

If you are into astromony, then you can't pass-up this DOS program. SkyGlobe is packed with lots of features. Enough to satisfy the hard-core astronomer and the not - so - hard - core.
Shareware fee is: $20
Developed By: ClassM Software
Issue Reviewed In:  Nov/Dec 1993 (TSFRV1N1.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A

MessageBoxValue

This programmer tool for Visual Basic gives you the message box value for a set of defaluts that you define. A must for those of us that can never remember what the values are
Freeware
Developed By: Gavin Lazarow
Issue Reviewed In:  Nov/Dec 1993 (TSFRV1N1.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A+

UltraClip

This Windows program allows multiple pasting in and out of the Windows Clipboard. UltraClip is a great timesave when moving graphics or text from one program to another!
Freeware
Developed By: Doug Overmyer
Issue Reviewed In:  Nov/Dec 1993 (TSFRV1N1.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A

WINWHEEL

WINWHEEL is a Windows games just about the same as Wheel-Of-Fortune. Great for anyone who loves the show. Shareware fee is $21.
Developed By: Russel Mueller
Issue Reviewed In: August 1993 (S&FBETA.ZIP)
Overall Grade: A


Letters To The Editor

We Welcome Your Comments On TSFR!

Please write the editor with any comments, questions and suggestions you might have on TSFR:

The Shareware/Freeware Report
Attn: Editor
8430-D Summerdale Road
San Diego, CA 92126-5415

InterNet - DPMCS@HIGH-COUNTRY.COM
CompuServe - INTERNET:DPMCS@HIGH-COUNTRY.COM


NEW AND IMPROVED
CopyQM 3.10


Newsletters Goal

Our Mission

Since most computer publications totally ignore shareware and freeware programs, our goal is to provide a forum to report to computers users which shareware and freeware programs are available.  There are hundreds of these programs that are as good or even better than their "off the shelf" counterparts.  We will review if they are worth the down load time and money, how much they cost, where they are available and when updates on current programs are released.

We will review DOS and MS Windows programs only.

This report will be written with the common PC user in mind.  We will try not to use too much off-the-wall computer jargon, so that most everyone will understand what is written.

The source of most programs reviewed will be from BBS systems, InterNet FTP sites and developers.

We also welcome comments from developers and users on any shareware and freeware program.

We hope everyone will find this report useful.  We will continue to publish this report if there is enough interest. Please fill out the questionnaire.

Non - Biased

To keep our reviews as non - biased as possible, TSFR is not affiliated with ANY software developer, BBS system or on-line service (CIS, AOL etc.).

A New Direction

TSFR is now Freeware! To make this newsletter available to as big of audience as possible, we will no longer offer paid subscriptions. TSFR will be made available via BBS, InterNet and On-Line systems. In order to accomplish this, we will accept advertising from shareware developers and BBS sysops. We will also great fully accept donations to TSFR from anyone that believes in the shareware concept as much as we do and want to help keep this project going.

As part of this new direction, there will only be one issue per year. This issue will be updated about every two months. In each update there will be more reviews added and features added and updated. For 1994, the file name to look for is: TSFR94xx.ZIP, where xx is the version number.

  The Editor


PerCnt

Any programmer that uses Visual Basic 3.0 for Windows,  either knows about or might use the Gauge VBX that comes with it. If you are like me, I like to use horizontal percent bars to let my users see the status of an operation. There is one limitation that this VBX has, when the percent bar crosses the percent numbers, the numbers do not change color. This makes in hard to read and not very professional looking. The Gauge VBX is also very time consuming to design and use during run-time.

There is a alternative, PerCnt! This VBX is very easy to use and easy to design. It can be designed to look plain or the 3D features can be used (something that's not in Gauge VBX). Just some of the properties are: BevelBar, BevelInner, BevelWidth, BevelWidthBar, TextBackColor and TextForeColor.

Best of all, PerCnt is fast and works great with VB 3.0 Pro. When I need a horizontal percent bar, PerCnt is the only VBX I use.

PerCnt Is Developed By:

James Shields
Mabry Software
P.O. Box 31926
Seattle, WA  98103-1926

Registration Fee: $12
File Name: PERCNTR.ZIP


Programmer Tools

 PerCnt


READ ONLY REVIEWS
Read Only!


READ_ONLY!_REVIEWS
Read Only!


Score Cards

Each program is ranked in the following categories:

Bang For The Buck

This grade just means how much program your getting for the money. Many programs are overpriced for what they do. For example, a Windows screen save that costs $25-$30, would score low because for a simple utility type program, it's overpriced.  A grade of "A" or "A+" indicates that this program is very useful and being priced right is a must! A grade of "C" to "B+" in this category would be average to above average. I would not bother with any program with a grade of under "C". For scoring purposes, freeware and shareware will be scored the same. Even though freeware programs cost nothing, it does not indicate that it's any good.

Ease Of Use

This grade indicates how easy the reviewed program is to learn and use. Most shareware / freeware programs should be very easy since most are not as complex as commercial programs. Windows programs should adhere to the Windows standards put out by Microsoft. A grade of "B" to "A+" indicates that most users should be able to learn and use the programs easily. A grade of  "C" and below indicates that the user will have to devote much time trying to learn and use the program.

Help System

This grade shows how much on-line help or documentation is available. This grade is VERY important and greatly affects the other scores.  Any program that is not very easy to use needs a good help system and / or good written documentation. All Windows programs should have a Windows Help File. A Windows Help File should be written so that it provides help! I've seen many Help Files that developers don't take the time to do it right and it ends up not being any help at all, just a waste of disk space. If a Windows developer writes a Help File correctly, I don't see any reason to provide documentation.  Even though it's harder to provide on-line help in DOS programs, developers should try as much as they can. If there is no on-line help (or very limited), then the developer should provide well-written documentation in ASCII format.

Other things that could effect this score:

•	How easy it is to contact the developer. Many developers only provide support through the mail. In most cases this is unacceptable. Developers should be available through e-mail (CIS, AOL, InterNet etc..). I can almost guarantee that a user would rather not use a program than write a letter and wait a week or two for a response.

•	A Grade of "B+" to "A+" indicates that the program has good to excellent help. A grade of "C" to "B" indicates that the help system is average and could make things hard for a computer novice.  A grade under "C" would indicate that the program sorely lacks  in this area and would make it difficult for most users to use or understand.

Overall

This is the average of the other scores. A grade of "B+" to "A+" would indicate that this program is excellent and is worth the download time and registration fees. A grade of "C" to "B" would indicate an average to above average program. A grade of "D" indicates that the program below average and should be heavily considered before downloading or registering. A grade of under "F" indicates that the program needs much work and should not (in our opinion) be considered by users. It would not be worth the download time (especially if you use CIS or AOL).


SHAREWARE SOFTWARE
Visual Help


Visual Help Demo

Visual Help is a powerful, easy-to-use development environment for creating Windows help files. Compared to conventional methods of creating Windows help files, Visual Help's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes the assembly of help systems fast and easy.
A Windows help file is created from a Visual Help project. Visual Help projects are divided into topics. A topic is defined as the help information displayed in one window by WinHelp during runtime.
Each topic has its own window in the Visual Help development environment. A topic's help information is originally placed there when the author drags objects off Visual Help's Objects Toolbox onto that particular topic window.
These objects include titles, headings, subheadings, paragraph text, footnotes, and graphics. The author enters text into these objects. This design later becomes what the end user sees in the WinHelp window upon opening a help file.
In addition to text and graphic objects, the toolbox contains jump objects that you can drag onto your topic windows. Jumps provide pathways between topics and create the structure through which the user will "navigate."
At any time during assembly of the Visual Help project, the author can test the jumps in the file by pressing the play button on the main window toolbar. A simulation of the compiled version of the help project appears on the screen, opening to the contents topic. This feature saves a great deal of time by eliminating the need to compile the project every time testing is performed.
After assembling and testing the project, it is compiled into a form which WinHelp can open. This is an automated process which executes the Windows help compiler, hc31.exe. Upon successful completion of the compilation process, the help file is now ready for use. The final product has an ".hlp" extension, and can be used as a stand-alone document or referenced in the source code of the parent application.

How can I get it.

 CompuServe Registration

 Telephone Registration

 Mail Registration

Note: if you would like to get the shareware version of Visual Help, you can download it from CIS MSBASIC forum,  WinSDK forum or WinSIG BBS at 714-363-9802, file name is "VH.ZIP".


VH COMPUSERVE REGISTRATION
Compuserve Registration

To register through CompuServe, you need to have a CompuServe account.

•	Log on to Compuserve

•	At any prompt type "GO SWREG"

•	Select registration Id# "891".

The registration fee will be billed to your CompuServe account.


VH TELEPHONE REGISTRATION
Telephone Registration

You can order with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover from Public Software Library by calling:

•	800-2424-PSL

or

•	713-524-6394

or by FAX at

•	713-524-6398

or by CIS Email to 71355,470.

You can also mail credit card orders to:

PsL
P.O.Box 35705
Houston, TX 77235-5705.

Make sure to specify "Visual Help"  order #10851, $49.00 will be billed to your credit card. If you order by mail or Fax be sure to include the expiration date of your credit card.

THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY. Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc, must be directed to WinWare at the address bellow or CIS Email 70272,1656.

Questions, Support, and site licenses contact

WinWare
P.O. Box 2923
Mission Viejo CA 92690

or

CompuServe 70272,1656.


VH MAIL REGISTRATION
Registering Visual Help V2.0

(To print the following form, select Print Topic from the File menu.)

Please register my copy of Visual Help. I am sending a check or money order for the amount of $49.00.

Name:

Company:

Address1:

Address2:

City:	State:	Zip:

Country:

Tel:	Fax:

Email:

Single-User Registration

Single user	.................................................................................$49.00

Multi-User Registration (Site license)

10 to 20 users	...............................................................................$400.00
21 to unlimited	...............................................................................$700.00

Amount enclosed	...........................................................................................

Send completed form with payment to

WinWare
P.O. Box 2923
Mission Viejo CA 92690

Where did you here about Visual Help

Notes


SysUse1.3

There seems to be a new system resources monitor program released every week lately. Sometimes I think that there is a collage professor out there using this as a project for his students. The best and most useful one I've found is called SysUse. This program constantly updates your CPU status, memory used, resources used and disk space left on a drive.

Other features include:

•	Re-calibrate the CPU to reinitialize it

•	Compact the Windows global memory

•	Select one or more drives to be monitored

•	Configure SysUse to stay in front

SysUse displays this information either in a window or a icon using gauges. The best feature that I use is the compacting of the Windows global memory. Sometimes when a program won't start due to low memory, I just compact the memory and it will usually start. Using SysUse resident requires only 1% of my system resources.

SysUse Is Developed By:

Jonathan Reed
1575 Agnes Ave.
Palm Bay, FL 32909.

Registration Fee: $5.95
File Name: SYSUSE13.ZIP


Windows Reviews

 Drag And Zip 3.2

 Dupe 1.4C

 SysUse 1.3


AOL

America On-Line


ATM

Adobe Type Manager


Bad CRC

When using the Z-Modem protocol a bad CRC is usually caused by noise (static) on the phone line.  This usually can not be avoided.  With using a package such as this one in the Windows environment, a bad CRC is caused when the modem buffer becomes full and tries to write to the hard drive while another program running in Windows is trying to write or read from the hard drive at the same time.


baud

Transfer rate of a modem. 2400=240 characters per second. 9600=960 characters per second and so on.


BMP

The BMP, DIB, and RLE files are known as "Device Independent Bitmap" files, or "DIB's".RLE files are Windows "DIB" files that use one of the RLE compression routines.  Thus, saving an image as a "DIB" using one of the RLE compressions would produce an identical file as saving the image as an RLE file.  The only difference would be the file name extension.


CIS

CompuServe


CLP

Windows Clipboard format


CPS

Characters Per Second


DIB

The BMP, DIB, and RLE files are known as "Device Independent Bitmap" files, or "DIB's".RLE files are Windows "DIB" files that use one of the RLE compression routines.  Thus, saving an image as a "DIB" using one of the RLE compressions would produce an identical file as saving the image as an RLE file.  The only difference would be the file name extension.


GIF

GIF files were designed to create the smallest possible image files for uploading and downloading from electronic Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).


ICO

Windows Icon File


IMG

IMG files were designed to work with the GEM environment.  The files were originally the result of the GEM Paint program.  Since the application Ventura Publisher worked in the GEM environment, it also supported the IMG file format.  In order to maintain compatibility, various other desktop publishing applications have added support for importing and exporting this format.


JAS

The JAS format files were designed to create the smallest possible image files for 24 bits-per-pixel color images and 8 bits-per-pixel grey scaled images. JAS uses a discrete cosine transformation to alter the image data and then compresses that data.  This process results in a substantial reduction of the file size when the image is saved to the disk.  Saving and retrieving an image using the JAS file format will result in some loss of image data.  The amount of loss is dependent on the compression level that you use.


MAC

MAC files come from the Macintosh program MacPaint.  Large libraries of clip art exist in the MAC format.  When the MAC files started migrating from the Macintosh to the PC world, a header was added to the file format.


MSP

MSP files come from the Microsoft Paint program (that came with Windows versions prior to version 3.0)


OLE

Object Linked Embedded


PCX

PCX files were originally created for use with the Zsoft Paintbrush program. With no standard to the industry, this format became the standard by default. This format is supported by more applications than any other format.


PIC


PIM

Personal Information Manager


RAS

RAS files are Sun Microsystems raster file format files.


RLE

The BMP, DIB, and RLE files are known as "Device Independent Bitmap" files, or "DIB's".RLE files are Windows "DIB" files that use one of the RLE compression routines.  Thus, saving an image as a "DIB" using one of the RLE compressions would produce an identical file as saving the image as an RLE file.  The only difference would be the file name extension.


TGA

The Targa TGA format was developed by Truevision for their Targa and Vista products.  It is an industry standard although not as widely supported as PCX or TIFF formats.  TGA files may be saved as non-compressed or compressed (run-length encoded).


TIFF

The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) was designed to become the standard format.  In order to become the standard, the format was designed to handle just about any possibility.  The result of this design provided the flexibility of an infinite number of possibilities of how a TIFF image is saved.  Therefore, no application, can claim to support all TIFF variations.  The best that an application can do is to support as many TIFF variations as possible, but there will always be an obscure variation that will cause a problem for some applications.


TSFR

The Shareware/Freeware Report


WMF

Windows Metafile Graphic


WPG

WordPerfect Graphic


WYSIWG

What You See Is What You Get