Notes about Select 3i3
========================

3i3 provides a small number of updates since 3i2 was released.
StartUp Banner updated.
Homerton.Bold.Oblique metrics fixed
ColourTrans redirection to mask fix
ConvertPNG fix for paletted modes with maks as non-0.


Whilst there are too many changes to list individually, this document hopes
to address significant areas where significant changes have been made.

ROM:

   TextArea gadget has had significant improvements, including redraw speed,
   bug fixes, clipboard handling and much improved data transfer.

   ImageFileGadget is now a very capable gadget, used by the ImgViewer
   application to render images in Toolbox gadgets (via ImageFileRender).

   ImageFileRender has not changed significantly, but its usefulness is much
   improved through the new ImageFileConvert module. ImageFileConvert
   provides similar facilities to the IFR module but for conversion between
   formats. ImageFileConvert will register all its handlers with
   ImageFileRender, allowing all conversions which can be rendered natively
   to rendered. Through the ConvertSprite module, ImageFileRender is able
   to be convert its types to any other type which the converters can handle
   (for example Draw to PNG, implicitly converted through Sprite).

   Where Dynamic configuration of Internet addresses is selected ('Dynamic'
   in the IFSetup tool, '*Configure InternetIP Dynamic' manually), this will
   now invoke the ZeroConf module. ZeroConf provides an additional, aliased
   address on an interface in conformance with the latest drafts from the
   ZeroConf Working Group for link-level address configuration.
   
   The AppleTalk client is now built in to the ROM. This may be used with
   OmniClient to communicate with AppleTalk servers. Further tools will be
   included in a coming version.

   The WindowManager now supports the desktop clipboard protocol within
   writeable icons using the standard cut and paste methods. Further details
   of this can be found in a separate document detailing this operation.

   The Kernel, SpriteExtend, ColourTrans and ConvertPNG modules are now
   aware of and support the use of alpha-channel sprites. Further details of
   this can be found in a separate document detailing this operation.
   
   The Filer has been updated to support thumbnailing. Thumbnailing of
   images is provided by the ConvertSprite module using the ImageFileRender,
   to render the images themselves. Configuration of the thumbnail size and
   colour depth is flexible enough for most users needs.
   

Boot sequence:

   The boot sequence is mostly unchanged for 3i2, with the majority of the
   changes taking place within the ROM image itself.
   
   ZeroConf, DHCPClient and AppleTalk all provide information to the
   *ShowStat command, giving much better feedback of the operation of these
   networking components.
   
   New *ImgConvert tool allows command line conversion of image files.
   
   An improved *MiniZip tool has changed its command syntax, but now fits
   better with the standard Info-Zip tools.
   
   New *MiniGrep allows searching for strings from the command line. Not a
   large tool, but handy nonetheless.
   
   Configuration of the Filer has been revamped, bringing it in line with
   the new Window and Icon border setup tools. The new tool is better
   organised and allows the new thumbnail options to be configured.

   A new recycle bin tool has been provided, trapping user deletions and
   allowing them to be restored through normal filer operations. Of itself,
   this represents a significant improvement in usability of the system
   by removing the worry from deleting files.

   The softload configuration tool and the installer both now support the
   installation of 'Changes' files. For this reason, we strongly recommend
   that if you are installing ROM images you do so by dropping the archive
   on the window when requested, rather than extracting the ROM itself.
   The 'Information' button allows you to consult these files.

   The resolver configuration tool can now locate DNS servers on the local
   network and presents these in a menu.


Applications :

   The new NetLights application provides an indication of traffic from
   or to this machine on the network.
   
   A significantly enhanced version of Paint is supplied which has
   had many faults addressed and significant new features added.
   
   The Draw application can now import files through the ImageFileConvert
   tool, allowing many more image formats to be loaded (and converted to
   native formats).

   
Notes about image conversions and rendering:

   The new conversion modules allow for a much greater degree of flexibility
   where rendering of images is required. It is expected that applications
   using these modules benefit immediately from the support for alpha
   channel. As an example, the open source 'NetSurf' browser was updated
   to support the rudimentary use of ImageFileRender to evaluate its
   potential. After the ConvertPNG module had been updated to generate
   alpha-channel sprites, NetSurf was again tested - without any changes to
   the code. 

   NetSurf here was only used as an example because it was a completely
   open source implementation of a browser which will run under RISC OS.
   The !RSS client has supported ImageFileRender for some time now and thus
   supports all the image formats provided by the system.
   
   GIF images are NOT supported at present. The ConvertGIF module will
   merely produce an image of a GIF file. This is pending the free
   availability of the LZW decoder in 2004.
 

