Apparently-To: john.smith@gravis.com


GUS Programmer's Digest     Sun, 26 Dec 93  3:46         Volume 7: Issue   7  

Today's Topics:
                       GUS SDK 2.10 impressions

Standard Info:
	- Meta-info about the GUS can be found at the end of the Digest.
	- Before you ask a question, please READ THE FAQ.

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Date: Sat, 25 Dec 93 19:29:00 CST
From: chuth@lonestar.utsa.edu (Cornel H. Huth)
Subject: GUS SDK 2.10 impressions

First Impressions of the 2.10 version of the GUS SDK.

First, I went straight to the patch file docs. Where are they? Same
as before - at the very end. And as before, the documentation is
still missing lots. For example, line 6714 (all documentation
references are to ULTRADOC.TXT) is a repeat of 2.01:

    { bit 0 = 8 or 16 bit wave data.            }
    { bit 1 = Signed - Unsigned data.           }
    { bit 2 = looping enabled-1.                }
    { bit 3 = Set is bidirectional looping.     }
    { bit 4 = Set is looping backward.          }
    { bit 5 = Turn sustaining on. (Env. pts. 3) }
    { bit 6 = Enable envelopes - 1              }

Nowhere does it say "when bit0=1 then...". It's all a guessing game
(that's all it really can be). Later, in line 6963, these "modes"
are further defined. Still, nowhere does it say "when bit0=1...". I
take it from the wording in 6963+ that all definitions are for when
the bit is set. Still, the above is about as crazy as anything.

In line 6945, "A complete table" is mentioned (and again, and again).
There is no table.

In line 6988, the scale factor is mentioned as 0, 512, 1024... In line
6724, it says: Scale_Factor    : WORD; { From 0 to 2048 or 0 to 2 }
Just what we really need (not!) -  more ambiguity.

In line 6846, the start/end loop fractions defs are again wrong!
(The only other documentation I have on this is the beta SDK, and
it too is wrong!). The high nybble is the end fraction; the low
nybble the start. How can this still be wrong?!

In line 6905, the SDK lists balance=0 as 100% right; 15 as 100% left.
Line 4627 lists the exact opposite.

Probably the most disturbing item is the NOTICE, line 86, to quote:

Any copying, duplication, selling, or otherwise distributing the program or
support files described in this manual, other than for the limited purposes
of system  backup and  loading the  program into  the computer  as part  of
executing the program, is a violation of the software license agreement and
the law.  Willful violation of the  copyright law of the United States  can
result in statutory damages of up to $50,000 in addition to actual damages,
plus   criminal penalties  of imprisonment  for  up to  one year  and/or  a
$10,000 fine.

Just who are they trying to scare? Developers like me? Take a hike, bozos.


Commentary:
This is all I'm going to spend my time on for this silly text file. While
it is "nice" that the GUS has this sort of SDK, that I found no less than
five problems in my first five minutes (I'm really only interested in the
patch format -- yes, I was disappointed) probably means that this thing
should not have left Canada as is. I would feel very uneasy about using
any of the code in this SDK, to say the least. Actually, since I write
all my own, this isn't a problem for me. Look for Ruckus. Supports dozens
of cards, and all natively, and all nearly all compilers, and dynamic
link executables available.

For those that would like to chew the fat, you can contact me through:

 Internet: chuth@lonestar.utsa.edu  [long-time alumnus]
  Fidonet: 1:387/800.8 (Cornel Huth)
or my BBS: 40th Floor. 1(210)684-8065 M-F 5pm to 9am, Weekends 1pm to 9am.

Awaiting SDK version 2.20 (sort of).
--

------------------------------

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