Conference 44.370::system_management

488.0. "UTOX rides again...." by NOSTRL::DAVIES (Close, but no banana.) Wed Mar 17 1993 14:45

        
        OK, anybody interested in bringing UTOX back to play?
        
        Received this earlier today - thoughts, ideas, 
        suggestions?
        
        Keith Davies.
        





        
        Subject: UTOX Lives! - Announcing Internal Field Test 
        			    UTOX 4.0 for MOTIF
        
        
        WHAT IS UTOX?
        
        UTOX is a tool that allows DECwindows screen images to be 
        quickly captured, optionally manipulated in a number of 
        ways, and output to a number of different file formats.  
        Because it can also import file formats other than a 
        captured DECwindows screen UTOX can also be used in 
        converting files from one image format to another.  For 
        example, UTOX is capable of importing a Sixel file and 
        converting it to Postscript, DDIF, or a number of other
        file formats.  Finally, UTOX has a powerful command line 
        interface that can facilitate things like image demos, 
        file conversions, and programmers who need a "hook" into 
        a fast Print Screen tool.
        
        
        UTOX HISTORY
        
        As many may recall, UTOX is not new.  It's been around 
        Digital for many years and was available for purchase 
        through ASSETS.  Unfortunately the product has 
        essentially lay dormant for quite some time and is 
        currently not available for purchase.  The current UTOX 
        uses the old DECwindows "XUI" style and has had no 
        enhancements or bug fixes for several years.
        
        
        UTOX LIVES!
        
        Because of some of the unique aspects of this product, 
        customers have continued to inquire on its availability 
        for purchase. Seizing the opportunity, the DECwindows 
        group in the US/CSC has picked up UTOX development and 
        has added some new features, made bug fixes, and 
        completely ported the product to Motif.
        
        
        WHO WOULD WANT TO USE UTOX?
        
        Historically UTOX seems to have carved out a niche with 
        VAX DOCUMENT users who need to incorporate screen 
        captures into their documents. This is still the case. 
        More recently we've seen customers interested in UTOX 
        for:
        
        o	Very fast screen captures.  UTOX is not burdened 
        	with much of the overhead associated with the VMS 
        	DECwindows Motif "Print Screen" OOTB.  Hence it's
        	faster and consumes less system resources.  UTOX 
        	now generates postscript files approximately 50% 
        	faster than older versions (while placing far 
        	less burden on the CPU), and the old UTOX was 
        	still faster than DECwindows Print Screen.
        
        o	Image file conversions. The following table lists 
        	file formats that UTOX supports for input and 
        	output. Note that UTOX is one of the rare tools 
        	that can convert *from* a Sixel file to another 
        	format.
        
                UTOX Image Formats
        
        	File Format                     Read    Write
        	=============================================
        	DECwindows Screen               YES     YES
        	DECwindows Pause Screen          NO     YES
        	DDIF (image only)               YES     YES
        	FSE (Bookreader images)         YES     YES
        	GIF                             YES      NO
        	MacPaint                        YES      NO
        	MS Paint                        YES      NO
        	SDML (image only)                NO     YES
        	Sixel                           YES     YES
        	Postscript                       NO     YES
        	TEK4693                          NO     YES
        	UIS metafile (image only)       YES      NO
        	UTOX                            YES     YES
        	UTOX library                    YES     YES
        	X bitmap                        YES     YES
        
        
        o	Programmers who need Print Screen functionality.  
        	Since UTOX has a command line interface it's 
        	possible to write a simple command procedure that 
        	will capture a screen, output it to a specified 
        	file, and (optionally) print that file.
        
        o	Specialized needs.  Because the US/CSC DECwindows 
        	support group owns and controls the development, 
        	it's possible that new features could be added
        	 that would be unique for your customer. If 
        	you've got a customer with some specific "Print 
        	Screen" needs, we might be able to help.
        
        
        WHERE CAN I GET THE NEW UTOX AND HOW DO I INSTALL IT?
        
        Before resubmitting UTOX back into the ASSETS library 
        where it will be available for customer purchase, an 
        internal field test is underway. If you're interested in 
        taking UTOX "out for a spin", it's available at:
        
        	AIRBAG::SYS$PUBLIC:[UTOX]
        
        The documentation is available at:
        
        	AIRBAG::SYS$PUBLIC:[UTOX]
        
        Note that the documentation still reflects the "old" UTOX 
        (pre-Motif).
        
        The Installation Instructions are in Appendix B of the 
        'UTOX User's Guide and Installation Guide'. To summarize 
        the instructions:
        
        $ COPY AIRBAG::SYS$PUBLIC:[UTOX]UTOX040.A 
        device:[directory]
        @SYS$UPDATE:VMSINSTAL UTOX040 device:[directory]
        
        You *MUST* have VMS DECwindows Motif V1.0 or greater 
        installed on your system. If installing on a cluster you 
        can update other cluster members by specifying the 
        following commands:
        
        $ MCR SYSMAN
        SYSMAN> SET ENVIRONMENT/CLUSTER
        SYSMAN> DO INSTALL REPLACE SYS$LIBRARY:DCLTABLES.EXE
        SYSMAN> EXIT
        
        
        Please (!!!!) report ALL bugs, suggestions, and comments 
        to the UTOX notes conference, which is available at 
        {VAXUUM,RAGMOP}::UTOX 
        
        When the product has completed internal field test it 
        will be available for purchase via ASSETS.  If you have a 
        customer with unique needs that might be satisfied 
        through customization feel free to contact me at 
        RHETT::KNORR (DTN: 343-1018).
        
        This note is being posted in:
        
        	NOTED::MOTIF, 
        	BULOVA::DECWINDOWS,
        	MLTVAX::DOCUMENT, 
        	VAXUUM::UTOX.  
        
        [end of message]
        
        

and am pulling the kit over to test install it. I'll let you know how it looks.

Peter.