Subject: Re: coolness of GS/OS (was Re: any fix for OS9 Trash problem?)
Path: lobby!newstf02.news.aol.com!audrey04.news.aol.com!not-for-mail
From: supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
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Date: 06 Nov 1999 07:34:13 GMT
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"Henrik Gudat" <emutech@magnet.schweiz> wrote:

>greg@apple2.com wrote:
>
>> And mixed mode.  Each scanline could have 320 or 640 pixels individually.
>> There is also a fill mode which does reduce the colors per scanline to 15
>> but allows one to fill regions with color by storing only a few pixels.
>
>fill mode is a joke IMHO. It is basically unusable for reasonably
>complicated screens where filled regions may be overlayed by moving
>objects - and that's where it would have proved useful.
>
>3200 colors, border effects, mixed-modes and color-fill are all
>interesting concepts, but that doesn't help when it comes to
>entertainment software or productivity applications where the basic
>features - 320x200x16 - dictate the result.

First of all, did I mention how much I hate cross-posts?
AOL can't cross-post so my reply has to be limited to
csa2 unless someone replies and adds the other NGs.

Second, 3200 color mode is useful for static graphics
which have their uses.  Amiga HAM modes are also
static and they too have their uses.  Viewing graphics
is a legitimate use as is the use of this higher color
but static modes in multimedia presentations (as in
HyperCard or HyperStudio).

Entertainment software often uses the 256 color
mode, not just the 16 color one.  I don't see
320x200x16 dictating DuelTris, for example.  Or
many other games.  The 16 palettes of 16 colors
is a built in feature of the IIGS and is used in quite
a bit of entertainment software so such games
are not limited to 16 colors.  Sure, placement of
those greater colors can be tricky sometimes, but
some beautiful imagery have been seen in games.
Any game that has a sky scene is a natural for
256 color mode.  Look at FTA's Blue Helmet,
an unfinished Formula 1 racing game.  Also,
256 color mode is good for carefully designed
games like DueTris which do not use sky
scenery too.

Animasia makes use of fill mode.  I say that's
useful.  ;-)