Frequently Asked Questions about JACOsub
========================================

(The other documentation files contain all answers.  However, if you
don't, or won't, read all of it, then these are some questions you'll be
likely to ask.)


Q:  How do I get rid of that little logo which appears in the lower right
    corner of my screen when I play a script?

A:  Registering the software gets rid of it.  See the Register.doc file.


Q:  Why do I have to re-install the fonts and delete my configuration
    when I get a software update?

A:  You need to do this only if the fonts have changed.  In version 2.0,
    the 29-pixel font was changed to an outline-only font with no shadow,
    and a 32-pixel font was added, which is the same as the OLD 29-pixel
    font but with a slightly thicker, more readable outline.  Also, the
    mono-spaced 24-pixel font was changed to 18 pixels (but the
    character images are still the same size).  Trying to specify 24 for
    the clock font will result in the 29-pixel font being scaled down,
    which is BAD because JACOsub always assumes the clock font to be
    mono-spaced.  Those other fonts are proportional-spaced.

    With each new release, read the CHANGES.TXT file.  It tells you if you
    need to re-install fonts.


Q:  I have re-installed the fonts, so why do I keep getting a warning
    message saying I need to re-install the fonts?

A:  Your system date is probably set wrong.  JACOsub checks the date of
    fonts:jacosub.font to see if your fonts are recent enough (older
    versions of the JACOsub fonts will result in a messed up timing
    display).  If you installed the fonts while your system date was set
    to a value earlier than January 1995, then the date stamp on the
    font will be too early, resulting in that warning message.  Correct
    your system date and re-install the fonts.


Q:  I don't understand this "ramp time" adjustment thing.  How does it
    work?

A:  All that can be said is that ramp adjustments are a way to correct
    time drifts while your script is playing.  Your script may run
    slightly faster than it should (causing titles to begin appearing too
    early), in which case you want to lengthen the total playing time of
    the script to "stretch out" the time events and compensate for the
    drift.  If your script runs too slowly (causing titles to lag
    behind), then you need to shorten (compress) the script running time.
    Positive ramp corrections lengthen the script and negative ones
    shorten it.  See the JACOsub.doc file, and also the section on the
    #Ramp command in the JScripts.doc file for more details.


Q:  When I play my script using the running clock, why does the clock
    sometimes seems to slow down or stop momentarily while the script is
    playing?

A:  The clock DISPLAY pauses momentarily, not the clock itself.  The
    internal clock does not actually lose time.  This happens when the
    program is busy generating imagery in one of its background buffers.
    Although the Amiga is a multitasking computer, the graphics chips can
    really do only one thing at a time.  The clock is updated as often as
    possible during image generation.


Q:  The running clock obscures everything below it when I drag it up.  Why
    can't it be in a window which I can position wherever I want?

A:  The running clock is on its own screen which stays in front of the
    video title display.  The script playing display uses multiple video
    buffers.  Putting the clock in a window requires complex and slow
    window management to ensure each buffer has the clock display, and the
    video buffer refreshing would also be slow.  Putting the clock in its
    own screen disassociates it from the video buffers.


Q:  When is JACOsub going to be able to time scripts?  I'm tired of using
    TurboTitle.  And will it ever support AGA?  Furthermore, I have trouble
    remembering all those directives - can you make using them easier?

A:  It can time scripts, and load AGA IFF files, as of release 2.0.
    Check the pull-down menus or press right-Amiga-Y to time a block.
    For directives relating to text appearance, check the "Text Directive"
    pull-down menu selection or press right-Amiga-D with your cursor on
    a timed line or a #D command.


Q:  JACOsub doesn't seem stable when I use it with my GVP G-Lock.  Why?

A:  The GVP requires a specific boot-up procedure before it will work
    properly.  It takes over the system clock, and booting it up wrong
    will really mess things up.  This is not JACOsub's problem.  JACOsub
    doesn't know or care what kind of genlock you have (you can use a
    genlock even if you set the genlock type to "none" in the
    configuration).  Contact Great Valley Products for more information
    on using the GVP G-Lock.  Many other users have figured it out; so
    can you.  I'd give you more information, but I've never used one.
    Perhaps some kind-hearted G-Lock user can provide an update to this
    FAQ file.


Q:  How can I report software bugs?

A:  Please follow the instructions at the end of Overview.doc.


Q:  I am a registered user but my validation code doesn't work anymore.
    Do I need to send more money?

A:  No!  If you are registered, the author has a record of you.  Ask for
    a new validation code, and it will be sent.  New versions of JACOsub
    may use different codes, causing all old codes to be invalid.  In
    this event, the author will make every effort to get new valiation
    codes to everybody, but he might miss a few.  See the end of
    Register.doc or Overview.doc for instructions on reaching the author.