1. Forum
  2. Fsxnet Message
  3. FSX GEN

  • ANSI art in DIZ files

    From tonic@21:3/118 to All on Monday, April 05, 2021 08:14:15
    Hi all,

    Having a little trouble how DIZ/NFO files are parsed by different BBS software.

    Reading the wikipage on FILE_ID.DIZ, it mentions that it's not designed for ANSI art, and that it's usually restricted to 10 lines; but browsing file areas on the boards I frequent, I notice many files have very slick looking art in their descriptions.

    Is this a different file in the archive I've been missing, or have standards changed? Can I add ansi art to DIZ files, or somewhere else?

    Thanks

    --- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 12.18.3)
    * Origin: PANOPTICON (21:3/118)
  • From Al@21:4/106.1 to tonic on Monday, April 05, 2021 09:42:17
    Re: ANSI art in DIZ files
    By: tonic to All on Mon Apr 05 2021 08:14 am

    Reading the wikipage on FILE_ID.DIZ, it mentions that it's not designed for ANSI art, and that it's usually restricted to 10 lines; but browsing file areas on the boards I frequent, I notice many files have very slick looking art in their descriptions.

    Yeah, that was the spec but it's been long abandoned now.

    Is this a different file in the archive I've been missing, or have standards changed? Can I add ansi art to DIZ files, or somewhere else?

    Some files will have both a file_id.diz (text version) and a file_id.ans (ansi version).

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    ... Always remember to pillage BEFORE you burn.
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)
  • From NuSkooler@21:1/121 to Al on Monday, April 05, 2021 16:27:12

    On Monday, April 5th Al muttered...
    Yeah, that was the spec but it's been long abandoned now.
    Some files will have both a file_id.diz (text version) and a file_id.ans

    This, and that ^^ :) The FILE_ID.ANS is probably the most common of the organic "spec" in that regard, but you'll also find .DIZ that is just ANSI and it can be a PITA especially for older software that isn't equipped to deal with it.

    Self plug: https://l33t.codes/retro-standards-part-1-file-descriptors/


    --
    |08 ■ |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
    |08 ■ |03xibalba|08.|03l33t|08.|03codes |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
    |08 ■ |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
    --- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 14.15.4)
    * Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to NuSkooler on Tuesday, April 06, 2021 13:22:55
    On 05 Apr 2021 at 04:27p, NuSkooler pondered and said...


    Self plug: https://l33t.codes/retro-standards-part-1-file-descriptors/

    when I saw the request for info I hoped you would mention that URL.

    Great bit of work there sir.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Al@21:4/106.1 to NuSkooler on Tuesday, April 06, 2021 05:43:04
    Re: RE: ANSI art in DIZ files
    By: NuSkooler to Al on Mon Apr 05 2021 04:27 pm

    Yeah, that was the spec but it's been long abandoned now.
    Some files will have both a file_id.diz (text version) and a
    file_id.ans

    This, and that ^^ :) The FILE_ID.ANS is probably the most common of the organic "spec" in that regard, but you'll also find .DIZ that is just ANSI and it can be a PITA especially for older software that isn't equipped to deal with it.

    Self plug: https://l33t.codes/retro-standards-part-1-file-descriptors/

    I shouldn't say that spec has been abandoned although it is largely unknown today. I sometimes hatch files and if the file_id.diz needs to be created or edited I will do it, always sticking to the spec and avoiding ansi in them in the hopes that descriptions will look good and do what we want them to do regardless of the software folks are using.

    The file_id.ans is different though and folks can use it they choose. There are no 45 character or 10 line length limitations in any software that can use it that I know of.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    ... Never judge a man by his taglines.
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)
  • From NuSkooler@21:1/121 to Avon on Tuesday, April 06, 2021 15:34:38

    Twas Wednesday, April 7th when Avon said...
    when I saw the request for info I hoped you would mention that URL.

    Thanks I appreciate it -- hopefully I'll have time soon to do another. I have a list of things I want to cover (and accepting ideas!)


    --
    |08 ■ |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
    |08 ■ |03xibalba|08.|03l33t|08.|03codes |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
    |08 ■ |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
    --- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 14.15.4)
    * Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)
  • From tonic@21:1/121 to NuSkooler on Tuesday, April 06, 2021 21:28:41
    Thanks NuSkooler, your blog post is a valuable resource!

    --- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 14.15.4)
    * Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)