ImageSafe ReadMe file

The ImageSafe product is delivered in a single ZIP file. The ZIP file name indicates the date that the product version in the file was built in day/month/year order. The ZIP file contains the following:

The ImageSafe program packaged as a single JAR file called "ImageSafe.jar"
This readme file
A changes file
The license agreement
A registration program that runs under Windows

Running the software

The product can be run under Windows or Solaris by double clicking (or clicking) on the file "ImageSafe.jar". Applets created with ImageSafe will run on any MS IE4.0 or better browser, or on any Netscape 4.06 or better browser. The product itself however requires the Java 2 runtime be installed which is free and can be downloaded from Sun Microsystems. (Java 2 is also sometimes referred to as Java 1.2 - it's the same thing).

On other platforms the following Java command can be used:

    java -jar ImageSafe.jar

At the time of writing Java 2 is not available for the Macintosh. See Apple's Java page for more details.

Optimal use of ImageSafe

For maximum protection of images it's recommended that applets are created with two options set:

The "check server prefix" is turned on to ensure applets can't run locally
A second overlay image is used, preferably a GIF and moving across the image, to frustrate screen capture

Windows specific installation

At this stage the product is not provided in a form that creates the appropriate "start" menu entries and program icons for Windows. It is best to set aside a folder for the product and put the unzipped files into that folder. Custom installation is planned for the future.

ImageSafe directories

When ImageSafe is run there are three directories that are created in the same directory as the "ImageSafe.jar" file. These are:

"applets" - which is the default directory for saving the HTML and JAR files for protected images
"pwords" - the default directory for storing password files
"props" - this directory contains various system files for ImageSafe

Known issues

Sometimes animated GIF's will appear correctly as thumbnails in the file chooser but will then blank-out as they attempt to show a new frame. These same animated GIF thumbnails may also not display the correct dimension numbers in the file chooser window. This may be a Java problem or a problem with the GIF's not conforming exactly to the GIF89a spec.
Netscape is the preferred browser for viewing ImageSafe applets. MS IE is not very good at scrolling large images. Scrolling in IE can leave the image looking "cut-up". If this happens while scrolling the viewer can hit the IE "refresh" button to restore the integrity of the image.
MS IE is also quirky when it comes to looking locally on your disk at applets created. If you create an applet of "animage.jpg" it will run locally in IE. If you then create the same applet again with the same name it won't run locally because the previous applet is still in memory. A problem with IE cacheing causes this. However the new applet will run fine across the internet.

Paying for the software

The evaluation period is the standard 30 days given for most shareware. After that period payment should be made using the KAGI shareware payment service. The best way is to run the enclosed Windows program that generates output that can be e-mailed, faxed or posted to KAGI. If payment must be made by phone there is a US$5 surcharge and it can be done by ringing (510) 658-5244 in the US. Alternatively payment can be made over the internet by going to the EquitySoft pricing page. While the software is not registered the applets that ImageSafe creates will work for 72 hours only from the time of creation.

Feedback

Any feedback about bugs or feature requests should be sent to the author, Colin Mummery at EquitySoft@iname.com. All feedback is most welcome and carefully read.