                      FunkyFX Frequently Asked Questions
                      ----------------------------------

Last Updated: 18 November 1998
Last Updated By: Paul Holden (paulh@javigate.com)

Introduction
------------

I get asked lots of questions about FunkyFX, some of them frequently. Here's a
big list with some stock replies. I've added some "fun" questions because I
was bored.

Q1.  What is FunkyFX?
Q2.  Where can I get FunkyFX?
Q3.  Who wrote FunkyFX?
Q4.  Why did you write FunkyFX?
Q15. Is the source code available for FunkyFX?
Q13. Why aren't these numbers in order?
Q5.  Where do I get Winamp?
Q6.  I've got FunkyFX but I can't get it to work in Winamp.
Q14. Where can I get skins for FunkyFX?
Q7.  Every time I try to run FunkyFX it crashes. Why?
Q8.  FunkyFX won't run in fullscreen mode. Why?
Q9.  Who's Chris?
Q10. Why does he do nothing to help you with FunkyFX?
Q11. Who are Fiwl and Stevey-Boy?
Q12. Why does Steve dance like a pixie?


Q1.  What is FunkyFX?
A1.  FunkyFX is a visualization plugin for Winamp.


Q2.  Where can I get FunkyFX?
A2.  FunkyFX is available from http://www.javigate.com/FunkyFX/


Q3.  Who wrote FunkyFX?
A3.  Me, Paul Holden (paulh@javigate.com)


Q4.  Why did you write FunkyFX?
A4.  Because I didn't realise how much of time it would take up!
     Actually, it's because I was looking for a decent project to 
     learn about C++ and Windows Programming. Until I started work on
     FunkyFX, I'd done a lot of work with Java, Perl and Assembly 
     Language, but no Windows or C++ work. 


Q15. Is the source code available for FunkyFX?
A15. Not yet, no. I don't want to release the source in the state it's
     in now (i.e. hugely uncommented and in need of organisation), but I
     *may* release the source as soon as I get chance to tidy it up.

     What's more likely is the release of a generic FunkyFX Skin/Windowing library
     that can be shared by programs. The ICQ clone I'm writing will probably
     use such a library.


Q13. Why aren't these numbers in order?
A13. Because I realised too late that I might need to insert other
     questions/answers.


Q5.  Where do I get Winamp?
Q5.  http://www.winamp.com/


Q6.  I've got FunkyFX but I can't get it to work in Winamp.
A6.  That's not a question. It's a statement.

     Make sure that the file "vis_funkyfx.dll" is in Winamp's
     "Plugins" directory (usually "C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins")

     You'll need to make sure that "FunkyFX Plugin" is selected as
     the default plugin (press Ctrl-K in the Winamp window, select
     "FunkyFX Plugin" and click on the ok button). To start the
     FunkyFX plugin, press Ctrl-Shift-K.


Q14. Where can I get skins for FunkyFX?
A14. Some skins are available at http://www.javigate.com/FunkyFX/
     V2.00b of FunkyFX (the current version at the time of writing)
     also supports DigiDeck and YAmp skins (you can pick these up
     from Customize: http://www.customize.org/)


Q7.  Every time I try to run FunkyFX it crashes. Why?
A7.  That's hard to say. Email paulh@javigate.com with more details
     (such as:
       What exactly happened before it crashed.
       You machine's spec (CPU, memory, OS etc)
       What version of FunkyFX, Winamp you're using.
     }


Q8.  FunkyFX won't run in fullscreen mode. Why?
A8.  This is a tricky one. As mentioned above, I've never done any
     Windows programming before this, and so this is the first 
     DirectX programming I've done. For this reason, my DirectX code
     is likely to be a little flaky.
      For the time being, try installing a newer version of DirectX
     and let me know exactly what happened (including your machine's
     spec and graphics card).


Q9.  Who's Chris?
A9.  Chris is one of my housemates, here in York (we're both students
     at the University of York).

Q10. Why does he do nothing to help you with FunkyFX?
A10. Good question. Actually, he does help sometimes - every now and
     then he volunteers some suggestion such as "why don't you improve
     the skin format for v1.01?" (which then results in a 2 month
     delay before the next release).

     Chris is too busy to help with FunkyFX. He spends a lot of his time
     sleeping furiously and "resting his eyes". Chris has been known
     to spend time going to lectures and eating when not sleeping (he has
     not, however, been known to wash plates in his wake-time, but does
     enjoy the odd beer.)

     Chris has however, lent me many hours of computer time, for which I
     am eternally greatful.


Q11. Who are Fiwl and Stevey-Boy?
A11. Other housemates and friends here in York. Both also study at the UoY.


Q12. Why does Steve dance like a pixie?
A12. Because no-one's punched him hard enough yet.
