| Re: 24 vs 8 bit color systems [message #23296] |
Wed, 17 January 2001 14:55 |
Phillip David
Messages: 36
Registered: April 1999
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Member |
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Jason;
I know I still support a large number of users using 8-bit color...
I don't know how common that is.
Phillip
"Jason P. Meyers" wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> This is a bit of a departure from the normal request for help. I am
> getting ready to begin designing (aka programming) my final project for
> my IDL programming class. I have read through Dave Fanning's book and
> since I wasn't sleeping, Dave's not so subtle message about differences
> between 8 and 24 bit displays became apparent. :-)
>
> However, (and this is the point of this post) I got to wondering just
> how much of an issue this really is in today's environment. I suspect,
> and would like feedback, that it is rather uncommon now-a-days to find
> an IDL user who is working on an 8-bit color display. I assume that if
> one can afford IDL, then one can also afford a "decent" graphics card.
> I ask this question, because I would like to make the going in
> assumption that the user of my project will be working on a 24 bit
> system. Is this a "bad" assumption to make (i.e. are this still a
> significant number of users still running on 8 bit systems?)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jason Meyers
> PhD Student, Center for Imaging Science
> Rochester Institute of Technology
> jpm7934@rit.edu
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| Re: 24 vs 8 bit color systems [message #23303 is a reply to message #23296] |
Wed, 17 January 2001 11:44  |
Paul van Delst
Messages: 364
Registered: March 1997
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Senior Member |
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"Jason P. Meyers" wrote:
>
> I assume that if
> one can afford IDL, then one can also afford a "decent" graphics card.
> I ask this question, because I would like to make the going in
> assumption that the user of my project will be working on a 24 bit
> system. Is this a "bad" assumption to make
yes.
> (i.e. are this still a
> significant number of users still running on 8 bit systems?)
yes.
What you are saying is that you are designing the code so it is easy for you to
write rather than addressing the (apparently) complicated issue of users not
having the same hardware as you. Hmm. I remember reading, or somebody told me,
about a similar issue related to designing GUIs (maybe from Alan Cooper's
book?). A common problem mentioned was that programmers designed the GUIs so
that it was easy to code/maintain rather than easy to use (by regular people).
Good on yer for asking.
paulv
p.s. I have both 8- and 24-bit hardware.
--
Paul van Delst Ph: (301) 763-8000 x7274
CIMSS @ NOAA/NCEP Fax: (301) 763-8545
Rm.202, 5200 Auth Rd. Email: pvandelst@ncep.noaa.gov
Camp Springs MD 20746
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| Re: 24 vs 8 bit color systems [message #23304 is a reply to message #23303] |
Wed, 17 January 2001 11:36 |
Craig Markwardt
Messages: 1869
Registered: November 1996
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Senior Member |
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"Jason P. Meyers" <jpm7934@cis.rit.edu> writes:
> However, (and this is the point of this post) I got to wondering just
> how much of an issue this really is in today's environment. I suspect,
> and would like feedback, that it is rather uncommon now-a-days to find
> an IDL user who is working on an 8-bit color display. I assume that if
> one can afford IDL, then one can also afford a "decent" graphics card.
> I ask this question, because I would like to make the going in
> assumption that the user of my project will be working on a 24 bit
> system. Is this a "bad" assumption to make (i.e. are this still a
> significant number of users still running on 8 bit systems?)
Hi Jason--
I can't speak for everybody.
I will say that in the astronomy profession there are a lot of tools
that run only on 8-bit displays. Part of that is just legacy, and
support for 24-bit is improving. On the other hand, there are a lot
of times where it's really nice to have a color table to manipulate,
to do things like interactive intensity scaling, or just to futz
around with the color scheme.
Lastly, on a lot of systems I've seen, the 24-bit graphics are quite a
bit slower, and of course they use more memory. In "economy"
situations, 8-bit would be the way to go.
Craig
--
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------
Craig B. Markwardt, Ph.D. EMAIL: craigmnet@cow.physics.wisc.edu
Astrophysics, IDL, Finance, Derivatives | Remove "net" for better response
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| Re: 24 vs 8 bit color systems [message #23305 is a reply to message #23304] |
Wed, 17 January 2001 10:59 |
davidf
Messages: 2866
Registered: September 1996
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Senior Member |
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Jason P. Meyers (jpm7934@cis.rit.edu) writes:
> However, (and this is the point of this post) I got to wondering just
> how much of an issue this really is in today's environment. I suspect,
> and would like feedback, that it is rather uncommon now-a-days to find
> an IDL user who is working on an 8-bit color display. I assume that if
> one can afford IDL, then one can also afford a "decent" graphics card.
Oh, oh. Brace yourself, Jason. :-)
Cheers,
David
--
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting
Phone: 970-221-0438 E-Mail: davidf@dfanning.com
Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/
Toll-Free IDL Book Orders: 1-888-461-0155
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