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README.adbanner
This file contains information about creating and using "ad" banners
with the bnetd server.
DESCRIPTION
These banners are long, narrow rectangular graphics displayed at the
top of the client screen. They may be animated or static pictures.
The real Battle.net uses the for commercial advertisements, but you can
use them for server logos, team logos, etc. Or you can also put up ads
if you really want :)
FORMATS
The formats that are supported are PCX and SMK. These are the only
known formats that are supported by the Blizzard clients. For animated
banners, you must use the SMK (Smacker) format. The actual size of the
images must be 468x60 pixels in 256 indexed color mode. Additionally,
only the 64 colors from index 32 to 96 seem to be avaliable for
modification. The other colors should not be used at all because they
are used by the GUI and are not consistant between the various clients.
Encoding sound is also possible if you are using the SMK format.
TOOLS
I have used Paint Shop Pro (http://www.jasc.com/index.html) for editing
PCX files. It has excellent support for manipulating color pallets
(save, load, etc). For creating and editing SMK files, use the Smacker
Tools (http://www.smacker.com/smkmain.htm) which can be downloaded at
no cost. Both of these tools are only available for MS-Windows as far
as I know.
Under Linux, you may create the PCX files with The Gimp. To view SMK
files, you may use WINE to run the SMACKPLW.EXE program from the RAD
tools. I know it works with version 20000614 with no Windows registry
or DLLs. I have not tried to use the authoring tools under WINE.
If you know of tools that can handle these formats under Linux or MacOS
let us know and we will add them to the list here.
SETUP
Place your file with a name in the form ad000000.pcx or ad000000.smk in
the "files" directory. The 000000 portion of the name should be
changed to a hexadecimal number six digits long. Then edit the config
file spcified in bnetd.conf (conf/ad.list by default) and enter the
filename and link values. You can list as many ads as you like there.
If the user clicks on the banner, the client will start a web browser
at the location set in link field.
DOWNLOADING
A site to exchange ad banners has been generously set up by Vedge. You
can visit it at:
http://vedgeland.com/banners/exch.cgi
You may also save banners from Battle.net by using the bnftp command.
You will need to know the exact filename.
LEGAL NOTES
Blizzard Entertainment is a trademark of Davidson & Associates, Inc.
Battle.net is a trademark of Davidson & Associates, Inc.
Smacker Video Technology is a trademark of RAD Game Tools, Inc.
Paint Shop Pro is a trademark of Jasc Software, Inc.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
MacOS is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
The bnetd project is in no way affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment
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