DOLMEN - (c) 1997, 1998 CENTEK
The operating system for the CENTurbo II and PHENIX 040/060

DOLMEN and the VDI, or the Menhir revenge.

* The standard comparison

The graphics part of Dolmen, wich is equivalent to VDI, named Menhir. To compare the
VDIs, let's see what GEMBENCH says:

   ( look at the benches )

This kind of test undelines the problem of particular cases. Because unlike NVDI,
Menhir is object oriented and globally optimized rather than case by case...

* At last, some change !

Unfortunately this kind of tests don't reflect the real use of your computer.

Here are the real differences between the reference under NVDI 4.11R6 and Menhir :
- draw of very complex polygon : +157% (like after vectorization of a bitmap)
- draw pieslice : +197%
- draw a very big vectorized letter : +340% (like during printing)
- Transformation of a graphic format like the 16 colors icons : +559%
- or a 320x200x16 color picture : +4475%
- or better a picture of 320x200 in true color : +115900% (no, it's not a modem !!!)

* And not the least...

But Menhir continues where the others stall :
- graphics parameters unlimited in number (or only by the available memory).
- new functions included or new possibilities (line end editor, vectorized line style, more
complex text locating, ...).
- raster copy functions with mozaic of the sources of the source bitmap on a bigger destination.
- bitmap conversion in any size / any color depth (even if the format is not implanted physicaly on
the computer like the 8-bits chunky of GIF or the 32-bits for the graphist exacting...), and fast
dithering, if necessary, using several algorithms (Floyd-Steinberg, Brukes, Stucki,
Jarvis/Judice/Ninke, Sierra, ...).
- new kind of device like memory bitmap.
- quasi-universal printer management (in color !)

* More to come :

In progress :
- polygonal clipping (it's a rectangle actualy).
- internal micro-language only for graphics output.
- OpenGL compatibility (in chunky mode).

* Bonus :

Last but not least : you can add more functions to Menhir or modify one !!! (with our agreement)
New device creation is under the same condition !

* The video under DOLMEN

It is CENTScreen or not ?

We find under Dolmen, the same function as in CENTScreen like :
- many extended resolution (896x672 in True color on VGA !!!).
- Energy Star compatible screen saver.
- virtual screen management.

And more !

New functions have maded their appearance :
- 3 mode of scrolling (edge, proportionnal and focus).
- software command of the virtual screen.
- shut down and wake up remoting.
- management by handles of the video mode, like files.
- change of resolution with the real size and planes depth wanted.
- more informations on the video mode.

That's all ?

The new functions are maded for the Phnix with video card. Many other functions will be available for it.

* The sound and the DSP under DOLMEN

Like the Falcon ?

The sound system functions (switch matrix, direct-to-disk, ...) or the DSP (program loading, data
xfer, ...) are compliant with actual software and hardware.

* And then...

For the phenix, the DSP kernel will be multitasking and it is world unique !!!
CENTINEL is compliant with the kernel.

* DOLMEN and peripherals
H
ard disk and others...

All hard disk, cd-rom, scanner are managed by Cecile. The other devices like serial (RS232,
RS422/423 and futher a TCP/IP layer !!!), parallel port, keyboard (hotkeys, automatic
composing mode...), joysticks and paddles are managed by Boris.

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 How to contact us
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CENTEK
Tour Blanche de Castille
4, av. St Exupry
F-60180 Nogent s/ Oise
Phone:  33 344 746 330  (from mardi to samedi from 12 H to 19 H)
HOTLINE 33 344 746 330  (      //              21 H  23 H)
FAX:    33 344 746 340

e-mail: phenix@centek.fr
WEB: www.centek.fr

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