BKEGRAFF.RVW  960619
 
"Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats", Murray/vanRyper, 1996, 1-56592-161-5,
U$79.95/C$113.95
%A   James D. Murray
%A   William vanRyper
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   1996
%G   1-56592-161-5
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$79.95/C$113.95 800-998-9938 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%P   1154
%T   "Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats"
 
As it happens, at the time I received the first edition, the virus research
community was looking into a purported virus in a GIF file.  The consensus was
that the virus was a hoax, but the question remained as to whether it was
possible.  In very few minutes I had the information that GIF 89a format files
may contain an application extension Block.  Depending upon the file reader, it
could be possible to generate an executable program.
 
All of which is by way of saying that this work truly is encyclopedic.  The
promotional material states that it is a resource for graphics specialists, but
the book has great worth for others, as well.
 
The ten chapters in part one offer a brief but wide-ranging overview of
computer graphics.  Part two gives descriptions and specifications (where
possible) now for ninety-eight graphics file formats.  (This includes the very
recent PNG format.  A section in chapter nine discusses the legal issues
surrounding the GIF standard and LZW compression.)  Bibliographic information
is given at the end of each section in part one, while an appendix lists
further resources.
 
The book also contains a CD-ROM which provides detailed specifications, sample
code, sample images, as well as viewers and utilities.  The appendix describing
the disk also gives directions for accessing the files on the Internet if you
do not have a CD-ROM reader.  http://www.ora.com/centers/gff/ offers even more
information and constant updates.
 
(One absolutely minor quibble.  The authors state up front that file formats
are forever.  If they do have information on my dusty old Apple formats,
however, I can't find it.)
 
The authors definitely give value for money:  that, and then some.  They are
also to be commended for an enormous and major work which should become a
standard reference.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994, 1996   BKEGRAFF.RVW  960619

======================
roberts@decus.ca         rslade@vcn.bc.ca         slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca
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Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER)