FKavGS Home Page - Java French Kiss applet viewer

Welcome to the FKavGS Home Page
Current Version 2.0 beta 4

KavGS (pronounced caves, the g is silent) is the Java - French KiSS applet viewer that supports the KiSS/GS2 (General Specification) and the French KiSS General Specification*. KavGS allows the playing of currently available KiSS and FKiSS doll sets over the internet. For more information on KiSS dolls see
the Big Kiss Page.

KavGS is totally free for anyone's usage (more on usage and setup later). Since I wrote it as a programming experiment, I am currently waving any responsibility for bugs and support. If this becomes really popular, that attitude may change.

KavGS 2.0 incorporates KavGS Version 1.1 which adds the ability to use gif files in addition to cell files. Simply rename the files in the cnf file from *.cell to *.gif (and use gif images of course).

Version 2.0 beta 1 has the standard KavGS functions and adds the French KiSS animation and interactive scripting parser. Also there is a red arrow at the top left. When you click this arrow it cycles through the sets.

Version 2.0 beta 2 fixed some cnf file read problems, background color problems, and fkiss alarm/timer relationship problems.

Version 2.0 beta 3 fixed some fkiss sequencing problems and added buttons at the top left for changing sets instead of the arrow.

Version 2.0 beta 4 replaced deprecated APIs and requires at least Java 1.1.8.

Here are some Standard KiSS sets so you can see the applet in action.

Lum. Artist: MIO.H
This set has only 10 cells and will load very fast. Try this first to get the feel of the applet before going to the larger sets.
Playgirl. Artist: Light
This set has 170 cells and several very large background cells. This will demonstrate how long it will take to download a large set. (It took me 3 min 45 sec at 28.8K) However, since not all cells are displayed on all sets, the cells move very well.
Visit Light's Hobby Room
Scarlett. Artist: Emby Quinn
This set has 84 cells, but the difference between Scarlett and Playgirl is that most of the cells are displayed on every page, plus the cells are larger. This makes the refresh longer and the dragging movement slower on slower computers.

Here is a French KiSS set so you can see the applet in action.

Eve of Destruction.
This set has 82 cells, flying bats and changing face expressions.

Author's usage notes:
Step by step instructions for setting up the applet on your own home page are following. KavGS currently does not support LHA compression. I personally do not want to spend the time to create a LHA decoder class. If someone would like to give me one I'm sure I can work it in. Amazingly enough, since the files are all text based, they download quite quickly. The currently recommended method for use is to create a subdirectory under the directory where the applet class files exist and put the doll files in it. This should keep things from getting to messy. Also, this could be used to create a smaller demo set for your visitors to try out before they download the full LHA compressed set.

* Future thoughts:
Although the FKiSS standard supports audio, I have not implimented it yet. Also the FKiss palette change statement has not been implimented yet.

Setting up your own applet:
Step 1. Download the 4 class files and put them in your directory. For this example I will use the directory /kavgs.

NOTE: You may have to press <shift> while clicking the link to download:
Kavgs.class
Kcell.class
Kpalette.class
Fkissevt.class

Step 2. For each doll create a subdirectory under the /kavgs directory. Place the doll's cell(s), palette(s) and config files in this directory. For this example I will use one doll in the /kavgs/doll directory. Reminder, do not use the .lzh file, you must expand it into it's individual files.

Step 3. Create an html page for the doll in the /kavgs directory, NOT in the doll's directory. In this html page place the following code:

The width and height are specified by your doll set. If you specify a width and height greater than the doll set size, the doll set will be placed in the center of the specified area. The param tag is very important. Notice the value "doll/MYDOLL.CNF". The first part before the "/" is the directory where the doll files reside. The part after the "/" is the config file that specifies the doll. This file is located with the other files in the subdirectory /kavgs/doll. If your doll has multiple config files you can create multiple html pages for each one. NOTE that the filename is in upper case. If your server is case sensitive you will have to match the case exactly. Which brings me to 2 optional param tags.
<param name="filenames" value="forceuppercase">
<param name="filenames" value="forcelowercase">
If your file names in the subdirectory /kavgs/doll are all in upper case and your config file calls them out in lower case, use the first tag to force the applet to look for uppercase file names. Conversely, if your file names are in lower case and your config file calls them out in upper case use the second tag. If your config file and file names match case you don't need these tags. WARNING!! this is where most of your errors will come from. Make sure that the upper case and lower case are matched!

Step 4. Create an overall html file (index.html maybe) and put links to the doll html files in it.

Step 5. Show off your dolls. When you click the link to the doll page the applet will start and load the doll information. After loading, press the left mouse button over the cell you want to move and hold it down to drag the cell to it's new position. One final hint, in the status bar on the bottom of the browser the current set is displayed. Pressing the keys <0> - <9> will change the set. Pressing <R> (upper or lower case) will reset the cell postions on the currently selected set only. There is a secret key. By pressing <shift><D> (upper case d) you enter debug mode. At the bottom of the applet a window will be displayed. When you click on a cell the name, mark and fix values will be displayed. When you drag a cell the x,y locations of the upper left corner will be displayed. Pressing any other key will close the debug window.

Thanks for your interest.

Captain Chaos