Loony, I know someone who has a number of Grock files. I don't know whether the guy on the Yahoo site has described how Grock files operate and what the features of the program are. For the sake of others who may read this post, a Grock file has the look and feel of a 1970s Dr. Who episode. There is a basic software package that includes:
1. Typing a series of messages in ASCII, which are then "attached" to Grock by using a filename that Grock software expects to see. These messages appear dead-center in the screen. The color, size, and letter font can be varied. The color of the background and of the boxes/lines (see below) can also be varied.
2. Setting a pattern which generally is a series of lines or rectangles that go toward the center of the screen like a repeating line/box tunnel. The width, number, and color of the lines/boxes can varied. The speed can also be varied.
3. There is a low-tech metronome ticking noise in the background. This can be run faster or slower. The volume and speed can be varied, and the overall effect is like listening to an old-fashioned wristwatch. Tick, tick, tick, tick.
Unless there is a new edition, Grock has some drawbacks. One of the most noticeable is that it cannot be combined with any other program. Also, it does not allow for pictures. A real limitation is that any adjustment after Grock has started running either freezes the screen or leaves a big mark on the screen. No adjustment of the volume, no switching to another window, no pause. Unless you change the written script, it starts and ends at the same place.
The plus for Grock is that you can type and edit your scripts yourself, in whatever word-processing program you choose...as long as the product is saved in ASCII and given the name that your version of the Grock program expects. The latter requirement means that if you want to change scripts, you must go into a program where file re-naming is possible, first change the name of "Currently used file" to "Formerly used file" and then change the name of "File I want to use" to "Currently used file."
Different formats can have different effects on people. Unless there is a new Grock format, with 21st-century bells and whistles, I doubt that it would have such profound effects on many users. But who can say?
I can ask my friend about uploading his version. The first thing he will check is whether the program is copyrighted. He will not upload copyrighted material to a group site. The risk is too great. It endangers the uploader, the downloaders, and the site itself.
In any event, I hope this description is helpful. A workable product with the feel of an old DOS-based program.
loony28 wrote::twisted: Ok on the yahoo group someone said that a friend of theirs made grok files (hope I spelled it right and it's the right thing). Anyway they said that after running a grok file that their friend sent, they had urinated right in the chair like what is supposed to happen with one of the files on here. I'm wondering if that person is on here and if their friend still makes those files. It would be a good addition to this site. :twisted: