PPF (Playstation Patch File) Version 3.0 Source Distribution
------------------------------------------------------------
Original homepage: http://www.paradogs.com/pdx_ppf3.htm

This package is mantained by SukkoPera <sukkopera@gmail.com>, so please mail
him for any questions.


What is PPF?
-----------
PPF (PlayStation Patch File) is a tool dedicated to all PlayStation coders and
developers out there who are creating PAL/NTSC patches, trainer options and
even cracks for your favourite console system. With the files in the PPF
package you are in the position to make patchfiles similar to IPS on SuperNES.
Finally there is no need for writing own .EXE files for applying the patches
to ISO-images anymore - just let PPF do this job for you.
 

Why PPF?
-------
Before PPF hit the scene all the groups producing PAL/NTSC fixes and even
trainer versions for the PlayStation included selfmade .exe files for PCs and
compatibles in order to apply the patch. There is one big problem: different
operating systems (OS). Many sceners out there are using Linux, AmigaOS, MacOS,
BeOS or whatever else they prefer to run on their systems. Those people were
not able to use those patches... until now, as with PPF the patchfiles are no
executable files anymore.


Contents of the distribution
----------------------------
This package contains just the source code for ApplyPPF and MakePPF 3.0, as
contained in what is called the "PPF 3.0 full distribution" on the program
homepage. I, SukkoPera, splitted the sources to a separate package for ease
of maintenance, as I found a couple bugs that needed fixing, and also wanted
to introduce a makefile, to make compiling easy.

Therefore you will find source code to applyppf and makeppf, as well as a file
called "PPF3.txt" which is needed to study the new PPF3.0 file structure.


About PPF3.0 and the intention for this upgrade
-----------------------------------------------

PPF3.0 is a further development of PPF2.0 which is still used to distribute
(mainly) Playstation patches. Actually, as I stated in the PPF2.0 readme, I
did not want to develop further versions of this tool.  So, to avoid confusion 
let me explain why I did so:

PPF2.0 is restricted compatible with large files (for example DVD-Images >3GB).
Since DVD releases are being spread more and more and since DVD-Burners have
become more affordable I thought it is better to develop a new PPF version
NOW than not have such a tool when it is needed. Also, I have included
several new features which are useful for other platforms than Playstation 1&2. 

For now I think DVD images are not interesting for most of the people in the
scene but I think this will change in the near future and I also think it will
be neccessary to have a running system for patches which covers DVD stuff also.


What's new ?
-----------

As stated above I added some new features to PPF but also i removed some of the
old ones, or to be exact one feature had to go. So here is the new feature-list:

- Image filesize checking is GONE.
  Over the years it became clear that this feature was simply too inaccurate
  and confused most of the users with warnings which were mostly incorrect.

- Image Identification / Blockcheck was enlarged. (+Imagetype)
  You can either fully DISABLE or ENABLE the blockcheck for a specific patch,
  plus the blockcheck now supports GI (PrimoDVD) images. GI is the common format
  used for distributing DVD-Images.

- Undo data.
  You can optionally choose to include UNDO data in your patch so the users can
  undo your patch anytime.

- Fast
  Its a hell of alot faster than PPF2.0.
  
- Large files support.
  PPF3.0 supports files up to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 Byte. enough ?


Last notes / thanks.
--------------------

I hope you like the idea which comes along with PPF3.0 as well as the new
features I have included in this version. Not everything was coded by me so
here's a list of tools which were coded by others or were influenced by them:

- PPF-O-MATIC v3.0 MAX OS-X Version was coded by Hu Kares.
- PPF-O-MATIC v3.0 WIindows Version was coded by Zweifeld/Paradox.

I want to say 'thank you' to the following people: Everyone that used PPF tools
so far, this includes mainly big groups like Kalisto, Paradox, Static, Lightforce
and Echelon (Dreamcast). Also, all the independent people who chose the PPF
format to distribute patches. Hu Kares for his fine MAC conversions and fixing
some bugs in the PPF3.0 draft and of course Zweifeld, for PPF-O-MATIC3 Windows.
Last but not least, Scal/Paradox for correcting my miserable
english docs ;-)

Thank you.

Signed,
Icarus of Paradox
