Oolite Bulletins

Okay.... I am not really piddled about this one - it's just an annoying "feature"....

So I run my PC version of "Oolite" and it all boots up correctly - the game plays fine... I have no problems with it.... it is 3 million percent better than Elite (either on the Beeb, the CPC or the Amiga) BUT.... On my PC the splashscreen does not come up.... just a white space where the logo should be displayed.

I really don't give a rat's exterior orifice about this in reality.... Oolite surpasses my sexiest dreams - so why should I give a monkey's toss?

The point is..... it just niggles me....

Perhaps I should change my Name to Major Twonk?

"Check ignition and may God's speed be with you!"

It's just like an itch you cannot successfully scratch.

On some graphics cards the splash screen is barfed. That's why some of us turn it off by using -nosplash as a parameter to oolite.exe when running the game.

G'day, SevenT, and welcome aboard!

Interesting "problem" you have there. At a wild guess, it relates to the graphics modes of your graphics card. You could prevent it from showing altogether by turning off the splash screen. At least that way the irritant will be gone.

Edit: ninja'd by JazHaz!

Yeah... I think I knew the answer before I posted the question... I'll just switch it off with -no-splash.

In the context of life, the ooniverse and all that... it don't take much to see that the problem of a non-functioning splash screen doesn't amount to a hill of 42 beans in this crazy world.

It still grinds my gears a bit though... I mean Gimp manages to call up a splash screen OK when it initialises... so do a good few other programs... it's not rocket science after all...

God I know I am going to get all OCD about this. The simple truth is that I should just switch the screen call off and walk away... but I am such an Aspie that it's going to niggle away at me...

Here we go....

I take it that the routine that calls up the splash screen is hard-wired into the code and the -no-splash merely toggles it of but which image is the code calling? Is it splash.bmp, splash.png or [email protected].

Maybe if I fiddle with one of those images it may resolve the "feature."

Perhaps I can substitute the "Loony Toons" logo in its place.

In actual fact - if you want to be kind to me just ignore this post. If you reply it will just encourage me and I will be like a dog trying to catch its own tail - going around in ever decreasing circles.


Note to self - I must try to get a life someday!

The splash screen called up in the Windows port of the game is splash.bmp.

For what is worth, the splash is working fine on all of the developers' machines (and on the vast majority of users' machines for that matter), which makes it kind of tricky pinpointing why certain card/drivers combinations choke with it. If you believe you can do something with the image to fix it and can make it, we would gladly include any such fix in one of our next releases.

If you really want to give it a try, make sure you have the latest drivers for your card installed. If you have to update the drivers, I would wholeheartedly recommend making a restore point first, given that your game works fine with the exception of the splash screen. If installing newest drivers results in other unforeseen issues at least you will be able to revert to a working condition of the system.

Thanks "another_commander" you realise you are just compounding my OCD by encouraging me here???

Okay - I'll buy into it - but you know this is going end in tears (mine!)

And so it begins...

So the Windoze-flavoured Oolite defaults by calling up splash.bmp... so what are the other two splash*.png images there for?

SevenT wrote:

So the Windoze-flavoured Oolite defaults by calling up splash.bmp... so what are the other two splash*.png images there for?

They are there for use by the Mac port (ehm... original version), I believe.

another_commander wrote:

SevenT wrote:

So the Windoze-flavoured Oolite defaults by calling up splash.bmp... so what are the other two splash*.png images there for?

They are there for use by the Mac port (ehm... original version), I believe.

Probably not. The Mac version only contains a splash.tiff.

another_commander wrote:

... which makes it kind of tricky pinpointing why certain card/drivers combinations choke with it.

Yeah... I had trouble with the splash-screen on my old ATI card, but I have no problems with the nVidia card I have now.
A question: I often use my own splash-screen (in a larger size) - do they have to be square?

El Viejo wrote:

another_commander wrote:

... which makes it kind of tricky pinpointing why certain card/drivers combinations choke with it.

Yeah... I had trouble with the splash-screen on my old ATI card, but I have no problems with the nVidia card I have now.
A question: I often use my own splash-screen (in a larger size) - do they have to be square?

Okay - so I have seen this done on PCs (years ago) you can call up a script file that lists all the hardware you are currently running on your pooter. I assume that includes information about some of these "cards" that I know 'flip-all' about...

Bahhh.... does anyone have some suggestions about how to query my PC about what "card" it has got installed?

Oh yup - before you ask...

I am running Window$ 7 Professional
Service Pack 1

Processor: Intel(R) 4 CPU 3.00Ghz 1.5 GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 3.00 GB
System type: 32-bit Operating System


As if that means something to me....

Oolite's Latest.log file will contain some information about your graphics card. Something like this

I'll just post this out.... I hope it doesn't piss anyone off...

{
NSGlobalDomain = {
};
oolite = {
"SevenT 2-humbletrash" = 680;
"SevenT Caduceus Alpha (autosave)-humbletrash" = 8776;
"SevenT Caduceus Alpha-humbletrash" = "-30136";
"SevenT Caduceus-humbletrash" = "-13384";
"SevenT Super Cobra-humbletrash" = 9576;
"SevenT-humbletrash" = 21320;
autosave = YES;
display_height = 1050;
display_refresh = 0;
display_width = 1400;
fullscreen = YES;
"save-directory" = "C:\\Oolite/oolite.app/oolite-saves";
"splash-screen" = YES;
volume_control = 0.796875;
};
}

I will post a part of the recent log next.... but I expect that's going to seriously piss members of this site off...

I apologise in advance... I know this is going to annoy people... but I have to do this...

Here is my complete "LatestLog" listing thingy...

Sorry....

.... truly sorry....


Opening log for Oolite version 1.77 (x86-32) under Windows 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 32-bit at 2013-03-06 18:14:53 -0500.
2 processors detected.
Build options: spoken messages, mass/fuel pricing.

Note that the contents of the log file can be adjusted by editing logcontrol.plist.

18:14:55.768 [display.mode.list.native]: Windows native resolution detected: 1680 x 1050
18:14:55.858 [joystick.init]: Number of joysticks detected: 0
18:14:55.860 [rendering.opengl.version]: OpenGL renderer version: 1.4.0 ("1.4.0 - Build 8.14.10.1930"). Vendor: "Intel". Renderer: "Intel 945G".
18:14:55.860 [rendering.opengl.extensions]: OpenGL extensions (49):
GL_ARB_transpose_matrix, GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3, GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_EXT_blend_color, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine, GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp, GL_EXT_fog_coord, GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_NV_blend_square, GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays, GL_EXT_texture_env_combine, GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_bgra, GL_ARB_shadow, GL_EXT_packed_pixels, GL_EXT_texture3D, GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_EXT_blend_subtract, GL_WIN_swap_hint, GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias, GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_EXT_secondary_color, GL_ARB_fragment_program, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs, GL_3DFX_texture_compression_FXT1, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_ARB_vertex_program, GL_EXT_stencil_two_side, GL_EXT_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_EXT_cull_vertex, GL_EXT_blend_minmax, GL_ARB_point_parameters, GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic, GL_ARB_multitexture, GL_EXT_clip_volume_hint, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap, GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object, GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array, GL_SGIS_texture_lod
18:14:55.882 [rendering.opengl.gpuSpecific]: Matched GPU configuration "Intel GMA 900/950 family".
18:14:55.882 [rendering.opengl.shader.support]: Shaders will not be used (OpenGL extension GL_ARB_shading_language_100 is not available).
18:14:56.244 [searchPaths.dumpAll]: Unrestricted mode - resource paths:
Resources
../AddOns
../AddOns/accessoriesV2.1.oxp
../AddOns/ACS_1.2.oxp
../AddOns/AI Trading Assistant 2.6.2.oxp
../AddOns/AI Trading Ethical Trader 2.4.oxp
../AddOns/AI Trading Fallback Datalogger 2.6.2.oxp
../AddOns/AI Trading Moral Relativism 2.4.oxp
../AddOns/AI Trading, My Advisor 2.2.6.oxp
../AddOns/APRIL Pylon Loader 1.03.oxp
../AddOns/Armoury 1.11.oxp
../AddOns/AsteroidStorm 4.03.oxp
../AddOns/BGS-A1.6.oxp
../AddOns/BigShips 1.02.oxp
../AddOns/BountyScannerv2.0.oxp
../AddOns/BountyStatus 1.00.oxp
../AddOns/Cabal_Common_Library1.7.oxp
../AddOns/Camera_Drones_1.2.oxp
../AddOns/ClippersV1.3.2.oxp
../AddOns/CloakAdderFix.oxp
../AddOns/CloakRepair.oxp
../AddOns/Colonial_Viper_Mark_1_V1.03.oxp
../AddOns/Commies.oxp
../AddOns/Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser.oxp
../AddOns/Destination ETA 1.0.4.oxp
../AddOns/Dictators v1.5.oxp
../AddOns/Dock_Assist_System1.2.oxp
../AddOns/Dredgers 2.3.1.oxp
../AddOns/Energy Equipment 1.11.oxp
../AddOns/EnergyBombfor1.77.oxp
../AddOns/Explorers'_Club_1.3.3_2012-06-30.oxp
../AddOns/ExtraFuelTanksV1 .4.1.oxp
../AddOns/Flight Log 1.06.oxp
../AddOns/Freaky Thargoids 3.2.2.oxp
../AddOns/Friend_or_Foe_1.2.oxp
../AddOns/FuelCollectorV0.07.oxp
../AddOns/GalaxyInfo.oxp
../AddOns/Generation Ships.oxp
../AddOns/Generation Ships.oxp/ShieldEqualizer+Capacitors(v1.3).oxp
../AddOns/Generation Ships.oxp/Snoopers2.4.oxp
../AddOns/GiantSpacePizzaV2.1.oxp
../AddOns/globestation2.0.oxp
../AddOns/Hired Guns 1.26.oxp
../AddOns/hOopyCasino1.2.1.oxp
../AddOns/HyperCargo 1.10.oxp
../AddOns/I-Missile.oxp
../AddOns/Ice-asteroidsV2.1.oxp
../AddOns/imptrader.oxp
../AddOns/interstellar_help.oxp
../AddOns/IronHide 2.00.oxp
../AddOns/Killit.oxp
../AddOns/King Cobra.oxp
../AddOns/Laser Booster 1.01.oxp
../AddOns/liners_v1.5.oxp
../AddOns/LongRangeScanner v0.3.oxp
../AddOns/LongRangeScanner v0.3.oxp/Target Autolock Plus 1.12.oxp
../AddOns/marketObserver_2.0.1.oxp
../AddOns/Military Fuel Injectors 1.03.oxp
../AddOns/Military Fuel Injectors 1.03.oxp/TargetRange-1.0a1.oxp
../AddOns/Missiles and Bombs v2.5.oxp
../AddOns/Naval Grid 1.00.oxp
../AddOns/Naval Torpedo.oxp
../AddOns/neocaduceus.oxp
../AddOns/nukes0.98.oxp
../AddOns/ooCheat 1.11.oxp
../AddOns/Ore_processor 1.59.oxp
../AddOns/OXPConfig2.3.1.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass 1.01.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass 1.01.oxp/Planetary Compass Name Pack A.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass 1.01.oxp/Planetary Compass Name Pack B.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass 1.01.oxp/Planetary Compass Name Pack C.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass 1.01.oxp/Planetary Compass Name Pack D.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass Name Pack A.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass Name Pack B.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass Name Pack C.oxp
../AddOns/Planetary Compass Name Pack D.oxp
../AddOns/PlanetFall 1.51.oxp
../AddOns/Police_Scanner_Upgrade_1.3.1_2011-12-18.oxp
../AddOns/PrimableLaser.oxp
../AddOns/Q-Chargerv1.2.oxp
../AddOns/railgun.oxp
../AddOns/RepairBots 2.09.oxp
../AddOns/Rescue_Stations_1.2.4.oxp
../AddOns/Rescue_Stations_1.2.4.oxp/System_Features_Rings_1.0.oxp
../AddOns/Retro Rockets 1.00.oxp
../AddOns/Satellite1.04.oxp
../AddOns/SaveAnywhere3.2.oxp
../AddOns/SniperLockv1.oxp
../AddOns/Snoopers2.4.oxp
../AddOns/Staer9's Shipset (shaded) v1.0.oxp
../AddOns/stationrotation1.0.oxp
../AddOns/supercobra 1.4.2.oxp
../AddOns/Superhubv1.4.oxp
../AddOns/tardis.oxp
../AddOns/Target Autolock Plus 1.12.oxp
../AddOns/Target Reticle 1.2.1.oxp
../AddOns/Thargoid_Witchspace_Drive_0.9.4_2012.04.20.oxp
../AddOns/The_Feudal_States_v1.16.1.oxp
../AddOns/Tori2.01.oxp
../AddOns/Tracker 1.02.oxp
../AddOns/TrackerCam 1.02.oxp
../AddOns/Welcome Mat 1.13.oxp
../AddOns/WPB1.1.oxp
18:14:56.440 [shipData.load.begin]: Loading ship data.
18:14:58.478 [script.load.world.listAll]: Loaded 126 world scripts:
AI Autotrade 2.6.2
AI Buying Advisor 2.6.2
AI Selling Advisor 2.6.2
AI Trading Assistant 2.6.2
AI Trading Compatibility 2.6.2
AI Trading Ethical Trader 2.4
AI Trading Fallback Datalogger 2.6.2
AI Trading History 2.6.2
AI Trading Moral Relativism 2.4
ams_system 2.02
april_worldScript.js 1.03
armoury_machineScript.js 1.00
armoury_trackerWorldScript.js 1.00
AsteroidStorm 4.03
Automatic Chaff System 1.2 - for Oolite 1.74
BGS-M 1.6
bigShips_populator 1.0.2
Bounty Scanner 2.0 2.00
Bounty Status Display 1.00
Cabal_Common_Briefing 1.7
Cabal_Common_Comms 1.7
Cabal_Common_Functions 1.7
Cabal_Common_Keyboard 1.7
Cabal_Common_MissionHandling 1.7
Cabal_Common_Music 1.7
Cabal_Common_Overlay 1.7
Cabal_Common_OXPStrength 1.7
Cabal_Common_SpecialMarkets 1.7
Caduceus Damage Control Node 2.0
Camera Drones 1.2
clipper_tanks_script.js 1.3.2
Cloak fix 1.0
communist_population 2.11
CT_Script 2.0
deep_space_dredger 2.3.1
Destination ETA 1.0.4
dictators.js 1.0
Dock_Assist_System 1.2
Emergency Energy Unit 2.1
explorer_club.js 1.3.3
explorer_club_snapshot.js 1.3.3
extra_tanks_script.js 1.4.1
feudal-challenge.js 9.0
feudal-mission.js 9.0
feudal-planetfall.js 3.0
feudal-promotion.js 6.0
feudal-ranks.js 4.0
feudal-tournament.js 10.0
FlightLog 1.06
Friend or Foe 1.2
Fuel Collector 0.07
galaxy_info 1.0.0
Generation Ships 1.3
hiredGuns_system 1.0
hoopy_casino 1.2.1
HyperCargo 1.10
interstellar_help 2.1
IronHide Armour Script 2.00
killit 1.4
laserBooster_worldScript.js 1.01
liners_populator_script.js 1.5
LongRangeScanner 0.3
market_observer 2.0.1
mil_injectors.js 1.03
Missiles & Bombs 1.0
murphy-thargoid-drive.js 0.9.4
My Buying Advisor 2.2.6
My Selling Advisor 2.2.6
My Trading Messages 1.0
ooCheat 1.11
oolite-cloaking-device 1.77
oolite-constrictor-hunt 1.77
oolite-contracts-cargo 1.77
oolite-contracts-helpers 1.77
oolite-contracts-parcels 1.77
oolite-contracts-passengers 1.77
oolite-nova 1.77
oolite-thargoid-plans 1.77
oolite-trumbles 1.77
oreProcessor 1.59
OXPConfig 2.3.1
PAGroove_superhubPopulator 1.1
planetaryCompass_namePack-A 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-B 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-C 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-D 1.00
planetaryCompass_worldScript.js 1.01
PlanetFall 1.51
Police_Scanner_Upgrade 1.3.1
PrimableLaser 1.0
Q-Charger 1.2
railgun 1.3
Repair system 2.08
Rescue Ambience 1.2.4
Rescue Autopilot 1.2.4
Rescue News 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 3 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 3a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 5 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 5a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 6 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 6a 1.2.4
Rescue Stations 1.2.4
reticle_target_sensitive 1.2.1
Satellite 1.0
Save Anywhere OXP 3.2 3.2
shieldequalizercapacitors 1.3
smivs'_cloakfix.js 1.0
smivs_space_pizza_script 2.1
sniperlock 1.0
snoopers 2.4
stationrotation 1.0
System Features: Rings 1.0
targetAutolock 1.11
TargetRange 1.0 alpha 1
tracker_worldScript.js 1.00
Welcome Information Script 1.13
18:15:02.360 [setup.ship.badEntry.subentities]: Failed to set up entity iguanaspike-port
18:15:02.360 [setup.ship.badEntry.subentities]: Failed to set up entity iguanaspike-stbd
18:15:06.947 [AI Trading Compatibility]: Modified AI Trading Assistant for compatibility with marketObserver OXP.
18:15:07.034 [Save Anywhere OXP 3.2]: initialising Save Anywhere OXP 3.2
18:15:08.428 [startup.complete]: ========== Loading complete in 13.88 seconds. ==========
18:15:23.250 [script.load.world.listAll]: Loaded 126 world scripts:
AI Autotrade 2.6.2
AI Buying Advisor 2.6.2
AI Selling Advisor 2.6.2
AI Trading Assistant 2.6.2
AI Trading Compatibility 2.6.2
AI Trading Ethical Trader 2.4
AI Trading Fallback Datalogger 2.6.2
AI Trading History 2.6.2
AI Trading Moral Relativism 2.4
ams_system 2.02
april_worldScript.js 1.03
armoury_machineScript.js 1.00
armoury_trackerWorldScript.js 1.00
AsteroidStorm 4.03
Automatic Chaff System 1.2 - for Oolite 1.74
BGS-M 1.6
bigShips_populator 1.0.2
Bounty Scanner 2.0 2.00
Bounty Status Display 1.00
Cabal_Common_Briefing 1.7
Cabal_Common_Comms 1.7
Cabal_Common_Functions 1.7
Cabal_Common_Keyboard 1.7
Cabal_Common_MissionHandling 1.7
Cabal_Common_Music 1.7
Cabal_Common_Overlay 1.7
Cabal_Common_OXPStrength 1.7
Cabal_Common_SpecialMarkets 1.7
Caduceus Damage Control Node 2.0
Camera Drones 1.2
clipper_tanks_script.js 1.3.2
Cloak fix 1.0
communist_population 2.11
CT_Script 2.0
deep_space_dredger 2.3.1
Destination ETA 1.0.4
dictators.js 1.0
Dock_Assist_System 1.2
Emergency Energy Unit 2.1
explorer_club.js 1.3.3
explorer_club_snapshot.js 1.3.3
extra_tanks_script.js 1.4.1
feudal-challenge.js 9.0
feudal-mission.js 9.0
feudal-planetfall.js 3.0
feudal-promotion.js 6.0
feudal-ranks.js 4.0
feudal-tournament.js 10.0
FlightLog 1.06
Friend or Foe 1.2
Fuel Collector 0.07
galaxy_info 1.0.0
Generation Ships 1.3
hiredGuns_system 1.0
hoopy_casino 1.2.1
HyperCargo 1.10
interstellar_help 2.1
IronHide Armour Script 2.00
killit 1.4
laserBooster_worldScript.js 1.01
liners_populator_script.js 1.5
LongRangeScanner 0.3
market_observer 2.0.1
mil_injectors.js 1.03
Missiles & Bombs 1.0
murphy-thargoid-drive.js 0.9.4
My Buying Advisor 2.2.6
My Selling Advisor 2.2.6
My Trading Messages 1.0
ooCheat 1.11
oolite-cloaking-device 1.77
oolite-constrictor-hunt 1.77
oolite-contracts-cargo 1.77
oolite-contracts-helpers 1.77
oolite-contracts-parcels 1.77
oolite-contracts-passengers 1.77
oolite-nova 1.77
oolite-thargoid-plans 1.77
oolite-trumbles 1.77
oreProcessor 1.59
OXPConfig 2.3.1
PAGroove_superhubPopulator 1.1
planetaryCompass_namePack-A 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-B 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-C 1.00
planetaryCompass_namePack-D 1.00
planetaryCompass_worldScript.js 1.01
PlanetFall 1.51
Police_Scanner_Upgrade 1.3.1
PrimableLaser 1.0
Q-Charger 1.2
railgun 1.3
Repair system 2.08
Rescue Ambience 1.2.4
Rescue Autopilot 1.2.4
Rescue News 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 1b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 2b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 3 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 3a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 4b 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 5 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 5a 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 6 1.2.4
Rescue Scenario 6a 1.2.4
Rescue Stations 1.2.4
reticle_target_sensitive 1.2.1
Satellite 1.0
Save Anywhere OXP 3.2 3.2
shieldequalizercapacitors 1.3
smivs'_cloakfix.js 1.0
smivs_space_pizza_script 2.1
sniperlock 1.0
snoopers 2.4
stationrotation 1.0
System Features: Rings 1.0
targetAutolock 1.11
TargetRange 1.0 alpha 1
tracker_worldScript.js 1.00
Welcome Information Script 1.13
18:15:28.565 [AI Trading Compatibility]: Modified AI Trading Assistant for compatibility with marketObserver OXP.
18:15:28.570 [Save Anywhere OXP 3.2]: initialising Save Anywhere OXP 3.2
18:18:21.228 [exit.context]: Exiting: Exit Game selected on options screen.
18:18:21.253 [gameController.exitApp]: .GNUstepDefaults synchronized.

Closing log at 2013-03-06 18:18:21 -0500.


I apologise once again...

Does this make any sense to anyone?

Oh my... Intel 945G. That's the problem. This card has barely adequate OpenGL support and I am quite impressed that everything else seems to run fine. Looking at the Intel site, the 945G drivers for Windows 7 are dated back to 2009 and at that time Intel just couldn't handle OpenGL well. The log indicates that not even basic shaders are supported.

Sorry to be bringing you sad news, but you are really missing out on a lot on the game by not having a more recent, higher-spec card.

@El Viejo: The splash screen can be any size and dimensions you want. The necessity of it being a square image was due to an old bug that got squashed long time ago.

another_commander wrote:

@El Viejo: The splash screen can be any size and dimensions you want. The necessity of it being a square image was due to an old bug that got squashed long time ago.

Sweet... muchas gracias, Admiral! <grapples with Gimp>