path: root/manuals/ponysay.texinfo

\input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-

@c %**start of header
@setfilename ponysay.info
@settitle Ponysay
@afourpaper
@documentencoding UTF-8
@documentlanguage en
@finalout
@c %**end of header
@set VERSION 2.9.1

@defindex op
@synindex op vr
@synindex cp pg


@copying
This manual is for ponysay
(version @value{VERSION}),

Copyright @copyright{} 2012 Mattias Andrée

@quotation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover
Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
``GNU Free Documentation License''.
@end quotation
@end copying

@ifnottex
@node Top
@top Ponysay: ponies for your terminal
@insertcopying
@end ifnottex

@titlepage
@title Ponysay
@c@subtitle Cowsay reimplementation for ponies.
@c@subtitle Ponies for your terminal.
@c@subtitle Infesting your terminal with ponies.
@c@subtitle Surviving the zombiepony takeover.
@subtitle Making your terminal about 20 % cooler.
@subtitle Covers ponysay version @value{VERSION}.
@c ** start of front page image **
@c If print make a pdf or hard copy with the front cover
@c you may or may not want to remove this.
@image{infoimage,423.5px}
@c ** end of front page image **
@author by Mattias Andrée (maandree)

@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
@insertcopying
@page
@*@*
@center{`For me! For my friends! @b{For EQUESTRIA!}'}
@end titlepage

@contents


@menu
* Overview::                            Brief overview of @command{ponysay}.
* Invoking ponysay::                    How to run @command{ponysay}.
* Advanced usage::                      Advanced usage of @command{ponysay}.
* Environment variables::               Getting more from @command{ponysay} with environment variables.
* Optional features::                   Get the most out of @command{ponysay} with optional features.
* Limitations::                         Known limitations that may not be that easy to overcome.
* Problems and requests::               Report issues and making requests.
* Dependencies::                        Ponysay's dependencies.
* Installing::                          How to install @command{ponysay}.
* Inner workings::                      Useful information for those whom want to help hack @command{ponysay}.
* Contributing::                        Useful information for those whom want to help improve the world.
* Distributing::                        Useful information for OS package repository package maintainers.
* Terminology::                         Terminology.
* Change log::                          Differences between the version of @command{ponysay}.
* Ponysay contributors::                Ponysay contributors.
* Ponysay license::                     Ponysay license.
* GNU Free Documentation License::      Copying and sharing this manual.
* Concept and program index::           Concept and program index.
* Variable and option index::           Variable and option index.
@end menu




@node Overview
@chapter Overview
@cindex overview

@command{ponysay} displays an image of a My Little Pony pony saying a message provided
by the user in a terminal, or a quote from the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
(MLP:FiM). Historically @command{ponysay} was a wrapper for cowsay, but has since
version 2.1 become an independent reimplementation of @command{cowsay}.

If a message is not provided, e.g. by piping, it accepts standard input. The pony
quoting the given message is printed on standard output.

@command{ponythink} is to @command{ponysay} as @command{cowthink} is to
@command{cowsay}.

@command{ponysay} is generally used to decorate your terminal with a random pony, when
you start the terminal. But if you know anypony how does like ponies [fat chance] you
can always make screen-shots of @command{ponysay --q} executions and communication that
way over e-mail.




@node Invoking ponysay
@chapter Invoking @command{ponysay}
@cindex invoking
@cindex options
@cindex arguments
@pindex @command{ponythink}

The format for running the @command{ponysay} program is:

@example
ponysay [@var{option}...] [--] [@var{message}]
ponythink [@var{option}...] [--] [@var{message}]
@end example

Running @command{ponysay} will print a speech balloon, @command{ponythink} will
print a thought balloon. Otherwise @command{ponysay} and @command{ponythink} is
the same thing.

@command{ponysay} supports the following options:

@table @option

@item --
@opindex @option{--}
Parse the following arguments as parts of @code{@var{message}}.

@item -h
@itemx --help
@opindex @option{-h}
@opindex @option{--help}
Show summary of options.

@item -v
@itemx --verion
@opindex @option{-v}
@opindex @option{--version}
Show version of program.

@item -f PONY
@itemx --file PONY
@itemx --pony PONY
@opindex @option{-f}
@opindex @option{--file}
@opindex @option{--pony}
Specify the pony that should printed, this can either be a file name or a pony
name printed by @command{ponysay -l}. This option can be used multiple times to
specify a set of ponies from which one will be selected randomly. If no pony is
specified one will be selected randomly.

@cindex @command{util-say}
@cindex .png
@cindex png images
@cindex images, png
@cindex portable network graphics
If you have @command{util-say} installed, you can use .png-files as the arguments
for this options.

In versions earlier than version 2.0, the if the pony were a file name it had to
include a `@code{/}'. This is not longer required and any existing pony name
supersedes file names.

@item -F PONY
@itemx ++file PONY
@itemx ++pony PONY
@opindex @option{-F}
@opindex @option{++file}
@opindex @option{++pony}
Just as @option{-F}, but it uses extra (non-MLP:FiM) ponies instead of standard
(MLP:FiM) ponies

@item -q PONY
@itemx --quote PONY
@opindex @option{-q}
@opindex @option{--quote}
@cindex quotes
@cindex pony quotes
By using this option, a pony will be printed with quotes from her in My Little Pony:
Friendship is Magic. The pony will be selected randomly, unless at least one pony
is added as an argument to @option{-q}. If one or more ponies are added as an argument
to @option{-q}, the pony will be selected randomly from that set of ponies.
This option requires the extension @command{ponyquotes4ponysay}, which is included
by default since version 1.2.

The argument can be a file name, but only if it ends with @file{.pony}.

@item --f [PONY...]
@itemx --files [PONY...]
@itemx --ponies [PONY...]
@opindex @option{--f}
@opindex @option{--files}
@opindex @option{--ponies}
Variadic variant of @option{-f}, meaning that all arguments added after this one
will parsed as an argument to this option. Additionally, those options are added
to @option{-f}.

@item --F [PONY...]
@itemx ++files [PONY...]
@itemx ++ponies [PONY...]
@opindex @option{--F}
@opindex @option{++files}
@opindex @option{++ponies}
Variadic variant of @option{-F}, meaning that all arguments added after this one
will parsed as an argument to this option. Additionally, those options are added
to @option{-F}.

An important feature of this options, is that you can but it in the end of the
command line, without any argument to get a random non-MLP:FiM pony.

@item --q [PONY...]
@itemx --quotes [PONY...]
@opindex @option{--q}
@opindex @option{--quotes}
@cindex quotes
@cindex pony quotes
Variadic variant of @option{-q}, meaning that all arguments added after this one
will parsed as an argument to this option. Additionally, those options are added
to @option{-q}.

An important feature of this options, is that you can but it in the end of the
command line, without any argument to get a quote from any pony with a quote.

@item -b STYLE
@itemx --bubble STYLE
@itemx --balloon STYLE
@opindex @option{-b}
@opindex @option{--bubble}
@opindex @option{--balloon}
Specify the balloon style that should used, this can either be a file name or a
balloon name printed by @option{ponysay -B}. This option can be used multiple
times to specify a set of styles from which one will be selected randomly. If no
balloon style is specified a fallback style will be used.

@item -W COLUMN
@itemx --wrap COLUMN
@opindex @option{-W}
@opindex @option{--wrap}
Specify the screen column where the message should be wrapped, this is by default 40,
as with @command{cowsay}. The balloon's extra width is taken into consideration.

If the argument is not a number, but starts instead with @code{n} (for ‘none’ or
‘no’), no wrapping is done, and if it starts with @code{i} (for ‘inherit’) the width
of the terminal is used.

@code{n} and @code{i} is case insensitive, so you may use @code{N} and @code{I}
instead. Additionally, typo correction is for QWERTY and Dvorak is built in to
@command{ponysay}; the nearest key, either to the left or to the right, depending
on which hand is used to press the key, is also allowed.

@item -c
@itemx --compress
@opindex @option{-c}
@opindex @option{--compress}
@pindex @command{figlet}
@pindex @command{TOIlet}
Compress the message in the same way @command{cowsay} does, that is basically
without multiple spaces, and only paragraphs separations. Using this options
will mean that you cannot display @command{figlet} and @command{TOIlet} style
messages.

@item -l
@itemx --list
@opindex @option{-l}
@opindex @option{--list}
Lists all installed ponies. The ponies which have quotes, i.e. can be used with
the @option{-q} option, will be marked by being printed in bold or bright (depending
on the terminal.)

@item -L
@itemx --altlist
@itemx --symlist
@opindex @option{-L}
@opindex @option{--symlist}
@opindex @option{--altlist}
Lists all installed ponies. The ponies which have quotes, i.e. can be used with
the @option{-q} option, will be marked by being printed in bold or bright (depending
on the terminal.) This options differs from @option{-l} by printing alternative
names (symbolic links) inside brackets after their target ponies.

@item +l
@itemx ++list
@opindex @option{+l}
@opindex @option{++list}
Just as @option{-l}, except it lists extra (non-MLP:FiM) ponies instead of standard
(MLP:FiM) ponies.

@item +L
@itemx ++symlist
@itemx ++altlist
@opindex @option{+L}
@opindex @option{++symlist}
@opindex @option{++altlist}
Just as @option{-L}, except it lists extra (non-MLP:FiM) ponies instead of standard
(MLP:FiM) ponies.

@item -B
@itemx --balloonlist
@opindex @option{-B}
@opindex @option{--bubblelist}
@opindex @option{--balloonlist}
Prints a list of all balloon styles.

@item -A
@itemx --all
@opindex @option{-A}
@opindex @option{--all}
List all ponies, MLP:FiM and non-MLP:FiM, in this case the first list are MLP:FiM
and the second are non-MLP:FiM.

@item +A
@itemx ++all
@itemx --symall
@itemx --altall
@opindex @option{+A}
@opindex @option{++all}
@opindex @option{--symall}
@opindex @option{--altall}
List all ponies names, including alternatives, these from MLP:FiM and non-MLP:FiM.
The first list are the MLP:FiM and the second one are non-MLP:FiM.

@item -o
@itemx --pony-only
@itemx --ponyonly
@opindex @option{-o}
@opindex @option{--pony-only}
@opindex @option{--ponyonly}
Print just the pony, nothing else like the speech balloon. Naturally the
@command{ponysay} will not wait for a message from stdin.

@item -X
@itemx --256-colours
@itemx --256colours
@itemx --x-colours
@opindex @option{-X}
@opindex @option{--256-colours}
@opindex @option{--256colours}
@opindex @option{--x-colours}
Use @command{xterm}'s 256-colour support (supported by most X11 terminals), despite
your terminal's actual compatibilies. 

@item -V
@itemx --tty-colours
@itemx --ttycolours
@itemx --vt-colours
@opindex @option{-V}
@opindex @option{--tty-colours}
@opindex @option{--ttycolours}
@opindex @option{--vt-colours}
Use Linux VT's compatbilies without KMS utilisation, despite your terminal's actual
compatibilies.

@item -K
@itemx --kms-colours
@itemx --kmscolours
@opindex @option{-K}
@opindex @option{--kms-colours}
@opindex @option{--kmscolours}
Use Linux VT's compatbilies with KMS utilisation, despite your terminal's actual
compatibilies.

@item +c
@itemx --colour ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{+c}
@opindex @option{--colour}
Colour the balloon, including link and message (the parts that are not individually
specified.) The argument, should be a ANSI colour sequence without leading CSI and
without a tailing ‘m’, for example @code{1;31} will make it in red and bold (or bright
depending on the terminal.)

@item --colour-bubble
@itemx --colour-balloon ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{--colour-bubble}
@opindex @option{--colour-balloon}
Just like @option{--colour}, but it only colours the balloon, without the message
or link.

@item --colour-link ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{--colour-link}
Just like @option{--colour}, but it only colours the balloon link.

@item --colour-msg
@itemx --colour-message ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{--colour-msg}
@opindex @option{--colour-message}
Just like @option{--colour}, but it only colours the message.

@item --colour-pony ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{--colour-pony}
Just like @option{--colour}, but it colours the pony. This colouring has no
effect ony regular pony files, as it has its own colouring.

@item --colour-wrap
@itemx --colour-hyphen ANSI-COLOUR
@opindex @option{--colour-wrap}
@opindex @option{--colour-hyphen}
Just like @option{--colour}, but it colours hyphen added by the word wrapping.
By default this is red (@code{31}), if you want uncoloured use @code{0},
without @code{0} or @code{39}, the default @code{31} is presistent.

@end table

@opindex @var{message}
If neither @option{-q} is used nor any @var{message} is specified, @command{ponysay}
will read the message from stdin (standard input); however, if no arguments are used
and nothing is piped to stdin, a help message will be printed. If you want to use
@command{ponysay} without arguments and enter the message by hand, you can run
@code{cat | ponysay}.

@cindex @file{best.pony}
If no pony is selected, @command{ponysay} will look for a @file{best.pony} file,
this file should be a symbolic link to the pony you want as a default. If it is not
a symbolic link, @option{-q} cannot determine which quotes to use.



@node Advanced usage
@chapter Advanced usage of @command{ponysay}.
@cindex advanced usage

@menu
* Extra information::   Displaying extra information.
* Fortune cookies::     Displaying with fortune cookies.
* Ponification::        Ponify your fortune cookies.
* Running on TTY::      Running on TTY (Linux VT).
* Running on screen::   Running on @command{screen}.
@end menu



@node Extra information
@section Extra information
@cindex file descriptor 3
@cindex extra information
@cindex verbose mode
@pindex @command{tee}
If file descriptor 3 is definied when @command{ponysay} is executed, extra information
is printed to it. The printed information includes the name of the pony file, the name
of the balloon style file, and if definied in the pony file, file meta data and comment.

In most shells, a file descriptor 3 can defined using @command{3> FILE}, and linked to
stderr using @command{3>&2}. For example, you can print the information to @file{~/info}
by running @command{ponysay I\'m just the cutest pony! 3> ~/info}.

The message is not stored this way, for that you can use @command{tee}. However, if you
use @option{-q} the quote file is printed to file descriptor 3.


@node Fortune cookies
@section Fortune cookies
@pindex @command{fortune}
@cindex startup
@cindex on startup
@cindex @file{.bashrc}
@cindex @file{~/.bashrc}

If you have @command{fortune} installed -- this program may be named
@command{fortune-mod} in your GNU/Linux distributions package repository -- you can
run @code{fortune | ponysay} to get a random pony reading a random fortune cookie.

By adding @code{fortune | ponysay} to the end [easiest way] of your
@file{~/.bashrc} -- or equivalent for your shell if you do not use GNU Bash
(standard shell for most distributions now a days) -- you will get the effect
described in the previous paragraph every time you open a terminal.


@node Ponification
@section Ponification
@cindex ponification
@cindex text ponification
@pindex @command{ponypipe}

You can ponify messages (i.e. replaces words search as `everyone' with `everypony') by
using @code{fortune | ponypipe} instead of using @command{fortune}. @command{ponypipe}
can be downloaded from @url{https://github.com/maandree/ponypipe}.
Alternatively you can use @command{pinkie} (or @command{pinkiepie}), which can be
downloaded from @url{https://github.com/maandree/pinkie-pie}, which is just
@code{fortune | ponypipe}. There is also a large @command{sed} script, similar to
@command{ponypipe}: @url{http://www.reddit.com/r/mylittlelinux/comments/srixi/using_ponysay_with_a_ponified_fortune_warning/}
However I think @command{ponypipe} as better at replacing words than the @command{sed}
script, but I haven't used the script so I wouldn't know for sure.


@node Running on TTY
@section Running on TTY
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
@cindex @file{.bashrc}
@cindex @file{~/.bashrc}

If you use TTY and have a custom colour palette, you should also add to your
@file{~/.bashrc}, before @code{fortune | ponysay}:
@cartouche
@example
[ "$TERM" = "linux" ] &&
    function ponysay
    @{   exec ponysay "$@@"
        #RESET PALETTE HERE
    @}
@end example
@end cartouche

You should read more about this in @ref{KMS ponies}.


@node Running on screen
@section Running on @command{screen}
@pindex @command{screen}
@cindex @file{.bashrc}
@cindex @file{~/.bashrc}

@command{screen} will adapt ANSI colour escape sequences to your terminal's
capabilities. This means that if your terminal reports itself as @code{xterm}
in @env{$TERM} ponies will lose their colours; they will only use the lower 16
colours instead of the top 240 colours. By default, almost all X terminals,
including @command{xterm} and @command{mate-terminal} reports themselves as
@code{xterm} in @env{$TERM}, and some reports their actual name in @env{$COLORTERM}.
So before opening @command{screen} you use set @env{$TERM} to @code{xterm-256color},
if you are using a terminal with support for @code{xterm}'s 256 colours; this
can be done by adding to your @file{~/.bashrc}:
@cartouche
@example
[ "$TERM" = "xterm" ] &&
    function screen
    @{   export TERM="xterm-256color"
        exec screen "$@@"
    @}
@end example
@end cartouche



@node Environment variables
@chapter Environment variables
@cindex environment variables
@cindex truncation

@command{ponysay} supports the follow environment variables:

@table @env
@item PONYSAY_BOTTOM
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_BOTTOM}
@cindex tty
Under TTY (Linux VT), if the output is larger the the screen's height, only
the beginning is printed, leaving two blank lines. If you want the bottom
to be printed rather the the beginning you can export @env{PONYSAY_BOTTOM}
with the value @code{yes}, @code{y} or @code{1}.

@item PONYSAY_SHELL_LINES
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_SHELL_LINES}
@cindex tty
Under TTY (Linux VT), if the output is larger than the screen's height, two
lines are left blank. If you want more, or less, blank lines you can export
@env{PONYSAY_SHELL_LINES} with the value of how many blank lines you want.
Naturally this takes effect eve n if the output is not actually larger than
the screen.
 
@item PONYSAY_FULL_WIDTH
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_FULL_WIDTH}
You can export @env{PONYSAY_FULL_WIDTH} with the value @code{yes}, @code{y}
or @code{1}, if you do not want the output to be truncated on the width to
fit the terminal.

@item PONYSAY_TRUNCATE_HEIGHT
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_TRUNCATE_HEIGHT}
Export @env{PONYSAY_TRUNCATE_HEIGHT} with the value @code{yes}, @code{y}
or @code{1}, if you want to truncate the output on the height even if you
are not running @command{ponysay} under TTY.

@item PONYSAY_UCS_ME
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_UCS_ME}
@cindex ucs
@cindex universal character set
@cindex unicode
@cindex ascii
Export @env{PONYSAY_UCS_ME} with the value @code{yes}, @code{y} or @code{1},
if you want [simulated] symlink to pony files using Universal Character Set
in their names. Otherwise pony files uses only ASCII. If you want to remove
the ASCII:ised names export @env{PONYSAY_UCS_ME} with the value @code{harder},
@code{h} or @code{2} instead.

If you have not enabled this, UCS names are not usable, suggested or listed.
If you use @code{yes} UCS names will be usable, suggested and listed. If you
use @code{harder} ASCII:ised names will not be suggested or listed, but they
will still be usable.

@item @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE}
@itemx @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE_CMD}
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE}
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE_CMD}
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
@cindex kmsponies
@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting

@env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE} or @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE_CMD} is used to tell
ponysay how your TTY palette looks, this feature lets you get the best images
in TTY if you have Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) support.

See @ref{KMS ponies} for information on how to use this.
@end table



@node Optional features
@chapter Optional features
@cindex features, optional
@cindex optional features
@cindex optional dependencies

@menu
* KMS ponies::                 Improved TTY support under KMS support.
@end menu


@node KMS ponies
@section KMS ponies
@cindex kmsponies
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting
@cindex environment variables
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE}
@vindex @env{PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE_CMD}
@cindex @file{.bashrc}
@cindex @file{~/.bashrc}
@cindex cache
@cindex @file{/var/cache/ponysay}
@cindex @file{~/.cache/ponysay}

KMS ponies is an optional feature that required that you have @command{util-say>=2}
(@command{util-say<2} for @command{ponysay<2.1}) installed. It lets TTY users that
have a custom TTY colour palette and KMS support get best TTY images that can be
display at the current state of the art. KMS is supported on most computers, but due
to lack of published specifications Nvidia drivers does not support KMS.
@command{util-say} can be downloaded at @url{https://github.com/maandree/util-say}.

To use this feature your @file{~/.bashrc} (or equivalent for your shell) must keep
track of your colour palette; it is not possible for a program to ask to terminal.
Either the shell should export a palette string to @env{$PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE} or you
should export a command to can get the palette string to
@env{$PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE_CMD}. The palette string should be the stream which sets
the colour palette to the terminal when @command{echo}:ed; preferably, to increase
speed and reduce cache usage, it should be consistent every time it is exported for
every colours palette. So you may want to keep it sorted, always be in either upper
case or lower case, and not contain an character that is not used to set the colour
palette.

Assuming you have a function in your @file{~/.bashrc}, to reset the colour palette
to what you set it to last time in the terminal, named @command{reset-palette},
your @file{~/.bashrc} should, for example, contain:
@cartouche
@example
[ "$TERM" = "linux" ] &&
    function ponysay
    @{   export PONYSAY_KMS_PALETTE="$(reset-palette)"
        exec ponysay "$@@"
    @}
@end example
@end cartouche

KMS ponies uses @file{/var/cache/ponysay/} or, if missing, @file{~/.cache/ponysay/}
for cache space.



@node Limitations
@chapter Limitations
@cindex limitations

@menu
* Terminals::           Limitations on terminals.
* Cowsay::              Limitations on cowsay.
@end menu


@node Terminals
@section Terminals
@cindex terminals
@cindex fonts
@cindex broken ponies

@pindex xterm
@pindex putty
Ponysay works perfectly on @command{xterm}, @command{xterm} like terminals including
@command{putty}, settings may however need to be customised for Unicode Character Set
(UCS) support, but less well, depending on font, on VTE based terminals including
@command{mate-terminal}.

@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
On Linux's native terminal Linux VT (TTY) it works less well, and not good at all
without Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) support. See @url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay/issues/1}
for more information. @command{ponysay} clears the screen before printing to TTY, this
is because if your graphics driver supports KMS, the colours will be messed by when the
ponies position moves on the screen, this is also reason why the output is truncated on
the height in TTY by default.

Most terminals have support for 256 colours, we do however only use the top 240
colours; this is because the lower 16 colours are usually, in contrast to the top 240,
customised. We assume that the top 240 colours have their standard values. In TTY with
KMS support we dot have any actual limit (except for @math{2^{24}} + full
transparency.)

@pindex xterm
@pindex urxvt
@pindex putty
@pindex rxvt
@pindex mrxvt
@pindex Eterm
@pindex aterm
@command{ponysay} works perfectly on @command{xterm}, @command{urxvt} and
@command{putty}, but @command{rxvt}, @command{mrxvt} and @command{Eterm} do not have
UTF-8 support and are currently not supported. Additionally @command{aterm} have
neither UTF-8 support nor 256 colour support, and is therefore not yet supported.

@pindex 9term
Due to extreme limitations in @command{9term} @command{ponysay} will never be able to
run on it.


@node Cowsay
@section Cowsay
@pindex @command{cowsay}

This section describes the limitation of @command{cowsay}, but since version 2.1
@command{cowsay} is no longer used because of it. So none of the following limitations
are present anymore.

When @command{cowsay} determines the length of a word it measures in number of bytes
(in UTF-8), therefore non-ASCII words will malformat the balloon with the message.

Further, @command{cowsay} does not recognise ANSI escape sequences, therefore, using
colours and text styling in messages will also malformat the balloon with the message.

@command{cowsay} does not support balloon, including the link between the message and
the pony, customisation, other than using @command{cowthink}. However you can modify
@command{cowsay} (written Perl, so you can edit the installed files) to make the
balloon look different, maybe using box drawing characters.

@command{cowsay} does not support setting the minimum size of the balloon, both
directions on the balloon–pony links. or any other placement of the balloon than at
the top to the left.



@node Problems and requests
@chapter Problems and requests

@menu
* Problems::           Reporting bugs.
* Requests::           Requesting ponies.
@end menu


@node Problems
@section Reporting bugs
@cindex bugs

If you find a bug in @command{ponysay}, install the last version
from @url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay}, and if it is still
present, please report it at @url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay/issues}.
Please be as descriptive as possible, as it will help us verify it
solve it faster.


@node Requests
@section Requesting ponies
@cindex pony requests

If you want I specific pony added, ask us at
@url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay/issues} and we will add it.
To speed the up the process, if possible, supply good pictures. Full visibly,
transparent background, and pixelated are the properties that makes a picture good.



@node Dependencies
@chapter Dependencies
@cindex dependencies
@cindex optional dependencies

We have provided a script that should run one most, if not all shells, named
@file{./dependency-test.sh} that will help you track down any missing package.

@menu
* Required runtime dependencies::       Required runtime dependencies.
* Optional runtime dependencies::       Optional runtime dependencies.
* Package building dependencies::       Package building dependencies.
* Dependencies for pony providers::     Dependencies for pony providers.
@end menu


@node Required runtime dependencies
@section Required runtime dependencies

@table @command
@item coreutils
@command{stty} is used to determine the size of the terminal.
@item python>=3@footnote{Sometimes distributed as @command{python3} rather than @command{python}.}
@command{ponysay} is written in pure Python 3.
@end table

@node Optional runtime dependencies
@section Optional runtime dependencies
@cindex extensions
@cindex optional dependencies

@table @command
@item util-say>=2
@pindex @command{util-say}
@cindex kms
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
For improved TTY support for user with custom colour palette and KMS support.
It can be downloaded at @url{https://github.com/maandree/util-say}. If this is
used @command{chmod} from @command{coreutils} is also required.


@cindex .png
@cindex png images
@cindex images, png
@cindex portable network graphics
For the purpose of simplifying for pony contributors, @command{ponysay} supports
using .png-images (note that the file must not miss the @file{.png} at the end of
the file name) in addition to .pony-files or pony names.
@end table


@node Package building dependencies
@section Package building dependencies

@table @command
@item python>=3@footnote{Sometimes distributed as @command{python3} rather than @command{python}.}
@pindex @command{python}
@pindex @command{python3}
Required to run the @file{./setup.py} file, which is also invoked from the
make script.
@item gzip
@pindex @command{gzip}
Used for compressing manuals. (Optional, standard)
@item xz
@pindex @command{xz}
Used for compressing manuals. (Optional, non-standard)
@item texinfo
@pindex @command{texinfo}
@pindex @command{info}
@pindex @command{install-info}
Used to compile this @command{info} manual. (Optional, standard)
@item info@footnote{Normally a part of @command{texinfo}.}
Used to install this @command{info} manual with @command{install-info}.
(Optional, standard)
@end table


@node Dependencies for pony providers
@section Dependencies for pony providers
@cindex contributing

@table @command
@item bash
@pindex @command{bash}
Required to run @command{dev/dist.sh}.
@item coreutils
@pindex @command{coreutils}
@command{ln} and @command{readlink} are used in the @command{ttyponies} subscript
of @command{dev/dist.sh}.
@item util-say>=2
Used by @command{dev/dist.sh ttyponies} to build ttyponies from xterm ponies.
It can be downloaded at @url{https://github.com/maandree/util-say}.
@end table



@node Installing
@chapter Installing
@cindex installing
@pindex @command{make}

@menu
* From upstream::               Installing manually from upstream (GitHub repository).
* Package repositories::        Packages distributed in OS package repositories.
* Uninstalling::                Uninstalling when installed manually.
@end menu


@node From upstream
@section From upstream
@cindex upstream installation

@menu
* Installations basics::        The basics of installations.
* Custom installations::        Installation customisation.
@end menu

@node Installations basics
@subsection Installations basics
@cindex @file{setup.py}
@pindex @command{./setup.py}
@pindex @command{make}
@cindex basic installation


Before installing @command{ponysay}, make sure your system have the packages listed
under @ref{Required runtime dependencies} and @ref{Package building dependencies}
installed.

Tarballs can be downloaded at @url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay/tarball/master}
for bleeding edge, or from @url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay/tags} for releases.

If you have @command{git} you can @command{clone} the project URL
@url{https://github.com/erkin/ponysay.git}.

In the terminal, @command{cd} into the ponysay directory and execute
@command{./setup.py install} or @command{python3 setup.py install}. This will install
@command{ponysay} into @file{/usr}, normally meaning you need to run as root, e.g. by
running @command{sudo ./setup.py install}.

Now you will be to use ponysay, run: @command{ponysay "I am just the cutest pony!"},
or if have a specific pony in your mind: @command{ponysay -f pinkie "Partay!~"}.

@cindex manpage translations
@command{ponysay} comes with this @command{info} manual and a manpage in section 6,
@command{man 6 ponysay} (or just @command{man ponysay}). The manpage is also available
in Spanish: @command{man -L es 6 ponysay}. To install the Spanish manual add the
option @option{--with-man-es} when running @command{./setup.py}.



@node Custom installations
@subsection Custom installations
@cindex customised installations
@cindex installation customisation
@cindex @file{setup.py}
@pindex @command{./setup.py}
@pindex @command{./configure}
@pindex @command{make}
@cindex configure

With the exception for with @option{--with-everything} and @option{--with-nothing},
every option that starts with @option{--with-} or @option{--without-} exists in both
variants. @option{--with-} options install parts of the package. @option{--without-}
options skips installation of parts of the packages. With the same exception,
@option{--without-} options take not arguments and @option{--with-} optionally takes
an argument, if no argument is provided a default argument is implied.

The configuration script recognised the following options, the default values for
options with arguments are written after the equality sign (@code{=}) in the option:

@table @option
@item --everything
@itemx --with-everything
@opindex @option{--everything}
@opindex @option{--with-everything}
Install everything that is not explicity excluded.

@item --minimal
@opindex @option{--minimal}
Install only the essentials. Note that this can vary depending on version. Currently
this means that the commands, xterm ponies and legal documents is installed.

@item --nothing
@itemx --with-nothing
@opindex @option{--nothing}
@opindex @option{--with-nothing}
Install nothing, except legal documents, that is not explicity included.

@item --with-ponysay
@itemx --with-ponysay-command=/usr/bin/ponysay
@opindex @option{--with-ponysay}
@opindex @option{--without-ponysay}
@opindex @option{--with-ponysay-command}
@opindex @option{--without-ponysay-command}
Install the ponysay command, and set file name. (Default)

@item --with-ponythink
@itemx --with-ponythink-command=/usr/bin/ponythink
@opindex @option{--with-ponythink}
@opindex @option{--without-ponytink}
@opindex @option{--with-ponythink-command}
@opindex @option{--without-ponytink-command}
Install the ponythink command, and set file name. (Default)

@item --with-shared-cache=/var/cache/ponysay
@opindex @option{--with-shared-cache}
@opindex @option{--without-shared-cache}
Install a user shared cache, this is only used by KMS ponies so far. (Default)

@item --with-bash
@item --with-bash-completion=/usr/share/bash-completion/completions/ponysay
@opindex @option{--with-bash}
@opindex @option{--without-bash}
@opindex @option{--with-bash-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-bash-completion}
Install auto-completion for installed commands in GNU Bash. Select the file name
for the installed script for the ponysay command, the other commands modifies this
file name. (Default)

@item --with-fish
@itemx --with-fish-completion=/usr/share/fish/completions/ponysay.fish
@opindex @option{--with-fish}
@opindex @option{--without-fish}
@opindex @option{--with-fish-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-fish-completion}
Install auto-completion for installed commands in Friendly interactive shell.
Select the file name for the installed script for the ponysay command, the other
commands modifies this file name. (Default)

@item --with-zsh
@itemx --with-zsh-completion=/usr/share/zsh/site-functions/_ponysay
@opindex @option{--with-zsh}
@opindex @option{--without-zsh}
@opindex @option{--with-zsh-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-zsh-completion}
Install auto-completion for installed commands in the zsh shell.
Select the file name for the installed script for the ponysay command, the other
commands modifies this file name. (Default)

@item --with-shell
@itemx --with-shell-completion=/usr/share
@opindex @option{--with-shell}
@opindex @option{--without-shell}
@opindex @option{--with-bash}
@opindex @option{--without-bash}
@opindex @option{--with-fish}
@opindex @option{--without-fish}
@opindex @option{--with-zsh}
@opindex @option{--without-zsh}
@opindex @option{--with-shell-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-shell-completion}
@opindex @option{--with-bash-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-bash-completion}
@opindex @option{--with-fish-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-fish-completion}
@opindex @option{--with-zsh-completion}
@opindex @option{--without-zsh-completion}
Macro for @option{--with-bash}, @option{--with-fish} and @option{--with-zsh}.
The argument is the used share/ directory that all shells have in common.

@item --with-pdf
@itemx --with-pdf-manual=/usr/doc
@opindex @option{--with-pdf}
@opindex @option{--without-pdf}
@opindex @option{--with-pdf-manual}
@opindex @option{--without-pdf-manual}
Install PDF manual, and select directory for it.

@item --with-pdf-compression
@itemx --with-pdf-manual-compression=gz
@opindex @option{--with-pdf}
@opindex @option{--with-pdf-manual}
@opindex @option{--with-pdf-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-pdf-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-pdf-manual-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-pdf-manual-compression}
Compress PDF manual, select compression by file name extension. This option
does not imply @option{--with-pdf}. (Default)

@item --with-info
@itemx --with-info-manual=/usr/share/info
@opindex @option{--with-info}
@opindex @option{--without-info}
@opindex @option{--with-info-manual}
@opindex @option{--without-info-manual}
Install @command{info} manual, and select directory for it. (Default)

@item --with-info-install
@itemx --with-info-manual-install=My Little Ponies for your terminal
@opindex @option{--with-info-install}
@opindex @option{--without-info-install}
@opindex @option{--with-info-manual-install}
@opindex @option{--without-info-manual-install}
Use @command{install-info} when installing @command{info} manual. Set the
description for the manual. This option does not imply @option{--with-info}. (Default)

@item --with-info-compression
@itemx --with-info-manual-compression=gz
@opindex @option{--with-info}
@opindex @option{--with-info-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-info-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-info-manual}
@opindex @option{--with-info-manual-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-info-manual-compression}
Compress @command{info} manual, select compression by file name extension.
This option does not imply @option{--with-info}. (Default)

@item --with-man-en
@itemx --with-manpage-en
@itemx --with-man-manual-en
@itemx --with-en-man
@itemx --with-en-manpage
@itemx --with-en-man-manual=/usr/share/man
@opindex @option{--with-man-en}
@opindex @option{--without-man-en}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage-en}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage-en}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual-en}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual-en}
@opindex @option{--with-en-man}
@opindex @option{--without-en-man}
@opindex @option{--with-en-manpage}
@opindex @option{--without-en-manpage}
@opindex @option{--with-en-man-manual}
@opindex @option{--without-en-man-manual}
Install English @command{man} manual. Set directory for @command{man} manuals.
(Default)

@item --with-man-es
@itemx --with-manpage-es
@itemx --with-man-manual-es
@itemx --with-es-man
@itemx --with-es-manpage
@itemx --with-es-man-manual=/usr/share/man
@opindex @option{--with-man-es}
@opindex @option{--without-man-es}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage-es}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage-es}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual-es}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual-es}
@opindex @option{--with-es-man}
@opindex @option{--without-es-man}
@opindex @option{--with-es-manpage}
@opindex @option{--without-es-manpage}
@opindex @option{--with-es-man-manual}
@opindex @option{--without-es-man-manual}
Install Spanish @command{man} manual. Set directory for @command{man} manuals.

@item --with-man
@itemx --with-manpage
@itemx --with-man-manual
@opindex @option{--with-man}
@opindex @option{--without-man}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual}
Macro for all @option{--with-man-LANG}.

@item --with-man-en-compression
@itemx --with-manpage-en-compression
@itemx --with-man-manual-en-compression
@itemx --with-en-man-compression
@itemx --with-en-manpage-compression
@itemx --with-en-man-manual-compression=gz
@opindex @option{--with-man-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual-en-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-en-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-en-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-en-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-en-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-en-man-manual-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-en-man-manual-compression}
Compress English @command{man} manual, select compression by file name extension.
This option does not imply @option{--with-man-en}. (Default)

@item --with-man-es-compression
@itemx --with-manpage-es-compression
@itemx --with-man-manual-es-compression
@itemx --with-es-man-compression
@itemx --with-es-manpage-compression
@itemx --with-es-man-manual-compression=gz
@opindex @option{--with-man-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual-es-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-es-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-es-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-es-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-es-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-es-man-manual-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-es-man-manual-compression}
Compress Spanish @command{man} manual, select compression by file name extension.
This option does not imply @option{--with-man-es}. (Default)

@item --with-man-compression
@itemx --with-manpage-compression
@itemx --with-man-manual-compression
@opindex @option{--with-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-manpage-compression}
@opindex @option{--with-man-manual-compression}
@opindex @option{--without-man-manual-compression}
Macro for all @option{--with-man-LANG-compression}.

@item --man-section-ponysay
@itemx --man-sectionpage-ponysay
@itemx --ponysay-man-section
@itemx --ponysay-manpage-section=6
@opindex @option{--man-section-ponysay}
@opindex @option{--manpage-section-ponysay}
@opindex @option{--ponysay-man-section}
@opindex @option{--ponysay-manpage-section}
Change the section for the @command{ponysay} manpage.

@item --man-section-cowsay
@itemx --manpage-section-cowsay
@itemx --cowsay-man-section
@itemx --cowsay-manpage-section=1
@opindex @option{--man-section-cowsay}
@opindex @option{--manpage-section-cowsay}
@opindex @option{--cowsay-man-section}
@opindex @option{--cowsay-manpage-section}
Change the section for the @command{cowsay} manpage.

@item --man-section-fortune
@itemx --manpage-section-fortune
@itemx --fortune-man-section
@itemx --fortune-manpage-section=6
@opindex @option{--man-section-fortune}
@opindex @option{--manpage-section-fortune}
@opindex @option{--fortune-man-section}
@opindex @option{--fortune-manpage-section}
Change the section for the @command{fortune} manpage.

@item --with-ponies=/usr/share/ponysay/ponies
@opindex @option{--with-ponies}
@opindex @option{--without-ponies}
Install standard xterm ponies, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-ttyponies=/usr/share/ponysay/ttyponies
@opindex @option{--with-ttyponies}
@opindex @option{--without-ttyponies}
Install standard tty ponies, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-extraponies=/usr/share/ponysay/extraponies
@opindex @option{--with-extraponies}
@opindex @option{--without-extraponies}
Install extra xterm ponies, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-extrattyponies=/usr/share/ponysay/extrattyponies
@opindex @option{--with-extrattyponies}
@opindex @option{--without-extrattyponies}
Install extra tty ponies, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-quotes=/usr/share/ponysay/quotes
@opindex @option{--with-quotes}
@opindex @option{--without-quotes}
Install pony quotes, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-balloons=/usr/share/ponysay/balloons
@opindex @option{--with-balloons}
@opindex @option{--without-balloons}
Install balloon styles, and select installation directory for them. (Default)

@item --with-ucs
@itemx --with-ucs-names=/usr/share/ponysay/ucsmap
@opindex @option{--with-ucs}
@opindex @option{--without-ucs}
@opindex @option{--with-ucs-names}
@opindex @option{--without-ucs-names}
Install UCS pony names, and select installation file name for the map. (Default)

@item --without-custom-env-python
@opindex @option{--without-custom-env-python}
Let the installer set the @command{env} name for @command{python} in @file{ponysay}.
(Default)

@item --with-custom-env-python=python3
@opindex @option{--with-custom-env-python}
Set the @command{env} name for @command{python} in @file{ponysay}.

@item --prefix=/usr
@opindex @option{--prefix}
Set a prefix to all implicit directories.

@item --private
@opindex @option{--private}
Change all implicit configurations to fit local user a installation
for the current user.

@item --opt
@opindex @option{--opt}
Change all implicit directories to fit installation to @file{/opt}.

@item --bin-dir=/usr/bin
@opindex @option{--bin-dir}
Set the system's directory for command executables.

@item --lib-dir=/usr/lib/ponysay
@opindex @option{--lib-dir}
Set the system's directory for non-command executables. Currently their
is not non-executable library, so this options has no effect, but bleeding
edge distributors should specify it if it differs from prefered.

@item --libexec-dir=/usr/libexec/ponysay
@opindex @option{--libexec-dir}
Set the system's directory for non-command executables. Currently their
is not non-command executables, so this options has no effect, but bleeding
edge distributors should specify it if it differs from prefered.

@item --share-dir=/usr/share
@opindex @option{--share-dir}
Set the system's directory for resource files.

@item --cache-dir=/var/cache
@opindex @option{--cache-dir}
Set the system's directory for cache directories.

@item --dest-dir=
@opindex @option{--dest-dir}
Set off environment for installation.

@item --linking=symbolic
@opindex @option{--linking}
Set how to link identical files. Directories cannot be hard linked on most
systems, therefore directories or always symbolically linked of hard linked
is specified.
Recognised arguments are @code{copy}, @code{hard} and @code{symbolic}.
@code{copy} implies that files and directories are not linked, but duplicated.
@command{ponysay -L} will give the same output as @command{ponysay -l} if @code{copy}
or @code{hard} is used. This is because it does link reading and not content or
inode comparison.
@end table

Recognised compressions are @option{gz} which uses @option{gzip -9}, and @option{xz}
which uses @option{xz -9e}. @option{xz} is still exotic to most programs, using
it is not recommended. Distributors are strongly disencouraged to compression for the
PDF manual and should use @option{--without-pdf-compression}.

You can run @command{./setup.py [OPTIONS] view} to make sure everything is correct
before building and installing.


@node Package repositories
@section Package repositories
@cindex package repositories

@menu
* Arch Linux::                  Packages for Arch Linux.
* Arch Linux ARM::              Packages for Arch Linux ARM.
* Chakra::                      Packages for Chakra.
* Debian GNU/Linux::            Packages for Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu.
* Gentoo Linux::                Packages for Gentoo Linux.
* Parabola GNU/Linux::          Packages for Parabola GNU/Linux.
* Source Mage GNU/Linux::       Packages for Source Mage GNU/Linux.
@end menu


@node Arch Linux
@subsection Arch Linux
@cindex arch linux

The official Arch Linux package repositories contains @command{ponysay} as
@w{@code{community/ponysay}} (developer maintained). The Arch Linux User Repository
(AUR) contains a bleeding edge git version of @command{ponysay} as
@w{@code{ponysay-git}} (user maintained).


@node Arch Linux ARM
@subsection Arch Linux ARM
@cindex arch linux arm

@w{@code{community/ponysay}} from Arch Linux (@ref{Arch Linux}) is also available
for Arch Linux ARM.


@node Chakra
@subsection Chakra
@cindex chakra

Chakra users can install from (CCR) a stable version named a @code{ponysay}
(developer maintained Arch Linux mirror), additionally a git verion of ponysay is
available as @code{ponysay-git} (developer maintained Arch Linux mirror).


@node Debian GNU/Linux
@subsection Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu
@cindex debian gnu/linux
@cindex ubuntu

A .deb file is available at @url{http://roryholland.co.uk/misc.html#ponysay}
(user maintained), and PPA:s can be found at
@url{https://launchpad.net/~vincent-c/+archive/ppa} (user maintained) and
@url{https://launchpad.net/~blazemore/+archive/ponysay} (user maintained).


@node Gentoo Linux
@subsection Gentoo Linux
@cindex gentoo linux

Gentoo users can use the overlay @url{https://github.com/etu/aidstu-overlay}, which
contains @command{ponysay} as @w{@code{games-misc/ponysay}} (developer maintained).


@node Parabola GNU/Linux
@subsection Parabola GNU/Linux
@cindex parabola gnu/linux

@w{@code{community/ponysay}} from Arch Linux (@ref{Arch Linux}) is also available
for Parabola GNU/Linux.


@node Source Mage GNU/Linux
@subsection Source Mage GNU/Linux
@cindex source mage gnu/linux

The spell @w{@code{util/ponysay}} (user maintained) is available in Grimoire for
Source Mage @w{GNU/Linux}.


@node Uninstalling
@section Uninstalling
@cindex uninstalling

If you did not install @command{ponysay} with a package manager, but rather
manually from the upstream, you can uninstall it by running @command{make uninstall}.

Well written package manages will uninstall files that the package is no longer
using, i.e. if deleted, moved or renamed. To uninstall files that are not longer
used, by the currently installed version you will need that versions @file{Makefile}.
To perform an uninstallation of old files run @command{make uninstall-old}.



@node Inner workings
@chapter Inner workings
@cindex inner workings
@cindex hacking

@menu
* Pony anatomy::                 Anatomy of pony files.
* Pony quote infrastructure::    Pony quote infrastructure.
* Balloon style files::          Balloon style files.
* Printing in TTY with KMS::     Printing in TTY with KMS support.
* Truncation::                   Output truncation.
* Languages::                    Selection of programming languages.
* Shell auto-completion::        Things that make auto-completion simpler.
* Universal Character Set::      Something about Universal Character Set support.
@end menu


@node Pony anatomy
@section Pony anatomy
@cindex pony anatomy
@cindex anatomy of pony files

The pony files are simple raw output data that can be printed to the terminal,
except it contains scalar variables. The pony images consists of white space, lower
half blocks [U+2584], upper half blocks [U+2580] and ANSI colour sequences (CSI m),
and, in TTY, colour value change sequences (OSI P).

Variables are recalled by putting the variable's name between two dollar signs
(@code{$var$}), and are stored by putting the variable's name followed by the value
between two dollar signs  and with a equality sign between the name and the value
(@code{$var=value$}). Variable names cannot include equality signs, but the value
can; dollar signs can be used by placing an ESC character before the dollar sign.

There are three predefined variables: @code{$$} (empty variable name), @code{$\$}
and @code{$/$}. @code{$$} has a dollar sign (@code{$}) as its value, while @code{$\$}
and @code{$/$} contains the characters for the link to the balloon directed in the
same direction as the variable name's slash.

Variables whose name begin with @code{balloon} are parsed as balloon inserts, it
can be either @code{balloon}, @code{balloonX}, @code{balloon,Y} or @code{balloonX,Y},
whether @code{X} is the minimum width of the balloon and @code{Y} is the minimum
height of the balloon.

Prior to version 2.1 the pony files were cow files used by @command{cowsay}, they
are partial Perl-scripts that assign a value to a scalar variable named
@var{$the_cow}. Cow files use a predefined scalar variable named @code{$thoughts},
these are used to create a link between the message and the pony. The message (and
the balloon) itself was printed by @command{cowsay} and is not defined in the cow
files.


@node Pony quote infrastructure
@section Pony quote infrastructure
@cindex pony quote infrastructure
@cindex quote infrastructure

When compiling, pony quotes are built to @file{quotes/}, the file names are lists
of ponies joined with plus signs (@code{+}) -- the pony names are the same as the
pony files, except they do not end with @file{.pony} -- with a index at the end,
and a full stop (@code{.}) before the index.

The source files are located in @file{ponyquotes/}, where their is a file named
@file{ponies}. This file is called the pony map, and is the basis for how the
compiled files are named. In the ponymap ponies with the same quotes are on the
same line join together with plus signs (@code{+}), if the lines because too long
for file names the line is split into multiple lines with the first pony in common.

In @file{ponyquotes/} there are also quote files, each contain just one quote, just
as when compiled to @file{quotes/}. The source quote files are identical to the
compiled quote files, except that their name contains just the first pony.


@node Balloon style files
@section Balloon style files
@cindex balloon style files
@cindex bubble style files
@pindex ponythink

Balloon style files are located in the directory @file{balloons/}, the ones ending
with @file{.say} applies to @command{ponysay} and the ones ending with @file{.think}
applies to @command{ponythink}.

Balloon style consists of 20 strings. Each string is defined on separate lines, by
their name and their value separated with a colon (@code{name:value}), if the name is
empty it continues the last one on a new line in the value. Only 10 of the strings
may be multi-lined: @var{nw}, @var{nnw}, @var{n}, @var{nne}, @var{ne}, @var{sw},
@var{ssw}, @var{s}, @var{sse} and @var{se}.

The following strings are used, and must be defined in the files:
@table @var
@item \
The character for the link to the balloon directed as @code{\}.
@item /
The character for the link to the balloon directed as @code{/}.
@item ww
The beginning of the balloon's line where the message is located if and only if the
message contains only one line.
@item ee
The end of the balloon's line where the message is located if and only if the message
contains only one line.
@item nw
The top left corner of the balloon.
@item nnw
If both this string and the @var{nne} string fits between the top corners, this is
printed directly to the right of the top left corner.
@item n
The top edge of the balloon.
@item nne
If both this string and the @var{nnw} string fits between the top corners, this is
printed directly to the right of the top left corner.
@item ne
The top right corner of the balloon.
@item nee
The end of the balloon's line where the message's first line is located if and only
if the message contains more than one line.
@item e
The right edge of the balloon.
@item see
The end of the balloon's line where the message's last line is located if and only
if the message contains more than one line.
@item se
The bottom right corner of the balloon.
@item sse
If both this string and the @var{ssw} string fits between the bottom corners, this
is printed directly to the left of the bottom right corner.
@item s
The bottom edge of the balloon.
@item ssw
If both this string and the @var{sse} string fits between the bottom corners, this
is printed directly to the right of the bottom left corner.
@item sw
The bottom left corner of the balloon.
@item sww
The beginning of the balloon's line where the message's last line is located if and
only if the message contains more than one line.
@item w
The left edge of the balloon.
@item nww
The beginning of the balloon's line where the message's first line is located if and
only if the message contains more than one line.
@end table


@node Printing in TTY with KMS
@section Printing in TTY with KMS
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
@cindex clearing tty
@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting

Since Linux VT (TTY) does not have capabilities for returning the position of the
cursor, the screen must always be cleared before printing the ponies to make sure
the pony's colours is not lost, i.e. reduced to mare 16 colours, during print. The
colours are reduced if the pony's position on the screen is changed. This is only
relevant with KMS support. The clear the screen we print ``@code{\e[H\e[2J}''
(@code{\e} is ESC) in at beginning. ``@code{\e[H}'' places the cursor at the
beginning of the screen, and ``@code{\e[2J}'' clears everything on the screen after,
and including at, the cursor. If we would use ``@code{\ec}'' (that is a reset),
we would also turn off num. lock and caps. lock.


@node Truncation
@section Truncation
@cindex truncation
@cindex output truncation
@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting

Ponysay supports three type of output truncations, cutting away overflow on the right
and truncation the height by either keeping the bottom or keeping the top. By default
the latest is enabled under TTY, cutting away overflow on the right is always enabled
by default.

Truncating the height in TTY is required under Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) support to
keep the colours from being messed up when the ponies is moved in the screen during
print. Prior to version 2.0 this was done either by piping to @command{head} (keeps
the top) or by piping to @command{tail} (keeps the bottom.) @command{head} and
@command{tail} takes as argument the number of lines to keep at most.

The size of the terminal, measured in characters, is fetched from @command{stty size},
which returns @code{HEIGHT WIDTH}, and @command{cut} it the used to get either the
height or the width. This requires only GNU Coreutils; earlier @command{tput rows} and
@command{tput cols} were used, this however required, the only de facto standard,
package @command{ncurses}, some shells have environment variables for this.

Since version 2.1 truncation is done internally in the Python script, before that it
was done in a custom C program @command{truncater}, that was installed to
@file{/usr/lib/ponysay/truncater}. It recognised UTF-8 ANSI escape sequences,
including OSI P and CSI m, which is essential for the truncation to be correct. It
also expands tabs to every eighth column and resets the background colour when needed,
and writes ANSI escape sequences that are on the left side of the truncation. The
truncater stops CSI sequences on the first ASCII letter (@code{[a-zA-Z]}), but also
stops escape sequences after the first character after the initial escape if it is
not either @code{[} (CSI) or @code{]} (OSI). In the previous, C, program it supported
UTF-8 by assuming that bytes do not match @code{10xxxxxx} and only those bytes were
visible. This now fixed internally in Python, but has also been improved to exclude
combining characters from the set of visible characters. Another difference is that
the background colours are not reset, instead ANSI colours after the truncation point
are still printed.


@node Languages
@section Languages
@cindex languages
@cindex script languages
@cindex program languages

Before version 2.0 @command{ponysay} was written primarily in GNU Bash script; the
truncater was however written in C, because it is simple, fast, does not pose
addition dependencies, and is easy to do byte hacking in.

Sometimes shell is too slow, in these cases Perl was used; Perl was already required
by @command{cowsay}, it is also similar to shell, but also supports hash tables.

However since version 2.0 we were trying to move from all there languages and only
use Python 3, which as been accomplished in version 2.1.


@node Shell auto-completion
@section Shell auto-completion
@cindex auto-completion, inner workings
@cindex shell, auto-completion
@opindex @option{--onelist}
@opindex @option{++onelist}
@opindex @option{--quoters}

To make it easier to write auto-completion for shells, @command{ponysay} supports
the two options @option{--onelist}, @option{++onelist} and @option{--quoters},
which has no short versions.

Executing @command{ponysay --onelist} will list every available standard (MLP:FiM)
pony, independent of where it is located, the output is a sorted and consists only
of one pony per line.

Executing @command{ponysay ++onelist} will list every available extra (non-MLP:FiM)
pony, independent of where it is located, the output is a sorted and consists only
of one pony per line.

@command{ponysay --quoters} work just as @command{ponysay --onelist}, excepts
it limits the ponies to those that have quotes. Ponies that have quotes,
but does not exist, i.e. does not have a .pony-file, are not listed.

Auto-completion scripts should not suggest these options.


@node Universal Character Set
@section Universal Character Set
@cindex universal character set
@cindex ucs
@cindex unicode
@cindex pony names

In earlier versions of @command{ponysay} only the output truncation supported
Universal Character Set, though handcoded UTF-8 character counting. Now
@command{ponysay} lets Python decode the data, Python store all 31 bits of a
character in as one character, not in UTF-16 as some other languages does, this
means that the code is agnostic to the character encoding. However in Unicode
6.1 their are four ranges of combining characters, these do not take up any
width in proper terminal, we therefore have a class in the code named @code{UCS}
that help us take them into consideration when determine the length of a string.

Some ponies have names that contain non-ASCII characters, read about it in
@ref{Environment variables}. The UCS names are stored in the file @file{share/ucsmap},
in it lines that are not empty and does not start with a hash (@code{#}) are
parsed, and contains a UCS name and a ASCII:ised name. The UCS name comes first,
followed by the ASCII:ised name that the UCS name should replace or link towards.
The two names are separated by and simple left to right arrow character [U+2192],
optionally with surrounding white space.



@node Contributing
@chapter Contributing
@cindex contributing

@menu
* Providing ponies::            Providing ponies.
@end menu

@node Providing ponies
@section Providing ponies
@cindex create pony file

Most pony images are browser ponies or desktop ponies, browser ponies is a port of
desktop ponies, implementing it in JavaScript. Browser ponies are available at
@url{https://github.com/panzi/Browser-Ponies}. Desktop ponies are available at
@url{http://desktop-pony-team.deviantart.com/}.

There is also a collection of ponies that are not yet pixelated in a Java
reimplementation of the early Ponysay:
@url{https://github.com/maandree/unisay/tree/develop/dev/newponies}

There is a checklist named @file{pony-checklist} at the @file{dev/} directory. You
can use the check which ponies are added and which are not. Please update it when fit.
@*

New ponies can be created from regular images by using util-say, which is available
at @url{https://github.com/maandree/util-say}.
Prior to version 2.1 of @command{ponysay}, @command{img2xterm} could be used, by since
version 2.1 @command{ponysay} is using a new format that only util-say supports.
@command{img2xterm} (@url{https://github.com/rossy2401/img2xterm}) was used in the
early stage, but util-say tries to optimise the images in some aspects: as good as
possible for low capability terminals, tries to place the pony–balloon link, displayed
as good as possible when marked in the terminal (somewhat compromised by the first
aspect,) and same width on all rows.

Using util-say:
@pindex util-say
@pindex @command{img2ponysay}
@cartouche
@example
@code{img2ponysay -2 -- SOURCE_IMAGE > PONY_FILE}

@code{PONY_FILE} should end with @file{.pony} and be localed in @file{ponies/},
or @file{extraponies/} if the pony is not a MLP:FiM pony.

Omit @option{-2} if the source image does not use double pixel size.

For more information see:
@url{https://github.com/maandree/util-say/wiki/img2ponysay}
@end example
@end cartouche

@*
@pindex util-say
@cindex .png
@cindex png images
@cindex images, png
@cindex portable network graphics
If you have util-say installed, which is required to build ponies, you can use PNG
files as argument the for @command{ponysay -f}, this requires that the file is named
@file{.png} at the end.

@cindex palette
@cindex xterm palette
@cindex pony palette
@cindex colour palette
The following @command{bash} code will print the palette the ponies (the terminals)
use:
@cartouche
@example
c=16
while ((c < 256)); do
    echo -en "\e[48;5;$@{c@}m  \e[49m"
    c=$(( $c + 1 ))
    if (( $(( c % 36 )) == 16 )); then
        echo
    fi
done; echo
@end example
@end cartouche

@*
For the palette to be correct, which is especially important when you draw ponies, you
must not redefine the colours in the range 16 to 255 (inclusive).

@cindex ttypony
When a pony is added please also add a ttypony version, i.e. the pony files used in
TTY, but if you don't please state so in the pull request so we do not miss the
create it; the simplest way to do this is to run @command{dev/dist.sh ttyponies} after
adding the ponies to @file{ponies/}, running @command{dev/dist.sh ttyponies} will build
(or rebuild) all ttyponies with a pony present in @file{ponies/}, and creates all
needed symlinks.

To be able to run @command{dev/dist.sh ttyponies} you must have the packages listed under
@ref{Dependencies for pony providers}.

@cindex ponyquotes
@cindex quotes
Also when adding new ponies, please map them up in the file @file{ponyquotes/ponies}.
If the pony is a new pony without any other alternative image just add it to a new
line, without @file{.pony}, preferably in its alphabetical position. If the file is
a symlink add it to the same line as the target pony, and if the pony has and
alternative image add it the the same line as that pony. Ponies on the same line are
separated with a plus sign (@code{+}) without any white space. When a line is too
long for a file name (this has happened to Pinkie Pie [@file{pinkie}],) it must be
split into multiple lines, these lines should have their first pony file in common.



@node Distributing
@chapter Distributing
@cindex distributing ponysay
@cindex package maintaining
@cindex OS package maintaining
@cindex maintaining OS package
@cindex fhs
@cindex filesystem hierarchy standard

If you are planning on maintaining @command{ponysay} in your favourite operating
system you should first read @ref{Required runtime dependencies} and
@ref{Optional runtime dependencies}. If your OS does not follow Filesystem Hierarchy
Standard (FHS), e.g. installing amusement binaries in @file{/usr/games} instead of
@file{/usr/bin} or only supporting @file{/opt} equivalent directories you should
read about configurations in @ref{Custom installations}.

Apart from this, you should configure @command{ponysay} before building it with the
option @option{--everything}. Otherwise only the @command{info} manual and the
English manpage will be installed for documentation.

Please inform us about your distribution so we can list it so everypony can see it.

@*
The following is a reference distribution written in Arch Linux's PKGBUILD format.
It is not complete, proper, verbose enough or well written, it just contains the
core of an stable @command{git} distribution.

@cartouche
@example
pkgname=ponysay
pkgver=2.5
pkgrel=1
arch=(any)
pkgdesc="Cowsay reimplementation for ponies"
url="https://github.com/erkin/ponysay"
license=(WTFPL "GNU FDL v1.3")
depends=(python>=3 coreutils)
optdepends=("util-say>=2: Improved TTY support with KMS and PNG files")
makedepends=(git texinfo info gzip python>=3)

build()
@{   cd "$srcdir"; git clone git://github.com/erkin/ponysay.git ponysay
    cd ponysay  ; git checkout "$pkgver"
    
    ./setup.py --everything --without-pdf-compression  \
               --bin-dir=/usr/bin --dest-dir="$pkgdir" build
@}

package()
@{   cd "$srcdir/ponysay"; ./setup.py prebuilt
@}
@end example
@end cartouche



@node Terminology
@chapter Terminology
@cindex terminology

@table @i
@item MLP:FiM
@cindex MLP:FiM
The television show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

@item My Little Pony
@cindex my little pony
The successor to My Pretty Pony, the toy not the short story by Stephen King.

@item TTY
@itemx Linux VT
@cindex tty
@pindex linux vt
Linux's native terminal emulator. The name TTY comes from the file names for the
devices used for terminals by Linux VT, which is @file{/dev/tty*}.

@item KMS
@itemx Kernel Mode Setting
@cindex kms
@cindex kernel mode setting
A feature in Linux allowing mode setting in kernel-space, this gives the TTY,
for example better colour support. I would go to Wikipedia for more information.

@item ttyponies
@cindex ttyponies
Pony files used in TTY.

@item kmsponies
@cindex kmsponies
Pony files generated for use in TTY with custom TTY colour palette and KMS support.

@item extraponies
@itemx extra ponies
@cindex extraponies
@cindex extra ponies
Pony files of ponies that are not a part of MLP:FiM.
@item standard ponies
@cindex standard ponies

Pony files of ponies that are a part of MLP:FiM.
@item systemponies
@itemx sysponies
@cindex systemponies
@cindex sysponies
Pony files located in @file{/usr/share/ponysay}.

@item homeponies
@itemx usrponies
@cindex homeponies
@cindex usrponies
Pony files located in @file{~/.local/share/ponysay}.

@item browser ponies
@cindex browser ponies
@cindex desktop ponies
A JavaScript program which is the source for most of our ponies. It is a port of
@i{desktop ponies}.

@item ponification
@cindex ponification
The process of converting English text to Equestrian English.

@item Equestrian English
@cindex Equestrian English
The English dialect spoken by the ponies in MLP:FiM, the basic role is that it
is American English with as many words and parts of words as possible exchanged
to words having to do with ponies, including the work `pony' itself. This is
normally the language we, the developers, write in, except we may use another
English, e.g. British English, as the base language.

@item best.pony
@cindex best.pony
The pony you think is [the] best pony. It should be a symlink pony. It is a feature
affecting the @option{-f}, @option{-F} and @option{-q} options.

@item pony symlink
@itemx symlink pony
@cindex pony symlink
@cindex symlink pony
A pony file that is a symbolic link to another pony file. Symbolic links can be
created with the command @command{ln -s TARGET SYMLINK}.

@item ponyquotes
@cindex ponyquotes
A feature enabling ponies to quote them self from MLP:FiM.

@item environment variables
@cindex environment variables
Variables stored to the environment with the command @command{export VARIABLE=VALUE}.
The variable name is often written with the prefix @code{$} due to have they are read
in shell, using the command @command{echo $VARIABLE}.

@item UCS
@itemx Universal Character Set
@cindex ucs
@cindex universal character set
The set of of character, develop by the Unicode Consortium. It defined a partially filled
space of @math{2^{31}} characters, some of which are not glyphs.

@item combining characters
@cindex combining characters
Character that have zero width and is used to compose characters with diacritical when
there is no precomposed character to use.

@item ASCII
@itemx ASCII character
@cindex ascii
@cindex character
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) defines 128 characters, some
are not glyphs. It contains control characters, basic punctuation, the decimal digit,
and lower case and upper case English alphabet characters @code{a-z}.

@item short options
@cindex short options
Command line arguments starting with either exactly one hyphen (@code{-}) or exactly one
plus sign (@code{+}), and have exactly one character beyond that. They may be argumentless,
argumented, optionally argumented, or variadic (consumes all following arguments).

@item long options
@cindex long options
Command line arguments starting with either at least two hyphens (@code{-}) or at least two
plus signs (@code{+}), beyond that they have at least one character, but often at least one
work. They by be argumentless, argumented, optionally argumented, or variadic (consumes all
following arguments).

@item completion
@itemx auto-completion
@itemx shell completion
@itemx shell auto-completion
@cindex completion
@cindex auto-completion
@cindex shell completion
@cindex shell auto-completion
Provided by a shell dependent script, argument suggestion is provided of then by pressing
the tab key.

@item ANSI escape sequences
@itemx escape sequences
@cindex ANSI escape sequences
@cindex escape sequences
Character sequences starting with a ESC character, with a special interpretation for terminals
standardise by ANSI.

@item ANSI colour sequences
@itemx ANSI colours
@itemx colour sequences
@cindex ANSI colour sequences
@cindex ANSI colours
@cindex colour sequences
ANSI escape sequences defining a colour or other formatting, known as CSI m, a sequence starting
with CSI and ending with an @code{m}. This is extended to 256 colours, from 16 colours, by
@command{xterm} which is de facto standardise.

@item CSI
@cindex CSI
The character combination ESC followed by @code{[}, used in standardised ANSI escape sequences.

@item OSI
@cindex OSI
The character combination ESC followed by @code{]}, used in non-standardised ANSI escape
sequences.
@end table



@node Change log
@appendix Change log
@cindex change log
@cindex versions
@cindex previous releases

@heading Version 2.9.1
@itemize @bullet
@item
Bug fix: correction in the -W option broke the -o option.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.9
@itemize @bullet
New ponies: @file{pinkieumbrelahatfear}, @file{twilighttime}
@item
New extraponies: @file{molestia} (Tumblr)
@item
The option @option{-q} works like @option{-f} and @option{-F}, it takes one argument, and
may be used multiple times for more arguments.
@item
The old option @option{-q} is renamed to @option{--q}.
@item
The options @option{--f} and @option{--F} has been added.
@item
Weighted distance for autocorrection on pony names and boolean style name is set to 5, rather
than unlimited. Currently this cannot be modified (without editing the source code.)
@item
If file descriptor 3 is definied when @command{ponysay} is executed, extra information is
printed to it.
@item
Arguments starting with @code{n} or @code{i} is allowed for @option{-W}.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.8
@itemize @bullet
@item
New ponies: @file{airheart}, @file{bastionyorsets}, @file{gustavelegrand}, @file{milkyway},
@file{peppermoon}, @file{pinkacopter}, @file{pinkiefly}, @file{pinkieparade},
@file{pinkieumbrellahat}, @file{shiningarmorwedding}, @file{soaringofficer}, 
@file{starlight}, @file{sunnyrays}, @file{sweatiesing}, @file{tenderheart}, @file{tom},
@file{twilightspike}, @file{zecorabalance}
@item
New extraponies: @file{applejack} (Tumblr), @file{applejack-63}, @file{artemis}, @file{blueberry},
@file{butterscotch}, @file{drhoovesdiscorded} (Tumblr), @file{duskshine}, @file{elusive},
@file{rainbowblitz}
@item
Pony symlink added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{georgewashingtony} @arrow{} @file{bastionyorsets}
@end itemize
@item
Support for explicit hyphenation using soft hyphens had been added to the word wrapper.
@item
Support for explicit non-word wrapping using non-breaking space had been added to the word wrapper.
@item
The word wrapper colours the inserted hyphens in red.
@item
Support for terminal capabilities emulation with the flags @option{-X}, @option{-V} and @option{-K}.
@item
Support for printing just the pony, using the flag @option{-o}.
@item
Colouring option flags are added.
@item
Automatic correction of incorrectly spelled pony names and balloon style names added.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.7
@itemize @bullet
@item
New ponies: @file{basil}, @file{cloudkicker}, @file{cerberus}, @file{cow}, @file{derpysad},
@file{flowertrio}, @file{frederickhorseshoepin}, @file{horsemd}, @file{jeffletroski},
@file{jesuspezuna}, @file{joe}, @file{joetuxedo}, @file{manticore}, 
@file{meadownsong}, @file{meliot}, @file{pinkiegummydisguise}, @file{seaswirl},
@file{theodoredonaldkerabatsos}, @file{turf}, @file{waltercoltchak}
@item
New extraponies: @file{blueballblitz} (Varous fanfics, Shadowbolt), @file{drhooves1},
@file{drhooves2}, @file{drhooves3}, @file{drhooves4}, @file{drhooves5}, @file{drhooves6},
@file{drhooves7}, @file{drhooves8}, @file{drhooves9}, @file{drhooves10}, @file{drhooves11},
@file{nyx} (Fanfic: Past Sins), @file{nyxdisguised} (Fanfic: Past Sins),
@file{pinkaminacupcake} (Fanfic)
@item
@file{cracky} is renamed to @file{crackle}.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.6

@itemize @bullet
@item
New ponies: @file{applebloomdance}, @file{blueberry}, @file{blueberrycake}, @file{blueharvest},
@file{candylicious}, @file{cherrycola}, @file{cracky}, @file{cutiemarkcrusaders},
@file{derpybags}, @file{derpycloud}, @file{firestreak}, @file{hughjelly}, @file{lemonhearts},
@file{lyrabonbon}, @file{noi}, @file{pictureperfect}, @file{poppycock}, @file{quickfix},
@file{silverspeed}, @file{rainbowhurricane}, @file{rainbowshadowbolt}, @file{silverspeed},
@file{surprise} (wonderbolt), @file{thunderlane}, @file{timeturner}, @file{twilightthebearded}
@item
New extraponies: @file{faust} (alicorn), @file{maria} (Moonstuck, seapony), @file{posey} (Tumblr),
@file{slanderpony}, @file{sparkler} (Tumblr), @file{twilight} (Tumblr)
@item
Pony symlink added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{bonbonlyra} @arrow{} @file{lyrabonbon}
@item @file{epona} @arrow{} @file{quickfix}
@item @file{clockwork} @arrow{} @file{quickfix}
@item @file{drhooves} @arrow{} @file{timeturner}
@item @file{lotusbloosom} @arrow{} @file{lotus}
@end itemize
@item
@file{doctor} and @file{doctornohat} has become extraponies,
because their mane style is differenct from in the TV show.
And @file{timeturner} no longer links to any of them.
@item
@command{./configure} and @command{make} is no longer support.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.5.1

@itemize @bullet
@item
New extraponies: @file{sealyra}
@item
Build system as compatibility with standard GNU Make build system.
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.5

@itemize @bullet
@item
Brand new highly configurable build system.
@item
UTF-8 as I/O encoding is enforced. (Critical bug fix for ASCII locale users.)
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.4

Nothing worth mentioning.

@b{Note}: Identifies itself as version 2.3


@heading Version 2.3

@itemize @bullet
@item
Support for @file{best.pony} file.
@item
@option{-q} accepts file names.
@item
Improved Unicode support: treats combining characters as invisible.
@item
Optional support for UCS pony names.
@item
Pony files and balloon style files can be pipes (as well as sockets, doors
and as always regular files.)
@item
Support cowsay style message compression.
@item
New ponies: @file{blaze}
@item
New extraponies: @file{fyrefly} (Tumblr), @file{surprise} (Tumblr), @file{woona}
(moonstuck), @file{woonanohat} (moonstuck)
@item
Pony symlink added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{pinkieoink} @arrow{} @file{oinkoinkoink}
@end itemize
@item
Support for non-MLP:FiM ponies (known as extraponies).
@c BEGIN the following is too descriptive for the plain/text change log
This is implemented with the options @option{-F}, @option{+l}, and @option{+L}
corresponding to @option{-f}, @option{-l}, and @option{-L}.
@c END
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.2

@itemize @bullet
@item
Full support for arbitrary positioning of balloon in pony files.
@item
ANSI colour sequences in pony files are applied only to the pony image,
not the balloon link or the balloon itself.
@item
Support for colours in the message.
@item
Support custom balloon styles using the option @option{-b}, @option{-B} will list
all available. This list depends on whether you are invoking @command{ponysay}
or @command{ponythink}
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.1.1

Nothing worth mentioning.


@heading Version 2.1

@itemize @bullet
@item
@file{applebumkin} is renamed to @file{applebumpkin}.
@item
New ponies: @file{owlowiscious}, @file{purplehaze}
@item
Cowsay has be reimplemented, and have full Unicode support and support
for @command{figlet} style messages.
@item
Deleted environment variables: @env{PONYSAY_COWSAY}, @env{PONYSAY_COWTHINK}
@item
You will need Python 3, but not GNU Bash, Perl or Cowsay.
@item
New .pony file format is used:
@c BEGIN the following is too descriptive for the plain/text change log
@command{unisay}'s format instead of @command{cowsay}'s Perl based format.
This includes arbitrary position of balloon, mirrored balloon links, and
minimum size of balloon.
@c END
@end itemize


@heading Version 2.0

@itemize @bullet
@item
Makefile is generated by running @command{./configure}.
@item
All Perl scripts and almost all Bash are reimplemented in one Python 3 script.
@item
kmsponies4ponysay is included.
@end itemize


@heading Version 1.4.1
@itemize @bullet
@item
Code is repaired and more portable.
@end itemize


@heading Version 1.4

@itemize @bullet
@item
Make file is improved.
@end itemize

@b{Note}: Identifies itself as version 1.3


@heading Version 1.3

@itemize @bullet
@item
New ponies: @file{forestspirit}, @file{hollydash}, @file{raggedy}, @file{rhyme}
@item
@file{sindy} is renamed to @file{powderrouge}.
@item
Pony symlink added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{sindy} @arrow{} @file{powderrouge}
@end itemize
@item
@option{PREFIX=/some-dir} can be used when invoking @command{make},
the default value is @file{/usr}
@end itemize


@heading Version 1.2

@itemize @bullet
@item
ponyquotes4ponysay is included.
@item
Support for extension: kmsponies4ponysay.
@item
Pony symlinks added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{mrsparkle} @arrow{} @file{nightlight}
@item @file{elsie} @arrow{} @file{prettyvision}
@end itemize
@item
New ponies: @file{ace}, @file{blueblood}, @file{filthyrich}, @file{gingergold},
@file{hayfever}, @file{highscore}, @file{junebug}, @file{mrsparkle},
@file{persnickety}, @file{ponet}, @file{screwloose}, @file{tornadobolt}.
@item
@file{elsie} is renamed to @file{prettyvision}.
@item
@opindex @option{-f}
Arbitrary spaces in @option{-f} argument is not longer accepted (it causes
problems with file names including spaces.)
@end itemize

@b{Note}: Identifies itself as version 1.1


@heading Version 1.1

@itemize @bullet
@item
Manpages are compressed before installation.
@item
@command{info} manual added.
@item
Shell completion for @command{ponythink} added, in addition to @command{ponysay}.
@item
@command{fish} completion added.
@item
@file{/usr/lib/ponysay} is used instead of @file{/usr/bin} for code used by the
main script.
@item
@file{~/.local/share/ponysay} is used for private pony directories.
@item
@command{ncurses} is no longer needed for determining the screen's size,
@command{coreutils} is used instead.
@item
Pony symlinks added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{amethyststar} @arrow{} @file{sparkler}
@item @file{berrypinch} @arrow{} @file{ruby}
@item @file{craftycrate} @arrow{} @file{boxxy}
@item @file{magnum} @arrow{} @file{raritysdad}
@item @file{pearl} @arrow{} @file{raritysmom}
@item @file{powderrouge} @arrow{} @file{sindy}
@item @file{royalribbo} @arrow{} @file{violet}
@end itemize
@item
@w{New ponies:} @file{blossomforth}, @file{bonvoyage}, @file{cadance},
@file{celestiasmall}, @file{changelingqueen}, @file{cherryberry},
@file{discordamused}, @file{discordpuppetmaster}, @file{fleurdelishair},
@file{fleurdelislay}, @file{owl}, @file{perrypierce}, @file{petunia},
@file{pinacolada}, @file{skyra}, @file{truffleshuffle}.
@item
Pony spelling removed: @file{fillycadence}.
@item
Pony symlink change: @file{perry} @arrow{} @{@file{pokey} @arrow{} @file{perrypierce}@}.
@item
@opindex @option{-L}
Option @option{-L} added, lists ponies with symlink mapping.
@item
Support for extension: ponyquotes4ponysay.
@item
@opindex @option{-f}
Accepts arbitrary spaces in @option{-f} argument.
@end itemize


@heading Version 1.0

@itemize @bullet
@item
Spanish translation of the manpage is added.
@item
@w{New ponies:} @file{applecore}, @file{applejackscarecrow}, @file{bonbonstand},
@file{changeling}, @file{chrysalis}, @file{cottoncloudy}, @file{diamondmint},
@file{discord}, @file{fillycadence}, @file{flam}, @file{fleurdelis}, @file{flim},
@file{fluttershyshy}, @file{fluttershystare}, @file{lyrasit}, @file{oinkoinkoink}
(is pinkie), @file{philomenaphoenix}, @file{pinkiecannon}, @file{pinkiecannonfront},
@file{pinkiecannonhappy}, @file{pinkiegummy}, @file{pinkiehugfluttershy},
@file{pinkiehugsfluttershy}, @file{pinkiepartycannon}, @file{pinkieprincess},
@file{pinkiesilly}, @file{pinkietongue}, @file{pinkiewhoops}, @file{pinkiewhoopseat},
@file{pinkiewhoopsout}, @file{rainbowdrag}, @file{rainbowsalute}, @file{rainbowshine},
@file{raritydrama}, @file{shiningarmor}, @file{shiningarmorguard}, @file{snowflake},
@file{spikemustache}, @file{stevenmagnet}, @file{stevenmagnettrue},
@file{twilightcrazyfromball}, @file{twilightrage}, @file{twilightzero},
@file{wildfire}.
@item
Pony symlinks added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{djpon-3} @arrow{} @file{vinyl}
@item @file{fillycadance} @arrow{} @file{fillycadence}
@item @file{horsepower} @arrow{} @file{snowflake}
@end itemize
@item
Improved TTY support: ponies have low colours resolution, instead of monochrome,
when the high colour resolution is not available.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.10

@itemize @bullet
@item
Manpage manual added.
@item
The directories for pony directories are changed from @file{/usr/share} to
@file{/usr/share/ponysay} and @file{~} to @file{~/.ponysay}.
@item
Pony symlinks added:
@itemize @bullet
@item @file{carrottop} @arrow{} @file{carrot}
@item @file{goldenharvest} @arrow{} @file{carrot}
@item @file{harpass} @arrow{} @file{lyra}
@item @file{heartstrings} @arrow{} @file{lyra}
@item @file{lulamoon} @arrow{} @file{trixie}
@item @file{minuette} @arrow{} @file{colgate}
@item @file{noteworthy} @arrow{} @file{blues}
@item @file{perry} @arrow{} @file{pokey}
@item @file{pokeypierce} @arrow{} @file{pokey}
@item @file{timeturner} @arrow{} @file{doctornohat}
@item @file{trixielulamoon} @arrow{} @file{trixie}
@item @file{twilightvelvet} @arrow{} @file{mrssparkle}
@end itemize
@item
Support for truncating output on height, enabled by default under TTY.
@item
Environment variables added: @env{PONYSAY_FULL_WIDTH}, @env{PONYSAY_SHELL_LINES},
@env{PONYSAY_TRUNCATE_HEIGHT}, @env{PONYSAY_BOTTOM}.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.9

@itemize @bullet
@item
Output truncated on width to fit screen.
@item
Support for TTY (Linux VT).
@item
@command{bash} completion added.
@item
@command{zsh} completion added.
@item
@w{New ponies}: @file{allie}, @file{archer}, @file{boxxy}, @file{carecake},
@file{cupcake}, @file{daringdo}, @file{davenport}, @file{fancypants},
@file{ironwillwalk}, @file{lily}, @file{lunafly}, @file{maredowellfly},
@file{maredowellgallop}, @file{master}, @file{mjolna}, @file{orange},
@file{raritysdad}, @file{raritysmom}, @file{royalnightguard}, @file{ruby},
@file{sparkler}, @file{violet}.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.8

@itemize @bullet
@item
@w{New ponies}: @file{aloe}, @file{angle}, @file{applebloom}, @file{applebumkin},
@file{applefritter}, @file{berrypunch}, @file{bigmac}, @file{blinkie}, @file{blues},
@file{braeburn}, @file{caesar}, @file{candymane}, @file{caramel}, @file{cheerilee},
@file{cheerilee80}, @file{clyde}, @file{colgate}, @file{colton}, @file{daisy},
@file{derpystand}, @file{derpystandwing}, @file{diamondtiara}, @file{dinky},
@file{doctornohat}, @file{elsie}, @file{fido}, @file{fillycelestia},
@file{fillydash}, @file{fillydashfly}, @file{fillyjack}, @file{fillyjacktravel},
@file{fillypinkie}, @file{fillypinkiecurly}, @file{fillyrarity}, @file{fillyshy},
@file{fluttershygala}, @file{gilda}, @file{gildastand}, @file{granny},
@file{grannychair}, @file{grannysleep}, @file{gummy}, @file{hoity}, @file{horte},
@file{inky}, @file{laflour}, @file{lightning}, @file{lintsalot}, @file{lotus},
@file{mayor}, @file{mrssparkle}, @file{nightmare}, @file{opal}, @file{parasprite},
@file{philomena}, @file{photofinish}, @file{pinkamina}, @file{pinkiebounce},
@file{pinkiechicken}, @file{pinkiegala}, @file{pipsqueak}, @file{pokey},
@file{rainbowfly}, @file{rainbowgala}, @file{rainbowsleep}, @file{raindrops},
@file{rarityfly}, @file{raritygala}, @file{rarityponder}, @file{redheart},
@file{rocky}, @file{rose}, @file{rover}, @file{royalguard}, @file{sapphire},
@file{scootaloo}, @file{screwball}, @file{shadowbolts}, @file{silverspoon},
@file{silverstar}, @file{sindy}, @file{snails}, @file{snips}, @file{soarin},
@file{soigne}, @file{spike}, @file{spikefloat}, @file{spikelove}, @file{spot},
@file{stella}, @file{strongheart}, @file{sue}, @file{suedance}, @file{tank},
@file{trixiestage}, @file{trixiestand}, @file{turnip}, @file{twist}, @file{winona}.
@end itemize

@b{Note}: Identifies itself as version 0.7


@heading Version 0.7

@itemize @bullet
@item
@w{New ponies:} @file{carrot}, @file{octavia}, @file{trixie}, @file{vinyl},
@file{zecora}.
@item
@opindex @option{-l}
Support for listing ponies with @option{-l} option.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.6

@itemize @bullet
@item
@w{New ponies:} @file{bonbon}, @file{celestia}, @file{doctor}, @file{fillistia},
@file{spitfire}, @file{woona} (not moonstuck).
@item
Dropping usage of utility @command{which}, using @command{hash} instead.
@end itemize

@b{Note}: Identifies itself as version 0.5


@heading Version 0.5

@itemize @bullet
@item
Using utility @command{which} to determine existence of @command{cowsay}.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.4

@itemize @bullet
@item
@file{.cow} files are removed.
@item
@opindex @option{-W}
Support for @option{-W} option.
@item
Select random pony if not specified.
@item
@opindex @option{-f}
@option{-f} supports file names, and not only pony names.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.3

@itemize @bullet
@item
Fixed use of @file{.pony} files.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.2

@itemize @bullet
@item
Pony files end with @file{.pony} instead of @file{.cow}.
@item
@file{lyrasleep} is renamed to @file{lyra}.
@item
@file{.cow} files are kept but not used.
@item
@opindex @option{-h}
@option{-h} prints proper help.
@end itemize


@heading Version 0.1

First release.

@itemize @bullet
@item
@w{Includes the ponies}: @file{applejack}, @file{derpy}, @file{derpysit},
@file{fluttershy}, @file{luna}, @file{lyrasleep}, @file{pinkie}, @file{rainbow},
@file{rarity}, @file{sweetie}, @file{twilight}.
@end itemize



@node Ponysay contributors
@appendix Ponysay contributors

Active developers and major contributors of ponysay:
@itemize @bullet
@item Erkin ``erkin'' Batu Altunbaş
@item Mattias ``maandree'' Andrée
@item Elis ``etu'' Axelsson
@item Sven-Hendrik ``svenstaro'' Haase
@item Pablo ``jristz'' Lezaeta
@item Jan Alexander ``heftig'' Steffens
@end itemize
@*
Patchers and other contributors of ponysay:
@itemize @bullet
@item Duane ``Marneus68'' Bekaert
@item Kyah ``L-four'' Rindlisbacher
@item James ``rossy2401'' Ross-Gowan
@item Louis ``kragniz'' Taylor
@item Daniel ``gtmanfred'' Wallace
@item Jannis ``sycoso''
@item ``spider-mario''
@end itemize



@node Ponysay license
@appendix Ponysay license

Ponysay is release by Erkin Batu Altunbaş et al. @*
Copyright @copyright{} 2012  Erkin Batu Altunbaş et al. 

@*

Ponysay is Free Software (yet not Open Source) and in licensed under the terms
of Do What The Fuck You Want To Public License (WTFPL) version 2.

You have the four essential freedoms:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
@item
The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your
computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition
for this.
@item
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour (freedom 2). 
@item
The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3).
By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your
changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
@end itemize

@*

@cartouche
@verbatim
        DO WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO PUBLIC LICENSE
                  Version 2, December 2004

Copyright © 2004 Sam Hocevar <sam@hocevar.net>

Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim or modified
copies of this license document, and changing it is allowed as long
as the name is changed.

         DO WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO PUBLIC LICENSE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION

0. You just DO WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO.
@end verbatim
@end cartouche

@node GNU Free Documentation License
@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
@include fdl.texinfo


@node Concept and program index
@appendix Concept and program index
@printindex pg

@node Variable and option index
@appendix Variable and option index
@printindex vr


@bye