Copyright: Copyright © 1996 Insight Software Solutions


Contents
Zip Code Explorer Contents

Zip Code Explorer is a utility allowing easy look up of zip codes and their associated cities, states, counties, area codes and time zones.  We are also the authors of Zip Express, a more powerful version of Zip Code Explorer.

Main Topics

Copying To Clipboard

Entering Search Information

Main Window

Main Menu

Preferences

Printing

Time Zones

Zip Code Updates

Support and Upgrade Policy

License, Copyright and Disclaimer

INI File


Support and Upgrade Policy

Upgrade Policy

The code (.EXE file) for the registered and unregistered versions of the program are identical.  It is the presence of a file ZCODEX1X.DLL (ZCX951X.DLL with the 32 bit version) that is supplied with the registered version that causes the program to behave in a registered fashion. The presence of the DLL will also cause any further versions of Zip Code Explorer that still bear the 1.x release number to behave as registered versions, wherever you obtain them from. Versions that bear the 1.x release number will generally be for minor enhancements and bug-fixes. Any release containing major new functionality will bear the release number 2.x, and an upgrade fee will likely be chargeable.

NOTE: You may not distribute copies of the licensed version of this product. You may not distribute the ZCODEX1X.DLL or ZCX951X.DLL file in any form.

We will make new versions of Zip Code Explorer available via the usual sources such as on-line services like CompuServe, AOL, MSN, the Internet and other BBSs and via disk vendors, shareware CD-Roms, etc.

The prime locations for new releases are as follows:

CompuServe: Library 4 of the UKSHARE forum

Internet: World Wide Web: http://www.smartcode.com/iss

                 FTP Site: ftp://ftp.smartcode.com

If you do acquire a newer version of Zip Code Explorer simply ensure that the ZCODEX1X.DLL or ZCX951X.DLL file you received when you registered is either in the directory that the Zip Code Explorer program is in or is in your WINDOWS directory.

Upgrades to the actual zip code data base will be offered periodically for a small fee.  For more information, see the Zip Code Updates help topic.

Getting Support

Before you reach for the phone, please make sure you have looked through this Help File first. If you have a question that this Help File doesn't answer, or are reporting what appears to be a bug then we will be pleased to hear from you. But if it is a question that is answered in this Help file then all we will do is point you to the relevant section, and you will just get an answer a little bit slower. This is not meant to be awkward, but we try to keep our costs down to allow us to produce this high quality software at value-for-money prices, and answering support calls is an expensive undertaking. After all, some of the major software companies either charge for support or provide it on premium-price phone numbers. We don't want to have to do that.

USA

Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

P.O. Box 354

Bountiful, UT 84011-0354

USA

Phone	801 295-1890

Fax	801 299-1781

E-Mail:	issol@ix.netcom.com

United Kingdom

Oakley Data Services,

Lion Buildings, Market Place

Uttoxeter, Staffs, ST14 8HZ

United Kingdom

Phone: 	(+44) (0)1889 565064

Fax:	(+44) (0)1889 563219

E-Mail:	info@smartcode.com

Other

Please direct all correspondence directly to Insight Software Solutions, Inc. in the USA.

This program is authored by:  Insight Software Solutions, Inc.


INI File
A file named ZCODEXP.INI is created in the Windows directory. This file contains initialization information for the program such as the screen size.  It is in ASCII format and may be edited directly if so desired, but should be done with caution.  Removal of this file will reset all values back to the program defaults the next time the program is run and the file will be recreated.


Main Window

The main window is used for manual zip code searches.  You can search by Zip Code, City, State, County or Area Code.  Depending on your search criteria, you will be required to type in different information.  For example, if you are searching by "City", then you will be prompted to enter the city name whereas searching by "Zip Code" will prompt you for the zip code.  As the possibilities begin to be narrowed down by your entry, a list box (as shown below) will appear showing all the potential possibilities of a match to your search criteria.  Once actual zip codes start to appear in the list box, a "Range Selecting" option along with "Print" and "Copy to Clipboard" buttons will appear allowing you to select information to be copied to the clipboard or sent to the printer.  The amount of information that is displayed in the list box can be set via the preferences option.

Click on an area below for more information.


Preferences

You may select a few program preferences via the CONFIG | PREFERENCES menu command.  Here you can specify what information to include in the main window zip code list box and if you want certain information capitalized or not.

Click on an area below for more information.


Main Range Selecting
Once valid zip codes begin to appear in the listbox on the Main Window, a Range Selecting checkbox appears along with buttons for printing and copying to the clipboard.  If there are a group of zip codes listed in the zip code listbox then the range selecting checkbox comes into play.  With the range selecting checked, you may click on the left mouse button on one of the selections and continue to hold the mouse down and drag it over more selections.  Releasing the mouse will leave a group of zip codes selected (highlighted).  This group will then be used if the print or copy to clipboard button is used.  If the range selecting is not checked, then you may click on individual zip codes to choose a group of zip codes.


Main Zip Code Listbox
The Zip Code listbox contains information about your search attempts.  As you begin to key in your search information (zip code, city, etc), the listbox will begin to fill with information based on what it can find matching what you've keyed in.  The more you type in, the narrower the range of matching items will be found and displayed in the listbox.  The listbox typically shows at least the zip code, city and state associated with the zip code.  However, it may also show the county, area code, time zone and current time associated with the zip code depending on the program preferences that have been selected.  Once the information you desire is showing in the list box, you may select it and either copy it to the clipboard or print it.


Main Search By
You may search for zip code information by one of 5 ways.  These include searching by the zip code, city, state, county or area code.  Depending on your method of search, you will be prompted for different information to be entered.  As you enter your search criteria, matching information will likely be displayed in the Zip Code list box.


Main Menu Help
The "Help" command in the menu simply lists options for invoking this help file (Contents), displaying current version number of the program (About), displaying information regarding zip code updates and for listing our other products (Other Products).


Main Menu Configure
Always On Top

Preferences

Time Zone


Main Menu Edit
Copy


Main Menu File
Screen Size

Print

Printer Setup

Exit


Zip Express

Zip Express is an enhanced version of Zip Code Explorer and is also available as shareware.  Zip Express appears and functions the same as Zip Code Explorer but with a major function added.  With Zip Express, you may assign up to 78 hot keys (CTRL-SHIFT-A, etc) to perform different functions.  The primary use of these functions are to paste zip code data directly into your applications.

For example, you could be in your word processor and press CTRL-SHIFT-C and immediately a small input box would appear asking for a zip code.  You type in your desired zip code and as soon as the fifth digit is keyed in, the input box disappears and the city, state and zip code are placed directly into your word processor.

Another example: You are in your address database and the cursor resides on the field where a zip code is present.  You press CTRL-SHIFT-Q and suddenly the cursor backs up to the city field, types in the city, tabs over to the state field and types in the state and finally tabs over to the area code field and enters it too.

You can assign any function you want to each of the 78 hot keys.  And you can easily modify and create the zip code format that is to be keyed into your programs.

Zip Express is available for those who would find this capability useful.  If simple look ups are all that is desired, then Zip Code Explorer provides a more economical alternative.


Copying To Clipboard

Once valid zip code entries start to appear in the zip code listbox on the main window, then two new buttons appear below the list box entitled "Copy To Clipboard" and "Print".  In addition, the EDIT | COPY command in the menu will be enabled.  To copy to the clipboard, you will need to either select the "Copy To Clipboard" button or "copy" from the menu.  If there is more than one zip code entry in the zip code listbox, then you will first need to select the entries you would like copied.  If there is only one entry then selecting the one item is not necessary.  After clicking on the copy button, the window shown below will be displayed.  This window contains a list of all the available formats that can be pasted to the clipboard.  The last format used will be highlighted.  Once you have the format you desire to use, simply click on the "Copy To Clipboard" button and the zip code information will be copied to the clipboard.

Click on an area below for more information.


Copy Cancel
The Cancel button will abort the clipboard pasting process.


Copy Formats
These are the formats that may be selected for output to the clipboard.


Copy Copy
The Copy To Clipboard button will take all the zip codes you have selected in the zip code list box on the main window and will send them to the clipboard in the format you have selected.


Printing

Once valid zip code entries start to appear in the zip code listbox on the main window, then two new buttons appear below the list box entitled "Print" and "Copy To Clipboard".  In addition, the FILE | PRINT command in the menu will be enabled.  To print, you will need to either select the "Print" button or "Print" from the menu.  If there is more than one zip code entry in the zip code listbox, then you will first need to select the entries you would like printed.  If there is only one entry then selecting the one item is not necessary.  After clicking on the print button, the window shown below will be displayed.  This window contains a list of all the available formats that can be used to send output to your printer.  The last format used will be highlighted.  Once you have the format you desire to use, simply click on the "Print" button and the zip code information will be sent to the printer.

Click on an area below for more information.


Print Cancel
The Cancel button will abort the printing process.


Print Print
The Print button will take all the zip codes you have selected in the zip code list box on the main window and will send them to the printer in the format you have selected.


Print Font
The "Print Font" button allows you to specify the font you would like used when printing out zip codes.  The box next to the print font button displays the current font style and size that is to be used.  The color of the text in the box also represents the color of the font to be used.


Print Formats
These are the formats that may be selected for output to the printer.


Main Menu
File

Edit

Configure

Help


Zip Code Updates

To print this order form, select FILE | PRINT TOPIC from the menu above.

Because the population of the United States is always changing, zip codes change too.  To stay up-to-date,  Insight Software Solutions, Inc. will provide zip code data updates twice a year.  The updates will normally be available around January and July.  You may order an updated set of zip code data at any time for a small fee.  The most current set of data will be sent at the time of order.  Or you may subscribe to receive the updates as they become available.  Please use the order form below for ordering your zip code data update.

NOTE: This order form is for "zip code data" updates only.  Zip Code Explorer must be purchased (licensed) first before we will honor this order form.

ORDER FORM/SUBSCRIPTION for "Zip Code Explorer" Zip Code Data

Name_________________________________________________________

Company______________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

City____________________________  State_______     Zip_____________

Country_______________________

ORDER OPTIONS

[ ] Send me the latest version of the data now	 $8.00

Subscriptions    [ ] Semi Annual    [ ] Annual

[ ] One update subscription   	 $8.00

[ ] Two update subscription   	$15.00

[ ] Four update subscription   	$25.00

Payment Method:  [ ] Check    [ ] Visa    [ ] MC    [ ] Amex    [ ] Discover

Card Number ______________________________    Exp Date ___/___

Signature _________________________________________

Note: Shipping & Handling is FREE

Remit To:	Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

P.O. Box 354

Bountiful, UT  84011-0354

USA

Tel: (801) 295-1890	Fax: (801) 299-1781

(UK Customers: Please contact Oakley Data Services in the UK regarding updates at

  Tel: (0)1889 565064   Fax: (0)1889 563219   E-Mail: info@smartcode.com


Shortcut Close
The Close Button simply removes you from the Keyboard Shortcut window and aborts the processes of selecting a hot key.


DDE Connection

*** NOTE: DDE is currently not supported in Zip Code Explorer ***

Zip Code Explorer sports a Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) link where you can program your application to send a zip code to Zip Code Explorer and receive back all pertinent information regarding the zip code.  Your application can then process the data as it sees fit.  Using the DDE connection, your application can process a single zip code or loop through hundreds of them.  If you wish to bundle Zip Code Explorer with your product, please contact us for licensing details.

Zip Code Explore is a DDE Server.  Usage is as follows:

DDE Service:	zcode

DDE Topic:	Zip Code Explorer  (for 16 bit version)

Zip Code Explorer 95 (for 32 bit version)

DDE Item:	LookupZip

The text passed from the DDE Client to Zip Code Explorer is a 5 digit zip code.  The text passed back will be the following data separated by commas: City, State, Zip Code, Long State (state spelled out), County, Area Code and Time Zone.  If the zip code is not found or an invalid zip code data is passed, then "Invalid Zip" will be passed back.

Note: DDE is not available in our Zip Express software.


Preferences List Box
When the zip code list box on the main window is displaying zip codes, you may optionally choose to have the associated county, area code, time zone and/or current time be shown along with the other zip code information.


Preferences Cancel
The "Cancel" button aborts the process of changing your preferences and exits the window.


Preferences Misc
You can optionally choose to have City, State and County information in all capital letters.  Capitalization is global--that is the choosen item will be capitalized in the main window list box, in any clipboard copying or any printing.


Preferences Ok
The "Ok" button accepts all the current settings on the Preferences Window and saves them.


Screen Size
You can choose to have the program run at different screen sizes by selecting "FILE | SCREEN SIZE" from the main menu.  If you are running your Windows at a high resolution, you may opt to choose to run the program at the same high resolution so that it fills the screen and is more legible.  Alternatively, you may wish to run it at a lower resolution as to view multiple programs at once.  Four standard resolutions are supported, plus two small resolutions to allow for a small foot print: 400 x 320, 480 x 360, 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024.  If your computer does not support the higher resolutions, you will not be able to select them.


Terminate Zip Code Explorer
The "Terminate Zip Code Explorer" option simply quits and exits the program.


Printer Setup
The "Printer Setup" allows you to select the printer of default while running the program.


Main Data Input
Main Window Data Input

From the Main Window, you will be prompted to enter search information for different items depending on the search method you have chosen.  These are illustrated below.

Search By Zip Code

Here you simply type in the zip code.  Only numeric values will be accepted.  When you type in the first digit of the zip code, the zip code list box will display a list of potential states that the zip code could be from.  After typing in the second digit of the zip code, up to 10 cities will be displayed.  These cities will be those cities which have the most number of zip codes associated with the first two digits you have keyed in and a supplied third digit.  When keying in the 3rd, 4th and 5th digits, all matching zip codes and their associated information will be displayed.

Search by City

Here you type in the name of the city.  You may narrow your search down to one state or include all the states in your search.  After keying in the first 2 letters of the city, the zip code list box will display all potential cities in the state (or all states).  When keying in the 3rd or later letter, all matching zip codes and their associated information will be displayed.

Search by State

Here you first select the state you would like to search in.  After doing so, an entry for a city name will appear.  Typing in the first letter of the city will yield a list of all possible cities in the state.  When keying in the 2nd or later letter, all matching zip codes and their associated information will be displayed.  You may select a new state at any time using the combo box selection button or you may easily scroll alphabetically through the different states using the up and down buttons.

Search by County

Here you type in the name of the county.  You may narrow your search down to one state or include all the states in your search.  After keying in the first and/or second letter of the county, the zip code list box will display all potential counties in the state (or all states).  When keying in the 3rd or later letter, all matching zip codes and their associated information will be displayed.

Search by Area Code

Here you type in the area code.  After keying in the 3 digit area code, all matching zip codes and their associated information will be displayed.


Time Zones

In order for Zip Code Explorer to accurately calculate the time at the location of any given zip code, you must provide the time zone of where you are located.  Zip Code Explorer uses the system time of your computer.  Therefore your computer's time must be accurate for the correct times to be displayed.

You may choose one of several available time zones from the combo box above.  In addition, if daylight savings time is used in your area, then you should also check the "Daylight Savings Time" box.


License, Copyright and Disclaimer

Agreement

The use of this program indicates your understanding and acceptance of the following terms and conditions. This license shall supersede any verbal or written statement or agreement to the contrary. If you do not understand or accept these terms you must cease using this product immediately.

Copyright

This product is © Copyright 1996 by Insight Software Solutions, Inc. This product is protected by United States copyright law and various international treaties.

Disclaimer

This product and/or license is provided as is, without any representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any representations or endorsements regarding the use of, the results of, or performance of the product, its appropriateness, accuracy, reliability, or correctness. The entire risk as to the use of this product is assumed by the user and/or licensee. Insight Software Solutions, Inc. does not assume liability for the use of this product beyond the original purchase price of the software. In no event will Insight Software Solutions, Inc. be liable for additional direct or indirect damages including any loss of profits or other incidental or consequential damages arising from any defects, or the use or inability to use the software, even if Insight Software Solutions, Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Restrictions

You may not use, copy, modify, translate, or transfer the software, documentation, or any copy except as expressly defined in this agreement. You may not attempt to unlock or bypass any licensing algorithm utilized by the program. You may not remove or modify any copyright notices.

The evaluation version of this product may be freely distributed. The license enabling file which disables the reminder screens, and that you receive with a full license to the product, may not be distributed by anyone without the prior written authorization of Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

License for usage

You have the non-exclusive right to use the program only by a single person, on a single computer at a time. You may physically transfer the program from one computer to another, provided that the program is only installed on a single computer at a time.  Network deployment is only permitted if you have purchased licenses sufficient to cover the number of copies concurrently in use.

Back-Up Copies

You may make one copy of the software solely for "back-up" purposes. The backup copy must include any copyright notices contained in the original.

License Transfer

You may transfer the product to another party only if the other party agrees to all the terms and conditions of this agreement. If you transfer the program you must at the same time transfer any documentation and the back-up copy, or transfer any documentation and destroy the back-up copy. You may not retain any portion of the program, in any form, under any circumstance.

Terms

This license is effective until terminated. You may terminate it by destroying the software, the documentation and copies thereof.  This license will also terminate if you fail to comply with any terms or conditions of this agreement. You agree upon such termination to destroy all copies of the program and of the documentation, or return them to Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

Other Rights

All other rights not specifically granted in this license are reserved by Insight Software Solutions, Inc.


Always On Top
The "Always On Top" option allows you to keep Zip Code Explorer always visible and available for use.  Choose a small screen size foot print and you can tuck it away in the corner of your screen ready at a moments notice.