Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr31/vip_63.zip/VIP.DOC

Text File | 1993-06-11 | 28KB | 609 lines

                              VIP.EXE  ver 6.3

                          (C) Copyright Al Richards
                                  June, 1993
                             All rights reserved


 New: Ver 6.3 has an option to convert ARJ, LHA & ARC  files to Zips.
      It will also re-zip, zip files to the current version of PkZip.
      Convert self-extracting Zips (with .EXE extension), to normal Zips.
      It uses maximum compression, and automatically sets the ZipDate
      to the date equal to the newest date of files within the Zip.
      When Re-Zipping a Zip file, you now have the option to delete the
      origional Zip before creating the new Zip.  This is useful when the
      Zip file contains items that will not let you delete, such as a
      VOLUME label.  It will also eliminate any comments and -AV that
      the origional file had.   Make sure you have enough disk space
      before doing this.  (First, try rezipping it without deleting the
      origional file to make sure there is enough disk space.)

      To Re-Zip or convert a file, highlight the filename and press F5
      The file/s ARJ.EXE, LHA.EXE, PKXARC.EXE must be in the search path
      for this option to work.
      If ARJ.EXE is not found, then files with an .ARJ extension will not
      be displayed.  The same is true with LHA & ARC.    ARC files will be
      extracted with PkXarc only.
      Note: In some cases, converting small ARJ or LZH files to ZIP files
      may result in a slightly larger file.

      For most larger files, Zipped files will usually be smaller.

             ─────────────────────────────────────────

      VIP requires Dos Version 5.0+  OR  PKZIP Ver. 204.

      VIP can operate with an older DOS while using PKZIP 204
      VIP can operate with PKZIP 1.1 while using DOS 5.0 +
      Works just fine with Dos 6. using DoubleSpace.
      Checks first to see if Pkzip is present.

      The required files for operation of VIP.EXE are:

         VIP.EXE
         PKZIP.EXE & PKUNZIP.EXE    (from PKZ110 or newer )
         LIST.COM                   ( from LIST76B.ZIP  or newer )
         SORT.EXE                   ( from DOS )
         EDIT.EXE                   ( or user defined editor )

      These above files *MUST* be in your Dos search path.
      Do not re-name these files or failure will result.

      Some older versions of LIST will work just fine.
      If LIST is not available, Vip will still operate however
      you will not be able to view a file.

      PKZ204G or newer is recommended.
       Note: All functions have not been tested with PkZip 110

      Correspondence can be obtained through The Drafting Board BBS.
      The latest versions can be downloaded, if and when available.
      ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
      ║                     The Drafting Board                      ║
      ║                         PCBoard 15.                         ║
      ║                       [phone]                        ║
      ║                    Dedicated to AutoCAD                     ║
      ║       ──────    Files tested ERROR FREE and   ───────       ║
      ║                 Scanned for any Known Virus                 ║
      ║          24 hours 1200 to 14400 V.32 V.42 V.42 BIS          ║
      ║            HsLink, Zmodem, SuperZmodem supported.           ║
      ║  Instant Access  -  Reasonable Rates  -  SYSOP Dave Kobets  ║
      ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

                ───────────────────────────────────────────


 VIP:
   The main purpose of VIP is the ability to view a file from within a
   ZIP file and/or selectively extract files from within the zip.
   Additional features were added to delete, edit & restore directories
   while still being the easiest and friendliest zip extractor.

   Vip does not contain annoying bells or whistles, or noisemakers and
   should operate smoothly.

   Vip uses PkZip & PkUnzip and can't become obsolete because of a newer
   type of compression.  When you get a newer version of PkZip, VIP will
   automatically be up to date with the latest method of compression
   extraction.

   PkZip, PkUnzip, & List, are properties of their respective authors.
   These files are *NOT* included within this archive  and are available
   from most bulletin boards.
   For further information on these programs, refer to the documentation
   supplied with these programs.

   You can now invoke VIP and specify the desired path on the command
   line. IE,   C:\> VIP D:\DOWNLOADS

   After invoking VIP, select the desired Zip File with the key-pad keys.
   To view the contents of the zip file, select the LIST option with the
   key-pad keys and press enter.     The zip's internal directory will be
   displayed.

                    _________________________________


  VIEW:
   To view one of the files from within the Zip,   highlight the desired
   file using the up/dn keys.   Select the view option and press Enter.
   The View function uses LIST.COM.   If LIST.COM is not available, an
   error message will appear from dos.  (if it's not too fast to read)
   If you can't seem to be able to view a file, it could be because the
   listing program is not in the search path or an out_of_memory
   condition may exist.


  TEMPORARY Work-Drive:       ( Alt_W )
   The default work-drive is C: if it exist.
   You may specify a work drive for viewing/editing by pressing Alt-W
   This is useful if you are working from a floppy disk that may not
   have enough free space for viewing or editing.
   The work-drive has no effect on normal extractions and is used only
   while viewing or editing.  Processing a BACKUP multiple disk Zip file
   DOES use the work drive for all functions.


  TEMPORARY Editor:           (Alt-E)
   The default editor as specified in the setup window can be bypassed by
   pressing Alt-E.   This is a temporary editor assignment.  If the editor
   cannot be found in your path, a message will appear.


  TEST Zip integrity:        (ALT-T)
   Highlight the desired Zip File to test and press ALT-T


  Technical listing:         (Ctrl-T)
   Highlight the desired Zip File and press Ctrl-T to view the technical
   information for the Zip File.


  View the Zip File with LIST:   ((Alt-V)
   If a Zip File cannot be viewed by PkZip because of errors in the Zip,
   you may press  Alt-V  to view the file as if it were a text file.
   This is handy while trying to determine why a file has errors.  You may
   find that it's not a Zip File at all.   Most all Zip Files will display
   the letters PK at the very beginning of the file as viewed with LIST.
   If the file displays PKPK at the beginning of the file, then it is a
   part of a backup set which consist of more than one disk.  Note that
   the last disk of this set may not contain PK at the beginning of the
   file.


  PRINTING a file:
   Highlight the file to print (ascii) and press F10     If the file you
   are printing is NOT an ascii file (binary), it can easily go through
   a ream of paper with gibberish on it.


  EXTRACT:
   To extract files, tag the desired files by pressing the space-bar.
   You can press T to TAG all files or U to UNTAG all files.   After the
   desired files are tagged, highlight the EXTRACT option & press enter.
   You will be prompted for an extraction path.   This is the path where
   the extracted files will be placed.        Specify the FULL Dos path.
   If no files are tagged,  then the highlighted file will be extracted.

   When extracting a file,  if the extraction  path is not specified, it
   will extract it to the default directory.
   Now, Multiple paths can be specified.  IE: D:\TEST\TEST1\TEST2 etc.
   If the path does not exist, it will create the path if you desire.


  EXTRACT with pass-code:
   To extract a file that requires a pass-code, use the instructions as
   shown above except do NOT press enter, Press ALT_P instead.  You will
   be prompted for a pass-code.


  STORED DIRECTORIES:
   If directories have been stored within the archive, you may extract
   them to their respective directories. If the directory does not exist
   it will automatically created.  You must specify the parent directory
   that you want these directories created/restored under.

    An example:
                 ROOT \ ─┐
                         ├── WINDOWS─┐
                         │           ├── ICONS
                         │           ├── SYSTEM ─── DOCS
                         │           └── UTILITYS
                         │
                         ├── DOS


   In the above example, suppose the ZipFile was created from the
   WINDOWS directory with the -mrp option to store the directory paths.
   The files that were in the \WINDOWS\ directory will not have it's
   path stored, however the files in the ICONS, SYSTEM, DOCS, & UTILITYS
   directories will have the path stored inside the Zip.

   When creating the Zipfile, the -m will move the files and directories
   into the zip & then delete them from the disk.   The parent directory
    (\WINDOWS\) is not deleted.

   To restore/create these directories and extract the files to the same
   paths as the original, you must specify  WINDOWS  as the parent path
   for this extraction.  If \WINDOWS\ does not exist, it will be created.


  Multiple Disks
   A Zip file created with the -& option spanning multiple disks, the Zip
   file's directory is located on the LAST disk of the backup set.
   To process these files in the usual manner,   place the LAST disk into
   the drive. You may then View / Extract these files in the usual manner.
   If the disk is not the last disk, the operation will fail.
   If you place the wrong disk ( 2nd, 3rd, etc) in the drive, and not the
   last disk, Pkzip will go into an endless loop.    To break out of this
   loop, press Ctl-C or Ctl-Break.
   Note that you may not be able to edit one of these files unless it is
   on the last disk.

   Pkzip may request you to insert a different disk of the set if needed.
   Remember, that most of these disks will be full, and a work drive other
   than the current drive is required.   Also, the extraction path should
   be to a different drive if the current drive is full.

   Note:  When selecting to view the contents of a zip file that spans
   multiple disks, even if the set consist of 1 disk, VIP will display
   a message asking you to place the LAST disk into the drive.   Pkzip
   will then prompt you to place thelast disk into the drive.
   YOU WON'T SEE THIS PROMPT, because the output is re-directed to a
   temporary file.    After you realize that nothing is happening, press
   enter to proceed.
   The same thing happens if you place the last disk or the first disk
   into the drive.  If a disk other than the first or the last is placed
   in the drive, PkZip will go into an endless loop.
   Once the internal Zip directory is displayed, you may tag/view/extract
   the files in the usual manner. Remember, the Zip-directory is contained
   on the LAST disk of the set.


  DIFFICULTY using drive A & B
   While viewing or extracting files, PkZip needs room to work.   If the
   disk is full, and no work drive is set,  an error message will appear.
   A error message may appear if the diskette is missing, not formatted or
   write protected.

   Other Difficulties have been when insufficient memory is available.
   Too many TSR's loaded;  Try unloading some of them.
   To determine the amount of memory available, from the dos prompt,
   enter:   MEM/d      (for dos 5.0+)

   On rare occasion, vip will display the message that PkZip is not found.
   This happens if you do not have sufficient memory, or when shelling to
   dos and trying to run VIP a second time instead of typing EXIT to
   return to VIP.   You may have too many TSR's loaded in memory.

   If everything else fails, try booting up on drive A with a bare bones
   system without all the TSR's and things loaded.  If it works ok here,
   then you have too much in memory, or some programs are conflicting.


  PATH:
   Using the PATH  option will enable you to change to a different drive
   and/or directory.  This becomes the default directory.    If the path
   does not exist, a message will appear.
   To re-log the current directory, enter a single period as the new path.
   When specifying the path,  you can specify the full path starting from
   the root & include the drive if more than one drive exist.  If the path
   is on the current drive, only the directory name is needed.

  PATH Examples:
   Assume the current directory is  C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ICONS\
   Selecting a path change by specifying 2 dots ..    will drop back one
   directory to  C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\
   To change back to the example, simply specify ICONS without a backslash.
   From the root of C:\  you must specify  WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ICONS to change
   the path to the example.   A leading backslash is not needed.
   To change to the root directory, use a backslash as the directory name.


  PATH as a PARAMETER:
   You may specify the path on the command line when you invoke VIP.
   IE:   C:> VIP D:\UTILITYS   will change to & start up in D:\UTILITYS
   The path as specified on the command line no longer require a colon
   or a backslash.  A directory name without a drive or backslash in it's
   name will be assumed to be the current drive and starting from the root.
   The command line parameter no longer assigns the editor name.


  DELETE:  (entire ZipFile)
   To DELETE a single ZIPFILE, Highlight the desired file to delete and
   select the delete option & press enter.  A warning will appear.
   Deleted files can sometimes be un-deleted, however, the operation of
   VIP uses disk space for temporary files, and may use the sectors that
   the deleted file used.  This often makes it impossible to Un-Delete.

  DELETE:  (a file within the Zip)
   To DELETE a file from WITHIN the zip, tag the desired files with the
   space-bar.    You will be warned that files are about to be deleted.
   Once the files are deleted, they cannot be un-deleted.   Only tagged
   files will be deleted.
   Note that when deleting a file, PkZip requires a lot of disk space.
   If there is not enough disk space, PkZip will abort the function.
   The same may be true when editing a text file.
   When disk space is short, try specifying a different work drive by
   pressing ALT-W


                 ───────────────────────────────────

  SHELL:
   When you SHELL to dos,  upon returning,  VIP will automatically
   re-log the current directory.  You can re-log the current directory
   at any time by choosing the path option and enter a single dot.


  EDIT:
   The Edit function is available only to registered versions. To edit a
   text file, select the desired file by highlighting the file with the
   highlight bar.  Select the edit function and press enter.
   Your editor must be smart enough to accept command line parameters.

   Note that large files may result in an  Out of memory error  because
   during the edit function, VIP is still resident and occupying memory.
   Depending what editor you use, some editors may not work at all. The
   default editor is DOS's EDIT which is the same EDIT that QBASIC uses.
   Edit was chosen because it comes with DOS 5.  The best editor you can
   use is Q (QEDIT) because it does not require much memory and can edit
   a text file of almost any size. (and much more)

   Upon exit from the editor, PkZip looks at the edited file, and if it
   has changed, (edited),  it will automatically update the zipfile and
   replace the edited file in the zipfile.
   After editing, Pkzip will display the message that it is freshen the
   ZipFile & moving files.   It will remove the files & the directories
   from the temporary directory.  When it is actually updating the file
   it will specify the file-name that is updating.   A deliberate pause
   was added to enable you to view any message from PkZip.

   If you edit the file, and decide NOT to save it, then Pkzip will NOT
   update the zipfile.  A message from PkZip will be:  Nothing to do.
   When finished editing, save the edited copy in the usual manner, and
   exit from the editor.    If you DON'T want the Zipfile to be updated
   with the edited file, then do NOT save it;  Exit your editor without
   saving the edited copy.

   If you are trying to edit a file from within  the Zipfile that has a
   PATH stored for that file, PkZip will NOT freshen the file unless it
   is extracted to the path that is stored within the ZipFile.
   Vip 6.3 will now automatically create the stored directories and
   extract the file to this directory chain.  After editing, PkZip will
   move the edited file into the Zip, and remove the created temporary
   directories.


  WARNING:
   Do NOT try to edit COM, EXE, or any binary type file unless you know
   what you are doing.   Most editors WILL DESTROY a binary file if you
   edit it with a text type editor.   You may edit binary files with an
   editor like DEBUG, but again this is for the advanced programmer who
   would not be trying to edit it through the use of VIP.
   If the text you are trying to edit is not clear ascii,  or if it has
   strange characters in it,  it may not be an ascii file,  and you can
   not edit it without destroying it.  SOME editors can edit files that
   contain control codes,  but most editors cannot.


  INCLUDE-EXCLUDE:
   This function toggles the logging of EXE files with the ZIP files so
   that you may examine / process self-extracting zips.     The default
   is exclude which will only display ZIP files with a ZIP   extension.
   When you toggle the INCLUDE, it will display all .ZIP and .EXE files.
   Note that most .EXE files are NOT self-extracting zips and trying to
   view the contents will obtain an error message from PKZIP.
   There is no easy method to determine if an EXE file is a ZIP file, so
   all .EXE files will be displayed. An error message usually means that
   it is NOT a self extracting ZipFile.
   The message: 'Error in ZipFile - use PkZipFix'  can be ignored unless
   you are sure that it really is a self-extracting ZipFile with errors.

                 ───────────────────────────────────

  CONVERTING files:
   Files created with ARJ, LHA, PKARC, or self extracting ZIP's may be
   converted to Zip Files by highlighting the file and pressing F5.

   If the ARJ file has directories stored in it, they will be re-created
   in the Zip file during conversion.   The Zip file date will be set to
   the date of the newest file within the Zip file.    Comments will not
   be saved or converted.

     Difficulty:  If the process fails, it may leave a working directory
   with sub-directories and/or files in it.  These directories/files are
   temporary and are difficult to remove.   In this case, you will need
   to shell to dos, and delete these files/directories.
   Normally, the working directory will be C:\$VIP$ or whatever work
   drive you assigned.
   This can easily be done using LIST. With a little practice, you will
   find LIST very handy for this type of operation.

  OOPS:
   If you have used prior versions of VIP, it may have left temporary
   directories on your disk.  If so, and if they present a problem, they
   should be removed.  Version 6 should not leave temporary directories.


                    ───────────────────────────────────

  REQUIREMENTS:
   VIP version 6.3 can now operate with dos 3.3 or newer.  Other types
   of operating systems have NOT been tested.  They may or may not work.
   VIP requires ONE of the following conditions:

           DOS 5.0 (or newer)  AND  PkZip version 1.1 (or newer.)
       OR
           Most any DOS version  AND  PKZIP Version 204 or newer.

   All possible types/combinations have not been tested.  If you have a
   particular configuration that will not work, please let me know.

                 ───────────────────────────────────


  DEFAULT EDITOR:     (ALT_1)
   The editor option is to define the default   editor that VIP will be
   using.  When you define the editor,  specify the editor name without
   an extension.   This new editor name is saved within the VIP program
   becomes the default editor.


  TEMPORARY EDITOR:
   You may specify a different editor by pressing Alt-E.   This is only
   a temporary assignment and is discarded when you exit VIP.
   When specifying an editor, Vip will search your search path to see if
   the editor exist.

  WINDOWS:
   An ICON is supplied if you want to run Vip from windows.
   Note that VIP is a DOS application, and the ICON is an after-thought.
   Extract VIP.ICO to the windows  directory or where  ever you keep your
   icons.   Vip does not support a mouse.  To install in windows,  select
   the category box to put it in by clicking it one time.  Choose the New
   Item in the file box.  Select the Browse option & select the directory
   that Vip is in.  Highlight VIP.EXE and click the OK box.  Windows will
   place the path and file-name in the box.  Select CHANGE ICON and browse
   for VIP.ICO & click on the ok box.
   You may enter the working directory on the working directory line.
   This drive\directory will be passed to VIP and will log onto that path
   upon start-up and displaying the ZipFiles in that directory.


  HELP:
   Most of the help data has been removed from the program to conserve
   file space, and moved to a separate file.  When calling help, LIST
   will display the file if VIPHELP.TXT is found in your search path.


  SET:
   Now you may define the location of VIPHELP in the autoexec.bat
   set command.     The syntax example is:

        SET VIPHELP = [drive\]path      example:  SET VIPHELP=C:\UTILS
   This is only needed if VIPHELP.TXT is not in a search path.

        SET VIP = [drive\]path      Can be specified if vip is not in a
   search path. This setting will slightly speed up the initial startup
   and can be used during registration and/or defining the editor.

        SET VIPWORK=E:
   Used to pre-define a different work-drive other than the default of C:
    Great idea if you use a ramdrive or Vdrive.


        SET VIPKEY=C:\DOS\DEBUG
   A universal hotkey to execute a SHELL command by pressing F1
   The above example will call DEBUG when F1 is pressed.
   You may do with this key whatever you wish.  You could use it to change
   to a pre-defined directory, or make it call a program, or whatever.
   Using this key is entirely up to you.


        SET VSAVER=30   Sets the screen saver to 30 seconds.
                        If Vip is not registered this has no effect.
                        Un-registered defaults to 1 hour.
                        To disable, SET VSAVER to 0


  REGISTRATION:
   To enter the configuration screen,  Press Alt-1 from either screen.
     (hold the alt key while you press the number 1 key )
   Version 6.3 of VIP no longer requires you to be in the same directory
   that VIP resides in for this option, so long as vip is in a search
   path OR you used the SET command in your autoexec.bat.  If Vip cannot
   find it's self in the search path, it will let you know.

   A configuration menu will appear with 3 options.
   When registering VIP, you will receive a code that is unique to your
   registration.  Specify the registration name exactly as you want it.
   It is CASE sensitive. If you use all upper case letters, this is the
   way it will be registered.  You cannot change it without a new code.
   It is suggested to use lower case letters with the first letter in
   upper case (capitalized).  This name is limited to 24 characters.

   Version 6.3 now will allow semi-automatic registration.
   Create a file:  VIPREG  by using the copy con function.

    COPY CON VIPREG    (enter)
    REGISTRATION NAME  (enter)
    your CODE          (enter)
          (ctrl-z)

    The first line contains the registration name.
    The second line contains your registration code.

    Enter VIP REGISTER
    Vip will automatically look for a file named VIPREG
    This file must be in the default directory while registering VIP
    unless you specify the path\file on the command line.
          VIP REGISTER C:\UTIL\VIPREG

  An alternate method:
    Create VIPREG as described above.
    Create a batch file VIPREG.BAT  which contains:
      VIP REGISTER PATH\VIPREG

  An oddity:
   If you extract VIP.EXE to a directory, and have a prior version of
   vip in your search path, the FIRST VIP found in your path is the one
   that will get registered.  The newer one will not register.
   To solve this, delete the old Vip or move it to a different directory.



  DISKETTE:
   If you include a  3 1/2 inch formatted diskette with your registration,
   I will place the current, or latest version of vip on it and return it
   with your registration.   (you must supply the envelope & postage)


  FEE:
   Some software authors charge high registration fees for their software.
   I believe that if the price is right, most people will register their
   copy of VIP.    The price of $10 must be right, because I am receiving
   more registrations than expected.   Your registration code should work
   for all future versions of VIP.



  TERMS:
   You are encouraged to register VIP if you intend to continue using it.
   The registration cost is only $10, US currency.
   The author assumes  no liability  for the use of this program  and the
   user is solely responsible for any loss or damage to files as a result
   of using VIP.

   The use of VIP constitutes an agreement to these terms.

  COMMERCIAL USE:
   IF VIP is to be used commercially, for business or government, it
   must be registered.    Commercial users are required to register
   each copy used at the work site.
   To obtain a site licence, use the comment section on the registration
   form to specify how many copys needed.
   The first copy cost is $10.   Additional copy cost is $8 each.


                     -------------------------------------


      Please enclose an addressed, stamped envelope with your order.

                           REGISTRATION FORM                 VIP-63
                        Send $10.  US currency


       Your name ____________________________________________________

       Address   ____________________________________________________

       City, State, Zip   ___________________________________________

       Company name  ________________________________________________

       Phone number  (____) _____________________

       Where did you obtain VIP ? ___________________________________

       Enter the name below EXACTLY as you want it registered

       Name >    ____________________________________________________
                                    (24 characters limit)

          Mail to:
                    AL RICHARDS
                    5201 ASH
                    SHAWNEE MISSION, KANSAS  USA.
                    66205-2114


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