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README.TXT
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Wincode: Multi-Purpose Encoder/Decoder for Windows
(C) _Snappy_ (1993-1996)
------------------------------------------------------------
written by George H. Silva
***PLEASE DISTRIBUTE FREELY WITH ALL FILES INTACT***
Files: WINCODE.EXE the main executable program
WCENGINE.DLL dynamic link library of coding functions
WCEHOOK.DLL dynamic link library of menu hook functions
WCEFMEXT.DLL File Manager Extension dynamic link library
WCHLPKEY.DLL Help file option dynamic link library
WCESOCK.EXE a companion Winsock e-mail/post daemon
WCEPADDR.WAB default Wincode address book
WINSORT.EXE a companion file-sort utility
UNINSTLL.EXE Wincode package UnInstall program
ZIPLINK.EXE executable link to PKZIP/PKUNZIP
ZIPLINK.PIF ZIPLINK.EXE program information file
VSWLINK.EXE Windows executable link to VSDLINK
VSDLINK.EXE executable link to DOS Virus Scan software
VSDLINK.PIF VSDLINK.EXE program information file
VSDLINK.DAT VSDLINK Virus Scanner exit codes
MACAPPFC.DAT MAC Finder information database
SUM.EXE a BONUS "sum -r/size" DOS utility
README.NOW important info file
README.TXT this file
HELPME.HLP Wincode basics and information for obtaining
the real HELP file (WINCODE.HLP)
LICENSE.TXT _Snappy_ "User-Friendly" FREEWARE License
INSTALL.EXE the Install/Upgrade program
INSTALL.HLP the Installer HELP file
INSTALL.INF the Installer information file
CHECKSUM.REF checksum reference file
FILE_ID.DIZ BBS identification file
****************************************************
PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING FILES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
README.NOW
HELPME.HLP (formerly HELPME.TXT -> now a Windows HELP file)
VSDLINK.DAT
LICENSE.TXT
****************************************************
This file contains the following information:
I. About Wincode
II. Wincode Features (very brief list! - MANY NEW FEATURES :-)
III. Coming Soon
IV. Requirements
V. Installing/Running/UnInstalling Wincode
VI. Availability
VII. Note to HELP Registered Users
VIII. Copyrights
NOTE: There is alot of helpful information in the file HELPME.HLP. You can
now automatically access this file from Wincode by selecting any "Help"
option (this file is now the "default help file" if you are not a registered
user - if you are registered, this file is not needed since it duplicates
portions of the *real* HELP file :-).
I. *** About Wincode ***
Wincode is a Windows 3.1x program which converts 8-bit BINARY (EXE, COM,GIF,
etc) files to 7-bit ASCII (Text) files (and vice versa) through a process
known as bit-shifting. Wincode currently supports UU/XX/USR/Base64 (MIME 1.0
conformant), BINHEX, BTOA and BOO encoding/decoding. This BINARY/ASCII
conversion allows you to send and receive binary files via e-mail or any
other ascii-based communications system. It provides a quick and easy way to
distribute programs to people all over the world (it takes a few minutes, on
average, for e-mail to reach across the world). UUcoding is a common practice
on many Internet NewsGroups in which users wish to exchange binary data. Base64
coding is used by MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) conformant
e-mail software as a method for attaching binary data to ascii e-mail. BINHEX
is a popular encoding algorithm used mainly on Apple Macintosh computers. BTOA
is a somewhat different variation of the common BINARY/ASCII conversion process
which supports simple compression, several checksum options and will generally
create encoded files that are smaller than other methods due to its conversion
algorithm (mod 85). BOO is an older (extinct?) algorithm used in cross-platform
file transfers that is provided for compatibility (it requires previous
knowledge of decoded output filesize and may hence be unreliable). All these
methods perform the same overall function (i.e. allow binary data to be safely
transmitted through e-mail) but require different formatting algorithms (e.g.
BINHEX supports Run-Length Encoding, BTOA uses mod 85 coding, etc).
Wincode and the associated executables and DLLs (NOT including the HELP file)
are distributed as FREEWARE. However, we want to make a distinction: the
program is FREEWARE, but it is NOT Public Domain. _Snappy_ still retains the
Copyright to the source code and to the use and distribution of the program
(see the file LICENSE.TXT). The HELP file is available for a small fee
($10.00 US) but is NOT required for Wincode to function correctly. Ordering
the HELP file also entitles you to future updates and e-mail based support. The
$10.00 fee is mainly to offset development costs and the amount of personal
time invested. See below and the file HELPME.HLP for more information on
obtaining support.
Wincode is 100% compatible with all standard UUcoders, MIME 1.0 conformant
software, BINHEX 4.0 and BTOA v4.0 and v5.2 coders. The MIME (Base64) support
was developed under the guidelines of RFC 1521 (September 1993) and is subject
to our understanding of the document. The BINHEX support was developed under
the guidelines of RFC 1741 (December 1994) and is subject to our understanding
of the document. The BTOA v4.0 and v5.2 support was developed based on freely
available documents by Paul Rutter, Joe Orost & Stefan Parmark (the creators
of BTOA). We welcome all comments and error corrections.
As part of our goal to support all BINARY/ASCII conversion methods in one
(quality :-) product, Wincode now supports encoding/decoding of *seven*
different formats. We have tried to incorporate as many extra features as
possible to make the en/de-coding process painless. The average user may not
need/use all of Wincode's features, but they *are* Free!
NOTE TO DEVELOPERS: WCENGINE.DLL contains ALL of Wincode's 'working' code
(currently) accessed through 80+ functions/procedures. We created this SIMPLE
interface to allow Developers to integrate the Wincode Engine into any
program. We will provide the API and royalty free usage to interested
developers under certain conditions. Please contact the _Snappy_ development
team for more details:
development@snappy.global2000.net
II. *** Wincode Features (very brief list!) ***
- Full featured Windows 3.1 program
- Easy access ButtonBar for hassle-free operation
- Drag and Drop support (use for batch en/de-coding -> Wincode also
allows multi-file selection from File Open dialogs)
- SMART decoding (handles single files, multi-part files, can
determine what is encoded or not, etc. -> see the HELP file for
more information)
- Fully configurable...We're not joking!
- EMBL UUcode compatible
- Supports UU, XX or User defined En/De-coding
- Supports Base64 (MIME conformant) En/De-coding
- Supports BINHEX En/De-coding (with option to include MAC finder info
when encoding to make decoding on a MAC *very* easy!)
- Supports BTOA v4.0 and v5.2 En/De-coding
- Supports BOO En/De-coding
- Supports En/De-coding to/from the Clipboard!
- Supports automatic CODE TYPE detection (just use Auto Detect).
- Powerful Scripting language can be used to "program" Wincode
(includes new automatic "Repair" damaged files option!)
- Supports automatic ZIP/UNZIP (requires PKWare's ZIP/UNZIP 2.0)
- Supports automatic Virus Scanning (requires a DOS Virus Scanner -
see the VSDLINK.DAT file for more information)
- Application menu hooking option to integrate Wincode's menu
- Includes INSTALL program for upgrades
- Includes UNINSTALL program for removal
- Integrated file-sorting companion pr