Copyright: (c) Copyright 1997-98 Mimar Sinan International. All rights reserved.


MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio

Welcome to MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio 98!

Please click "Contents" to see available books on using the Studio. Visual Zip Studio is the new wave in archive management, and it has a lot of features that are unmatched in other utilities!

But what is Visual Zip Studio? Visual Zip Studio is a file compression utility that allows you to compress any number of files into a single file, a "zip" file; which you can later decompress to obtain the original files. Visual Zip Studio also decompresses zip files created by other utilities, such as PKZip, TurboZip, WinZip, etc.

You can use Visual Zip Studio to save space on your hard disk (compress those massive files), backup data (span zip files across floppy disks), install applications contained in zip files you obtain on the web, create zip files to upload for the web, repair zip files, and even make self extracting zip files!

So click "Contents" and read on: Ride the new wave in zip management!


Windows Integration

Visual Zip Studio is tightly integrated with Windows. You can zip and unzip files without needing to open the Studio! This is accomplished by means of shell extensions.

A shell extension is an addition to your operating system that allows it to perform tasks it could not do before. Visual Zip Studio comes with some shell extensions which this book describes. These shell extensions can by themselves do almost everything Visual Zip Studio can.

To access the shell extensions, run Windows Explorer (the shell) and right click on either a zip file, or a group of files. This will bring a list of available shell extensions to view. You can also drag and drop files into an existing zip file, or select the "New" submenu after right clicking on empty space.


"Compress into Zip"

If you select a group of files and then right click, you may choose to "Compress into Zip". This choice will bring up a "Compress into Zip" window.

If you click OK, a new zip file containing the files you selected will be created. If you click CANCEL, nothing will be done. If you want to choose in which ways your new zip file is created, please click SETUP.


"Decompress"

If you select one or more than one zip file and right click, you may choose to "Decompress". If you choose so, you will be able to unzip all of the files contained in the selected files.

Click OK to unzip immediately. Click CANCEL to do nothing. Click SETUP if you want to choose exactly how the files are unzipped.

Note that you can select as many zip files as you want, and you can unzip them all at the same time, even to different folders if you wish!


Visual Zip For Dummies

This section describes what zip files are, and how to zip and unzip files in the easiest possible way: For Dummies!


The Visual Studio

MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio is a very powerful environment to manage as many zip files as you want, up to and including all of the zip files on your hard drive! This section contains documentation for all the features of the Visual Studio.


Running for the First Time

Below are some steps that will configure Visual Zip Studio for your optimal use. It is recommended that you follow these steps the first time you run Visual Zip Studio.

If you wish, you may skip this section and try the Setup Wizard instead. The Setup Wizard will configure Visual Zip Studio automatically, based on answers you give to a few questions.

Before following the actions in this book, make sure you have Visual Zip Studio running: Start->Programs->MimarSinan VZip->Visual Zip Studio.


Favorite Zip Folders

"Favorite Zip Folders" is a list of folders on your computer that contains the names of folders that have zip files in them. Using this list, you can access immediately any and all of your zip files! To set up your favorite zip folders:

1. Click the Tools menu, then click Settings.

2. Click Zip Folders.

3. Click Search My Hard Disks Now, and wait for the search to complete.

Click "Accept", then click the File menu, Favorites, Update Favorites. All your zip files will now be listed under "Zip Neighborhood" for immediate access! To open a file, just click it (note that all zip files will be short-cutted but not opened).


"Make Self Extracting"

If when you select a zip file in Windows Explorer then right-click and choose "Make Self Extracting...", you will enter the Self Extracting .EXE Wizard. Using this wizard you can convert an existing zip file into a self extracting zip file, a zip file which decompresses itself when executed.


User Interface Elements

You can customize the looks and behavior of the Studio to suit your taste. You can automate common tasks, and change some tree text. Do the following:

1. Click the Tools menu, then click Settings.

2. Click Visual.

3. Select your visual preferences.

4. Click Stepsavers.

5. Choose your stepsavers.

Click "Accept" and your settings will be immediately active! (Except for the hide toolbar bitmap selection)


Navigating Displays

The displays of the Visual Studio resemble that of Windows Explorer, as you may have noticed. This book outlines how you can navigate the displays, to see the contents of a zip file, add remove and extract items from a zip file, browse your favorite zip files, etc.


The Tree View

The tree view is the display on the left. When you first run the Studio, this tree view contains the following items:

"Visual Zip Desktop", denoting the current display.

"My Zip Files", denoting any zip files you create and open.

"Zip Neighborhood", denoting the folders on your computer which contain zip files, and containing shortcuts to those files. To open a file in the neighborhood, simply click on it.

When you open a file, a drive icon will appear bearing the name of the zip file just opened. This icon represents the zip file and all of its contents. If the zip file has folders in it, you can click the plus sign to the left of the drive icon to see them. You can click on the drive icon or on one of the folder icons to see their contents.

To select all the files inside a folder, click on the folder icon (the drive icon is considered to be the main folder). To deselect, click again.

If you want to select all of the files inside a folder, and the folders beneath it as well, make sure there is a plus sign to the next of the folder icon.


The File List

The file list contains a list of the files inside your selected zip file.

To select a file, click on it. To deselect, click again. To select a group of files, simply drag the mouse over the region. You can also use the keyboard and press "Enter" to select/deselect files.

To view a file, double click it. It will be opened in its native program, if it is a document. If it is a document and you make changes which you save, you can apply those changes into the zip file automatically - the Studio will ask.

To ascend to the previous level on the hierarcy, click View->Back One Level.


Context Menus

You can right click on the tree view or the file list and a context menu will pop up, offering several choices of action.

The tree view context menu allows you to select a group of items, hide or reveal a group of items, open a group of items; or configure your favorite zip folders. Some selections will be available only when a certain item is selected in the tree view.

The file list context menu allows you to customize the way the icons appear in the file list, and the way they are sorted.


Getting Results

This book outlines what you need to do to perform some fundamental and key tasks of the Studio.


Refreshing the Zip Neighborhood

If you make changes to your zip files outside of Visual Zip Studio, while the Studio is still active, you may need to refresh the contents of the Zip Neighborhood. To do so:

Click File->Favorites->Update Favorites.


Opening a Group of Files in the Zip Neighborhood

You can automatically open all or some of the files inside your zip neighborhood:

1. Click on either a favorite zip folder, or the Zip Neighborhood itself.

2. Click File->Favorites->Open All Linked Files.

The Studio will open all of the zip files under the selected item automatically.


Refreshing a Zip File

You may want to refresh a zip file (that is, close it and re-open it) to update its contents. The Studio typically refreshes as needed, but if you modify your zip files outside of the Studio while the Studio is running, you may need a refresh:

1. Click the drive icon of the zip file.

2. Click File->Refresh Selected File.


Clone Copy and Move

You may want to clone, copy or move an existing zip file from within the Studio. To do so:

1. Click the drive icon of the zip file.

2. Click File->Clone/Copy/Move.

The Studio will carry out your desired action.


Drag and Drop

You can drag and drop files from the Windows Explorer into the file list. If you have a zip file selected, this action will compress the dropped files into the selected zip file; if not you may create a new zip file.

You can also drap and drop zip files onto the tree view. All the files you drop will be opened by the Studio.


Installing Applications

Many applications today are distributed on the internet in the form of zip files. The zip files often contain setup programs which install the applications in question onto the users computer. To install an application inside a zip file:

1. Open the zip file and select its drive icon.

2. Click Unzip->Install Application in Selected Zip.

The Studio will initiate the installation on your behalf.


Finding Files Inside Zip Files

Visual Zip Studio enables you to search for files inside the zip files you have open in the Studio. To search for a file inside a zip file:

1. Click View->Find.

2. Click Find File In Zip.

3. Enter the file name and click "Go".

The Studio will search all open files, and list any matches. You can double-click on a matching file to get to it.

Note that Visual Zip Studio can search your entire computer for files inside zip files. To make sure such is the case:

1. Make sure your favorite zip folders are current.

2. Open all of the files inside your zip folders.

3. Perform the search as above.


UUEncode/Decode of Files

Some older email systems are not capable of receiving binary attachments (zip files are binary attachments). If you wish to email them your zip files, you can do so by first encoding your zip files into plain text. This is called UUEncode. To do so:

1. Select the zip file you want to encode (click on its drive icon).

2. Click Tools->UUEncode Chosen Zip File.

If you receive such an encoded file, you will need to decode it before you can use it. To do so:

1. Click Tools->UUDecode Encoded File.


To Erase Temporary Files

Visual Zip Studio has temporary files for the operations it carries out - installations, views, etc. These get built up over time and can consume disk space although they are highly unneeded, if not absolutely. To get rid of these files:

1. Click Tools->Delete Temporary Files.


Version Information

You may want to view version information and other details on the Studio. This may be required for techical support:

1. Click Help->About.


The Toolbar

Every command available on the menu bar is also available in the toolbar, or the right click context-menu. To view descriptions of the items in the toolbar, simply rest your pointer over them and hints will pop up.

You may want to use the toolbar for rapid access to commands. You can also enable or disable certain toolbar features: To do so:

1. Click Tools->Settings.

2. Click Visual and customize.


Accessories

Visual Zip Studio comes with some accessories that you can make use of to further your use and enjoyment of the Studio. This book describes these accessories.


EXE Maker

Visual Zip Studio's Self Extracting EXE Maker allows you to convert your zip files into self extracting exe files which do not need to have any unzip utility for decompression.

To Start the EXE Maker:

1.Start->Programs->MimarSinan VZip->Visual Zip Studio.

2.Click Tools->Self Extacting ZIP.

The EXE Maker can create three kinds of self extracting files. These kinds:

(1) Extract all the files into a selected folder,

(2) List all files inside the zip and extract chosen ones into a selected folder,

(3) Perform a software installation based on your settings.

The EXE Maker is also the only one of its kind which features code-signing. You can "sign" your exe files to prove that they are your genuine files. Thus the recipient of these files will rest assured. You will need private key files and credentials for this purpose.

For more information: http://www.verisign.com


ZIP Repair

Occasionally, a zip file you obtain may be damaged. You can then use this utility to recover from the damage. The utility can also make backup copies of the files to be repaired in case something goes wrong.

To Start the ZIP Repair:

1.Start->Programs->MimarSinan VZip->Visual Zip Studio.

2.Click Tools->Repair Zip File.


Performing Backups

You may want to backup data to floppy disks on a regular basis. You may use the Studio for this purpose: You can span zip files across as many floppy disks as needed:

1. Make sure your new zip file is created on a removable drive (ex: floppy disk).

2. Under your Zip Settings, select "Enable span onto target media".


Getting Help

If there are any issues that are not addressed in this manual, or you have problems using the Studio, have bugs to report, etc, please contact us:

http://www.mimarsinan.com

mailto:sinan@mimarsinan.com

Your requests will be promptly answered (a day) if Mimar Sinan is in session. Note that Visual Zip Studio is composed almost entirely of friendly, descriptive Wizards. Just read the instructions and you will be fine!


About Mimar Sinan International

Mimar Sinan International is dedicated to providing high quality shareware that gives pride to the notion of shareware. Mimar Sinan insists that free software (most of our products are in fact freeware) CAN mean QUALITY software. We have several product lines:

Mevlana: For Power Users

Yunus Emre: For the Novice User

Charm: For the Developer

Mimar Sinan International may be reached at:

P.O. Box 7851

Austin TX 78713-7851

USA

Our Web:

http://www.mimarsinan.com

mailto:sinan@mimarsinan.com

Partner with Mimar Sinan


What's New?

Service Release IX for Visual Zip Studio 98 has the following improvements, described in brief:

The Studio now features a help system based on the newest WebHelp paradigm from Microsoft, for easier and friendlier browsing of the included help books on the Studio and components.

The Studio now features extremely tight integration with Windows: shell extensions, menus, drag and drop, and the Control Panel all benefit from this newly formed bond.

The Studio now incorporates state of the art Windows 98 style user interface elements.

The Studio now maintains a list of all active tasks so you can see all that is happening, and end tasks if necessary.

The Studio is now capable of performing multiple zip and unzip related operations simultaneously.

The Studio now starts much faster.

The Studio now takes up less space.

The Studio now remembers your finer settings.

Context menus in the tree view have been expanded.

New commands have been added for your further pleasure.

A "Setup Wizard" has been added for ease of configuring the Studio.

Major program optimizations and stability improvements have been made.

Refer to the relevant books for more information on new features.


Setup Wizard

The Setup Wizard is to help the non technically oriented user configure Visual Zip Studio for top performance and relevant settings of her choosing. The Setup Wizard is run when Visual Zip Studio is being installed automatically, and may be run again to re-configure Visual Zip Studio.

To Start the Setup Wizard: Start->Programs->MimarSinan VZip->Tools->Setup Wizard.


(De)Selecting a Group of Zip Files

You may want to select an entire batch of zip files, specifically one of the following:

(i) Those located under "My Zip Files"

(ii) Those located under a particular Favorite Zip Folder

(iii) Those located under all Favorite Zip Folders

1. Click the owning group of the files

2. Click View->Select/Unselect All.


System Information

System Information enables you to see what operating system you have on your computer, and free resources remaining. This may be required for technical support. To view this information:

1. Click Help->About System.

This option may not be available on some systems, in particular the non-high end Windows platforms.


Getting the Most Recent Version

You may want to make sure that you have the most recent version of Visual Zip Studio in hand. For this purpose, Visual Zip Studio has a built-in feature that allows you to visit the live web site of Visual Zip Studio, and download updates as you deem necessary.

1. Click Help->Upgrade to Newest Version.


Other Software Titles

The following are other freeware/shareware titles that Mimar Sinan International delivers. Please click on the associated hyperlinks for live web information and instant downloads!

MimarSinan Visual Split Studio 98

Simply the best file splitting technology. If there is anything related to file splitting, VSplit does it: From self uniting exe files with crc32 verification to specifying the exact names and sizes for each split piece on any target media.

VSplit Home

MimarSinan Q Utilities 98

Designed for the beginning computer user with power in mind. Create self extracting zip files instantly using our award winning Visual Zip Interface, split files and unite them effortlessly using Mimar Sinan's advanced technology. Now with breakthrough cabinet compression!

Q Home

MimarSinan Emissary

The only automated, command-line as well as Wizard driven internet software distribution tool. Built in data compression and file splitting, ultimate configurability and ease of use, unsurpassed performance, and the leading edge in technology. Now with CABinet compression for typically 40% smaller packages!

Emissary Home

MimarSinan mBx 5 (Broken Charm)

Mimar Sinan International's unsurpassed file splitting engine. Split files without a single line of code! Use our engine. The engine is so powerful that even VSplit does not exhaust all its features!

mBx Home


Purchase Information

WARNING! MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio is NO LONGER FREEWARE, you must purchase a license in order to be able to legally use this product for more than seven (7) days:

Available Licenses:

In order to legally use Visual Zip Studio at home and for personal purposes, you must purchase a Single User License from Mimar Sinan International. This license corresponds to the Bronze version of Visual Zip Studio. The cost of this license is $10.

In order to use Visual Zip Studio on one personal computer and to legally distribute Self Extracting  EXE Files for non commercial purposes, you must purchase a Single User Plus License from Mimar Sinan International. This license corresponds to the Bronze Plus version of Visual Zip Studio. The cost of this license is $40.

In order to legally use Visual Zip Studio at any given organization, including but not limited to governments, corporations, and the like, and for any purpose, such as commercial or home use, you must purchase a Site License from Mimar Sinan International. This license corresponds to the Silver version of Visual Zip Studio. The cost of this license is $220.

In order to legally distribute any Self Extracting EXE files that you create with Visual Zip Studio, you must purchase a Redistribution License from Mimar Sinan International. This license corresponds to the Gold version of Visual Zip Studio. This license includes the benefits of a Site License. The cost of this license is $330.

Payment(s) may be mailed to the following address:

Mimar Sinan International

P.O. Box 7851

Austin, TX 78713-7851

Checks made payable to Sinan Karaca are accepted. No cash please, unless your circumstances dictate so.

Note: The purchase of a Site or Redistribution License entitles the owner of the license to a custom made version of Visual Zip Studio bearing their logo, to be delivered upon payment. Only this custom version may be used to generate Self Extracting EXE files (if applicable) for distribution.


License Agreement

WARNING! If you do not understand the following or will not comply with the following, you are not allowed to install or use this product and must immediately remove it from your system. By installing or using this software you indicate your agreement with the following terms.

1. Grant of License:

You are not allowed to use this product until you purchase a license from among those described below. In order to help inform your purchase, Mimar Sinan International grants you a seven (7) day trial period during which you may evaluate this software. The trial period begins immediately after you install the software. After the expiration of your trial period you must purchase a license or remove the software from your computer immediately.

a. Single User License: Allows one (1) user to install and use the software on a single personal computer only, and only for strictly personal use at home. Does not permit the distribution of "Self Extracting EXE Files". Also referred to as the Bronze version of this product.

b. Single User Plus License: Allows one (1) user to install and use the software on a single personal computer only. Does not permit the commercial distribution of "Self Extracting EXE Files". Also referred to as the Bronze Plus version of this product.

c. Site License: Allows a given company, organization, or generally speaking "site" to install and use the software on all the computers on the "site", for personal or commercial use. Does not permit the distribution of "Self Extracting EXE Files". Also referred to as the Silver version of this product.

d. Redistribution License: Includes the benefits of a site license, and permits the distribution of the "Self Extracting EXE Files". Also referred to as the Gold version of this product.

2. Disclaimer:

Mimar Sinan International provides the accompanying software "as-is", without warranties of any kind, even including the implied warranty of fitness or merchantability for any particular purpose. Mimar Sinan International herein expressly disclaims all warranties on this software, either express or implied. Mimar Sinan International may not be held liable for any damages, incidental or consequential, occuring from the use of the accompanying software, even if she has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

© Copyright 1997, 1998 Mimar Sinan International. All rights reserved.


What Are Zip Files?

Zip files are archives that contain compressed files. Every zip file contains one or more files inside it. These files contained inside the zip file are compressed - they take up less space! This is very important if we wish to conserve disk space, or transfer files on the internet.

You can use Visual Zip Studio to create your own zip files, and uncompress the files inside zip files created by other people. Also, most of the programs you download from the internet are compressed into zip files. In this case, you can use Visual Zip Studio to install these programs.

Creating Zip Files

Uncompressing Zip Files

Installing Applications in Zip Files


Creating Zip Files

To create a zip file:

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Select the files you wish to compress, just like you were about to copy them.

3. Right click, and choose "Compress into Zip...".

4. Click "OK".

5. The compression will begin and you will see a progress dialog box!


Uncompressing Zip Files

To uncompress files inside a zip file:

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Select the zip file you want to uncompress. You can select more than one zip file if you wish.

3. Right click, and choose "Decompress...".

4. Click "OK".

5. The decompression will begin and you will see a progress dialog box!


Installing Applications in Zip Files

To install an application inside a zip file:

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Select the zip file you want to install.

3. Double-click the file and wait for Visual Zip Studio to open.

4. Click "Unzip"->"Install Application in Selected Zip".

5. The installation will begin and you will see a progress dialog box!


Selecting Files Inside a Folder

There are two ways to select a group of files inside a folder:

1. With the Keyboard:

Use the arrow keys to navigate items, and CTRL and SHIFT keys to highlight a group of items. Then press "ENTER" and the highlighted items will change their state from non-selected to selected, and vice versa.

2. With the Mouse:

Simply drag the mouse over the items you want to select. The items will become highlighted and change their state to selected, or non-selected if already selected.


Selecting All Files Inside a Folder

There are two ways to select all files inside a folder:

1. Using the File List:

Right click and choose "Select/Deselect All".

2. Using the Folder Tree:

Left click on the folder picture of the folder you want to select/deselect. Note that if the folder you are clicking on has a plus sign (+) to the right of the folder picture, you will also select/deselect all subfolders too by this method.


No Cripple, No Expiration

MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio does not expire at any given date or after a certain number of uses.

The version of MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio you have now is the full blown version without any artificial limitations.

The product you are using now is the full version as-is.


Why Register?

If you wish to see more products like MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio, featuring our trademark ingenuity, unsurpassed options, and excellent usability, your prompt payment will help fund our lavish luxuries so we can continue being as creative as we are today.


Active Task List

Visual Zip Studio is a truly multitasking program - even within itself, it has many operations happening simultaneously. These operations are referred to as tasks.

You can view a list of all active tasks with their descriptions:

Click View->Task List

You will not be able to end your Visual Zip session unless all active tasks have ended. You can force tasks to end yourself, click "Terminate" in the Active Task List window to do so after selecting the task you wish to end.


Technically Superior

MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio has a superior underlying technology compared to all other archivers. The unique ExecutableEngine technology enables VZip to perform multiple tasks all at the same time. For instance, zipping a file, decompressing select items in several zip files, testing another zip file, viewing and updating items in several zip files can all be done at once flawlessly. Furthermore our ExecutableEngines feature the unique ability to assign task priorities, hence everything can happen silently in the background.


Easier to Use

MimarSinan Visual Zip Studio is very easy to use. Thanks to the intuitive explorer-style interface, managing multiple zip files simultaneously is a snap. Thanks to the ingenious Zip Neighborhood, batch operations on multiple zip files residing in different locations is also possible.

Wizards guide you throughout your VZip experience. The award winning compression wizard makes zipping complicated file and directory structures a pleasure. VZip also has two user modes: one for the amateur and one for the professional. Moreover, shell extensions make zipping and unzipping entirely transparent and intuitive, with no need to learn anything new.


"Drag and Drop"

You can drag and drop files into an existing zip file under Windows Explorer. This will add the dragged files to the existing zip file they were dropped on.


"Control Panel"

To quickly configure how your files are zipped and unzipped, open the Control Panel, and then select "MimarSinan Zip" or "MimarSinan Unzip". Fine tune the zip and unzip selections to your taste.


"Find Menu"

Are there some compressed files you can not find? How about searching every zip file on your hard disk! Click "Start", then point to the "Find" menu and select "In the Zip Neighborhood". Visual Zip Studio will start in a special search mode: It will first load all the zip files under your favorite zip folders, and then allow you to search for compressed files inside them, or just locate a zip file itself!


"New Menu"

If you want to create a blank zip file, right click in Windows Explorer, point at the "New" menu, and then select "New Compressed Visual Zip File". This will create a brand new empty zip file, and you can drag and drop more files onto it to flesh it out.