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README.TXT
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1995-09-09
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Wincode: Multi-Purpose Encoder/Decoder for Windows
(C) _Snappy_ (1993-1995)
------------------------------------------------------------
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
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
SUM.EXE a BONUS "sum -r/size" DOS utility
README.NOW important info file
README.TXT this file
HELPME.TXT Wincode basics and information for obtaining
the HELP file (WINCODE.HLP)
INSTALL.EXE the Install/Upgrade program
INSTALL.HLP the Installer HELP file
INSTALL.INF the Installer information file
CHECKSUM.REF checksum reference file
***SEE THE HELPME.TXT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION***
This file contains the following information:
I. About Wincode
II. Wincode Features (very brief list!)
III. Coming Soon
IV. Requirements
V. Installing/Running/UnInstalling Wincode
VI. BONUS 'sum -r/size' Utility
VII. Availability
VIII. Other _Snappy_ Software
IX. Mailing List
X. Known Limitations
XI. Note to AOL Users
XII. Copyrights
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/Base64 (MIME 1.0
conformant) en/de-coding and BINHEX decoding (encode support will follow).
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. 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). In the future, Wincode will also support BINHEX encoding and will
handle the actual "e-mailing" of the data...
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.
The HELP file is available for a small fee ($5.00 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 $5.00 fee is mainly to offset
development costs and the amount of personal time invested. See below and the
file HELPME.TXT for more information on obtaining support.
Wincode is 100% compatible with all standard UUcoders, MIME 1.0 conformant
software and BINHEX 4.0 coders. The MIME (Base64) support was developed under
the guidelines of RFC 1521 (September 1993) and is subject to our understanding
of the document. We welcome all comments and error corrections. 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 73 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 _Snappy_ for more
details or send a BLANK e-mail to:
development@snappy.globalone.net
to receive current development information.
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 DECODING (encoding is coming).
- Supports En/De-coding to/from the Clipboard!
- Supports automatic ZIP/UNZIP (requires PKWare's ZIP/UNZIP 2.0)
- Application menu hooking option to integrate Wincode's menu
- Includes INSTALL program for upgrades
- Includes UNINSTALL program for removal
- Integrated file-sorting companion program (separate
executable for easier upgrading) which handles MANY types
of file header formats
- Multimedia support - see the HELP file for details
- It's ALL FREE...
III. *** Coming Soon ***
- BINHEX encoding support. DECODING IS HERE NOW.
- The ability to handle actual "e-mailing" of encoded data files.
- The ability to decode MULTIPLE file code-types automatically.
Winsort will be able to TRY (it can't always be right!) and
determine CODE TYPE so that you could drop multiple files on
Wincode and it will decode by CODE TYPE also. What this boils
down to is that you can, for example, select a BINHEX file, three
UUEncoded files and two BASE64 files - and Wincode will be able
to decode them all in one drag/drop or file decode selection. No
more changing the CODE TYPE for each file.
- User suggestions...?
IV. *** Requirements ***
- IBM compatible running DOS 3.3 or higher
- 286 or higher processor with at least 2MB memory
- Windows 3.1/3.11 running in standard or enhanced mode OR Win95
- About 1MB of disk space without HELP file (~1.3MB with HELP file)
(Sorry about the disk space - this should be reduced in the coming
months with the release of Delphi32)
V. *** Installing/Running/UnInstalling Wincode ***
If you have not already done so, expand the ZIP archive into a temporary
directory (or a floppy-disk). Start Windows, select FILE|RUN from Program
Manager or File Manager and type in the full path of the INSTALL.EXE program
(run it). The INSTALL program will copy/expand all the files to a directory
you specify (overwriting older files), upgrade your WINCODE.INI (if you are
running an older version of Wincode) and create a Program Manager Group and/or
icon. See the HELPME.TXT file for basic instructions on using Wincode.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL files (listed above) must be present in the same
directory for Installer to function properly. You should INSTALL first,
then move selected files to directories of your choice (i.e. delete the
README.TXT, place SUM.EXE in your DOS directory, etc.). The install program
uses the Windows LZEXPAND.DLL to decompress and copy the required files. If
you receive any error messages during install, please contact _Snappy_ for
assistance.
Wincode can now be un-installed in 2 easy steps. First, run Wincode and
select 'Options|Configuration...' (CTRL-F) from the menu. You will see the
configuration dialog which has an 'UnInstall...' button. Choose this to select
the UnInstall method. The UnInstaller will remove/copy/list all files
included in the Wincode package. However, it does NOT remove itself OR the
directories that Wincode may have used. Therefore, the second step is to
remove these directories and UNINSTLL.EXE from your drive. Wincode should now
be completely erased from your drive.
VI. *** BONUS 'sum -r/size' Utility ***
We have included a small DOS executable which will quickly calculate
UNIX 'sum -r/size' checksums. This program is useful for checking the
integrity of files that have been transferred over communications lines
that are questionable (or, to some extent, checking for virus infections).
Wincode supports both line and/or file Checksum checking while decoding
and will insert Checksums (line and/or file) while encoding. This utlity is
provided as a stand-alone DOS program. For program usage, type 'SUM' (with
no parameters) at the DOS prompt. The included file 'CHECKSUM.REF' contains
the proper checksum values for all of the files in the Wincode package.
VII. *** Availability ***
Recent versions of Wincode (or other _Snappy_ software) are always
available at the following locations:
- The Internet - the _Snappy_ Software site! All of our software is
available by three different methods:
1) WWW forms - point your browser at: http://snappy.globalone.net/
and check out our HomePage!
2) Anonymous FTP - visit us at: snappy.globalone.net
3) Automated e-mail - send a request to our server and receive an
encoded copy by e-mail. Visit our HomePage for more info or send
a BLANK e-mail to: snappy@snappy.globalone.net for a TEXT copy
of our HomePage.
- CompuServe (check the WinShare forum; keyword: Snappy, Wincode, etc.)
- America Online (keyword: Snappy, Wincode, etc.)
VIII. *** Other _Snappy_ Software ***
We generally develop utility programs for Windows 3.1x and (soon) Win95. We
currently have a handful of programs that we're working on which we will
release as FREEWARE. We welcome all ideas for future projects. Please check
out our internet site to see what we have to offer!
IX. *** Mailing List ***
We have been trying to maintain a mailing list of all users who have
offered advice, bug reports or helped in BETA testing. Being on this
list entitles you to FREE upgrades (personally e-mailed pre-releases)
and support. (in other words, you don't have to download Wincode from
the Internet or an Online Service/BBS). For more information see the
HELPME.TXT file.
X. *** Known Limitations ***
1) Certain video hardware/software combinations (such as ATI cards/drivers)
are known to cause irregular displays of various Wincode dialogs. Common
symptoms include misaligned text, irregularly spaced progress bars and
"absent menus".
2) The Hooking feature is not fully supported by all applications. If you
have problems hooking an application, try using the "Hook Tuning" options.
If you experience any other difficulties, please let us know.
These known problems do NOT affect Wincode's coding functionality.
XI. *** Note to AOL Users ***
Here are answers to two common problems experienced by AOL Users:
1) When downloading USENET posts from AOL, be certain that you receive the
ENTIRE message. You do this by pressing the 'More...' button until it
disappears or grays-out. AOL downloads files in 28K chunks and usually
does NOT receive the entire post when you select it. We have been told that
the 'Logging' option is the way to go for capturing LARGE files. For more
info, please contact the AOL support personnel.
2) If you want to Hook the AOL menu, use 'America Online' as the Application
Name (do NOT include the quotes). The point is that there are TWO spaces
between 'America' and 'Online'.
XI. *** Copyrights ***
- portions of this program are copyright (C) 1991,1993 Borland
- Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
- PKZIP/UNZIP are copyright 1989-1993 PKWARE Inc. All Rights Reserved.
- GIF is a service mark of CompuServe Incorporated
- WordPerfect is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
- Procomm Plus for Windows is copyright 1992-1993 Datastorm Technologies, Inc.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation is a registered trademark of Paramount
Pictures
Have fun!
_Snappy_ Software ;-)
_Snappy_ Info: snappy@snappy.globalone.net
Wincode Info: wincode@snappy.globalone.net
Bug reports: bugs@snappy.globalone.net
FeedBack: feedback@snappy.globalone.net
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[GHS 8/18/95]