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README.TXT
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CommEx (tm) : Common Dialog Extensions for Windows 3.1 and 3.11
---------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1995 by Cottonwood Software
Thank you for trying CommEx!
CommEx adds file management functions like Find, Copy, Delete, Rename,
and MakeDir to the Open and Save dialogs of most Windows applications
(any that use the Windows common dialogs in COMMDLG.DLL). No more jumping
back and forth between your application and File Manager or DOS to do
common functions! Search every disk drive at once for files, specifying
multiple masks if necessary. Make a new directory as you save files,
delete old versions, make backups before you open a file, etc. -- it's so
easy, all from the same Open or Save dialog.
If you have just installed CommEx and are reading this from the Notepad
program, try it out now by selecting File from the menu, then Open. You
should see an extra row of buttons at the bottom of the Open dialog.
If you need help, click the 'CommEx' button, and then the Help button
from that dialog. Enjoy!
Readme.txt Contents:
--------------------
File Packing List
System Requirements
Installation
About the Evaluation Period
Giving Copies to Friends -- (Please Do!)
Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.
Registering
Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
Troubleshooting
Support
Un-installing CommEx
ASP Ombudsman statement
Warranty & License info
File Packing List
-----------------
These files should be included in this distribution set. If any are
missing, please contact Cottonwood Software or your distributor for a
complete set. (You can download the latest version from Compuserve or
our Web page -- see the Support section)
README.TXT This file
SETUP.EXE Installation program
COMMEX.DLL CommEx main program (installs as commdlg.dll)
ORDER.FRM Text order form for registering CommEx
REVISION.TXT Program revision history
FILE_ID.DIZ Short description file (shareware version only)
VENDOR.DOC Vendor distribution info (shareware version only)
VENDINFO.DIZ Vendor distribution info, automated (shareware version only)
COMMEX.BIN Data file (registered version only)
System Requirements
-------------------
CommEx will work with Windows versions 3.1 and 3.11.
Windows 95 and NT users:
------------------------
Do NOT install this version of CommEx if you run Win95 or NT! It will
work fine for 16-bit applications, but will cause 32-bit applications to
malfunction. There will be a 32-bit version of CommEx available in early
1996.
Let us know if you need an upgrade to CommEx-32 (for Win95 or NT).
Just E-mail, FAX, or mail your address to us, and we will let you know
when CommEx-32 is released and where to download it from. (You may
also order a CommEx-32 evaluation copy from us for $2.00 postage &
handling.)
Registered users can upgrade to registered CommEx-32 free within one
year of registration, and for only $2.00 shipping & handling after one
year.
Installation
------------
Note: Although CommEx does not require its own permanent directory,
you may wish to create one to place the CommEx files into before running
Setup. It will then use this path for the ReadMe Icon in your Program
Manager, and you can then keep the original files for reference or making
copies.
To install CommEx, run SETUP.EXE from Windows:
1. From the Windows Program Manager, select File, Run...
2. In the Command Line box, type d:\path\SETUP, where 'd' is the letter of
the drive and 'path' is the directory where the CommEx files are.
For example:
C:\COMMEX\SETUP
3. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
4. After CommEx installation is complete, it will need to validate some
files. This will happen automatically the first time CommEx is invoked,
which may be done by selecting File, and Open from the Notepad program.
What files should be where, after installation
----------------------------------------------
These files are not copied anywhere, and are not needed by CommEx after
the initial validation:
README.TXT
SETUP.EXE
ORDER.FRM
FILE_ID.DIZ
VENDOR.DOC
VENDINFO.DIZ (not always present)
REVISION.TXT
These files will be copied to your Windows System directory, if possible,
or to Windows if Windows System is not accessible:
COMMEX.DLL (copied as COMMDLG.DLL)
COMMEX.BIN (only present for registered users)
The file COMMEX.HLP will be created by CommEx the first time it runs, and
will be placed in the Windows System directory.
The file COMMEX.INI will be created by the Setup program, and
will be placed in the Windows directory.
Technical information on installation
-------------------------------------
The installation procedure does the following:
Create a DOS batch file to do the following from DOS:
Rename commdlg.dll (in the Windows System directory) to commold.dll
(CommEx passes most functions through to commold.dll)
Copy commex.dll to commdlg.dll
If commdlg.dll exists in the Windows directory, rename
it to commdlg.bak (should not be in both Windows and
Windows System directories).
Add a CommEx group with a Notepad icon to read the file readme.txt,
and a Help icon for commex.hlp. (Although the help file is not
installed directly -- see below.)
Add the setup program to the run= line in win.ini
Exit to DOS, execute the batch file (if needed), and return to Windows
(When setup runs again after returning to Windows:)
Verify that the operations succeeded (files in the right places)
Clean up (delete the batch file)
Run notepad to display the readme.txt file
When CommEx is actually invoked for the first time (through a File/Open
or File/Save command), it validates the information files (readme.txt,
file_id.diz, and order.frm). CommEx also extracts commex.hlp (from the
dll) into the Windows System directory, so it doesn't need to be
distributed and installed as a separate file. These procedures ensure
that CommEx cannot be modified and re-distributed with different company
contact/order information.
About the Evaluation Period
---------------------------
CommEx is Shareware. This means that you are free to try it out for 30
days. It will be fully functional during that time, so you can try all
of its functions.
After using it for 30 days (not necessarily calendar days, but when it's
been used on 30 different days), some of the functions will be unavailable.
You will still be able to use the basic functions like Copy and Delete, but
the advanced functions (Find and MakeDir) will not be available unless you
register (purchase) the program.
Giving Copies to Friends -- (Please Do!)
----------------------------------------
Shareware works best when you 'share' it with other people! If you like
this program, we would appreciate it if you spread it around. Give copies
to friends and co-workers, or even upload it to your favorite BBS.
Within the CommEx dialog (press the CommEx button on any Open/Save dialog
that has it), there is a convenient 'Make Copy' function. This will
generate a complete CommEx evaluation copy wherever you want (on a floppy
disk, or in any directory). This can even be used to make a backup copy
for yourself.
Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.
------------------------------------
Commercial vendors please refer to the VENDINFO.DIZ file (or VENDOR.DOC)
for complete details. If this file is not present, please contact
Cottonwood Software for a replacement copy.
Registering CommEx
------------------
For a complete order form you can print the text file ORDER.FRM, or click
the 'CommEx' button in an Open/Save dialog and select the 'Order Form'
button.
Benefits of registering:
The latest version as of the day you register, with no 'reminders',
registered in your name.
Notification of bug fixes and update releases when available.
Free technical support.
Big discounts on further updates and other products.
A good feeling that you're helping to support the shareware industry!
To register, send $15.00 (U.S.) plus $2.00 S&H ($4.00 S&H outside the
U.S. or Canada) to:
Cottonwood Software
P.O. Box 6546
Leawood, KS 66206-0546 USA
Please pay by check in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. Bank, by international
money order, or in U.S. currency.
(Do not send credit card orders to this address! See below for credit card
orders.)
All orders are usually shipped within 24 hours.
You may also register online through Compuserve: GO SWREG, product #6689.
CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY -
-------------------------
You can order with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover
from Public (software) Library.
Phone: 800-2424-PsL (800-242-4775)
International: 713-524-6394
FAX: 713-524-6398
E-mail: 71355.470@compuserve.com
Mail: PsL, P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705 USA.
Please refer to product ID #14153
THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY. THE AUTHOR OF THIS
PROGRAM CANNOT BE REACHED AT THESE NUMBERS.
Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds,
registration options, product details, technical support, volume
discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, non-credit card orders, etc,
must be directed to Cottonwood Software (see Support... below).
To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the day of
your order and we will ship the product directly to you the same or next
day.
Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
-------------------------------------
CommEx registration for multiple users (computers) is possible, and
substantial discounts are given.
For 2-3 users, subtract 15% from the registration price of each copy
For 4-6 users, subtract 25% from the registration price of each copy
For 7-9 users, subtract 35% from the registration price of each copy
10 or more users, subtract 50% from the registration price of each copy
Please contact Cottonwood Software directly before ordering multiple
copies. Other registration channels, such as SWREG and PsL, are not
set up to apply the discount to multiple copy orders.
Support
-------
We will gladly answer any questions and help you with CommEx problems
during the 30-day free evaluation period. (After the free trial, we will
still answer 'simple' questions, but may, at our discretion, require you
to register before providing technical support.)
Any suggestions, comments, support questions and bug reports are welcome
and encouraged! All questions will be answered promptly. If you report
a bug, you will get a free updated copy in the mail (or however is most
convenient for us both) when the problem is fixed. This is offered
to both registered and unregistered users because we appreciate the
assistance in making the program better!
When the CommEx Setup program runs, it creates a file COMMEX.LOG in your
Windows directory. If you need support, we will need to view that file,
so please include it with your E-mail or have it available when you call.
For support, contact Cottonwood Software by phone, fax, mail, or E-mail.
(E-mail is preferred, and will get a fast response.)
Mail: Cottonwood Software
P.O. Box 6546
Leawood, KS 66206-0546 USA
Phone: (913) 663-3022
FAX: (913) 663-3747
Compuserve: 75264,1630
America Online: CottonwdSW
Internet: 75264.1630@compuserve.com
WW Web: http://users.aol.com/cottonwdsw/
The Cottonwood Software Home Page on the World Wide Web
-------------------------------------------------------
Visit our home page for information about all of our shareware programs.
You can download the latest versions from there, view online documentation
for all of our software, and even send us E-mail. You can find answers to
common problems as well. It also has links to other worthwhile shareware
pages, like the ASP and STAR home pages.
Troubleshooting
---------------
While CommEx has been tested on many systems and in many situations to
fine-tune the installation process and the program itself, there may
still be unexpected problems.
If things work fine in general, but the Open or Save dialog of some
application does not look or work right, try holding down the Shift key
when clicking the File/Open or File/Save As menu item (or whatever menu
item or button brings up the dialog). This will disable CommEx's
enhancements so you can compare it with and without CommEx. If it is
definitely CommEx causing the problem, please contact us and we will
attempt to solve the problem.
If things don't seem to work at all, or if CommEx doesn't seem to be
installed, then take a look at the sections below. If these don't
fit the problem (or don't solve it), contact us for help. We will want
to look at the COMMEX.LOG installation log file, which is created in
your Windows directory during installation, so please have this
available (or send it along with your E-mail support request if possible).
---If you get an error message when trying to use CommEx):
If you get a message like: "COMMOLD.DLL file not found" when you try to
Open or Save a file, then CommEx was not installed successfully. This is
most likely due to not finishing the installation (an error occurred or
you aborted before it exited to DOS). CommEx will attempt to reconstruct
it the first time it encounters this error -- if that is successful, you
should not see this error again. If it is not successful, check the
explanation of the next error condition below for more information on
installation problems.
If you get system errors (General Protection Fault, for instance), then
you have probably installed CommEx from within Windows, and did not exit
Windows during the installation. If this is not the case, or if the
problem persists, call for support.
---If you don't see anything different in your Open or Save dialogs
This could be an installation problem. Make sure that the date on the
COMMDLG.DLL file in your Windows System directory matches the
COMMEX.DLL date in the CommEx installation set. If they do not match,
then perhaps the installation was aborted, or could not succeed because
of a write-protected windows system directory (common when running
Windows from a network drive).
Network Installations: The network administrator (with write access
to the Windows System directory) should install CommEx first. Then
each user can set it up. (See Site Licenses for information on
registering CommEx for networked installations.)
Another common problem is that there is more than one copy of COMMDLG.DLL
on your computer, and Windows chose the wrong one to run. After making
sure that there is a COMMDLG.DLL and a COMMOLD.DLL in your Windows System
directory (usually C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM), search your hard disk (and network
drives) for any other copies of COMMDLG.DLL. Any other copies should be
deleted!
If the dates look OK and everything else above is checked, and you're
sure that you have started Windows fresh during installation or since
you installed CommEx, then it could be that the application you're
using does not use the common dialogs in COMMDLG.DLL. Some programs,
especially older ones and ones with unique requirements in their
Open/Save dialogs, have internal custom dialogs that we cannot add
CommEx to. Some known 'customized' programs are listed below.
If you find another one, we would like to hear from you, so we can
investigate it!
CommEx will have no effect on these programs (because they don't use
COMMDLG):
- Paintshop Pro 1.0 (OK in PSP 3.0)
- Microsoft Word 2.0 or 6.0
- Microsoft Excel 5.0
- Windows Draw 3.0
- Aldus PhotoStyler 1.1a
- WordView 6.0
- After Dark
- Easy Works Business Letters 1.0
- Bitstream MakeUp 1.0
- HSc Interactive SE 1.0
- Lotus Organizer 1.12
---If some of the buttons at the bottom are greyed out (unusable)
This means that your free evaluation period has run out. To re-enable
these functions, you must register CommEx.
Other problems
--------------
If you encounter any other problems, please contact us for support. We
will gladly answer any questions and help with problems during the 30-day
free evaluation period. After the free trial, we will still answer
'simple' questions, but may (at our discretion) require you to register
before providing technical support.
If you need to un-install CommEx
--------------------------------
If you encounter insurmountable problems, or just don't like the new
functions that CommEx provides, you may need to un-install it. This is
a simple procedure, but must be done carefully. Do NOT just delete
COMMDLG.DLL! This will cause most Windows programs to stop working!
---To un-install CommEx:
In your Windows System directory (usually C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM), copy
COMMOLD.DLL to COMMDLG.DLL.
Example:
C:
CD \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
COPY COMMOLD.DLL COMMDLG.DLL
You may also delete COMMOLD.DLL (after you verify that the Copy has
worked!) If you are permanently deleting CommEx, also delete COMMEX.*
from your Windows directory and your Windows System directory.
You may also delete COMMOLD.DLL (after you verify that this has worked!),
and these files may be deleted to completely remove CommEx:
COMMEX.INI in your Windows directory
COMMEX.BAT in your Windows directory (if Setup didn't delete it)
COMMEX.LOG in your Windows directory
COMMEX.HLP in your Windows System directory
COMMEX.BIN in your Windows System directory (only there if registered)
ASP Ombudsman statement
-----------------------
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Cottonwood Software is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related
problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP
may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
support for members' products. Please write to the ASP
Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI USA 49442-9427, Fax
616-788-2765, or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to
ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
Warranty and license info
-------------------------
===== Warranty =========================================
LIMITED WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION
ONLY, ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. COTTONWOOD SOFTWARE
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE,
WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NEITHER COTTONWOOD
SOFTWARE NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE
CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE
SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO
USE SUCH SOFTWARE, EVEN IF COTTONWOOD SOFTWARE HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR
CLAIMS. THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS
TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kansas and
shall inure to the benefit of Cottonwood Software and any successors,
administrators, heirs and assigns. Any action or proceeding brought by
either party against the other arising out of or related to this agreement
shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent
jurisdiction located in Johnson County, Kansas. The parties hereby
consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.
===== License for Use and Distribution =================
TRIAL USE LICENSE
This package is NOT a public domain program. It is copyrighted by
Cottonwood Software. This software and accompanying documentation
are protected by United States copyright law and also by international
treaty provisions.
Cottonwood Software grants you a limited license to use this software for
evaluation purposes for a period not to exceed thirty days. If you
continue using this software after the thirty-day evaluation period, you
MUST make a registration payment to Cottonwood Software.
You may not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile, disassemble,
otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed program except as
provided in this agreement. Any such unauthorized use shall result in
immediate and automatic termination of this license.
All rights not expressly granted here are reserved to Cottonwood
Software.
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION LICENSE
ASP member vendors may distribute this package, completely unaltered,
without further permission. For other cases or to distribute in modified
form, you must consult the attached data record (VENDINFO.DIZ or
VENDOR.DOC), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Any
distribution satisfying all the distribution requirements expressed in
that data record is hereby authorized.
Permission to distribute this package is not transferable, assignable,
saleable, or franchisable. Each vendor wishing to distribute the package
must independently satisfy the terms of this limited distribution license.
U.S. Government Information: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S.
Government of the computer software and documentation in this package
shall be subject to the restricted rights applicable to commercial computer
software as set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of the Rights in Technical
Data and Computer Software clause at 252.227-7013 (DFARS 52.227-
7013). The Contractor/manufacturer is Cottonwood Software, P.O. Box
6546, Leawood KS, 66206, USA.
Cottonwood Software may revoke any permissions granted here, by
notifying you in writing. All rights not expressly granted here are
reserved to Cottonwood Software.