This is the readme.txt file for ZIP Explorer 4.01,
Carsten Arnholm, 05. December 1998

Contents:
 * Welcome Aboard!
 * Legal notice - distribution rights
 * Disclaimer
 * How to register
 * How to install
 * New features


WELCOME ABOARD!
===============
Thank you for using Zip Explorer, and congratulations 
with a new and powerful tool! Zip Explorer will catalog
all your disks, any type, large or small.


LEGAL NOTICE - DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
==================================
Zip Explorer 4.0 is Copyright (c) 1998 Carsten Arnholm. 
All rights reserved. 

Zip Explorer 4.0 is distributed in 2 versions:

1. Shareware trial version - You are encouraged to copy and distribute this version.
   The Shareware trial version is identified by the opening "nag" screen, and by the
   30 day expiration limit, after which the program will stop functioning.
   The shareware trial version is for product evaluation use only. Any other use 
   requires purchase of the registered version. 

2. Registered version - You may not copy or distribute the registered version, or
   any of its executable files (*.EXE and *.DLL). The program and accompanying files 
   are copyright material. No part of the Registered version executable files may be 
   distributed without the express written permission from the author. 
   The online help files (*.HTM and *.GIF) are however freely distributable.
   The catalog files (*.ZAR) produced by the program are also freely distributable.	
   
   The registered version has no opening "nag" screen, and it does not expire.
   Use of the registered version requires paying the registration fee. 


DISCLAIMER
==========
The author regularly uses the software on several of his computers and
feels confident that the software is without any damaging effect, including 
the computer and other programs or files. 

Nevertheless, the author accepts no responsibility for damages resulting from 
use of the software and makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied, 
including but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness 
for a particular purpose. The software is provided "AS IS" and the author does not 
assume any risk by its use.


HOW TO REGISTER
===============
To register online and immediately receive the Registered Version, 
go to Albert's Ambry at 

   http://www.alberts.com/authorpages/00014924/prod_724.htm

or contact Carsten Arnholm at arnholm@online.no to receive instructions 
for non credit card registration. 

   Carsten Arnholm
   Gamle Rustadvei 108
   N-1380 Heggedal
   Norway

email: arnholm@online.no
web  : http://home.sol.no/~arnholm/


HOW TO INSTALL
==============
1. Extract the contents of the installation zip file to a clean directory
   and run Setup.exe. There is no need to reboot after installing.

2. Start the program
   Start -> Programs -> ZipExplorer4.0
   Please see online help for details on how to use the program.

3. Online Help / Getting Started
   From the start menu: Start -> Programs -> ZipExplorer4.0 -> On-Line help
   In Zip Explorer    : Help -> Help Topics



NEW FEATURES
============
Zip Explorer 4.0 is yet another significant upgrade compared to the previous 
release (version 3.0). Again, the no-nonsense philosophy is evident; a lot 
of new functionality has been introduced without over-loading the user 
interface or increasing the program size (increase is only 2%). 

One important new feature is the support for file-type associated icons. 
Cataloged files are now presented with the same icons as in Windows Explorer,
even if the files are off-line. If required, the user can customise the 
program to use the "classic", simplified icons. 

Another powerful feature is the new Windows Explorer plug-in, which allows 
one to catalog and (optionally) eject disks directly from within Windows 
Explorer, without even starting the Zip Explorer main program. This feature 
is so easy to use that it may become your preferred way of ejecting removable 
disks, considering how surprisingly fast disks are cataloged. It should also 
be noted that the limitations of the built-in Windows Explorer eject facility 
(it fails to eject if a directory on the disk is viewed), does not apply to 
this plug-in. 

Summary of new features 
-----------------------
* Windows Explorer plug-in allows ultra-convenient catalog & eject 
  Simply right-click on a drive in Windows Explorer and select
  "Zip Explorer Catalog". By default a confirmation dialog appears. 
  If required, this dialog can be customised and eliminated via settings 
  in the main program: "View->Options, Windows Explorer Plug-in". 

* Present cataloged files with file-type associated icons 
  All files are now presented using the icons associated with the respective 
  file types. To use the simpler, "classic" icons, set it in: "View->Options, View" 

* Simplified installation, reboot no longer required 
  Previously, a reboot was required after installation. This is no longer required, 
  as a system registry entry defining the location of the catalog folder has 
  eliminated the need for the environment variable "Zip_Explorer". 

* Launch files from find & find duplicates dialogs 
  Launch files also from the "Find" or "Find Duplicates" dialogs. If the launched 
  file is on an off-line disk you will be asked to insert the relevant disk. Finding 
  and launching off-line files was never easier or more intuitive! 

* Limit Find & Find Duplicate searches to selected catalogs 
  It may sometimes be desireable to search for files within a selected subset of 
  open catalogs. This is now possible using multiple selection facilities in the
  right pane of the main window. 

* Save file size units preference between runs 
  Save your byte, KB or MB preference in the "View->Options, View" dialog. 

* Close catalogs without deleting 
  Close a catalog by right-clicking on it in the left pane and select "Close Catalog".
  Notice that if a "Find" or "Find Duplicates" dialog is open, closing of catalogs is 
  disabled to prevent potentially "fatal" access to closed catalogs. 

* Modeless find duplicates dialog 
  The Find Duplicates dialog has been made modeless, meaning that one or more 
  "Find Duplicates" dialogs may be open at the same time. It is also possible to 
  browse in the main window while a modeless dialog is open. 

* Minimize/Maximize on find & find duplicates dialogs 
  Standard Minimize/Maximize and maximize buttons are now enabled on all modeless 
  dialogs. This makes multiple, simultaneous searches much more practical. 

* Re-labeling of already labelled disks 
  If a disk already has a label, and you want to give it another label, that can be 
  done as part of the catalog operation in the main program. Previously, this had 
  to be be done outside the program. 

* Saving of Find & Find Duplicates reports in .csv format 
  If you have a large number of files, and have special requirements for how to deal 
  with duplicate files, "Comma Separated Values" (.csv) files can be produced, for 
  further processing in Microsoft Excel or your own custom program. 

* New disk-eject button in toolbar 
  The functionality provided via the menu alternative "Tools->Eject Removable Disks" 
  is now also available as a button in the toolbar. 

* Launch Zip Explorer by double-clicking on a .zar file in Windows Explorer 
  Double-click on a Zip Explorer Catalog (.zar) file in Windows Explorer, and the 
  main program appears with the selected catalog open. 

* Minor bug fixes 
  Very few bugs were discovered in Zip Explorer 3.0, and none of them were fatal.
  Fixes for such bugs is included in Zip Explorer 4.0. Mostly, the bugs were cosmetic 
  (some dialogs were too large). Some users also reported problems related to 
  assigning labels to disks. 


=== End of Zip Explorer 4.0 readme.txt ====