03.Dec.1999 [ver 3.0.0.97]

TrackerV3 --- Help.txt
======================

TrackerV3 does not include a standard Windows Help-file.
Since the program's interface almost entirely mirrors that
of Windows Explorer you will feel at home immediately.
Where TrackerV3 goes beyond Explorer the functionality
should be fairly self-explaining.
In case of questions, write to xbeat@csi.com.

Anyway, have a look at some general notes on TrackerV3:

================================================================================
[general usage notes]
  * TrackerV3 shows files that are not visible in the standard Explorer,
    for example files called "desktop.ini": *** DO NOT DELETE THEM ***
    Remember: not knowing what a file is good for is the worst reason
    for destroying it.
  * certain "special folders" like Fonts or Recycled are not displayed
    like you know it from Explorer. What you see in TrackerV3 is the raw
    files that are actually there.
  * shortcut files are displayed with their extensions (*.lnk, *.pif, *.url)
  * any report files you create are by default placed into the folder of
    TrackerV3
  * you can change the alternative font (by default set to Tahoma) by simply
    editing the "AltFont" key in TrackerV3.ini
  * (in case you still work with the Explorer after having experienced TrackerV3)
    you can add TrackerV3 to the Explorer context menu for drives and folders by
    simply checking the "Tracker in Explorer Context Menu" box on the Settings tab.
  * (some) changes on the Settings tab will be realized at the next browse or find
    action -- to see an immediate effect press Refresh (F5)
  * Press <Esc> to abort any time consuming activities.
  * on the General File Info and Version Tabs you can copy virtually all entries
    (incl. icons) to the clipboard by simply double-clicking them.
    Double-clicking the entry key (eg "File Version") will copy the key and the value,
    double-clicking the value (eg "3.00.0097") will copy just the value.
  * Note that Win95/98 do not provide the time part of the Accessed date, whereas
    Win NT does.
  * Settings tab: by unchecking file list columns you don't need, you can slightly
    speed up the browse and find processes (not necessary no a fast machine).
  * File Find/Containing Text: search is case-sensitive; the text to look for may
    contain any pastable characters incl. linefeeds, tabs etc.; it cannot be be 
    longer than 32533 bytes; of multi-line texts only the first line is remembered
    between sessions.
  
================================================================================
[a note on common cases of evil file time falsification]
  * many AntiVirus programs access files (which they have to do) and do *not* reset the
    Accessed date of the files to the value before the scan (which they should). Which
    means that once you run such a virus scanner, you can forget about searching your
    computer for files not accessed for such and such a long time, because *all* scanned
    files will have the Accessed date of the last virus scan.
  * many installation routines that change system files like Win.ini do this the
    old 16-bit way: they copy the file to a temporary file, make changes on the copy, and,
    if all goes well, close the temporary, delete the old version, and rename the temporary
    to the old name. With the effect that definitely old files like Win.ini will have a
    Created date of the very moment they were last modified. So you (or your maintenance
    equipment) are lead to think the file is new ... could be a bad mistake.

================================================================================
[small fonts/large fonts]
  * TrackerV3 is designed for "Small Fonts" (Display/Settings).
    From v3.00.0115 onwards "Large Fonts" are supported, but there *might* be
    still areas of the display which are not rendered correctly in "Large Fonts"
    mode. In such a case let me know.
    
================================================================================
[FAQ]
  * Q:TrackerV3 does not list files accessed in the previous 5 min (or other time
      smaller than a day), although i'm sure they have been accessed in that time!
    A:You're probably running Win95 or Win98: those OSs do not provide the time part
      of the Accessed date, whereas Win NT does. In order to find any files accessed
      recently you have to select "Previous Day" from the time range menu (clock icon).
      
================================================================================


