
   File-Ex (tm) : File Dialog Extensions for Windows 3.1 and 3.11
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Copyright 1996   by Cottonwood Software


Thank you for trying File-Ex!

File-Ex adds file management functions like Find, Copy, Delete, Rename, 
and MakeDir to the Open and Save dialogs of most Windows applications 
automatically (any that use the Windows common dialogs in COMMDLG.DLL),
and can be trained to work with all others. 

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 File-Ex 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 'File-Ex' button, and then the Help button 
from that dialog.  Enjoy!


Readme.txt Contents:
--------------------
  File Packing List
  System Requirements
  Installation
  How File-Ex Works
  About the Evaluation Period
  Giving Copies to Friends -- (Please Do!)
  Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.
  Ordering
  Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
  Troubleshooting
  Support
  Un-installing File-Ex
  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
  REMOVE.EXE    Removal (un-install) program
  FILEEX.EXE    Main program
  FXHOOK.DLL    Part of the main program
  COMMEX.DLL    "CommEx" portion of the program (installs as commdlg.dll)
  FILEEX.HLP    Help file
  FILEEX.DAT    Data file for 'trained' not-so-common dialogs
  FILEEX.BIN    Registration file (purchased version only)
  ORDER.TXT     Text form for ordering File-Ex
  REVISION.TXT  Program revision history
  FILE_ID.DIZ   Short description file (shareware version only)
  VENDINFO.DIZ  Vendor distribution info, automated (shareware version only)


System Requirements
-------------------

File-Ex will work with Windows versions 3.1 and 3.11 (including Workgroups).


Windows 95 and NT users:
------------------------
Do NOT install this version of File-Ex 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 Win95 version of File-Ex available in mid- 
1996, and an NT version shortly thereafter.

    Let us know if you need an upgrade to the Win95 or NT versions.
    Just E-mail, FAX, or mail your address to us, and we will let you know
    when they are released and where to download them from.



Installation
------------

Warning: Installing File-Ex from within WinZip or other ZIP viewing utility
is not recommended, since Setup must exit to DOS during installation.


Note: If you already have CommEx installed, File-Ex will replace it with
the newer version of the CommEx DLL.  If you have purchased CommEx already,
then the CommEx part of File-Ex will remain fully functional, even if you
don't purchase File-Ex.  (You can purchase File-Ex at a discount; see the 
Order Form or Help file for information.)


To install File-Ex, 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 File-Ex files are.
   For example:
     C:\FILEEX\SETUP

3. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

4. After File-Ex installation is complete, it will need to validate some
   files.  This will happen automatically the first time File-Ex is invoked,
   so you don't need to do anything special for this to happen.

5. If you're not familiar with File-Ex, open the Help file and read through
   the Overview sections.


What files should be where, after installation
----------------------------------------------
These files should be in your program directory (eg. c:\fileex)
  README.TXT
  FILEEX.EXE
  FXHOOK.DLL
  FILEEX.HLP
  FILEEX.BIN
  ORDER.TXT
  REVISION.TXT
  REMOVE.EXE

The file FILEEX.DAT will be copied to the 'Data' directory.  (This is usually
the same as your Program directory, but may be different, for instance, in
a network environment where the Program directory is shared.  The FILEEX.DAT
file should be in a place not shared by users, similar to INI files.)

These files are not copied anywhere, and are not needed by File-Ex after
setup:
  SETUP.EXE
  FILE_ID.DIZ
  VENDINFO.DIZ

These files will be copied to your Windows System directory, if possible,
or to the Windows directory if Windows System is not accessible:
  COMMEX.DLL    (copied as COMMDLG.DLL)

The files COMMEX.INI and FILEEX.INI will be created by the Setup program, and
will be placed in the Windows directory.

The file FILEEX.LOG will be created in the Windows directory, and is useful
for troubleshooting.  If everything works after installation, this may be
deleted.


Technical information on installation
-------------------------------------
The installation procedure does the following:
 Create a DOS batch file (file-ex.bat) to do the following from DOS:
   Rename commdlg.dll (in the Windows System directory) to commold.dll
     (File-Ex 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).
   Copy other files to the Program and Data directories.
 Add a File-Ex group with appropriate icons.
 Add File-Ex to the startup group, if requested.
 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 File-Ex is actually invoked for the first time (through a File/Open 
or File/Save command, or by automatically loading File-Ex), it validates 
the information files (fileex.hlp, readme.txt, order.txt).  This ensures 
that File-Ex cannot be modified and re-distributed with different company 
contact/order information.


How File-Ex Works
-----------------

File-Ex consists of two parts:

1. The CommEx DLL, which intercepts calls to commdlg.dll (by replacing it)
   in order to add the File-Ex functions to the File dialogs.

2. The File-Ex program, which can capture other File dialogs and make
   them use commdlg.dll, thus enabling all of the File-Ex features.


The CommEx DLL replaces the commdlg.dll file that comes with Windows, so 
that it is always 'active'.  Any program that was written to use commdlg.dll
will now be using the CommEx DLL, which contains all of the added functions
for the File dialogs.  (You may have seen the CommEx part as a stand-
alone program, before File-Ex was created.)  Since it is now part of the 
Windows System, no program needs to be 'running' for it to work.  

The File-Ex program is actually a separate program, which may be optionally
used to add the File dialog enhancements to programs that don't normally
use commdlg.dll.  It does this by recognizing when a program is opening a
File dialog and either replacing it with the File-Ex version of the dialog, 
or adding a button to the program's dialog to invoke File-Ex.

File-Ex must first be 'trained' to recognize a program's File dialogs.  This
is easily done, and should only need to be done once for each dialog that
you want to add the File-Ex functions to.  However, remember that the File-Ex
program must be running for these non-common dialogs to have the File-Ex 
functions added.

The File-Ex program runs as an icon only, and its Configuration, Help, and
Learning functions are accessed through its system menu (click once on
the icon).

For more information on training File-Ex, see the help file.


About the Evaluation Period
---------------------------

File-Ex 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.

  Note: If this is a registered copy, please DON'T distribute it!  The
  registered copy contains your registration key file, and giving this to
  someone else is pirating.  Please only distribute the shareware version!

Please use the original disk or ZIP file when giving out copies.  If you
only copy the files from the File-Ex directory (where you installed it),
some important components will be missing.


Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.
------------------------------------

Commercial vendors please refer to the VENDINFO.DIZ file for complete 
details.  If this file is not present, please contact Cottonwood Software 
for a replacement copy.


Ordering File-Ex
----------------
For a complete order form you can print the text file ORDER.TXT, or click
the 'File-Ex' button in an Open/Save dialog and select the 'Order Form' 
button.

Benefits of ordering:
  The latest version as of the day you order, with no 'reminders',
    registered in your name.
  Notification of bug fixes and update releases when available.
  Free technical support.
  More shareware programs by Cottonwood Software and other author(s).
  Big discounts on updates and other products, as available.
  A good feeling that you're helping to support the shareware industry!

To order, send $24.95 (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.

(See below for credit card orders.)

All orders are usually shipped within 24 hours.

You may also order online through Compuserve: GO SWREG, product #10614.

Ordering on the World Wide Web:  
-------------------------------
You can now order directly on the Web using a major credit card.  Simply 
go to Cottonwood Software's home page, and click on 'Order File-Ex right 
now with any major credit card!'.  

Point your Web browser to http://users.aol.com/cottonwdsw/


CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY -
-------------------------
Mastercard, Visa, and American Express credit card orders may be placed 
directly with Cottonwood Software.  (Also see the ORDER.TXT file.)

Phone:           913-663-3022  (evenings and weekends)
FAX:             913-663-3747
E-mail:          75264.1630@compuserve.com
Mail:            Cottonwood Software  P.O. Box 6546  Leawood, KS 66206  USA.
World Wide Web:  See 'Ordering on the World Wide Web' above


You can also order from Public (software) Library.  
They provide telephone ordering services during normal U.S. business hours.

Phone:           800-2424-PsL (800-242-4775)  
International:   713-524-6394

Please refer to product ID #14533 when ordering through PsL.

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,
ordering 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).


Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
-------------------------------------

File-Ex purchases for multiple users (computers):

  For 2-3 users:        $20.95 each
  For 4-6 users:        $17.95 each
  For 7 or more users:  $14.95 each

 (These include a disk for each user)

Site licenses:

  20- user licenses use are available for $199.95, shipping included
  50- user licenses use are available for $399.95, shipping included
 100- user licenses use are available for $599.95, shipping included
 Higher quantities may be purchased in any combination of the above sets.

 Each site license includes 5 master disks.

Please order multiple copies through Cottonwood Software directly.
Other ordering 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 File-Ex 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 purchase File-Ex before providing technical support.)

Any suggestions, comments, support questions and bug reports are welcome 
and encouraged!  All questions will be answered promptly.  This is offered
to both registered and unregistered users because we appreciate the
assistance in making the program better!

When the File-Ex Setup program runs, it creates a file FILEEX.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, order by credit card, and 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 File-Ex 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 File-Ex's 
enhancements so you can compare it with and without File-Ex.  If it is 
definitely File-Ex 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 File-Ex 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 FILEEX.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 File-Ex:

If you get a message like: "COMMOLD.DLL file not found" when you try to
Open or Save a file, then File-Ex 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).  File-Ex 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 
there may be more than one copy of COMMDLG.DLL on your system (see below).


---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 File-Ex 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 File-Ex first.  Then
    each user can set it up.  (See Site Licenses for information on
    purchasing File-Ex for networked installations.)

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 File-Ex, 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.

To teach File-Ex to work with one of these 'uncommon' dialogs, see the
help file.


---Any of the above, or other problems

A common problem is that there is more than one copy of COMMDLG.DLL
on your computer, and Windows is getting confused about which one to run.  

This can cause system errors, printing problems, or any number of odd
things to happen.

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 that might
be visible to Windows.  Any other copies should be deleted (or renamed)!


---If some of the buttons at the bottom are greyed out (unusable),
   or if the recent files and directories lists are missing

This means that your free evaluation period has run out.  To re-enable
these functions, you must purchase File-Ex.


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 purchase 
File-Ex before providing technical support.


Un-installing File-Ex
---------------------

If you encounter insurmountable problems, or just don't like the new
functions that File-Ex provides, you may need to un-install it.  

A Remove program is provided for your convenience.  Its icon is
installed in your File-Ex program group.  Please see the help file
for more information on this.

If you prefer to remove it manually, or want to see what the procedure
is, it is outlined below.  This is a simple procedure, but must be 
done carefully.  Do NOT just deleteCOMMDLG.DLL!  This will cause most 
Windows programs to stop working!

---To un-install File-Ex:

1. Delete the File-Ex program group.

2. Remove the File-Ex program item (icon) in the Startup group, if present.

3. Exit Windows --  the rest cannot be done from within Windows.

4. 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

5. You may also delete COMMOLD.DLL (after you verify that the above copy 
command has worked!), and these files may be deleted to completely remove 
File-Ex:
  COMMEX.INI in your Windows directory
  FILEEX.INI in your Windows directory
  FILEEX.LOG in your Windows directory
  All files in the File-Ex program & data directories (which you specified 
    during installation).


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 -- SHAREWARE VERSION

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.


LIMITED WARRANTY AND MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE -- PURCHASED/REGISTERED VERSION

THE PURCHASED VERSION OF THIS SOFTWARE CARRIES A 90-DAY FULL
MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.  ALL LIABILITIES BEYOND THE PURCHASE
PRICE ARE DISCLAIMED AS IN THE SHAREWARE VERSION, ABOVE.

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.

Shareware users: 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 purchase it from 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.
