URLcook v1.6 by Oleg Rekutin (c) 1998 (Freeware)               April 16, 1998
=====================================

[1.] Intro
[2.] Using URLcook
[3.] Versions Available
[4.] Future Plans
[5.] Portability Notes
[6.] Disclaimer
[7.] Miscellaneous




[1.] Intro

URLcook "cooks" URL-encoded data and results "prepared" decoded data.
URL-encoded data is one or more parameters, each parameter is a combination
in the form of:  name=value&anothername=anothervalue&so+on=andsoforth

Main problem with that kind of data is that:

   * it all is written next to each other, uncomfortable to read
   * all spaces are plus characters
   * all non-digit and non-letter characters are encoded in a form of
     %XX, where XX is the code of that character in hexidecimal format.

Most of the time you receive that kind of data if you set up an HTTP form
which uses "mailto:address" action. That allows you to avoid using any CGI
scripts, but the problem is that the data you get by e-mail is barely
readable.

Wouldn't it be really nice to be able to read it? Heck yeah! :)
That's where URLcook can help you!

URLcook allows you to decode (cook) that half-baked URL-encoded data.



[2.] Using URLcook

Simplest usage of URLcook is pretty straightforward: start it up, copy/paste
the data into the upper text box and click on the Cook it! button.

However, you can do a little more than that with URLcook. So, I'll describe
the interface and explain every option.

URLcook's interface consists of two big text boxes, one wide "Cook it!"
button and four other buttons: "Open...", "Save...", "About...", and "Exit".
URLcook also supports drag and drop which is described at the end of this
section. Overally, the interface is self-explanatory, but nevertheless, I'll
describe it in more detail.

The upper text box is the source text box, you put your url-encoded data in
there. The lower text box is the results text box, it contains the result of
cooking.

The wide "Cook it!" button is self-explanatory: it takes data from the source
text box, cooks it and puts it into the results text box.

The "Open..." button allows you to choose any file and load it into the
source text box, in case you don't feel like copy/pasting or if it's just
more convenient for you.

The "Save..." button allows you to save the results to a text file.

The "About..." button brings up some information about URLcook, and obviously
the "Exit" button does just that: quits URLcook.

URLcook also supports dragging and dropping: you can drag a file with
url-encoded data anywhere on URLcook window and drop it; the file will appear
in the source text box.



[3.] Versions Available

 * A Win9x/NT Graphical User Interface (GUI) version of URLcook v1.6
 * A Win9x/NT plain text version of URLcook v1.2
 * A FreeBSD plain text version of URLcook v1.2

Right now `FreeBSD plain text' and `Win9x/NT plain text' versions have more
functionality than 'Win9x/NT GUI' version, but the latter is much more
convenient to use. The functionality of the next `Win9x/NT GUI' version
(probably v1.6) will be brought up on the same level as other versions'.



[4.] Future Plans

Following is a list of what I plan to do in the next version of URLcook.

  * (not sure about this one) implement ability to disable the "Total
    parameters:" text or show the total number of parameters somewhere else
    outside the results box;
  * (not sure about this one either) implement control over the left margin
    of wrapped text in the result text box;



[5.] Portability Notes

URLcook v1.2 is written in 100% straight standard ANSI C. Therefore, it is
portable to a whole load of systems. If you would like to get it ported to
another system, contact me at rekusha@asan.com. I'll be happy to do it.

URLcook v1.6 is users Win32 API, thus it won't run on any other platforms
other than Windows 95/98 or Windows NT.



[6.] Disclaimer

URLcook is freeware.

DISCLAIMER: URLcook is provided on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty of any
    kind, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability,
    fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. The entire risk as
    to the quality and performance of URLcook is taken by the user. Should
    URLcook prove defective, the user, and not the software author, assume
    the entire cost of any service and repair.

YOU MAY freely distribute URLcook, as long as all accompanying files come
    intact, unmodified with the program.



[7.] Miscellaneous

Also, if you find this program really really useful and if you would like to
make a donation of any amount, I'll be very happy to hear from you at
rekusha@asan.com! :)

I hope URLcook will come in handy and if you find this prorgam useful, send
some feedback on how to improve it, what new options you would like to see,
or just send any feedback that you want.

My e-mail address is rekusha@asan.com.

You can always check for updates at URLcook's homepage:
     http://www.asan.com/users/therekutins/urlcook.html


Best regards,

Oleg Rekutin  ( Uksi )
<  rekusha@asan.com  >
<http://uksi.base.org>
