
                       EZIP Version 1.0D      8/3/92


"EZIP" is "PROMPT-driven".  Just answer the prompts and supply the necessary
information.  <ESC> exits to the Main MENU at any time.

============================================================================
COMMAND-LINE PARAMETERS or "How to switch to your working directory when you
invoke EZIP...."
============================================================================

It's easiest to use "EZIP" if you first move to the subdirectory where you
plan to ZIP or UNZIP files.  (Otherwise, you have to type the full path
name for the ZIPFILE).  "EZIP" allows you to choose the subdirectory where
you will be using "EZIP" in two (2) ways:

     1)  Type the desired subdirectory (full PATH NAME if not on current
     drive) after "EZIP" (as a command-line parameter:)

                       (ie,;  EZIP B:\sub1\sub2...)

     2)  Selecting the subdirectory with the VIEW DIRECTORY option on the
     MAIN EZIP MENU           (Type:  <D> ).

===========================================================================
                               MAIN MENU OPTIONS
===========================================================================

The first letter of each menu item selects that item and is highlighted
(except for the Directory View/Change option; the 'I' is highlighted.).
After you choose a letter from the top menu, a second sub menu pops up with
the choices listed below.

     < > = TOP MENU CHOICE
     { } = {SUB MENU CHOICES}

1.   <Z>ip Files:  "Zip" ALL the files in a directory, or only those you
          SPECIFY (You can use DOS wildcards '?' and '*' or list them
          individually.).  "Zipping" (or compressing) files, creates
          copies of the files inside a single archive file called the
          zipfile.  This zipfile can be considerably smaller than the
          original files depending on the formats of the originals.
          (Binary files ('.com','.exe') compress less than text files.
          'GIF' format graphics files are already compressed.)  Zipping
          does nothing to the original files.  If you were using some
          product other than EZIP, you'd have to go back afterwards and
          delete those original files manually (if your goal was to free
          up more space).  EZIP gives you the option to delete the
          source files immediately, or use the DELETE FILES option later.
          (NOTE:  When creating a ZIPFILE, you must have enough room on
          the disk to hold BOTH the originals and the new zipfile,
          otherwise PKZIP won't have enough disk space to create the
          temporary files it needs during archiving.)

     {Sub Menu Choices}
       {A}ll Files:  Zips all the files in the current subdirectory.  This
            creates a zipfile (you pick the name, but it will have a '.ZIP'
            extension.) with compressed copies of all the files.  Then EZIP
            prompts you to Delete the original files.  You can either say
            YES and EZIP will delete all the files in the directory except
            the ZIPFILE, OR, you can say NO and use the DELETE FILES option
            to delete them later.
       {S}pecified Files:  Zips only those files you specify.  There are
            three ways to do this:

          1)  List each file (file1 file2 ...fileX)
          2)  List the files using DOS wildcards (i.e.; Client1.*...)

                   (eg.  "*.com CompanyA.* \otherdir\file1.ext ...")

          Note:  Each file is separated from the previous by a space.
          This listing would zip all files with the ".com" extension,
          plus all files named "companyA.???" no matter what the
          extension, and the file "file1.ext" from directory
          "\otherdir".

          You may also zip all of a particular file name EXCEPT those
          you specify by EXCLUDING files.  For example, to zip ALL files
          in the current directory except the ".BAK" files, and a file
          named "client1.doc", at the "FILE(S)" prompt, type:
          
                         -X*.bak -Xclient1.doc <RTN>

          To ZIP all ".DOC" files except those from CLIENT3?, (like
          Client3a.doc, client3B.doc, client32.doc....)you'd type the
          following:

                         *.doc -Xclient3?.doc
               
          3)   Create a LIST FILE, which contains the list of those
          files to be Zipped.  This is useful if you routinely
          zip the same files (ex:  to back up your work on a
          particular client or project each day.).

          With an ASCII text editor, create a LIST FILE with the following
          format:

                    *.doc
                    client??.wpd
                    -x*.bak
                    data.lst
                    .
                    .  <=  (other file descriptors or names)
                    .


          This LIST FILE would cause all  '.DOC' files, all 'Client??.WPD'
          files, and the 'data.lst' file to be zipped, but eXclude the
          '.BAK' files.  To invoke this LIST FILE, (assume its name was
          FILE.LST) at the "FILE(S)" prompt, type:

                    @File.lst  <RTN>

2.   <U>nzip:  Used to UNZIP or extract files from a zipfile. This process
          actually creates copies of the compressed files inside the
          zipfile.  You can either extract ALL the files contained in a
          zipfile, or SPECIFY those you wish to extract ('UNZIP').  You
          may also specify the directory where you'd like these files to
          end up.  It doesn't have to be the same directory that contains
          the zipfile.  (This is handy for unzipping files from a floppy
          disk back onto your hard disk.)
       
    {Sub Menu Choices}   
       {A}ll:  Unzips all files inside the specified zipfile to the
            directory you specify (or to the current directory if you don't
            pick one.)
       {S}pecified Files:  Allows you to extract specific files from a
            zipfile.  Use the same three techniques at the "FILE(S)" prompt
            as used to"ZIP SPECIFIED FILES" (#1, above).

3.   <V>iew Files:  This choice allows you to select one of the following
               three options:

    {Sub Menu Choices}
       {L}ist Zipfile Contents:  Lists all files contained in the specified
            zipfile.  If the list in longer than 23 lines, the display
            pauses every 23 lines.

       {C}ontents of particular file inside a Zipfile:  Use this option to
            extract to the screen any file contained in a zipfile.  This is
            handy for viewing README files that have been archived, without
            having to first UNZIP them.
       {V}iew File:  This option allows you to view any file using either
            EZIP's own included EZVWR.EXE or an external file viewer program 
            of your choice (like LIST.COM).  This has nothing to do with 
            Zipping and Unzipping files.  It's just included here for your
            convenience.

4.   {D}elete Files:  Use this choice to delete files from any directory or
          to remove a file from a zipfile (so it is no longer contained
          there.).  This option is useful for cleaning up your disk.  It
          first lists the directory then allows you to delete those files
          you no longer need (you can use DOS wildcards here also).

    {Sub Menu Choices}
       {F}iles:  Use this to delete files from any directory.  The current
            directory is displayed in "WIDE" format, along with a prompt
            for file(S) to be deleted.
       {D}elete files from a Zipfile:  This removes files from a zipfile;
            usefull for deleting obsolete or out-of-date files and reducing
            the zipfile size.

5.   <C>onvert Files:  Actually creates a second copy of a normal zipfile 
          (".ZIP" extension) which has the ability to unpack itself without
          PKUNZIP.  This second copy has a ".EXE" extension.  This is useful 
          for passing files to a friend who doesn't yet have PKZIP and EZIP.  
          The other person merely types the file name and it unpacks itself, 
          creating copies of the files inside automatically.  The original 
          ZIPFILE remains in the directory so you need to have sufficient room
          for both of them on the disk or PKZIP won't be able to create the
          second one.

          Question:  This sounds handy, right?  Why wouldn't you do this to
          ALL your files?  Two reasons:  First, these files are larger than
          a normal zipfile.  Second, you can't easily manipulate them to view 
          their contents or extract files.  You have to unpack everything or 
          nothing.
          
    {Sub Menu Choices}  
       {Z}ipfile-to-EXE:  Create a self-extracting copy of a normal zipfile.
       {E}XE-to-Zipfile:  Converts a self-extracting zipfile back into a
            normal zipfile.  (No secret how.  This routine just automatically 
            unpacks the file, re-zips it, and deletes the original ".exe" 
            file.  If you don't want the original deleted, make a copy of it 
            first!)

6.   D<I>rectory View/Change:  Displays the current directory and allows
          you to move about your disk to look for files.  Whichever directory 
          you're in when you return to the main menu, will become the current 
          directory.

          <Shift-Tab> changes the directory to the parent of the current
          directory.  It's the same as typing ".." for directory name or
          "CHDIR .." at the DOS prompt.  (If your current directory is:
          C:\sub1\sub2, you will move to "C:\sub1" and the contents of that
          directory will be displayed.)
          
          If you type a name without any backslashes "\", EZIP assumes the
          directory is off the current directory (just like DOS).  You can
          even switch disks by typing the full path to the desired
          directory.

7.   <O>ther Useful Options:  This option gives you access to the following
          features:

    {Sub Menu Choices}
       {R}eadme:  Displays this README file via "EZVWR" or your own
            external file viewer for easy reference.  This is the
            "Detailed" version of the "ON-LINE HELP".
       {M}ake New Directory:  Create directories, including multi-level
            directories.  This option follows the DOS rules for creating
            directories. If you specify the directory name without a
            leading back-slash (\), the directory will be created in the
            current subdirectory.  If you include the backslash (\), you'll
            create it off the root directory.
       {H}elp:  The abbreviated "ON-LINE HELP".
       {A}dd Zipfile Comments:  A handy way to add notes to a zipfile so
            that any time you "VIEW" it, you can see this information.  Add
            historical information or references using either your own
            external editor (DOS 5.0's "EDIT.COM" works fine), directly from 
            the console, (or by inserting a previously-created ASCII text file).  
            If you haven't specified an external editor during installation, 
            you'll be prompted to add the comments directly from the keyboard
            or by inserting a file.  For best appearance, start with a <RETURN>
            then type your comments, remembering to add <RETURN>'s at the end 
            of each line.  When finished, type <CONTROL-C> (^C).
       
            This works OK for shorter comments but is tiresome for longer
            ones. If you create the ASCII text file ahead of time, EZIP allows 
            you to insert it rather than typing the comments directly.
            If the ASCII comment file is NOT in the current directory, type its 
            full path name.  Again, when creating this file, start with a 
            <RETURN> for an empty line.  This gives the best appearence on 
            screen.

       {S}trip Zipfile comments:  This option quickly removes zipfile
            comments.  The comments are not saved to a file but simply
            deleted.  (If "stripping-to-a-file" is an option you'd use and
            would like to see, let me know on your comment sheet or via
            electronic mail.)
       {C}ontact the Author:  Instead of a sign-off screen or general
            "pester" screen on startup, I've put all the information you
            need to contact me with your comments here.  It includes the
            BBS's where I check my mail and my mailing address.  I'd really
            like to hear from you.  As with all shareware, use EZIP as long
            as you need to before deciding whether you really like it.
            Send your comments whether you're ready to register or not.
            The only enticement I can offer to registration, is that I
            maintain a list of all "known" users and give them first shot
            at any upgrades/bug-fixes/ and enhancements.  (Plus a discount
            on the next whole-number upgrade; EZIP 2.0.)  You'll get any
            changes to EZIP 1.0 A-Z for free.
       
8.   <Q>uit to DOS:  Exit EZIP to your operating system (DOS,WINDOWS).

                  ********* ADDITIONAL NOTES ***********

Any time your choice involves manipulating a zipfile, EZIP will give you a
list of those Zipfiles in your current directory.  If there are none, it will
tell you.  If your next step involves a file inside a zipfile, (for example:
viewing a file inside a zipfile), EZIP will display a list of the zipfile's
contents.  Finally, if your next step involves files of unknown type, EZIP
displays the current directory listing.

UNZIPPing A FILE:  There is no need to select the DESTINATION SUBDIRECTORY
          for the files prior to starting the UNZIP process.  "EZIP" will
          propmpt for the DESTINATION subdirectory (full path name).
          Hitting <ENTER> will select the current directory as destination.

TROUBLE VIEWING OR UNZIPPING A FILE:  If you can't view or unzip a file
          that you know or suspect has file comments inserted by someone
          else, use the "STRIP COMMENTS" option to eliminate them.  Some
          Comment-Insertion utilities produce files that DOS does not
          handle well.  If the zipfile has been corrupted, (this can happen
          to ANY file, it's not something that only happens to zipfiles.)
          use PKZIPFIX.

REQUIRED FILES:  EZIP requires the following PKZIP files to function fully:
          PKZIP.EXE, PKUNZIP.EXE and ZIP2EXE.EXE.  If you don't have the
          ZIP2EXE file, the only function you lose is the ability to create
          a self-extracting zipfile.  All other EZIP features will function
          normally.

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