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*  * IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT *  *
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*                                                                             *
* Please follow the enclosed installation instructions to ensure a successful *
* installation of ClipObject Manager v2.45.                                   *
*                                                                             *
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Thank you for downloading ClipObject Manager v2.45!  If you are installing it
for the first time or are upgrading from a prior version I hope you will find
it both useful and convenient to use.  Following the installation instructions
are sections detailing what ClipObject Manager is, what's new in this version,
and how easy it is to register.

Special Note to Registered Users:  Since this version of ClipObject Manager is
being released as shareware, it does not reduce any existing upgrade credit(s)
you may have.  If you are out of upgrade credits, contact me for reduced
registration fee information for this upgrade.

                                        Best Regards,
                                                Chris Fulgham



Installation:
-------------

The following installation instructions apply to both first-time installers
and users upgrading from prior versions.  Please follow each step carefully.

        1)  Unzip CLIP-OBJ.ZIP into the directory where you wish to
                install ClipObject Manager.

                NOTE:  If you are upgrading from a prior version,
                DO NOT delete your existing database if you wish
                to retain your existing ClipObjects.

        2)  Copy CFCOMU01.DLL from your installation directory to
                your Windows directory.

        3)  Start Paradox for Windows.

        4)  Add the alias "ClipObject_Manager" to your ODAPI.CFG
                file.  It should be saved permanently and point to
                the directory in which you've installed ClipObject
                Manager.

                NOTE:  If you are upgrading from a prior version,
                you should have already defined this alias.

        5)  Play the script INSTALL.SDL.  This script will complete
                the installation process and convert any existing
                ClipObject Manager databases.

Installation is now complete!  To run ClipObject Manager, view the form
CFCOMU00.FDL.



What is ClipObject Manager?
---------------------------

ClipObject Manager is a utility which allows ClipObjects to be stored in and
retrieved from a database.

It is no longer necessary to maintain a library of forms or reports in order to
save ClipObjects.  By storing ClipObjects in the ClipObject Manager database,
there is no longer a hassle with naming conflicts, data model conflicts, form
size limitations, etc.  Additionally, ClipObject Manager allows the assignment
of a class, name, version, description, etc. to each ClipObject.  Information
regarding date of last update and author is automatically maintained.  A viewer
is also provided to display the ClipObject without having to paste it to a form
first!

Registered versions of ClipObject Manager include an import/export module which
allows ClipObjects to be shared with other registered ClipObject Manager users
via services such as CompuServe and many BBS systems.



What's New in Version 2.45?
---------------------------

Many minor bugs have been fixed from the prior versions.  Many enhancements
have been made as well to make ClipObject Manager more powerful and easy to
use.

        Floating Toolbar

                A floating toolbar has been added to allow for quick
                retrieval of ClipObjects.  The buttons contain icons
                similar to those found on Paradox's designer SpeedBar
                which are used for creating new objects.  However,
                ClipObject Manager goes one better!  For objects with
                multiple types (eg., 2 line types, 3 button types, 6
                field types, and 17 graph types), additional buttons
                are automatically displayed allowing you to immediately
                select the one you are interested in.

                Clicking a button from the toolbar will display a
                dialog box listing the ClipObjects of that type.
                Double-clicking on one of the ClipObjects in the list
                will cause it to be copied to the Windows clipboard,
                ready to be pasted into your form!

                The floating toolbar and ClipObject list dialog boxes
                remember their last position within the Windows
                desktop.  Additionally, the ClipObject list dialog
                box can be configured to either close, minimize, or
                hide itself automatically after a listed ClipObject
                has been double-clicked.  To configure this option,
                right-click anywhere on the ClipObject list dialog
                box while it is displayed.

                With the addition of the floating toolbar, it is no
                longer necessary to keep the main ClipObject
                Manager form at its full size.  The form MUST remain
                open; however, it may be minimized unless needed for
                editing.  Registered versions of ClipObject Manager
                load the main form minimized by default.

        Object Name Automatically Supplied

                When adding new ClipObjects to your database, if the
                object in the Windows clipboard was assigned a name
                and you have left the Object Name field blank, the
                ClipObject's name will be automatically entered for
                you.  Of course, it can still be changed if desired.

                When updating an existing ClipObject, simply clear
                the Object Name field prior to copying the object
                from the Windows clipboard if you want to use its
                default name.

                Objects which have not been named in advance, must
                be supplied one manually.

        Object Type Automatically Supplied

                When adding new ClipObjects to your database,
                ClipObject Manager will attempt to assign as specific
                an object type (eg. "Field Object (Checkbox)") as
                possible for you automatically.  However, there are a
                number of situations in which it cannot determine a
                specific type.  In these instances, it is assigned
                the type "Borland Form Object" for form objects,
                "Graphic" for bitmaps, "Formatted Text" for formatted
                text, and "Text" for plain text.

                ClipObject Manager first determines the composition
                of the new ClipObject.  If it is a Page object,
                Group object, or a group of objects which are not
                stored in a single container object, it is assigned
                the type "Borland Form Object"; otherwise, it is
                assigned the object type appropriate for the
                outermost container.

                For example, if a Drop-Down Edit field ClipObject is
                added, it will be assigned an object type of "Field
                Object (Drop-Down Edit)".  If however, the field is
                contained in a Box object, it would be assigned an
                object type of "Box Object".

                Regardless, you may override the assigned object
                type by right-clicking on the object type (format)
                description, located above the viewed image.  This
                will display a popup menu from which you may assign
                a type you feel more appropriate.

                When updating existing ClipObjects, the object type
                will not be automatically supplied if it has been
                previously overridden.  However, the popup menu
                selection of "Restore default" will allow the
                object's type to be reset to its default.

        Smaller Title

                To reduce Desktop clutter, the ClipObject Manager
                version and copyright information has been removed
                from the title bar and placed on the help screen.

        Search Help

                A help screen has been added to the ClipObject
                Search form.



Registration:
-------------

ClipObject Manager is being released as shareware.  If you use the product on a
regular basis, you are expected to register it.

The cost of registration is $25 (USD).  The cost has been kept low to provide
this powerful utility at a price everyone can afford.  Its continued support
and enhancement is dependent upon your registration.

Registration provides the following benefits:

        1)  The latest version of ClipObject Manager.
        
        2)  Receipt of the import/export module.  This module allows
                ClipObjects to be shared with other registered
                ClipObject Manager users.

        3)  Support via CompuServe (72073,2566) or phone (206-661-9765).

        4)  Automatic notification of future upgrades.

        5)  One additional upgrade (at no cost) when available.

To register, send check or money order (payable to Chris Fulgham) for $25 (US
funds drawn on a US bank) to:

        Chris Fulgham                   Phone:          206-661-9765
        Fulgham Software                CompuServe:     72073,2566
        P.O. Box 4320
        Kent, WA 98032-9320
        USA

Additionally, registered users have the following future enhancements to look
forward to:

        Regular release of importable ClipObjects from Fulgham Software.

        Ability to directly view a ClipObject's methods and properties.

        Add attachments to ClipObject definitions.

        Store dependent Data Model structure (and optionally data) with
                the ClipObjects' definition.

        An API for directly accessing the ClipObject database from your
                own programs.

        And much more!

Please register today.

Contact Fulgham Software via CompuServe (72073,2566) or phone (206-661-9765)
for information regarding the cost of Corporate and Multi-User licenses and
source code.
