Comics! For Windows
-------------------

A newer version of COMW1.ZIP (2.37) was uploaded on 7/22/92,
and this version should be used rather than the older one (this
version fixed a couple of minor problems, and it also has more
capabilities included, including on-line help).  If you had
downloaded a previous version, note that the installation
instructions for COMW1.ZIP have an additional step that they
did not have before.

Demonstration Version Information
---------------------------------

Comics! For Windows is a comic book database maintenance program
that runs under Windows 3.n in standard or enhanced mode.  Because
of the size of the download files, this file is provided separately
so that you can decide whether you would like to download the full
demonstration version.  A detailed feature list describing many
of the capabilities of the Comics! software is at the end of this
file.

The third file in the Comics! set contains, among other things,
VBRUN100.DLL.  If you already have this file in your Windows or
Windows System directory (if you have Visual Basic, or if you've
run other Visual Basic applications), you can download COMW4.ZIP
rather than COMW3.ZIP.  COMW4.ZIP is a smaller file because
it does not contain VBRUN100.DLL.  It is installed in place of
COMW3.ZIP in the following procedure.

Installation of the Demo Version
--------------------------------

The full version of Comics! contains a setup program which
automatically installs the Comics! system.  The demonstration
version must be "manually" installed, however, and this consists
of several steps, as detailed below.

The demonstration version is in three parts.  Each of these parts
is a zipped set of files which belongs in a specific directory.
The first contains the Comics! program and INI file.  After it
is downloaded, create a directory for the Comics! program, for
example, C:\COMICS!.  Copy the COMW1.ZIP file to this new directory,
and enter PKUNZIP COMW1 to extract the executable and INI file.
The COMW1.ZIP file can then be deleted.

The file GRID.VBX which is contained in COMW1.ZIP must be
placed in the Windows system directory, so copy that file to the
Windows system directory (often C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM) and then
delete the version in the current directory.

The second file, COMW2.ZIP, contains the database.  Again, create
a directory for the database (the same directory as is used for the
programs is fine), such as C:\COMICS!\DATABASE.  Copy the COMW2.ZIP
file to this new directory, and enter PKUNZIP COMW2 to extract the
database files (there are quite a few). The COMW2.ZIP file can
then be deleted.

The last file contains several Windows subroutines in DLL and VBX
format.  These must be placed in the Windows system directory, which
is often C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.  Copy the COMW3.ZIP file to the
Windows system directory, and then unzip it to create the files.
If any of these already exist in your Windows system directory, you
should choose to not create a new version.  After expanding, the
COMW3.ZIP file can be deleted as well.

A line must be added to the AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS system file.
Within Windows, select File Run and enter SYSEDIT to start the system
files editor.  Click on the AUTOEXEC.BAT window.  At the end of
the file, but before any lines which start WINdows, enter a new
line which reads

    SHARE

(if it is not already there).  Click on File and Save to save the
files, and leave SYSEDIT.  YOU MUST NOW RESTART YOUR COMPUTER and
Windows before running Comics!.  The SHARE program can alternatively
be installed in the CONFIG.SYS file -- consult DOS documentation
for the proper syntax.

You are now ready to run Comics!.  From Windows Program Manager or
Norton Desktop, select File Run from the menus and enter
C:\COMICS!\COMICS! (or whatever directory you chose to install
the program in).  The first time the program is run, you will
be prompted for the location of the program and of the database.
Enter the directory names which were created in the first two
steps above.  The first time the program is run, it also adds
two lines to the WIN.INI file which contain the location of
the Comics! program, and possibly up to five lines which contain
Paradox Engine parameters.  All of these can be removed if it is
decided that Comics! is not suitable for your purposes.

If you have problems performing the above, please call the number
given below for assistance.  If any portion of the installation or
software does not work, please contact me immediately so that I
can get the demonstration version fixed and a copy on diskette to
the person reporting the problem.

A Couple Of Less Than Obvious Features
--------------------------------------

The magnifying glass icon is used to enter details about codes,
and it corresponds to the options on the Detail menu.  To use it,
click on hold over the magnifying glass.  Then drag (move while
holding down the left mouse button) the smaller magnifying glass
over the box containing a code, such as the title.  Release the
button (dropping the icon) to display the detail entry window.

The book icons are used to enter more than two creators or more
than one character for a comic book.  Click on the book to display
the corresponding entry window.  The book will appear open if
there are more entries than can be displayed on the main window.

Click on the folder icons to add detailed notes to a comic.  This
action displays a window in which up to a 255 character comment
can be added.  If there is a comment associated with the comic,
the folder will be displayed open rather than closed.

Always leave at least two comics in the database.  Comics! does
not support zero or one comic -- change the demonstration comics
included in the database rather than removing them all.

There are numerous options and features of the system which are
described in the user manual available in the full version of
Comics!, including descriptions of preferences and the other
windows and controls.

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

To run Comics!, you must have an IBM or compatible running Windows
3.n in standard or enhanced mode, a pointing device, and approximately
3.5 MB on your hard drive.  The demonstration version requires
approximately 2 MB of disk space.  A 16 MHz or faster computer is
strongly recommended.

Ordering Information
--------------------

The full version of Comics! is priced at $39.95.  The price
includes first class United States Postal Service delivery.
Foreign orders, please inquire about shipping charges and
availability.

MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

THERE IS A 14 DAY NO QUESTIONS ASKED RETURN POLICY.  If you
return the product within a 14 day period, you will receive
a prompt refund of the purchase price.

For information about Comics! (the on-line information
contains about the same information as this file, but
there is a flyer which I can mail to you), or to place
an order:

CompuServe Mail:       71034,2345

America Online Mail:   TomN18

Write:    Comics!
          1373 Cave Springs Estates Drive
          St. Peters MO 63376

Call:     NewLine Enterprises at (314) 928-4380 from
            4:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern Time Monday through
            Saturday

          There may be occasional periods when this number
            does not answer during the indicated hours.
            Please accept our apologies in advance and
            I hope you'll try again.

FAX:      NewLine Enterprises at (314) 928-4380 at times
            other than those above

Detailed Feature List
---------------------

o   Three dimensional bar graphs and pie charts show you visually
    the condition, sources, or publishers of your collection.  Print
    the graph with a click of the mouse.  (Not included in demo version.)

o   Set up your own grading scheme, or use the pre-loaded default.

o   Store as many creators (artists, writers, even editors) as you
    like with each comic.

o   Enter guide values for ranges of comics and update the comics
    values automatically.

o   Add a run of comics with one operation.

o   Complete on-line help.

o   Automatic calculation of discounts, tax, and current value.

o   Store as many as three notes with each comic.  Each can be as
    many as 255 characters long.

o   The icon screen lets you change the icon for each component of
    the Comics! system.  Not only does this change the icon displayed
    on Windows groups, but also changes the icon when the program is
    minimized.

o   Reports can be called from the main window, or printed separately
    to save time.  (The separate reporting module is not included in
    the demo version.)

o   Twenty-four different reports are currently available.

o   You choose the fonts and styles for the reports you print.  Any
    font and size which is available to Windows can be used.

o   Over 1800 titles, 200 publisher names, and 50 creator names pre-loaded,
    so you can use them with a click of the mouse (or three or four
    keystrokes).  (Fewer titles are included with the demo version.)

o   Enter a title, publisher, etc., once, and it is always available
    with a mouse click or a few keystrokes.

o   Do you want to keep track of every character who appears in a comic?
    You can do it with Comics!, which has no limit on the number of
    characters for each comic.

o   Windows 3.1 and TrueType Fonts compatible.

o   A 25+ plus page user manual, describing detailed use of the system.
    (Not included in the demo version.)

o   The setup program automates all but one step of the installation
    of Comics!.  (Not included in the demo version.)

