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FastNet99 v3.0.0
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FastNet99 is a freeware Internet utility, designed for Windows 95/98/NT.

Using FastNet99, you will speed up your web browser every time you want to connect to a web site on the Internet, by avoiding time consuming DNS lookups. If you have a Windows 95/98/NT-based system that uses a TCP/IP stack to communicate, you can enjoy FastNet99.

WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0.0

Errors fixed:

- Settings were not saved, and were lost without warning, unless the Apply button was clicked
- Redraw bug during Verify functions
- In some circumstances the Exit function didn't work properly (the main form disappeared but FastNet99 was still running in the background)
- If a Windows shutdown occurred and the Hosts file had been modified, changes to the Hosts file were lost 
- Other minor bugs fixed

New features:

- Performances dramatically improved
- The main window is now resizable
- For Internet Explorer: Scan History function
- For Netscape: Scan History function works automatically
- For Opera: Scan Hot List and Scan History functions
- Add function: you can split optionally the textbox in 3 fields (Root, Server name and Domain) for easier data entry (often you will change only the Server name textbox)
- Add function: option "Batch Domain Processing", for searching any combination of Root, Server  and Domain names
- Add function: If the URL you are trying to add is already known, you are alerted, and you can optionally verify the IP address
- URLs list shows IP addresses and verification date/time
- URLs list: clicking on the servers list with the right button appears a context menu with the available functions and the "Fast URLs Search" typed URLs history
- Delete function: A confirmation dialog with a list of selected servers appears before deleting items
- Edit function: "Edit as text" button (starts Notepad or Wordpad and loads the Hosts file)
- Duplicates function for removing duplicate server names
- Browse function (double clicking on an item starts the default browser and goes to the selected site)
- Rename URLs: Renaming servers you can use keywords to quickly jump to sites during navigation. Renaming of an URL initiates when a selected URL is clicked. That is, the first click on an URL will select it; a second (single) click on the URL will initiate the rename operation
- "Fast Search" combo box to quickly find server names
- Display of the last Verify All, Scan Bookmarks and Scan History date/time
- "Abort" button for Verify, Scan Bookmarks and Scan History functions
- "Update" button for checking whether a newer version is available on the FastNet99 site
- "Save As" function (click on the save command button with the right mouse button)
- "Search the Registry" button for easier configuration of Scan Bookmarks and Scan History functions
- "Default" button for restoring default settings (included size and position)
- Added option to stop on error during certain operations
- Added option to never verify servers without periods in their names (keywords to quickly jump to sites by browsers)
- Added option to split the Add function textbox in 3 fields (Root, Server name and Domain)
- Added option to save size and position of the main window
- Added option to run automatically the Update function monthly
- Added option to clear the "Fast URLs Search" typed URLs history on exit
- Added option to clear the "Root" and "Domain" history on exit
- the pop-up menu shown when FastNet99 is minimized has some other functions
- The Title bar of the main window flashes for about 5 seconds when FastNet99 terminates an operation
- About 17,000 servers added to the FastNet99 Hosts file

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

- No special hardware is required.
- You need to have Windows 95/98/NT installed on your computer.
- You need to have a TCP/IP network component installed.  You can determine whether or not your system meets this requirement by running the "Network" Control Panel applet.  If TCP/IP is installed, it will appear in the list of installed Network components.
- VB 6.0 run time files.  You can download them at either of the following addresses:

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/Softlib/MSLFILES/VBRUN60.EXE
ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/win95/dll/simvb6-2.zip
ftp://195.31.191.10/pub/pc/windows/win98/programming/vbasic/vbrun60.exe

HOW TO INSTALL FastNet99:

- Recommended: Uninstall previous versions of FastNet99, if present.
- Close all running applications.
- Unzip the archive FastNet99.zip to a temporary directory.
- Click on the Start button on the Taskbar, and select "Run."
- Click the "Browse..." button in the Run dialog and navigate to the directory containing the unzipped FastNet99 files.
- Double click the  file named SETUP.EXE, then click the "OK" button.  The FastNet99 installation program will launch.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

HOW TO UNINSTALL FastNet99:

- Open the Control Panel.
- Double click on the "Add/Remove Programs" icon.
- You will see a list of installed software; select FastNet99 on the list.
- Click on the "Add/Remove" button.  The FastNet99 uninstall program will launch.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal of FastNet99.

DISTRIBUTION SITES:

The latest release will always be available at:

ZdNet: http://www6.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000OZZ 
Volftp: ftp://volftp.tin.it/pub/pc/windows/win98/progs/communications/internet/fastnet99.zip
WinSite: http://www.winsite.com/info/pc/win95/netutil/fastnet9.zip/

DISCLAIMER:

This program is "Natureware".  That is, if you are not poor, desperate or homeless, you are kindly requested to devote a little contribution to some organizations that protect Nature, everywhere in the world.  If you agree, inform the author about your intentions.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Marco Pasqua (Italy) - Web Master
Scott Danesi (USA) - Tests and Documentation
Robert Perkins (England) - Tests
Christian Blackburn (USA) - Tests
Aaron Sterne (USA) - Tests
Norbert Lammertz (Germany) - Tests

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If you like FastNet99, send an email to the author that includes: your name, nationality and email address (optional), how you learnt about FastNet99, how you like it, any bugs you have found, and any ways you might have thought of to improve it.

If you wish to be notified by email when new versions of FastNet99 come out, you can subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the form on my site.

Thank you for using this program.

Giuseppe Criaco

Home Page: http://members.xoom.com/gcriaco
Mirrors:   http://members.exploit.it/gcriaco
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E-Mail:gcriaco@geocities.com