README.TXT for Mini Notepad 1.8 [2 January 1997]
===============================

Welcome to Mini Notepad!

Introduction
------------
Mini Notepad is a versatile multi-page text file
editor. Each document is displayed on a tabbed page
making it easy to switch between many files.

The editor can be configured to occupy a minimum of
screen estate and stay on top of other programs.
Context-sensitive shortcut menus provide access to all
the editor's commands. Mini Notepad makes it easy to
open frequently used files; it can even do so
automatically each time you start the program. You can
also open files by drag-and-dropping files from File
Manager or Explorer. Mini Notepad can restore its size
and position on the desktop from a previous session.

This program is Freeware! Thank you for sending me a
message (E-mail, postcard, ...) if you find it useful.


Why "Mini"?
-----------
Mini Notepad can be configured to occupy a minimum of
screen estate. You can hide the menu, tool bar and hint
line and use the popup menus to access most commands.
As a result, your document fills almost the whole
application window. This is particularly useful when
you want to keep Mini Notepad open on top of other
applications.

Also, Mini Notepad has been optimized to handle notes
and small text files efficiently. It has been designed
to use a minimum of Windows system resources. As a
result, you can safely keep this program open all the
time, even if you have many files open.

If you need to edit large multi-megabyte text files,
then use Super NoteTab instead if this program (see
further down for details).


Key Features
------------
* Flexible multi-page notepad editor.
* Covers all features available in Notepad.
* Each page can have different settings such as
  font, tab widths, word wrap.
* Open and edit many text files at once.
* Quickly open files from your "Favorite File" list.
* Can search/replace text in all open documents.
* Context-sensitive shortcut menus.
* Drag-and-drop files from File Manager or Explorer.
* Accepts file names passed as parameters to the
  program.
* Option to autoload files from "Favorite File" list or
  those opened during a previous session.
* Remembers its size and position on the desktop.
* Can stay on top of other applications.
* Converts text between ASCII and ANSII.
* And lots more...


Installation
------------
There is no special procedure to follow. Just place
the program and its associated files in the Windows
directory or wherever you prefer.

- Windows 3.1 users:
If you want to add Mini Notepad to one of your Program
Manager groups, the easiest way to do it is with
File Manager. Just select the file MININOTE.EXE and
drag it from File Manager to the group where you would
like its icon to appear. You can also run the program
by double-clicking on it from File Manager. 

- Windows 95 users:
The easiest way to set the Mini Notepad icon on your
desktop is to use Explorer. Just select the file 
MININOTE.EXE and drag it from Explorer to an
unoccupied space on your desktop. You can also add a
shortcut to it in your Start menu by choosing
Settings / Taskbar...


Uninstalling
------------
Just delete MININOTE.EXE, MININOTE.INI, MININOTE.HLP
and this README.TXT file. If you have created a list
of favourite files, you can also delete the file
FAVORITE.TXT. All these files are located in the
same directory as Mini Notepad.

Note that Mini Notepad does not mess around with your
registry file.


Updates and Other Programs
--------------------------
You can find updates of Mini Notepad and other
Freeware/Shareware programs by visiting my web site
at the following address:

http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/geologie/fookes/

If you need to edit large files and use Windows 95 or
NT 4, you may want to download Super NoteTab. It is
an editor similar to Mini Notepad (also as Freeware),
but is capable of editing files as large as memory
permits.


Legal
-----
The author of this program accepts no responsibility
for damages resulting from its use and makes no
warranty or representation, either express or implied,
including but not limited to, any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
This component is provided "AS IS", and you, its user,
assume all risks when using it.


Distribution License
--------------------
I encourage you to freely copy and distribute this
Freeware version of Mini Notepad to any and all who
are interested in obtaining a copy, including
distributing it on BBS's or Shareware distribution
libraries. The package is subject to the following
restrictions:

Mini Notepad must be distributed as a complete package
including the following 4 files:

 1. README.TXT      - this file
 2. FILE_ID.DIZ     - standard ID file
 3. MININOTE.EXE    - the program
 4. MININOTE.HLP    - the program's help file

If any of these files are missing, then the package
is not complete and distribution is forbidden.

+ The package - including all related program files
  and documentation files CANNOT be modified in any
  way and must be distributed as a complete package,
  without exception.
+ You may charge a distribution fee for the package,
  but you must not represent in any way that you are
  selling the software itself.
+ You shall not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify,
  decompile, disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer,
  or transfer the licensed program except as provided
  in this agreement. Any such unauthorized use shall
  result in immediate and automatic termination of
  this distribution license.

All rights not expressly granted here are reserved by
Eric G.V. Fookes.


Comments and Suggestions
------------------------
Do not hesitate to send me your comments and
suggestions. I can be reached by E-mail at:

         fookes@sc2a.unige.ch

or by snail mail at the following address:

         Eric G.V. Fookes
         Av. Eugne-Pittard 22 Ter
         CH - 1206 Geneva
         Switzerland


Hope you enjoy using it!
-Eric Fookes


Note: this program was written with Delphi and uses
components from a Shareware VCL package called
the "Super Labeled Input Controls". The package,
which I developed, is available for downloading from
my web site at the following URL:

www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/geologie/fookes/delphi.htm

Delphi is a trademark of Borland International, Inc.



Version History
---------------

* Version 1.0 (6 October 1995)

  This first version was already made available on the
  Internet but was never publicized. It was mainly
  used at the University of Geneva.

* Version 1.5 (10 December 1996)

  Significantly enhanced and uploaded to major
  Shareware/Freeware servers on the Internet for the
  first time.

* Version 1.6 (16 December 1996)

  After a very enthusiastic response (thank you!),
  added some new features and fixed several bugs:
  + Fixed a bug that caused the Stay-on-top behaviour
    to work erratically;
  + fixed keyboard shortcuts for clipboard functions;
  + improved the Undo feature;
  + added an option to change the page colour;
  + added tools to edit file dialogue filters and
    the default extension;
  + added several menu commands, including one for
    changing printer setup;
  + changed some of the toolbar icons.

* Version 1.7 (20 December 1996)

  Added the following features:
  + If called several times, no longer loads multiple
    copies of the program; instead files passed as
    parameters are opened on separate pages in the
    editor;
  + Option to make backups when saving files;
  + Option to use same colour for tabs as the pages;

* Version 1.7a (21 December 1996)

  Added the following feature:
  + You can now keep a log by using the method as with
    Notepad. Just add ".LOG" on the first line (without
    the quotation marks) and every time you open such a
    document, Mini Notepad will append the current date
    and time (as specified by your computer's clock).
  Changed:
  + The "Insert Date" command now inserts the date and
    time at the cursor position instead of at the end
    of the document.

* Version 1.8 (2 January 1997)

  Fixed the following bugs:
  + Setting document tab values did not always work
    in previous version. Toggling word wrap cancelled
    tab alignment. Fixed.
  + "Preferences" and "Page Properties" dialogues did
    not display well under certain screen resolutions.
    Fixed.
  + Some shortcuts did not work when menu was hidden.
    Fixed.
  + Some users mentioned that opening files by using
    Mini Notepad as a default editor for Windows or
    other programs did not always work. I have not
    experienced this problem but have changed the
    implementation of this feature. Hopefully it works
    all the time now.
  + Certain operations did not update the status of the
    cursor position. Fixed.
  + Status bar is now correctly hidden.

  Added the following features:
  + Help file.
  + New dialogue box to easily switch between a large
    number of pages.
  + Command to sort lines in a document.
  + Command to easily rename a document.
  + Command to insert a file in a document.
  + Option to configure date and time string.
  + Option to minimize program to system tray instead
    of Taskbar (only 32-bit version).
  + Option to save files without prompting when
    closing a modified document.
  + The Change Case feature has also been added to
    the shortcut menu
  + Command-line options to:
      * open and print files immediately;
      * open alternative "Favorite Files" list;
      * cancel splash screen normally displayed when
        starting the program.
