                            ReadIt text file viewer



    Listed below are many of ReadIt's features.  Those retained from earlier
    versions first and then features that are either modifications of the
    earlier ones or are new to the current version.  Please note that we might
    not have listed all features.  Also, changes made to improve certain
    features, or to correct errors, might not be listed.

    Those features followed by an s in parenthesis (S) may be especially
    useful to blind users of ReadIt.



    Features retained from earlier versions:

                - Allows you to read large files even if the entire file
                   can not be loaded into memory.

                - Lets you specify file to be read from the DOS command
                  line or from the file entry window.

                - Provides a file pick list that enables you to move
                  through your hard drives directories and select a file to
                  be read.

                - Has an automatic  "smart" line wrap feature which breaks
                  long lines so that all text is on the screen.  There is
                  no  need to scroll the text left or right when reading a
                  file containing very long lines.  Lines are not broken
                  in the middle of words. (S)

                - Lets you search file for specific text.

                - Remembers up to five (5) text strings that you enter from
                  the find panel.  You can scroll through this list to
                  select a string to be searched for.

                - Remembers up to five (5) filenames and/or drive
                  specifications entered in the filename entry panel.  You
                  can scroll through these to select a file to be read or a
                  drive and or directory to display in the pick list.

                - Has a variable speed, continuous scroll mode for hands free
                  reading of a text file.

                - Has switchable display modes (direct or bios).  (S)

                - Displays a status panel  to let you know where you are
                  and what switches are set.  The method for updating this
                  panel can be set to Bios (except for line numbers) or
                  direct.  (S)

                - Enables you to execute DOS commands from the text display
                  window (if enough memory is free).

                - Remembers up to five (5) DOS commands and lets you scroll
                  back through them to pick one to execute.

                - Displays a 2-line help panel that shows some of the
                  available commands.

                - Always displays error messages at the same place on the
                  screen accompanied by an error tone.  No silent error
                  boxes that might pop up anywhere.  (S)

                - Has help panels that can be pulled down from anywhere in
                  the program.  These help panels are full-screen width and
                  always start at the top of the screen.  (S)

                - Lets you set a "bookmark" in each file that you read.
                  You can set a bookmark, go somewhere else in the file,
                  and then return to the bookmark.

                - Lets you save a set bookmark when you leave a file
                  and automatically takes you to the bookmark the next
                  time  you enter that file.





    Features new in version 2.0:


                - Now asks you if you wish to save bookmarks set in files
                  instead of automatically saving them.

                - Lets you remove previously saved bookmarks from the
                  bookmark file.

                - Switchable pick list display.  Shows filenames and
                  extensions only or full file info including size, date,
                  time and attributes.

                - Lets you sort the pick list by filename, extension, size,
                  date and time, or sort by extensions and within extension
                  groups sort by filenames.

                - Provides minimal file management (lets you rename or
                  delete files).

                - Enables you to make a highlighted directory the currently
                  logged directory and exit to DOS.

                - Provides a "Go to line" command in text viewing along
                  with a "Jump panel".  These commands add versatility in
                  moving around a file.

                - Provides "Block" commands which let you mark blocks to be
                  written to disk.

                - Lets you change the size of the cursor from text viewing
                  mode.  This may make it easier for portable computer
                  users to see the cursor on an LCD screen.





    Features new in version 2.5:

                - Sort picklist by file name and extension.

                - Turn off picklist sorting and display entries in the order
                  they appear in the current directory.

                - File size, date, and time are displayed in picklist
                  according to country specific information obtained from
                  DOS.

                - You can exit ReadIt directly to DOS from either the
                  picklist or from file viewing by pressing ALT-X
                  (eXpress eXit).

                - Save the scrolling speed setting from text viewing.

                - Load previous or next file in picklist without leaving
                  text viewing.

                - "Words Only" search option increases flexibility of text
                  searching.

                - ReadIt now lets you search multiple files for specified
                  search strings by simply specifying an additional search
                  option.

                - RIC now lets you set start-up picklist settings for
                  sort by (name, ext, etc.), sort order (ascending,
                  descending), and picklist info (names and extensions, full
                  info).



    

    Features new in version 2.6:

                - ReadIt can now handle text files which have lines that are
                  longer than a screen width without using "smart-wrap".  The
                  view can be shifted left or right.  This is especially
                  useful for viewing files containing columnar data such as
                  spreadsheets.





    Features new in version 2.7:

                - With the addition of the stand-alone utility CFDIR.EXE,
                  ReadIt now supports viewing text files within compressed
                  files.  Works with ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO formats.

                  Now, when you select a file having oneof the extensions
                  listed above, ReadIt will show you a list of the files
                  within the selected compressed file.  You can then use the
                  picklist highlight bar to choose, and the ENTER key to
                  select, one of these files for viewing.  ReadIt takes care
                  of the rest.





Fixes in version 2.7.2:

        -   Fixed problems with mark and find which occured when using
            Long-Lines mode.
        -   Fixed cursor placement problem which occured when shifting the
            view in Long-Lines mode.
        -   Made minor corrections in the Find routines.
        -   Fixed problem with multiplefilesearch which caused ReadIt to
            ignore the first line of each file searched.





Changes and additions to version 2.8:

        -   View shifting in long lines mode now works in both slow and fast
            modes.
        -   In long lines mode, character left or right now scroll the view
            rather than shifting it.  Read READIT28.DOC for further
            explanation.
        -   The /l switch no longer has to be the second paramater when
            you use it to turn long lines mode on from the DOS command line.
        -   The block save feature now strips out any non-displayable
            characters so the saved block is as it appears in ReadIt.
        -   The search command can now be invoked from the DOS command line.
        -   Some display features can be controlled from the command line.
        -   Other DOS command line switches have been added.
        -   A few additional features can be set with RIC.
        -   Can now load any type of file.  Since ReadIt is still a text file
            viewer, the best result of this feature is that you can now use
            ReadIt to view those text files which may not contain the more or
            less standard line and file delimiters.
        -   ReadIt and RIC now support two additional compressed file
            types--ARJ and PAK.





    How do we decide what features to add or change?  Simple!  We take the
    democratic approach when deciding what to do with ReadIt.  Those
    changes and features most wanted by our registered users are most
    likely to find there way into future versions.  To ensure that you have
    a vote, take a few minutes to fill out the comment section of the
    registration form when you register your copy of ReadIt.  Or, if you are
    already a registered user, drop us a note.


