
 File-Ex (tm) : File Dialog Extensions for Windows 3.1 and 3.11
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
            Copyright 1996   by Cottonwood Software


Thank you for trying File-Ex!

File-Ex adds file management functions like Find, Copy, Delete, 
Rename, and MakeDir to the Open and Save dialogs of most Windows
applications automatically (any that use the Windows common 
dialogs in COMMDLG.DLL), and can be trained to work with almost 
any other program. 

If you have just installed File-Ex and are reading this from 
the Notepad program, try it out now by selecting File from the 
menu, then Open.  You should see an extra row of buttons at the
bottom of the Open dialog.  If you need help, click the 
'File-Ex' button, and then the Help button from that dialog.  

                            Enjoy!


Readme.txt Contents:
--------------------
  File Packing List
  System Requirements
  Installation
  About the Evaluation Period
  Giving Copies to Friends -- (Please Do!)
  Support
  Ordering
  Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
  Troubleshooting
  Un-installing File-Ex
  ASP Ombudsman statement
  Warranty & License info
  Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.


File Packing List
-----------------

These files should be included in this distribution set.  
If any are missing, please contact Cottonwood Software or your 
distributor for a complete set.  (You can download the latest 
version from Compuserve or our Web page -- see the Support 
section)

  README.TXT    This file
  SETUP.EXE     Installation program
  REMOVE.EXE    Removal (un-install) program
  FILEEX.EXE    Main program (please run Setup before using!)
  FXHOOK.DLL    Part of the main program
  COMMEX.DLL    "CommEx" portion (installs as commdlg.dll)
  FILEEX.HLP    Help file
  FILEEX.DAT    Data file for 'trained' not-so-common dialogs
  FILEEX.BIN    Registration file (purchased version only)
  REVISION.TXT  Program revision history
  ORDER.TXT     Text form for ordering File-Ex (shareware only)
  FILE_ID.DIZ   Short description file (shareware version only)
  VENDINFO.DIZ  Vendor info (shareware version only)


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

File-Ex will work with Windows versions 3.1 and 3.11 
(including Windows for Workgroups).

Windows 95 and NT users:
------------------------
Do NOT install this version of File-Ex if you run Win95 or NT!
There will be a Win95 version of File-Ex available in mid-1996,
and an NT version shortly thereafter.

 Let us know if you need an upgrade to the Win95 or NT versions.
 Just E-mail, FAX, or mail your address to us, and we will let 
 you know when they are released and where to download them from.


Installation
------------

Warning: Installing File-Ex from within WinZip or other ZIP 
viewing utility or "Uninstall" program is NOT recommended, 
since Setup must exit to DOS during installation.


Important Notes: 

1. If you already have the CommEx program installed, File-Ex 
will replace it with the newer version of the CommEx DLL.  If 
you have purchased CommEx already, then the CommEx part of 
File-Ex will remain fully functional, even if you don't 
purchase File-Ex.  

2. If you are upgrading from a previous version of File-Ex, 
you should install the new version to the same directory, in 
order to maintain your configuration and registration status.
(Don't worry, your configuration file will not be overwritten.)
The Setup program will default to the previous directory 
automatically.

3. If you're not familiar with File-Ex, please read the
'Overview' section in the Help file after installation.


To install File-Ex, run SETUP.EXE from Windows:

1. From the Windows Program Manager, select File, Run...

2. In the Command Line box, type d:\path\SETUP, where 'd' is 
   the letter of the drive and 'path' is the directory where 
   the File-Ex files are.

   For example:
     C:\FILEEX\SETUP

3. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

4. After File-Ex installation is complete, it will need to 
   validate some files.  This will happen automatically the 
   first time File-Ex is invoked, so you don't need to do 
   anything special for this to happen.

5. If you're not familiar with File-Ex, open the Help file 
   and read through the Overview sections.


What files should be where, after installation
----------------------------------------------
These files should be in your File-Ex program directory :
  README.TXT
  FILEEX.EXE
  FXHOOK.DLL
  FILEEX.HLP
  FILEEX.BIN
  ORDER.TXT
  REVISION.TXT
  REMOVE.EXE

The file FILEEX.DAT will be copied to the 'Data' directory.  
(This is usually the same as your Program directory, but may 
be different, for instance, in a network environment where the 
Program directory is shared.  The FILEEX.DAT file should be in
a place not shared by users, similar to INI files.)

These files are not copied anywhere, and are not needed by 
File-Ex after setup:
  SETUP.EXE
  FILE_ID.DIZ
  VENDINFO.DIZ

These files will be copied to your Windows System directory, 
if possible, or to the Windows directory if Windows System is 
not accessible:
  COMMEX.DLL    (copied as COMMDLG.DLL)

The files COMMEX.INI and FILEEX.INI will be created by the 
Setup program, and will be placed in the Windows directory.

The file FILEEX.LOG will be created in the Windows directory, 
and is useful for troubleshooting.  If everything works after 
installation, this may be deleted.


Technical information on installation
-------------------------------------
The installation procedure does the following:
 Create a DOS batch file (file-ex.bat) to do the following from 
 DOS:
   Rename commdlg.dll (in the Windows System directory) to 
   commold.dll
     (File-Ex passes most functions through to commold.dll)
   Copy commex.dll to commdlg.dll
   If commdlg.dll exists in the Windows directory, rename
     it to commdlg.bak (should not be in both Windows and 
     Windows System directories).
   Copy other files to the Program and Data directories.
 Add a File-Ex group with appropriate icons.
 Add File-Ex to the startup group, if requested.
 Add the setup program to the run= line in win.ini
 Exit to DOS, execute the batch file (if needed), and return to 
 Windows.
 (When setup runs again after returning to Windows:)
    Verify that the operations succeeded 
    Clean up (delete the batch file)
    Run notepad to display the readme.txt file

When File-Ex is actually invoked for the first time (through a
File/Open or File/Save command, or by automatically loading 
File-Ex), it validates the information files (fileex.hlp, 
readme.txt, order.txt).  This ensures that File-Ex cannot be 
modified and re-distributed with different company contact/order
information.



About the Evaluation Period
---------------------------

File-Ex is Shareware.  This means that you are free to try it 
out for 30 days. It will be fully functional during that time,
so you can try all of its functions.

After using it for 30 days (not necessarily calendar days, but
when it's been used on 30 different days), some of the functions
will be unavailable.  You will still be able to use the basic 
functions like Copy and Delete, but the advanced functions 
(Find and MakeDir) will not be available unless you register 
(purchase) the program.


Giving Copies to Friends -- (Please Do!)
----------------------------------------

Shareware works best when you 'share' it with other people!  If
you like this program, we would appreciate it if you spread it 
around.  Give copies to friends and co-workers, or even upload 
it to your favorite BBS.  

Please only distribute the original compressed (.ZIP) file that 
you received File-Ex in.  This is the only way to have the 
complete file set needed to install File-Ex, since the File-Ex 
directory after installation does not contain all of the 
necessary installation files.

  Note: If this is a purchased copy, please DON'T distribute 
  it!  The registered copy contains your registration key file,
  and giving this to someone else is illegal.  Please only 
  distribute the shareware version!


Support
-------

For support, contact Cottonwood Software by phone, fax, mail, or 
E-mail.  (E-mail is preferred, and will get a fast response.)

 Mail:           Cottonwood Software
                 P.O. Box 6546
                 Leawood, KS 66206-0546  USA
 Phone:          (913) 663-3022
 FAX:            (913) 663-3747
 Compuserve:     75264,1630
 America Online: CottonwdSW
 Internet:       75264.1630@compuserve.com
 WW Web:         http://users.aol.com/cottonwdsw/ 

Please see the Help file for more information.


Ordering File-Ex
----------------

Benefits of ordering:
  The latest version as of the day you order.
  Notification of bug fixes and update releases when available.
  Free technical support.
  More shareware programs by Cottonwood Software and other authors.
  Big discounts on updates and other products, as available.

To order, send $24.95 (U.S.) plus $2.00 S&H ($4.00 S&H outside the 
U.S. or Canada) to:

      Cottonwood Software
      P.O. Box 6546
      Leawood, KS 66206-0546   USA

For a complete order form you can print the text file ORDER.TXT,
or click the 'File-Ex' button in an Open/Save dialog and select
the 'Order Form' button.

Please see the Help file or ORDER.TXT for complete information
and other ordering options.


Site licenses & multiple-user pricing
-------------------------------------

Please see the Help file for complete information.


Troubleshooting
---------------
Please see the Help file for complete information.


Un-installing File-Ex
---------------------

If you encounter insurmountable problems, or just don't like 
the new functions that File-Ex provides, you may need to 
un-install it.  

A Remove program is provided for your convenience.  Its icon 
is installed in your File-Ex program group.  Please see the 
help file for more information on this.



ASP Ombudsman statement
-----------------------

                     _______
                ____|__     |                (R)
             --|       |    |-------------------
               |   ____|__  |  Association of
               |  |       |_|  Shareware
               |__|   o   |    Professionals
             -----|   |   |---------------------
                  |___|___|    MEMBER

Cottonwood Software is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member 
directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you 
resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not 
provide technical support for members' products.  Please write 
to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI USA 
49442-9427, Fax 616-788-2765, or send a CompuServe message via 
CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.


Warranty and license info
-------------------------
Complete Warranty and license information may be found in the
Help file, FILEEX.HLP.


Distribution by Vendors, BBS's, etc.
------------------------------------

Commercial vendors please refer to the VENDINFO.DIZ file for 
complete details.  If this file is not present, please contact
Cottonwood Software for a replacement copy.
