ZEROIN v2.6 - Change directories with far less typing
=====================================================

Copyright (c) 1993 and onwards Simon A Carter for Crystal Software

ZeroIn is SHAREWARE, and may be trialed for 30 days. If you find ZeroIn useful
and plan to continue using it, you must pay for it. See the end of the file for
more details. Please register on the ZeroIn mailing list by sending email to
Simon Carter at launch@ozemail.com.au, with your name and any comments.


What's New - 20-Oct-1997
========================

    *  Sophisticated directory name matching - handles typo's, shortening
       and lengthening directory name (very handy when used with command
       line completion such as 4DOS's).
    *  Pattern matching now limited to 3 differences - this means that
       only the most likely entries are selected. If nothing matches, a
       list of potential directories to create is shown.
    *  Maximum directory depth now 10 times deeper. This means ZeroIn can
       handle more directories in the path you specify.
    *  History list of the last 20 directories visited (5 previously).
    *  Alias list for 20 directories (5 previously).
    *  Now treats aliases as a history, moving recently used aliases to
       the front of the list.
    *  The option to create a non-existent directory is not given if the
       name contains wildcards.
    *  When no directories are found, the option to create one is given
       using the best partial matches found.
    *  Error messages now more helpful.
    *  Fixed bug that occurred when a very simple change such as '.' was
       used.
    *  Colour output.
    *  Documentation update.


Benefits
========

With ZeroIn you can

    *  easily move between commonly used directories
    *  easily return to a recently used directory
    *  ignore platform differences like Unix / and DOS \
    *  abbreviate directory names
    *  change drives and directories at the same time

It runs under DOS, Windows 3.x, 95 and NT, and supports Windows 95 long
filenames.


Features
========

    *  Sophisticated matching engine allows you to abbreviate directory
       names and even type them incorrectly - eg "\WINODWS" will find
       "\WINDOWS".
    *  Eliminate the tedium of typing Windows 95 long filenames (which it
       supports fully).
    *  History list of your 20 most recently visited directories. You can
       re-visit the previous directory or any recent directory very
       easily.
    *  Up to 20 aliases that map names you supply to your most commonly
       used directories.
    *  If there are no matches ZeroIn can create the directory for you. It
       will supply a list of the best partial matches so far.
    *  Environment variable that specifies where the history and alias
       information is kept. This is very useful for networks that use a
       shared executable.
    *  Supports wildcard matching. * is ALWAYS added so W -> W*.*
    *  If there is more than one match you can choose from a list, which
       can be pages long. If necessary, very long directory names are
       folded with \...\ characters to fit on to the screen.
    *  Common abbreviations:
           . -> ..        Save typing going up one level
         ... -> ..\..     Save typing going up two levels
        .... -> ..\..\..  Save typing going up three levels etc
         " " -> \         Space saves finding that (back)slash key
          \\ -> \*\       Saves hitting [Shift+8]
    *  Doesn't care if you use Unix '/' or DOS '\'.
    *  Network compatible.
    *  You can change drives at the same time.
    *  Does NOT use index files of any sort, so...
       1)   you don't have index files cluttering your hard disk
       2)   you don't have to periodically update the index
       3)   you aren't restricted to creating, renaming, moving or
          removing directories using just one program AND
       4)   it works for floppies, CD-ROMS, Zip/IOMega drives and other
          removable media.
    *  Perform multilevel matches eg \*\doc finds all second level doc
       directories.
    *  Adapts to your screen mode - 25/43/50 lines.
    *  Sets error level if no directory found.


Installation
============

Note: Throughout this document, the executable filename for ZeroIn is referred
to as "c". This is because it is very easy to type "c" instead of "zeroin" or
the "cd" which you would normally have to type.

Just copy C.EXE to the first directory in your path, for example, to C:\DOS. To
find out the directories in your path, type

   c:\> path    [Enter]


How to use ZeroIn
=================

Typing

   c -?     [Enter]

displays usage information.

   Usage:
     c [drive:][\][pathspec1][\pathspec2][\pathspec3]...
     c -?             displays this usage screen
     c -w             displays the welcome/contact screen
     c -[h|l]         displays the directory history list
     c -<num>         goes to history index <num> or blank for most recent
     c -a             displays the alias list
     c <alias>        uses an alias (aliases are case insensitive)
     c -a <alias>     removes an alias
     c -a <alias> .   defines an alias for the current directory (absolute)
     c -a <alias> <directory>  defines an alias (can be relative e.g. ..\..)
   
   The current directory is always excluded from the list of possibilities. If
   the
   specified directory does not exist it can be created. Long directory names
   should not be quoted. Environment variable ZEROIN can be used to specify the
   file for history and alias data to be written to.
   
   Abbreviations supported:
       . -> ..     Go to parent directory
     ... -> ..\..  Go to parent's parent (works for ...., ..... etc)
       / -> \      Unix slash makes no difference
      \\ -> \*\    Saves hitting [Shift+8] (use to choose all matches)
       X -> X*.*   * is ALWAYS added
   
   Examples:  (where D: is a drive letter)
     c \   c D:..   c *   c \T   c *\*   c D:B*   c D:..\*


When a list of matching directories is displayed, just press the letter shown in
brackets on the left to change to the directory shown. To exit without changing
directories, press [Esc].

If there is more than one page of matches available, the following keys may be
used to move between them:

     [Home]                             Go to the first page.
     [End]                              Go to the last page.
     [Up], [Pg Up], [-], [,], [<],      Go up one page.
     [[], [{]
     [Down], [Pg Dn], [=], [Space],     Go down one page.
     [+], [.], [>], []], [}]


Directory History
=================

A history of recently visited directories is maintained. To see the list, type
"c -h" e.g.

   C:\DOS>c -h  [Enter]
     ZeroIn Directory History
     20  C:\Program Files\Image View
     19  C:\simon\Cut
     18  C:\simon\Cut\Launch
     17  G:\Dpm\System\Src\Sdh
     16  G:\
     15  C:\simon\Bp
     14  G:\Dpm\System\Src\Www\Gui
     13  C:\Launch
     12  C:\Windows\System
     11  C:\WINDOWS\spool
     10  C:\simon\My Documents\Launch
      9  C:\simon\My Documents
      8  C:\simon
      7  C:\
      6  C:\simon\Bp\Tpu
      5  C:\simon\My Documents\Launch
      4  H:\tmp\sac
      3  G:\public_html\Launch
      2  C:\simon\Bp\Util
      1  C:\Windows
      0  C:\Dos

The current directory is number 0, with less recently visited directories above
it. Entries are moved to the bottom of the list if they get reused.

To move to a directory in the list, type "c -<num>" where <num> is the number of
the directory in the list. "c -" is a shortcut for "c -1" and moves back to the
previous directory. Note that ZeroIn cannot record the directory change if you
use a program other than ZeroIn to change the directory.


Directory Aliases
=================

ZeroIn maintains a list of names that map to common directories that you use. To
see the list, type "c -a" e.g.

   C:\DOS>c -a  [Enter]
     ZeroIn Directory Aliases (11 entries remaining)
            web = G:\public_html\Launch
             si = c:\simon
              h = h:\tmp\sac
            sys = C:\windows\System
           util = C:\simon\Bp\Util
           menu = C:\simon\Bp\Menu
            tpu = C:\simon\Bp\Tpu
            win = c:\windows
            dos = c:\dos

To define a new alias, type c -a <alias> <directory>. Alias names can be up to
10 characters long and are not case sensitive. If you want to define an alias
for the current directory without having to type it, just use "." as the
directory.
To remove an alias, leave <directory> blank. To use the alias, just type its
name e.g. "c my".


ZeroIn Data File
================

ZeroIn normally stores its history and alias data in c.exe. On a network this is
not appropriate, and so the environment variable ZEROIN can be set to the name
of the file to use for this purpose. For example, each user could have

   set ZEROIN=c:\temp\zeroin.cd

in their login script, to store the information on their local machine.

When you install the registered version of ZeroIn, you should remove any old
version of this file.


ZeroIn Examples
===============

The output below was generated from running ZeroIn in a DOS shell under Windows
95:

   C:\>c m\t\*  [Enter]
   [a] C:\MSOffice\Templates\Databases    [b] C:\...\Templates\Letters & Faxes
   [c] C:\...\Templates\Other Documents   [d] C:\...\Presentation Designs
   [e] C:\...\Templates\Presentations     [f] C:\...\Templates\Publications
   [g] C:\MSOffice\Templates\Word 6       [h] C:\MSOffice\Templates\Word6
   [i] C:\U\Tvgautil\Utility
   
   Change directory to (a-i or Escape to exit)? f
   C:\MSOffice\Templates\Publications>

Note how the matching engine has matched item [i], because the 'u' may have been
miss-typed as an 'm'. Some of the long directory names have been folded to fit
into the screen display.


Matching Engine
===============

ZeroIn always removes the current directory from the matching choices (after
all, why would you want to change to the directory you are already in?).

ZeroIn will first attempt to change to the exact directory you specify. If that
fails:
  *    It changes drives if necessary,
  *    Backs up the appropriate number of parent directories (e.g. ... means go
     back two directories)
  *    For each directory of the path you have specified, it attempts:
       1.   An exact match
       2.   A wildcard match (e.g. if you type W, it tries to match W*.*)
       3.   An abbreviation match (e.g. if your command line completion chooses
          'SYSTEM.INI', ZeroIn will allow the directory 'SYSTEM' to match.
       4.   The nearest spelling match (up to three inserted, deleted or modified
          characters). This often helps match miss-spelt or swapped characters.


Extra Features
==============

ZeroIn is incompatible with DOS's CD command insofar as it can changes drives at
the same time, and it sets the exit code so that batch files can detect whether
the directory change was successful. Neither of these extra features is likely
to prevent any programs from working correctly.

The exit codes (errorlevel) are:
     0  Successful - directory found
   243  Error
   250  Usage screen shown
   255  No matching directories found


Registration
============

ZeroIn is SHAREWARE and may be trialed for a period of 30 days. After this time
you must either purchase the registered version (for $15) or cease using the
shareware version.

Please register your USAGE of ZeroIn by sending email to launch@ozemail.com.au,
with your name and address, version of ZeroIn and any relevant comments or
suggestions. By registering ZeroIn I can inform you of updates or improvements
and let you know when the next version is released.

If you like and use ZeroIn, how about linking to my Web site (see below)?


Online Web Registration
=======================

The registered version of ZeroIn can be purchased and received immediately on
the Internet, eliminating shipping and handling costs.


Albert's Ambry - USA Customers
-------------------------------

Direct URL:
http://www.alberts.com/Ambry/Register?File_Name=zeroin.zip&OS=DOS&Source=AuthWWW

OR go to

  http://www.alberts.com

and search for: ZeroIn

Click on the "Buy it" hotlink to register ZeroIn.


ShareIt! - European Customers
-----------------------------

Direct URL: http://www.shareit.com/programs/100503.htm

OR go to

  http://www.shareit.com

and enter the program number there: 100503.


If you do not have access to the Internet, you can register via phone, fax or
postal mail. Please print out the following form, and fax or mail it to:

    Reimold & Schumann Internet Services
    ShareIt!
    Jahnstrasse 24
    50676 Koeln
    Germany
    
    Phone:          +49-221-2407279
                    +49-172-7229837
    Fax:            +49-221-2407278
    E-Mail:         register@shareit.com


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Registration form for ZeroIn

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Crystal Software Order Form
===========================

Use this form for orders sent directly to Crystal Software in Australia. I
prefer this form to be used in preference to the one above.
    
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Contact Information
===================

I am always happy to hear your comments! If you use and like ZeroIn, or have any
suggestions for improvements, please drop me a line! Other user's suggestions
have made it what it is today.

 Email:      launch@ozemail.com.au
 WWW:        http://www.ozemail.com.au/~launch
 Fax:        +61 (3) 9800-3078
 Voice:      +61 (3) 9888-3104. After hours number. Please leave a contact
             name, number and time, and I will try to get back to you
             within 24 hours.
  Mail:      Simon Carter
             Crystal Software
             2 / 9 Woodbine Court
             Wantirna
             Victoria 3152
             AUSTRALIA.
    
