FILE ID Version 1.1 Shareware by Michael Proctor

INSTRUCTIONS

Run FILEID.EXE to start the program. The help menu will provide useful
information on how to use the program. Follow the on-screen directions - they
are very simple.


WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS THING?

This is probably exactly what you are thinking. In short, File-Id is a program
that will read the standard header of a file and determine its signature to
find what type of file it is. For the benefit of those of us who don't speak
computer lingo (most of us), this means that File-ID can tell you what 75%
of all files are, even if they have been renamed!

OKAY, BUT WHY?

This utility can be especially useful to programmers, but also to others. On
the programmer's level, you can tell exactly what a file is - let's say you
really like the soundtrack from a certain game. The game has a file called
SOUND.DAT. Non-descript. By running it through File-ID, you discover that
SOUND.DAT is really a MIDI music file, renamed by the programmer. I have
written several shareware games, currently on the shareware market, that use
this tactic - it just makes things prettier. Anyway, you can now play this
MIDI file without playing the game. Of course, it is illegal to extract
copyrighted music, but you could use it personally.

Enough on that note, how could you use it if you're NOT a programmer? Well,
you just got a file with a program, and it is called README.DOC. Again, a
very non-descript name. You open it with Notepad and find a ton of garbage.
Running it through FILE-ID, you discover that it is a Microsoft Word 6
document, with graphics embedded. You can then use WordView or something
similar to view the file.

As you can see, this program can be very useful. It is also (crudely speaking)
very cheap. See the cost at the bottom of the document - it's not exactly
three days' salary.

COMPATIBILITY

File-ID will run on any operating system for the PC Compatible. I tested it.
It is a DOS-based program, but you can run it from Windows 3.1, in a Windows
95 DOS Prompt Window, or in a DOS emulation in OS/2.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

File-ID has an extensive database of approximately 50 file headers and over
200 standardly accepted extensions. Although extensions are not always
accurate, if it cannot recognize a header, it can make an educated guess based
on the file's extension. Technically speaking, File-ID reads specific byte
positions in files that contain the same data in every file of a certain type.
Basically, that means that it can tell what almost any file is, regardless
of name, extension, or size.

THE AUTHOR

My name is Michael Proctor. I made this all by myself :)
I also have made a lot of other things. You can request a list of everything
I currently have out or a copy of any shareware version - email me at
mtp85@hotmail.com. This address will be valid forever. All of my other works
are currently residing in the SimTel Archive.

REGISTRATION

To register this software, see the Help...Shareware Info menu selection inside
the program. The cost is $2.00 by email or $3.50 on 3 1/2 inch diskette.

Thanks a lot!
Michael Proctor

