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                    FREEWARE BiNARY ANSi EDiTOR
                       PUBLIC RELEASE 1.8o.
                   README.TXT - LAST MiNUTE NOTES

-0- Contents of this file

                  1......Installing SHMANSi via SETUP
                  2.......SHMANSi's commercial status
                  3.............Contacting the Author
                  4........................Known Bugs
                  5..................Included Artwork
                  6...........................Closing

-1- Installing SHMANSi via SETUP

  1.1 Running SETUP

          SHMANSi includes a small program that decrypts and installs
       SHMANSi. It will install SHMANSi in the current directory. If
       you don't want to install SHMANSi in the current directory, then
       copy ENC_X01.DTA, SETUP.BIN, and SETUP.EXE to the the directory
       you want SHMANSi in.
          To run the setup program (and thus install SHMANSi), type in
       SETUP in the directory containing SETUP.EXE.
          Once you've successfully run SETUP, SHMANSi is fully installed
       and ready to be used! Type in SHMANSI to run the main SHMANSi
       program. While SHMANSi is in Edit mode, you can hit ALT+H for help.
          IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you read SHMANSI.TXT after
       installing SHMANSi. This text file contains important information
       that you will not find anywhere else in this package.

  1.2 SETUP Troubleshooting

          1.2.1  Q- It says it installed SHMANSi correctly, but instead of
                    SHMANSi, I get a small file called INSTALL.LOG that says
                    "Program too big to fit in memory". What does it mean?

                 A- The decryptor's key has been changed. This happens if
                    a third party tampers with the program. You must obtain
                    an authentic copy of the program. The message is
                    generated by the DOS command shell, which can't make
                    sense out of the decryptor's messed up data (the
                    decryptor scrambles the data if the internal password
                    is incorrect).

          1.2.2  Q- The SETUP program quits, saying it can't find ENC_X01.DTA.

                 A- SETUP must retrieve data from ENC_X01.DTA. Thus, this
                    file must be present in the same directory as SETUP.EXE.
                    Copy both files (with SETUP.BIN) to the same directory,
                    and run the program. If you did not receive ENC_X01.DTA
                    with your copy of SHMANSi, then it is an illegal copy
                    and should be destroyed.

          1.2.3  Q- The SETUP program quits, saying it can't find SETUP.BIN.

                 A- SETUP also requires the data file SETUP.BIN. Copy SETUP.BIN
                    to the same directory as SETUP.EXE, and re-run the program.
                    If your copy did not have SETUP.BIN, it is an illegal copy
                    and should be destoyed.

          1.2.4  Q- SETUP stops in the middle of the decryption stage and
                    says something about a "failed decode operation".

                 A- You may be trying to install SHMANSi onto a write-
                    protected disk, or a full disk. Try freeing up some
                    space or removing the disk's write protection.

          1.2.5  Q- SETUP suddenly pauses endlessly in the middle of the
                    decompression stage.

                 A- This may happen if you try to install SHMANSi into the
                    same directory as you had it in to begin with. If you
                    get the "endless wait", then hit the Y key and operation
                    will resume. You may have to do this several times if
                    you're installing the entire program over itself. SHMANSi
                    uses a PKSFX archive for self-decompression.

  1.3 SHMANSi File List

          1.3.1 Before running SETUP:

                FILE_ID  DIZ   Small description file for BBSs.
                SETUP    EXE   Main SETUP program.
                SETUP    BIN   SETUP data 1/2.
                ENC_X01  DTA   SETUP data 2/2.
                README   TXT   Last-minute notes (you're reading them!).

          1.3.2 After running SETUP:

                FILE_ID  DIZ   Small description file for BBSs.
                DESC     SDI   Small description file for BBSs.
                README   TXT   Last-minute notes (you're reading them!).
                SHMATA   001   SHMANSi data file.
                SHMATA   FNT   SHMANSi data file.
                *        BIN   Files ending in BIN are colorful sample art.
                *        FNT   Files ending in FNT are cool extra fonts.
                *        ADF   Files ending in ADF are colorful sample art.
                SHMANSI  CFG   Configuration file.
                SHMANSI  EXE   Main program.
                SHMANSI  TXT   Instructions on using SHMANSi.

  1.4 SETUP Notes

          1.4.1 Decryption Stage

                SHMANSi's decryptor is a simple, randomized XOR decryptor.
                It utilizes several rotating internal keys and some nice
                code. It is only a 8-bit decryptor, and is NOT subject to
                any US export regulations. The encryptor used to generate
                the data that the program decrypts is not available to the
                public.

          1.4.2 Decompression Stage

                SHMANSi's decompressor is based on Philip Katz's PKUNZIP.
                In fact, the decompression is really a DOS run of a self-
                extracting executable (PKSFX) created after the decrypt
                process.

                The following programs were used to create the setup program:

         PKZIP (R)   FAST!   Create/Update Utility   Version 2.04g   02-01-93
         Copr. 1989-1993 PKWARE Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  Shareware Version
         PKZIP Reg. U.S. Pat. and Tm. Off.   Patent No. 5,051,745

         ZIP2EXE (tm)     Self-Extract Creator     Version 2.04g    02-01-93
         Copyr. 1989-1993 PKWARE Inc. All Rights Reserved. Shareware Version

-2- Commercial Status

  2.1 Beta () Version Information

         This copy of SHMANSi is a Beta () copy. For those who don't
      know, this means that this copy is not fully completed (but hey,
      will I ever release a real, bug-free copy? Ha!), but you may use
      it as if it were. I am releasing it because considerable doubt
      exists that a non-beta version will be released; therefore, you
      may treat this as the real version.
         If you see any glaring bugs, then point them out to me and
      if it's not on my list of the 101 bugs that I can't kill, I'll
      try and get rid of it (and you may be mentioned in the Greetz
      section of the SHMANSi documentation). Check the Known Bugs
      list below to be sure the bug isn't already recognized.
         This copy of SHMANSi is the Beta () version 1.7o (or 1.70 for
      those who don't like my typing). Feel free to pass it along to
      friends as long as you stay within the distribution rules below.
         Again, don't hesitate to e-mail with any questions or other
      things...

  2.2 SHMANSi's Commercial Status

         SHMANSi is currently freeware! There is no registration fee
      of any kind required to use SHMANSi. If you enjoy and use this
      program; the author would appreciate an e-mail saying so; but
      this is completely voluntary. :-)

  2.3 Distribution

         SHMANSi may be *freely distributed*. Note that SHMANSi is not
      public domain; it is copyrighted by the author.
         Distribution Rules (see SHMANSI.TXT for alternate rules):
            You must include ALL the files that were originally included
             with SHMANSi. None of these files may be modified, removed,
             or added.
            You must include in your description of the program that it
             is freeware as well including the author's name in the
             description.
            You may not charge anything for SHMANSi other than a reasonable
             fee for duplication.
            Make sure whoever receives this program is informed of the
             legal status of this program.

  2.4 Legal Information

      SHMANSi is copyrighted freeware.
         You may want to read SHMANSI.TXT for more detailed information on
      SHMANSi's legal status:
         SHMANSi is Copyright (c) 1997 by Jonathan McPherson. The author
      is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, resulting
      from the use, or misuse, of this program or any element of this
      package. You are using this program at your own risk. Your use of
      this program constitutes your acceptance of these terms and your
      agreement to be bound by them.

-3- Contacting the Author

  3.1 Internet e-mail

         You can contact the author via Internet e-mail at the following
      address:

         jmcpherson@bigfoot.com

         Use this address to report new bugs, send in your comments, ask
      questions, request help, chat aimlessly, and generally anything
      except death threats.
  
  3.2 World Wide Web

         The author has a page on the World Wide Web at the following
      Uniform Resource Locator (or URL, if you prefer): 
         
         http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/Heights/1651/

         The page will contain the latest version of SHMANSi as well
      as many of the author's other programs. 

         NOTE: This URL was added 6/10/97 - there is a small chance
      that the page will no longer be up when you read this. I will
      try to keep the page up as long as possible, however. :-)

-4- Known Bugs  (and Things That Look Like Them)


  4.1 Loading

         This release corrects a problem in previous releases that
      caused incorrect loading of many ANSI images. SHMANSi will now
      load nearly any ANSI image - even animated images (although
      SHMANSi does not save images in animated format).
         On occasion, the file loader will "stop working" and continue
      to tell you that the file you are attempting to load does not
      exist. Exit SHMANSi and re-enter it to fix this bug.

  4.2 Extended Key Presses

         The Insert Line (ALT+INS) and Delete Line (ALT+DEL) may not
      work on some computers. The same is true with ALT+right and
      ALT+left. See SHMANSi's documentation for alternate hotkeys.
      This is due to a BIOS incompatibilty.

  4.3 Tabs

         Text files containing excessive use of tab codes may not appear
      to be displayed properly. The tab symbol (a small circle) will appear
      instead of a tab.

  4.4 ^P ()

         This has got to be the most untracable bug in programming history.
      Pressing Ctrl+P (which should generate a ) does nothing at all, and
      after exiting a SHMANSi session during which Ctrl+P was pressed, the
      computer will lock up. To avoid this problem, use character F6 in the
      Alt+F6 set, which is the same as the character generated with Ctrl+P.

  4.5 Unknown Bugs

         Like every other software program, SHMANSi no doubt contains
      bugs that slipped past me. If you find one of these, send it in
      to the Internet address listed in "Contacting the Author" (3.1).

  4.6 Data File Incompatibility

         SHMANSi 1.8o's data file appears like this in a directory listing:

         SHMATA.001       60,000  12-31-99 11:59p

         It is very easy to confuse this file with the data file of version
      1.7o. The difference is size. 1.6o's data file is 52,000 bytes long.
         If you are upgrading to 1.8o from 1.7o or 1.6o, please remove all
      copies of SHMATA.001 before installing 1.7o. If 1.7o loads an incorrect
      data file, the screen will appear garbled and incorrect (and you won't
      be able to see the spiffy new 1.8o artwork!). If the screen does appear
      to be garbled (text in wrong places, overwritten areas of the screen,
      etc), press ALT+R to find the full path of the data file SHMANSi is
      using.
         I apologize for the inconvenience.

-5- Included Artwork

   Nearly all the artwork included with SHMANSi is drawn by me (Jonathan
 McPherson). None of it is copyrighted. Note that some of the images
 are ads for BBSs; the chances are that the BBSs advertised for will
 probably not be running when you get this, so don't try to call. :)

-6- Closing

  6.1 Credits

      Code.....................Jonathan McPherson
      Documentation............Jonathan McPherson
      Technical Help!..........Many helped me out technically with this
                               project. See SHMANSI.TXT.
      Moral Support............Please see the GREETZ section of SHMANSI.TXT.
                               :-)
  6.2 Goodbye...

      For those of you who asked about the name of the program, here's
      the explanation:

      I was coding one night and, on the spur of the moment, decided to
      write an ANSI editor. This project blossomed into the editor that
      you now see. However, instead of giving the program a boring name
      (such as AnsiDraw), I decided to ponder awhile on the name before
      writing the program. Well, you've all heard little kids when they
      think something's unimportant, right? Example: You: "We can't play
      baseball today, it's raining."  Kid: "Rain, shmain. Let's play any-
      way". Thus, the program's name: Ansi, SHMANSi! :-)

      And, for those of you who might be wondering, I was born in late 1980.
      I am not giving my age, since that will change (on the average)
      approximately once every year. :-)

     -Jonathan McPherson-
      Freeware Coder
      jmcpherson@bigfoot.com
         
          
