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                File Stager(tm), Version 3.1, Revision 1

      Copyright (c) 1998 by John C. Pratt.  All rights reserved.
	      File Stager is a trademark of John C. Pratt.
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PLEASE NOTE:  This file and the FS311.exe File Stager installation program are provided together in ZIP file format as a requirement for distribution by Simtel.Net.  Refer to the ReadMe.TXT and Lic&Reg.TXT files included in the installation program for more complete information on File Stager and its use.

File Stager is a shareware program that automates file copying and moving tasks.  You can think of File Stager as a virtual mail sorter.  It takes files from specified locations, "sorts" them by groups of file masks, and copies the groups of files to the specified destinations. 

The Windows Explorer-style interface provides access to all of the program's functionality, which includes unattended staging, logging of staging operations, and use of imported file lists.  File Stager also allows complete command line control over all aspects of the staging process, allowing users to schedule staging operations and create customized shortcuts. 

File Stager is ideal for updating or backing up data and other files to an external drive such as a Zip drive or a SuperDisk drive, a network drive or server, or even a floppy drive.  The only requirement is that the drive(s) be named with a letter (e.g. "C:"). 

File Stager is also perfect for copying or updating large numbers of duplicated files, such as default user directories on a corporate network or files that need to be distributed to Wide Area Network sites, and for moving files in a common location to specific destinations based on file naming conventions. 

In general, any Windows Explorer file copying or moving task requiring more than a few mouse clicks, especially routine tasks, can benefit from File Stager's efficiency and ease of use.

File Stager is a 32-bit Visual Basic 5.0 application which runs on Windows 9x, Windows NT 3.51 or later, and Citrix WinFrame 1.7 or later.   As a requirement for distribution by Simtel.Net given the space limitations on archive servers, the File Stager installation program does not include several of the larger VB 5 runtime files.  The required VB 5 runtime files, listed below, are available in a single installation program at the following URL:  http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win95/dll.html.  Most of these runtime files are included with Windows, but you must have the most recent version of all of them to run File Stager or any other VB 5 program.

PLEASE NOTE:  The VB runtime file installation program is produced for Simtel.Net by a separate company which has included its own advertising in the setup program and which may make additional changes to your system.  Neither File Stager or its author are affiliated in any way with this company, and the required use of the VB runtime file installation program does not represent an endorsement of the company producing the program or its products.

Required VB Runtime Files available from Simtel.Net
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Asycfilt.dll
Comcat.dll
Msvbvm50.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Olepro32.dll
Comdlg32.ocx
Stdole2.tlb

Once you have the above runtime files installed, File Stager can be installed by extracting the FS311.exe file from the ZIP archive and double-clicking on the file in the Windows Explorer.  Clicking "OK" to continue with the extraction will initiate the File Stager setup program, which will allow you to specify the destination directory for File Stager.  File Stager's installation program will install a few more runtime files and the program files.  It will NOT overwrite existing runtime files that are newer than the ones being installed, but it will prompt you to overwrite any program files already on the system (i.e. if you do another install of File Stager without uninstalling the previous version).  In addition, the only changes to the system registry are those made by the installation program.  File Stager itself makes no application-specific changes or additions to the registry.  The accompanying ReadMe.TXT file includes information about the additional files installed and changes made to the system.

File Stager is a shareware program and must be registered no more than 30 days after initial installation.  Its use and distribution is governed by the License Agreement in the accompanying Lic&Reg.TXT file.  Simtel.Net is an authorized distributor of File Stager.

You can contact the author at the following addresses:

File Stager
ATTN:  John C. Pratt
107 Olmsted St., 2nd Floor
East Hartford, CT  06108-2311
USA

E-mail:  john.pratt@snet.net

Alternate e-mail:  jcpratt@netscape.net  (NOTE: the alternate e-mail address should only be used if mail sent to the primary e-mail address is returned as undeliverable.)

