EXE2SWF v0.01 |
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--  Where can I use EXE2SWF for?
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Macromedia Flash has a built-in feature to convert Flash animations
(.SWF files) to self-playing projector executables (.EXE files.)

EXE2SWF is an Freeware utility to convert those executables back to 
.SWF files.

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--  And why would I want to do that?
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- If you execute an .EXE file on a Windows95/98 system, the file has
 total control over your system. If you for example got the file from a
 friend by e-mail it's hard to say wether it's "that cool self-playing
 Flash movie" or a new (self-spreading) virus which isn't detected by any
 virus scanner yet..
EXE files can contain virusses, SWF files CANNOT and are because of that a lot safer!

- Flash projector EXE files can only be viewed on Windows systems, NOT
 by your friends running MacOS, Linux, etcetera..

- Flash EXE files are larger than SWF files (still wondering why retrieving
 your e-mail takes that long?)

- (allmost) everyone has already a Flash player (or browser plug-in) installed,
 so what's the need to embed one with each animation?

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--  What are the system requirements:
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For EXE2SWF:
- A computer (duh!)
- Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000

For playing SWF files:
- A standalone flash player (downloadable at: http://flash.macromedia.com/ )
      -OR-  
Netscape (or Internet Explorer) with Flash plug-in.

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-- Howto install?
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Inside your archiver (WinZip/WinAce/whatever):
-  Just start (double click on) EXE2SWF.EXE
- Follow on-screen instructions!

If you don't have a Flash-player but do have Netscape/Internet Explorer
 with a Flash-plugin installed, you will be asked if you want to associate 
.SWF files with your browser (that when you double click on a Flash .
SWF animation, the thing will be displayed in your browser)

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-  Ok, I have installed EXE2SWF, now how do I use it?
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If you selected the "Explorer integration" option during install, you just:
- start "Explorer" 
- right click on the Flash .EXE file
- select "Convert Flash EXE to SWF"


If you selected the "Create program group" option during install, you just:
- Go to the EXE2SWF program group.
- Start EXE2SWF..
You will now be prompted for an input (.EXE) file.
Than you type in the name of the output (.SWF) file and you're done!

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-- Uhm, if I install EXE2SWF, while I be able to un-install
   it if I don't like the program?
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Of course! EXE2SWF comes with an un-install program!
If you ever want to get rid of it, you can do it as follows:

- Click on the "Uninstall" icon in the EXE2SWF program group.
     -OR-
- Go to "Control panel" -> "Software" -> "EXE2SWF" -> "Add/remove program"
     -OR-
- Go to the folder in which you installed EXE2SWF and double-click on the
 "Uninstall" shortcut.

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-- Does EXE2SWF also have an official homepage or something similair?
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http://huizen.dds.nl/~florisb/exe2swf/

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Who's the author of EXE2SWF?
-------------------

Floris Bos (florisB@dds.nl)

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-- [Advanced users] Does the install procedure creates any registry keys?
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Yes, the following keys are created/modified at install:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EXE2SWF
(if the creation of the above key fails a file named exe2swf.installed
 will be created inside the EXE2SWF folder)

If the .SWF file type is during install associated with Netscape or IE:
HKCR\.SWF
HKCR\ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash

If the "Explorer intergration" option is selected during install:
HKCR\.exe
usually: HKCR\shell\exe2swf\command  (look under HKCR\.exe for exe

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-- Is EXE2SWF Free-/Share-/Postcard-/whatever ware?
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Freeware!
Use and distribute it freely..