README FOR WPZIP(tm) - Workplace ZIP class DLL
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Version 0.01
November, 1992

by and Copr (c) 1992 John W. Cocula

NOTE: This is a very preliminary effort at providing a Workplace
Shell class to aid in the manipulation of .ZIP files. Its
current functionality is quite limited, but still
simplifies two of my most common activities--looking at
ZIP contents, and reading README files.


INTRODUCTION
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The ultimate goal of WPZIP(tm) is to fully encapsulate all forms of
ZIP file manipulation in a Workplace Shell (WPS) class so the
command-line interface to ZIP utilities (such as PKWARE's PKZIP) will
not be necessary. When this class is completed, manipulation of ZIP
files and their contents will be nearly identical to manipulating
real files using the standard WPFolder and WPDataFile classes.

In its current incarnation, WPZIP(tm) is installed as a subclass of
WPDataFile, and adds a new menu item to the Open context menu, to
open a Details view. This details view shows pertinent information
about each ZIP entry (name, size before and after compression,
compression method, last modified date and time, CRC, etc.).

Double-clicking on an entry, or pressing Enter, will invoke a
new session with the command line "PKUNZIP -cm ".
I use this to view README files and the like.


INSTALLATION
------------

Copy WPZIP.DLL to your \OS2\DLL directory and run ADDCLASS.CMD.

Now open a WPS folder which contains a .ZIP file. You will notice
that the icon is not the normal file icon. Double-click on the
file's icon and you will see a new window appear with the ZIP's
contents. Double-click on an entry that appears to be a text
file, and, if you have PKUNZIP somewhere on your PATH, you should
see the file output into a window.


FUTURE
------

Basically, the whole thing still needs to be written. The skeleton
provided here barely scratches the surface of the possibilities.
Here is a brief list of the obvious enhancements yet to be made:

- Add full drag-and-drop interface to add and remove entries

- Provide user interface to enter class-wide setting of zipper
and unzipper programs and parameters for:

- Dragging a file out of the ZIP

- When the file is encrypted

- Ctrl-dragging (copying) a file into the ZIP

- Alt-dragging (moving) a file into the ZIP

- Double-clicking on (apparent) text files

- Double-clicking on (apparent) binary files

- Adding/changing file comments

- popup context menus for non-direct manipulation and
information

- allow direct editing of zip file comments

- reflect recursed directories in container control

- allow other container views (icon, tree, etc.)

- write generic archive manipulation parent class and subclasses
for different archive types (.ZIP, .LZH, .ZOO, etc.).



I am not in a great hurry to complete this project; it is not near
the top of my current priority queue. However, I would gladly invite
anyone to provide encouragement (preferably of the monetary kind). I
consider WPZIP(tm) to be shareware. When more functionality is
present, I will ask a small price for continued usage. For now, use
as you see fit with the following proviso:


LEGAL STUFF
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WPZIP(tm) is copyright 1992 by John W. Cocula. I grant any and
all the use of this software provided that in no event shall John
W. Cocula be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary
loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this software,
even if John W. Cocula has been advised of the possibility of such
damages.

You are free to use and distribute WPZIP(tm) Version 0.01 as long
as you do not charge anyone for its use or modify the package
contents. This notice must accompany distribution of Version 0.01.