WinZip(R) version 7.0 PRE-RELEASE BETA TEST VERSION Copyright (C) 1991-1998 Nico Mak Computing, Inc. All Rights Reserved #### PRE-RELEASE BETA TEST VERSION #### For a list of changes in this beta, see whatsnew.txt *************************************************************** *** FOR INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SEE THE FILE "README.TXT" *** *** *** *** New users: please click the "Brief Tutorial" entry in *** *** WinZip's "Help" pull-down menu. *** *** *** *** Press the F1 key at any time while running WinZip for *** *** help or to access the complete online documentation. *** *************************************************************** Have you ever used the Internet or CompuServe? If so, you've probably encountered ZIP files. Are you a Windows user? If so, WinZip is THE way to handle these archived files. WinZip brings the convenience of Windows to the use of Zip files and other compression formats. Windows 95, NT, and Windows 3.1 versions are shipped on the same disk. WinZip features include: Windows 95 support: WinZip includes long filename support and tight integration with the Windows 95 shell. Drag and drop to or from the Explorer, or zip and unzip without leaving the Explorer. Internet support: WinZip features built-in support for popular Internet file formats: TAR, gzip, Unix compress, UUEncode, XXencode, BinHex, and MIME. ARJ, LZH, and ARC files are supported via external programs. You can use WinZip to access almost all the files you download from the Internet. In addition, the freely downloadable WinZip Internet Browser Support Add-On lets you download and open archives with one click using Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. WinZip interfaces to most virus scanners. Built-in 100% PKZIP-compatible ZIP and UNZIP, including support for multi-disk Zip files (PKZIP and PKUNZIP are NOT required for any zipping or unzipping operations). The WinZip Wizard: this optional feature uses the standard and familiar "wizard" interface to simplify the process of unzipping and installing software distributed in Zip files. The WinZip Wizard is not targeted at experienced users, but is ideal for the rapidly growing number of PC users getting started with Zip files. When these users gain confidence or want to use more advanced zipping features, the full WinZip Classic interface is just a click away. Create files that unzip themselves: WinZip Self-Extractor Personal Edition is now included with WinZip. Self-extracting files are ideal for sending compressed files to others who may not own or know how to use file compression software. * * * * * Recent awards include * 1997 "People's Choice" Shareware Industry Award * 1997 Home Office Computing "Editor's Pick" Award * 1996 PC Week Labs "Analyst Choice" Award (December 9) * 1996 PC Magazine "Best Utility" Shareware Award * 1996 Windows Magazine "Win100" Award * 1996 PC Computing "Best of the Internet" Award for compression In previous years WinZip was a finalist for the PC Computing 1995 "MVP" Award, and was voted "Best Utility" at the 1994 annual Shareware Industry Awards, and won the Windows Magazine "Win100" Award in 1993. Recent magazine quotes include: * "Easy to learn yet robust enough to satisfy power users", PC Magazine, 4/8/97 * "For working with .ZIP archives, there's no better tool than WinZip", Windows Sources, 3/1/97 * "The most essential utility to decompress all those pesky ZIP files", PC World Online, 3/1/97 * "It's rare to find one product in a hard-fought market category that bests its competition in nearly every respect. WinZip 6.2 is one of these products. It towers over the rest of the market." PC Week 12/9/96 * "Of the many file-compression and extraction utilities out there, this one is the best - and the easiest to use" Windows Magazine, 11/96 * * * * * WinZip is extremely easy to use! To open an archive simply double click on an archive listed in the File Manager or Explorer, drag and drop an archive onto WinZip, or use the standard Open dialog. The main WinZip window features a list box with the names, sizes, and date/time stamps of all files in the open archive. This list can be scrolled and sorted on any field. A tool bar provides fast access to commonly used actions. All options (including window size and position) can be saved and restored. Extensive context sensitive help is always available. Double clicking on a file in the main window has the same effect as double clicking in the File Manager or Explorer. First the file is extracted from the archive. If the file is executable, it is run. Otherwise, the file is opened by the appropriate application (for example, Windows Write for *.WRI files) based on standard Windows associations. Under Windows 3.1 WinZip's unique "Install/Uninstall Feature" makes it easy to install and uninstall software distributed in archives. This feature can save megabytes of disk space by tracking and removing all traces of an application. WinZip will run the installation program in an archive, give you a chance to try the program, and optionally offer to restore your system to its original state. The uninstall step can selectively remove folders, files, icons, or program groups created by an install program, and can restore any altered INI files. You have complete control over the uninstall process, and no changes are made without approval. If an archive doesn't have an "install" or "setup" program you can use the CheckOut facility to easily try the files in the archive. The CheckOut facility will extract all files and create a program group with icons for all or some files. Just double click on an icon in the CheckOut group to view the corresponding file with the appropriate application. Later, WinZip will optionally delete the CheckOut files and program group. * * * * * The 32-bit version requires Windows 95 or Windows NT. The 16-bit version requires Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups. While no other programs are required for basic operations involving ZIP, TAR, GZ, Z files, UUencoded, XXencode, BinHex, or MIME files, optional features require one or more external programs. See the online help for details.