FASTview Help

1. FASTview concept

The idea of FASTview is to allow the user a simple interface to view various types of files without the continual necessity of selecting 'File Open' and then a file from the list presented. FASTview will allow the user to view a list of files that FASTview is capable of viewing in a directory, and simply by pressing the down arrow, it is possible to view these file types very quickly. The concept of the program is simplicity and ease of use, with flexibility built in, enabling simple tasks to be performed. FASTview now incorporates an 'Application Launcher', so it is now possible to execute 'exe' and 'com' files from within the environment without having to exit and then execute from elsewhere.

FASTview can view any combination of the following files: -

Text - txt, rtf, htm, html, inf, ini, bat, sys, log, frm, bas, vbp, lst, nfo.
Image - bmp, wmf, emf, ico, cur, gif, jpg, jif, dib.
Movie - avi, mpg, mpeg, mov, qt.
Sound - wav, mid, rmi.

FASTview is optimised for use with PC systems running in 640x480 screen mode and above.

2. The Viewable Area

The viewable area is of an automatic switching concept. When viewing a text file, the program will make visible a Rich Text Box, which allows extremely large amounts of text to be viewed. When the down arrow is pressed to select the next file in the list, if this is an image file, the Rich Text Box is flushed of data and is hidden behind the image now in view.

The image is scrollable, but is limited, and is meant as a quick method of scrolling through lots of varied image files, with simple automatic switching between these and text files.

Should a movie file be viewed, then as above, it sits hidden behind the Rich Text Box and the Image box. Due to the nature of these type of multimedia files, they tend to be large, and really require the registered version of FASTview to be enjoyed properly.

The application launcher has it's own windowed area where an image is displayed, and by double clicking on this image it is possible to launch executable files.

Finally, the Web Browser window is displayed in the same way as the windows. The advantage of the Web Browser is its ability to be ACTIVE or NON ACTIVE. If the browser is in NON ACTIVE mode any calls that exist in the code which are to the Internet, the browser will NOT launch your dial-up adapter service. This allows anyone developing in HTML to have a quick and simple look at what the page will look like, or simply allow downloaded HTML files etc to be viewed quickly. If the browser is in ACTIVE mode any calls that exist in the code which are to the Internet, the browser WILL launch your dial-up adapter service. You will then be able to surf the net directly from FASTview, enabling you to check links etc.

The 'Status Bar' at the bottom shows the file name followed by the size of the file in bytes and finally the last time the file was modified.

Finally, the control boxes can be switched from the left hand side of the window to the top of the window. This was designed to allow text file viewing with the controls at the top, usually needed because text files tend to be wide. Images tend to be longer, hence the necessity to have the controls switchable to the left hand side of the window.

3. Editing Text Files

The Rich Text Box has been given the property, that when changes are made directly into the displayed text file, these changes can be saved. When the mouse is 'clicked' on any other area, and the Text Box looses focus, if changes have been made, you will be asked if you wish to save these changes. The idea of this is to give the user the ability to create, write, edit and delete Text Files.

4. Directory Navigation

By simply double clicking on the desired target with the left mouse button, any directory within the specified drive can be navigated to. The drive can also be changed by pressing the little arrow next to the drive letter displayed. By use of these two methods, any directory on either the local PC or network can be accessed.

5. RTF files in true RTF format

By selecting this option, when you view a file with the extension 'rtf', the file will be displayed in true Rich Text Format. This will include colours, bold, underlining, indenting, bullet points etc. Should you decide you wish to see the file with all of its escape codes, simply un-tick the check box.

Selection of this option has no affect on any of the other text viewing formats.

6. HTML files in true HTML format

By selecting this option, when you view a file with the extension 'htm' or 'html', the file will be displayed through the Web Browser. This will include all links etc.

7. Toolbars and Shortcuts

All of the drop down menus are duplicated on the toolbar, and all have short cut key assignments. These allow the user to gain easy access to the range of controls and features listed below: -

a.  Create New File
b.  Delete File
c.  Font Options
d.  Print File
e.  Cut
f.  Copy
g.  Paste
h.  Select All
i.  Search Text
j.  Controls on the Top
k.  Controls at the Side
l.  Zoom In
m.  Zoom Out
n.  Refresh Files and Folders
o.  Find File
p.  Launch Application
q.  File Filtering
r.  Maximum File Size
s.  Web Browser ACTIVE
t.  Word Wrap Off
u.  Background Colours
v.  Help
w.  Shareware
x.  Bug Busters
y.  Unlock Code
z.  About Fastview
A.  Zoom Control System

a. Create New File

Pressing the 'Create New Document' button will bring up a Windows Common Dialog Box which will allow specification of the file name document to be created, and an index of the allowable file types. The file will be created in the current directory unless an alternative is specified. The current file list window will automatically update the file list to show the new file, assuming it resides in the current directory.

b. Delete File

The 'Delete' button will delete the highlighted file, but will prompt for confirmation before deletion commences.

c. Font Options

The 'Font Options' allows the size of the text file font to be printed to be changed along with all of the other aspects normally expected. It is also possible to change colour, font type, underline etc.

d. Print File

'Print File' will cause a standard print window to be opened, allowing the user to select a printer and the number of copies to be printed in the normal manner. The print facility allows printing of both text and image files.

e. Cut

'Cut' is used when editing Text files, and is used in the same manner to Cut highlighted text. The short key is Ctrl+X.

f. Copy

'Copy' is used when editing Text files, and is used in the same manner to Copy highlighted text. The short key is Ctrl+C.

g. Paste

'Paste' is used when editing Text files, and is used in the same manner to Paste copied or cut text. The short key is Ctrl+V.

h. Select All

'Select All' is used when editing Text files, and is used to select ALL of the text within the current file. The short key is Ctrl+A.

i. Search Text

When the viewer is in TEXT mode, the 'Search Text' button will allow multiple instance finds of any words or parts of words. This utility is case insensitive, and will display on which line the key word was found.

j. Controls on the Top

This button will set the controls at the top of the display window.

k. Controls at the Side

This button will set the controls to the left hand side of the display window.

l. Zoom In

The '+' key can be used to allow an image to be increased in size in 25% steps.

m. Zoom Out

The '-' key can be used to allow an image to be decreased in size in 25% steps.

n. Refresh Files and Folders

The 'Refresh Files and Folders' button is designed to be used when switching removable disks around. Simply press the refresh button once the disk has been changed, and both the Directory list and the File list will be updated. The directory listing will be set back to the root of the selected drive. This can of course be used whilst viewing the c:\ or d:\ or whatever directory you may have selected.

o. Find File

The 'Find File' button will bring up a search engine. This search engine has been incorporated to allow easy finding and viewing of files all in one. Simply select the directory and search criteria and press the 'Find Now' button. Should you wish to abort the search simply press the 'Stop' button. The 'Display File' is used when you have selected the file you wish to view. The main FASTview viewer will load the file and directory structures and display the file automatically. The 'Close' button will close the search engine window. A small auto scaling and centring preview panel has been incorporated to allow a quick peek at images only.

p. Launch Application

The 'Enter' key will launch applications when FASTview is in 'Application Launcher' mode.

q. File Filters

The 'File Filter' allows complete control of the types of file to be viewed. The filter utility is arranged into several blocks.

These blocks start at the top with 'ALL Files', which will cause FASTview to display ANY file type for viewing. NOTE : Any unknown file type will be launched through the text viewer - Errors CAN occur frequently.

The next block is 'ALL File Types Listed Below', which will show ALL types of files currently supported by FASTview. They are ALL listed as stated below this box.

The next block of four allow the user to select either TEXT, IMAGES, MULTIMEDIA or APPLICATION files. Ticking for instance just the TEXT box will tell FASTview to display all supported text files.

Finally, below this are four more blocks which comprise of all of the individually supported file types.

All of the above are of a mix and match format, simply press any combination of files you wish to view.

r. Maximum File Size

The 'Maximum File Size' button will give access to a control utility which will limit the size of the file which is viewable. The function is there to allow the user to screen out the larger files, as they can take some time to load. If the Shareware version of FASTview is being used, the maximum file size allowable is 100 Kb. When running the Registered version, the maximum allowable file size is UNLIMITED.

s. Web Browser ACTIVE

The Web Browser has the ability to be ACTIVE or NON ACTIVE, and by simply selecting this option (it will have a small tick beside it when it has been selected) you have the ability to control the browsers actions for linking to the Internet.

If the browser is in NON ACTIVE mode any calls that exist in the code which are to the Internet, the browser will NOT launch your dial-up adapter service. This allows anyone developing in HTML to have a quick and simple look at what the page will look like, or simply allow downloaded HTML files etc to be viewed quickly. If the browser is in ACTIVE mode any calls that exist in the code which are to the Internet, the browser WILL launch your dial-up adapter service. You will then be able to surf the net directly from FASTview, enabling you to check links etc.

t. Word Wrap Off

The 'Word Wrap Off' option will cause the text display area not to wrap text. This has two affects, the first being that you can view text in a list type mode (ideal for long lists of text which might wrap) and secondly a bottom scroll bar will appear.

u. Background Colours

The 'Background Colours' option allows the background colour to be changed on both the TEXT, IMAGE and Movie viewers.

v. Help

By selecting this option, the help file can be viewed directly from within FASTview through a Help file interface, giving the user the opportunity of viewing the help file in both Text and HTML formats. The 'Updates' file can also be viewed through this interface in both text and HTML formats.

8 & w. Shareware Statement

The 'Shareware' button will give some basic information regarding the shareware concept, here is the detailed version: -

This version of FASTview has been produced by

Truluck Software Limited

LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

IMPORTANT!

THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU, THE LICENSEE, AND DISTRIBUTOR. PLEASE READ THE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING TO USE THE SOFTWARE. BY CONTINUING THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF THE SOFTWARE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PROMPTLY CEASE ALL FURTHER INSTALLATION OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND, IF ALREADY INSTALLED, REMOVE THE SOFTWARE FROM YOUR COMPUTER.

1. SOFTWARE

The term 'Software' as used in this Agreement shall mean 'FASTview' operating in the environment of Microsoft Windows, including any technology licensed by DISTRIBUTOR from the developers and owners thereof to DISTRIBUTOR, together with all accompanying Documentation.

2. RIGHTS GRANTED

In consideration of the license fee which you paid for the Software and your agreement to abide by the terms of this license, DISTRIBUTOR hereby grants to you, LICENSEE, a non-exclusive, non-transferable license for as long as you comply with the terms of this license, to use the Software in object form, on a single terminal connected to a single computer (i.e., each with a single CPU) subject to the terms provided herein. Use of the Software shall be defined for the purposes of this license as the loading of the Software into RAM or the permanent memory of a computer. LICENSEE may physically transfer the Software from one computer to another, but may not load the Software on a network server and/or Internet server, or use it on more than one computer or computer terminal at the same time. Title to and ownership of the Software and all intellectual property rights therein shall at all times remain the property of DISTRIBUTOR and/or its licensors. LICENSEE shall have no right to transfer, rent, lease, lend or assign this license except in the case where LICENSEE certifies in writing to DISTRIBUTOR that LICENSEE has removed the Software from all of LICENSEE'S hardware and transferred all copies of the Software and Documentation, together with this license agreement, to the transferee/assignee identified in the certification provided to DISTRIBUTOR.

This license is personal to the LICENSEE identified as the purchaser of the Software and/or to any person or entity to whom this license is transferred pursuant to this section. In the case of a corporate purchaser or authorised transferee, this license is for the benefit only of that corporation's employees and authorised agents.

LICENSEE has a right to have free upgrade for Software for as long as the 'Major' revision number remains the same. These upgrades are available on DISTRIBUTOR'S Internet server for download. DISTRIBUTOR has no obligation to the frequency of the upgrade availability, new functions, or differences in editions of Software.

3. COPYRIGHT

LICENSEE acknowledges that the Software is protected by copyright. Pursuant to relevant national and international copyright laws, LICENSEE may not copy, photocopy, reproduce, translate, modify, adapt or create derivative works based on the Software or Documentation or any portion thereof except that the LICENSEE may transfer the Software to a single hard disk and may make one copy of the original diskettes for backup and archival purposes only, as well as maintaining the original diskettes for the same purposes.

LICENSEE will use its best efforts to reproduce and preserve DISTRIBUTOR'S copyright notices and copyrights in the Software and will promptly report to DISTRIBUTOR any apparent infringement of such copyright that comes to the attention of LICENSEE. LICENSEE shall not make a copy or copies of the Software or any part thereof available to any third party, nor allow any other person acting on LICENSEE'S behalf to do so. LICENSEE will be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement which is caused or made possible by LICENSEE'S failure to abide by the terms of this Agreement.

4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND TRADE SECRETS

LICENSEE recognises and understands that the Software, Documentation and all other materials and knowledge related thereto are proprietary to DISTRIBUTOR and/or its licensor(s) and contain confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets. LICENSEE agrees not to disclose such information to any third party other than DISTRIBUTOR'S employees or authorised agents without DISTRIBUTOR'S prior written consent. This obligation of confidentiality includes any confidential information which is obtained by LICENSEE as a result of any analysis or decompilation permitted under Articles 5(3) and 6 of the EU Software Directive (91/250/EEC). LICENSEE acknowledges that, as between DISTRIBUTOR and LICENSEE, the Software and its Documentation and all copyrights, trade secret rights and other intellectual property rights with respect thereto, are and will at all times be the property of DISTRIBUTOR. LICENSEE agrees not to cause or permit any attempts to determine the source code of the Software, including but not limited to reverse engineering, disassembly or decompilation of the Software, except as permitted by Article 6 of the EU Software Directive, and agrees not to cause or permit any modification, adaptation or reprogramming of the Software. The obligations of this paragraph shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

5. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

DISTRIBUTOR does not warrant, guarantee or make any representations that the functions contained in the Software will meet LICENSEE'S requirements or that the operation of the Software will be uninterrupted or error-free. DISTRIBUTOR does warrant that the media on which the Software is furnished will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of receipt. Any other software and any hardware furnished with or accompanying the Software is not warranted by DISTRIBUTOR. LICENSEE'S exclusive remedy under this limited warranty is the replacement of any defective physical media on which the Software is furnished. To receive a replacement for defective media under this limited warranty, return the defective media to the local provider of the Software or directly to DISTRIBUTOR together with proof of payment, within the thirty (30) day warranty period.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OF ANY OTHER TYPE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND TO ANY REMEDY AGAINST DISTRIBUTOR AND/OR ITS LICENSORS, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE PRECEDING EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES LICENSEE SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND IS IN ADDITION TO OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS LICENSEE MAY HAVE IN A PARTICULAR JURISDICTION.

DISTRIBUTOR'S SOLE OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE MEDIA ACCORDING TO THE LIMITED WARRANTY ABOVE. IN ANY EVENT, DISTRIBUTOR'S LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT LICENSEE ORIGINALLY PAID FOR THE SOFTWARE. LICENSEE AGREES THAT NEITHER DISTRIBUTOR NOR ITS EMPLOYEES, MANAGEMENT OR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THE SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFIT, REVENUE, DATA OR USE) INCURRED BY LICENSEE OR ANY THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF USE OF THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF DISTRIBUTOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTHING IN THIS CLAUSE LIMITS DISTRIBUTOR'S LIABILITY TO LICENSEE IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTOR'S NEGLIGENCE.

6. TERMINATION OF LICENSE

This license will terminate automatically if the LICENSEE fails to comply with any provision of this license or upon transfer of the Software and Documentation pursuant to section 2, above. In the event of termination of the license, LICENSEE agrees to immediately cease using the Software, and within ten (10) days of the termination to return the original copy of the Software to DISTRIBUTOR with certification that all copies of the Software have been returned to DISTRIBUTOR, destroyed or transferred pursuant to section 2, above. This requirement will apply to all copies in any form, whether partial or complete, and whether or not modified or merged into other program materials. Except in cases of serious or irremediable breach, DISTRIBUTOR will give LICENSEE notice of the breach and a reasonable opportunity to cure such breach before the license is terminated.

7. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the United Kingdom and United States.

8. EXPORT CONTROLS

LICENSEE agrees that LICENSEE will not directly or indirectly transfer the Software or Documentation to any country to which such transfer would be prohibited by any applicable export control law.

9. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

Distribution and use of the Software and derivative works thereof to and by the United States Government are subject to the restricted rights set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFAR 252.227-7013. Software described or referenced in this Agreement are commercial computer software programs developed at private expense. Use, duplication or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR 52.227-19 (c)(2), the applicable provisions of the DoD FAR supplement 252.227-7013 subdivision (a)(15) or (a)(17) or similar regulations of other United States Federal agencies.

10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LICENSEE acknowledges that LICENSEE has read this Agreement in full, has fully understood its terms and agrees to be bound thereby. This Agreement contains the complete and exclusive agreement between the parties and supersedes all proposals or prior agreements, oral or written, and any other communications between the parties and supersedes all proposals or prior agreements, oral and written, and any other communications between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Notice:

The use of illegally obtained registration information (serial number) can produce unpredictable results and cause damage to your computer and/or its contents. The use of anything other than a legal registration code is a crime, and is punishable both criminally and civilly. DISTRIBUTOR will aggressively prosecute anyone attempting to misuse illegally obtained copyright and registration data.

Copyright 1999

x. Bug Busters

A list of very nice people who have helped to contribute to FASTview's development by reporting those nasty little bugs that plague software.

y. Unlock Code

The 'Unlock Code' button will open a small information box giving you the registration code used.

z. About Fastview

The 'About Fastview' button will open a window with some basic information on how to find us and get hold of us on the World Wide Web.

A. Zoom Control System

The 'Zoom Control System' will only work with the Image viewer, and will increase or decrease the size of the image according to your requirements. The nine pre-set zoom buttons can be pressed to increase or decrease the image to set sizes. The slider bar to the left of these moves in large and small amounts of zoom. By pressing the mouse cursor on the background of the slider bar to the right of the small block the image will increase by 50%. By pressing on the left hand side it will decrease by 50%. The left and right arrows will decrease and increase the image by 5%.

The 100%, 200%, 300% and 400% pre-set buttons have been coded to re-size an avi, mpg or mov file. The control is crude, as it will depend upon the starting size of the original file. The best idea is to simply press them and see what happens... The 100% button will return the image to its original size.

9. Registry Information

FASTview will save information into the Registry about the Drive and Path that was last being viewed. It will also save information about the background colours selected, the filter pattern and the maximum file size last selected.

The registry path is: -

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\FASTview\(At this point you will see Settings, Registration and Filters)]

10. Release Notes

FASTview version 2.00 was tested and is released by Truluck Software.

This software has been released into the Shareware domain, as described under the Shareware section, and remains the whole property of Truluck Software until registered.

Whilst every care is taken to test the software, it cannot be guaranteed to be bug free, so please email us with your bug reports. When doing so please describe in as much detail as possible what occurred and in what part of the program it occurred in. This will help us to continue to produce and refine this quality product.

11. Registration Information

If you would like to Register your copy of FASTview, then simply go to our Website page Software Registration. You will find a link here for on-line secure credit card transactions.