*************** FileNotes ReadMe *********************

-- GENERAL -- 

FileNotes is a utility for adding up to 6 pages of notes to any Mac file (word processing, spreadsheet, data base, drawing, CAD, etc.) These notes can be used to annotate files that normally do not allow text inputs such as image files, compressed archives, and QuickTime movies, or simply add a note to a letter. Unlike the notes seen in the GetInfo dialog, these notes become a permanent part of the file, i.e. they will not be erased when you rebuild your desktop and will be transferred with copies of the file. FileNotes is System 7 dependent.

FileNotes features in its OpenFile dialog a notes preview and the option to either open the notes for editing, or to launch the file with its creator application. Additionally, FileNotes contains a Find feature, which allows the user to search for files containing a user specified text string within the FileNotes notes. This set of features allows the user to keep track of and find important files without relying on just a 32 character name.


-- WARNING -- DISCLAIMER --

I hope the above title has gotten your attention. FileNotes operates by adding a special FileNotes resource to your file. Extensive testing has failed to indicate any problem with the use of FileNotes and file creator applications. However, the author does not have access to all Mac applications or all potential machine configurations. In order to avoid even a small probability of the loss of important data, read the "HOW TO TEST FileNotes" section and follow the instructions. Data integrity is the user's responsibility. No warranty is given or implied by the author.


-- THE LEGAL STUFF --

FileNotes 1.2 is Shareware and is not free. You may test it for 30 days, after which a license fee of $15(US) must be paid to:

R. Aaron Falk
P.O. Box 58983
Renton, WA  98058

Please indicate FileNotes 1.2 along with your name and address on your check so that you will be properly registered. Registration gives you (1) technical support at the above address or via e-mail, drbob1@aol.com, (2) free use of the next two minor upgrades, (version 2.0 will be a major upgrade, all versions will be made available through the usual download sites), and (3) my thanks for supporting the Shareware alternative.

FileNotes is Copyright 1994 and all rights are reserved. It may be freely distributed as long as the FileNotes-ReadMe file is included and no fee is charged, except those relating to distribution costs. 

The user accepts all responsibility for the use of FileNotes. The author is not responsible in any way for damage caused by the use of FileNotes. No warranty is implied or given.


-- HOW TO TEST FileNotes --

Before using FileNotes on important data, please perform the following test. Although FileNotes has been well tested, failure to perform this test on your machine could result in lost data, which is your responsibility, not the authors. 

Each application you use creates a unique file type to which FileNotes notes can be attached. For each file type for which you plan to use FileNotes, do so first on either a copy of a file created by that application or create a new "dummy" file with that application. Open the copy or dummy file with FileNotes and type a few lines. Save and close the file from FileNotes and then open it with its creator application or by double clicking the file in the Finder. If all is well, the file will open and function normally. If a problem occurs, (1) do not use FileNotes on files created by this application, and (2) inform the author, so he can warn others.


--  USING FileNotes --

FileNotes is fairly simple to operate and can be used effectively without reading the following. However, some of the key features may not be as obvious as the author thinks. Additionally, there are a few keyboard shortcuts that will not be obvious.

FileNotes is designed to be small (about 20K on disk and 120K of RAM) and functional with the minimum of fancy frills (color animation is pretty, but it takes up lots of space). The features include a simple text editor for creating/modifying notes, an open file dialog that presents a preview of the notes, allowing the user to open the notes for editing or to launch the file, and a find file dialog that allows the user to search for notes containing a user specified text phrase.

The text editor operates similarly to TeachText and should be fairly familiar to all users. The standard Cut, Copy, etc. are supported. Undo does not function. As with TeachText, only one file can be open at a time. If fancier text editing is required, the author recommends using a full blown word processing application, then cut and paste the text into FileNotes.

The open file dialog is a modification of the standard open dialog and features a notes preview area along with a LaunchFile button. If a file contains notes, the first few lines are shown in the preview area. If there or no notes, or the file is in use, the user is so notified. Please notice that even though a file-in-use notification is present, the OpenNotes button will still be on, although the Launch button will be thoughtfully turned off. Clicking the OpenNotes button will only bring up an alert informing you that the file cannot be opened as it is in use. This "no turn off" feature is brought to you by the Apple operating system and the author has yet to determine a way to override it. The LaunchFile button allows the option of opening the file with its creator application. The combination of the preview area and the LaunchFile button allow this dialog to be used as a browser.

The find file dialog allows the user to search for files containing a user-defined phrase. The dialog contains five buttons with keyboard equivalents, OpenNotes - opens notes for editing (cmd-O), LaunchFile - launches file with creator application (cmd-L), Search - starts search, then changes to StopSearch during search (return), Cancel - closes dialog box (esc), and SearchFolder - brings up dialog for selecting folder for start of search (cmd-S). There are three info fields, Files Found - scrollable/highlightable list of the files found in the last search (click item or use up-down arrow keys to highlight a file), Notes Preview - displays first few lines of the notes of highlighted file in Files Found list, and Search Folder - below SearchFolder button, displays folder for start of search or number of files searched during search. The Enter Search Phrase field allows user input of a search string and the Case Sensitive check box allows selection of searching based on case (i.e. finding Bob but not bob). To use, enter a search phrase into the Enter Search Phrase field, click the SearchFolder button and select the desired folder, and click the Search Button. FileNotes will search through the selected folder and all folders contained within that folder. The number of folders searched will be displayed and folders containing the search phrase will be listed (max. of 25). The Search button will change to StopSearch, which allows the user to abort the search. The search feature is fairly fast, but will take a few minutes if a large directory or drive is selected.

The select folder dialog operates like a standard open dialog except that only folders are shown. The Select:..... button below the folder list field will indicate the folder currently designated to become the new search folder. Click it (cmd-S) when you have navigated to the desired folder of click cancel to abort.

File Menu - Open: Brings up FileNotes open dialog.
									Close: Closes notes - only one set of notes open at a
														time.
									Save: Saves notes.
									Revert: Reverts notes to last saved version.
									Find: Brings up FileNotes find dialog.
									Page Setup: Brings up page setup dialog.
									Print: Prints notes.
									Quit: Quits program.

Edit Menu - Undo: Currently does nothing
									Cut: Cuts selected text and places into clipboard.
									Copy: Copies selected text into clipboard.
									Paste: Pastes text in clipboard into notes at position
						 			of blinking cursor, overwrites any selected text.
									Clear: Deletes selected text.


--COMPRESSED FILES --

The interaction of file notes and compressed files allows for some useful functionality and a few problems. If a file containing notes is compressed (using Stuffit, Compact Pro, etc.), the notes are also compressed. Currently, FileNotes is unable to read notes in compressed files or archives (a set of one or more compressed files). The good side of this is that notes can also be attached to the compressed file or archive. Thus, you can list all the files along with descriptions of what is in the archive and attach this info to the archive. This is great for searching through many archives for that one file you need. When the archive is expanded, the notes attached to the archive remains with the archive and the notes on the file(s) reappear.

A problem appears with background compression applications like DiskDoubler. These applications expand compressed archives when they are opened and then throw away the archive - where oh where have my FileNotes gone. It turns out that FileNotes can attach notes to these files - they get expanded when opened, but unfortunately, the preview and search functions will not work - ouch! Personally, I do not use background compression applications because of problems like this one. If there is enough interest and I can obtain sufficient info from the vendors on their products' functionality, a future version of FileNotes should overcome these problems.