Visual IRC '96 0.82a (22nd December 1996)
=========================================

Unless you got this ZIP directly from my ViRC page
(http://www.megalith.co.uk/virc), it is probably already out-of-date!! I
suggest you visit my page immediately to download the latest version.

ZIP contents
------------

VIRC96.EXE      The main Visual IRC '96 executable file.
VIRC96.HLP      The help file for ViRC '96.
README.TXT      This file.
VSCRIPT.TXT     ViRCScript scripting language documentation.
OBJECTVS.TXT    ObjectViRCScript object-based extensions documentation.
VIRCDDE.TXT     Documentation on ViRC '96's DDE interface (updated)
LEGAL.TXT       Legal disclaimer.
DEFAULT.LIB     Default event library for ViRC '96, written in ViRCScript.
GUESS.VSC       Sample ViRCScript program (a guess-the-number game).
GUESSOVS.VSC    As above, only uses ObjectViRCScript windows and classes.
WEBSERV.VSC     A simple web server - demonstrates writing socket applications in ViRCScript.
POLKA.BMP       A sample BMP file that could be used as tiled wallpaper in V96.
V96BACK.BMP     Another sample BMP file, ideal for use as tiled wallpaper.
TILES.BMP       A third sample BMP file. I use this one myself.
DCONV.ZIP       A utility for converting Delphi 2.0 DFM forms to ObjectViRCScript code.

Most of the information that used to be in this file has now been moved to
VIRC96.HLP.

FYI, ViRC '96 is freeware. This means that you will _not_ be possessed by
demons, should you fail to pay me anything, unlike shareware software, like
mIRC 4.5. However, feel free to send me a donation if you wish to show some
appreciation for my efforts. My mailing address is:

        Adrian Cable
        25 Halland Way
        Northwood
        Middlesex
        HA6 2BY
        United Kingdom

In addition, I will try my best to answer any queries I receive about V96, and
I guarantee a reply wherever possible (unless, for example, something happens
that's beyond my control, like my mail server crashes, which has happened
before, or I'm away on vacation).

Well, that's enough about me - let's knuckle down to some of the stuff V96 has
to offer.

Current major features include:

 - easy-to-use interface
 - ObjectViRCScript object-based extensions to ViRCScript programming language
 - full logging capabilities
 - new LagScope for measuring how lagged you are from the server
 - ViRCScript Publishing Wizard
 - full integration with the Windows 95/NT shell
 - real-time audio chat
 - full ircII attribute support (bold, italic, and underline)
 - support for the ColourIRC standard
 - coloured events for easy viewing and differentiation
 - multiple simultaneous server connections
 - IDENTD server
 - Finger server
 - Finger client
 - port scanner
 - DCC chat
 - DCC send with send-ahead extension
 - web hyperlinks
 - powerful, very easy-to-use userlist support
 - right-click context menus
 - neat graphical touches everywhere (e.g. server transmit/receive lights)
 - change colours and fonts in most screen areas
 - awesome XDCC offer support
 - SOCKS support for accessing external IRC servers through a firewall
 - server hierarchical links view - see how the servers on IRC are linked to
   each other, and find the closest server to you for optimal speed
 - comprehensive WHOIS dialog - displays information on any user on IRC, and
   allows them to easily be added or removed from the userlist, all from one
   dialog
 - channel box
 - ignore list
 - support for all server-side ircII commands
 - comprehensive extended command set (e.g. /wall, redirection commands)
 - support for TDCC file transfer protocol (3x faster than regular DCC)
 - toolbar Magic Dots
 - filtered channel list (supports Undernet-specific server-side filtering)
 - the ability to import mIRC, WSIRC and PIRCH configuration files during setup
 - border flashing when minimized window contents change
 - heuristic nick completion
 - auto-hold when scrolling text back in channel windows
 - separate command-line recall buffer maintained for every window (remembers
   the last 100 lines entered)
 - support for mIRC's /sound command
 - limited speech synthesis (use the /mspeak command)
 - full scripting (events and aliases)
 - support for window wallpaper
 - multi-user support
 - tip-of-the-day dialog
 - query window
 - notify support
 - lots more besides!!