ZIP version 2.0, Copyright 1992 by Access Success.

This utility will quickly identify the zip and area codes
corresponding to a city in the United States.  It does this by
searching an indexed database of over 42,000 city, state, zip and
area code combinations.  Uses include completing an address with
a zip code, determining an area code for a phone call, selecting
a zip code range for a mass mailing, and verifying the postal
abbreviation of a state name.

The program may be installed in its own directory, such as
C:\ZIP, or in a directory in which other utilities are kept, such
as C:\UTIL.  For convenient operation, this directory should be
included on the DOS or network search path, thereby allowing the
program to be run from any DOS prompt.

Another operating method is to run ZIP from a batch file that is
accessible on the search path.  The included ZIP.BAT facilitates
this method, and might be placed in a directory with other batch
files, such as C:\BATCH.  By default, this file assumes the ZIP
program is installed in the C:\ZIP directory.  It may be edited
if appropriate.

Entering the ZIP command with no parameters will display a help
screen.  If the ZIP command is followed by a city, state, zip, or
area code, it will search the database and display the city,
state, zip, and area code combination it finds (or the closest
match).  Examples:

C> zip hometown
(304)   Hometown  WV  25109
Notice that only the city was specified and that capitalization
is unnecessary.

C> zip kalamazoo
(616)   Kalamazoo  MI  49001/9
Notice that a zip range was returned, indicated by the lowest &
highest zip.

C> zip san fran
(415)   San Francisco  CA  94100/88
Notice that a partial city name was sufficient.

C> zip saint paul mn
(612)   Saint Paul  MN  55100/91
Notice that both the city and state were needed, since the city
is not unique.

C> lincoln nebraska
(402)   Lincoln  NE  68202/588
Notice that a state may be specified by name instead of
abbreviation.

C> ma
Massachusetts   (413, 508, 617)   01001/5544
Notice that a state alone may be specified (by name or
abbreviation), and that its area codes and zip range are
returned.

C> 12345
(518)   Schenectady  NY  12300/45
Notice that a zip code was specified.

C> 99
Finding largest city in 99 zip range
(509)   Spokane  WA  99200/60
Notice that a zip range was specified by typing its initial
digits (one or more).  The "largest city" means the one
containing the most zip codes.

C> (404)
Finding largest city in 404 area code
(404)   Atlanta  GA  30010/9901
Notice that an area code was specified within parentheses.

After the program displays the city, state, zip, and area code
combination it finds, it will pause with the cursor at the
beginning of the zip code. Pressing any key will return control
to the DOS prompt.

The first time ZIP is run with a search parameter, it will create
the file ZIP.CDX, a compound index that makes subsequent searches
almost instantaneous.  The database file, ZIP.DBF, must exist
either in the current directory or in the one containing the
executable file, ZIP.EXE.  Be aware that the executable,
database, and index files occupy about three megabytes of space
on a hard disk.  This utility is for people who value fast zip
and area code searches and can afford the space!

As the author, I permit and encourage copies of ZIP to be freely
made and shared with others, so long as all files are distributed
together and no profit is made.  I hope it is useful to many and
have done what I can to make this possible.  I cannot, however,
accept responsibility for any inadvertent consequences of its
use--computer-wise, information-wise, or otherwise.  In
particular, please note that the data is not always complete or
current:  it was obtained via modem from a few public sources,
merged and spotchecked, but not extensively validated.  Best
wishes.

Jamal Mazrui, Consultant
Access Success
745 Somerville Ave.
Somerville, MA  02143
Phone:  (617) 666-9856