Thank you for downloading XF45LIB (and presumably XFIRE.ZIP)!  

XFIRE.LDL VERSION 4.5

This file  contains the XFIRE.LDL compiled with Paradox for 
Windows 4.5 allowing you to run Crossfire and SoftWatch under 
the new version of Paradox including the Workgroup and 
Professional Editions. 

If you have not downloaded XFIRE.ZIP I invite you to do so now,
and here is why:

XFIRE.ZIP contains the Crossfire Library for Paradox and a large
sample application called SoftWatch that was created to demo the
library's usefulness.  Crossfire is a suite of methods used in
the creation of Paradox for Windows applications to simplify the
job of controlling, and communicating between, many discrete
forms in a multi-form application.  If your application contains
only one form, or window, Crossfire will be of little use to
you, but if your applications contain 2 or more windows,
Crossfire can save you a great deal of time and, accordingly, a
great deal of money.

Crossfire methods are simple to use but very powerful.  The
concept of Crossfire is that you call a method when each form
opens and another when each form closes.  In between those
method calls, a full complement of methods are available for you
to use to communicate with, and access, all of the other open
forms at runtime.  On the lighter side, you can use the methods 
to pass simple data types like strings and numbers between forms, 
or if the mood strikes you can perform such feats as passing a 
dynamic array of bitmaps from one form to another and use them 
on the receiving form.  Just as easily, you can get the handle to 
other open forms by simply referring to them by name in a method 
call.  You are no longer required to attach to a form's title or 
open it explicitly to get a handle to that form.  This is important 
so allow me to repeat it:

YOU ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO ATTACH TO A FORM'S TITLE OR OPEN 
IT EXPLICITLY TO GET A HANDLE TO THAT FORM.  

As long as your forms have unique names, you can get a handle to
a form anywhere, anytime, by referring to its name.  What you do
with it then is up to your imagination.

There are many other methods in Crossfire for handling forms,
generating auto-incrementing numbers, etc., but the real jewel
in XFIRE.ZIP is the sample application, SoftWatch.

SoftWatch is a "real-world" application designed to show off the
finer features of the Crossfire Library, but there is a great
deal of source code in the application illustrating other
ObjectOPAL concepts as well.  Read the documentation in
XFIRE.WRI before using SoftWatch to for more information.


UPDATING CROSSFIRE / SOFTWATCH

This update to the Crossfire Library will allow SoftWatch, as
well as your own applications, to run under Paradox for Windows 
4.5 using Crossfire.  If you have downloaded XFIRE.ZIP
and opened it using the pkunzip "-d" switch (recommended),
simply copy the file XFIRE.LDL in this upgrade kit over the old
version.  After doing that, re-save all of the SoftWatch forms
under 4.5 as well as Swatch.LSL, the application-specific source
code library.  Then SoftWatch will run as a native 4.5 application.


REGISTER CROSSFIRE NOW!

Registered users of Crossfire get the full source code to the
XFIRE.LSL library, and will be entitled to support via Compuserve. 
The registration cost of the library is a paltry $25 + $4
shipping and handling for the US and CANADA and $15 for 
shipping and handling to outside the US and CANADA.  Checks 
or money orders are accepted.


ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL USERS

Black Forest Software Corporation does not accept credit 
cards for Crossfire.  Recognizing that this can be an 
inconvenience to some international customers, BFSCorp has 
instituted a unique method of registration for international 
users.  Since drawing a check on a US account is difficult 
for most international users, BFSCorp will accept a souvenir 
that is somehow representative of your country in exchange 
for the source code to Crossfire.  The trinket should be 
valued at less than or equal to the registration fee of 
Crossfire plus shipping costs.  There is no minimum value 
requirement; use your own discretion.  Please enclose your 
the CIS address to which the source code should be sent.  
A CIS EMail address is required.

This arrangement has worked well for certain European 
customers thus far, and we hope this helps your decision to 
register Crossfire and receive the source code.


SUPPORT FOR CROSSFIRE

Support for Crossfire is provided exclusively on Compuserve with
very few exceptions.  If you have an emergency such as a problem
occurring at a critical time, for instance while at a client's site,
telephone support is available at the number listed below. 
Black Forest Software Corporation is sensitive to the issues of
customer service and is very sympathetic to the plight of the
developer under fire.  Due to the extremely low cost of the
software, the client must bear the burden of the telephone charges
for emergency support.  


BLACK FOREST SOFTWARE CORPORATION

Black Forest Software Corporation is a custom application
development firm in the Washington DC metropolitan area,
specializing in LAN-based, Windows and DOS software 
development.  Our client base is international, and inquiries
about are services are sincerely welcomed.

Black Forest Software Corporation
3618 Wharf Lane
Triangle, VA  22172
Tel. (703)221-2372


THANK YOU AND ENJOY THE PRODUCT!

                -- Dan Martini