WinXs Version 2.1a Copyright (C) 1997 Mick Meaden Software Online Limited All Rights Reserved INTRODUCTION WinXs for Windows is a shareware program that provides UNIX-like tool functionality under Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 and Windows NT. To run WinXs, you will need a 486-based PC (or later), at least 4mb of main memory and 2.0 mb of disk space to install the 16-bit ver- sion, or 8mb of main memory and approximately 3.5mb of disk space to install the 32-bit version. WinXs comes in 16-bit and 32-bit versions. The 16-bit ver- sion will run on Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups or Win- dows 95; the 32-bit version will only run on Windows 95 and Windows NT. The two versions are functionally identical, albeit that for integration with Explorer, or to take advan- tage of long filenames and pre-emptive scheduling on Windows 95/NT, you will need to run the 32-bit version. CONTENTS WinXs for Windows is a suite of programs that brings Unix- style tool functionality to the Windows platform. This ver- sion of the program runs on Windows 3.1, Windows for Work- groups, Windows 95 or Windows NT, and consists of a series of 40 popular file and text utility commands and utility applets. Access and implement them using the menu bar in the Windows File Manager, or the Explorer and Taskbar in Windows 95/NT. The distribution includes cat, cmp, col, compress, cp, csplit, df, diff, dircmp, dos2unix, du, expand, file, find, fmt, fold, grep, hd, head, ls, man, more, mv, nl, od, pax, pg, pr, rm, sed, sort, split, strings, tail, tee, touch, tr, uncompress, unix2dos, uuen- code, uudecode, wc, whence and others. See the file "winxs.txt" for more information. INSTALLING WINXS To install WinXs on your system, do the following: 1. Create a directory to hold the installation (e.g., c:\winxs). 2. Unzip the distribution file (winxs16.zip or winxs32.zip) into the above directory. Note that the directory structure of the ZIP file should be preserved. If you are using PKUNZIP, this can be done by using the -d option as follows: pkunzip -d winxs32.zip If you are using WINZIP, ensure the Use Folder Names option is checked in the Extract dialog box. Other ZIP tools should provide a similar facility. 3. Run the WinXs setup program (SETUP.EXE), which is located in your installation directory. This will add Win&Xs to the File Manager menu bar, add the WinXs shell to Explorer context menus (32-bit version only), associate a text editor for use from File Manager and the WinXs shell, and allow configuration of other options present in this version of the product. SETUP.EXE can be re-run at any time to change these options. NOTE. If File Manager is running when setup is executed, it must be stopped and restarted before changes affecting File Manager (e.g., adding WinXs to the menu bar) can take effect. The SETUP.EXE program can be run at any stage to complete the installation process, or not at all. CONFIGURING THE COMMAND LINE TOOLS Two types of tool are delivered with WinXs: i. Windows based tools. These are available from the WinXs shell and File Manager. ii. Command line tools. These are used at the command prompt. The WinXs command line tools are made available by adding the appropriate WinXs directory to your environment search path. This can be done by adding or modifying a call to the PATH command in the autoexec.bat file as follows: PATH c:\winxs\bin;c:\windows;c:\dos This identifies three directories that will be searched automatically when entering a command at the command prompt, namely: 1. c:\winxs\bin 2. c:\windows 3. c:\dos The exact nature of this command will vary from system to system, so you should check your current setting before mak- ing any changes. Note that "winxs" in the above example is the name of the directory where you installed WinXs. The command line tools are located in the "bin" subdirectory below this directory. All WinXs commands line tools support an option -h, which causes the tool to display a brief synopsis and usage line. For more detailed information use the "man" command, which displays a reference manual page for the named command or commands (e.g., man man). Use "man -k -" to display a com- plete list of manual reference pages. UPGRADING A PREVIOUS VERSION OF WINXS Because this release updates the WinXs DLL, it is important to ensure that File Manager IS NOT running when you upgrade. Copy the ZIP file to your WinXs directory, unzip using pkun- zip, WinZip (or equivalent) and restart File Manager. Note also that the Version 2.1a Setup program must be run to make all the new facilities included in this release effective, though there is no need to change any options (i.e., simply run SETUP.EXE and click OK). UNINSTALLATION The uninstall process has been made as clean and simple as possible. Re-run the setup program and click the Uninstall button; this will undo all changes made to system files and remove any WinXs .ini files from your Windows directory. To complete the uninstall process, manually delete the WinXs installation directory and all its contents. REGISTRATION WinXs is a shareware program. It can be used for a period of up to 30 days free of charge, after which it must be removed from your system or a license fee of $30 dollars U.S. must be paid. Benefits of registration include: + Free product upgrades. + A key code which unlocks the following additional func- tionality: - Options can be saved from more. This includes font selections, tab settings, editor preference, and window position. The last of these, window position, also affects the hd utility. - Utilities that accept multiple input file names or patterns work correctly without displaying a nag screen, including cat, col, compress, dos2unix, expand, fmt, fold, grep, grex, gzip, gunzip, nl, pax, sed, strings, tail, tr, uncompress, unix2dos, wc and winxssh. - The AddOns Organizer can be used to add, remove or edit items on the AddOns menu in the WinXs Shell (32-bit version only). + A copy of the WinXs User Reference Manual will be sent by email. This document is distributed in Microsoft Word format and is the definitive guide to using the various WinXs utilities. WinXs can be registered in a number of ways, as follows: By email or fax. Run the file REGISTER.EXE located in your WinXs installation directory. This will display a form that you should fill in and then email, fax or post to the indicated address. Visa, Master Card, American Express and First Virtual payments are accepted by the registration program. By Compuserve. GO SWREG. The registration ID for WinXs is 7400. Direct ordering. Direct ordering can be made by using the order form in file REGISTER.TXT. Your registration number and a copy of the WinXs User Refer- ence Manual will be emailed to you immediately on receipt of registration (if possible), or will be sent to you by return of post. As a registered user of WinXs, you will be notified about future product updates as soon as they become avail- able. You can download these free of any additional software charges. REPORTING PROBLEMS If you have any problems with WinXs, or if you have any queries or comments, please send email to the following address: 100345.2641@compuserve.com If you do not have access to email, then write to the address given in the file REGISTER.TXT. All support issues and queries will be dealt with as quickly as possible.