    DDDD   X   X
    D   D  X   X      ** What is DX ?
    D   D   X X       ** Why is everyone talking about DX?
    D   D    X        ** What can DX do for me?
    D   D   X X       ** Who should download DX? Can I save the cost?
    D   D  X   X      ** What new features have been added to DX in v1.42?
    DDDD   X   X


This file serves several purposes. The size of DX scares many
people -- especially with the cost of downloading an unknown
program of this size. Don't be scared away! DX will probably
replace many of the small utilities you now use for directory
and file maintenance! This file is intended to answer the
above questions; to acquaint the new user to DX and to tell
the seasoned user what new features are available.

ABOUT DX:
===== ==
In it's simplest form, DX produces a double column directory
display that is fully compatible with DOS's DIR command.  DIR
gives you the volume name -- DX adds the date/time the volume was
created; DIR gives the file name, extension, size, date, and time
-- DX adds file attributes and (optionally) size allocated; DIR
gives you the number of files and free space -- DX adds the total
size, total allocated size, total size of the drive, and the
disk's cluster size (how much space is allocated at one time).

DX is "command" oriented. It is not a full-screen or menu driven
utility. Most users (especially "power" or technical users) will
agree that once they become familiar with a utility and the
options available, they prefer a simple, straight-forward
command-oriented user interface. There are currently 53 option
switches that are very simple to use and intuitively easy to
remember.

DX comes with a 56 page manual (DX.DOC) including detailed
descriptions of all options and many examples; a quick reference
guide; and a utility to print DX.DOC on a non-EPSON/IBM printer.

WILDCARDS and PATTERNS:
========= === ========
Many DOS commands accept wildcards ("*" and "?") to match a set
of files. DX uses the same wildcard characters but goes much
farther. You can use more than one "*" and put characters and
"?"s between and after "*"s. (The "?" matches any character; the
"*" matches 0 or more characters.)

  Examples: "*TEST"     Matches: "FILETEST", "XTEST" and "TEST".
            "?*TEST"             "FILETEST" and "XTEST".
            "*TEST*"             "FILETEST", "TEST1" and "ATEST2".
            "*.*S"               "TEST.PAS", "PROG.BAS" and "FILE.S".
            "A*Z"                "AZ" and "AFILEZ".

You can combine patterns -- both inclusion and exclusion -- to
form very complex patterns.

  Examples: ".COM+.PAS" Matches: "*.COM" and "*.PAS".
            "TEST;.COM"          "TEST.PAS" and "TEST.INC" but
                                 not "TEST.COM".
            ";.BAT;*TEMP*"       all files except "*.BAT" or any
                                 files containing the word "TEMP".

FEATURE SUMMARY:
======= =======
-  Batch file generation. DX can scan a disk and prepare a batch
   file to process all files that match the specification. DX
   can also automatically execute the batch file! Perform any
   task on any files automatically!!

-  Full path and hard disk support!

-  DX can search all directories, list all directory names,
   and test whether a set of files can fit on a different disk.

-  You can search any or all ARChives and LiBRaries using all of
   DX's pattern matching capabilities! Compare files inside an
   ARChive to files outside of an ARChive.

-  You can specify any single file attribute, set of file
   attributes, or any files that are not in a given set of
   attributes to display. See any hidden or system files.

-  You can select that only files between (or outside) of a
   range of file sizes, dates, and/or times should be displayed.

-  Have you ever gotten a new disk and wanted to know immediately
   what commands are available? An option on DX will display all
   ".COM", ".EXE", and ".BAT" files.

-  DX suppresses the annoying "." and ".." entries that are
   always present in directories.

-  DX can sort files by any combination of filename, extension,
   size, date, or time -- ascending or descending. Sort files within
   archives and libraries.

-  Delete files with or without verification.

-  Change file attributes with or without verification.

-  Produce a checksum of your files for data integrity checking.

-  DX has an extensive set of output formatting options --
   including colors, printer formatting, upper, lower or initial
   caps cases, and 12 or 24 hour time formats.

-  DX is fully customizable -- set your favorite switches once
   and they will always be used.

-  Produce a list of files to be processed by any other program.

-  Make decisions in batch files based on the ERRORLEVEL set by
   DX if files or disks exist or don't exist.

COMPU-SERVE users save money two ways!!
=========== ===== ==== ===== === ====
If these features sound interesting, download DXnnn.ARC and un-
archive with ARC 5.1 or ARCE 1.24 ... OR: AVOID THE COST of
downloading by sending a check directly to ECONO-SOFT! Compu-
Serve users even get a 15% discount off of the regular price of
$35 and a $3 discount off the postage and handling!! We offer a
no-questions asked, money-back guarantee if you don't like DX!
(That's because, we are convinced that you will find it the best
directory/file maintenance utility around!) To order directly,
send a check or money order for $29.75 plus $2 for postage and
handling (normal p&h is $5) to:

            ECONO-SOFT
            P.O. Box 40445
            San Antonio, TX 78229-1445
            (Texas residents add 6.125% tax => $33.70.)

Source code written in Turbo Pascal v3.00B is available for $100
plus $5 postage and handling (no discounts) when you sign a
non-disclosure agreement (included in DX.DOC).

Once you are a registered user, you get unlimited support! Either
write to the above address or send electronic MAIL on Compu-Serve
to [73267,1664]. You'll find that suggestions are often
implemented in future versions!

SHARE DX and EARN COMMISSIONS!
===== == === ==== ===========
When you register, you get the current version of DX with a special
control number registered to you. DX is shareware -- you are
encouraged to share DX with your friends. Encourage your friends to
register as well -- you get a 10% commission on all registrations
with your control number! (The commission is not available to
user groups or commercial bulletin boards.)

UPGRADES, SUGGESTIONS, and PROBLEM REPORTS:
========  ===========  === ======= =======
Upgrades are $10. If you report a problem or suggest a feature that
is implemented, you will receive a free upgrade. If you download an
upgrade from a bulletin board AND ARE A REGISTERED USER, you should
change the Control Number imbedded in DX so that you still receive
commissions. If you are not familiar with using DEBUG or a similar
program, contact ECONO-SOFT for assistance.

New Features Added in Version 1.4x:
=== ======== ===== == ======= ====
- ARChive and LiBRary processing -- scan the directory of one or all!
  Compare files within an ARChive to normal files. Sort files within
  archives and libraries.
- Special processing may be deferred until after the entire directory is
  scanned allowing /FSize tests to decide whether to /COPy, or /MOve.
- Added /NLines to specify when pauses and page breaks should occur.
- /REName files.

New Features Added in Version 1.3x:
=== ======== ===== == ======= ====
- Special processing is expanded to include copying, comparing, and moving
  files from one disk/directory to another. (/RDir works with /MOve.)
  Several verify options are offered including automatic compare after copy!
  Missing directories may be created automatically.
- Two new batch file template notations are added: '$(' and '$)' may be
  used to match the beginning or end of each directory.
- Two new sort criteria are added: sort by attributes and sort by files vs.
  directories.
- Cyclic Redundancy Checks may now be performed in addition to the simple
  checksum previously supplied (/CRC).
- "Go" option turns off verification in the middle of special processing.
- /COMPare is now 1.9 times faster! and unequal size is detected immediately.
- DX input may be continued onto subsequent lines.
- DX no longer reports incorrect statistics for "copy-protected" disks.
- /RUn switch now allows individual, immediate, one-line command execution
  (similar to batch generation) with verification.
- Special processing (/DELete, /FAttr, etc.) now allowed with /Totals.
- The current date/time is now added to /PRint-formatted output.
- A stop watch (/SWatch) is now offered to time operations -- it also
  reports what the DOS ERRORLEVEL is being set to.
- All known bugs fixed.
- The /DOt switch was removed to save space.

New Features Added in Version 1.20:
=== ======== ===== == ======= ====
- A bug in DOS can fail to detect a changed floppy disk -- DX now
  avoids this bug.
- "Path not found" is now distinguished from "File not found".
- When output is formatted for the printer, you can now specify
  what size (font) the output should be, how many columns of
  print you want, and left and right margins.
- Batch file generation can now include directory names.
- You can now specify colors by name as well as number.
- You can instruct DX to be /Quiet -- no informative messages
  will be flashed on the screen. Useful in batch generation.

New Features Added in Versions 1.10 & 1.11:
=== ======== ===== == ======== ==== = ====
- Volume date and time; highlight (or bold on printer) volume name
  and directory name.
- Performance under DOS 3.x improved 25-40%! 10-15% under DOS 2.x!
- Add number/label generation when generating batch files.
- Checksum algorithm is now 3.5 times faster!
- /RDir option to remove empty directories after deleting files.
- Option to display file contents when doing verified delete or change.
- Support for a temporary disk to use for batch files generated.

New Features Added in Versions 1.06 & 1.07:
=== ======== ===== == ======== ==== = ====
- Prevent batch generation from matching the batch file itself and
  DOS 2.x-style pipe files.
- Allow blinking message on when testing /FSize.
- Allow '=' in addition to ':' for switch values.
- Allow /INfo to be printed.

New Features Added in Versions 1.01 - 1.05:
=== ======== ===== == ======== ==== = ====
- Critical error handling (i.e. - Drive not ready...).
- Added ESCape to skip to statistics.
- Relative date handling: T=today, Y=yesterday, W=this week,
  M=this month, "nn" = a number of days ago.
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