TCReader 1.8

The compression idea originally came from Ian Young who worked up a version
for VR (if you want a copy of his source let me know.) I adapted and
enhanced his code so texts can be compressed in about 5-10 minutes rather
then hours on a single file.

þ TCReader (Text Compression for Reader) is a DOS program that converts plain
text files into a compressed format that Reader understands.  The shareware
version is compiled for a 286 when you register I will send out a 386
version.  If your machine is less capable let me know and I will send you a
revised program.  A Macintosh version will soon be available after I get a
chance to review it and I hope to support other platforms as well so what ever
your needs are let me know and I will try and get something to you.

Note: TCReader also exists for Acron's Archimedes and Linux write for more
info.

To use type:
 TCReader filename

And the original file well be converted to a compressed file (same name.)
If you wish to preserve the original file use TCReader like:
 TCReader infile outfile

And the compressed file will be the name you selected as the outfile.


þ Or under Windows you can setup an association.  Since most people prefer to
leave the TXT association to call up Notepad you can use TCR extension (you
will need the TCR.als installed on your Psion.) The steps involved in setting
up are:
 Rename a file to compress to have a TCR extension.
 Set up an association in File Manager or Norton Desktop so TCR will call
  TCReader.exe.
Now all you have to do is rename a file to have a TCR extension and then
double click. File Manager or Norton desk top will then launch TCReader and
generally in a few moments return to Windows with the file now about 50%
smaller.

þ Under Windows 95 you can also copy TCREADER.EXE and UNTCR.EXE to your
\WINDOWS\COMMAND directory - this makes the programs automatically available
as commands on the command-line when using a DOS window.

You can always restore the original with:
 UnTCR infile [outfile]

The out file name being optional (like TCReader) if you do not want the
original over written.

þ Note: TCReader uses temporary files with numbers for names (corresponding to
the number of passes.) So make sure your current directory is clear of files
with names like "1", "2", "3" ...

Reader will automatically detect a compressed file so there is no need to
distinguish compressed files from normal files.

þ DOS Wild cards - You can use DOS wild cards for both TCReader and UnTCR.  If
the optional outfile is used with wild cards just the outfile extension is
used for the output file.  Examples:

 TCReader *.txt
or
 TCReader *.txt *.tcr

Note: Do to the way I'm handling wild cards the same file may come be come 
up more then once. This has no ill effects other then displaying a message 
that it has already been processed.

þ TCR alias

Also included is a alias (new file list) for TCR files. Install TCR.als and
files with a TCR extension in the \TXT\ directory will show up under this
icon.

þ Switches

I've worked a bit better compression ratio with this new version and it's
now the default. But I've added a couple of switches just in case the old
"speedy" version is important to any of you (not that the new version is
always that slow.) So if you want the old speed just add "++" to the end of
the command line:

 TCReader *.txt ++

There is an in-between speed that will sometimes get better compression and
it's just one plus "+":

 TCReader *.txt +

So if your inclined to play around a bit you may want to try this. In case
you forget you can always type "TCReader" without any arguments and a short
help screen will be displayed. Enjoy, -=Barry=-