
        #################################
        ###                           ###
        ###         DBackup 2.1       ###
        ###                           ###
        ###  (C) Copyright 1998-1998  ###
        ###                           ###
        ###    by Gianpaolo Perego    ###
        ###                           ###
        ###    g.perego@flashnet.it   ###
        ###                           ###
        #################################


Last update: 27/05/1999 
  
Summary:

1) Distribution informations
2) What about it ?
3) Who is intended to ?
4) How to use it ?
5) Licence and Registration
6) Contact the author !
7) Referencies

=======================================================================

1) DISTRIBUTION INFORMATIONS

The whole package includes the following files: 

    File           Description
   ---------------------------------------------------
    DBackup.exe    Main executable
    Zipdll.dll     ZIP compression library 1
    Unzdll.dll     ZIP compression library 2
    Readme.txt     Text documentation
    Regform.txt    Registration form
    index.html     HTML documentation
    dbackup.gif    HTML documentation file
    backg.gif      HTML documentation file

=======================================================================

2) WHAT ABOUT IT ?

DBackup is a program that makes easier and faster your data backup. The
files that are to be included in the backup are selected by their type,
not by their name. Therefore all the unnecessary files are skipped and,
furthermore, the backup automatically supports new files addition.

The main features of DBackup are as follows: 

 - It allows you to filter only the important files with use of
   appropriate filters.

 - It supports subfolders recursion.

 - An easy user interface shows all your backup as icons and lets you
   start them simply by a double click.

 - It's always possible to check list of files that will be included in
   the next backup operation.

 - The destination archive is a ZIP-compatible file and can be placed
   on any support.

 - You can choose some predefined file type groups from a library, to
   automatically select all the files supported by specific application.
   At the moment the main Windows development tools are supported.

=======================================================================

3) WHO IS INTENDED TO ?

DBackup is intended to all the PC users which need to make frequent
backup operations. Often not all the files contained in a folder have
to be saved, but only a part of them. For example, a programmer may
need to backup only the source files contained in a folder and not all
the compiler support files (i.e. object modules and other very big files).
But also a common user may need to backup only a type of documents
(i.e. documents with extension ".doc" or with name "work*.*") contained
in a folder.

If you can select only the important files the backup operation becomes
faster and cleaner.

=======================================================================

4) HOW TO USE IT ?

Breaf guide to the first backup.

 - Double click the "NewArchive" icon: the backup definition window
   pops up.

 - In the "Folders selection" frame click on the "Add" button and
   select a folder containing files to backup. If you want to select
   files also in the subfolders, then click on the "Subfolders" column
   (a cross appears).

 - In the "Files selection" frame enter a valid file filter in the
   "Type a filter..." field, i.e. a file name with valid DOS wildcards
   (i.e. *.cpp, docum?.doc, source?.c*, ...) and click on the "Add"
   button. Add some other filters if necessary. You may also click on
   the "Add single files" to select one or more files by name, or
   select an application in the "Library" frame and click on the "Add
   from library" button to automatically include the file types
   supported by that application.

 - Now you may add another folder and repeat the previous steps.

 - Click on the "Destination" tab and select the drive, the path and
   the name of the ZIP archive that will contain the archived files.

 - Click on the "Check" tab and check the list of all the files that
   will be included in the backup.

 - Click on the "OK" button. 

Now you can see a new icon that represent the ZIP archive. To start
the backup, from now on, you just have to double click on the icon.
You will notice the details of the started operation appearing in the
log-frame, at the bottom of the DBackup window.

If you want to recover all the files saved in a backup archive, you
have to start a restore operation. Just click on the desired icon and
press the Restore button in the toobar (you can also use the popup
menu that appears if you right-click on a icon). Be careful: if you
answer "yes" to the confirm request, the files extraxted from the
archive will overwrite the files possibly present on the hard-disk.

The recover operation.

If you want to recover all the files saved in a backup archive, you
simply will have to start a restore operation. Just click on the
desired icon and press the "Restore" button in the toolbar (you can
also use the popup menu that appears if you right-click on an icon).
Attention: if you answer "yes" to the confirmation request, the files
extracted from the archive will overwrite the ones eventually present
on the hard disk. 

The working directory.

DBackup represents each backup not only with an icon but also with a
.dbk file used to describe the backup properties. All the .dbk files
are saved into the current directory, said the "working directory".
If you want to create or to find .dbk files in other directories, you
have to change the working directory with the control in the left side
of the DBackup window. All the .dbk files found in the new directory
are displayed as icons, like in the DBackup startup.
So you can work in two ways: 

1) Keeping all the .dbk files together and easily starting all the
   backups from the same window

2) Placing the .dbk files in different directories and changing the
   working directory every time you need.

The backup archives. 

Each backup operation put the files in PkZip 2.04g compatible
compressed archives. You can open these archives with any other
ZIP-compatible software (i.e. WinZip). Remember that DBackup inserts
files in the compressed archive with their root relative pathname
(i.e. the file c:\prog\myprog.c is saved as prog\myprog.c).   

=======================================================================

5) LICENCE AND REGISTRATION

DBackup is a shareware program. It can be freely copied and distributed,
provided that the package integrity is not altered in any way. No file
can be modified without the explicit authorization of the author.

Warning.

According to the current laws, the author will NOT be responsible in
any way for any damage (including, exemplifying but not excluding it,
direct damages caused by loss of commercial profits, interruption of
commercial relationships, loss of commercial information or any other
commercial loss) coming from correct or improper use of the present
product.

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.

Registering.

DBackup is a shareware program. If you find it useful you must
register sending $15 (US dollars) or 30.000 italian lire to the
author, to encourage further developments. You will receive by E-mail
a copy of the latest verions personalized with your name and without
the registration prompt window.
To registrate, please fill up the registration form (see regform.txt)
and mail it together with the requested amount (only cash, please) to:

   Gianpaolo Perego
   via Fossigalli, 3
   10015 Ivrea (TO)
   Italy

=======================================================================

6) CONTACT THE AUTHOR !

To make critics, appreciations, suggestions, comments...
To notify bugs and other problems...
To suggest ideas and new features...
To know more on the program...
For any other reason concerning DBackup...

Don't hesitate and... WRITE ME !

My E-mail is:   g.perego@flashnet.it. 

I will be glad to reply !

Thanks. 

=======================================================================

7) REFERENCIES

DBackup has been developed in Borland C++ Builder using the free
TZipBuilder VCL component. You can find TZipBuilder at the Delphi Super
Page (http://www.programmers.net/mirrors/DSP/). The zipdll.dll and
unzipdll.dll libraries are based on the InfoZip Official Freeware
Zip/Unzip source code (http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip/).

