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B64dCode Conversion Utility Version 2.4

A Little About B64dCode-----------------------

B64dCode (Base 64 Encode/Decode Utility) will decode MIME/Base 64 files backinto their original configuration or encode any other file type intoMIME/Base 64. MIME is an acronym for Multi-part Internet Mail Encoding, aspecification commonly used for Internet email attachments. Base 64 is acoding standard that allows 8-bit files (graphics, compressed files, wordprocessing documents, etc.) to be transported via Internet email.

B64dCode is a 32-bit program developed with Microsoft's Visual C++ Version2.0/4.0 and thus runs in the Windows 95 environment (it's untested in NT,but should also run in that environment). B64dCode will NOT run under DOSor in a 16-bit Windows 3.1 environment. It has NOT been tested in theWIN32S Windows 3.1 environment.

B64dCode does no checksum or hash accumulation or verification. Whendecoding a Base 64 file, any text or other extraneous data found in it isignored except for the file name. If more than one encoded document isstacked in one file, only the first will be processed.

If you have a multi-part Base 64 file, you can use a text editor to cut andpaste the multiple files into one. If you do this, you must be careful atthe point where they are joined. Any change in the encoded line size or thepresence of an equal sign ("=") within the encoded data will terminatedecoding.

The converted output file will be directed to the input file's directory bydefault. Unless you've activated the Auto Save option, you will be given theopportunity to change both the output file name and/or destination afterconversion via the standard "Save as" menu option.

When converting from Base 64, B64dCode attempts to determine the correctoutput file name and file type from the input data. If the file name cannotbe determined, it defaults to the input file name. If the file type cannotbe determined, a psudo extension of "001" is presented. The user isnotified when this occurs and given the option of saving or discarding thefile because the integrity of the converted file is probably suspect.

B64dCode supports command line initiation ("batch" mode) as well as Drag andDrop. Keep in mind, however, that when starting B64dCode from the commandline (or via Drag and Drop) the only way it can determine whether to Encodeor Decode is by the input file type extension. If you pass it a file withthe expected Base 64 file type extension (changeable via the ConfigurationOptions), B64dCode will assume you are DECODING. If you pass it a file with

any other file type extension, B64dCode will assume you're ENCODING.

CONFIGURATION OPTIONS---------------------

o AUTO SAVE: B64dCode can be configured to automatically save aconverted file (the default is OFF). The full path name of the saved filewill be shown to the user after processing ("interactive" mode) and the filewill be saved in the directory where the input file resides. This is alwaysthe default when executing B64dCode in "batch" mode.

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o AUTO PURGE: B64dCode can be configured to delete the Base 64 input

file after a successful conversion (the default is OFF). This will occurwith no user notification.

o AUTO LAUNCH: B64dCode can be configured to launch the applicationassociated with the converted file (the default is OFF). This is based onthe association between the target application and the file type extensionof the converted (Decoded) file. (Converted files with .EXE, .COM or .BATfile extensions are excluded for your protection.) The application to belaunched must exist in your WIN.INI file under the [Extensions] section witha matching file type extension. B64dCode will search your WIN.INI file,extract the application's path name and "spawn" the application.

o LINE SIZE: The default Base 64 line size (when creating a Base 64file) can be changed to any value between 60 and 80. It must, however, beevenly divisible by four. The initial default is 76. Smaller sizes willresult in larger Base 64 files because of the additional lines generated(extra CR/LF pairs).

o FILE EXTENSION: You can optionally change the default Base 64 filetype extension (the default is "B64") to any unused file type extension youchoose. The new extension must be valid and cannot already exist in yourWIN.INI file's [Extensions] section. If you change the file type extensionin B64dCode, be aware it will NOT change the system file association for thenew file type. B64dCode will NOT update your System Registry with the newfile type extension. If you wish to start B64dCode by double-clicking aBase 64 file while in Explorer, you must manually change the file typeassociation yourself from ".B64" to the new one via My Computer in theControl Panel/View/Options dialog then choose File Types from the propertysheet.

o B64dCode will remember it's window size and position from one sessionto the next. These parameters and the configuration options are maintainedin the B64DCODE.INI file residing in your C:\Windows directory. If thisfile is not present, B64dCode will create one.

INSTALLATION------------

Just unzip the B64DCODE.ZIP into whatever directory you wish (generallyC:\Windows) and create any shortcuts you desire on your Desktop or in theWindows 95 "Start Menu" folder. You can even put a shortcut to B64dCode inyour "Send To" folder and "send" a file to it from Explorer.

B64dCode will also "remember" the last directory used and will display on

the File menu the most recent four files you've converted (these aremaintained in the B64DCODE.INI file in your C:\Windows directory and in theSystem Registry).

If you wish, you may configure sound effects for B64dCode. It uses thefollowing system sound events: Asterisk, Question, Exclamation.

B64dCode requires MFC30D.DLL (this should be standard with Windows 95) inyour Windows directory in to order to function. When B64dCode is executedfor the first time, it will create it's own B64DCODE.INI file in yourC:\Windows directory.

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The B64DCODE.INI file contains the [Recent File List] entries for display onthe File menu along with the window settings and configuration options.

REGISTRATION------------

B64dCode is shareware, not freeware. Unlike many shareware products,however, it contains no ugly reminder screens or devious expiration dateschemes. There is nothing to stop you from continuing to use B64dCodefor free. You're on your honor. But if you're honest and you find B64dCodeuseful and you continue to use it, I would certainly appreciate acontribution of $10 (cheap) in cash, check or money order delivered to thefollowing address:

Warren A. SmethurstP.O. Box 2146Antioch, TN 37013-2146

If you have any problems with B64dCode or you would like to offer somesuggestions or comments you may reach me via Internet email atwarrens@concentric.net or you may visit my Web page athttp://www.concentric.net/~warrens/ and send me any comments or suggestionsdirectly from there.

LICENSE-------

You may use B64dCode freely on your computer system. You may distributeB64dCode freely on Online Services. You may NOT sell copies of B64dCode(i.e. disk vendors) without express permission from the author. You mayNOT decompile, reverse engineer, or modify B64dCode or its resources. Youmay NOT modify the B64DCODE.ZIP file or its contents.

WARRANTY--------

USE OF THIS PROGRAM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU AGREE BY USING THISPROGRAM TO HOLD HARMLESS THE AUTHOR, WARREN A. SMETHURST, AGAINST DAMAGESARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM. EVEN IF THE AUTHOR WAS NOTIFIED INADVANCE THAT SUCH DAMAGES MIGHT OCCUR.