
***  Welcome to Dnote 2.2 ***

This text file describes some of the new features in Dnote.


# What is Dnote ?
---------------------------
Dnote is a text editor I originally developed for myself, 
because I couldn't find anything that let me browse, view 
and edit lots of files quickly. I was always in Explorer 
looking for files, then opening, editing, saving and then 
closing each file one at a time. It was becoming a real pain. 
Especially when the files are spread across multiple directories.

The core feature of Dnote its that all your commonly used paths
are right on the screen. Click on a path and a list of its files are
shown. Click on the file to view / edit it. It is a VERY FAST way
to work. If you are confident you can turn on Autosave which 
lets you work even faster  (Not recommended if you are doing 
mass changes from the Format or Tools window and you have 
the 'Output to Scrap Paper'  turned off.

# Autocontents
--------------------
If you look in the bottom left hand corner of the screen, 
you will see a small listbox which some of the lines in 
this file. This is the Autocontents window. You can turn 
it on and off via the View menu, and it generates a list 
of 'contents' based on a few assumptions:

- Functions: the first word in a line is a programming function 
header (eg int, Public, bool, etc) These are coloured blue.

- Comments: the line is the start of a 'comment' according to 
programming languages or HTML files. (eg *, //, ', /*, && , # )
These lines are coloured green.

-  Headings: the line is the first line after a blank line. These are 
coloured black. Note that although this a very simple test 
to apply, it works quite well for most text documents, INI
files, logfiles, FAQs, etc.

- Logfiles: there is also an advanced option called 'Show Line 
Changes (for Logfiles)'. You can tell autocontents to add an 
entry for every line that is different to the previous line 
(based on the first 'x' characters.) E.g. For logfiles, turn on 
this oprion with a 'Width' of 8 to add a contents 
entry for each day of the logfile.

Click on the contents to jump to that line in the file 
(Note - if the lines are very wide, and you have 'wrap 
text' turned on you will have to double click to jump 
to the correct position, and in extreme cases of it 
will take you to a position 'near' the contents. If 
you turn off word wrapping, and it will jump to the exact 
position every time.


# Scrap Paper Window
----------------------------------------
These are like multiple clipboards. By default, all output 
from Dnotes 'formatting features' are sent to the scrap 
paper window, so that you can view the changes. A simple 
right mouse click can then send the contents of any scrap 
paper window to either the clipboard, or the Dnote window 
(make sure you are still in the same file though!). 

You can drag and drop multiple files into the Dnote window 
from Windows Explorer depending on the options menu 'Drag 
and Drop Pastes Text Only'. This features allows you 
to paste the links instead of the contents (it may be useful) 


# Browsing Path Lists
--------------------------------
The top left combo box on the Dnote screen has a list of 
your favourite pathlists. These are text files containing a 
list of directorys , e.g. C:\My Documents\
When you first install Dnote there are a couple of almost 
empty path lists which you can edit (right click the pathlist 
to add directories - or just edit the .PTH file in dnote!)
You can also choose to browse all pathlists (the first item 
on the list, or press F8 to toggle between the first 
pathlist and ALL directories)


# Saving in Multiple file formats
---------------------------------------------
You can switch between DOS, Unix and Mac format from the 
Format menu. In Dos and Unix format you will not notice any 
difference (except if you view the End of Line character by 
clicking on the status bar panel, or choosing 'View ASCII 
code in Status Bar' from the Options menu), but to edit MAC 
files, you should first convert to dos or unix mode, then 
edit the file, then save it back to MAC format.


# Special ASCII Character Support
-----------------------------------------------------
You can insert and replace special ASCII characters. These 
characters appear as '' and are not normally visible in 
text files. If you click on the status bar which shows you 
the current line you are working on, it will toggle between 
showing you the ASCII value of the current letter you are on.
What the hell does this mean? Normally - nothing very 
interesting, however there may be times you need to insert 
or change non text characters in a datafile.


# Support and Bug Reports
---------------------------------------
If you find a bug, PLEASE let me know by emailing 
djmurray@acutesoftware.com.au and I will fix it as soon as 
possible. Or you can visit the website at 
http://www.acutesoftware.com.au


# Benefits of the Registered version
----------------------------------------------------
The shareware version you are using will time out after 30 days.
If you register for $35 US you receive full support, and 
all updates for life - regardless of any future price increases. 
As a registered user, you suggestions for new features are TOP priority, 
and you will most likely see them in the next version (which you get for free).


# How to buy Dnote
-----------------------------
If you would like to buy the full version, simply go to our 
website at http://www.acutesoftware.com.au/order.html where you 
can purchase online with your credit card , or post a cheque/money order.

Thanks for reading - I hope you enjoy Dnote!
