
                       flipTech Presents
                       +-------------------------------+
                       |  V i s u a l   E n c o d e r  |
                       +-------------------------------+
                                            version 1.30


                     written by Gary C -=- flipino@visi.net

                        http://members.visi.net/~flipino


[1.1 > Introduction]

        Congradulations, you are the proud owner of a pirated (just kidding)
        copy of flipTech Visual Encoder for Windows 95.  This is one of the
        quickest and easiest programs with which to encode Mpeg1-Layer3
        audio files.  Why did I write it?  Well, a good quote comes to mind:

        "Necesity is the mother of invention."

[1.2 > Requirements]

        And speaking of necesity, here are the current requirements for this
        program...

        * Windows 95 -- just might help

        * Visual Basic 4 32-bit Runtimes -- available on my homepage (above)

        * L3ENC -- If you don't have this, what are you trying to acheive
                   with this program?  A simple web-search should do the
                   trick.

[1.3 > Pack Contents]

        * ENCODER.EXE, the good old executable.

        * ENCODER.TXT, what good is an executable without the documentation?
          Don't answer that.

        * FILE_ID.DIZ, what is a public-domain app without one of these?


[2.1 > What's New]

        1.30 - Changed the interface slightly.  You can now do sequential
               encoding instead of simultaneous.

        1.21 - Just a little interface facelift.  Nothing big.  Also removed
               the annoying "The Line" message you got in v1.20.

        1.20 - Gets around L3ENC's failure to support Long Filenames.
                   The program will now create a MP3 with the 8.3 format of
                   the original WAV filename.                  

        1.10 - Supports batch encoding.  Highlight the files you want to
                   encode, click the button and watch the L3Enc windows open
                   up.  Also, you can specify if you want the windows to
                   open up on your desktop or just in your start bar.

        1.01 - Bug fix.  Now keeps the INI file right where it is.  No
                   more floating INI files.

        1.00 - Premier release.  Supports all the vital functions you'll
                   need to have to encode using L3enc without ever typing
                   a thing in the DOS Prompt :)


[2.2 > StartUp]

        On first running the program, you will be greeted by a little message
        indicating that the INI file was not found.  Before you rush off to
        eMail me, please be assured that it does NOT come with an INI file--
        nor should it.  When you open the program, you will quickly find
        the place to SETUP the program *hint hint*.  After your first session
        the program will write the INI file and your Setup worries will be
        all over.

[2.3 > Usage]

        The program itself is pretty simple.  Here's a rundown on how to
        get the stuff done.

        2.3.1 - Navigation
                The interface is pretty simple and intuitive to get around
                in.  I'll leave it at that.

        2.3.2 - Selection
                Visual Encoder's filebox supports multiple selection so you
                can do *batch* operations in which you will be able to
                encode several files at once.

        2.3.3 - Options
                Clearly labeled.  If there are any questions regarding what
                they do, please refer to the L3ENC documentation.

        2.3.4 - Long Filenames
                A new feature in v1.20, if you had previously had problems
                with L3ENC trying to encode "alongfilename.wav," fret no more
                as I have implemented code to send L3ENC the 8.3 name,
                "alongf~1.wav" and thus, work around L3ENC's inability.
                However, there is a small drawback to our NT4 friends (see
                below)

[2.4 > Bugs]

        * The NT4 Bug.  Since NT4 (as I understand it) has no such thing as
          "DOS filenames" i.e. everything is a LFN, there is no way to encode
          a LFN name using this program or any other because L3ENC will not
          accept LFN's.  Until L3ENC recognizes LFN's, my only advice is to
          rename those WAV's to comply w/ the 8.3 format before encoding.

        ? Got any more bugs to report?  Please feel free to eMail me.


[3.1 > Closure]

        I, for one, this is a nifty little utility, and I hope you do too.
        There are a few little options I have left out of Visual Encoder
        due to their technical nature and that you would have to be some
        kind of sound-format genius to take advantage of them.  If you
        strongly believe I should implement those options, eMail me and
        let me know what you think.

        Happy encoding,
        
        Gary C.

        flipino@visi.net
        http://members.visi.net/~flipino
