VEDIT E-mail Newsletter - Sep. 26, 2001 --------------------------------------- Table of Contents: * Overview * How to download and install 6.0 * New VEDIT PLUS 6.0 * File-selector and Tabbar * Auto-configuration based on file types or specific filenames * Multiple syntax highlighting schemes * Improved startup and installation * Fast, flexible, multi-key sorting * How to update to 6.0 * Planned enhancements * Software Subscription Plan (SSP) * New Findbestprices Network * User Conference on Website * "20 Years of VEDIT" on Website * From the President Overview -------- NOTE: In the actual e-mail newsletter, this section listed your ----- new serial-registration number if you were eligible for a free update to 5.21 or 6.0, or if you were on the Software Subscription Plan. The new VEDIT PLUS 6.0 has something for everyone. An Explorer-like file selector and tabbar make it easier to use, as does the auto- configuration based on filename extension or specific filenames. The powerful sorting outperforms even dedicated sorting programs. As always, the new VEDIT is exceptionally fast, compact and reliable. Picture of the new VEDIT: http://www.vedit.com/v600-pic1.htm For more information, please visit our Website. The file WHATSNEW.TXT is a short description of all enhancements since 5.00. The file VEDITLOG.TXT is a summary of all recent enhancements, changes and bug fixes. http://www.vedit.com ftp://ftp.vedit.com/pub/whatsnew.txt ftp://ftp.vedit.com/pub/veditlog.txt You can order the update on-line, download it and have VEDIT PLUS 6.0 running within about five minutes: http://www.vedit.com/u5xto60.htm You can also order (or renew) the Software Subscription Plan (SSP) on-line at: http://www.vedit.com/ssp.htm Or call us with your order or any questions at 1-800-458-3348. We hope to hear again from you soon. Sincerely, Ted Green. How to Download and Install 6.0 ------------------------------- You can download the new VEDIT PLUS from these links: ftp://vedit.com/pub/vpa-prod.exe (Windows and DOS version) ftp://vedit.com/pub/vpw-prod.exe (Windows version) ftp://vedit.com/pub/vpd-prod.exe (DOS version) The .EXE files are self-extracting "zip" files and are exceptionally easy to install. However, if you prefer .ZIP files, use these links: ftp://vedit.com/pub/vpw-prod.zip (Windows version) ftp://vedit.com/pub/vpd-prod.zip (DOS version) If you need instructions, please go to our download page: www.vedit.com/proddownload.htm#instructions IMPORTANT: Download these files into a temporary directory such as c:\temp. DO NOT download these files into your VEDIT directory, or the installation will fail. To activate the new version as the full product, you must enter your serial-registration number. If you do not have a number, or your support has expired, the new version will only run as a 30-day trial version. Contact us if you have lost your number. New VEDIT PLUS 6.0 ------------------ A quick look and you will immediately notice VEDIT's up-to-date Windows interface, including the new File-selector window and Tabbar. See it here: http://www.vedit.com/v600-pic1.htm Convenient new features include: * An optional multi-function Explorer-like window that can display the names of all open files, switch to any open file, open any file on your computer, re-open any recently edited file, and open any file that you added to your "favorites". * A tabbed view of all open files for easier file switching. Microsoft calls this a "Tabbed Document Interface" as found in FrontPage 2002 (tm). * Innovative auto-configuration as each file is opened, by file type (filename extension) or specific filename. Easily set the config options for any desired file type, e.g. for each .C, .HTML, .TXT file opened. * Support for multiple syntax highlighting and template editing files; this is part of the new auto-configuration. * Support for additional control keys including Ctrl-1 thru Ctrl-0, Ctrl+Shift-A thru Ctrl+Shift-Z, Ctrl-Shift-F1 thru Ctrl-Shift-F12, and Alt-Shift-F1 thru Alt-Shift-F12. * {FILE, Open (more), Quick open} and {FILE, Reload} functions. * {MISC, Wildfile wizard} makes the powerful WILDFILE macro easier to use. * Instantly record and play back keystrokes. * Completely up-to-date and expanded on-line help. Powerful new features include: * Simultaneously edit up to 100 files (it was previously 32). * Exceptionally fast and flexible sorting. Specify the key columns and up to 9 sub-keys, sort ascending/descending, flexible collate table specifies the sort order for special characters. Sort 100+ meg files in just a few minutes. * Improved comparison of all files in two directories with COMPDIR macro; optionally compares all files in the sub-directories too. * New macro language commands for the power user. * The greatly enhanced Dialog_Input() command creates programmable dialog boxes with radio buttons, check boxes, multiple input strings and supports multiple columns. Macros can now display almost any desired dialog box. * Macros can now save and restore (push and pop) the keyboard layout and entire window arrangement. As always, the new VEDIT is very compact and loads instantly. With the improved installation, updates can be installed in less than a minute with just a few clicks. VEDIT PLUS 6.0 is available as a 32-bit Windows version for Win95/98/ME/NT/2000 and as a DOS version. All updates include both the 32-bit Windows and DOS versions. (The DOS version does not have the new file-selector, tabbar, sorting and Dialog_Input command.) File-Selector and Tabbar ------------------------ The most noticeable new feature is the File-selector window on the left side. It contains four tabs. "Open" displays the currently open files; you can switch to any one by double-clicking it. "Fav" displays a list of up 100 of your favorite files; you can easily open any file, add to the list and delete from the list. "Rec" displays an expanded Most-Recently-Used (MRU) list of up to 100 files. "Xplor" is an "Explorer" from which you can open additional files. The tabbar displays a small tab for each open file; you can quickly see which files are open and switch to any file by clicking on the corresponding tab. The name on the tab includes a "*" for modified files. You can enable/disable the file-selector and the tabbar in the [VIEW} menu. Auto-configuration Based on File Types or Specific Filenames ------------------------------------------------------------ VEDIT previously had rudimentary file-open configuration which configured VEDIT based on the filename extension, such as .TXT, .C, .HTML, etc. However, setup required complex editing of the STARTUP.VDM file and only one color syntax highlighting scheme was supported. The new File-open configuration is trivially easy to use, supports any desired number of filename extensions and also supports specific filenames. It supports multiple syntax highlighting and template editing schemes. You may find this to be the most useful new feature in VEDIT. For example, you can easily configure VEDIT to enable word wrap and set a right margin of 70 whenever a .TXT file is opened. Furthermore, you can even have specific filenames, such as "mynotes.txt", configured differently, e.g. with a right margin of 80. In short, to set up file-open configuration, first set all {CONFIG} parameters as desired and optionally load the desired color syntax highlighting and template editing files. Then select the new item {CONFIG, File-open config, Save filename extension} or {CONFIG, File-open config, Save filename specific}. These items save small config files in the new .\vedit\file-cfg directory. Each file opened is then auto-configured according to the last saved settings for that specific filename or filename extension. Multiple Syntax Highlighting Schemes ------------------------------------ One of the most requested features, VEDIT 6.0 now supports multiple color syntax highlighting schemes and template editing macros. If you are simultaneously editing C, Pascal and HTML files, each can have the appropriate color syntax highlighting. Syntax highlighting is usually loaded automatically by the new file-open configuration. It can be manually loaded from the {MISC} menu. VEDIT now loads the corresponding .SYN files as needed; if you open twenty .C files, the corresponding C.SYN file is loaded only once. VEDIT now has color syntax highlighting for Basic, C, Clipper, Cobol, Dataflex, Folio, Java, Masm, MySQL, Pascal, Perl, Rexx, SAS, SQL, Stata, Systat, Tasm, TCL/TK, VHDL, XML, 6809 and 68000. Improved Startup and Installation --------------------------------- Previously, many users edited the STARTUP.VDM to set up file-open configuration and force any desired configuration settings and keystroke macros. This caused problems when new versions needed a new STARTUP.VDM file. This has been solved in 6.0. As described above, file-open configuration settings are no longer saved in the STARTUP.VDM file. A new USTARTUP.VDM file is now used to force any desired configuration settings and keystroke macros. Therefore, most users will never need (or want) to change the STARTUP.VDM file. While the installation of a new version will overwrite (after saving) the STARTUP.VDM file, it will not overwrite the USTARTUP.VDM file. VEDIT's installation now uses Windows standard ".CAB" files. This solves the occasional, but stubborn, installation problems some users had. Updates can now be quickly installed with just a few clicks of the mouse. Fast, Flexible, Multi-key Sorting --------------------------------- VEDIT can now sort even the largest files according to a primary key (field) and up to nine secondary keys. For example, you could sort a file by Zipcode in columns 40-49, and within a Zipcode, by the Lastname in columns 20-39 and the Firstname in columns 1-19. An entire file or just the lines (records) in a highlighted block can be sorted. The primary key can be specified by highlighting the columns. Options include ascending/descending, case sensitive, and disabling the current collate table. A collate table is normally used to set the sort order of special characters. For example, the default table equates spaces and tab characters, and sorts European characters, such as "u umlaut" immediately after "u". Several collate tables are supplied and can easily be user modified to handle any language, character set (code page) and special needs. The new sort is exceptionally fast, running more than twice as fast on huge 100+ megabytes files as other sorting programs. And about 100 times faster than any previous VEDIT. (Tom Burt worked off and on for 1-1/2 years implementing the recursive sort-merge algorithm.) How to Update to 6.0 -------------------- The update price to VEDIT PLUS 6.0 from any older version is $59 for a download; a CD-ROM is $4 more. We do not recommend ordering printed manuals at this time because only older 5.2 manuals are currently available. Version 6.0 manuals will be available as .PDF files in December and in printed form one month later. Please note that the on-line help is expanded and completely up-to-date. The update price includes the Windows and DOS version of VEDIT PLUS, 3 months of support and additional updates which are released during the 3 months. Alternatively, you can purchase the update and the Software Subscription Plan (SSP) together for just $99. The SSP is described in detail later; in brief, the SSP includes: * A minimum of 18 months of support and updates. * VEDIT PLUS 7.0. * You will be able to download all minor and major updates for 18 months, or until VEDIT+ 7.0 is released, whichever is longer. You can order your update (with or without SSP) in several ways: * Our Website includes secure on-line ordering and immediate downloading. To order an update to 6.0, go to: http://www.vedit.com/u5xto60.htm ==> The order system will immediately email you instructions and a serial-registration number. You can have VEDIT+ 6.0 running in just 5 minutes from now! * Complete this order form and fax it to (734) 996-1308. * Call us at 1-800-458-3348 or (734) 996-1300. * Complete this order form and e-mail it to sales@vedit.com. If desired, you can protect your credit card number by including only half of it in one e-mail message. Then send a second e-mail message with the 2nd half and the expiration date. ------------------------- ORDER FORM --------------------------- [ ] Update to VEDIT PLUS 6.0 (download) $59 Includes 3 months of support and updates (No shipping charges, or $4 for CD-ROM) [ ] Update to VEDIT PLUS 6.0 (with manuals) $69 Includes CD-ROM and (older ver. 5.2) printed manuals (Shipping: US $6, Canada $12, Overseas $35) [ ] Update to VEDIT PLUS 6.0 with SSP (download) $99 SSP includes (minimum) 18 months of support and updates. (All updates thru at least 7.0.) (No shipping charges, or $4 for CD-ROM.) [ ] Update to VEDIT PLUS 6.0 with SSP (with manuals) $109 Includes CD-ROM and (older ver. 5.2) printed manuals SSP includes (minimum) 18 months of support and updates. (All updates thru at least 7.0.) (Shipping: US $6, Canada $12, Overseas $35) [ ] Software Subscription Plan (download) $59 (Must already have VEDIT PLUS 6.0) SSP includes (minimum) 18 months of support and updates. (All updates thru at least 7.0.) (No shipping charges, or $4 for CD-ROM) Subtotal ______ Michigan residents please add 6% sales tax ______ Shipping (Shipping costs listed above) ______ ($4 for just a CD-ROM) Total ______ Please enter your address and payment info: Name: ______________________________________________________ Company: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City,State,Zip: ____________________________________________ Telephone: _________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________ Credit card #: _____________________________________________ (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) Expiration date: ________________ Name on card: ______________________________________________ Notes: We will e-mail you the new serial-registration-number as soon as we receive your order. (This is automatic for on-line orders.) VEDIT+ 5.2 Manuals available as Adobe Acrobat .pdf -------------------------------------------------- The VEDIT PLUS 5.2 manuals can be downloaded from our Website as .PDF files. (They are also "zipped".) NOTE: If you download the vpa-prod.exe file, these .PDF files are included and the installation will add them to the VEDIT program group. VEDIT User's Manual: ftp://ftp.vedit.com/pub/vm-pdf.zip VEDIT+ Macro Language: ftp://ftp.vedit.com/pub/vpm-pdf.zip These manuals are actually only up-to-date through version 5.16, but are a big improvement over the 5.1 manuals and a huge improvement over the 5.0 manuals. We plan on having version 6.0 manuals available as .PDF files in December and in printed form one month later. Please note that the on-line help is expanded and completely up-to-date. Planned Enhancements -------------------- The priority list (within next 3 months) includes: * Project support - ability to define which files make up a "project" and load all files as one group. The File-selector will have an additional tab for Projects. * More configurable toolbar buttons, including custom keystroke macros. * Easier way to associate common file types with VEDIT. * Progress bar to show VEDIT's progress when manipulating huge files. Planned enhancements for version 6.1 include: * "Splitter" windows for a Windows-standard way of splitting a window into two views. (MS Word tm has a vertical splitter window.) * Enhanced macro language with symbolic names for numeric and string variables. (Don't worry, we are not radically changing the macro language; 5.x macros will still work.) * Macro language "pre-processing" for faster execution. (It is already partly implemented, but not yet ready for release.) * Add a "Search all buffers" option to the standard search and replace dialog boxes. * A print preview that shows the page boundaries. * Color printing that corresponds to the color syntax highlighting. * Support for more colors within VEDIT. * Ability to directly copy/move blocks between files without using a text register. Blocks can be of any size. * Improved huge file editing performance. Larger portions of huge files will be held in memory. Jumps to any part of the file will be instantaneous. * Support for much larger text registers, perhaps even of unlimited size. * Improved file comparison with better re-synchronization. Planned enhancements for VEDIT PLUS 6.2 - 7.0 include: * Auto-compiling of macros for faster execution. * Built-in "ftp" support so that you can directly edit any file on the Internet that you have read/write access to. * Telnet version of VEDIT for Windows Internet servers. This way you can edit even huge remote files without having to transfer them over the Internet. * Custom menu system - you will be able to configure the entire menu system. Delete any unused functions and add as many new functions and sub-menus as desired. * Full integration with our Website for automatic updates, access to FAQ, macro libraries, additional on-line help and more. Software Subscription Plan (SSP) -------------------------------- The least expensive way to benefit from our continuous VEDIT PLUS development is by purchasing the Software Subscription Plan (SSP). The SSP benefits currently include: * All updates (via downloading) for a minimum of 18 months. You can download and install updates at any time, without having to contact us. Our email newsletters will notify you of significant new versions; or check our Website. * VEDIT PLUS 7.0 is included. Therefore, your SSP runs for 18 months or thru 7.0, whichever is longer. * A CD-ROM can be ordered at any time for $4. The upcoming version 6.0 printed manuals will be available for $19 (plus shipping). * Free, unlimited (within reason) technical support during the SSP period. * Access to beta-test versions. This is the best way to influence the final product. You can purchase the update to 6.0 and the Software Subscription Plan together for only $99. (Save $19 over the separate prices.) The additional $40 for the SSP not only gets you future version 7.0, but also all intermediate updates and 18 months of technical support. If you now have 6.0, you can purchase (or renew) the SSP for only $59. We have always been very generous with our SSP since we started it back in 1982. (We may have even invented the idea.) For example, all SSPs purchased since 5.0 was released in 1997 have been extended to include 6.0. About half of our customers are currently enrolled in the SSP and we greatly appreciate their support. New Findbestprices Network -------------------------- You can support us and VEDIT development by accessing popular Websites such as Amazon.com, Dell.com, Buy.com, PCMall.com and IBM.com from our home page. When you click on these links and then purchase on-line from these companies, we receive a percentage of your purchase as a commission; it is typically 4% for books and 1% for hardware. The price to you is the same; sometimes it is even less when companies make specials available only through these links. Additionally, we have an entire Website of such affiliates covering travel, movies, gifts, health, etc. You can access them from the "FindBestPrices Network" link on our Website or directly at: www.findbestprices.net As always, our Websites do not track or collect any information about you. We hope that instead of going directly to e.g. amazon.com, that you first go to vedit.com and then click on Amazon's logo link. We will let you know how it works for us. Thank you! User Conference on Website -------------------------- The User Conference has been running on our Website for over two years now and includes useful application notes and many macros submitted by other users. We encourage all users to join; it is a great way to interact, share ideas, download useful macros and get help during off-hours. Topics include tech support, suggestions, applications, macro library and classified ads. You can access it via the "User Discussion" link on our Website or directly at: http://webboard.dundee.net:8080/~vedit The conference uses the popular WebBoard software with its easy-to-use Explorer-like interface. One great feature is that you can participate in any desired topics via e-mail. (We don't share your e-mail address with anyone!) "20 Years of VEDIT" on Website ------------------------------ Long time users may enjoy the "20 Years of VEDIT" section on our Website. It includes old magazine ads and an honest summary of each year's problems and accomplishments. From the President ------------------ It's been a very busy 12 months since our last e-mail newsletter. Due to the new staff hired last year, Tom Burt and I had much more time for our favorite (work) activity - VEDIT development. The result is the new VEDIT PLUS 6.0, which I am confident you will be as pleased with as I am. Personally, I still ride my bicycle about 6000 miles a year, while our younger daughter decides on which college to attend next fall. One of the big goals achieved in the new VEDIT PLUS was to make it easier to install, use and configure. I especially wanted updates to install quickly and not upset any configuration settings. This required moving all optional config settings out of the STARTUP.VDM file. After my non-technical wife kept complaining that she couldn't get VEDIT to open .TXT files with a right margin, I implemented the new file-open configuration scheme. You'll find it easier to use than reading my explanation of it! The best part is that each file you commonly edit can now have its own configuration settings. The new sorting is so powerful that we will start emphasizing it in our marketing. Since the sorting uses up to 22 temporary files, we increased the number of files that VEDIT can simultaneously edit from 32 to 99. To better manage so many files, we implemented the new File-selector and tabbar. (They also look good and make a good first impression.) You can also add up to 100 files to your "Favorites" within VEDIT. We will implement "Projects" very soon; this will let you open groups of files with one click. About half of our business now involves EBCDIC (mainframe) data conversion software and services. For more information about this, go to: http://www.vedit.com/ebcdic.htm Many of these customers are asking us to implement support for files larger than 2 Gigabytes! We will send out a detailed newsletter to our EBCDIC software customers next month. A priority for the next few months is completing new printed manuals for version 6. The goal is to rewrite all doco in XML and then use different XSL scripts to generate either printed manuals (PDF), on-line help or HTML. We recently changed our on-line ordering to use the "CoolCart" shopping cart. (www.coolcart.com). It was very easy to implement and customers find it easy to use. With Coolcart you are no longer locked into your hosting company's shopping cart. Coolcart responds promptly to email, and they even called me to answer my questions. Highly recommended. After a very good 1999, 2000 was Greenview's best year ever financially and 2001 is likely to exceed that. This means that VEDIT development will continue for the foreseeable future, although I won't promise for another 21 years. Two recent hires Barbara Behling and Jami Clawson will be happy to help you with any customer service related issues. As always, I am easy to reach and will be happy to discuss any VEDIT related issues with you. Well, that pretty much brings you up-to-date with things here. Thank you again for your support. Sincerely, Ted Green