Welcome to Zipper! 1.0

Get the MOST CURRENT version from my website:
	http://users.vnet.net/ashman/zipper


Intro and Errata.

This software is COPYRIGHT 1997 Ashley R. Bowers.  It is not Public Domain,
but you can use it freely, and give it away, as long as you preserve the
entire archive as is AND you do not distribute any changes that you might
make.  However, changes may be distributed as separate files, as long as
no changes are made to the base code (note...personal.tcl and the rc files 
are acceptable...no others).


Zipper is a IRC client written primarily in TCL/TK and with a little help
from "C" every now and then.  Zipper was started by me as project to help
me learn TCL/Tk and also because i wanted an IRC client for X-windows that
worked the way I wanted it too.  It is not intended to compete with the
existing clients, but rather as an alternative.


Zipper currently is now has quite a bit functionality and is very
usable as an IRC client.  There are still bugs present, but as a whole
the client is very stable.  Remember, this is ALPHA software.  There are NO 
warranties either expressed or implied!  


Anyone that would like to tackle some of the bugs that you may encounter,
feel free to do so, but please email me with the fix so that it can be 
incorporated into the distribution.  Full credit for working fixes and
useful additions that are added to the archive will be given.


Installation

Installing Zipper! is a simple matter.  Download the most current 
version of the software (currently all version are named zippera1.tgz).
Untar the archive (using tar -tzf zippera1.tgz or something similar) into
an appropriate place.  Next either cd into the new directory or add it
to your path.  Run the installrc program.  Then run the zippersetup program.
Finally, type zipper.


Zipper!

Ok, you are probably asking by now what Zipper! stands for.  Well to 
answer that question in one word: Nothing.  I needed a name, a cute 
catchy name, and Zipper! stuck in my head.  It seems like there are
ton of other IRC clients that want to be cute and have "irc" somewhere
in there name.  Well not so here!!  :)

Zipper uses a simple point click and type interface.  It functions in a 
similar fashion the windows clients mIRC and Pirch.  Currently only single
server connections are supported, although it is possible to clone
multiple client processes.

Zipper has working notify, ignore, events, ctcps, user lists, dcc chat, dcc 
send and receive, and a variety of useful irc commands (see customrc for 
currently supported commands).  The standard ircII slash ("/") command syntax 
is/will be supported.


Coming soon 

BETTER HELP :)  
I will be adding more server message support and more IRCII commands.  
More stuff as i think of it
Bug Fixes.


Current Features

Please see the file FEATURES for this information.



End Stuff


Well, i know this program is not as good as it could be and has a number
of annoying problems which will hopefully be fixed.  But use it and enjoy
it if you can, and let me know if you like it, or what might make it better,
or if there is just something you really don't like about it.

I want honest criticism, both good and bad, but please don't flame the program.
Send those to alt.flame, or /dev/null.


Thanks a Bunch!

Ash Bowers
wolfie@vnet.net