* Formats that WhatFormat should recognize by the header
--- What is it: ---
-------------------
It's not always possible to see from a filename's extension what actual
format is used. Sometimes the same extension is used for different formats, one extension can be used for different versions or often a file simply has a wrong extension.
The first bytes of a file may contain information of what format is used. WhatFormat is a file analyser that looks at these bytes for signatures (magic numbers) and makes a guess of the format this file may have.
--- What do you need: ---
-------------------------
* At least a 486 PC.
* Windows 95/98 or NT4.0.
* msvbvm50.dll in your \windows\system directory.
--- How to install: ---
-----------------------
There are two releases of WhatFormat: a self-extracting executable 'wfsetup.exe' and as a ZIP-file 'wfsetup.zip'.
Installing wfsetup.exe:
* Be sure to have 'Msvbvm50.dll' in \windows\system. Note that just copying Msvbvm50.dll to this directory isn't enough, if you don't have this DLL you will have to download 'Msvbvm50.exe', which contains more files than just this DLL. You can find links to this self-extracting executable at my website http://www.xs4all.nl/~joz/index.html.
* Copy wfsetup.exe to a directory of your choice and start it.
* Run setup.exe in this directory and follow the instructions.
* When done, a shortcut to WhatFormat will be made in the Start-menu.
* You can also run wf.exe right from it's own dir, add it to your path, add a shortcut to the \Windows\SendTo dir, or whatever you like.
Installing wfsetup.zip:
* Be sure to have 'Msvbvm50.dll' in \windows\system. Note that just copying Msvbvm50.dll to this directory isn't enough, if you don't have this DLL you will have to download 'Msvbvm50.exe', which contains more files than just this DLL. You can find links to this self-extracting executable at my website http://www.xs4all.nl/~joz/index.html.
* Unzip wfsetup.zip to a directory of your choice.
* Run setup.exe in this directory and follow the instructions.
* When done, a shortcut to WhatFormat will be made in the Start-menu.
* You can also run wf.exe right from it's own dir, add it to your path, add a shortcut to the \Windows\SendTo dir, or whatever you like.
--- How to use: ---
-------------------
Start wf.exe or use it at a command line by typing:
wf [path]\filename.
You will see a window that looks somewhat similar as the
'file open' dialog-boxes that you are used using Windows. Click at a
filename and WhatFormat tries to identify the format that is used, by looking at the first bytes (header) of the file. If it recognizes it, it shows a description of the format together with a suggestion of the (some) extension(s) that the file should have. I've tried to put the most commonly used extensions at the front if it shows more than one.
It also looks at the filename's extension and if it knows it, it tells something about that extension.
By comparing the results of the 'header-' and the 'extensions' section, you should be able to identify the format (filetype) of the file. Note that the results given in the header section is mostly more reliable. At the other hand WhatFormat knows more extensions, because not every format can be recognized by the first bytes.
It also suggests some possible viewers, converters, etc. in the 'header' section. These suggestions are made by the 'header' part, the extension of the file doesn't play a part in this. It can also do a search on your harddrive for applications that you already have. Found applications will be shown in the button-bar in the first tab at the bottom for direct access. If you want to try this, use 'Search for Apps' in the 'File' menu, and follow the instructions. The search results will be saved in a file called 'Apps.dat' in the same dir as WhatFormat resides.
You must see the suggested applications as an aid for viewing a file, don't expect it to work allways... Some reasons why a application doesn't show a file is that maybe an application basicaly knows the format but not the specific 'subformat' or version of the file, crippled shareware, or a missing plug-in/helper/filter could be the cause. WhatFormat also doesn't check for the application's version number. In this case it could be smart to download the latest version of this application.
The applications that it knows are shown in the file 'Applicat.html', together with home-url's for downloading.
--- Disclaimer: ---
-------------------
I'm not responsible for any damage caused by WhatFormat on your PC (don't see how it can, but it could), so use it at your own risk.
--- What's it good for?! ---
----------------------------
Here are some usefull things that you can do with WhatFormat:
* It can be seen as a little util that may help you if you received a file from the Internet or wherever, and you don't know what it is, or how to open it. By looking at magic numbers (signatures) in the first bytes and at the filename extension, WhatFormat may tell something about this file, and if you're lucky it also suggests some possible viewers or converters. Home-urls for if you want to download a suggested application can be found in the file 'Applicat.html'.
* If WhatFormat recognizes the header of a file it often suggests some extensions this file may have. If you have problems opening this file with an application that should know this format, you can rename it with one of the other suggested extensions and try it again. I've tried to put the most commonly used extensions at the front. Of course it's (mostly) not a very smart idea to rename binaries (e.g. com, exe, bin, dll, vbx, etc.).
* Check if the 'header' description matches the 'extension' description. If it doesn't, this may explain why this file won't open in your favourite app. In such a case mostly the 'header' description is right, so renaming this file to a right extension would be the right thing to do.
* Check version numbers (if shown). E.g. if WhatFormat shows the 'Version needed' for a ZIP file as '2.xx' and the version of Pkunzip you use is '1.xx', there's a very good change it can't be extracted. In that case you should update Pkunzip.
* It may be interesting to use WhatFormat to try to examine these *.bak files or these *.chk or *._dd files made by respectively Chkdsk and Norton Disk Doctor.
* You can use WhatFormat for a quick preview of the most common Graphical formats.
* If WhatFormat doesn't recognize a file, there is still a good chance you can make your own conclusions by studying the 'First 128 bytes' tabs.
--- Registration: ---
---------------------
WhatFormat is freeware, but only for non-commercial users. If you are a commercial user, or use WhatFormat in a commercial organization, then you must register. Registration motivates me to make newer versions of WhatFormat.
A single user license costs USD $20, which entitles you to run WhatFormat on one computer inside your organisation.
You can pay by pressing 'Register' in the 'Help' menu. Registration is easy and there is a variety of payment options, including credit-cards and cheques. Your registration will be securily handled by the Kagi service at http://www.kagi.com/.
After I've received your details from Kagi, which should happen immediately after your payment, I'll send you a registration code by email, within about 4 business days. Now you can register your (or more, depending for how many licenses you've registered) copy of WhatFormat through the [Register] item in the [Help] menu, by filling in your name, or the name of your organization, and the registration code you reveived from me.
Thanks for considering to register :-)
What do you get when you register:
* A registration code, so you can register WhatFormat with your name, or the name of your company. This name will appear in the [About]-box in the [Help]-menu.
* Your registration is valid for any future version of WhatFormat.
* Peace of mind.
* You will be automatically notified when a newer version of WhatFormat appears.
--- More info: ---
------------------
The newest version can be downloaded from:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~joz/whatfmt.html
More extensions and some of their possible viewers at:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~joz/index.html
If you have any comments, tips etc. please e-mail me:
joz@xs4all.nl
⌐ 1998, 1999, J. Zwart
--- Formats that WhatFormat should recognize by the header: ---
