                               JP Software

                               4NT v. 2.95

                  Pre-Release README.TXT -- May 27, 1997


Greetings, and thanks for trying this pre-release!

   PLEASE NOTE:  This file accompanies a pre-release software product
   (4DOS 5.95, 4NT 2.95, Take Command/16 1.95, or Take Command/32 1.95).
   These versions EXPIRE on July 31, 1997, as does your license to use
   them (for the full license, see LICENSE.TXT).  The software will warn
   you when expiration is getting close; once the pre-release has
   expired you will be subject to reminders and significant startup
   delays each time you use it.  You will be able to download a fully
   released copy (or an updated pre-release version) before expiration
   of this pre-release.

This file contains a variety of information you should read before using
the pre-release, including:

     Files Included with the Pre-Release
     Installation Instructions
     Technical Support
     Ordering the Final Release
     Legal Notices


FILES INCLUDED
--------------

   The following files are included with 4NT 2.95:

        4NT.EXE             4NT program file
        4NT.HLP             4NT help text
        4NT.CNT             4NT help contents file
        FILE_ID.DIZ         Description file for BBS and other uploads
        INTERNAT.TXT        Shipping rates and dealer list for
                              international customers
        LICENSE.TXT         Pre-release license agreement
        ORDFORM.TXT         New customer order form
        PRODUCTS.TXT        Product and ordering information
        README.TXT          This file
        UPGFORM.TXT         New customer order form
        SHRALIAS.EXE        Utility program for retention of global
                              alias and history lists


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
-------------------------
   [NOTE to current JP Software command processor users:  If you are
   running an earlier version of our software you may be used to
   "branding" new versions with your name and serial number.  However,
   you can NOT brand this pre-release software; as a pre-release, it
   cannot be used permanently, and therefore does not accept branding.
   Your brand program will still work on the final release if you are
   entitled to upgrade to it at no charge.]


   Here's how to install your pre-release software:

   (1) Create a new directory for the pre-release software.  Do not
       install it in the same directory as any other JP Software
       product, including one of the other pre-release products.  The
       directory can be on any hard disk drive.


   (2) Decompress the downloaded files into this directory.  You can print
       any documentation (.TXT) file by copying it to the printer with the
       COPY command.

   (3) Follow the usual steps to create a new desktop item to run the
       pre-release product:

          - Under Windows NT 4.0, create a new shortcut on the desktop
            or in any folder (right-click on the open desktop, click
            New, then Shortcut).

          - Under Windows NT 3.5, use the Program Manager's File / New
            menu selection to create a new desktop item, in any group.
            
       In both cases, enter the Command Line as:
       
            d:\path\4nt.exe

       where "d:\path" is the directory where your 4NT files are stored.

       No other parameters are required on the command line.  However,
       you can put command-line switches, a command, or the name of a
       batch file at the end of the command line for any 4NT shortcut or
       desktop item.  This allows you to run specific commands or set
       configuration options when you start 4NT.  For details see the
       Startup topic in the online help.

   (4) If you are upgrading from a previous version of 4NT, copy any
       4NT.INI file you have in the old directory to the new one, and
       update any paths in the file which point to the old program
       directory (e.g.  4StartPath).  Also be sure to copy your 4START
       and 4EXIT files, if any, from the old program directory to the
       new one.

   (5) When you're done, invoke the new desktop item to start 4NT.


TECHNICAL SUPPORT
-----------------
   We support our products via two electronic methods:

      * In the JP Software CompuServe area, section 10 of the PC Vendor
        B forum (GO PCVENB).  For support leave a message in this area
        addressed to user ID 75300,1215.
   
      * On the Internet, via email to support@jpsoft.com.

   When possible, we also read messages posted on the Usenet
   comp.os.msdos.4dos newsgroup, and in the 4DOS conference on the
   FidoNet BBS network (these conferences are named for 4DOS, but carry
   messages related to all JP Software products).  These areas offer
   valuable information and discussions with other users, but are not
   managed by JP Software, and are not official support channels.  To be
   certain of a direct answer from our support staff use our CompuServe
   forum or Internet email as listed above.

   Because this is a pre-release version, NO TELEPHONE SUPPORT IS
   AVAILABLE.  Limited electronic support is available through
   CompuServe or the Internet as noted above, and support questions may
   be answered from time to time in the newsgroup or BBS conferences
   listed above.  However, this is a pre-release product and may contain
   bugs or other limitations.  We cannot promise specific answers to all
   problems encountered with this version, offer a definite response
   time for questions on the pre-release, or provide projected dates for
   updates or fixes.


   Downloading JP Software Files

      To download JP Software files, including a trial version of
      the final release of this software (when it is available), visit:

         * Our web site at http://www.jpsoft.com/

         * Our CompuServe forum (GO PCVENB or GO JPSOFT, library 10 / JP
           Software)

         * Channel 1 BBS, Cambridge, MA, 617-349-1300 for 28.8K, 617-
           354-3137 for 33.6 K. Join the "free files" conference (J FREE
           or J 5 at the main menu) for JP Software file downloads.

      We recommend that you use our web site for Internet downloads.
      However, if you prefer (or if you do not have web access) you can
      connect directly to our ftp site at ftp.std.com, directory
      /vendors/jpsoft.  Product subdirectories are located below this;
      for example 4DOS files are in /vendors/jpsoft/4dos, and
      pre-release files are in /vendors/jpsoft/prerel.


ORDERING THE FINAL RELEASE
--------------------------
   No date is currently available for the final release.

   Current users can place advance upgrade orders using the upgrade
   order form distributed with the pre-release, or using electronic
   order entry via our web site at http://www.jpsoft.com/ (web-based
   order entry system is not available at this time, but will be ready
   shortly).

   All current users will also be notified by mail when the final
   release is available.

   Orders from new customers, and add-on orders from existing customers,
   which are placed prior to the final release of this upgrade will be
   filled immediately with our current version of the product(s)
   ordered.  The new version will then be shipped automatically when it
   is ready.

   Single-product upgrades for owners of 4DOS 5.0 or above, 4OS2 or 4NT
   2.0 or above, or any version of Take Command will be priced at
   $29.95 for the first product and $19.95 for each additional product,
   plus shipping, through August 31, 1997, and will increase after that
   date.  (Upgrades from earlier versions -- 4DOS 4.02 or below, 4OS2 or
   4NT 1.x -- are $39.95 plus shipping, also through August 31.)

   We are also offering attractive pricing for those who want to convert
   to the JP CD Suite with all six products -- $89.95 for owners of one
   product, and just $69.95 for those who own two or more JP Software
   products -- this means if you are upgrading three or more products
   you can convert to the CD Suite for the same amount you'd pay for
   your upgrade, or less!

   If you already own the CD Suite, upgrades are $49.95 if you have CD
   Release 2 with all six products, and $59.95 if you have Release 1
   with 5 products.


LEGAL STUFF
-----------

Copyright 1997, JP Software Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Published by JP
Software Inc., P.O. Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174, U.S.A., phone
617-646-3975, fax 617-646-0904.

Take Command and 4DOS are registered trademarks of JP Software Inc.
4DOS, 4OS2, and 4NT are JP Software Inc.'s trademarks for its family of
character-mode command processors.  JP Software, jpsoft.com, and all JP
Software designs and logos are also trademarks of JP Software Inc. Other
product and company names are trademarks of their respective owners.

All prices and terms subject to change without notice.

This pre-release version may be incomplete, and may contain errors or
omissions which would not be present in a final release product.  It is
distributed AS-IS and without warranty of any kind.  See the license
agreement accompanying the pre-release files (in the file LICENSE.TXT)
for details.

