
                 Fast Files VISTA plugin for FAR
                  Version 1.07-SR1, 17 Nov 2008
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DISTRIBUTION: Freeware. You may freely distribute this plugin without any
modifications if you make no commercial profit of distribution, keep
this read.me together with the plugin and leave it unchanged.
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 Features and imperfections

 + Performs an INSTANT search of all Windows items - files, mail messages
   etc. Using software embedded in Windows Vista or Windows Desktop Search
   3.0 for Windows XP or Locate32
 + Shows items found in a usual FAR environment
 + Shows items with special effects - in animated window
 + Divides information on groups - programs, mails, text...
 + Flexible groups tuning - beyond Windows Vista
 + Works usually faster than Vista itself
 + Supports Vista SEARCH FOLDERS - you can combine search results in folders*
 - finds only files that have been indexed by Windows Desktop Search.
   This drawback can be fixed by fine tuning of Desktop Search. 


 *Search Folder - is the entity appeared in Windows Vista. Search Folders are 
  virtual folders that contain views of all files and other items matching 
  specific search criteria. Files are added to this folder automatically when
  user enters this folder. For example you can create folder "Summer 2007" 
  containing all the files from that period. Thus appears a completely new
  way of organizing files on disk - you can combine files in (virtual) folders
  depending on the criteria defined.


 Files

   These files are included in a delivery set

  - FastFilesV.dll  - plugin itself
  - FastFilesV_ru.lng, FastFilesV_en.lng - language settings
  - FastFilesV_rus.hlf, FastFilesV_eng.hlf - help files
  - file_id.diz - short description
  - whatsnew_rus.txt - modification history in russian
  - whatsnew_eng.txt - modification history in english
  - install_eng.reg - hot keys installation 
  - install_rus.reg - hot keys installation (with russian comments)
  - readme_eng.txt - this file - plugin documentation
  - readme_rus.txt - plugin documentation in russian


 System requirements

  - Windows Vista or 
    Windows XP SP2 with installed Windows Desktop Search version 3.0 or
    higher; or Locate32


 Installation

   1. Create folder "FastFiles" in "Far\Plugins" and copy there all files
      of this pack
   2. WHEN INSTALLING FROM SCRATCH
      Run install_eng.reg (to record hot keys and default custom groups to the 
      registry - don't forget to check it and edit if needed)
   3. To choose between Windows Desktop Search and Locate32 enter plugin
      configuration and choose "Use search engine: ...". Don't forget
      to enter full path to Locate32

   IMPORTANT NOTE: By default, number of search results is limited by
     FAR Window size - for speed. To show all results, use plugin
     configuration option "Show all results".

 Quick start

   Plugin can be used in Panel Mode from Disk menu and in Window Mode
   (Ctrl-F11 by default).


 Documentation

 1. Introduction

   One fine day I realized that it takes more than 50% of my time just to 
 find something in the vast spaces of my computer. So I wrote this plugin
 to cut the process.

   So the plugin is is intended to speed up the standard FAR search
 dramatically. It's a pity (or it's a luck for some) I have to use
 a third-party software called Windows Desktop Search. Which is embedded
 in the Windows Vista.


 2. Unofficial Windows Desktop Search advertisement

   If using Desktop Search temperately and carefully, it opens a lot of
 suprising and great opportunities - an INSTANT (I mean in several
 seconds) search of Windows objects by their name and contents. So if
 you enter something like "void WINAPI _export SetStartupInfo(" as a
 search query, it'll show links to all C++ sources containing this
 word, in several seconds. Or entering "photo" we'll get links to all
 photos, all e-mail messages etc. containing this string, and even
 a link to Photoshop if it's installed on computer.
   But this all will happen, if Desktop Search has already indexed
 all those files.
   Fur further explanation on using Desktop Search please check its
 documentation.


 3. Usage

   To call plugin just press Ctrl-F11 (if you had previously run the
 install_rus.reg file). Or from plugin menu (F11) and then Fast Files Vista.
   Then start typing the search query in an input line and see the results
 of search appear and become more accurate as you type.


 4. "c00l-hax0r" mode (as it's shown in movies).

   To add some fun in the plugin usage, you can tune it up to work as 
 computer interfaces is usually shown in movies - some kind of a great hacker 
 presses the button and all the things start to pop, blink, run and animate
 on the screen.
   To do it you should turn on the "Start on command line" and 
 "Window Animation" options in plugin configuration. So the search window
 will animate and ... well.. "grow" from command line as you type the query.
 Borders will be hidden and window will look like a really "c00l-hax0r"
 stuff. :) Try it! You'll like it.


 5. Search with Windows Desktop Search

   Using Windows Desktop Search means that: 1. we do not search the
 files only, but everything that is contained on the computer, including
 mail messages and other non-file objects 2. we can also search in the
 comtents of these objects and 3. we can use an adcanced search syntax
 comparable with MySQL - I mean AQS.
 
  AQS is shortly described here:

  http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa965711.aspx

  So I'll describe only some of important points here:

  - for a simple search it is enough to enter search query which is 
 a part of an object's name or other object's properties (such as mail message
 author, or Outlook appointments participants.

  - for an advanced search you can enter an advanced query right into the
 input box of Fast Files Search Window, or create a Sorting Group. (You can
 do it in configuration - Sort Groups - Custom and then - Edit).

   For example you can create group titled
  "My summer photos 2005"
   With a Kind field:
  "pics"
   Other conditions:
  "datetaken:>01/06/05..31/08/05"


   Or group titled
  "Modified today"
   With a Kind field:
  "all"
   Other conditions:
  "modified:today"


   Or group titled
  "Messages from John, this month"
   With a Kind field:
  "email"
   Other conditions:
  "from:John date:this month"





 6. Plugin configuration

   All the configuration options are described in help (F1 in plugin 
 configuration window).

   So I'll describe just some important points:

   Grouping mode - all results of search are devided by groups for the
 convenience

   Show full info - adds files paths and sizes to window

   Real shortcuts path - show and use real paths that shortcut is pointing at

   Use command line - use command line text as a query on start 



 License:

Fast Files Vista plugin is distributed "AS IS". No warranty of any kind is 
expressed or implied. You use it at your own risk.
Plugin is freeware. You can use the binaries for any purpose you like not 
including commercial purpuses. And only including all files included with 
this plugin and if the files are not modified.
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  (C),2007-2008 Anastasiy 
  E-mail: hi@anastasiy.com
  Home page: http://www.anastasiy.com

  All suggestions, bug reports and thoughts are welcome.


