Most PC-Compatible files found on bulletin boards, online services, and the Internet are stored in Zip files. These are special files which have been compressed to take up less room in storage. They also act as containers for the many files a program may have. Such files always end in the suffix ZIP. For example, the Grammar Slammer file is called GRMSLM42.ZIP. Once you download such a file to your own hard drive or diskette, you must "Unzip" the file to separate the various components and expand them to their working size. "Unzipping" is done by using one of several Unzip programs. They can be found on bulletin boards, online services, or the Internet. Some are sold in computer stores and catalogs. See list below for links to some that we have had good experience with. PKUnzip, Netzip, and some of the others are shareware files (see below). If you continue to use one, you should register it.
Please note that nearly all files downloaded from this Web Site are Zip files. Once the files of Grammar Slammer, Verbal Vanquish, and WinAlter have been extracted, they require an additional installation step by running the Windows SETUP or INSTALL program.
If you have your Microsoft anti-spyware program on a high setting, it will not allow you to execute any program you have taken from a ZIP file.
Here is how to overcome that:
If you use PKUnzip or PKUnzjr for DOS and forget the command line, simply type and enter the program name, PKUNZIP or PKUNZJR, and a short set of instructions will appear.
Shareware is a type of software marketing. Most files available
on bulletin boards, online services, and the Internet are shareware.
Shareware allows the user to try the program for a reasonable period
of time (usually 12 to 30 days, sometimes unspecified). If the user finds that the
program is useful, he or she must buy the program (or "register" the
program) from the author or publisher. Usually registering includes some
additional benefits or programs--at the least it discontinues the so-called
"nag screens" which remind the user to buy the program. It also helps
creative and small-niche programmers to continue writing programs which
you would never find done by "Mammothsoft" corporations. Grammar
Slammer, Verbal Vanquish, and WinAlter are shareware programs. Shareware is sometimes called "try before you buy" software.
Freeware is copyrighted software which is
distributed free of charge by the author or publisher. Such programs tend
to be smaller, more specialized, or are used to publicize other programs.
While free of charge, you may have to pay a copying fee for a copy.
Since they are copyrighted, you may not alter the programs except as
instructed by the author or publisher. XASCII and DialogJB
are freeware programs. The term Bannerware usually suggests
there is some kind of advertising (i.e., "banner") in the program
so that the program either is paid for by advertising or is used to promote
other products. SATCon is a bannerware program - it promotes our other SAT programs.
The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) is an
organization which assures the quality and sound business practices of
its members--authors, publishers, bulletin boards, and vendors. The
Educational Software Cooperative (ESC) is a similar organization oriented
specifically towards educational software. Membership in one
or both of these organizations insures quality merchandise and customer
service. English Plus is proud to be a member of both organizations.
English Plus does not sell what they do not use themselves.
Shareware