
README for Network Assistant

    Version 4.1 (Full version: 4.1.0.2393)
    October 6, 2005

    Copyright (C) 1997-2005 Gracebyte Software. All rights reserved.
    http://www.gracebyte.com/

====================================================================


Contents:

    Brief overview
    What's new
    System requirements
    Installation
    Uninstallation
    Registering
    Copyright and license
    Bug reports
    Contacts
  

Brief overview
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Network Assistant (Nassi for short) is a real-time communication utility
    for the office environment, including channels-based chat, shared
    whiteboard, message board and instant messaging. It is intended to be used
    in small office or home office (SOHO) local networks. Network Assistant
    does not require an Internet connection or a dedicated server and supports
    IP Multicast technology that allows traffic-friendly group messages. Easy
    to install and initialize, Network Assistant offers such advanced features
    as remote processes control, remote screenshots, remote activity tracking,
    file transfers, and more.

    Here are the key features of Network Assistant:

      - Serverless technology. Network Assistant does not require an Internet
        connection or a dedicated server. It uses serverless technology based
        on IP Multicast or broadcast.  

      - Channels-based chat. There are four types of chat channels: general,
        announcer, password protected and private (person-to-person). Channels
        help to support discussions on different subjects.
                          
      - Shared whiteboard. You and your friends or coworkers can draw on
        a shared whiteboard. Using the whiteboard, you can explain concepts
        by diagramming information, using a sketch, or displaying graphics.

      - Message board. You can post messages to common shared board.
        For each message you can specify its priority, life length.

      - User details. You can view details of remote users and specify your own
        details: full name, gender, age, work/contact information and picture
        (photo/avatar). Therefore you can share this information with all
        Network Assistant users.

      - Instant messaging. Network Assistant supports its own instant messages
        and WinPopup/Messenger messages as well. 

      - Graphical emoticons. You can use graphical emoticons in your chat
        phrases and instant messages. Over 40 emoticons are available.
   
      - Remote processes control. You can view processes on a remote computer
        and create/terminate remote processes.

      - Remote screenshots. You can view screenshots of a remote screen.

      - Remote clipboard viewing. You can view the text content of a remote
        Window clipboard as well.

      - Computer usage statistics tracking. Network Assistant tracks the usage
        of the computer when it is online. You can view the usage statistics of
        your own and remote computer as well.

      - Remote alerts. You can define alerts on some remote events for a
        particular remote computer and specify different actions for them.
	For example, you may want to be notified when some remote user is
        typing into the chat window or when he takes the screenshot of your
	system.

      - File transfers. You can easily send and receive files. You can even
        resume file transfers.

      - Multilingual user interface. Network Assistant has multilingual user
        interface. In addition to the base English, Network Assistant supports
        another languages.  
 
    Network Assistant allows you to designate your current state and indicate
    your availability/privacy etc. There are 6 standard states: "Ready",
    "Working", "Do Not Distrub", "Private", "Away" and "Offline". You can also
    create up to 6 additional custom states.

    Network Assistant is simple, efficient and may be used instead of WinPopup
    (however, Nassi can work with WinPopup well too). 
    Network Assistant introduces a highly stylized aesthetic interface.
    Strong built-in security allows you to keep your private information
    private.


What's new
~~~~~~~~~~

    See "history.txt" file


System requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    System requirements for this software are:
 
      - 8 MB of free memory
      - About 3 MB of free hard disk space for base files
      - Microsoft Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/2003/XP
      - SVGA card with High color mode
      - A mouse is highly recommended


Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Important! Before installing Network Assistant uninstall the previously
    installed version of this software first!

    Unzip zip-file into the temporary directory, run setup.exe and follow the
    instructions. Setup will install all necessary files. You can start Network
    Assistant by selecting its program group and icon from the Programs menu.

    Note: If you've got Network Assistant not from its web page, but from the
    other source (magazine CD or some software library), please visit web site
    at http://www.gracebyte.com/nassi - you'll probably find the later version.


Uninstallation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Important! You must exit Network Assistant before uninstalling. Otherwise
    some files and registry settings could not be removed.

    Run Uninstall from Network Assistant program group.

    Please note:
    Network Assistant stores its data files (logs, received files, user details,
    message board files, etc) in its application data folder
    ("Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Gracebyte Software\
      Network Assistant").
    You may want to save these files before uninstalling.


Registering
~~~~~~~~~~~

    Network Assistant is NOT free software and may be previewed for 30 days
    worry free. Continued use of Network Assistant after 30 days requires that
    you register it with the author and pay a registration fee. Note that
    unregistered version is fully functional except that it displays startup
    reminder window and some trial messages.


    Registering of the Network Assistant leads you to the following benefits:
      - All limitations of unregistered trial version will be removed
        (no startup reminder window, no trial messages, 6 custom states)
      - FREE upgrades to new Network Assistant versions
      - Access to priority technical support including support via e-mail
      - Beta testing for newest versions
      - Encourage the author to further develop and improve Network Assistant,
        making possible new releases

    For details on how to register see "register.txt" file.


Copyright and license
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    See "license.txt" file.


Bug reports
~~~~~~~~~~~
 
    If you've got a problem, please contact us at bugreports@gracebyte.com
    Please provide us with the following information:

      - full program version and build number (from the "About" window)
      - Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/2003/XP version (including service packs and other
        fixes installed), US or international, OEM or not
      - computer information: CPU type, installed memory
      - description of your problem (as much information as possible to solve
        the problem)


Contacts
~~~~~~~~

    We hope you will like this program!
    We will very appreciate your comments, your offers on improvement for this
    software. Please feel free to contact us at devteam@gracebyte.com

    Network Assistant web site is available at:
      http://www.gracebyte.com/nassi

    Network Assistant discussion forums are available at:
      http://www.gracebyte.com/forum/ 

    Also, please visit Gracebyte Software web site:
      http://www.gracebyte.com/

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