------------------------------------------------------------
                            The Hardware Book v1.3
                               by Joakim Ogren
          ------------------------------------------------------------

About:
------
  The Hardware Book contains misc technical information about computers
  and other electronic devices. You'll find the pinout to most common
  (and uncommon) connectors availble, as well as info about how to build
  cables.


Versions:
---------
  It's availble in 6 versions.

  HWBxxWIN.ZIP   Windows v3.x WinHelp version in 16 colors.
  HWBxxW95.ZIP   Windows 95 & Windows NT WinHelp version in 256 colors.
                 With WinHelp v4.0 features.
  HWBxxHTM.ZIP   HTML version packed with Zip. (Uses Long filenames)
  HWBxxHTM.TGZ   HTML version packed with Tar+GZip. (Uses long filenames)
  HWBxxAMI.LHA   HTML version packed with LhA, for Amiga users.
  HWBxxPDF.ZIP   PDF (Adobe Acrobat) version!

  HwB is also found in the "non-free" section of Debian GNU/Linux.
  More info at: http://www.debian.org      (Thanks to Marco Budde)


How to install:
---------------
  There is currently no installation program.
  Just unpack it and copy the files to a wherever you wan't.
  
  and do:
          HWBxxWIN.ZIP       Run WINHELP from Windows and open HWBOOK16.HLP
          HWBxxW95.ZIP       Run WINHLP32 from Windows and open HWBOOK.HLP
          HWBxxHTM.ZIP       Open hwb.html in your WWW browser.
          HWBxxHTM.TGZ       Open hwb.html in your WWW browser.
          HWBxxAMI.LHA       Open hwb.html in your WWW browser.
          HWBxxPDF.ZIP       Open HWBOOKxx.PDF in PDF reader. (Adobe Acrobat)


Notes WinHelp-version:
----------------------
  Since the WinHelp version is converted from HTML the result may not
  always be the best.

Notes HTML version:
-------------------
  It contains long filenames. Will not work fully with filesystems that
  the uses 8.3 convention (MS-DOS).

Notes Amiga HTML version:
-------------------------
  It has been tested with AWeb II and IBrowse v1.02 and worked fully.
  Since the HTML code doesn't contain any "advanced" HTML-tags it should
  work with most browsers. Sorry, but some filenames are longer than
  30 characters (which is a limit in AmigaOS). Will be fixed ASAP.

Notes PDF (Adobe Acrobat) version:
----------------------------------
  Consider this as Beta for the moment. Please report visual errors.
  I will also release a version for the papersize Letter later.
  The PDF version is very nice to use if you'd like to print from HwB.
  It will produce great hardcopies.

Homepage:
---------
  You'll find it all on the Internet at http://www.blackdown.org/~hwb/hwb.html

HwB-News:
---------
  Subscribe to HwB-News, Hardware Book Newsletter. Contains info about
  updates and some tips. Send mail with the text SUBSCRIBE in the body
  of the mail to hwb-news-request@www.blackdown.org
  You'll find more info at http://www.blackdown.org/~qtech/menu_HwBNews.html

Todo:
-----
  - HTML version with 8.3 filenames for MSDOS/Windows v3.11 users
  - Amiga version: Some filenames are longer than 30 chars.
  - Make Postscript version
  - Make Text version
  - Make AmigaGuide version
  - Make OS/2 Help version (need IPF compilator for DOS or UNIX!)
  - Fix 256-colors bug with WinHelp.

History:
--------
  v0.1   960906    First release.
  v0.2   961117    Fixed some problems with the WinHelp version for Windows 95
                    on 256 color resolution. There is a HTML version now also.
  v0.3   961125    Minor fixes.
                   Now looks better on 640x480 since the graphics is smaller.
                   There seems to be some problems with the WinHelp version
                    for Windows 95 on 256 color resolution. I'm sorry for this.
  v0.9   970120    MAJOR update.
                   Over 100 new pages.
                   Many updated pages.
                   Minor changes on almost all pages.
                   The New & Update pictures now have white background instead
                    of grey background. Looks nicer.
                   There seems to be some problems with the WinHelp version
                    for Windows 95 on 256 color resolution. I'm sorry for this.
  v1.0   970224    Minor update.
                   Drawn some new pictures, to show the numbering on
                    connectors.
                   The HTML Offline version had the wrong protection bits.
                   Released as special Amiga version also, for Aminet.
                   Redraw all pictures to make better use of transparency.
                   There seems to be some problems with the WinHelp version
                    for Windows 95 on 256 color resolution. I'm sorry for this.
  v1.1   970530    Major update.
                   28 new connectors and 21 updated connectors.
                   6 new cables and 5 updated cables.
                   There seems to be some problems with the WinHelp version
                    for Windows 95 on 256 color resolution. I'm sorry for this.
  v1.2   970907    Major update.
                   27 new connectors and 16 updated connectors.
                   7 new cables and 5 updated cables.
                   2 new adapters.
                   Premiere for the PDF (Adobe Acrobat) version.
                   One year since the first release.
  v1.3   971121    Minor update.
                   2 new connectors and 10 updated connectors.
                   1 updated cable.
                   Fixed many spelling errors. (oops)
                   HwB is now also availble as a Debian GNU/Linux package.

Bugs:
-----
  The WinHelp version for Windows 95 & Windows NT v4.0 seems to "eat" colors.
  It works best with 64k or more colors. Please use the Windows v3.11 version
  if you experience this.

Sponsors:
---------
  I'm looking for a sponsor for HwB. Please let me know if you're
  company is interrested and I will tell you more.
  This is needed if the development of HwB should continue.

Copyright:
----------
  The Hardware Book is freely distributable but is copyrighted
  to Joakim Ogren. It may not be modified and re-distributed without
  the authors permission.
  You may not sell it for more than a reasonable cost for
  media and production costs.
  You may not sell printed paper copies of The Hardware Book.

Disclaimer:
-----------
  This information provided in The Hardware Book is provided "as is"
  without warranty of any kind. The author disclaims all warranties,
  either expressed or implied, including the warranties of
  merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event
  shall author of The Hardware Book or it's suppliers be liable for
  any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental,
  consequental, loss of business profits or special damages, even if
  the author or it's suppliers have been advised of the possibility
  of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
  of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing
  limitations may not apply.

Authors:
--------
  The Hardware Book is written by Joakim Ogren. With help from many other.
  You can contact me at hwb@usa.com
  I'm sorry but I will not be able to answer any questions for the
  moment.