GBPaker - GreyBear's Pak Update Utility
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Introduction
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This README constitutes the documentation for GBPaker, my pak update utility. Please read
it carefully before sending me email or requests for help or support. Also, if you are
using the unregistered version, please don't expect much support. I spent a lot of my own
time learning how to read and write pak files, and developing a library to allow me to
produce GBPaker. The amount I'm asking for registration goes toward repaying that time, as
well as the time I'm spending helping users with support and upgrade questions. I also
spend a lot of time giving away advice to budding programmers on the Web, so my time to
help folks who aren't willing to give back just a little is limited.

Bottom line is, please use this program, but please do me the honor of registering it if
you use it. Thanks!

History
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GBPaker came about when I realized that I had to release a bunch of unbundled files for a 
Quake 2 TC I am working on (Navy SEALS:Dev. Group). It was either that, or make users
download an entire new pak. I realized that it should be possible to write a utility to
update or add files directly into a pak without forcing a user to re-download the whole
bloody thing, and without cluttering up their directory tree with a bunch of extra files.

I found some old source from id and some really crappy documentation from the old Q1 spec,
and set about creating GBPaker. It does everything I need it to do, and I figured that there
must be other authors and TC teams out there who could use a utility like this to make life
easier for their users too. Hence, I've decided to release GBPaker into the gaming community
to make life easier for authors and users alike.

Usage
-----

It couldn't be much simpler. You simply include the GBPaker executable with your distribution
files. When you need to update your Pak files, you distribute those files in a single pak named
(appropriately enough) update.pak. Your users place it in the same directory as the GBPaker executable,
and run GBPaker with the name of the Pak file to be updated as the sole command line argument. The
GBPaker executable loops through the Pak file and the update file, updating or adding new files,
and transferring old files into a new version of the Pak. The original pre-update Pak file is
renamed with a .bak extension in case of problems.

Registration
------------

I wrote GBPaker to solve a problem, not to make money. I'm also willing to share, and am making 
a version available for users for free. However, in order to support and upgrade the program,
I need to get something back. I'm asking a reasonable, one time registration fee of $5.00 U.S.. For your
fin, you get lifetime upgrades, bug fixes and support from me. I plan to make enhancements to GBPaker, as
well as port GBPaker to as many platforms as possible. Registration entitles you to registered versions
in every platform. 

As a small incentive, the unregistered version has a 10 file update limit per use. The registered version
is able to update as many files as a Pak file can hold (4096).

How to Register
---------------

Send a check or Money Order for $5.00 U.S. to:

Brad Davis
1175 E. Harrison Ave.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105

In return I'll send you a diskette with the registered version of GBPaker.

How to get support
------------------

1. Email me directly at jbdavis@uswest.net. Send me a detailed explanation of what problem
   you're encountering.
2. Send in a bug report at the GBPaker Homepage (see below). Please fill out the form as
   completely as possible.

The GBPaker Homepage
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You can download both free and registered version updates of GBPaker, as well as post questions and get news
from the GBPaker Homepage, at:

http://www.quake2.com/dll/gbpaker

Drop me a line and let me know whether GBPaker helps you, and thanks for trying GBPaker!

Brad 'GreyBear' Davis
 
Revision History
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9/24/98 - First Version, beta release
