6o6oSoftware - Downloads

These (apart from BASS, BDE, TUTIL32) are programs that I have written. They run on versions of Windows from 95 to XP, Vista and 7 - except where the BDE is required, which is not Vista or 7 compatible (it is possible to get round this incompatibility, the internet has the answers). None of the programs has been time-limited or disabled in any way. You are welcome to download them, to copy/distribute them, and to enjoy the full functionality for free and without any registration. But please note :

• I retain all rights to these programs
• you must not modify my programs
• you must not distribute my programs for payment or profit or claim either directly or by implication that they are your own work or that of anyone other myself.
• I have tested these programs and use them myself regularly, so I believe that they do not contain serious errors - but nevertheless I am not liable for any damage to or loss of your computer files that my programs might cause.
• I have swept these files for malware (viruses etc) and found none, but nevertheless I am not liable for any malware  infection (in the broadest sense, ie including worms, trojan horses, etc) that you might suffer as a result of dowloading my programs. 

Of course, these programs are basic applications which thousands of amateur programmers besides myself have produced versions of : you will need to compare and contrast to decide your own preference. I have used most of my programs (in particular, the ones highlighted as recommended) over many years, and have ironed out most of the errors and added many features of genuine utility. I believe that such a programme of continuous improvement is  a defining feature of most non-commercial software, and offers a level of quality to rival commercial software (although perhaps not the same breadth of functionality), despite (in my case) being squeezed to not-very-much spare time at home alongside all the usual work / family / social commitments.

All of these programs were written using Delphi from Borland. Some of them (as indicated) require Borland's Database Engine (BDE) also to be installed. Rather than include the BDE with each application, which at 5+MB would increase their download times, it is included just once as "BDE". Use HAVEBDE to find out whether you already have BDE installed. BDE works fine for versions of Windows up to XP. For Vista a couple of tweaks are required - go to my "Cashac" page for more details.

The BDE supports several different types of database, for example DBASE, Paradox, Interbase; of these I only use Paradox. This is not resilient : for example a power failure can leave your database corrupt. Pah. If you suffer error messages about "Blobs" or about Index problems (including records which mysteriously disappear and reappear), then try the "rebuild" function in the table repair utility "Repair". This works well for Index problems, but is of only limited help for Blobs ('Binary Large Objects", which in this context means big chunks of text), as its approach is to delete the corrupt text from the database rather than to rebuild it, which can result in losing the value of a text memo field. The best you can do is (as always) to take backups frequently. 

From 2011 I have started to use Firebird in place of BDE/Paradox for database handling, much better, and more compatible with later versions of Windows. See www.firebirdsql.org for details. I am gradually upgrading my existing applications in this respect.

Apart from the BDE, the downloads are ZIP files. Use Windows Explorer (XP and later) or WINZIP (see www.winzip.com) to unzip them to a folder of your choice. Make sure you keep the 'Use Folder Names' option checked when you unzip the files, so that any folders beneath the EXE file are preserved. If you want to use a folder in "Program Files" then you will need to be  logged on as an Administrator. After unzipping, the application is ready to run, with no setup or install required. You will need to create your own shortcut(s) to these applications as you wish. The applications may also be deleted, or moved (with their subfolders if any) to different folders, without worrying about the Windows Registry or about special installation procedures via Control Panel.

If you are upgrading from a previous installation of the same software, 

• Make a backup copy of the existing application, both data and executable;
• Download latest and unzip to a temporary folder so that you do not overwrite your own data, 
• Then copy the new files you need (usually just the EXE file) to your working folder. 

I apologise for not providing any online help. It would be nice to think that the software is so easy to use that this is not needed (and this is certainly a design intention), but this is not an adequate excuse.  There are a few sketchy user guides which is a start at least.

Please contact me (email address below) -  I promise to help as best I can with any problems associated with my software, and any feedback is always appreciated. Include  the application name in the email Subject line to give yourself a chance of being noticed in the blizzard of spam.  

Enjoy!

Charlie Thomas
6o6oSoftware
December 2015