

        
        Mince 1.0.3
        Copyright (C) 1997-2007 David De Groot
        Updates and other freeware: http://bluefive.pair.com/
        Frequently Asked Questions: http://bluefive.pair.com/faq.htm


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        Intro
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        Mince is an easy to use and very reliable text encryption tool.
        It encrypts a text file to another (scrambled) one, and adds its own
        extension to it. Because this new file is also merely a text file, you 
        can send it as an attachment in an e-mail message.


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        Requirements
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        A file you _may_ need is the VBruntime.
        You can read about this file and download it at the BlueFive web page at
        http://bluefive.pair.com/vbrun.htm


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        Installation 
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        1. Unzip the Mince folder onto your desktop or elsewhere
        2. Make sure at least Mince.exe and Mince.inf are in that folder
        3. Right-click the Mince.inf file and select install
           See also the install.jpg screenshot in the unzipped Mince folder 

        To uninstall: go to
        Control Panel/"Add/Remove Programs" select Mince and click "Remove".
        
        One some computers, the menu-entries for Mince remain intact after 
        uninstall. To remove these, get the Mince Menu Removal file from the 
        Bluefive site: http://bluefive.pair.com/Mince_menuremoval.zip


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        Usage
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        Right-click on a .txt file in Windows Explorer and select Mince-Encrypt.
        Type in a password, type the same password again in the second box,
        and click on Encrypt. Mince will now encrypt your file and give it the 
        .mce extention. These files can be decrypted by double-clicking them and 
        entering the password (and clicking the Decrypt button).

        Windows Vista users:

        Access to Program Files, Windows and other system related folders are by  
        default protected by the operation system, and will trigger an access 
        denied error when you want to 'Mince' files in there. To avoid that, make 
        sure you run Mince with administrator privileges. (In the Windows folder, 
        right click the Mince executable, select Properties, hit the 
        Compatibility tab, and at the Privilege Level mark the "Run this program 
        as an administrator" box).

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        Caution!
        *************************************************************************
        It's IMPOSSIBLE to decrypt a file if you don't remember the password!
        Also, please don't EVER edit a .mce (encrypted) file!

        
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        How secure is it 
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        Mince is certainly not written to compete with the commercial softwares 
        available. It hashes its strings to 24 bits of unique key data. Not 
        completely unhackable, but it would take any experienced hacker a great 
        deal of time to unscramble a 'Minced' file. 


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        Distribution 
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        This program is freeware. There is no charge for using it and it may be 
        distributed freely so long as the files are kept together and unaltered. 
        You may neither sell nor profit from distribution of this software in any 
        way. Distribution on CD-ROMs, Shareware-disks, in shops or through 
        networks are allowed as long as

        a) no money (for the program itself) is taken 
        b) each file of the original ZIP-file is included and 
        c) you informed me about it.
      
        Distribution via web sites is granted as long as
       
        a) the original ZIP-file is used and
        b) a working link to http://bluefive.pair.com/ is provided.


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        Disclaimer
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        This software is provided as is and without warranty.  
        The author assumes no liability for damages, either direct or 
        consequential, which may result from the use of this product.



        Thanks for using Mince!
        David De Groot
        ddg AT telenet.be

        
        Keep your copy up-to-date! Please check regularly for updates at:
        http://bluefive.pair.com/

        












