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Virtual Software Library


introduction
what is VSL?
how does VSL work?
what are software archives?
what is a mirror site?
what is shareware?
what is freeware?
what about viruses?

how to use VSL
how do I search for software?
how do I use Quick Search?
how do I use Power Search?
problems downloading?
how do I use downloaded files?

how to talk to us
how do I submit a file to VSL?
how do I report problems with VSL
how do I make suggestions and comments?

Introduction:

What is VSL?

The Virtual Software Library enables you to search through more than 120,000 shareware and freeware programs. It maintains up-to-date indexes of some of the largest software archives on the Internet and provides a fast search tool to find the ones you want. Once you find the file you want, you can read a short description and download it directly onto your computer from the nearest and most reliable archive.

How does VSL work?

The VSL has two parts: A constantly updated index of software libraries, and a search engine that lets you find files there. The search engine contains a series of forms that can find files and display the results in a list ready for you to download. The list usually offers a selection of sites where you can find the file you're looking for. The VSL doesn't verify that the file is available on mirror sites, but you should be able to download it from at least one site on the list. If you have trouble accessing a particular site, try another. If you continue to have trouble, please report the problem. Archives are Internet sites where shareware authors send their work for Internet users to access and download. Archives are maintained by archive managers who usually write a short description, scan for possible viruses, and store software in easy-to-find directories. The VSL relies heavily on these archives and we strongly support the work their managers do in making software available on the Internet. The VSL searches its member archives regularly to update its searchable index of available shareware.

what is a mirror site?

A mirror site is an exact copy of an archive created and maintained to divert traffic from busy original sites. Note: When VSL reports mirror sites of archives in the results of a search, there's no guarantee that the mirror site has been updated to contain the file you're looking for.

what is shareware?

Shareware is software you can try out before you buy. Shareware comes in all flavors-games, utilities, screensavers, word processors, fonts, and all kinds of software in between. What they have in common is that they are all copyrighted, but you can download them freely, try them out, and pass them around people you know. However, after using the software for a trial period, you're expected to register and pay for it, or delete it from your system.

Shareware isn't really a type of software; it's a method of distribution. By allowing you to try a program to make sure it's suitable to your needs, shareware offers some real advantages over commercial shrinkwrapped software sold through other channels. Since you get to try the program at virtually no cost, you can satisfy yourself that the software is suitable before paying for it. You can't do that with other types of software.

Shareware authors are in business, just as much as Microsoft or Borland are. Unlike those companies, however, shareware authors are willing to let you try their programs before paying for them. It's a great deal for the user and makes possible the creation of many programs which would not otherwise exist.

what is freeware?

Like shareware, freeware is copyrighted software that you can download, use, and legally pass around to colleagues and friends. Unlike shareware, freeware carries no registration fee.

what about viruses?

The managers of the software archives that VSL searches take pride in keeping the files on their sites free of viruses. But it's good practice for everyone who introduces new software onto their hard disk to perform a routine virus scan on any incoming file. It's also important to have the most current virus checking software on your system.

Fortunately, you can use VSL to download current releases of virus software such as McAfee, Norton AntiVirus signatures, or IntegrityMaster for the DOS and Windows platforms and Disinfectant or HyperCard stacks for the Macintosh.

how to use VSL

how do I search for software?

The VSL provides five ways of finding software.
  1. Quick Search
  2. Most Popular
  3. New Arrivals
  4. Power Search
  5. Archive Search
The Quick Search form is the most basic search: you select a category (such as Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Mac, or DOS) and then enter a word(s) to search for.

The Most Popular form enables you to look through the programs that have racked up the most downloads, searched by category (such as Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Mac, or DOS).

The New Arrivals form shows recent additions to the VSL and can be searched either by category or by software archive.

The Power Search option allows you to narrow the search options offered by Quick Search by file date, case sensitivity, adding "not for" options, and other filters.

The Archive Search option enables you to select any combination of the supported specific software archives for Power Search-style queries.

how do I use Quick Search?

1. select a category

Select the appropriate category based on your computer's operating system (such as MS-Windows(all), MS-Windows 3.x, MS-Windows 95, MS-WindowsNT, Macintosh, DOS, OS/2, Unix, Amiga, Atari) or area of interest (source code, PC games, NetWare). VSL will search only the archives you select.

2. word fields

first word field

Enter the word (or part of a word) that is most likely to appear in the description or name of the file you are looking for. For example, if you enter viewer in the first word field, VSL will return all files in the category you've chosen that contain "viewer" in the description or filename. This search is not case-sensitive, so capitalization does not matter.

and/or and second word field

These two fields are optional. If you're going to enter a word in the second word field, first select your preference of and or or in this field. If you choose and then VSL will return only files that contain both the words you enter. If you choose or then VSL will return files that contain either of the two words you enter. For example, if you have entered viewer in the first word field, and the software you want to find is a JPEG viewer, then you would choose the and option and would enter JPEG in the second word field. If you want to find viewers and players, choose the or option and enter player in the second word field.

what kind of word should I enter?

Quick Search searches raw text. If you enter play, your search will retrieve all file descriptions that contain:
play
player
display
Be sure to enter a word that you expect to appear in the description or name of a file you want to find.
Sample filename: vocl147c.zip
Sample file description: Plays audio CDs and scrolls words to songs

3. start search

Use this box to select the maximum number of files you want to view. The default is 100, which is more than most searches will turn up.

If you are satisfied with the words you've chosen, click the start search button. If you made a mistake and want to start again, click clear form. If your search fails to retrieve what you want, try again, filling in the second word field. If you want to retrieve a specific file, find out about using Power Search instead.

how do I use Power Search?

Power search allows you to narrow the scope of your search by offering search options like case sensitivity, file date, and directories that aren't available under Quick Search.

Here are details on the form fields:

"search for" field

Enter text here, and VSL will return the files that contain the text you entered in their description and their names. Type words or part of a word from file's description or name, for example VGA, game, blaster. Unless you specify otherwise, this search is not case-sensitive and is not limited to whole words only.

"and for" field (optional)

Enter more text here. The list of found files will be limited to those which match the main search field and this field.

Tip: Use the and for field to restrict a search that gave too many results. For example, the search for "editor" returns icon, text and bitmap editors. By specifying icon in the and for field you restrict the search results to icon editors.

"but not for" field (optional)

Enter text here. The list of found files will be limited to those which do not match this field. Tip: Use the but not for field to restrict a search that gave too many results. For example a search for new files may also return index files. To exclude them enter index in the but not for field.

case-sensitive checkbox

Click here to make the preceding text input fields case-sensitive. Otherwise the search is case-insensitive.

search filename checkbox

The default setting of the form is to search filename and file description. If you want to restrict the search to just file descriptions and not filenames (e.g. if you are searching for zip utilities and do not want to retrieve every file with zip in its name) then uncheck this checkbox.

search directory/filename

Use this field to limit your search to files in a particular directory or to a particular extension or filename. If you know the exact filename, you can use VSL like Archie. If you type /$ into this field, only directories will be found.

date-sensitive drawboxes

Use these drawboxes to limit your results to files created after a selected date. The file creation date is not known for all files in the library.

limit files listed

Select the number of files VSL will return. You will be notified if there are more found than listed.

search result layout

There are two options for viewing search results. Standard layout displays the complete file information for all returned files. Compact layout returns only filenames and file descriptions.

Sample Standard layout: 

vocl147c.zip
       file size: 138 K (141043 bytes)
       file date: Jan 29,1995
       path: sounds/

       Plays audio CDs and scrolls words to songs

Sample Compact layout: 

sounds/vocl147c.zip, 141043 bytes, Jan 29,1995.

       Plays audio CDs and scrolls words to songs

"sort file" options

There are two options for sorting search results: by date (newest files first) and alphabetically by the file path/directory.

hints on regular expressions

Regular expressions enable you to define more advanced search expressions in the text input options fields.
Normal characters have no special meaning. If you input GA, any string which contains "GA" will be returned.

Asterisk (*) means "repeat the previous character zero or more times". For example, the text string Super.*GA will return "Super-VGA", "Super-EGA", and "Super fantastic game".

The pipe character (as in "c|net: the computer network") means "or". To search for "WWW-related tools" the regular expression could be www|web|html.

problems downloading?

Sometimes, you may have trouble downloading software from an FTP site. Here are some of the common problems and their solutions:

Problem: You could not gain access to the FTP site.
Solution: Even if you selected a well-rated site that allows many connections, the site may be busy. Select another site or wait a few seconds and try again.

Problem: The site might have relocated the directory in which the file should be stored.
Solution: Try another site-and if you're positive the site has relocated the file, please let us know.

Problem: The site does not store that file.
Solution: Some sites do not store complete archives. Try another site. (A common problem with some Mac-related mirror sites is that they rename files from .hqx to .sit.)

Problem: Your connection breaks during the download.
Solution: This may be a problem with your Internet connection. Try again. If it happens all the time, check whether your network provider allows FTP transfers.

how do I use downloaded files?

To cut down the time you spend downloading software, practically all the files you download have been compressed. To use a program you have downloaded, you must follow three steps:
  1. copy it into an empty directory
  2. decompress it
  3. install it
On DOS/Windows machines, most files are archived using Phil Katz's PKZip software and end with the three-letter extension .zip. To extract the program from a ZIP file-or unzip it-use the DOS-based PKZip or a Windows program called WinZip.

On the Macintosh, files are compressed using utilities such as StuffIt, Compact Pro, BinHex, and DropStuff.

how to talk to us

how do I submit a file to VSL?

The Virtual Software Library is not a software repository or an FTP archive, so you cannot submit your software titles directly to the VSL. However, since the VSL points to the software stored in software archives throughout the world, you can add your software to the VSL by adding it to one of the archives the VSL searches.

We rely heavily on these archives and strongly support the work their managers do in making software available on the Internet. We ask you to submit your work directly to one of these archives. For instructions on how to add your file to an archive, consult the readme or how-to-upload files stored in the root directories of the archives. Follow the links from the about archives pages to get to the individual archive directories.

As soon as your files are added to one of our supported archives, your files will automatically become searchable by the VSL.

how do I report problems with VSL

If you discover a bug while using VSL, please be sure to report it.

how do I make suggestions and comments?

If you have any suggestions on ways we can improve the VSL, please contact us. 



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