
     #####    ###     ##  ### ########             ###     ##  ###    ###TM
   #######  #######   ####### ########           #######   #######  #######
  ###      ###   ###  ###         ###           ###   ###  ###     ###   ##
  ###      ###   ###  ##       ###              ###   ###  ##      ###   ##
   #######  #######   ##      ########    ###    #######   ##        ######
     #####    ###     ##      ########    ###      ###     ##           ###
                                                                     #####


	Welcome to checksum for Linux.
	Something Very Like The best hashing utility on planet Earth!

	This is Alpha software. There is no *full* installer.

    Please read below for for details on how to get checksum working with funky
    dialogs, progress bars, and most of the other usual automatic checksum 
    action on your KDE or Gnome (or other) desktop.

    Please send any thoughts and suggestions (and code) for this open-source
    release to me at the email address at the foot.

    Please DO read the prefs at the top of the main checksum script, even only
    briefly; there are a wealth of options (KDE or Zenity, or hybrid, for
    example) which will enhance your experience and get checksum behaving the
    way you might want or expect.

	For (loads) more information about checksum, see here..

		http://corz.org/windows/software/checksum/


  These instructions are for KDE, but will be similar for other desktops.
  Any experiences you can share are very welcome.


  Semi-Automatic Installation:

    Run INSTALL.sh to install the files. 
    You will still need to setup associations. See below.
    

  Manual Installation:

  *	Install base files:

      Inside the archive is a mirror directory strucure.
      Simply drop the files into your *real* file system in the correct places.

      You don't need *all* the symlinks in /usr/local/bin, but you do need:

        checksum              <- main script                      * required
        convert-winhashes     <- convert legacy Windows hash files
        verify                -> checksum                         * required
        
        optional desktop versions:
        
          kchecksum             -> checksum
          kconvert-winhashes    -> convert-winhashes
          kverify               -> checksum
          verify                -> checksum
          
        ##NO!##use switches!##kchecksum		(or its g-equivalent, for Gnome)
        ##NO!##use switches!##kverify		(or its g-equivalent, for Gnome)

      The "Optional" menu items are some extra items you might like to have inside your
      "Checksum" sub-menu. Theres a selection of menu items; SHA hashing, music file types hashing,
      movie hashing, and more. Drag and drop whatever you want into the real ServiceMenus folder
      and it will become almost instantly available.

      Note: You might need admin (root) privilidges for the main scripts in /usr/local/bin/
        If you have an ssh server running (sudo aptitude install openssh-server) you can do..

          sftp://root@localhost/

        ..right inside Dolphin/Konqueror/etc., and thanks to the wonders of KIO slaves, operate on
        your file system AS ROOT. Obviously, great caution is advised; but it sure beats messing
        around on the command line when copying a few files (note: Kate is also KIO-aware - handy).

        NOTE: you probably need to have a proper root account setup for that trick to work:

          sudo passwd root


  *	Add two program entries in your Kickoff Menu; one for "Checksum", one for "Verify":

      The "Utilities" menu is probably the best place, but it's your menu.

        Checksum:

          Name: Checksum
          Description: create hashes
          Comment: Checksum for Linux..
          Command: kchecksum %f

        Verify:
        
          Name: Verify
          Description: verify hashes
          Comment: Checksum for Linux..
          Command: kverify %f

      The checksum icon should be available in your "Other icons" section.
      If not, as a last resort, you can navigate to its actual location.
        

  *	Add checksum to your File Associations:

      Systsem Settings > Advanced > File Associations

      Under the left pane, click the "Add" button, and create a new type;
      
        group: text
        name: checksum
    
      In the right pane of your new item, Add a new entry, and navigate to the "Verify" menu
      item you created in the prevous step. Select and <Okay>. Ensure your new "Verify" command
      is at the top of the list. If not, move it up there.

      Fill in the information for your new file type:

        Description: checksum (hash) file

      Add any extensions you want covered; *.hash, *.md5, *.sha1, *.sha2, etc.

      Add the checksum document icon in the same way you did with the program icon.


  *	You'e done!


  Now all your .md5 and .hash files should have pretty icons, and clicking them will start the checksum
  icon bouncing (unless you disabled launch feedback) as it begins verifying the hashes. Right-click
  *anything*, and you should get the "Checksum" menu.

  ;o)

  corz.org 2009->checksum at usual domain
  
