*** ReadMe file for CodeSafe (5.93) - 21 October 1999 ***

UPDATES

BEFORE YOU UPGRADE PLEASE COPY YOUR CODES TO FILE. EVERYTHING SHOULD GO FINE, BUT IF NOT, YOU CAN RESTORE THE DATABASE MANUALLY.

PLEASE COPY YOUR "USERNAME".C$F FILE FROM C:\ TO C:\SYSTEM\DATA\. IT MAY BE NECCESSARY TO SET "SYSTEM|TOOLS|PREFERENCES|SHOW HIDDEN" FILES TO OFF.


5.93
*Added timeout function. For safety reasons you need to reenter the password when stepping to the next code after pausing for more than 60 secs.
*The database is now stored in C:\System\Data\. See above for transferring of your existing datafile.

*5.92 is a bugfix of 5.9
*Added search facility
*Repaired a bug in the OPO version causing Macro5's shortcut panel to become invisible.

5.8
*Cosmetic changes
*Included CodeSafe.opo to install in Macro5

5.7
*Master password length increased to 16 characters. WARNING: Previous CodeSafe users are encouraged to use the "Write to file" function to have a text backup of their data BEFORE upgrading. My codes were conserved during upgrading from the 8 to 16 characters password. However, I cannot guarantee that your old data will remain accessible.
*Username and Master password input dialogs combined
*Username autofind
*Improved program handling and error checking



DESCRIPTION

CodeSafe is an OPL program to store and retrieve secret codes and passwords. It uses a self-created and self-maintained database of your secret codes. 


MOTIVATION

The ever-increasing number of codes and passwords that one has to have at hand in order to get around a little comfortably in this high-tech society, is putting a big drain on many a brain. Especially Psion users, pampered by the brain-extending abilities that their Psions offer, possess merely rudimentary skills necessary to memorise this kind of trivia (at least that holds for me). That is why I decided to write this utility. The idea behind CodeSafe is to be able to temporarily decipher the encrypted codes from a database, using only a single master password. I hope it will prove as indispensable for you as it does for me.


EXPLANATION OF CODESAFE's FUNCTIONING

This is how CodeSafe works. After starting the program CodeSafe asks for a username and master password. The characters of the master password are converted to their code numbers and the numbers of this array are added to the code numbers of the subsequent code or password to be stored. The numbers that result from these calculations are then converted back to characters and stored in the database. Upon retrieval of a code from the database, the calculations are reversed, resulting in a text string. When the correct master password was entered, this string is identical to the original text. When for retrieval a different master password was entered, the resulting text string will be different from the input text. The fact that there will always be a string displayed adds to the security of the system. This way the unauthorised user will have no way to discriminate between the displayed string and the correct code. Since for the master password all combinations of letters, numbers and other characters may be used, and the password may be from one to sixteen characters long, this will provide additional security. Finally, the Achilles heel of many password protected computer data is the storage of the (master) password in some way in the program or data files. CodeSafe does not allow that the master password itself be stored. The same CodeSafe program can even be used by different users. As long as each uses a unique username and master password, he/she has access only to his/her own data. Additional functions are accessible from the Utilities dialog.


INSTALLATION

1. Install as Full-blown Psion5 Application
Create a \System\Apps\CodeSafe folder on the C: or D: drive of your Psion S5 and copy CODESAFE.APP and CODESAFE.AIF to it. 

2. Install as OPO program in Macro5
Copy CodeSafe.opo and CodeSafe.ico to the folder containing your Macro5 files and install it as a macro under a Macro5 hotkey.

CodeSafe is now ready for use. While running for the first time, CodeSafe will create the database file ("USERNAME".C$F) on the internal drive. If you have set Psion's System to hide your hidden files, the *.C$F file will not show up in the System screen.


DISCLAIMER

I've used CodeSafe on my English Psion S5, where it performed perfectly. However, needless to say, I don't give guarantees and you cannot hold me responsible in case anything goes wrong. 

BE CAREFULL, if you forget your master password, there is no way I can help to resolve your encrypted information.

CodeSafe is freeware. You are free to use and copy the macro. The only "rule" I would like you to obey is to pass only this unmodified version of CodeSafe, including this CODESAFE.TXT file, on to others.


NOTES

This is an OPL32 version of the CodeSafe macro for MacSys on the S3a/c Psions. Previous Psion S5 versions were running as macros under SwitchTask and Backlite+Plus.

If you like CodeSafe, please give me feedback. I am always interested in positive criticism, comments, and ideas. I will keep on modifying and improving CodeSafe as I have done in the past. However, I have no internet homepage from where you could download the latest version, but if you send me your email address I will add your name to the list of CodeSafe users who will receive future freeware updates once they become available.


Enjoy CodeSafe

Huub Linthorst
huub.linthorst@bigfoot.com
