This file contains general information about DataFit Version 4.1 by Engineered Software. For the most up to date release notes and version information, look at our home page on the web. The URL is: http://www.kagi.com/authors/johng/ _______________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents: Section 1 - Thank you Section 2 - What is DataFit? Section 3 - Machine Requirements Section 4 - Registering, Distribution and License Information Section 5 - Automatic Installation using SETUP.EXE Section 6 - Contacting us Section 7 - Removing DataFit from your machine Section 8 - Association of Shareware Professionals _______________________________________________________________________ Section 1 - Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has registered, especially those of you who have provided us with useful feedback. You are keeping us going! Keep watching the home page, http://www.kagi.com/authors/johng/ for new releases and information. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 2 - What is DataFit? (v4.1) DataFit is a tool used to perform nonlinear and linear regression analysis (curve fitting) and plotting of data with models containing up to 9 independent variables. What sets DataFit apart from similar curve fitting and regression programs is its ease of use. With the combination of an intuitive interface, online help and wide range of features, it is a tool which is used effectively by both experts and non-experts alike. With DataFit you can: - Enter your data in a standard spreadsheet interface, import delimited data files, or cut and paste data between DataFit and other Windows applications. - Perform nonlinear OR linear regression on data containing up to 9 independent variables, with models containing up to 20 parameters. There are over 150 commonly used scientific, statistical and engineering 2D and 3D models that are built in. You can also define an unlimited amount of your own models. - Perform linear OR nonlinear regression on one model at a time that you choose from a list, groups of models (built in model groups, or define your own), or all of the models available with a simple mouse click. The built in models are grouped together based on the number of parameters and the general shape of their curves, so there is no need to 'blindly' solve every model. As models are solved, they are sorted automatically according to their goodness of fit. If you aren't an expert and aren't sure which model you should use, DataFit helps you make this decision. - View the results, including the fitted parameters along with their confidence intervals, input vs. Estimated data, and goodness of fit information, all with a simple mouse click. - Data modification is a snap because the software keeps track of the most recently solved models. - Attach notes to record information and conclusions about the project. - Save projects along with all of the notes and solution information. There is no need to keep re-solving the problem each time you run the software. - Export source code to utilize a model of your choice in a program that you have written. You can export self-documented code in either BASIC or C. - Manipulate raw data or regression models in a built in Data Calculator. The Data Calculator can perform over 70 mathematical and statistical operations on curves, discreet data, or numbers. The calculator can also perform some special functions, such as FFT's and creating a data table based on an equation you type in. - Create 2D and 3D plots of raw data and/or regression models by simply selecting the desired information from a list of available data. Each plot is completely customizable, including fonts, ranges, line colors and styles, error bars, visibility, et. - Graphically compare the results of different models and/or data on the same plot window. - Save plots along with all of their customization. - Copy plots to the Windows clipboard for pasting into other applications. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 3 - Machine Requirements DataFit version 4.1 is a 32 bit application, supported on Windows '95, and Windows NT version 3.51 or later. Memory Requirement - At least 4 MB RAM Disk Space Requirement - Approximately 4 MB Math coprocessor is not required, but will be utilized if present. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 4 - Registering, Distribution and License Information The software is being distributed as Shareware. You may evaluate it free of charge for 30 days. If, after the 30 day evaluation period, you choose to continue using the software, you must register it. A single user registration of 2D or 3D is only $50.00 (US). When you register DataFit, you will receive a code that enables additional features in the software and become eligible for priority support. You will also be able to obtain free upgrades of the program through our Web page (address below) with which you can use your current registration code, until the next major release. Registrations are taken through Kagi Payment Service, which accpets cash, money orders, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club and First Virtual. You can register the software in any of the following ways: 1. Register by FAX, Email (Electronic mail) or Postal. Use the Register program provided with the software to make payments. We use KAGI Payment service, which accepts different payment methods, including checks, mail orders, credit cards and invoices. You can run the register program in the following methods: a) From the DataFit Help menu, click on Register DataFit and choose Email, Fax or Postal from the menu. This will run the register program which gives you explicit instructions on how to make your payment. b) Click the Windows Start button, and then point to Programs. Click on the Engineered Software folder, then click the Register program. Again, this will run the register program which gives you explicit instructions on how to make your payment. c) From the Windows Explorer, Double Click the Program Files folder, then double click the DataFit folder. Once the DataFit folder is opened, double click on Register.exe. As before, this will run the register program which gives you explicit instructions on how to make your payment. PLEASE INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT. 2. Register from the World Wide Web. You can register online with the following methods. a) From the DataFit Help menu, click on Register DataFit and choose Register Online. If a default web browser is properly registered on your system, this will launch it and connect you directly to the Kagi Online Payment Service. There you will be given explicit instruction on how to make your payment. b) Point your web browser to http://order.kagi.com/?JA. This is the URL for the Kagi Online Payment Service. Again, you will be given explicit instruction on how to make your payment. 3. Register by Telephone Call Kagi Payment Service at (510) 658-5244, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can register DataFit over the phone with a credit card. DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER FOR DATAFIT TECHNICAL SUPPORT. THIS PHONE NUMBER IS FOR REGISTRATIONS ONLY! Also, please specify the following to insure you are registering the license you really want. This will insure that you get the correct registration codes without any additional delays. a) Specify that you want the product DataFit, and the Author Code for DataFit is JADV. b) Specify a Single User License, Site License or Word License (see below for a description for each). c) Specify one of the following Program Codes, depending on which license you want: License Type Program Code 2D License DataFit_2D 3D License DataFit_3D 2D/3D License DataFit_2D_and_3D 4. If you live in the US or Canada you may also mail us your check or money order (US ONLY) directly, payable to John A. Gilmore, at the following postal address: Engineered Software C/O John A. Gilmore 23 Tomey Road Oakdale, PA 15071 USA PLEASE INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT. License Cost: New Users: License Type Product Price (per copy) Single User License DataFit 2D or 3D $50.00 Single User License DataFit 2D and 3D $80.00 Site License DataFit 2D or 3D $200.00 Site License DataFit 2D and 3D $320.00 World License DataFit 2D or 3D $2000.00 World License DataFit 2D and 3D $2200.00 Note: Single User License are for use by a single person, for personal use only. Site License is for use by anyone at a company or organization at a single location. World License is for use by anyone at a company or organization at any location. Upgrades from previous versions 2.x (upgrades from versions 3.x and 4.0 are free). YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT LICENSE: License Type Product Price (per copy) Single User License DataFit 2D or 3D $20.00 Single User License DataFit 2D and 3D $32.00 Site License DataFit 2D or 3D $80.00 Site License DataFit 2D and 3D $128.00 World License DataFit 2D or 3D $800.00 World License DataFit 2D and 3D $880.00 Universities using the software for classroom instruction may contact us for reduced rates on individual student licenses. Note: 2D license enables the use of DataFit for solving single independent variable regression models. 3D license enables the use of DataFit to solve regression models with 2 to 9 independent variables. The purchase of the combination 2D and 3D license enables the use of DataFit to it's fullest capability. Support is available through the addresses listed above, whether you are a registered user or not. Registered users will receive priority treatment. E-mail inquiries typically receive the quickest responses. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 5 - Automatic Installation using SETUP.EXE To automatically install DataFit for Windows on your hard disk: 1. If you have received the software from an archive in the form of a .ZIP file, copy the contents of the archive to a temporary directory and unzip the files. Copy the unzipped files to a floppy disk to keep as a backup. If you have received the software on a floppy disk directly from Engineered Software, the files will already be unzipped. 2. Place the disk in a floppy drive of your computer if you are installing from the floppy disk. 3. Click on the Windows "Start" button and select Run... 4. In the Run dialog box, type A:SETUP or B:SETUP, depending on the drive used. 5. The Setup application will prompt you for additional information as required. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 6 - Contacting us You can receive technical support whether you are a registered user or not, however registered users receive priority response. You can obtain technical support in any of the following ways: 1) Email your question or problem via email to johng@kagi.com. Email typically receives the quickest response. 2) Fax your question or problem at any time to: (412) 693-0320. DO NOT FAX ORDERS OR REGISTRATION FORMS TO THIS NUMBER. THIS NUMBER IS FOR DATAFIT TECHNICAL SUPPORT ONLY! This number is for Fax support only. 3) You can mail your question or problem to the following postal address: Engineered Software C/O John A. Gilmore 23 Tomey Road Oakdale, PA 15071 USA The URL for our home page is: http://www.kagi.com/authors/johng/ Don't forget the trailing slash! For more information, see the topic "Licenses, Registration and Technical Support" in the online help. _______________________________________________________________________ Section 7 - Removing DataFit from your machine If you are running Windows 95 or Windows NT version 4.x and want to remove DataFit from your machine, do the following: 1. Click on Start/Settings/Control Panel. 2. Double Click the Add/Remove Programs Icon. 3. On the Install/Uninstall Tab, click on DataFit in the list. 4. Click on Add/Remove If you are running Windows NT version 3.x, Double Click the UnInstall DataFit icon in the Engineered Software program group. Warning: Most of the files distributed with DataFit are shared files, which may be used by other applications. These files should not be deleted manually. Uninstalling DataFit as recommended above checks to see if the shared files are used by any other program installed on your computer and will not delete them if they are in use. If you delete these files manually, your system may become unstable. The only files that can be manually deleted safely are the files copied to the application directory. The files copied to the application directory (the directory you specified when installing DataFit) are: File Description DataFit.exe The DataFit Executable File Register.exe The Register Executable File DataFit.cnt The DataFit Help Contents File DataFit.hlp The DataFit Help File Register.hlp The Register Help File Engrsoft.html Local Web Page ReadMe.txt Read me file TipOfDay.txt Tip of the Day Text File Tutor2D.dat Data File for the 2D Tutorial Tutor3D.dat Data File for the 3D Tutorial The following files are created during installation and execution of DataFit: File Description DataFit.gid DataFit Help Related File St*Unst.Log Installation Log File _______________________________________________________________________ Section 8 - Association of Shareware Profesionals We are proud to be a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). You can visit the ASP Home Page at http://asp-shareware.org/. Ombudsman Statement: DataFit is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). The ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.