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1993-08-20
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The
Debt
Analyzer
A Financial Software Tool
for
Debt Reduction
and
Debt Elimination
Copyright 1992-93 Insight Software Solutions
THE DEBT ANALYZER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About Insight Software Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Contents of Distribution Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Program Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Getting Started With the Debt Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . 4
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Running The Debt Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Screen Layout In The Debt Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Common Screen Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Menu Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Data Input Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Data View Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Moving Around In The Debt Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Menu System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Moving Field to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Editing Within a Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Special Fixed Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Special Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Debt Entry Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Loan Payment Matrix Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Loan Consolidation Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Effective Rate Calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Print Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Print Report Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Print Report Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
On-line User Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Color Attribute Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Printer Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Report Printing Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Miscellaneous Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Filing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Page 1
THE DEBT ANALYZER
General Information
Disclaimer
Insight Software Solutions makes no warranties or representations
of any kind, expressed or implied, including any implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular
purpose. Insight Software Solutions shall not be liable for any
errors contained herein or for any loss of profit or for
incidental or consequential damages or for any other damages.
About Insight Software Solutions
Insight Software Solutions is located in Bountiful, Utah. Please
send any inquiries, questions, suggestions or comments to the
following address:
INSIGHT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
P.O. BOX 354
BOUNTIFUL, UT 84011-0354
Tel: (801) 295-1890 Fax: (801) 299-1781
BBS: (801) 963-8721 CIS: [71672,3464]
In Canada Contact:
US-CAN COMPUTER SERVICES INC.
BOX 34146, 1200 37th St. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T3C 3W2
Tel: (403) 243-2393 Fax: (403) 243-2396
Orders Only: 1-800-663-1537
Internet: BARRY.DUFRESNE@T8000.CUC.AB.CA
Contents of Distribution Disk
The Debt Analyzer diskette contains several files which are
needed for optimal performance. Their names and functions are
listed below.
DEBT.EXE This is the main executable program.
DEBT.CFG This contains program configuration information
such as screen color and printer selections. This
file is automatically created if not found.
DEBT.PTR This contains printer definitions for a variety of
printers.
DEBT.DOC This is the User Manual for The Debt Analyzer.
DEBT.BAT This is a start up batch file for hard disks.
INSTALL.EXE This copies the program to a hard disk.
DEBT.DAT This contains all saved client information.
Page 2
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Program Support
Once registered, you will receive notification of major updates
and new products. Registration includes a 90 day support policy
where free updates will be provided for major problems. If a
problem cannot be resolved, then a refund of money will be made.
Insight Software Solutions offers support through the mail,
phone, fax, BBS and CIS. Please refer to the address and phone
numbers on the previous page. Our official support BBS is the
Rocky Mountain Software BBS (RMS). RMS can be reached 24 hours a
day at (801) 963-8721 where a conference dedicated to us can be
found. Our latest software products and versions, bulletins, news
and message system are located on RMS under conference #4. RMS
accepts modem baud rates of 1200 to 38400.
Insight Software Solutions is a member of
the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principal 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 or send a CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP
Ombudsman 70007.3536.
Page 3
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Getting Started With the Debt Analyzer
System Requirements
The Debt Analyzer is almost hardware independent. It will run on
most PC systems. The minimum requirements are as follows:
IBM type PC, XT, AT, 386, 486 or PS/2 (or compatible)
512K Ram
Dos 2.0 or higher
any monochrome, color, or composite monitor
virtually any printer that supports condensed printing
Installation
The Debt Analyzer may be run from either a floppy or hard disk.
There are no special installation procedures to set up the
program. To load the program onto a hard disk, simply copy the
contents of the floppy diskette onto the hard disk. We recommend
that it be placed into its own subdirectory. An installation
program called INSTALL.EXE is provided to assist you in the
installation of the program on a hard drive. From the A> prompt,
simply type "INSTALL". This will prompt you through the
installation process.
Running The Debt Analyzer
To run The Debt Analyzer, simply type "DEBT". This can be done
from the floppy disk or from a hard drive if you used the
provided installation procedure.
Page 4
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Screen Layout In The Debt Analyzer
Common Screen Lines
There are several common screen lines found in The Debt Analyzer.
This includes the first, second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, and
twenty-fifth lines. The first line contains the current date and
time as specified by DOS; it also contains the copyright notice
of INSIGHT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS. The second line is part of the box
surrounding the user work area; it generally contains a centered
title describing the function of the current screen. The twenty-
third line is the status line--it shows the status of the Help,
Caps, Scroll Lock, Num Lock, and Insert keys. The twenty-fourth
line is the prompt line. It indicates what you are supposed to do
for a given input field. The twenty-fifth line is the Function
Keys Status line. It shows what Function Keys (F1, F2, ...) are
available for use and what their particular functions are.
Menu Screens
Menu Screens appear as a list of numbered items. A movable
highlight bar indicates the current menu selection.
Data Input Screens
Data Input Screens contain fields or areas which can be changed.
These fields are generally preceded by a label indicating what
type of value is needed for the field.
Data View Screens
Data View Screens contain scrollable text for your viewing. Where
applicable, the text can be scrolled up and down and left and
right. Indications of the current location in the text are given
on the left side of the status line.
Page 5
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Moving Around In The Debt Analyzer
Menu System
Menus appear as a list of numbered options. To select the option
desired, press the associated number. An alternate method of
selection is to use the arrow keys along with the <Enter> key.
One option is always highlighted and indicates the current
option. To change the current option, press the UP and DOWN arrow
keys to move the highlight bar. Once the desired option is
highlighted, press the <Enter> key to make the selection.
Moving Field to Field
Moving from one field to another field can be accomplished by
many different keystrokes. Listed below is a summary of the
keystrokes available and the functions they perform.
ENTER KEY: Moves the cursor to the next logical field.
RIGHT ARROW KEY: If the cursor is on the last editing character
of the field, this key moves the cursor to the right of the
current field.
LEFT ARROW KEY: If the cursor is on the first character of the
field, this key moves the cursor to the field to the left of the
current field.
DOWN ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor to the field below the current
field.
UP ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor to the field above the current
field.
PAGE DOWN KEY: Moves the cursor to the last field on the screen.
PAGE UP KEY: Moves the cursor to the first field on the screen.
TAB KEY: Moves the cursor to the next logical field.
TAB LEFT KEY: Moves the cursor to the previous logical field.
<CTRL> RIGHT ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor to the field to the
right of the current field.
<CTRL> LEFT ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor to the field to the left
of the current field.
Page 6
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Editing Within a Field
Editing within a field can be accomplished with many different
keystrokes. Listed below is a summary of the keystrokes available
and the functions they perform.
RIGHT ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor one character to the right.
LEFT ARROW KEY: Moves the cursor one character to the left.
HOME KEY: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the field.
END KEY: Moves the cursor to the last character in the field.
BACKSPACE KEY: Moves the cursor to the left one character and
erases that character and shifts all trailing characters to the
left one space.
INSERT KEY: Toggles between insert mode and typeover mode.
DELETE KEY: Erases the character under the cursor and shifts all
trailing characters to the left one space.
ALPHA/NUMERIC KEY: Outputs the character where the cursor is and
moves the cursor over to the right, one space. If insert mode is
on, then all trailing characters are moved to the right, one
space.
Special Fixed Fields
There are certain fields which have fixed values. When the cursor
is moved to these fields, a window of choices appears. Each
choice has either an associated number or letter next to it.
Pressing the associated number or letter automatically makes the
desired selection and moves the choice into the input field.
Page 7
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Special Function Keys
There are a number of special function keys which perform a
variety of tasks. These keys are as follows.
<ESC> KEY: This key always takes you back one level from where
ever you are. For example: if you enter a screen from a menu,
then the <Esc> key will take you back to that menu.
<F1> KEY: This key is the help key. It toggles off and on
whether help messages should be shown with each input.
<F2>..<F10> KEYS: These other function keys may or may not be
active and have different functions in different parts of the
program. Brief explanations of what these keys do are displayed
on the screen in the Function Key line. Detailed information is
given under the documentation of each particular screen as to
which Function Keys are active and what their function is.
Page 8
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Debt Entry Screen
Loan Payment Matrix Inputs
TITLE: This is a title line printed on the top of the report.
This uses a line on the report only if something is entered;
therefore, you can fit more of the report on a page if the title
is left blank.
PRODUCED FOR: This is for personalizing the report. This uses a
line on the report only if something is entered; therefore, you
can fit more of the report on a page if this is left blank.
Please note that if you are saving and restoring client
information, that the filer system distinguishes unique cases by
this name; therefore, you should specify a name if you wish to
save multiple client information.
PRODUCED BY: This is for personalizing the report. This uses a
line on the report only if something is entered; therefore, you
can fit more of the report on a page if this is left blank.
START DATE: The first date that you will begin to make payments
using the loan payment matrix.
DEBT REDUCTION TYPE: Specifies the type of loan reduction method
to use. This must be set to "Debt Payoff Matrix" in order to
produce a loan payment matrix.
USE MINIMUM PAYMENT: If you are currently paying more than the
minimum payments on your loan, you make elect to have minimum
payments paid on the lower priority loans. The difference between
the minimum payment and current payment will be applied to the
high priority loans.
EXTRA PAYMENT: If you wish to accelerate your loan payments, you
may specify the extra amount to be applied to the loans each
month here. If you do not wish to make extra payments, then leave
this empty.
PRIORITY METHOD: This is the priority in which to payoff the
debts. You may choose one of 9 predefined priorities or you may
enter your own priority by choosing the "User Specified" option.
The predefined priority methods are as follows:
Highest Rate First--The debts with the highest interest rates
are paid off first.
Smallest Debt First--The debts with the smallest balance are
paid off first.
Largest Debt First--The debts with the largest balance are paid
Page 9
THE DEBT ANALYZER
off first.
Smallest Minimum Payment First--The debts with the smallest
minimum payment are paid off first.
Largest Minimum Payment First--The debts with the largest
minimum payment are paid off first.
Smallest Current Payment First--The debts with the smallest
current payment are paid off first.
Largest Current Payment First--The debts with the largest
current payment are paid off first.
Shortest Term Debt First--Under the current conditions, the
program determines how long it will take to payoff each debt
given the payment, balance and interest rate. Those debts
which will normally take the shortest time to be paid off,
are given the highest priority to be paid off first.
Longest Term Debt First--Under the current conditions, the
program determines how long it will take to payoff each debt
given the payment, balance and interest rate. Those debts
which will normally take the longest to be paid off, are
given the highest priority to be paid off first.
The following field names appear as headers on the screen. These
fields represent the information regarding a debt. Under each
header, up to 20 values may be entered. Each value represents a
unique debt.
DEBT: The name of the debt. This may be a credit card, a bank
loan, a car loan or any type of loan you may have.
MINIMUM PAYMENT: The minimum payment required on the loan.
CURRENT PAYMENT: The current payment that you are making on the
loan. If you are making minimum payments, then enter the minimum
payment.
CURRENT BALANCE: The current loan balance--it is the amount
currently owed on the loan.
EFFECTIVE INT. RATE: The annual EFFECTIVE interest rate on the
loan. PLEASE NOTE: if the interest rate is 18.00% compounded
monthly, then the effective interest rate is 19.5618% and NOT
18.00%.
PAYOFF PRIORITY: Specifies the priority of which debt to
eliminate first. The lower the priority, the sooner a loan is
paid off. Therefor, a priority of 1 will be paid off before a
priority of 2.
Page 10
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Loan Consolidation Inputs
The Loan Consolidation feature uses many of the same fields as
the loan payment matrix. These fields are the Title, Produced
For, Produced By and Start Date. In addition, the debt
information fields is a subset of those used in the loan payment
matrix. These include the Debt, Current Payment, Current Balance
and Effective Int. Rate. If not specified below, please refer to
the description of the field under the Loan Payment Matrix Inputs
section.
START DATE: The first date that you will begin to make payments
on the new consolidated loan.
DEBT REDUCTION TYPE: Specifies the type of loan reduction method
to use. This must be set to "Loan Consolidation" in order to
produce a loan consolidation report and schedule.
CONSOLIDATE METHOD: When consolidating a loan, you may choose an
automatic method or specify either the amount you want to pay on
the new loan or the number of months you want to pay on the new
loan. In the automatic method, the payment is automatically
determined by the total of the payments on all current debts. The
term of the loan is then calculated automatically. If you elect
to specify the amount, the number of months to pay will
automatically be calculated for you. If you elect to specify the
number of months, then the amount to be paid will automatically
be calculated for you.
PAYMENT AMOUNT: This only appears if the consolidate method is
selected as Payment--it is the payment you wish to pay on your
new consolidated loan. By specifying the payment, the number of
months to make the payment will automatically be calculated for
you.
MONTHS IN LOAN: This only appears if the consolidate method is
selected as Term--it is the number of months you wish to pay on
you new consolidated loan. By specifying the term, the monthly
payment will automatically be calculated for you.
NEW EFFECTIVE RATE: This is the new annual effective rate of the
loan.
Page 11
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Function Keys
F4 KEY (VIEW/PRINT): This invokes the Print Report Screen. This
screen allows for several options on how your report is to
appear. Please refer to the Print Report section for more
information.
F5 KEY (MISC): This invokes a Miscellaneous Options menu. Four
items appear on the menu. The are "Effective Rate Calculator",
"Clear All Debts", "Remove One Debt" and "Squeeze All Debts". The
"Effective Rate Calculator" allows you to play "what if"
scenarios with the effect of compounding on an interest rate. See
the section on the Effective Rate Calculator. "Clear All Debts"
allows you to reset all the debt information back to nothing.
This is useful for starting over or for starting on a new client.
"Remove One Debt" simply allows you to clear any specified debt
from the screen. "Squeeze All Debts" provides a method to squeeze
all the debts entered into the first debt entry fields. For
example, if you have entered 5 debts and you delete debt #3, you
will then have debts 1, 2, 4 and 5 active. By squeezing them,
you will move debt #4 into the 3rd position and debt #5 into the
4th position.
F6 KEY (FILER): This invokes the saving and retrieving of client
information menu. Please refer to the section on the Filer System
for more information.
F7 KEY (MANUAL): This invokes the user manual. Please refer to
the section on the On-line User Manual for more information.
F8 KEY (CONFIGURATION): This invokes the configuration menu.
Please refer to the section on the Configuration for more
information.
Page 12
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Effective Rate Calculator
The effective rate calculator is invoked by either pressing the
ALT and E key simultaneously or by selecting option #1 from the
miscellaneous menu (F5 Key). The effective rate calculator
allows you to determine true interest rates based on a
compounding factor. You simply enter the rate, the current
compounding mode and the desired compounding mode. Press F2
(Calculate) and the effective interest rate is displayed. The
following describes the fields:
CURRENT RATE: This is the interest rate you are converting from.
It is the interest rate that you know.
CURRENT COMPOUND: This is the compound method used to derive the
current interest rate. If your current interest rate is
compounded on an annual
basis, then you would select "Annual".
DESIRED COMPOUND: This is the compound method that will be used
to derive the effective annual interest rate. For example: if
you have a credit card that charges 18.00% a year, but the rate
is compounded monthly, you would enter the "Current Rate" as
"18", the "Current Compound" as "Annual" and the "Desired
Compound" as "Monthly". Press the F2 Key and your effective
interest rate shows up as 19.5618%
Page 13
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Print Report
Print Report Inputs
The Print Schedule/Summary screen allows for a variety of options
which affect the way the reports are to be printed. The fields
are listed below with their respective functions.
PRINT DESTINATION: This function allows you to specify where the
report is to be sent--it can be sent to the screen, printer or an
ASCII text file. The report appears on the screen as it will
appear when it is printed. When viewing the report on the screen,
a function key is available to send the report directly to the
printer without having to come back and change the print
destination to the printer.
FILE NAME TO SAVE: This specifies the name of the file where you
want to send the printed report. You may enter any valid path
and file combination. An invalid file name will result in a
warning at the time you press F4 to print it. This field only
appears if the print destination is to a file.
YEARLY BASIS: This function allows you to select how the
cumulative totals of the schedule are to be displayed. They can
be displayed on either a calendar or fiscal year basis. A fiscal
year basis displays the totals at exact yearly intervals. For
example, a loan paid monthly which starts in March would show
totals each March. If a calendar basis is chosen, totals would be
shown at the end of each calendar year. For example, a loan which
starts in April would show totals each December or end of the
year.
CUMULATIVE VALUES: This allows you to show each line of values
as cumulative totals from all previous years or months in the
report.
DOLLAR VALUES: This function specifies the use of dollar values
in the report. If "no" is selected, cents appear in the figures.
You would normally use dollar values if you prefer working with
whole numbers or if you are working with a very large debts where
the numbers start to merge when showing the cents.
DATE FORMAT: This specifies the format in which the dates will
appear in a report. For example, a date of October 23, 1992 would
appear as follows:
MM/DD/YY = 10/23/92 DD/MM/YYYY = 23/10/1992
MM-DD-YY = 10-23-92 DD-MM-YYYY = 23-10-1992
MM.DD.YY = 10.23.92 DD.MM.YYYY = 23.10.1992
Page 14
THE DEBT ANALYZER
MM/DD/YYYY = 10/23/1992 YY-MM-DD = 92-10-23
MM-DD-YYYY = 10-23-1992 YY.MM.DD = 92.10.23
MM.DD.YYYY = 10.23.1992 YYYY-MM-DD = 1992-10-23
DD/MM/YY = 23/10/92 YYYY.MM.DD = 1992.10.23
DD-MM-YY = 23-10-92 MMM YYYY = Oct 1992
DD.MM.YY = 23.10.92 DD MMM YY = 23 Oct 92
PAGES TO PRINT: This specifies which pages of the report you
wish to print. You can print a summary page, a schedule or both.
DATES ON ALL PAGES: This field only appears for the Debt Payoff
Matrix option. When there are more than 5 debts to be paid off,
the matrix becomes too large to fit on one page. A second page
and a possible third page may be needed. These pages can be
printed with just the debt information or they can have the
payment date and payment amounts in the left column of the
page just like the first page. By selecting a "Y" here, the dates
and payments will appear on the second and third pages.
Print Report Function Keys
F4 KEY (START PRINT): This function starts the actual printing
of the report. Based on the print destination, it either sends
the report to the screen or the printer.
Page 15
THE DEBT ANALYZER
On-line User Manual
The Debt Analyzer provides the capability to review this manual
on-line. The manual review is accessed by use of the F7 Manual
function key. Once selected, the user manual is loaded into
memory and displayed on the screen; you can scroll through at
will by use of the arrow keys and PgUp and PgDn keys. The manual
can be printed by your printer by pressing the F2 key. The file
"DEBT.DOC" contains the user manual--it is in standard ASCII
format and can be read in by virtually any editor or word
processor. It can be printed by simply using the Dos Print
command. (PRINT DEBT.DOC)
Page 16
THE DEBT ANALYZER
Configuration
The configuration section allows you to configure the program to
work with the printer of your choice, to work with the colors of
your choice, to select default report printing options and to set
miscellaneous options. Pressing the F8 Configuration function key
brings up this menu. The menu contains four options. The first is
to allow you to change the colors used in the program. The second
is to select a printer and set up specific printer options. The
third is for selecting Report Printing Defaults. The fourth is
for setting up miscellaneous functions and data in the program.
Color Attribute Selection
Selecting the color attribute option brings up a screen with a
list of all the different areas where different colors are used
and a displayed list of color to choose from. These are listed
below with a brief description of what areas are effected by the
specified color attribute names. Listed below the attribute names
is a list of active Function Keys which can help in setting up
your colors.
SCREEN ATTRIBUTE: The color that the screen uses everywhere
except for the following special areas. This is the most common
color.
FIELD ATTRIBUTE: The color that input fields appear in while
they are not being edited. This distinguishes them from normal
text on the screen.
EDIT ATTRIBUTE: The color of an input field while it is being
edited. This helps identify where you are at on the screen.
FKEY ATTRIBUTE: The color that the FKey line appears in at the
bottom of the screen.
ERROR ATTRIBUTE: The color that error messages pop up in.
MENU NORMAL ATTRIBUTE: The color that pop up scrollable
selection windows appear in.
MENU HIGHLIGHT ATTRIBUTE: The color that the highlighted
selection of menus and pop up scrollable selections appear in.
STATUS ATTRIBUTE: The color that the screen title appears in.
Also the color of the Caps Lock, Num Lock, Insert, Scroll, and
Help status.
Page 17
THE DEBT ANALYZER
F2 KEY (SHOW COLOR): Displays the current color specified in the
field where the cursor is located. The color is displayed in a
window in the bottom right corner.
F3 KEY (OTHER COLORS): There are 256 colors available, but only
128 of them are displayed on the screen at one time. The F3 Key
toggles between displaying the different sets of 128 colors.
F4 KEY (DEFAULT MONO): Automatically sets all the fields to the
default colors selected by Insight Software Solutions for a
monochrome monitor.
F5 KEY (DEFAULT COLOR): Automatically sets all the fields to the
default colors selected by Insight Software Solutions for a color
monitor.
Printer Selection
The printer selection brings up a menu which has several options.
The options are to Select A Printer, Delete A Printer, Add A
Printer, Modify A Printer, and to Alter Line Spacing and Margins.
Below the menu items is a list of the current printer
specifications.
Selecting a printer brings up a list of printers. Simply use the
arrow keys to highlight your printer type and press the <Enter>
key. If your printer is not listed, you may try several of the
printers listed to see if your printer is compatible with one of
those listed. If it is not, then you may enter your own printer
definition for your exact printer.
Deleting a printer definition should not be used very often.
Simply use the arrow keys to select the printer definition to be
deleted and press the <Enter> Key. You will be prompted to verify
that you really want to delete the printer definition.
Adding a printer definition can be difficult if you are not
familiar with printer control sequences. Selecting this option
brings up a printer input screen; it asks for a printer name
along with many different printer control sequences. The printer
control sequences need to be entered in hexadecimal notation. If
you are unable of performing this task, Insight Software
Solutions is willing to set up your printer definition for free
if you are a registered user and you send Insight Software
Solutions a copy of the control codes out of your printer manual.
Modifying a printer definition brings up the same screen as
Adding A Printer definition, you may then change any of the
Page 18
THE DEBT ANALYZER
fields desired. If the printer name is changed, the changed
definition will not be overwritten but will appear as a new
printer definition--this allows you to create a similar printer
definition without rekeying all the control sequences back in.
The altering line spacing and margins allows you to specify seven
different items. These items are: the top margin, left margin,
line spacing, page pausing, IBM graphics characters, Printer Port
and printer error bypass. The illustration is automatically
centered on the page left to right starting at line one. If you
desire a top margin it can be specified. (Note: Laser printers
should not normally specify a top margin.) If a larger left
margin is desired (for punched holes, etc) then a larger left
margin can be specified. The line spacing can be sent to either 6
lines per inch or 8 lines per page if more information per page
is desired. "Pause After Each Page" allows you to insert new
pieces of paper if your printer does not have continuous form
paper. Selecting the IBM graphics characters, tells the program
to build the illustration using graphic characters for dashes and
double dashes. Using the graphic characters produces a solid
line. These characters are used under headings, etc. Some
printers do not support these characters. If you select this
option and you get strange results on your printout, then you
will need to turn this option off. You may select to have your
printed output go to either LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3; this is helpful
if you have more than one printer connected to your computer. You
may select to have the program bypass all printer error checking.
There are rare cases where the printer error checking can cause
an error message to display even though there really is not an
error. Certain hardware like an automatic printer switching box
or some software spoolers may cause this. You may turn the error
checking off by selecting "Y" here to avoid this rare problem.
CAUTION: If your system works with the error checking on, then DO
NOT turn it off. If there is a real printer problem, the computer
could get hung and require a reboot.
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THE DEBT ANALYZER
Report Printing Defaults
The Report Printing Defaults section brings up a screen identical
to the Print Report screen. In this section, you choose the
values you want to use most frequently in the Print Report
screen. The values chosen here in the Report Printing Defaults
will be those which appear automatically in the Print Report
screen when the program is initially run. Please refer to the
section on Print Report screen for more specific detail on the
fields.
Miscellaneous Selection
The Miscellaneous Configuration section allows you to adjust the
program and the reports and schedules to your preference. There
are seven inputs--the first three are for permanent illustration
header lines. Typically these lines would be set to your company
name and address, but can be set to anything. These lines appear
at the top of every illustration before anything else and do not
need to be retyped each time the program is run--they are saved
and retrieved each time it is used. By selecting the "Turn Sound
Off" selection, most sound effects will not occur. If you do not
wish to see the startup logo each time you run The Debt Analyzer,
then you may select "Bypass Logo at Start". By selecting "Erase
Numeric Fields", the program will clear a numeric field of its
current value when you type a digit as the first thing you do
when editing the field. "Erase Alpha Fields" is identical to the
"Erase Numeric Field", but applies to fields that allow normal
alphabetic text.
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THE DEBT ANALYZER
Filing System
The Debt Analyzer provides the capability to save and retrieve
all information that has been entered. To invoke this option,
press the F6 Filer function key--this will bring up a menu. The
menu allows you to load saved client information or save out the
existing client information you are working on. Multiple clients
are distinguished by the name specified as the client. When
saving client information, if a client by that name already
exists, you will be prompted to either not save or to overwrite
the existing client. Retrieving client information is simple. A
list of all saved client names will appear. You can scroll
through the client names and by pressing the <Enter> Key, load in
the highlighted client. Saved client information can be marked
for deletion by pressing the F2 (MARK A CASE) Key. This simply
puts a little box to the left of the client name. You can mark as
many as desired for deletion. No client information is deleted
until the F3 (DELETE MARKED CASES) key is pressed. Pressing the
F3 (DELETE MARKED CASES) Key still gives you one more chance to
back out before deletion begins.
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