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BigFin Financial Program Documentation
v 3.xx
by
Gary D. Moore
5161 Howard Road
Smiths Creek, MI 48074-2023
Copyright (c) 1985-94
License is granted upon registration of BigFin program
Disclaimer
Gary D. Moore will not be liable for any damages, including any decrease
in profits, losses or other incidental or consequential damages arising
from the use of, or inability to use BigFin, or related software products,
even if Gary D. Moore has been advised of the possibility of such damages,
or for any claim by any other party. BigFin and related programs are
distributed with the understanding that if it is used and found to be of
value, the user will register for a contribution of $20 with the response
form. Registration is appreciated and encouraged. (The "monies" go to
a College Memorial Scholarship Fund. Thanks for helping!) Upon receipt
of registration, a diskette with the most recent version of BigFin, and
related programs will be mailed to the user. Registered users will be
notified of major revisions and updates. A modest fee will be charged for
the updates. For a large number of BigFin copies (and related programs)
contact Gary D. Moore at the address on the response form about site
licensing and/or quantity purchases. BigFin can be used like a book...
one person using it at a time. One registration is not a site license.
BigFin Un-History
The history of BigFin (short for Big Financial Program) may not matter to
some users, so an un-history is provided below:
The "un-history" of BigFin... on a wintry Michigan night in 1985, a friend
and I were trying to determine finance charges. The available programs for
the PC had too many errors to be reliable (not even close to Barron's
figures). Thus, crash code, no frills, no selection menu, etc., and BigFin
was born. Within a very short period of time, suggestions came from
associates for more formulas/calculations that kept me digging through college
texts, and reviewing notes from various college finance classes (have you ever
looked at notes several years after you wrote them...?). Solutions have been
provided for most suggestions. (SEND IN YOURS!!!!)
My rational for BigFin is to provide a practical, multipurpose finance
program. Five areas are included with BigFin. Those areas are 1) Annuity &
Savings, 2) Business & Finance, 3) Loans, 4) Miscellaneous, and 5) Currency
Conversion. Each of the menus has several formulas/calculations. The
Miscellaneous Menu is comprised of "things" that did not fit into the normal
financial menus, and may or may not be FINANCIAL in nature (they don't cost
extra).
BigFin's un-history hasn't ended yet... BigFin is still evolving. If you
have a SUGGESTION, and want to be a part of BigFin's history, please send it
to me.
BigFin Notes
ASCII Files:
BigFin allows printing a "screen" to an ASCII file. You can direct the TEXT
to any (legal) PATH. An extension may also be added (if no extension is
provided, BIG will be appended to the FileName). Beginning with v 3.16,
you can APPEND to an EXISTING file. This suggestion was brought to you by
Ken K. from New York State. A helpful feature if you want to include BigFin
data in a word processing file. Please NOTE: a PAGE FEED is provided with
the ASCII file, so you may will (manually) need to remove it if you use the
"output" in an ASCII file. Also NOTE: To ascertain that a file contains the
correct information, you can use the File Viewing Utility on the Miscellaneous
Menu to review it. When using File View, enter the same PATH (or none), then,
select the desired file. VIEW is a handy BigFin feature.
Caution/Warning/Disclaimer:
Math is double precision, thus, very accurate. Nevertheless, because of
varying standards in calculating, it is my request that results be used for
estimating only. There are too many "unknowns" to claim these figures
accurate in every instance (i.e. late payment charges, early payments,
surcharges, insurance, taxes, etc.). Use the results as a guide only, and
please review the disclaimer at the top of this document.
A "benchmark" calculation is a loan of 8,000.00 at 8% for eight (8) years,
the PAYMENT should be 113.09. Some early "chips" had a floating point error
that caused inaccuracies.
Comment/Memo Note:
You can "add" a fifteen line (sixty chars. per line) COMMENT/MEMO/NOTE to
the print-outs and ASCII files created by BigFin.
Printing:
Control codes are written to output ASCII text. Therefore, most printers
should work without problem. Results can be sent to a printer by selecting
"P" (as prompted). After the screen is dumped, the page is ejected from the
printer (this also works with laser printers). If the printer is not
available, a message displays: "Turn printer ON! (Press <Enter>)" If the
printer is not available after three cycles, the program will continue (thus,
not hang you up). If a print spooler/buffer is enabled, the information is
sent as though the printer was receiving data.
NOTE: You can input the number of LINES to PRINT (before a PAGE FEED)...
suggested by Clark L. (this has been implemented because of varying page
lengths with "laser" printers).
Registration:
Registered copies of BigFin are available (and encouraged) from the address
provided on the Response Form. Please enclose a check or money order for
$20 (US funds). Registered users will be notified about major revisions.
An update (for a registered user) can be obtained by sending $6 (US funds)
at anytime. Please send the response form provided, or PRINT the screen on
the Miscellaneous Menu about REGISTERING BIGFIN. Using the response form is
better, since the "questions" posed are helpful to me.
Oh yes, if you didn't read it in the above... the "monies" collected from
BigFin go to a College Memorial Scholarship Fund, so thanks for helping the
kids who need it (my family members are not eligible, so rest assured that
this isn't a scam).
System Requirements:
BigFin displays on Monochrome/CGA/EGA/VGA monitors. The minimum system
configuration is one floppy disk drive and 256K RAM. (Hard disk users
should set their PATH to the directory where BigFin resides, therefore,
BigFin is available anytime at the system prompt, i.e.
PATH=C:\;\C:\UTIL;C:\DOS). BigFin runs flawlessly on virtually all TRUE
compatibles. If it does not run on your computer, please send me the
computer information via the "BigFin Response Form" at the end of the
document.
NOTE: Some Leading Edge machines, or near compatibles, do not display
the menu boxes as they should.
TSR Programs:
If you have difficulty running BigFin and your machine is a 100% (PC)
compatible, a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program may be the culprit.
A TSR program (STACKEY) prevented BigFin from working on my friend, Dr.
Jensen's, AT with a speed up crystal. We thought it was the speed crystal,
but it was, indeed, the TSR program. BigFin functions flawlessly with
SuperKey and Sidekick (by Borland). Please inform me of any TSR programs
that conflict.
Odds & Ends:
1) Knowledge of Finance and Insurance terminology is helpful. Please
reference appropriate dictionaries for unknown terms.
2) BigFin Bar-Menu allows selection by number (1 to 9, that is), or using
cursor keys. The HOME and END keys move the cursor bar to the First and
Last item of the menu respectively. Function Keys F1 and F10 "pop-up" a
Calendar, and a Calculator respectively. Handy items to have when using
a financial program.
3) Users should know prevailing interest rates (for loans and annuities),
and the number of annual compounding periods (it is possible to have up
to 365 COMPOUNDING PERIODS in a year, BUT not more than 365). BigFin
calculations will print (and use) 365 if a larger number is entered in
any of the Annuity/Savings calculations.
4) DO NOT use a DECIMAL point when entering PERCENTAGES nor a COMMA when
entering dollar amounts (i.e. 14% is "14", not .14, and $1400 is "1400"
not 1,400. However, 10.125% is "10.125", and $99.99 is "99.99"). A
decimal point in the wrong place will produce an erroneous calculation.
If your answer looks out-of-line, you may have made an entry error (it's
okay, you're human!!!!).
5) The <Esc> (Escape key) allows the user to QUIT and return to the Main
Menu. Also note, you must enter a number unless the field is "OPTIONAL"
such as, the YEAR and MONTH of the Loan Amortization Schedule. All
OPTIONAL fields are indicated as such.
6) A pop-up calendar and calculator are available at any MENU. Press
Function Key One (F1) or Function Key Ten (F10) to use these. The Calendar
will increment the MONTHS forward with PgDn while PgUp increments the
MONTHS backward. Press any other key to return to the MENU. The
Calculator has basic functions, add, subtract, multiple and divide. The
prior results are kept. Press "C" to clear any entry.
7) Feedback is welcome. Positive comments are encouraged, but negative
constructive opinions are also welcome. Please be honest about BigFin.
Selling BigFin is not meant to make millions, but rather provide a good
product at a reasonable price. BigFin is marketed via the "Shareware"
approach. BigFin is copyrighted and protected under applicable copyright
laws. The author is the only legal agent to register and sell BigFin
unless other agreement has been made.
8) Site registration is available. For a large number of BigFin copies
(and related programs) contact Gary D. Moore at the address on the
response form about site licensing and/or quantity purchases. BigFin can
be used like a book... one person using it at a time. One registration
does not mean site license.
9) You can press (Function Key) F10 (as indicated on the lower right-hand
corner of your screen) for a "pop-up" Calculator at "any" numeric entry.
However, the "result" does NOT transfer BACK to your "entry" field...
I'll wait for feedback on that.
Acknowledgements and Reference:
Encouragement from friends in the Accounting, Securities, and Insurance
professions have helped me select several problem solving modules in BigFin.
BigFin formulas have come from a variety of sources (college math and
finance professors, the producers of the books listed below, and real-life
situations). The following are recommended resources for any library:
Huffman. Programmed Business Mathematics, Vol. 1 & 2, Fourth Edition, 1980
Logan. Strategy, Policy and Central Management, Eighth Edition, 1981
Maaz, Dr. Statistics, Ferris State College, 1981 (Class notes)
Maaz, Dr. Statistical Inference, Ferris State College, 1981 (Class notes)
Niswonger & Fess. Accounting Principles, 12th Edition, 1978
Weston & Brigham. Essentials of Managerial Finance, Fifth Edition, 1979
Thanks:
Especially to the great staff at Crescent Software for several routines
included in BigFin. To name "each" would take a long time. However, none
of their MATH routines are included (I felt more comfortable with my own).
Appreciation is also due the "many" registered users and "friends" who
have "suggested" enhancements to BigFin. To list "everyone" would take a
long, long time. So, thanks!
Finally:
BigFin will help you realize why John Paul Getty said, "...(compound)
interest is the eighth wonder of the world." Happy financing!
BigFin Financial Program (Menu) Information
Annuity & Savings Programs
The Annuity and Savings Menu consists of several programs. Results obtained
from these programs will convince you about the rewards of saving. It is
recommended that BigFin users be familiar with terminology in Finance,
Insurance, and Securities industries. A brief explanation follows for each
program module by title (in alphabetical order):
Earned Interest Calculation - provides the amount earned on an investment
over a period time at a fixed interest rate. A great module to prove the
rewards of saving. One thousand dollars at 7.5% for 10 years will yield
$1061.03 in interest (a total of 2,061.03), while $1000 at 7.5% for 15
years produces $1958.88 in interest (a total of 2,958.88). Saving for five
more years at the same rate almost doubled the interest earned.
Effective Interest of an Investment - depicts actual earning power of an
investment. This can be considered to be like the average interest rate of
an investment. Use with caution!
Estimated Income from an Investment - calculates the amount of investment
needed for a desired withdrawal. This figure is based on the number of
withdrawals per year, the interest rate, and number of years to withdraw.
This is a great tool for planning cash flows, or retirements.
Future Value of a Single Deposit - shows the future value of an investment
at a fixed interest rate compounded at regular intervals for a specific
period of time. Depicts the power of saving. This algorithm showed
friends who just had a baby what a thousand dollars would yield in 18
years. A thousand dollars at 7.9% (compounded quarterly) yields $4,016.80
for college. Of course, adding to that annually will yield much more.
Future Value of a Single Deposit (Annualized) - is essentially the same as
the preceding, but shows the annual growth rate. This growth is the
cumulative interest plus the initial investment. Simple? Thanks Tom L.
for the suggestion (others like the results too). Oh yes, if the investment
is more than fifteen years, you are asked if you want a printout (hardcopy).
Pressing anything by "Y" will send the results to the screen.
Future Value of Regular Deposits - calculates future value of (equal value)
deposits at a fixed interest rate for the number of compounding periods
over a time period. My brother has a hard time squirreling away a
thousand dollars a year for an IRA, but he can manage $15 per week. That
fifteen dollars per week fifty-two times a year at seven percent interest
(compounded quarterly) will yield him $33,499.80 at the end of twenty years.
The monies can then be transferred to another fund from which he can draw a
retirement supplement.
Interest Paid and Interest Earned - derived from my buddy ("JC") who always
wants to know what monies "borrowed" cost (in interest) compared to the
same monies "invested." This module has a highlight bar referencing the
Loan, Investment, or both. (Loan payment is automatically calculated).
Information regarding the loan and investment must be known. The end result
clearly shows the cost of monies borrowed verses monies invested.
Investment Interest Rate Calculation - calculates the Effective Annual
Interest Rate (EAR) of savings, or annuity. It is akin to the method of
finding the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) of a loan, but in regard to
savings.
Present Value Required for a Future Value - determines the estimated amount
of an initial deposit required to obtain a desired future value. This is
based on the desired future value, compounding periods, fixed interest
rate, and number of years deposited. A desired $25,000 in ten years is
obtained by investing $12,490.02 at seven percent (compounded quarterly)
now (the system date appears on the screen).
Rate Of Return of an Investment - simply, the ROI, or Internal Rate of
Return. This equation shows the average interest rate earned by an
investment.
Regular Deposits Required for a Future Value - calculates the deposit
needed to realize a future value. Deposits are made on a regular basis.
The interest rate, compounding periods, and time period of the investment
must be known. If $25,000 dollars was your goal, a regular deposit of
$34.94, fifty times a year at seven percent interest (compounded quarterly)
for ten years will accomplish it. It's incredible what thirty-five dollars
a week can do when saved on a regular basis.
Regular Withdrawals from an Investment - calculates how much may be
withdrawn from an investment WITHOUT reducing the initial investment. A
calculation for the conservative minded who want their nest-egg secure.
Total Depletion of an Investment - this module is effective when a lump-sum
is to be spent over a period of time. The amount is selectable by the user
as is the time period. This module demonstrates a good way to see how long
it takes to spend monies (so that the relatives who didn't earn it, don't
get it when you're gone). As the bumper sticker says, "I'm having a ball
spending my kids inheritance...." I added an optional INCREASE per year.
Though, the INCREASE is based on an annual amount... not on the WITHDRAWAL
amount. A value does not have to be entered.
Varying Rates, Future Value of a Single Deposit - provides a future value
of an investment at various rates with the chosen interest rate as a
midpoint. The user has the ability to enter one rate (e.g., 10%) plus a
variance of the rate to compare returns. An exercise in "What if the rate
was higher or lower?" Covers those situations where investment interest
rates vary (as some "guaranteed" annuities may have in small print). The
VARIANCE entered by the user will show the least amount returned to the
greater amount returned. Variances are twice the variance below and above
the entered amount. This module is a modification of FUTURE VALUE OF A
SINGLE DEPOSIT. A practical application is an investment in ZYX Annuity
Fund guarantees five percent as a low rate of return, and nine percent as a
high. Ten-thousand is the initial investment, compounded quarterly for ten
years. Entering the information with seven percent as a midpoint with one
as the variance shows that this investment will yield $16,436.19 at five
percent (low rate), and $24,351.89 at nine percent (high rate). This
variance shows (at a glance) the variance to be expected from the investment.
ZYX Annuity is fictitious, but these kinds of annuities are real. This is a
good "ball park" estimator.
Business and Finance Programs
This menu consists of programs related to business and finance, but do not
fit other areas. A brief explanation follows for each program module by
title (in alphabetical order):
Break Even Calculation - shows amount of sales needed to break even on an
item (or service) when FIXED COSTS, RETAIL PRICE, and VARIABLE costs are
entered. Provides the break even amount and number of items (services)
necessary to sell for suggested profit.
Discounted Commercial Paper - is a complex financial problem made simple
after supplying the maturity value of a note, the amount of interest it
bears, and the number of days until it reaches maturity. It is a common
practice to buy Account Receivables at a discount then receive full amount
"X" days later.
Earnings/Wage Calculation - selected by Annual Salary or Hourly Rate. Hourly
Rate uses the hourly wage, number of hours worked per pay period, and number
of pay periods per year. Result for both entries show earnings per Minute,
Hour, Pay Period, Month, Year. (No matter how MUCH we earn... it's NEVER
enough!!!!)
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Calculation - (for "old" BigFin users, the
IRR calculation has returned in v 3.15+.) IRR equates the present value (PV)
of the expected future cash flows (or receipts) to the initial investment.
The INITIAL investment must be known, and the NUMBER of cash flows must be
ONE or more. And, the CASH FLOWS (negative for additional investment and
positive for returns) must be known (estimated). The IRR calculation takes
a bit longer than most calculations since it keeps looping until the Present
Value of the cash flows from the investment is about equal to its cost. When
this equalization occurs, the result is the IRR. Please remember, IRR is a
"guess-ta-mation" equation... USE IT WITH CAUTION! Howard C. requested that
I add (revitalize) IRR in BigFin.
Lease/Buy Decision - (back by popular demand) provides a guess-ta-mation
for Leasing and Buying. This calculation is based on the Net-Present-Value
of monies. The cost of the ASSET, Amount of the LOAN, Percentage Rate of the
LOAN, Length of the LOAN, Salvage Value at the END of the LOAN (or BUY BACK
value), Tax Rate (optional), Monthly lease rate, and Depreciation (for EACH
year of the LOAN) must be entered as prompted. The (Net) Present Value of the
LEASE and LOAN are displayed. The ADVANTAGE (to Lease or Buy) is shown.
Mean (Average) & Standard Deviation Calculation - a very simple module that
allows entry of data to produce an average. If Linda F. needs to know the
average of her class test scores, she can input the scores and determine
an average as well as the deviation from the average.
Population Sample Size Calculation - is a Statistics formula. It provides
the necessary number of people/items for sampling based on a population for
a Scientific Systematic Survey. The user supplies the base (number) for
sampling. (Note: The population/base must be greater than 125.)
Loan Programs
Loan programs in BigFin are helpful for anyone financing anything. A study
of the loan modules will open a new view on the world of financing. Because
modules are simple to understand and easy to use, the explanations are
brief. All calculations use simple interest based on the standard formula
INTEREST equals PRINCIPAL times RATE times TIME (plus a few more wiz-bangs
added). An explanation follows for each module by title (in alphabetical
order):
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of a Loan - provides the actual interest rate
paid on a loan. This is very helpful when a rate is advertised to be a
bargain, such as, an automobile ad. The formula will depict the real
"cost" of a loan. Also note: Credit Life should be added to the loan
repayment to attain a true and accurate APR. This formula is the same as
the one perscribed by The Truth and Lending Law (formula is provided on the
screen for those questioning its validity).
(Daily) Interest on Loan Principal Calculation - computes interest paid for
the number of days (supplied by the user) for a specified loan principal at
an annual interest rate. Note: Interest figured on 365 day year. If zero
(0) is entered, the user can enter specific dates. Calculation for the
number of days is derived from the entered dates.
Final Payment Calculation - will ascertain the last payment amount for a
loan. A very simple calculation, but variance occurs because of "hidden
and unknown" factors. Please use with caution... it's an estimate!
Interest Paid and Interest Earned - Please see explanation in Annuity and
Savings section. This selection is common to Loans and Annuities, thus
it is on both menus.
Loan Amortization Calculation - provides a summary of a loan (a second menu
prompts output to the Screen, Printer, or ASCII file (PATH Optional)). The
loan program is excellent for calculating Land Contracts. Calculations
have an annual summary for principal and interest paid. Output shows the
Payment Number, Month/Year, Payment, Principal, Interest (per payment),
Interest-To-Date (ITD), and Balance of the Principal (as of that payment).
The annual summary is January through December with Year-To-Date totals for
Principal, and Interest paid. The "last" payment is designated as LAST, and
may appear as the thirteenth payment in the final year.
Notes: 1) A BONUS payment option can be entered (maximum two (2) per year)
for the indicated months (i.e. 1 = Jan, 2 = Feb, etc., 0 = Quit). The BONUS
payment is in ADDITION to the NORMAL payment. The DEFAULT is a double
payment. You can enter what you wish. 2) A BALLOON PAYMENT OPTION allows
calculates by either a Number of Payments, or Month and Year of the Last
Payment. 3) As of v 3.17 you can EDIT the entered VALUES. A message prompts
"MODIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE ENTRIES (Y/N)?" The user MUST enter either a 'Y' or
an 'N' to MODIFY or continue respectively. 4) A summary and disclaimer appear
at the end of the listing. 5) If there is a REMAINING LOAN BALANCE at the end
of a BALLOON Loan Amortization, the user may select "Y" at the prompt,
"ANOTHER (Y/N)?" The REMAINING LOAN BALANCE with then be the Loan Principle.
Other previous values are retained.
Loan Payment Calculation - determines the payment needed to satisfy a loan
based on interest rate, length (years) of the loan, number of payments per
year, and the loan principal. Provides the amount of interest paid. This
payment calculation is the same rendered by the two amortization
calculations in BigFin (and Barron's Loan Amortization Schedule).
Loan Principal Calculation - calculates the loan principal after entering
the number of payments per year, amount of payment, interest rate, and the
length of time to repay a loan. Real life circumstance... "JC" believes
he can afford $300 a month for a car. He knows the interest rate on the
car is twelve percent. Based on a four year payment schedule twelve times
a year, the calculation shows he can borrow $11,392.19. Be cautious, this
amount can vary because of "hidden" expenses, late fees, etc., when
borrowing. However, it is a good estimation tool.
Loan Repayment Period /w Total Interest Repaid - shows the length of time to
repay a loan. You supply the annual interest rate, the number of years to
repay the loan, and loan principal. Beware of "hidden" expenses of a loan,
these costs can distort the calculation. Incremental increases depict the
merit of a quicker pay off.
Lump Sum Payment Calculation - determines the interest and lump sum payment.
This is helpful when someone makes a set payment on a loan with interest. A
number of farms in Michigan have been sold using this method (payment plus
interest, paid once a year). This module was a suggestion by Gale F., a life
long friend and securities guru.
Remaining Loan Balance - helps determine the payoff on a loan. The number
of payments per year, the interest rate, the amount of the payment, and
number of payments made thus far are required. If you secure a loan for
your home based on twelve payments per year at ten percent interest at $400
per payment on $42,000, and you have made three payments into your tenth year
(123 payments), you would owe $32,926.58 on the loan. This information is
essential if you are thinking about re-financing, or obtaining a second
mortgage. Hidden expenses/fees will distort this figure, please use this
result with caution. As with other calculation, remember that this is only
an ESTIMATE!
Spread Sheet Loan Amortization Schedule - information entered regarding
Loan Principal, Interest Rate, Length of Loan (in years), Month and Year
(loan begins) is used in the spread sheet. This module provides a "what-if"
scenario. Inclusion of this module has been the MOST difficult and time
consuming of any single effort within BigFin. (I'm not complaining, just
stating a fact for those who will request changes, alterations, etc.)
Note: 1) If you put in a payment that is GREATER than what is needed, the
number is changed to the amount to payoff the loan. 2) The OUTPUT to SLK
file is done to enable "users" to DUMP data to a Spread Sheet of choice. I
use the SLK (Symbolic-Link) format to avoid law-suits (the 1-2-3 people have
"sued" in the past). Most Spread Sheets import SLK (or SYL) format. Oh yes,
the "formulas" go with the SLK export. Exceptions are the "annuals" (for
Interest and Principal); these are NOT included (too many variables).
Additionally, the SLK files import to Microsoft Excel retain the formulas.
I CAN NOT vouch for Lotus 1-2-3 to do this.
Variable Payment Loan Amortization Calculation - provides a summary of a
loan (a second menu allows selection of output to the screen, printer, or
an ASCII file (PATH optional)). This loan program is very helpful to
calculate loans paid bimonthly, every two weeks, or when you want to make
thirteen payments a year verses twelve. Output displays Payment and
Year, Payment Amount, Principal Paid, Interest Paid, Interest-To-Date (ITD),
and Balance of the Principal (as of that payment). Annual summary is
January to December with Year-To-Date totals for Principal and the Interest
paid that year. A summary and disclaimer appear at the end of the listing.
(This was suggested by a friend to ease his land contract woes in figuring
variable payment amounts. Good suggestion, Dick!) Caution: When using
this program, the payments begin at the first of the month of the system
date, therefore, it may look like an extra payment is being made that year.
Payments are numbered rather than having the Month displayed.
Miscellaneous Programs
The miscellaneous programs are financial and business related formulas that
do not fit other sections of BigFin. However, they are handy. A brief
explanation is provided for each module by title in alphabetical order:
Age Calculation - enter your birthday (MMDDYY), and you have the years,
or hours, or minutes, or seconds you have lived. Great for kiddies who
MUST know how many minutes they are old (the rest of us want to forget).
Area to Square Feet/Square Yard Calculation - computes number of feet/yards
of material need to cover an area. If total square feet is known, it can be
entered. Cost per square yard can also be entered. (Square METERS also
displayed.)
Area (Square Feet) to Acreage Calculation - a simple equation to determine
acreage. If total square feet is known, it can be entered; length and
width are requested otherwise. Acreage is return to the hundredth. A lot
90 feet by 100 feet is .21 acres. (Square METERS also displayed.)
ASCII Chart - was added to help "me" quickly find a character when
programming. Uses cursor keys to move around the chart. Same code as my
ASCIIWIN program. (A 'steal' from the Crescent collection... in assembler.)
Circle, Area & Circumference Calculation - provides the radius of a circle,
and several variations of the results is displayed.
Cubic Foot/Yard Calculation - is very useful when estimating the amount of
concrete or fill need. If the total square feet is known, it can be entered.
If not, the user is prompted for the length and width. The depth is also
required. An OPTIONAL cost per cubic yard is prompted. If a cost is
provided, an estimated COST is given. A neat calculation for estimating the
fill dirt needed to "level" your yard.
File Viewing Utility - provides a means to look at files. The files do NOT
have to be ASCII text (but, I don't know many people who can make sense of
the "guru" characters on the screen). You can enter any PATH (e.g. \TEXT
or B: (for the diskette in Drive B:)), then select the desired file by
moving the cursor bar over it and Press <ENTER>. The "screen" contrast menu
pops up. Change the contrast, or Press <ENTER> to use the one already
selected. (Hope you find this useful! It is, essentially, the same code as
my VIEW utility.)
Fuel Consumption and Cost Calculation - needs the number of units
(gallons/liters), the cost of each unit, and miles/kilometers driven. The
calculation figures the cost per mile and kilometer.
Home Owner's Cost Calculation - was essentially a Public Domain program
that has been drastically altered to produce the output to the screen, or
the printer. These calculations are based on a single residence tax
deduction, and provide estimation of savings by realization of gain through
increase property value, reduction of mortgage principal, and recovery based
on a person's tax bracket. These calculations are to be used as a guide for
prospective buyers. Please... use this for an ESTIMATE only!
How To Become A Registered User - hopefully, everyone will read this first
and immediately send their registration fee to the author. This selection
displays an address with which to register BigFin if the documents are not
available.
Systems Information Summary - is the system configuration summary of the
computer on which BigFin is running. It is essentially the same code used
in my SysInfo.COM program.
Text Editor (ASCII File) - this is a simple TEXT editor added due to demand.
It is very easy to use. A "cheat-sheet" (Big_Edit.DOC) is included to show
the various HOT-KEYS the BigFin Editor uses. The TEXT file size CAN NOT
exceed 400 lines (about 16K). When exiting, you are prompted IF you would
like FILENAME.BAK created. "Y" creates a "backup" of the file. The Editor
is added as of version 3.24. Note: The file must EXIST before you can edit.
Time Transfer Calculation - is helpful to determine time needed to transfer
a file via a modem. Baud rate is selectable. Cost per minute can also be
entered (optional).
Document Menu
The DOCUMENT Menu displays this text to screen within BigFin. You can also
print the Response Form, and this Document to the printer attached to printer
port ONE (1). The response form can be folded, then sent with the
appropriate First Class postage.
I provided a DEFAULT "path" for the BigFin Document to be either \UTIL\
or \MISC\BIGFIN\ (thus, making it easier to find). (The INSTALL program
installs BIGFIN.EXE and BIGFIN.DOC in the \UTIL directory as its default.
NOTE: If you have an early version of BigFin, you may also have BigFin1.DOC
and BigFin2.DOC, these can be "deleted". The current version uses ONE
document BigFin.DOC)
Change Screen Color - gives users better color contrast when reading the
Documents with BigFin.
Print Documents - these are "self-explanatory" on this menu.
Currency Conversion
The CURRENCY CONVERSION Menu - Provides a means to convert several "world"
currencies to U.S. The "exchange amount" is determined by the "date"
specified in the program. However, you can modify the amount as indicated.
Other "exchanges" will be added as suggested.
SHELL to DOS
SHELL to DOS (Option) - Allows user to get to DOS without exiting BigFin.
The prompt is 'set' to BF: Drive:Path, i.e. BF: C:\UTIL Typing 'exit'
will return user to BigFin Main Menu. Why 'shell' to DOS? If you want
to 'unstick' your printer, change Drive/Directory (to create files), etc.
Remember to type EXIT when you are finished since BigFin resides in memory
(approximately the size of BigFin's EXE, plus two(2) K). SHELL will NOT
work with DOS v 2.xx
BigFin and Windows*
BIGFIN & WINDOWS* - Included with the "registered" version of BigFin are
files necessary to run under Windows* 3.x. These files are BIGFIN.PIF,
BIGFIN1.ICO, and BIGFIN2.ICO. The PATH in BIGFIN.PIF is C:\UTIL\BIGFIN.EXE
(change this to the directory in which BigFin resides on your computer).
BIGFIN1.ICO and BIGFIN2.ICO are "sample" icons for BigFin. If someone more
'artsy' would like to create a better icon(s), I welcome the assistance. To
install BigFin (as a Windows application) follow the simple instructions in
your Windows* manual.
The PRINT SCREEN, and document PRINTING functions work fine while using
BigFin (a DOS application) within Windows*.
WINDOWS* 3.0 Users: It is necessary to have these files in your
WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory: EGA80WOA.FON, EGA40WOA.FON, CGA80WOA.FON, and
CGA40WOA.FON These must exist to run DOS applications, or you'll get an
error message ***** WINDOWS* 3.0 ONLY!!! Microsoft "fixed" this in v 3.1.
* Windows is a Trademark of Microsoft Corporation
End of BigFin.DOC 940104