Media Share 9/MEDIASHARE_09.ISO/business/tcheck63.zip/CHECKS.DOC

Text File | 1993-02-09 | 40KB | 785 lines

                          THE TALKING CHECKBOOK

                 By Charles Crawford and Donald Barrett.

    Documentation for Version 6.03.

                       Introduction and features:

         If you rely upon synthetic speech output to access and use a
    personal computer, then you've come to the right place for a
    checkbook management program.  Everything about this program
    relates to speech output while still usable by folks who do not
    need speech.

         The Talking checkbook was created originally by Charlie
    Crawford as a means to have a speech friendly checkbook program.
    Don Barrett got hooked on the program and wrote printer routines
    and since then has been a co-author of the program.

         the program is released to the public domain and nobody
    takes any responsibility for anything.  How's that for a quick
    disclaimer rather than all that stuff you usually read?

                                FEATURES:

         o    Pre-authorized payments and transfers.  This option
              allows you to have amounts deducted or entered
              automatically when a given date is detected as being
              today or having passed by the checkbook program.  This
              is great for credit union deductions or whatever.  Also
              if you are paid electronically with a given amount each
              time, then this function will make your life easy!

         o    Turn on or off hot key prompts.  Ever get tired of
              having to press the enter key every time you enter a
              response to a prompt?  Well, the Talking Checkbook now
              features an optional single keystroke response when the
              information is being requested is a single letter or
              number.  Say you get a prompt called " So do you want a
              million bucks?  Y/N:  " and you immediately want to say
              "N" for no since you like being poor.  Well in the past
              you would have to press the "N" key an press enter, but
              now you just hit the "N" key and the program moves on.
              Of course if you enter something other then a "Y" or a
              "N" the program will prompt you for the right answer
              and wait for a "Y" or an "N".  the few times when the
              hot key is not set (even when you have them turned on)
              happens when the information you are to enter either
              potentially requires more than a single letter or
              number answer or is information you might want to
              correct before going on.

         You will be asked at the start of the program if you want
    hot keys.  The program will record your answer in a memory file
    called "Keys.mem" and write that memory file to disk.  The
    program will then always default to your answer and not ask again
    until you erase the "Keys.mem" file where the program will
    interpret the lack of a file as a need to check and see if you
    want hot keys or not.

         o    Data entry Macros.  So you might be like Charlie
              Crawford and sometimes not get around to entering data
              for a couple of weeks.  Well, often you will pay the
              same place a number of checks like the grocery store
              and what if the name is "Joe, Frank, George, Jim, Judy,
              Ellen, Mary and all their cats and dogs groceries".
              Arrrg, that would kill your typing hands in no time!
              So a macro database has been created that allows you to
              enter an abbreviation for a particular name and then
              when you go to enter the check, all you do is type the
              abbreviation and the macro program searches for it.  If
              the abbreviation is found in the macro database, then
              your "pay to the order of" field is automatically
              filled out with the name match for the abbreviation and
              your comment field is also filled out.  Say, lazy but
              great!

         o    Automatic Backup of your databases.  If you ever have
              experienced loss of data on a hard disk that crashed or
              whatever, you'll fall in love the with the automatic
              backing up feature of the Talking Checkbook.  This
              simply allows you to set a path to where you would like
              an additional copy of your data sent in order to have
              it in case of a problem.

         o    Security Packing.  No, this is not a mission that you
              get sent away by the Central Intelligence Agency to do,
              but rather a nifty feature that allows you to have the
              program check and secure your data each time you return
              to the main menu of the program.

         o    Credit Card and Savings Account tracking.  The
              checkbook program tracks your savings account and does
              some credit card tracking as well.  This helps with tax
              reporting and keeps you mindful of these accounts.

         o    Browse editing.  If you like to browse through the
              checks, deposits and withdrawals using the arrow keys
              or page up and page down keys, then you'll love the
              browse features for checks, savings, macros and more!

         o    Tempo the talking cat.  Yeah, one of the nice features
              of the Talking Checkbook is meeting Tempo the talking
              cat in our own adventure game.  Here you get to play as
              opposed to having to be so serious all the time.  The
              game even has a casino where you an win or lose, but
              have a great time.

         o    F10 blast back to DOS. Yup, here's the feature that
              takes the drudgery out of running through menu after
              menu to get out to DOS. This feature lets you press
              Function key 10 and boom you are out to DOS with all
              your databases packed.  Of course auto backups are not
              performed with this operation since the goal is to save
              your databases where you are an split quickly to DOS.



    Getting Started.

         The Talking Checkbook usually comes in a zip format where
    the files are compressed into a single package.  Use the
    PKUNZIP.exe program to unzip the files to a subdirectory on your
    hard disk or use a floppy.  If you use a floppy, then be sure to
    check on one of our utilities discussed later on that allows you
    to store older checkbook records into separate files to save
    space and make the program run faster.

         Once the files are located on your hard drive in a
    subdirectory of your choice, simply type "Checks" (the quotes are
    only to highlight what you type and so don't use them when
    typing) and you are on your way!  Simple as that.  The Talking
    Checkbook will automatically check your computer memory, see if
    the databases it needs to use are there and create them if this
    is the first use of the program.  Folks who have used the Talking
    Checkbook in the past will appreciate their databases not being
    overwritten by installing a newer versions.

         If you get a "not enough memory" message and returned to the
    DOS level, then you probably are using a "terminate and stay
    Resident" program or programs.  These are like communications
    packages that allow you to shell to DOS while keeping them in
    memory or other types of applications.  Be sure that you are only
    using DOS, your speech or large print program, and the Talking
    Checkbook.  Loading on networks is also a problem if the network
    takes a bunch of memory.  You might consider loading a number of
    programs high in DOS which can be done with newer versions of DOS
    if you are having a memory use problem.  Currently the Talking
    Checkbook runs using about 436 K of memory.  This is well within
    the range of availability for most DOS machines having 640 K of
    base memory to start.

                     Running the Talking Checkbook.

         Now we get to the good stuff.  what happens and what do you
    do.  Let's do it.

         The first thing that happens when you load the Talking
    Checkbook is a memory report.  Nice for nerds lie Charlie
    Crawford who like to hear how much memory they have when they
    start, but has little to do with reality.  If you get the
    message, then you have enough memory.

         Next, the program looks to see if it can find the files it
    will use to store data.  If it finds them, then it will simply go
    on to the next step rather than overwriting the current files of
    folks who are upgrading rather than running for the first time.
    If it does not find the files it needs, then it will create them
    from failsafe files that come with the program.  If the failsafe
    databases are not found in the subdirectory where the program is
    running, it figures it is not a miracle worker and simply crashes
    to a lonely death on your hard disk.  The moral is to be sure you
    copy all the files that come with your talking checkbook to the
    same subdirectory.  WARNING:  Some folks are real nice and like
    the checkbook so much that they want to share it with friends.
    We suggest sending it to Congress and maybe solve the national
    debt, but on the serious side, be sure to erase any files with
    the extension ".mem" before sharing the program with friends.
    this is because the ".mem" files are information files for the
    checkbook program to read an act upon.  they include balance
    information, where to backup databases and color settings and
    more.  If you give your friend a copy of the program with the
    failsafe databases but have not removed the ".mem" files, then
    your friend might start sending you hate letters when they load
    the program and get colors they don't like, keep getting an
    incorrect balance report or colors that they can't stand.  this
    actually happened to a guy out west and so the best advice is to
    get a fresh copy of the Talking Checkbook from a BBS or calling
    Charlie Crawford to have one mailed.

         Now you get asked two questions before entering the main
    menu.  First, you are asked if you want to see your balance?  If
    so, then you get an instant balance report and you can either
    move on or go back to DOS. This is for those folks who simply
    want a balance without the time it would take to enter the
    checkbook main menu and get it and then exit.  OK, so we've got
    some busy folks out there.

         The second question asked is whether you want to see your
    balance each time you go to the main menu.  Well, some people
    like that although I (Charlie Crawford) never use it.  It slows
    down the program especially when lots of data is being accessed.
    Up to you, hey we are easy with it.

         Next you enter the main menu of the Talking Checkbook.  Yay!
    Finally there.  You get greeting with a message as to what
    version you are in and of course a little credit to yours truly
    and Don Barrett for having written the thing.

                           MAIN MENU OPTIONS.

         * Please note that the menu options on the main menu of the
    actual program are presented in alphabetical order in Version
    6.02 and above.


         A. The Talking Checkbook Adventure game.

         Yeah, here's the main menu option to blast you away from all
    that boring checkbook stuff and take you to the land of adventure
    where you have to get your money back that has been stolen by X.
    The reason we say "X" is because the culprit changes as your
    checkbook records grow.  The game looks at your data and goes to
    the middle of the database and runs a villain from there.  Hence
    the more records you add, the further down the database it goes
    to find the enemy.  You'll love this game if you are into
    adventure.



         B. Edit and browse option.

         Your second main menu option is to edit, delete or browse
    records within the Talking Checkbook database.  This is real
    important since sometimes we make mistakes in entering a check or
    whatever and want to fix or delete it.  No problem, this is the
    purpose of the menu option or you can simply use it to browse
    through your records.


         C. Set up your print coordinate Definitions.

         Main menu option C gives you the ability to enter printing
    coordinates for your printer to use when writing checks.
    Computers are really pretty stupid and need to know exactly where
    to send information like the date and who to pay and so forth.
    Here's where you do it and the program gives you a step by step
    guide on what to do.


         E. Entry data menu.

         This old first main menu option takes you to the data entry
    menu.  This is the critical part of any checkbook program.  Once
    you access the data entry menu, then you can enter checks,
    deposits, withdrawals, credit card information, savings account
    information, automatic payment and macro data.  Arrg, say that's
    a lot of stuff.  We will discuss the options later.


         F. Check out your fixed bills.

    This main menu option takes you right to the world of those bills
    you pay every so often for a fixed amount.  A mortgage is an
    example of this.  It helps speed the process of payments and
    keeps track of those fixed bills.


         G. Generate a text file or print statement of records
    between certain dates.

         Well, this main menu option is real useful when someone says
    they never got paid by you or whenever you need a print or text
    file report of your checkbook records between certain dates.


         M. Make changes in Screen Colors.

         Main menu option M is great for folks who have partial or
    full sight.  The color contrasts of text to background can be
    critical in some cases and so the Talking Checkbook offers a way
    to set the colors the way the user wants and to always use them
    until a change is requested.


         P. Print checks.

         Say, this could not be more self explaining huh?  Sometimes
    you will want to print a check after you have entered it and done
    some other things.  No problem, here's your menu option to do
    just that.


         R. Get a balance report.

         Well this main menu option is pretty straightforward.  Yup,
    just calculates your balance an reports it.  In addition, you can
    run a reconciliation with your bank statement balance from this
    option.


         S. Sum and display records by category.

         Here's a great main menu option to give you information you
    can think about.  It gets the amounts you have paid or deposited
    or whatever by category and tells you the number of times you
    have done it, and the total amount involved.  Check out how much
    you spent at the grocery store and then the bowling alley.
    Interesting information can be found.


         T. Test your Checkbook knowledge!

         Well, there are some folks out there who are fanatics about
    knowing every little thing about their checkbook and amounts of
    money.  So main menu option T gives them a place to test their
    knowledge.  It's fun but the score is likely to be low for most
    folks including myself who got a 20 out of 100.


         U. Talking Checkbook Utilities Pack.

         This main menu option is a good friend to have.  It gives
    you an array of choices to do important things like get a report
    of your last two weeks of deposits and withdrawals, do math
    calculations, see a summary listing of your records and more.
    Check it out.


         V. Verify Transactions.

         Well you get your bank statement and cancelled checks and
    verify them against your Talking Checkbook data.  This is an
    option that is real important to keep up.  If you do, then you
    can always rest assured that a check actually was cashed.  Real
    helpful when someone thinks that they never got paid or whatever.


         Y. Your Security Packer.

         This main menu option Y simply allows the user to have the
    database checked and secured as often as they wish while the
    program is running.  It's a good idea to keep the database
    constantly monitored to protect against any errors.


         F10. Bail out of program.

         The F10 function key #10 is a way to get back to DOS in a
    hurry.  It will work from anywhere in the Talking Checkbook and
    will secure the databases and exit quickly to DOS. Don Barrett is
    responsible for this nifty feature.  Maybe he did not like my
    pretty or witty prose.


         X. Exit to DOS.

         Main menu option X is to tell the Talking Checkbook that you
    want to leave the program.  Once pressed, it will take you to
    some choices where you can either leave right away, go back to
    the main menu or bacjup your databases to wherever you would like
    additional copies sent.  We strongly recommend using the backup
    feature to avoid lots of tears if one day your data gets blown
    away or corrupted by something.  Not likely since I've not had
    that problem with the checkbook in four years, but better safe
    than sorry.RUNNING YOUR MAIN MENU OPTIONS.

         Remember a few years ago when you read about main menu
    option E?  Well, now let's take a look at what happens when you
    run the option.

         You press "E" at the main menu and get the main data entry
    menu.  Here you have 8 options from which to choose.

         1. Enter a deposit.

         Entering a deposit is our favorite activity.  Yup, you get
    to put money into the thing rather than taking it out.  Your
    initial balance is a deposit because when you first run the
    Talking Checkbook, we hope you had some money with which to
    start.  You make that a deposit.  Then if you ever get any more
    money like bank interest, pay checks, dividends or whatever, then
    you also use this option to enter those amounts.

         2. Enter a check.

         Not much use for a Talking Checkbook if you don't have any
    checks.  Well, here's the place to enter them.  You'll be given
    two options when you select this function.  You can either get
    your balance displayed each time you enter a check or not.  Some
    folks like to see what there balance is before entering checks
    and so we put the two options in.

         Once you've selected the balance reporting option for the
    checks entry menu option, then you will see an automatic display
    of what your last check number was.  You then be able to select
    if you want the program to use the next highest number for the
    check you will be entering.  If yes, then the program does it, if
    no then you have to enter the number yourself.  In any event, the
    program checks to see if the number has already been used and if
    so, warns you.

         Next you are given a date option.  If you are really on top
    of your game then the "T" for today's date is made just for you!
    It automatically adds the current date to the date field of the
    check, but if you are like me and don't keep up with entries
    everyday, then you can add the actual date of the check yourself.
    Warning:  be sure to use slashes whenever entering a date into
    the Talking Checkbook.  An example of this is "12/25/99" for
    December 25, 1999 and hope you get good gifts.

         Next you will be asked for the name of to whoever you are
    writing the check.  Here you can either type in an abbreviation
    macro or the full name of who you are paying.  If you have
    defined "Joe's Grocery" as "JG" in a macro then typing "JG" here
    would later render "Joe's Grocery" in the pay to field.  If you
    have not done a macro then typing the full name of whoever is
    being paid is necessary, or you can enter up to an 8 character
    name that you will later define as a macro when the maco search
    fails to find it and asks if you want to create a macro.  This
    new function in version 6.02 will operate on any 8 character or
    less entry into the "Pay To" field.  Of course if you regularly
    pay someone with a less than 9 character name, then don't worry
    since you'll be given the option to create a macro or just go on.
    Once you type the info in and press enter, the macro database
    will be searched for a match and the program will move on after
    evaluating the results of the macro search.

         Next you need to let the program know how much money the
    check is for.  If you are paying ten dollars and 5 cents, you
    would enter "10.05" and press enter.  Warning:  this is a numeric
    entry.  Only numbers and decimal points will be accepted.
    Writing in a dollar sign would crash the program.  Yeah, we could
    write computer code to screen out that error, but we have not
    gotten to that yet.

         Next there is what we call the personal comment line.  This
    is important since it provides you with the ability to categorize
    your checks, withdraws, deposits, credit cards, savings, fixed
    bills and whatever else in meaningful ways.  Not to cosmic
    proportions, but say you might want to have a personal comment of
    "Utility:Gas" which later can be summed and displayed at main
    menu option 8 where you can search by personal comment.  If for
    example, you have a personal comment line of "Utility:Electric"
    then you could use the main menu option S to display your total
    utility spending and then do it again with the gas utility and
    the electric utility and so forth.  Nifty way to get good
    comparative information.  You can also use the personal comment
    line for tax related information by establishing personal
    comments that could be searched for particular information.  If
    you plan to use a macro or are going to create one with this
    check, then just hit the enter key since the macros fill the
    personal comments out automatically or if you are creating a
    macro, then you will be asked later for what contents you want in
    the personal comment field.  The macro option discussed later can
    really help here.

         At this point in the progress of the Talking Checkbook
    checks entry program, you will see the program searching the
    macros database if one exists to see if you have used one.  If
    yes, then it will fill out the fields automatically that you
    wanted.  If it does not find a macro match, but notices that your
    "Pay to" field has a string of characters of 8 or less, then it
    assumes you might want to create a macro, and it will ask if you
    do.  If you do not, then it will simply go on and process the
    information you have already given it.  If you do, then it will
    ask a couple of questions, update the macro database and fill out
    your check automatically for the "Pay to" and "Personal Comments"
    fields.  Nifty, huh?

         Next you will be presented with a Save or Reddo prompt.
    This option will give you the opportunity to save the check entry
    you have made or do it over if you made a mistake.

         Next you will be given the option to print the check if you
    have defined printer coordinates and have a check ready for
    printing.  If you have not done the initial printer setup
    coordinates, then the Talking checkbook will let you know that
    you have to do that first and return you to the place you were.

         Next you are asked with a prompt if you want to do another
    check.  Answer "Y" for yes or "N" for no.  Any other answer will
    bring up the same question.  Don't you wish some people were that
    direct?

         3. Enter a withdrawal.

         One thing we all do is take money out of the bank.  Yeah, we
    can't live on bread alone, but we do need the bread.

         This menu option is pretty simple.  Like the entering of a
    check, you will be asked a series of questions like the date what
    you want the comments field to be.  If you answer "N" for "no,
    I'll write my own" then you'll be asked for what contents you
    want in the comment field.  Otherwise, a predefined comment line
    will be entered.  Again, entering the amount of money in your
    withdrawal is always just numbers and decimals.

         4. through 7. More record entries.

         These entries have to do with credit card, savings,fixed
    bill and auto pay information.  Check them out on your own, but
    they are important if you are tracking credit cards, savings,
    paying fixed bills and or doing pre-authorized payments.  They
    have explanations within them to help you.

         8. Macro creation.

         The macro functions of the Talking Checkbook are critical
    for lazy folks like me.  If you have not used the "create one"
    option in the checks entry operation then entering this option
    will allow you to define abbreviations of longer names that you
    use as a "pay to" field and to define what the comments are.  If
    you pay "Save the Children" for example every month, you could
    use the fixed bill option or write a macro abbreviation of "STC"
    and your checks would automatically have the name and personal
    comment fields fully filled out by the macro when doing a check
    for them.  Just follow the instructions and you'll have macros in
    no time.

         Don't worry about upper and lower case stuff with the macros
    since the program converts it all to upper case and even if you
    enter mixed or lower case input when writing a check, the program
    will figure that out and deal with it.

         Also, the macro manager will check for duplicate macros,
    list your macros on screen or in a text file and even do global
    replacements of records within your checkbook database if you
    want.  Warning:  When you use the global macro program, be sure
    that you want the same name in the "Pay to" field with the same
    comment line in every record.  If you pay Sam Jones often for
    differing things, then global replacement could screw up
    different comment lines.  On the other hand, if you pay Sam Jones
    for only two or three different reasons, then write different
    abbreviations like "SJ1" and "SJ2" and "SJ3" where the "pay to"
    field will always be "Sam Jones" but the comment field will be
    different corresponding to the macro name.

    0. Back to main menu.

         Well can't get more definitive than 0 gets you back to the
    main menu.

                    RUNNING OTHER MAIN MENU OPTIONS.

         While all the other main menu options are pretty clear,
    there is a need to do a bit of digging into the Utilities option.
    They are designed to be of both informational and program
    operation assistance.  Once you type "U" at the main menu then
    you will get the following utilities options:

         1. If you want to know the number of your last check written
    without having to go an pretend you want to write a check, then
    here's the option you need.

         2. The second utilities option let's you check out your last
    two weeks of entries into the checkbook.  Very good to see if
    you've already entered something and forgot that you had.

         3. Your personal comments line is very important if you want
    to track certain kinds of spending.  If you are like me, then
    you've entered different personal comments for the same folks
    you've paid.  Bummer, yeah; but there is a way to check on your
    personal comments to see if you've done it.  Use menu option 3
    for this task.  A future version of the checkbook will include
    global replacements for personal comment lines to help get them
    straight without taking all day.

         4. If you want info on how much you have paid to who, then
    here's the place to find it out.  It's surprising how much you
    have paid some folks.  Take a peek.

         5. Here's a listing of all your checkbook transactions in
    alphabetical order.

         6. The talking checkbook calculator can be real useful if
    you need to do some calculations before doing other business.  In
    fact the results of your calculations are saved so you can use
    the results elsewhere in the program.  Pretty nice.  Much credit
    is due Eric Bohlman for helping me to figure out how to keep the
    calculator working if someone made an error and enter a letter
    instead of a number.

         7. This option of archiving older records is a great way to
    store information for specific time periods.  In fact, this
    option can significantly speed up the operation of your Talking
    Checkbook simply by reducing the amount of records with which it
    has to cope.  If you archive your checkbook once a year like
    yours truly, then you can expect reasonably fast operation.  If
    you just let all your records from time and memorial stay in the
    active database, then you will notice slower operations due to
    the analysis the checkbook has to do on all those records.

         The archival utility option will basically split off your
    selected records between the dates you have given the program and
    put them in a database that you name.  If you want them back,
    then you'll need to use this program to recombine them.  See how
    easy it is!

         8. Don Barrett added this option to help folks who were
    interested in tracking spending by personal comment line.  It
    actually takes your personal comment lines and arranges them to
    be either printed on paper or to a text file.  In any event, if
    you want to use the information for tax purposes, then here's a
    great way to keep track.

         9. Here's the auto backup function.  It's a powerful way to
    take your databases when you exit the program and store an extra
    copy of them to a floppy or somewhere else on your hard disk
    other than the same place as the Talking Checkbook.  This is to
    prevent los of data in the event of a hard disk crash or
    whatever.  You simply set a path to where you want the databases
    sent and when you exit the Talking Checkbook, the files will be
    copied there automatically.  Once having set this option, it will
    remain in place any time you use the checkbook.  To get rid of
    it, erase the file "autoback.mem" from your directory where you
    run the Talking Checkbook.  The only time this option is not
    executed is when you exit the program using the "F10" blast back
    to DOS key.  This is because that feature only secures the
    databases in your normal Talking Checkbook directory.

         There really is not much reason to go through the other
    options at the main menu except to ask you to test them out.
    combined with the information above, they are pretty self
    explanatory and you should not have a problem with them.  Future
    versions of this documentation may include more on them, but for
    now the best way to understand them is to run them.

                         Questions and Answers.

         Q:  How much does this program cost to register?

         A. Thanks for asking, but it's free!  Yup, Don and I wrote
    it for our own use and if it works for you then great!  If not,
    then perhaps other programs will.  Of course, we nor anyone nor
    anything else takes any responsibility for the consequences of
    it's use.  If you really feel compelled to pay something then
    send a check to your favorite charity.

         Q:  I like the program, but it takes forever to get
    information from it.  Why an can anything be done?

         A. Yeah, slower machines like the old XT's can take a long
    time, but I have no problem with the faster 386 and 486 class
    machines.  Also you might consider how many records you have in
    the checkbook?  If you have not used the archiving option in the
    utility pack (main menu "U") then you probably have many records
    in your database and could easily increase your speed by storing
    older entries to an archived database and keeping only current
    ones active.  This has an enormous impact upon speed.

         Q:  I keep getting a "Not enough memory" message when I try
    to run the program and go back to DOS. What can I do?

         A. See if you have any other programs running at the same
    time.  Also load programs into upper memory if you can.
    Normally, the Talking Checkbook should work unless a lot of stuff
    is also taking up memory.

         Q:  Will the documentation ever cover all commands etc?

         A. Someday.  Right now the issue is my hands hurt from all
    this programming and writing.  If anyone who uses the checkbook
    would like to write docs, then that would be wonderful.  Also the
    program was written to be pretty much self documenting.

         Q:  What is the ultimate meaning of life?

         A. 42.

         Q:  What about multiple accounts?

         A. Good question.  I've looked at how to make the program
    work with a number of checking accounts along with others, and it
    would take a good deal of programming to make it work.  Hope to
    do it at some point, but adding the hot keys took 12 hours.

         Q:  Eh!  I don't like those hot keys.  I keep on pressing
    enter or typing the wrong thing and have to trace back through
    the menus.  Can I do anything other than shoot the stupid
    keyboard?

         A. Yeah, Don Barrett has added the ability to enable or
    disable hot keys and the only thing you will need to remember is
    to erase the "Keys.mem" file associated with the prompt at the
    start of the checkbook if you want to change to or from hot keys.
    While I can certainly appreciate the initial frustration from
    going to hot keys after always being able to confirm your choice
    with the enter key, I think folks will find the hot key option
    much more speedy and easy with a bit of practice.  Of course,
    it's your money and so do it the way that works for you!

         Q:  Sometimes when I've run the Talking Checkbook in the
    past, I've gotten a "proc" something or another error and the
    program crashed.  Is there anything I can do to avoid this?

         a.  Sometimes folks will enter a letter when the program is
    looking for a number like at the "enter a check" screen asking
    for how much you are paying?  The computer code cannot handle
    this and drops dead.  The same sort of thing can happen if you
    not enter dates correctly.  Entering December 5, 1995 as "120595"
    without slashes would crash the program.  Hence always enter
    numbers for numbers using the decimal point if you need to and
    always enter the date with the so called "MM/DD/YY" format as in
    "12/05/95".  Other times, it's all our fault!  Yeah, bugs crop up
    especially when the programming happens late at night and the
    initial checks of the code show no errors.  We've taken care with
    version 6.1 to run as many options as we think should keep the
    thing bug free.  If you find one, then let us know, but we think
    we've gotten all clear now.

         Q:  I heard that some other checkbook programs will allow
    the user to do electronic banking with a modem.  Does the Talking
    Checkbook do that?

         A. Not yet, but that is something that is being looked into.
    It will depend upon memory constraints and any standards for
    transfer scripts or protocols.  One thing that might work is to
    create a separate program that would take the checkbook data and
    ask a bunch of questions and write a script that could be run
    with an on-line service.

         Q:  Who is "Tempo" the talking cat?

         A. A happy little Kitty that exists in the mind of Charlie
    Crawford and jumped out into the code of the adventure game.  Has
    a nice ring to the name, huh?

         Q:  I got the checkbook from a friend and while the balance
    option gives me the right balance; it always reports wrong when
    first entering the checkbook?

         A. Your friend may have erased all the checkbook databases
    that relate to his or her checkbook, but forgot to erase all the
    files with the extension of ".mem" to them.  Simply erase those
    files and you'll be all set.  Type "del *.mem" at the DOS command
    line while in the checks subdirectory and they will be gone.  Of
    course if you have set options like where to backup your files
    and so forth, then you would have to reset the option from the
    checkbook program since those ".mem" files would be also deleted.

         Q:  Will you ever be doing DOS environment variables?

         A. Yes, I've been looking at them for the next version.

         Q:  Where can I get upgrades to the Talking Checkbook or
    have questions answered?

         A. Normally the Checkbook upgrades appear on various
    bulletin boards like Blink Link, The NFB BBS and the MCB BBS
    always has them first.  To reach the MCB BBS current number, call
    area (617)-451-5327 dialing at up to 14.4 BPS using 8,N,1
    parameters.  If you don't have a modem, then send a diskette to:

              The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
    88 Kingston Street
    Boston, Ma 02111
    Attention:  Charles Crawford.

         Include your return address and we will just copy it off to
    you.  Of course the Commission for the Blind nor the Commonwealth
    of Massachusetts take no responsibility either for the program or
    anything that happens as a result of it's use or non-use.

         You can call me at area (617)-727-5550 Extension 4503 with
    any questions you may have.  I may have to call you back since
    writing the Talking Checkbook or the calendar or the address book
    or the other programs I have written is not my job.  Just for
    personal use or fun.

    A FEW FINAL WORDS FOR NOW.

         Writing the code for the Talking Checkbook has been fun and
    a challenge for Don Barrett and I. We have poured many hours,
    days and weeks of time into developing it and it works well for
    us.  We sincerely hope that you can get as much out of it as we
    have.  Please contact me with any suggestions you might have or
    questions and we'll do our best to help out.

    Charles Crawford:  February 9, 1993