Media Share 9/MEDIASHARE_09.ISO/private/ts1993.zip/TSINFO.TXT

Text File | 1993-01-20 | 28KB | 623 lines

TSINFO.TXT. Documentation for TRAVEL SEARCH.   Last edited Jan., 1993


This text document accompanies the database, TRAVEL SEARCH.  If you have
downloaded this file from an on-line service, please read the first 3
paragraphs of Installation Section here or the READ_ME.1ST file before
unzipping TS.ZIP.  If you are using a diskette, instructions follow.


===================
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
===================

TRAVEL SEARCH is a large, comprehensive database of hotels, resorts &
inns.  It is comparable to -- actually better than -- lodging databases
offered on-line by airline reservation companies and travel information
publishers.  There are thousands of listings in the TRAVEL SEARCH
database.  They provide descriptions, addresses, direct phone numbers,
toll free phone numbers, amenities and services, distances from airports,
etc, just like other lodging databases.

TRAVEL SEARCH is different than existing databases in several ways.  It
runs on an IBM PC compatible computer.  It is available as shareware.  You
can install it on your own computer and run it without incurring any
charges beyond a relatively small registration fee.  No line costs. No
surcharges. No meters "ticking".



============
TWO VERSIONS
============

The database comes in two versions. The small, 2-state version contains 424
listing in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  The large, 48-state version
contains 13,000+ listings in the 48 contiguous U.S. States and Washington
D.C.

An examination copy of the small version can be downloaded from several
on-line services.  It can also be obtained on diskette from APS approveed
shareware vendors or from the authors.  Because of its size, the large
version is always mailed on diskettes and is only available from the
authors.

While some people install the 2-state version because they only travel in
CT & MA, people who travel more widely install it to see if they are
interested in installing the 48-state version.  (Connecticut &
Massachusetts were used in the 2-state version because they contain
examples of all of the available features in the larger program.)



========
OVERVIEW
========

You're in for a treat!  TRAVEL SEARCH is a shareware product of monumental
size and capability.  It offers more breadth of listings, more criteria,
and greater selection flexibility than any other hotel database available
anywhere, including all retail products.

You can search for lodging using all the categories on-line lodging
databases use, such as city name, hotel name, price or airport location.

You can use geographic criteria other databases do not offer: a section of
a city, an entire state, a region of several adjacent states, an area that
is not defined by city or state boundaries, or the entire country.

You can select listings using all-suite hotels, inns, dude ranches and
waterfront locations; proximity to businesses, tourist attractions and
"high profile" hotels; amenities such as golf, tennis, skiing and fitness;
antiques, historic surroundings, and more.

And, you can search for these criteria in a great number of combinations.
You can modify them without restarting your search string or retyping your
input.

You will not need to remember menu sequences or key in complicated commands
to use this detailed database.  Because of our new, flexible selection
screen, selections can be made using only two keys:  TAB & ENTER.  Our new
method combines detailed precision with maximum flexibility and ease.  It is
enjoyable to use.

When you have made your selections from the database you can view
descriptions in either brief or detailed formats.  You can also print
either brief or detailed formats.



===================
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
===================

TRAVEL SEARCH files are large and extensive.  To accommodate all the
information, you need approximately 3 Meg available hard drive for the 2-
state version of the database and 20 Meg for the 48-state version.  With
increasing numbers of people having access to computers with large hard
drives, either at home or at work, this requirement becomes less and less
restrictive.  If you travel for business or pleasure, even a few times a
year, you will find that TRAVEL SEARCH makes good use of available hard
disk space.

Other requirements are more modest: an IBM PC or compatible computer with
640K memory, DOS v2.0 or later, one diskette drive, and the hard drive.  A
high density disketted drive is required for the 48-state version.  The speed
of the database is most satisfactory on computers with 286 or faster
processors.



============
INSTALLATION
============

FROM AN ON-LINE SOURCE

When downloading the database from an on-line source, create a directory
named TSDIR.  Unzip the TRAVEL SEARCH files into the directory, TSDIR.  Set
files=40, buffers=30 in your CONFIG.SYS file.

*****The name of the Directory is critical.  *****FILES MUST BE PLACED INTO A
DIRECTORY NAMED TSDIR IN ORDER FOR THE PROGRAM TO RUN.*****

Our decision to restrict the directory name to TSDIR was made in the interest
of our users.  There are more than 40 files in the database.  Most users will
not want to put that many files in a general purpose download directory where
they will interspersed with files from other programs.

If the program has been downloaded, the following files are needed:
          TS.ZIP
          TSINFO.TXT
          READ_ME.1ST


FROM A DISKETTE

If you are installing TRAVEL SEARCH from a diskette provided by a shareware
distributor or the authors, it contains an install utility.  The install
utility will create the directory, TSDIR for you.  To determine if a diskette
has the install utility, put it in the appropriate diskette drive (usually A
or B).  Type INSTALL and press ENTER.

If the install program has been included on your diskette, directions will
appear on your screen.  You will select a hard drive (usually C), and
indicate whether or not your CONFIG.SYS file can be modified automatically.
Say "yes."  If you say "no", you may need to make modifications yourself.

Also, if you have a diskette with an install utility, the diskette will list
the following files before installation:
          INSTALL.DAT
          IDX.ZIP
          PKUNZIP.EXE
          INSTALL.EXE
          ENDINST.BAT
          DBFS.ZIP
          DISK.ID
          RTIME.ZIP
          TSINFO.TXT
          READ_ME.1ST

If an install utility is not included with a diskette, directions of how to
proceed will not appear when you type INSTALL at the diskette prompt.  You
will install the diskette by creating the directory, TSDIR and unzipping the
files into it, as described above, "FROM AN ON-LINE SOURCE."


FOR ALL INSTALLATIONS

If you increase your files and/or buffers, reboot your computer before
running the program.



====================================
TO USE TRAVEL SEARCH, ONCE INSTALLED
====================================

At the directory prompt (usually C:\TSDIR>), type TSTRAVEL and press
ENTER.  The TRAVEL SEARCH title screen will appear.  Press ENTER.  A
statement acknowledging the shareware status of this database will appear.
Press ENTER.

The next screen will be the Selection Screen.  Seven Selection Categories
are given in the following order:

     Start of Travel:
     Location:
     Lodging Type:
     Lodging Name:
     Amenities:
     Rates:
     Action:

One choice will be displayed next to the first Selection Category. For
instance:
     Start of Travel:  January-March

Only two keys are required to make a selection from a Category: press ENTER
to select the choice that is displayed (for example, January-March) or tab to
display other choices.  When your choice appears, press ENTER to make a
selection.  The cursor will move down the screen to the next Selection
Category.

There are two optional key patterns. SHIFT+TAB displays choices in the
reverse order.  UP-ARROW moves the cursor up the screen so you can change a
choice.

Occasionally you will be given the option to type letters to start a proper
name. The symbol, [     ] indicates a Typing Field.

All Selection Categories except Action allow a choice called "Disregard".
Choose Disregard to avoid making a choice from a particular category.
Disregard is useful when the choices are irrelevant or unimportant to you.

Directions always appear on the screen.



=======
TO EXIT
=======

At any time, you may press the ESCAPE key to exit.  Or, when you have
finished making your selections, choose "Quit and Return to DOS" from the
Action line of the Selection Screen.



==================
SELECTION CRITERIA
==================

A list of the choices that comprise the first division of the TRAVEL
SEARCH database appears below.


START OF TRAVEL:

January-March; April-June; July-September; October-December


LOCATION:

Within a City; Within a State; Within a Region; Within a Geographic Area;
Near an Airport; Near a Business; Near a Major Hotel; Near a Tourist
Attraction


LODGING TYPE:

Hotel or Motel; Suite Hotel; Inn or Country Lodge; Waterfront Location;
Dude Ranch; Health Resort or Spa; Tennis Resort; Golf Resort; Ski Resort;
Beach Resort; Fishing Resort; Social Activities Resort


LODGING NAME:

There are 400+ listings with one or more names in the 2-state version and
13,000+ listings in the 48-state version.


AMENITIES:

Indoor Swimming; Outdoor Swimming; Indoor Tennis ; Outdoor Tennis;
Exercise Equipment; Indoor Track; Racquet Ball; Fitness Teacher; Sauna;
Golf; On the Beach; Boating Nearby; Golf Nearby; Tennis Nearby; Skiing
Nearby; Fishing Nearby; Antiques Featured; Historic Building; Historic
Community


RATES (for 1 or 2 people):

Economy, Luxury, $30 or less, $25-$50, $40-$70, $60-$90, $80-$150, $140-
$200, $180 and up



=========================================================
TIPS FOR USING THIS NEW, MORE FLEXIBLE, SELECTION SCREEN:
=========================================================

PICKING A LOCATION   If you are selecting something readily available, such
as a mid-priced hotel, start with a small geographic area such as a city
name.  If you are selecting something unusual, such as a Dude Ranch, start
with a large area such as a Region or State.


TYPING FIELDS   If you are looking for something by name and know how to
spell it, type most or all of the name in the Typing Field.  It will usually
be displayed first when you press ENTER.  If you are not certain how to spell
what you are looking for, type only the first letter and ENTER.  All names
starting with that letter will be displayed in alphabetical order. TAB until
the name you want is displayed.  Then press ENTER.  If you leave a typing
field blank and ENTER, all names from A-Z will appear alphabetically.


DISPLAYING CHOICES IN REVERSE ORDER   If you have tabbed past your choice
or if it will appear near the end of an alphabetical list, it is more
efficient to display the list in reverse order.  Use SHIFT+TAB


THE STATUS WINDOW   The Status Window provides several kinds of useful
information.  It always gives all necessary directions.  If a list of choices
is short, it displays the list.  If a list is too long to fit in the Status
Window, it tells you how many choices there are;  they will be displayed as
you TAB.  The Status Window also tells you how many listings are in the group
you have selected.  If the number is large, add criteria to make it shorter.
If there are too few, you can UP-ARROW and remove some criteria.


DISREGARD   Leave out categories that are not important in your selection by
choosing Disregard. For example, you can Disregard at Location and make your
primary selection using Lodging Type or Lodging Name. You can Disregard at
Amenities and all listings selected to that point will be available when you
consider Rates.


RATES  Every listing can be selected from at least one rate range. Some
listings can be selected from more than one rate range and from the
categories named Economy or Luxury.  The actual price of lodging often varies
more than published rates suggest.  Therefore, price information supplied
here should be seen as a guide for making selections and properties are to be
contacted directly for exact rates.  Always ask about special packages and/or
week-end, business or membership (e.g., Triple A) discounts when requesting
price quotes.


ALWAYS A "HIT"  TRAVEL SEARCH only displays names of selections that are
available in the database after taking into account the criteria you have
already selected.  For instance, if you choose Wyoming at Location and then
look through the list at Lodging Type, you will not find Waterfront listed
because there are no waterfront properties listed in Wyoming.  If you want a
choice and it does not appear, change a category that occurs above it on the
screen.  For example, use the UP-ARROW key to go up the screen and choose a
larger or different Location.



==================================
EXAMPLES OF THE SYSTEM'S DIVERSITY
==================================

Lodging databases such as those offered on-line by airline reservation
companies, typically search by city or airport name, hotel name, price and
amenities.  TRAVEL SEARCH does such standard search patterns with ease,
and without the requirements that criteria be used in a specific order or
that the correct spelling of the proper names be supplied by the user.

In addition, TRAVEL SEARCH has many more selection criteria and is much
more flexible than other lodging databases.  The examples that appear
below illustrate some of the more flexible features of the system.  (When
numbers of items available are given, they refer to the 48-state version
of the database.)


EXAMPLE #1   You remember a small family hotel with antiques and a fine
ambiance near the downtown area in a city you last visited some time ago
-- a good change of pace from the standard hotel.  You don't remember the
name.  You'd like to find it.

Lodging is grouped into a number of categories, including Inns.  You also
might find antiques listed as an Amenity.

Select your city at Location and look at Lodging Type to see if Inn or
Country Lodge appears.  If so, select that category.  Then select
Disregard at Lodging Name.  All names of inns in that city will be
displayed.  Look through the list of names to see if you recognize the one
you want.  If you do not find inns in your city, select Disregard at
Lodging Type and look for Antiques at Amenities.  If the property is
listed in the database as a hotel rather than as an inn, you will be able
to identify it using this strategy if it is listed.


EXAMPLE #2   The hotel where the convention is being held is booked (or
too expensive).  You need a place to stay.  Not something across town, but
near where the meetings are being held.

TRAVEL SEARCH identifies more than 1,900 "high profile" hotels.  They are
hotels that host conventions and are often among the most expensive
accommodations in an area.  Lodgings that are very close to these Major
Hotels have been identified and can be selected as the closest
alternatives to the Major Hotel.

Select Near a Major Hotel at Location.  Look for the name of the
convention hotel.  If it is there, select it.  From 1 to 10 nearby
listings will be given.  In some cases, TRAVEL SEARCH will give
distinguishing details such as "In the same block as the Major Hotel."


EXAMPLE #3   You prefer economy priced chains when you travel.  The
problem is locating economy priced lodging before you drive past them on
your way to the advertised, up-scale hotel where you've made a
reservation.

TRAVEL SEARCH gives rates by price, as most databases do.  It also assigns
some listings to a price category named Economy.  Economy is relative to
other prices in the area.  For example, an $80 room might be Economy in
New York City but not in other places.  There are 26 chains and many
independent listings in TRAVEL SEARCH with the Economy designation.

To find the most economical listings, select Within a City or some other
appropriate geographic area at Location and then select either the lowest
rate that is displayed for that location or Economy.


EXAMPLE #4   You have not seen much of the area of the country you will be
driving through.  You'd like some assistance choosing tourist attractions
that are on your route.

TRAVEL SEARCH lists more than 1,300 tourist attractions in the U.S.  They
were chosen from information provided by state tourism offices in response
to inquiries for lists of the most popular attractions in each state.

Choose Near a Tourist Attraction at Location and select a State.  At the
Typing Field that prompts you to spell part of a tourist attraction name,
press ENTER to leave the field blank.  All of the tourist attractions
listed in that state will be presented in alphabetical order.  You can TAB
through them, select ones that interest you by the name of the attraction
or the name of the towns in which they are located.  Lodging near your
selections will be identified.


EXAMPLE # 5   You would like to stay in a Resort where there are a variety
of activities.  Maybe golf, tennis, and racquetball.

There are two ways to find activities using TRAVEL SEARCH.  They can be
listed either as Amenities or as Resorts.  Resorts typically have a pro-
shop and a professional staff providing instruction. A Resort always has a
higher level of service associated with the activity than an Amenity.  One
Resort category can by selected at Lodging Type.  As many as three
amenities can be selected.

Pick a geographic area that is suitable.  See if there is an appropriate
Resort at Lodging Type.  If so, select the resort category and select
other activities of interest at Amenities.  If not, select  Disregard at
Lodging Type and look for Amenities such as Golf and Tennis.  You can
select up to three amenities.  If racquetball is available, it will also
be listed as an amenity.  If you are looking for a very unusual
combination and are not restricted as to location, you can Disregard
Location and find all listings in the country of a particular Resort type.


EXAMPLE #6   You're calling on a client with corporate offices in an
industrial park outside the city.  You'll be on a tight driving schedule
and want lodging as close as possible to the client's office.

There are approximately 5,000 businesses listed by name and addresss in
TRAVEL SEARCH.  Each business listing is connected to from 1 to 10
lodgings that are closer to the business than any others in the
database.  Also, in TRAVEL SEARCH, listings that are in suburban towns
can be selected using either the name of the town or the name of the
large city with which it is associated.

Select Near a Business at Location to look for your business by name. If
it is listed, you can either disregard all  the other criteria  and see
all the listings connected to it, or limit your selection further by
adding price or amenities.  If the business is not listed, select Within a
City at Location and use the name of the large city.  You may be able to
recognize the name of the small town in which the industrial park is
located if listings for that town are among the group.



===================
INFORMATION SOURCES
===================

TRAVEL SEARCH information comes from Federal, state and local information
sources, descriptions published by properties and telephone communications
with properties.  Some information is originated by TRAVEL SEARCH for use in
this database.

Every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information.
However, information should always be verified before making decisions of
where to stay.  TRAVEL SEARCH assumes no responsibility for omissions or
errors and does not specifically recommend listings in the database.

The TRAVEL SEARCH database is under continuous revision. Suggestions are
welcome.  Please bring any errors to our attention.



=========
SHAREWARE
=========

TRAVEL SEARCH is distributed as shareware.  The principle behind the
shareware method of distribution is "try before you buy."  Therefore, you
can try TRAVEL SEARCH for free (or for a modest distribution charge).  If
it does not meet your needs, there is no obligation.  If you continue to
use it because it is of value to you, you are expected to fulfill the
"buy" part of the shareware principle.  You are expected to pay for the
right to continue using TRAVEL SEARCH by paying a registration fee, either
directly to the authors or to an agent they designate.

Shareware offers many advantages.  It eliminates uninformed purchases of
software.  Prices are lower than retail prices, because advertising is
minimized.  When they receive registration fees, authors are motivated to
continue developing software that users want.  You benefit from all of
these advantages when you register your shareware.

There is an additional advantage in registering TRAVEL SEARCH: you are
guaranteed our most recent data update.

Lodging information has a "half life".  That is, information ages and
becomes inaccurate.  Price is the obvious place to expect changes.  The
next most likely category of information change in this database is the
name.  It has been our experience that almost 10% of the properties change
their name and/or their chain affiliation each year. For instance a Howard
Johnson may become a Days Inn or vice versa.  After that, the most common
category of data change is the phone number.

We can not manage the timeliness of copies of the database that are
unregistered because they circulate independent of our actions.  However
since we, the authors, mail all registered copies, we guarantee their
timeliness.  When you register TRAVEL SEARCH we ask you for the date that
is displayed on the introductory screen of any unregistered copy you have
tried.  If an update is available, we will immediately mail it to you.  We
will also keep you informed about additional updates.

Unregistered copies of TRAVEL SEARCH may be freely copied and circulated.
In fact, we appreciate you circulating copies among your acquaintances.
We are certain others will recognize the value of the TRAVEL SEARCH
database, register their own copies and help us grow .

Authorization to distribute unregistered versions of the 2-state version
of the database is automatically granted to shareware distributors who are
ASP members, so long as the authors are notified of their intention to
distribute the database. Other shareware distributors may obtain
authorization to distribute unregistered copies by contacting the authors.

Copyright laws apply to these programs and to these data.   A patent also
protects some parts of the user interface. Users may not copy the database
or the information contained in the database for commercial advantage or
financial gain without written permission from the authors.

THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS
TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITTNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.  GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE
DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA
BEFORE RELYING ON IT.  tHE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE
PROGRAM.  ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO
PRUDUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.



============================
SUMMARY OF CHOICES AVAILABLE
============================

The 2-state version of TRAVEL SEARCH contains all of the programming in the
48-state version and all of the listings for Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Unregistered copies are available from a variety of sources.  On-line it is
named TS*.ZIP.  Shareware distributors call it TRAVEL SEARCH. As is always
the case with shareware, there may be a modest delivery or duplication
charge.  You can also obtain an unregistered copy from the authors at the
address below for a duplicating charge of $10.  The 2-state version of the
database can be registered for $20.  Registered users will be sent a data
update and/or notices of additional updates for those two states.

The large version of the database contains all of the programming and more
than 13,000 listings in the 48 contiguous U.S. States and Washington D.C.  As
of Dec., 1992 the database contains 113 hotel chains and 3,650 independent
properties.  Twenty-six chains describe themselves as Economy; more than
10,000 listings have toll free phone numbers for making reservations. There
are also 3,500+ cities, 1,300+ tourist attractions and 230+ airports indexed.

Because of its size, the unregistered copy of the large database is available
only from the authors.  It is provided only on high density diskettes.  It
will be mailed for a duplicating and mailing charge of $30.  Half of that
handling charge will be refunded if the user elects not to register the
shareware and returns the diskettes to the authors.

The 48-state version is distributed on floppy diskettes for a registration
fee of $59.  It is available only from the authors at the address below.  The
most recent data available is provided with registration.

The least expensive way to test TRAVEL SEARCH and acquire an up-to-date
registered version of the 48-state database is to obtain an unregistered copy
of the 2-state version (in retail sales it would be called "the demo"),
install it, examine it, and if it meets your needs and you have 20 Meg free
space on a computer where you can install it, send $59 for a registered copy.

When ordering any product from TRAVEL SEARCH we need the following:

1.  Name:
2.  Business Name, if applicable
2.  Street Address or P.O. Box
3.  City, State, Zip
4.  One or more ways to contact you.  We prefer a
    voice phone number and an e-mail ID for CompuServe,
    a BBS or some other on-line system.
5.  Date and source of any version of TRAVEL SEARCH you now have.
    The date appears at the bottom of the second screen when you
    start the program.  By source, we mean where did you get
    your copy of TRAVEL SEARCH?
6.  Size of diskettes:  Can you use 3 1/2", 1.44M diskettes?
    (If not, what size?)
7.  A check or money for the product you want: unregistered
    2-state version, $10; registered 2-state version, $20;
    unregistered 48-state version, $30; registered 48-state
    version, $59.  (New York residents add State and Local
    sales tax.)



=============
TO CONTACT US
=============

MAIL:
    TRAVEL SEARCH   P.O. Box 949   Nyack, NY  10960.
PHONE:
    CompuServe: 73150,3214
    Prodigy: MTMN39A
    Voice: [phone]

    Copyright (C) 1992. TRAVEL SEARCH. All rights reserved.