Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr02/sfs20a.zip/README.TXT

Text File | 1993-07-10 | 14KB | 335 lines

                    SUREFIRE Version S2.0

                   Copyright 1993, Piaf, Inc.
              3918 Orchard Court, Boulder, CO  80304
                     Tel: [phone]

                     (File: README.TXT)

WHAT IS SHAREWARE?
------------------
This copy of Surefire is shareware. This means that you may use your
copy of Surefire, free of charge, for a trial period of 30 days. If you
decide to continue using Surefire you must order a registered copy of
the product. The registered version of Surefire provides you with phone
support, a 475 page illustrated User's Guide, a spell checker and memory
management for up to 8Mb on 286 machines or better.

Since shareware is freely distributed it makes it convenient for you to
try software before you buy it, while at the same time, the price of the
registered version can be kept considerably lower than comparable retail
software.  But the authors do not get paid until you order a registered
version. Support the continued development of Surefire. Order your
registered copy!

INTRODUCTION TO SUREFIRE
------------------------
Integrated packages minimally provide word processing, data base
management and spreadsheet capabilities in a form that is easier to work
with than using three or more separate packages. Surefire is a unique
integrated package that also allows you to produce integrated documents,
called Smart Documents.

Using Surefire, data bases and spreadsheets can be "edited" directly
into a document. The document is formatted with pages, margins and
headers. When a document is used, database (dBase compatible) access is
done directly from within the document. Spreadsheets don't need to be
restricted to a grid. And fields, whether used for data base access,
spreadsheet calculations or both, can be interspersed anywhere within
your text.  They can be within paragraphs and flow along as words
scattered anywhere on any page of your document. Buttons can also be
added to smart documents. Buttons can bring up other smart documents and
link smart documents together. They can also be used to do specific
calculations, operations involving text, data base operations, and more.

Surefire can be used to build rather complex "smart document
applications". Surefire Contacts is a contact management system that is
built as a Smart Document application, and is thus completely integrated
with Surefire.

Surefire won "Best New Product" in the 1992 Shareware Industry Awards
and has also received "Editors Choice" from Shareware Magazine and
Computer User. Surefire has also been reviewed in many other periodicals
all giving it high praise.

 - Put live forms, spreadsheets and databases (DBase compatible)
   right in your "smart documents"!
 - No more switching among word processor, spreadsheet and
   database programs!
 - Build complete Smart Document applications!Type in text like in a word processor and add fields to create a form or
spreadsheet... right there on your page. Immediately fill out the form
and calculate results.  Now, add a record... a database is automatically
created and your first record is stored. And, the pages on your screen
are always like you'll see them on paper!

Anywhere within your document take advantage of over 70 spreadsheet
functions, or use the powerful search capabilities on your database. You
can even generate reports by injecting data from many records right into
your document. And all this can be done in one program using only 7
simple pull down menus!

But that's not all! Add buttons to bring you to a page, get another
document, do a calculation, or join to another database. Before you know
it, you'll be building complete Smart Document applications.

SUREFIRE CONTACTS
-----------------
A contact management system is used to keep track of the people you deal
with (customers and clients) and to help manage your time. Surefire
Contacts has all the features you'd expect in any contact management
program; a contact database, mail-merge into form letters, a daily
agenda and timely reports. And, it provides all the capabilities of an
Integrated Package.

Many features of Surefire Contacts revolve around the Profile. This is
where the general information about leads, prospects, clients and
associates are kept. You can note additional data in a freeform manner
and keep a dated record of specific activities such as phone calls and
visits. Letters and mailing labels can be generated for a specific
profile or set of profile records at the push of a button.

Since Surefire Contacts is integrated with Surefire, you may also use
the capabilities of Surefire to customize Surefire Contacts into your
own unique contact management system. Maybe you want to keep financial
data about your clients. Or, you want to store information on your
distributors, suppliers, associates and others. You may even change any
of the standard reports to fit your needs, or add completely new ones.

WHAT'S NEW IN SUREFIRE 2.0
--------------------------
  *  Mouse Support
  *  Contact Manager with profile data,
    agenda, and mail merge
  *  Duplicate Record Checking
  *  Text Alignment
  *  View first/last database record
  *  Print to a file
  *  Wild-cards in directory listing
  *  Up to 75 report fields
  *  Persistent Increment fields for
    invoice/order numbers, etc.


 SUREFIRE is a registered trademark of Piaf, Inc.
 All rights reserved worldwide.AWARDS and QUOTES
-----------------
  "Best New Product" -- 1992 Shareware Industry Awards
  "Editor's Choice" --  Shareware Magazine, May 1992
  "One of the Best New Programs of 1992"  -- Public Software Library
  "Trophy Rating" -- Public Brand Software

  "Within a half-hour I had a document that previously would have
   taken three applications to complete"     -- The PC Journal

  "This hybrid of word processor, data base and spreadsheet provides
   the same facilities as integrated packages like Microsoft or
   Lotus Works, except here the integration is tighter"
                                    -- Australian PC Review

  "This inexpensive 'integrated' program puts all of its features
   in a word processor so you don't have to jump from module to
   module"                                   -- PC World

  "Surefire is excellent for use in business, education, and home
   use, and its applications are limited only by your imagination.
   The power of this program is something you'll have to see to
   believe."                                 -- Dr. File Finder
                                       Shareware Magazine


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------
Surefire S2.0 requires 640k bytes of memory and at lease 720k of disk
storage. A hard drive is recommended. The registered version has the
option of providing memory management for up to 8Mb on 286 machines or
better.

SUREFIRE S2.0 PACKING LIST
--------------------------
The following files should be on the SUREFIRE Distribution Disk(s):

  Disk #1: SFS20A.ZIP INSTALL.EXE INSTALL.FIL PKUNZIP.EXE
  Disk #2: SFS20B.ZIP

If your copy of SUREFIRE S2.0 came on a disk that holds 720Kb or more,
all the above files could be on the same disk.   If you obtained
SUREFIRE S2.0 from a BBS, you must obtain both SFS20A.ZIP and
SFS20B.ZIP. Use pkunzip with the -do option to unpack these two zip
files.

INSTALLING SUREFIRE
-------------------
   1) Place SUREFIRE Disk 1 into a floppy drive.
   2) Type A:INSTALL (or B:INSTALL) and press the ENTER key.
   3) Now follow the simple on-screen instructions.

THE SUREFIRE INFO SMART DOCUMENT
--------------------------------
The INFO smart document presents general information about Surefire. It
is also a simple example, in itself, of what can be done using Surefire.
The INFO smart document is automatically brought up when you first
install Surefire.After Surefire is installed, you may run SUREFIRE INFO as follows:

   1) Change to the SFSHARE directory:
        Type "cd c:\sfshare" at the DOS prompt.
        (Note: If you installed Surefire somewhere else, substitute
        that drive and directory for "c:\sfshare".)

   2) Run the "sfinfo.bat" file:
        Type "sfinfo" at the DOS prompt.

SUREFIRE DEMO/TUTORIAL
----------------------
The Surefire Demo/Tutorial is another way to learn more about Surefire.
It takes you step by step through several example applications. It's
fast and easy, so give it a try.

To run the Demo/Tutorial:
   1) Make sure you are in the SFSHARE directory.
   2) Run the "sfinfo.bat" file. (Type "sfinfo" at the prompt.)

RUNNING SUREFIRE
----------------
To run Surefire: type "surefire" at the DOS prompt. (If the directory
containing surefire is not in your path you must change to that
directory first.)

When Surefire comes up, you will be looking at the representation of a
standard size page with standard margins. There is a menu bar across the
top with 7 pull down menus. Use the F-10 key and the arrow keys to
access the menus. Pressing F-1 gives you a description of what you are
looking at. Typing ALT+X allows you to leave Surefire.

With a mouse, you can click on menu items or the Hint Line (at the
bottom of the screen) with the left mouse button to perform an action.
Pressing the right mouse button generally corresponds to a cancel or
gets you back to where you were.

RUNNING SUREFIRE CONTACTS
-------------------------
SUREFIRE CONTACTS can be run from the SUREFIRE INFO smart document:
   1) Run SUREFIRE INFO as described above.
   2) Press the "Surefire Contacts" button.

Or you may run SUREFIRE CONTACTS directly as follows:
   1) Make sure you are in the SFSHARE directory
   2) Run the "sfcont.bat" file. (Type "sfcont" at the prompt.)

ON-LINE DOCUMENTATION
---------------------
Included with your evaluation copy of Surefire there is a companion 200
page version of the Surefire User's Guide in the file called
"sfdoc.txt". You may print this file by using the DOS command "print
sfdoc.txt".

There is also a Surefire Contacts User's Guide in a file called
"sfcdoc.txt". Use the DOS command "print sfcdoc.txt" to print the file.

When running Surefire, on-line context sensitive help is available by
pressing F-1. Press Esc to close the help window. Press F-2 for help
while using Surefire Contacts or the INFO document.YOUR EVALUATION OF SUREFIRE
---------------------------
During your evaluation of Surefire, give us a call if you have any
problems or questions. We consider professional technical support to be
as important as the product and should be part of your evaluation.

We really want to hear from all of you who try out Surefire, whether you
register or not. Please share your thoughts with us and let us know what
you think. Knowing what you think is the only way we can make better
products and provide you with what you need.

But if you are using Surefire, please register. This is the only way we
get paid. We do not receive anything from bulletin boards or shareware
vendors. Everything we get is directly from you.

And feel free to give a copy of this shareware version of Surefire to as
many people as you wish. All we require is that the complete original
shareware version be copied with all its original files.

ORDERING REGISTERED COPIES OF SUREFIRE
--------------------------------------
To use SUREFIRE after your initial free evaluation period of 30 days,
you must obtain a registered copy from Piaf, Inc. or an authorized
dealer.

To order by phone call: [phone]  (24 hours)

To order by mail, print the order form in the file "order.txt" by typing
the DOS command "print order.txt". Fill in the form and mail it to:

                Piaf, Inc
                3918 Orchard Court
                Boulder, CO 80304-1023

To order by CompuServe E-mail, send the filled out order form with your
VISA or MC Number to: 73407,1034.

You may choose to order any of the registered versions of
Surefire below:

 Full Surefire Package - $79
   *  Includes a 475 page User's Guide with step-by-step
     illustrations and examples.
   *  Smart documents for all examples in the User's Guide.
   *  6 Months Phone Support
   *  Registered disks with latest version includes:
       - Spell Checker with over 100,000 word dictionary
       - Additional executable that supports up to 8Mb of
        memory on 286 or higher machines.
       - Demo Smart Document applications: lease management,
        phone list/org chart, contact database, travel
        reports, budget and cash flow.

 Registered Disks Only - $39
   *  An economical way to provide copies of Surefire for
     additional users at a site.
   *  This version contains the registered disks as described
     above.
   *  One tech support phone call, then mail or e-mail only. Full Surefire Package with Contacts - $99
   *  This is a full retail version ($169 List Price).
   *  Includes the Full Surefire Package
   *  A Quick Reference card
   *  PLUS, a Full Contact Manager with:
        - A separate 100 page, illustrated User's Guide
        - Enhanced Contact Manager
        - Automatic Correspondence tracking
        - Timer/Alarm
        - Many other new features


 Shipping and Handling (per unit) -
    Full Package   Disks Only
     $  6            $  4       U.S.
     $  8            $  6     Canada
     $ 25            $ 12   Overseas

All orders entitle you to discounts on future products.

If you wish to use Surefire by more than one person on more than
one computer, or to have Surefire available to more than one
person on a network, you must purchase the full package or the
registered disks for each person, or you must obtain a site license.
Please contact Piaf, Inc. for more information regarding site licensing.

Piaf, Inc. also provides Surefire consulting services for custom
applications and seminars. Please contact Piaf, Inc. for more
information.

All prices are subject to change without notice.

A Registered Copy of Surefire may also be obtained from the following
dealers:

AUSTRALIA
   MANACCOM Pty Ltd                Tel: [phone]
   9 Camford St.                   Fax: [phone]
   MILTON Queensland
   PO Box 1297 MILTON Qld 4064

UNITED KINGDOM:
   The Thompson Partnership        Tel: [phone]
   Church Croft, Bramshall,        Fax: [phone]
   UTTOXETER, Staffs.
   ST14 5DE