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****************************************
* *
* MEAL-MASTER *
* Quick-Start Instructions *
* *
****************************************
*** WHAT IS MEAL-MASTER? ***
Meal-Master is a menu-driven database system especially created and tailored
to manage recipes. With Meal-Master, you can store, update, and print your
recipes in a variety of formats. But the real power of Meal-Master lies in
its search and utility functions!
You can search for recipes using any combination of Title, Category, or
Ingredient criteria. Imagine being able to find all the recipes that can be
made with a certain ingredient! Plus, just change the number of servings a
recipe makes, and all the individual ingredient amounts will be adjusted
automatically!
To help in entire menu preparation, you can "mark" recipes as you select
them. Then activate the Shopping List function: Meal-Master will find the
ingredients for all the marked recipes, total the quantities of like items,
and print a shopping list!
Other features allow you to print a recipe index by title or category,
"batch" print a set of recipes, or "extract" recipes to a standard DOS file,
so you can use it in a word processor or upload it to a bulletin board
system. Extracted recipes can also be "imported" back into Meal-Master
without retyping - making recipe exchange with friends that use Meal-Master a
real snap!
Meal-Master not only replaces the dog-eared, disorganized collection of index
cards found in most kitchens, it provides a valuable tool for meal selection
and preparation!
*** WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED? ***
Meal-Master should run on any IBM-PC, PC-XT, or close compatible with at
least 128k of memory. It will run on floppy or hard disk systems, with
either a color or monochrome monitor.
*** HOW DO I GET STARTED? ***
To start using Meal-Master, you need only the program file, named MM.EXE.
When you type "MM" and press return, Meal-Master should begin running.
Meal-Master stores your recipes in three files: INDEX.MMF, INGRED.MMF, and
DIRECT.MMF. It uses a fourth file, PARM.MMF, to store information such as
what kind of forms you are using on your printer. Starting with version
5.00, there is also a fifth file, CATFILE.MMF, which is used to store a list
of valid recipe categories. If any of these files are not found when
Meal-Master starts, they are created automatically. This makes Meal-Master
very easy to install: just copy the MM.EXE file to the diskette or hard disk
directory of your choice, type MM, and press return. Meal-Master will ask you
for the operating parameters it needs to build the PARM.MMF file, then create
a new recipe database.
The program requires several files to be open at the same time. Because of
this, be sure that the FILES parameter in your CONFIG.SYS file contains the
following value:
FILES=20
This tells DOS that there can be up to twenty files open at the same time.
If you don't have a CONFIG.SYS file, see your DOS manual for instructions on
how to create one.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT NOTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have been using a previous version of
Meal-Master (or Meal-Meister), with a version
number less than 5.01, then your current
working disk or hard disk directory will
contain two program files, MM.COM and MM.000.
YOU SHOULD DELETE THESE TWO FILES before
attempting to use version 5.01 or higher of
Meal-Master. Alternately, create a new
working disk (or directory) and copy your
database files (*.MMF) to the new disk or
directory, along with the new program file.
Version 5.01 and higher of Meal-Master
consists of one program file, MM.EXE. If
both the new (MM.EXE) and old (MM.COM) files
are present on the disk and directory when
you type "MM" and press return, the new
program will be ignored and the old program
will be run.
If you're in a hurry to see how some of Meal-Master's advanced features work,
you can try it out with the sample recipe database provided. Make sure that
the provided INDEX.MMF, INGRED.MMF, DIRECT.MMF, PARM.MMF, and CATFILE.MMF are
on the same disk and directory as the program files, and start Meal-Master.
Then try out the search, shopping list and batch print options. You can keep
these recipes and add to them, or delete the files and start your own
database.
*** OK, IT'S RUNNING - NOW WHAT? ***
Meal-Master is completely menu driven and very easy to use.
ADDING RECIPES
Selecting 'A' from the main menu allows you to add new recipes to the file.
You will be prompted for the title, categories (each recipe can reference up
to five categories), and number of servings. When asked for categories, a
window will be displayed containing all the valid category names (If more
than one page of names exist, the PGUP and PGDN keys will move through the
categories; and category names can be changed, added, or deleted from the
Maintenance/Setup menu).
Next, Meal-Master will display the ingredient screen. To add an ingredient,
press the "INSERT" key or the "I" key. A new line will be inserted, and you
will be prompted first for the ingredient quantity, then the unit of measure,
and, finally, the ingredient name.
The quantity can be entered as either a common fraction (i.e., 1/2) or as the
decimal equivalent (i.e., 0.5), but will be displayed in the format selected
on the Maintenance/Setup Screen (MM comes setup to display common fractions;
if you want to see decimal equivalents, simply change the format option on
the Maintenance/Setup Screen). The quantity field will also accept an "H",
to allow a heading to be entered for a group of ingredients.
Repeat the steps above for each ingredient you wish to enter. After all
ingredients have been entered, press the "ESC" key to proceed to the
direction entry screen.
Each line of recipe directions can be added just as ingredients are added -
simply press the "I" or "Insert" keys to create a new line, enter the line of
text, then press return. When all directions have been entered, press the
"ESC" key again.
If you make a mistake and wish to delete an ingredient or a line of direction
text, use the up/down arrow keys to position that line to the center of the
display window, then press the F10 key. SEARCHING FOR RECIPES
Selecting 'S' from the main menu takes you to the heart of Meal-Master. Here
you can specify search criteria and have Meal-Master find the recipes that
match. You can instruct Meal-Master to select only those recipes that:
a) Contain a certain word or phrase in their title;
b) Reference a certain category (i.e., "Soups" or "Main Dishes");
c) Use a specific ingredient;
d) Any combination of the above.
Once you have entered your search criteria, pressing "S" will start the
search. The number and title of each recipe that qualifies will be listed.
If you start the search without entering any search criteria, all recipes in
the file will be listed. Note that a search may be stopped at any time by
pressing the ESC key.
LISTING, REVISING, and MARKING
Recipes found by the search function will be followed by a prompt asking if
your wish to List, Revise, or Mark any of them.
If you type an "L", another prompt will ask if you want the recipe listed on
the screen or on your printer. If you select the printer, the recipe will be
printed using the parameters specified in the "Maintenance/Setup" section of
the program ('M' from the main menu; there you can specify what size and type
forms you are using for Recipe printouts and for Listings, and specify
special printer controls).
If you type 'R', you will receive the Revise menu. From here, you can update
the selected recipe title and category list; add, delete or revise
ingredients and directions; or change the number of servings. When changing
the number of servings, Meal-Master will ask if you want the ingredient
quantities adjusted. If you answer yes, Meal-Master will adjust all the
ingredient quantities in the same proportions as the serving size change you
have made!
You can also 'Remove' a recipe from the file. When you use this option, the
recipe is not really deleted, but just marked as removed. The recipe can
still be seen in searches and can be 'Restored' until it is permanently
deleted by use of the "Delete Removed Records" option on the Utilities menu.
If you type an 'M', a prompt will ask which recipe you want to mark. Enter
one of the displayed recipe numbers and press return to mark that recipe.
Once some recipes are marked, you can use the 'Shopping List' and 'Batch Print'
features on the Utilities Menu. These options only process marked recipes,
allowing you to automatically print several selected recipes, or produce a
consolidated list of ingredients to use as a shopping list!
*** MORE HELP ***
It is impossible to cover all the features of Meal-Master in this short file,
but the preceding instructions, with some experimentation, should get you
started using Meal-Master. If you decide to keep and register Meal-Master,
you will receive a comprehensive user's manual with complete descriptions of
all Meal-Master's features. As a registered user, you will also receive
announcements and discounts on future versions of Meal-Master.
*** REGISTERING MEAL-MASTER ***
Meal-Master is shareware. That means you get a chance to
"try-before-you-buy". If you like Meal-Master, and decide after trying it to
keep and use it, you should register.
To register, and receive the latest version of Meal-Master, along with the
complete user's manual, please send check or money order for $35.00 (includes
shipping/handling) to:
Episoft Systems
Suite #143
1321-N SE Everett Mall Way
Everett, WA 98204
(Residents of Washington state add 7.8% sales tax)