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MATH
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1993-08-01
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Instructions for the PREDICTOR, version 1.3, shareware.
NOTE THIS IS A SHAREWARE PROGRAM: Please feel free to try it for a reason-
able amount of time. You may copy and distribute it as desired, you may NOT
charge more than $10.00 to make duplicates for others. Further, you may NOT
change the source code or any other files included in the distribution disks
for any reason!
You may register your software and receive an upgraded version for $35.00
plus $5.00 shipping and sales tax if you live in Kentucky ($2.10). The reg-
istered version is not shareware and may be used on one computer only, by
the original purchaser.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The PREDICTOR is a rather large program, it requires
at least 512 k of free memory. It cannot be run without installation, you
will need a hard disk with about 3 MB free space. A mouse is not supported,
a CGA video adapter or better is required, a printer is optional... and is
recommended as many parts of the program print out reports and charts. You
will need an IBM compatible computer (XT, AT etc.) with at least an 8088-
8086 processor. The PREDICTOR will run with any version of DOS from 3.x
to DOS 6.0. It will operate under MS-DOS, DRDOS ,PCDOS or COMPAQ DOS. It
will not operate under OS/2. Windows is not required. There should be no
memory conflicts with most TSR programs, however, you may desire to unload
TSR's to free memory.
WARRANTY: The PREDICTOR is sold 'AS IS', no liability is assumed by the
author, Don Ellis, for any damages arising from the use of this software.
These instructions are as accurate as possible, however, the author assumes
no responsibility for typo's or other errors contained herein. All care has
been taken in preparing the software and documentation. No user support is
available for unregistered versions. Your notification of bugs to me is al-
ways appreciated. My address is below.
Don Ellis
23 Huckleberry Hill
Apt #6
Ft. Mitchell, Ky. 41017
INSTALLATION: Installing the PREDICTOR is automatic. From the drive you
place the distribution disk in, type 'INSTALL'. The program will be placed
in a subdirectory along with the correct files.
STARTUP: Change to the C:\ PREDICT directory, type PREDICT and press ENTER.
A start up screen with registration information will appear. Read the infor-
mation, you have about 20 seconds. Do not press any keys, the start up
screen will close on its own. Next is an introductory screen, please read it
press ENTER to continue. You will be taken to the main menu.
MAIN MENU: You may select from 9 sections on the menu. Also, HELP is avail-
able by pressing 'H'. You exit by pressing 'X' then ENTER. An improper
entry will produce an error message and return you to the menu. To make a
selection, press the appropriate HIGHLIGHTED key then ENTER to go to your
selection. All of the selections are self explanatory. Several of the
selections will lead to other menus, follow the instructions for selecting
what you want. Usually a letter is pressed to activate a procedure, however
on occassion, you may need to select a number. Help is available for nearly
all procedures by pressing 'H'.
Page 1
Using the PREDICTOR.
A concise list of options follows, please read before using the program!!!
INFORMATION ON PREDICTOR
This is a general information screen, it is intended to offer general
information at a glance.
METRIC CONVERSION CALCULATOR
This procedure allows you to select several types of metric conversions.
There are calculators for inches to centimeters, inches to millimeters,
feet to meters, miles to kilometers and fahrenheit to celsius. You will
find these invaluable for use in weather forecasting. Temperatures, wind
speeds and measurements of bodies of water sometimes use metric figures.
Choices are made from the menu. Simple to follow directions are available
with HELP and the header when you enter the procedure from the main menu.
Please note, you are given the option to convert metric back to U.S.
measurments in each conversion section. Use this feature to do 'what -if'
type of calculations.
WIND CHILL TABLE
This chart shows the effect of wind speed and temperature to determine
what a given temperature feels like to exposed skin at a given wind speed.
The area in cyan represents a below zero temperature effect. You may *print
the table out for reference if desired. HELP is available also.
* NOTE: AN IBM OR EPSON PRINTER IS NEEDED FOR PRINTING FROM THE PROGRAM.
THE PRINTER MAY EMULATE THE MENTIONED PRINTERS!
HEAT INDEX
This chart shows what a given temperature and humidity reading feels like.
This chart may also be printed out. HELP is available. This chart will be
most useful in the late spring and summer seasons.
BEAUFORT WIND SPEED CHART
This chart was devised in 1805 by Admiral Beaufort of the British Navy. It
was used at that time to determine wind speeds by the winds effect on a
ship's sail. It's been modified through time for use on land. You will use
observation of the movement of the wind through trees, flags etc. Find the
appropriate description of the winds effect. Select the NUMBER that is next
to the description, enter the number and press ENTER, a screen will pop up
with the appropriate wind speed range. Use the displayed keys to return to
the menu or the chart.
DATA & WEATHER RECORDS
Operations from this procedure are from a menu. Your first selection MUST
be number 1, 'Add Daily Data to files', if no records are entered, the other
procedures will produce an error message. Enter data as prompted and press
ENTER to complete the entry. For entering dates use the format '1-1-93' or
'93-1-1', the formats are 'mm-dd-yy' or 'yy-mm-dd' use one or the other, but
do not use both. If you plan to use the 'Print Records' procedure it is best
to use the 'yy-mm-dd' format. This prints records in chronological order.
To use the 'View Weather Data Records' procedure, enter the procedure from
the menu, press ENTER to scan through the records, when you reach the end
select 'v' to view the mean averages for selected statistics.
Page 2
You may also Update and/or Edit individual records (number 3), view
individual records (number 4), obtain HELP (number 5) and print records out
(number 6). Please note, you should allow an uninterrupted time period to
print records, as the program will print ALL of the records in the
WEATHER.DAT file. Please note, the WEATHER.DAT file is created for you when
you first use the program. It is designed to hold 365 records, one year. At
the end of the year you may copy the file to another disk for future use and
begin a new file.
U.S.A AND FORIEGN WEATHER DATA
These procedures allow you to view weather data for selected cities. They
offer averages only. Each procedure has information as to what averages are
used. The procedures allow you to enter a letter for the name of the city
you wish to view data for, ie; enter 'D' or 'd' for Dallas. Improper select-
ions result in error messages. HELP is available. You may use the PRINT SCR
key to print out a chart of cities.
CALCULATE WEATHER FORECAST
Here you will begin to do the real nitty-gritty, create a forecast. I advise
that you record weather data for about a month before using this procedure.
When you have a good idea of some of the weathers characteristics, you're
ready to apply your observation in preparing a forecast. To begin you will
be asked to enter temperatures for 2 days, along with other information. Use
CARE in entering data! If you enter bad data an error message will advise
you to start over. Use numbers when asked for numbers and type in lower case
letters for prompts that ask for words! As you work through each page, the
calculations are done for you, behind the scenes, accuracy is needed to
produce accurate figures!!! Please study your entries before you press ENTER.
When you reach the last entry you will be lead to the finished forecast. You
may print it out if you desire. The forecaster may also be used for 'What-if'
use, that is, you may enter various data based on a set of rapidly changing
values... such as rapidly dropping barometer and approaching fronts or
storms that may create sudden violent weather.
SUMMARY
This ends the instructions, with some experimentation and observation you
will soon be able to use the PREDICTOR with a high level of confidence.
Remember, this is shareware, if you find the program useful... please send
in your registration!
THANK YOU!!!
CREDITS
PCDOS and IBM are registered trademarks of the IBM Corp.
MS-DOS and WINDOWS are registered trademarks of MicroSoft Corp.
DRDOS is a registered trademark of Digital Research and Novell Corps.
COMPAQ DOS is a registered trade name of the COMPAQ Corp.