Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/busi/h_help.zip/XMAS.DOC

Text File | 1987-06-19 | 11KB | 179 lines

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
     To  operate  the  Holiday  Helper program,  you will  need  an  IBM  PC
compatible  computer running MS DOS 2.0 (or any later version) and one  disk
drive.   The  program works with any video card.   The print driver is  very
generic,  interfacing  with any printer.   All printing capacities assume 10
pitch, single spacing.

     Also,   four  files  must  exist  on  the  default  drive:  "XMAS.COM,"
"XMAS.DAT," "GIFT.DAT," and "SUPPLY.DAT."

     The  program  initially is entered by inputting "XMAS"  at  the  prompt
(A>).


     The  Holiday  Helper  program is designed to  streamline  your  various
Christmas chores and allow year-round updating.  Never again will you forget
little  Bucky's  name nor will you send stationery to Aunt Matilda  for  the
fourth  time (except on purpose for some perverse reason).   The program  is
two-fold: 1) card organization and 2) gift planning, including miscellaneous
supply maintenance.

1)  The Christmas Address Helper consists of three basic functions: creating
your card list, editing/updating your list, and printing your envelopes. All
command are menu-selected.

     a.   To create your list,  follow the menu directions:  press "U"  (for
"Update  the Address List") and then "Enter."  This will bring up the  blank
card  list  with numbers in columns.   Next press "1" and then  "Enter,"  as
directed at the bottom of the screen,  to open an item listing.   Follow the
menu  directions  to input:  name,  address,  city,  state,  zip  code,  and
children's names.   (When inputting last names such as "von Schiber" or  "de
Witt,"  be sure to enter an upper case "V" or "D," for instance.   If  lower
case  letters  for last names are entered,  alphabetizing will not  function
correctly.)   If  you  make  an error during input  of  a  menu  input  (for
instance,  name),  back  space  to erase characters as needed.   If you  use
cursor  keys  to erase,  you will be left with a "K" which will have  to  be
erased  using  the back space.   If you realize an error in  an  input  (for
instance,  the  city)  was  made  after proceeding to the  next  input  (for
instance,  state abbreviation),  you must proceed through the entire  item's
inputs  before re-editing that particular item.   After item completion  and
appearance  of your entire list,  simply reenter the desired item number and
edit following menu directions.


     Upon completion of one item, follow the menu direction at screen bottom
signaling  you to enter the next number for item entry.   Continue until you
have  created  your desired list.   After each  item's  entry,  the  amazing
Christmas  Gnome automatically will sort/alphabetize your list by last name;
first  initials also will appear.   After alphabetizing,  your current  list
will appear on screen.  The address helper main menu is regained by pressing
"0" and then "Enter" as indicated at screen bottom.

     b.    The   editing/updating  function  has  three  basic   components:
editing/updating  of selected input,  viewing of an individual address file,
and deletion of a file.
     To edit/update your existing list,  follow the menu directions.   Press
"U" (for "Update the Address List") and then "Enter."  Your personal address
list  will appear.   Enter the number corresponding to the item  (name)  you
wish to edit,  as directed at screen bottom.   Then press "Enter" which will
bring  up your list to edit/update.   Follow the menu  directions,  pressing
"Enter"   when  corrections  are  not  needed  for  an  input  and  entering
corrections  for an input as appropriate.   To return to the address  helper
main menu after completion of necessary editing/updating, press "0" and then
"Enter."
     Another  editing/updating component from the address helper  main  menu
involves viewing an individual address item.   To view an individual address
item,  press  "L"  and then "Enter."  Your entire address list will  appear.
Enter  the  number corresponding to the desired individual address  item  to
view and then "Enter."  The individual item will appear (although it  cannot
be  edited).   Press  "Q"  to return to the address  helper  main  menu,  as
directions  indicate,  or press any other key to bring up the entire address
list in order to view another individual address item.

     Deletion  of  an  individual  item is  yet  another  component  of  the
editing/updating  function.   To delete an individual item,  begin from  the
address  helper  main  menu by pressing "D" and then  "Enter."  Your  entire
address list will appear.   Follow the directions at screen  bottom.   Enter
the  number  corresponding to the desired item to delete and  then  "Enter."
As  a  last  chance,  you will be asked if this item is the correct  one  to
delete.  Answer appropriately ("Y" for yes or "N" for no).  If "Y" that item

will  be  deleted;  if "N" you will be returned to the address  helper  main
menu to consider your next action.

     c.   To print your envelopes,  from the address helper main menu, press
"P" (for "Print") and then "Enter."  Input envelope sizes as directed (width
and  height  to the nearest inch).   Print values assume  10  pitch,  single
spacing.  Note that these print values remain until altered.  To alter print
values/envelope  size  dimensions,  return to the address helper main  menu,
enter the "P" (for "Print Envelope"),  and reassign envelope  sizes.   Align
the upper left corner of the envelope at the furthermost left margin of  the
printer,  and  place  the top of the envelope at the  top-of-form  position.
Your  entire  address list will appear for you to choose the number  of  the
desired item to print.   Enter the number and then "Enter."  After printing,
press  "0"  to  return to the address helper main menu or press any  key  to
continue  printing another envelope following  menu  directions.   (Remember
that  envelope size remains the same unless you return to the address helper
main menu.)


2)   The Christmas Gift Helper functions similarly to the Christmas  Address
Helper  in that it provides creation of your gift list,  editing/updating of
same,  and printing of your completed list.   The Christmas Gift Helper also
includes  a function to create,  edit/update,  and print a Christmas  Supply
List  so  no  longer  will you be scurrying  to  the  convenience  store  on
Christmas  Eve for camera batteries paying $8.50 for two.  Access  the  gift
helper menu by entering "G" (for "Gift Helper Menu") from the main menu.


     a.   To  create your gift list,  press "U" (for "Update the Gift List")
and then "Enter."  A blank list will appear with numbers in columns.  Follow
the  menu  directions  at screen bottom.   Enter a  number  ("1")  and  then
"Enter."  Input as per menu directions:  name, last gift given, and idea for
next  gift.   The  item  will be alphabetized,  and afterward  you  will  be
returned  to  your current list.   Continue until your desired gift list  is
created.   (Again,  back  space  to delete undesired  characters  during  an
entry.)

     b.   To  update/edit your list,  press "U" (for "Update the Gift List")
and  then  "Enter."  Enter the number corresponding to the desired  item  to
edit  and  then "Enter."  Follow the menu directions and then  you  will  be
returned to the gift helper main menu.
     To  delete  an  item,  from the gift helper main menu  press  "D"  (for
"Delete  a  Gift Item") and then "Enter."  Enter the number of the  item  to
delete.   You  will  be  queried as to correctness.   Answer "Y" or  "N"  as
appropriate.   ("Y"  will delete the item;  "N" will return you to the  gift
helper main menu.)

     c.   To print your gift list, from the gift helper main menu, press "P"
(for  "Print  the Gift List").   Follow the menu directions advising you  to
align paper in the printer and make sure the printer is on-line.   Note that
the  print values assume 10 pitch,  single spacing.   Once paper is aligned,
press any key to print your gift list.   When printing completes,  the  gift
helper main menu appears.

     d.   The  Christmas  Supply  List is viewed by pressing  "S"  and  then
"Enter" from the gift helper main menu.  A suggested list will appear which,
of course, is happily subject to your amelioration.  Follow menu directions.
To add or change an item in the list, enter "E" (for "Edit the Supply List")
and  then "Enter."  The next menu direction asks you to choose the number of
the  item to add or change.   Choose the number corresponding to  the  first
available  unassigned item to add an item or choose an existing item  number
if  you  wish  to edit the list.   Then press "Enter."  Input the  new  item
following  menu directions.   You will be returned to the gift  helper  main
menu.
     To print your supply list,  press "P" (for "Print the Supply List")  as
per  bottom of screen menu directions.   Align the paper in the printer  and
make sure the printer is on-line.   (Printer values assume 10 pitch,  single
spacing.)  Strike any key to print.   After completion of printing, the gift
helper  main  menu will appear.   Note that the lines to the left of  listed
items  for checking off supplies appear on the screen but cannot be  checked
on  screen;  this is because the list is designed as an  actual  on-location
shopping tool so manual checking is assumed.

     At  this  point if you wish to return to the Christmas Address  Helper,
press  "Q"  (for  "Quit").   You may press "Q"  again  to  exit  this/entire
program.  ("Y" quits the program; "N" returns you to the opening menu.)

     Please  make  copies  of  this  program and  distribute  them  to  your
friends/Christmas elves.

****************************************************************************

If  you  find this program useful,  please send $15  to  the  following
address  to  further  development.   Authorized users will  receive  program
updates and are automatically placed on Santa's "Good" list.

Questions, suggestions, expensive gifts are welcome from registered users.


                        Mark Harvey
                        542-G Via de la Valle
                        Solana Beach, CA. 92075

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