Foreign for Palm Organizer

v.3.1 Edmund Seto

Contents
    Introduction
    Registration
    Installation
    Tips on How to Use Foreign
    Revisions
    Disclaimer
    Troubleshooting

Introduction

Foreign for Palm Organizer 3.1 is a simple to use, yet very versatile foreign currency convertion program for the PalmOS PDA. Features include:

No Nonsense - No Clutter.
Over 70 different foreign currencies, including the new Euro!
BIG DIGIT display to make things easy to read.
Clear and sensible one-touch conversion back-and-forth between two currencies.
ALL exchange rates are editable.
You can enter new exchange rates using any country's currency as a reference.
5 editable Custom Currencies, which allow you to store even more exchange rates, or things like metric conversion rates.
Use Quick-Picks to move between different currencies quickly.

NEW Internet-compatible companion program!

Foreign for Desktop allows you to use your desktop pc/workstation to update your all your exchange rates with the very latest rates off of the internet, or if you wish, just to individual currencies.

Registration

Shareware. Cost $10.00US.
Foreign for Palm Organizer 3.1 and its companion program, Foreign for Desktop are shareware. You may try Foreign 30 times, free of charge. If you enjoy using the software, and would like to continue using it afterwards, you are required to register it. The cost of registration is $10.00US. Registration grants you a single-user license to install and and use the software on a Palm Organizer. After registering, I will give you a Reg ID that will enable you to continue using the software. In addition, by registering I will be able to inform you of updates to the software.
For registering online with a credit card, please visit my webpage for details:
http://www.setocorp.com/palmpilot.htm
To register by postal mail (US cash and US checks/cheques only) please complete the following form and send your registration fee:
==============ORDER FORM================================================
     Edmund Seto
     1511 Rishell Drive
     Concord, CA 94521
     USA
     Software: Foreign v3.1
     Registration Fee: $10US                         Quantity: ____
     Name: ________________________________________________________________
     Company: _____________________________________________________________
     Address: _____________________________________________________________
     City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________
     Phone Number: ________________________________________________________
     Email Address : ______________________________________________________
     (We will Email you RegID code)
     Enclosed is my check made out to Edmund Seto in US$ for: $ ___________
     How did you hear about this software: ________________________________
==============ORDER FORM================================================

Installation

If you have previously installed a version of Foreign on your PalmPilot you should remove it before installing a new version. To do so, go the Applications - Memory - Delete apps. Select the previous version of Foreign. Press Delete and the Done button. The old version of Foreign should now be gone. Be aware that this will erase all of your exchange rates as well.
Go to your Palm backup directory on your PC (For me this directory is C:\Palm\SetoE\backup. It will be slightly different for you.) If there is a file called ForcDB.PDB, delete it.
Download the new foreign.zip file to your computer.
Use an unzip utility to get this readme.txt file and foreign.prc file.
Use your PalmPilot Install Tool to install the prc file.
The next time you hotsync, Foreign should be there.

See doc2.htm for installation instructions for Foreign Desktop.

Tips on How to Use Foreign

The Basics
Use the stylus and press on the name of the currency in the top half of the screen. Scroll to one of the currencies in which you are interested and select it. Likewise, select a different currency in the lower half of the screen. Use Graffitti strokes to write in an amount of currency on the line below the currency name. Use the "up" or "down" button to convert the currency to the other currency.

How do you change the currency conversion rates?
Go to Menu-Options-Rates. This brings up the "Rates" screen. By default, all the rates are expressed as values per 1 US dollar. So if you want to change the exchange rate for Swiss Franc, pick "Swiss Franc, CHF" in the pull-down list. Press "View Current Value", and the current exchange rate will be displayed. By default 1 US Dollar is equivalent to 1.514 Swiss Francs. If you want to change this, change the 1.514 to the new rate, and press "Set As New Rate".

It's annoying to enter rates in terms of US dollar equivalents
You can use any reference you want. Go to the "Rates" screen. Use the pull-down list to pick the currency you want as the reference. Then press "Set Reference Currency". All the rates will then be converted in terms of your reference currency. You can use the above tip to view the converted rates and make changes in terms of this new reference currency.

Are your fingers and eyes sore from scrolling for different currencies?
Use the Quick-Picks! Notice that there is a short line alongside the pull-down lists. You can enter 3-letter codes for the currency if you know them. So if you wanted pick US Dollars quickly, just type "usd" on the Quick-Pick line and press the little arc button to the left. Or, if you don't know 3-letter codes, you can enter just one letter and press the arc button. This will move you to the beginning of the currencies that begin with that letter.

How can I get the very latest exchange rates?
Use the Stock Desktop companion program. It's described in doc2.htm.

Revisions

Euro
Change to currencies supported by Xenon Laboratories + 5 custom currencies.
Modified registration to let you know you have registered.
Warns you that the trial period will expire.
Added desktop computer program, Foreign Desktop that allows you to update rates from the internet or individually by typing in new rates.

Fixed problem with changing currencies rates and setting the reference currency.

Fixed floating point errors... now good to currencies 999999999.99
Added "Set Reference Currency" button.
Changed the "ok" button to "set as new rate" button.
Added quick pick fields.

Provides nice error message when trying to convert large numbers instead of crashing pilot.
Only allow conversions from and to numbers that are less than 9999999.99

Added back missing Canadian Currency. Fixed Nicaraguan Currency.

Disclaimer

BY INSTALLING AND USING THE SOFTWARE YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS.
UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROGRAM, OR ANY PORTION OF IT
IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IN NO EVENT SHALL EDMUND SETO, HEREINAFTER CALLED
"AUTHOR" BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF
THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

THE AUTHOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION, IF ANY, PROVIDED
HEREUNDER IS PROVIDED "AS IS". THE AUTHOR HAS NO OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE
MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.

Troubleshooting

Feel free to email me with any problems: support@setocorp.com
To speed up the support process, please place the words, "Foreign Support" in the subject line of the email.