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1992-07-01
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FAST: Full Automotive Service Tracking
USER REFERENCE GUIDE
The following program documentation consists of the following
sections:
I General Info
II Vehicles Menu
III Expense Log Menu
IV Reports Menu
V Options Menu
This file (FAST.TXT) may be viewed from within the program
whenever "Information" is selected on the menu screen. Do not
modify the file, or its on-line accessibility may be lost.
Contents of the program and documentation are Copyright (C) 1992
by TBX Software. All rights are reserved.
I GENERAL INFO
FAST will run on IBM-compatible computers using DOS Version
2.1 or greater. Although not strictly necessary, recommended are
a hard disk drive and color monitor. As with many programs, you
should also find that performance is maximized using the highest
processor speed available. In addition, as much memory as
possible should be freed up beforehand. Running FAST with TSR's
loaded, from DOS shells, or from other programs may cause
unexpected errors, or may not leave enough memory for the program
to run.
The FAST package contains the following files:
FAST.EXE: Executable program
FAST.CAR: Storage of vehicle data
FAST.LOG: Storage of vehicles' expense history
FAST.SYS: Storage of system set-up options
FAST.TXT: Program documentation (user guide)
FAST.REG: Printable registration form
Program data storage files must be present in the directory
where FAST is run; otherwise the program will fail to execute.
The program is installed simply by copying the files from the
disk on which you received FAST to any pre-existing directory of
your choice. (Example: In DOS (at C:\>), type MD FAST to create a
disk directory C:\FAST. Then with the distribution disk in A:,
type, at the DOS prompt, the following: COPY A:FAST.* C:\FAST/V
Type CD FAST to then change to the directory C:\FAST.) To start
the program, simply type FAST and then press <Enter>.
Your copy of FAST may already have data saved in its files. If
this is so, you may use this sample data to become better
acquainted with the program's functions, before the saving of
your actual data occurs. Existing vehicles are displayed by
selecting any function on the "Vehicles" menu, or by producing a
"Vehicle Listing" report.
When you would like to begin a completely new database, as is
preferable when initially saving your own data, and you want to
remove any data that was included with the program, press <Ctrl-N>
on the program menu screen to invoke the file initialization
procedure. The applicable key controls will be displayed along
with a warning telling you that all FAST data saved will be lost
during the procedure. Two opportunities will be presented to
cancel the operation if you so choose. The frequent back-up of
your data will prevent the unintentional loss of data through
this or any other manner.
When FAST is started, file data is accessed automatically by
the program. On the main (menu) screen, menus are selected by
pressing the left/right arrows or the capitalized letters on the
menu bar. Functions are selected by pressing the up/down arrows
and then <Enter> when the desired function is highlighted, or by
pressing the corresponding displayed function key. In FAST, <Esc>
can be used, almost universally, to terminate just about any
procedure or step you are undertaking at that moment.
FAST is very easy to run and to learn how to use. It is a
straightforward, uncomplicated program which makes the tasks of
automobile service tracking and record-keeping seem effortless.
Apart from its automatic scheduled maintenance tracking features,
FAST enables you to check any past maintenance or repair expense
record by using its selective history reporting capability.
FAST is designed to save you considerable time and money over
the long run. For the cost of a nominal registration fee, it is an
investment we think most users will consider worthwhile. You may
print the registration form by typing TYPE FAST.REG >LPT1 in DOS.
II VEHICLES MENU
/ ADD /
The "Add" function is the first step in using a new database,
since a vehicle must be identified before services can be tracked
or recorded for it. All new vehicles to be tracked by the program
are entered via the "Add" function.
After pressing <Enter> to add a new vehicle to the database, a
data entry window will appear, into which you may enter in the
appropriate fields the data which applies. You will find that the
direction keys, PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, Insert, Delete, and Enter
all have specialized functions when used while working within a
data entry window.
The vehicle description fields help you easily distinguish
between similar vehicles you may be entering. You may abbreviate
words or leave one or more fields blank at your option. The
"Description" field can be used to record further detailed info
or a brief comment about the vehicle. The Vehicle Identification
Number, a serial number issued to all vehicles by the
manufacturer for purposes of title and registration, may be
entered in the field labeled "VIN". You may enter the date and
mileage of the vehicle when initially in your possession under
the "Acquisition Date/Mileage" field.
The "SelCode" field, short for "Select Code", is used to
assign a identifier, up to 3 characters in length, that you
invent for purposes of effectively keeping vehicles together in a
group. This is particularly useful for the production of reports,
where you may want to restrict the scope of the report to only
those vehicles that have the "SelCode" identifier you specify.
When you arrive at the "Maintenance Codes" field in the data
window, a maintenance selection screen will appear, with services
"A" through "T" listed. Services must be entered and saved under
the "Service Schedules" option before appearing in the
maintenance selection screen. The movement of the highlighted
scroll bar is the same as described for the "Service Schedules"
feature. Pressing <F1> assigns the highlighted maintenance
service to the vehicle on which you are currently working.
For each vehicle, services must be individually assigned in
the above manner before they will be tracked by FAST. This is
useful because you may not desire to track all services for all
vehicles. Moreover, certain services will often apply to only
some vehicles and not others (e.g., diesel vs. gas, turbo vs. non-
turbo, automatic transmission vs. manual, rear-wheel vs. front-
wheel (or even four-wheel) drive, truck vs. car, severe vs.
normal operation, etc.). Maintenance services can be assigned or
later removed by using the vehicle "Modify" feature.
When you desire to terminate data entry (by pressing <Esc>),
you have the option of whether or not to save your data. If you
choose "Y", the new vehicle will automatically be assigned to an
ID# one consecutive number higher than the last vehicle added to
the database. FAST will hold a maximum of 9999 vehicles, although
most users will require only a small fraction of this capacity.
/ MODIFY / VIEW / DELETE /
In order to perform these functions, a vehicle must first be
selected from the vehicle list screen. Select a vehicle by moving
the ID# highlight indicator (red block surrounding ID#) to the
vehicle of your choice. The arrow keys, Home/End, or PgUp/PgDn
may be used to scroll through individual vehicles or pages. When
a vehicle is found, press <Enter> to execute the function.
You may also select the desired vehicle on the list screen by
retrieving it (F1) via ID# or by searching for it (F2) via your
entering of any phrase which appears in the basic data saved
for the vehicle. All fields will be searched except those
containing dates, mileages, maintenance codes, and the current
message. These search features will be of greater utility when you
need to quickly find a vehicle from a listing which comprises
multiple pages.
Use "Modify" whenever a vehicle's basic information requires
updating. The same data entry fields as encountered in "Add" may
be accessed here also. A vehicle's current mileage may be updated
here, as well as any reminder message or expiration dates. New
services to track may be added, while other services may be
removed to suspend or disable tracking.
One should try to update vehicle mileage often, especially if
services are being tracked that have intervals based in part on
mileage traveled. It is necessary to maintain actual and current
mileages on file so that FAST can alert you at the proper time
when a service is due. Refer to the end of the section on
updating maintenances on the "Expense Log" menu for more info
about updating mileages.
The "Message" field may be used to place a reminder note which
pertains to a vehicle, or some other comment that may have
particular importance at a later time. Messages can be removed
entirely by pressing <F1>. You can, at any time, conveniently
view all existing messages for all vehicles by selecting
"Messages" on the "Reports" menu.
"View" enables the full viewing of a record without disturbing
any information already saved for that vehicle. "Delete" enables
the "removal" of any vehicle from the database by making the
record inactive. Inactive vehicles will no longer be processed by
the features of FAST. ID#'s assigned by the program are
permanent, and may not be reused even after the "deletion" of
vehicles. "Deleted" vehicles can be reactivated by using <Ctrl-U>
on the main (menu) screen.
III EXPENSE LOG MENU
/ UPDATE MAINTENANCE / ENTER REPAIR SERV / ENTER MISC EXPENSE /
All repairs and scheduled maintenance services performed for
vehicles are entered using either of the first two menu functions.
The third item accomodates expenses not covered by the first two.
Before a repair or scheduled maintenance service can be logged,
the vehicle to which it applies must first be selected from the
vehicle list screen. This is the same procedure as explained at
the beginning of the section on the vehicle "Modify" feature.
All repairs, maintenance services, and miscellaneous expenses
entered are stored in a common expense log. Since FAST keeps
expenses arranged in date-chronological order, it is not necessary
to log services and incurred expenses for a vehicle in the order
they occurred. Records of services and other expenses prior to
your use of FAST may therefore be entered at any time.
When logging a scheduled maintenance service via the "Update
Maintenance" function, a window will appear showing the current
status of all scheduled services that are being tracked for the
selected vehicle. On services that are due or past-due, the due
date and/or mileage will appear in flashing red. Tracked services
which have no prior record to reference will also appear in
flashing red, but the due date and/or mileage shown will be those
of the present time.
Select a service to log by scrolling the highlight bar to the
desired choice and by then pressing <Enter>. An expense log entry
window above will appear, into which you may enter the service
date, mileage, cost expenditure amount, and a description of
service. Defaults are assigned automatically to each of these
fields, which you may modify as required. For purposes of
tracking, the record will be saved as the performed service you
select regardless of what the description is modified to read.
The same log entry window will appear when logging a repair or
other expense for a selected vehicle. In the description field,
you may place a brief description of the expense entry, which may
also include anything of possible significance as a future
reference, such as parts used, name of service facility, invoice
number on bill, etc. If several services were performed at the
same time, you may either elect to record each as a separate
entry, or to combine them into one. Non-maintenance expense log
entries are not tracked via a schedule by FAST, but do appear
along with such services on record in the vehicle history.
Vehicle mileages entered with new log entries, or modified when
editing the expense log (next section), will automatically be
saved as the corresponding vehicle's current mileage if the new
value is greater than the last mileage saved using "Add" or
"Modify" on the "Vehicles" menu.
/ EDIT LOG / START NEW LOG /
If, after saving a maintenance, repair, or other expense, you
realize that an error or omission has been made, you can always
correct the entry by editing the expense log. The edit screen will
display all expenses logged on or after any date you specify
beforehand. The fields which can be modified are those of the
description, mileage, or cost value. If, however, you would like
to change the date, or the vehicle (as ID#) to which an expense
entry corresponds, you must first delete the record and then
re-enter it fully as a new maintenance, repair, or other expense.
The "Start New Log" function is one that will be used rarely,
if ever, by most users of FAST. Since there are no restrictions
on the number of entries the log file will hold, it is never
mandatory to begin a new one. However, there is one possibility
to consider. For example, if the log has become extensive and
you find that an unacceptable amount of time is required to
produce a listing of services due or to selectively search the
log history, you may prefer to terminate the current log and
start a new one. This can be done on an arbitrary basis, or you
may elect to restrict the log history to only that of a certain
period of time (e.g., a year) before starting a new one. The
procedure can then, in turn, be repeated at successive intervals.
All tracked services are automatically updated in the new log.
When you start a new log, the old log file is considered to be
an archived (non-active) history file, and is renamed on disk as
FAST_???.HST, where "???" represents the next available,
consecutive file number. Therefore, FAST_001.HST would denote the
first archive file in the directory. Subsequent archive files
would correspond to 002, 003, 004, etc. Archive files may only be
used to produce reports, and may not be edited or added to. For
this reason, you must be certain that a log file is complete and
error-free before you decide to terminate it and start a new one.
IV REPORTS MENU
FAST may be instructed as to the format and scope of reports
by changing the default parameters in the prompt windows, which
are presented in succession before the report is run. Reports are
printed according to the specification saved under the "Set
Report Printer" option.
/ MAINTENANCE DUE /
Through the use of this feature, the status of all tracked
services, or if you so choose, of those currently due only, may
be checked for one or more vehicles on record. The report will be
restricted to the vehicle whose ID# or all vehicles whose SelCode
you specify. A vehicle is considered to be currently due for
service when either the due date or the due mileage, as
determined by the service interval saved under "Service
Schedules", has been reached or surpassed.
Replying "Y" to the "Include Currently Due Only?" prompt will
restrict the report to those services that are due at that time
only. A "N" reply will result in an output whose content differs
somewhat depending on the reponse provided to the "Arrange By Car
or Service?" prompt. If "C" is chosen, the report will include
the following: status of all services tracked (prior log entry),
services tracked having no prior entry, and non-tracked vehicles.
If "S" is chosen, the report will contain only the status of
services tracked that have a prior entry in the expense log.
Arrange a report by service if you want to group together, for
convenience, all vehicles tracked for each service. You may then
restrict the output to a particular service by entering its
associated code (A through T) beforehand. If left blank, all
applicable services will be shown, starting with the lowest
alphabetical code. Whenever output is to the screen, you may
PgUp/PgDn to the previous or next service applicable to the
report.
If a specific vehicle ID# has not been named, and a report is
then arranged by car, the report will start with the lowest
numerical ID# which applies. Regardless of whether or not an ID#
has been specified, you may PgUp/PgDn to the previous or next
vehicle applicable to the report (when output is to the screen).
Due dates and/or mileages that have been reached or surpassed
(so as to cause a service to be currently due), are displayed on
screen in bright, flashing red. Tracked services that have no
prior log entry are also shown in the same manner, with
corresponding due dates or mileages consisting of the current
date and vehicle mileage. Dates and mileages which appear on the
screen in bright, flashing red are shown on printout with the
double asterisk symbol "**" preceding them.
/ EXPENSE HISTORY /
Using FAST's selective history reporting features, reports may
be produced containing only those expenses of interest to you at
any moment. At your option, amounts and totals may appear on the
report. Reports can also be made consisting of amount totals only.
Expense history used for a report is read from the file specified
under the "Set Hist File" option.
Parameters which may be used to restrict the scope of the
report include vehicle ID#, SelCode, starting and ending dates,
maintenance codes, and search phrases. If you provide a vehicle
ID# or answer "Y" to the "Arrange History By Car?" prompt,
history is grouped separately for each vehicle. Otherwise,
another format is presented, which consists of a general two-line
listing arranged chronologically by date of service/expense.
If a specific vehicle ID# has not been named, and a report is
then arranged by car, the report will start with the lowest
numerical ID# which applies. Regardless of whether or not an ID#
has been specified, you may PgUp/PgDn to the previous or next
vehicle applicable to the report (when output is to the screen).
The inclusion of costs on the report is determined by the
letter entered in the "Incl(ude) Costs" field. Valid responses
include "Y" to show costs on report, "N" to omit costs, or "O" to
show expenditure amount totals only.
The "Codes" and "Search For" fields work together to produce a
comprehensive listing of expenses for the report. Their combined
action depends on whatever data is entered in the respective
fields beforehand. In the "Codes" field, place the letter codes
of all scheduled maintenance services to be included for the
report. In the "Search For" fields, up to three separate phrases
which might appear in any history description field (maintenance,
repairs, etc.) may be entered for inclusion in the report. Blank
fields will produce all history unless at least one code or
phrase is entered, in which case the report scope will then be
restricted to just the specified codes and/or phrases.
In the "Codes" field, <F2> may be used repeatedly to cycle the
various options which are used to redefine the report scope. The
options, with the corresponding restrictive effect of each on the
output of the report, are as follows: "All (Codes Only)", to use
routine maintenance history only; "None (Repairs Only)",to utilize
repairs only; "None (Misc Only)", to use misc. expenses only; and
"All (W/Repairs Only)", to use service (non-misc.) history only.
/ OTHER REPORTS /
Use "Expirations" when you want to check on upcoming vehicle
registration or inspection expirations, or on vehicles whose
registration or inspection may have already expired. Registration
and inspection expiration dates must be forthcoming within the
number of days saved under the "Exp Advance Notice" option in
order to appear at the time the report is made.
Upcoming expiration dates are displayed in yellow. Appearing
in solid red will be those expirations which match the current
date. If a registration or inspection has already expired
(current date is past expiration), the listed expiration will
appear in flashing red. On printed reports, vehicles at
expiration are shown with the single asterisk "*" preceding the
the expiration date, whereas those past expiration will be
displayed with a double asterisk "**".
With "Messages", a report can be produced for all vehicles
which contain a current message appearing in the basic
information for each vehicle. Messages can be especially useful
when saved if they are later used to remind one about some aspect
of a vehicle which will eventually require attention. "Vehicle
Listing" will display all other information on record for each
vehicle in a condensed, 2-line listing.
V OPTIONS MENU
/ SERVICE SCHEDULES /
Scheduled maintenances, which are defined by the user, are set
up using this feature. Each service must be entered in the table
before it can be assigned to a vehicle for tracking. Entering a
service consists of first selecting any available code (A through
T) by moving the highlighted scroll bar to the code's position
and then pressing <Enter> to begin entering data. The following
keys may be used to move the scroll bar to the code of your
choice: Home/End, arrow keys, Tab/Shift-Tab, or the letter itself
designating the code. Pressing <Esc> returns to menu screen.
Specified in the data fields are a description of the service
and its associated service interval, which indicates the
frequency of the service (how often it should be performed, i.e.,
the schedule). The duration can be configured on elapsed time or
mileage, or both, in which case the particular service becomes
due when either one or the other parameter is first achieved for
the tracked vehicle.
The range of valid interval values for each parameter are as
follows: 1 to 99 for months, 1 to 99 for days, and 1 to 99999 for
miles traveled. Parameters that have a value of zero are not used
for tracking. Note that a service must have a description and at
least one scheduling parameter saved before it is can be used for
purposes of tracking. A schedule can later be changed at any
time, resulting in an automatic adherence to the new schedule by
all vehicles tracked for the particular service.
A maximum of twenty anticipated scheduled maintenance services
for all vehicles on record may be entered in the table. As
mentioned under the section on adding vehicles, due to
differences in vehicle services corresponding to the type of
vehicle and the manner in which it is operated, all services
entered need not apply to every vehicle equally in the database.
This is because the services which apply can be assigned to each
vehicle independently.
If you are not sure what services should be tracked and how
often for your vehicle(s), the owner's literature may be helpful
in this regard. A knowledgeable person at a service facility or an
automotive repair manual for your vehicle(s) may also provide the
necessary information. Otherwise, you may enter the services that
you have always relied on, perhaps even adding others that would
be of benefit if performed on a routine basis. All services need
not imply actual work to be performed, since what some may consist
of is really closer to the nature of a scheduled check or
inspection of some aspect of the vehicle's condition.
Examples of commonly tracked services include the following:
Months Miles
Oil And Filter Change 3 3000
Spark Plug Replacement 20 20000
Air Filter Replacement 24 24000
Fuel Filter Replacement 12 12000
Cooling System Check 12
Coolant Flush And Replace 24 24000
PCV Valve Replacement 20 20000
Crankcase Filter Replacement 24 24000
Drive Belts Check And Adjust 10 10000
Transmission Fluid Check 12 12000
Steering/Suspension Lubrication 15 15000
Power Steering Fluid Check 12
Brake System Check/Replace Linings 30 30000
Front Wheel Bearing Repacking 30 30000
Exhaust System Inspection 6
Tire Tread Wear Check 6
Tire Pressure Check 1
Exterior Lamps Check 1
/ OTHER SET-UP OPTIONS /
Additional set-up options are each entered using individual
windows. Press <Enter> to save an option after any necessary
changes have been made; otherwise press <Esc> to cancel.
The "Exp(iration) Advance Notice" option can be used to set
the number of days in advance when an expiration will be first
reported by FAST. Values from 1 to 99 are permitted. If a value
of zero is entered, expirations will not appear on the report
until the actual day expiration occurs.
The "Set Screen Heading" option is used to save a heading,
which may consist of company name or anything else you may want
to display at the top of the screen. The heading also appears at
the top of all printed reports.
FAST normally uses the current log file FAST.LOG to produce
history reports. If you happen to have vehicle history in non-
active (archive) files, use "Set Hist(ory) File" to change the
read specification to the file needed for the report. This is
done by providing the archive number of the file, where, as in the
following example, the archive number would be "1" for the file
FAST_001.HST. The section on starting a new log file contains
additional information relating to history files.
The "Set Report Printer" option enables you to change the
output specification for printed reports. You may specify
printers attached to the first, second, or third parallel port
(if so equipped), or a filename with an optional drive and
pathname. If you specify a file which already exists on disk, the
file will be overwritten when the report is made.
Report files contain normal ASCII code, and thus can usually
be viewed using most word processors or text viewers. Any such
file can also be printed from within one of these programs, or,
for example, by using the DOS "TYPE" command as in the following
manner to utilize the printer at LPT1: TYPE filename > LPT1 (The
following DOS command should work equally, as well:
COPY filename LPT1).