Media Share 9/MEDIASHARE_09.ISO/business/vend11gb.zip/VENDOR.DOC

Text File | 1993-08-09 | 33KB | 691 lines

    PROGRAM TITLE:

    The Disk Vendor


    DESCRIPTION:

    The Disk  Vendor is  a tool  for creating  "on-disk" product
    catalogs.  For businesses  who would like an  alternative to
    a printed catalog, The Disk Vendor will make the process  of
    creating an on-disk catalog a simple one.

    The Disk Vendor run-time  module is completely menu  driven,
    with a clean simple user interface, which makes it easy  for
    your customers to navigate through and order from.

    The product catalogs that  you create can be  distributed on
    a diskette, or printed to hardcopy format.


    AUTHOR:

    Philip P. Kapusta
    P.O. Box 5423
    Falmouth, VA 22403


    REQUIREMENTS:

    Hard disk drive, printer, and an editor/word processor.


    TERMS AND DEFINITIONS:

    There are several  terms that will  be used throughout  this
    documentation and that  need to be  fully understood by  the
    user before  you create  your own  on-disk catalog.   Please
    review these definitions carefully:

    ASCII FILE: This  is a term  used to describe  any file that
    you create  and save  with an  editor such  as DOS'  EDIT or
    Window's  Notepad.   The Disk Vendor  does NOT come  with an
    editor because most users already have a favorite editor  or
    word processor that they feel  comfortable with.  We saw  no
    reason to  force the  user to  use another  editor and  have
    consequently not included  one.  An  ASCII file contains  NO
    control  characters  such  as  
            nor graphic
    characters such as ║  ▒ █ ╚ ½ å

    CATALOG  FILE:  A  catalog  file  is  an  ASCII  file   that
    contains product  numbers, product  names and  descriptions.
    These files are identified by the file extension ".CAT"  and
    can  be  edited  or  created  with  a program like DOS' EDIT
    editor,  or  Window's  Notepad,  or any programmer's editor.
    You can even  use your favorite  word processor to  edit and
    generate catalog files, but  you must remember to  save them
    as  ASCII  files.    You  use   The  Disk  Vendor   compiler

    (COMPILE.EXE)  to  merge  and  compress  all your individual
    .CAT catalog files into one single data file (CATALOG.DAT).

    COMPILER: The compiler  is the program  that gathers all  of
    your   ASCII   catalog   files   (*.CAT)   and   all   other
    miscellaneous ASCII text files (*.TXT), and then merges  and
    compresses  this  information  into   a  single  data   file
    (CATALOG.DAT).   The Disk  Vendor compiler  also prompts the
    user for information such  as quantity discount rates,  your
    mailing  address,  sales  tax,  and  currency  format before
    actual compilation begins.

    DATA  FILE:  The  data  file  is  a  specially formatted and
    compressed  file  that  contains  ALL  your  product  names,
    prices,  mailing  address,   shipping  costs,  opening   and
    closing screens, etc.   This data file  is created by  using
    The Disk Vendor compiler (COMPILE.EXE) and once it has  been
    created it can be identified by the filename  "CATALOG.DAT".
    This data file is one  of the two necessary files  that must
    be placed on your distribution disk for your customers.

    HELLO AND GOODBYE FILES:  These are silly sounding  terms, I
    admit, but their  names imply what  you would think.   These
    are two OPTIONAL files  that are displayed at  the beginning
    and end of  your on-disk catalog.   The opening screen  file
    is identified with the filename "HELLO.TXT" and the  closing
    screen  as  "GOODBYE.TXT".   You  can  have  a  hello   file
    without  a  goodbye  file,  or  vice  versa.   One  does not
    require the other.  Or you may wish to eliminate both.   The
    choice is up to you.  These files are extended ASCII  files,
    which means  you can  use any  of the  high ASCII characters
    (graphics) such as ║  ▒ █ ╚ ½ å

    RUN-TIME  MODULE:  Refers  to  the file "CATALOG.EXE".  This
    is  the  program  that  reads  the  information in your data
    file and displays it to your customers.  Remember, in  order
    to create a catalog on a disk for your customers, two  files
    must exist on that disk:  1) CATALOG.EXE and 2) CATALOG.DAT.

    SHIPPING  FILE:  This  is  a  small ASCII file that contains
    information  on  the  various  modes  of  shipping and costs
    available  to  your  customer.   It  is  identified  by  the
    filename "SHIPPING.TXT".

    TEXT  FILE:   Text  files  are  ASCII  files  that   contain
    miscellaneous  messages  and  notes   that  you  want   your
    customers to have access to.   Text files are identified  by
    the  file  extension  ".TXT"  and  must NOT be confused with
    catalog  files.   Text  files  should  NOT  contain products
    that you  want your  customers to  order, unless  you expect
    them to  hand write  those items  at the  end of their order
    form.  The contents of text files can only be viewed on  the
    screen, and  no order  prompts, prices  or discount  windows
    appear in conjunction with  "*.TXT" text files.   An example

    of a useful  text file would  be a file  that gives a  brief
    sketch about  your company  or about  how your  products are
    better than your competitor's.

    WAIT FILE: This  is a special  ASCII file that  is displayed
    to your  customers by  the run  time module  as it  reads in
    information from the data file.   It can be considered as  a
    commercial message if you wish.  It is called a "wait  file"
    because its  contents are  displayed on  the screen  as your
    customer waits  for the  program to  finish a  task.   It is
    appropriately identified by the filename "WAIT.TXT".

    With these terms  now under your  belt you will  be ready to
    begin creating your own on-disk shareware catalog.


    LET'S GET STARTED:

    The  first  thing  that  we  recommend  a  brand new user to
    do  is  to  run  the  compiler  (COMPILE.EXE) and generate a
    personalized  data  file  (CATALOG.DAT).   Then  after  this
    execute  the  run  time  module  (CATALOG.EXE)  so  that you
    can see  how quick  and easy  it is  to generate  a catalog.
    Do this right  now!  At  the DOS prompt,  just enter COMPILE
    and fill in the blanks  as you are prompted by  the program.
    Once you  have done  this, enter  CATALOG at  the DOS prompt
    and look at your results.

    Before you  generate your  own catalog  files (*.CAT)  spend
    some  time  getting  familiar  with  the  run-time    module
    (CATALOG.EXE).   Explore its  features and  interface.   Try
    placing a few orders as if  you were a customer.  Print  out
    your order forms, print the catalog, search for words,  save
    and retrieve  your orders,  etc.   By playing  with the run-
    time module you will  get a feel for  the power and ease  of
    use that The Disk Vendor provides you.

    Once  you  have  spent  some  time  with the run-time module
    (CATALOG.EXE)  and  the  compiler  (COMPILE.EXE)  then   you
    should begin creating your very own catalog files (*.CAT).

    To begin, use  your favorite text  editor or word  processor
    and open a new file.  We will call the name of the new  file
    "VIRUS.CAT"  and  we  will  generate  a  catalog  file  that
    contains virus  checking software  programs.   Note: You can
    give the file any name you wish as long as it  contains  the
    file  extension  ".CAT".   "SOFTWARE.CAT",   "DISNFECT.CAT",
    "_VIRUS_.CAT" are  all valid  catalog file  names.  Whatever
    is  easiest  for  you  to  remember,  give it an appropriate
    filename.

    THE STRUCTURE OF A CATALOG FILE:

    Once you  begin a  new catalog  file, there  is a   specific
    format that you must follow:

    1) The  very first  line of  the catalog  file (*.CAT)  must
    contain  a  34  character  or  less  description.  The first
    line  of  a  catalog  file  will  be  used  in the Main Menu
    catalog index listing.

    2) A pound symbol "#" separates one product and  description
    from  another.   The  "#"  can  be  followed by your catalog
    number identifying  the product  that follows  it.   Catalog
    order numbers must not be longer than 20 characters.

    3) The name of the product  follows on  the next line  after
    the line that contains the "#" symbol.

    4) Any  lines after  the product  name are  used for  you to
    describe that product.

    5)  Product  description  line  length  must  not  exceed 72
    characters in width.

    All right, got it?  Clear as  mud?  Probably.  So here   are
    some examples  that will  help you.   Again, we  are in  our
    editor and have the file "VIRUS.CAT" open.  With the  cursor
    at  the  very  top  of  the  document  (line  1),  enter   a
    description used  to identify  the contents  of the  catalog
    file:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │                                                         │
    │                                                         │
    │                                                         │

    It is  simple so  far, isn't  it?   Just keep  the number of
    characters in this description line less than 34.

    Now, on to line 2!

    As we stated above, a "#" symbol separates one product  from
    another.   Since we  are about  to enter  a new product name
    and description, we need to place a "#" on line 2, column 1:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#                                                        │
    │                                                         │
    │                                                         │

    If  you  wish  to  identify  your  products  using a catalog
    number, now  is the  time to  do so.   Immediately following
    the "#" symbol, enter your catalog number.  The number  does
    not need to  be a number,  but can be  characters if you  so
    choose, or a combination of both.  For example:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │                                                         │
    │                                                         │

    Again, you  are not  required to  enter a  catalog number if
    you choose not  to.  What  is mandatory, however,  is that a
    "#" symbol exists in column 1 and must precede the line that
    contains the product name.

    When you are  ready to enter  a product name,  move down one
    line below the "#" and enter it:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel                                                    │
    │                                                         │

    In the example above  the software program "Expel"  has been
    placed immediately below the line containing the "#" symbol.

    To show you some of  the features unique to The  Disk Vendor
    we will let you  know here that you  can add a comment  note
    on the same line  as the product name.  A "comment note" may
    consist of anything you wish,  as long as it is  enclosed in
    squiggly brackets  {}.   For example,  let's say  that Expel
    is  obtained   wholesale  through   your  distributor   Acme
    Software.  Your sales  representative with Acme Software  is
    Jim Smith.  If you wanted  to make a note of that  fact, you
    can add a comment note recording this.  For example:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel {Acme: Jim Smith}                                  │
    │                                                         │

    Above  we  see  that  the  software title Expel is purchased
    through  Acme  Software,  whose  sales  rep.  is  Jim Smith.
    This comment note is enclosed in {} brackets.  The  brackets
    are very  important!   When this  catalog file  is compiled,
    your  comment  notes  are  ignored.   Comment  notes  in  {}
    brackets do not appear  to your customer because  they never
    find their way  into the data  file (CATALOG.DAT).   Comment
    notes are  for your  use and  are optional.   You can  enter
    anything  you  wish  between  {}  brackets  -  the name of a
    company, a stock bin number, an inventory count, the  weight
    of  the  product,  whatever.   Again,  this  comment note is
    optional.

    The next  bit of  information that  you need  to add  is the
    selling  price  for  the  product.   At  the end of the line
    that contains the product  name, enter its price.   Although
    you can add a currency symbol before the price, this is  not
    necessary, and in  fact it is  not recommended.   The reason
    we do not recommend that  you enter a currency symbol  (e.g.
    "$")  is  because  it  takes  up  file  space.  The run-time
    module does not need  the currency symbol repeated  hundreds
    of times in your *.CAT files.   One little "$" sign may  not
    seem like much,  but if you  repeat this symbol  hundreds of
    times  it  slowly  eats  up  disk  space.   But if you can't
    break  the  habit,  that's  fine  too.   The  compiler   and
    run-time module do not care.

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel {Acme: Jim Smith} 23.95                            │
    │                                                         │

    Above we  see a  price of  $23.95 for  one unit  of "Expel".
    This  $23.95  is  the  undiscounted  selling  price for this
    product to  your customers.   If you  wish to  give multiple
    quantity discounts, see  the compiler (COMPILE.EXE)  and set
    up  the  discount  rates  at  compile  time.   Here  in your
    catalog file (*.CAT) simply  enter the price of  the product
    item as shown above.

    Now that we  have entered a  product number, a  product name
    and  price,  all  that  we  have  left  is  to  give Expel a
    description.    The   product   description   lines   follow
    immediately  below  the  line  that  contains  the product's
    name and price.  For example, let's describe Expel:


    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel {Acme: Jim Smith} 23.95                            │
    │Anti-virus program that helps preserve the integrity of  │
    │your files.                                              │
    │                                                         │

    You can definitely get more descriptive if you wish.  We  do
    not  recommend  that  you  enter  more  than  13 lines for a
    program description because it will be truncated when it  is
    compiled.  13 lines should  be more than enough to  describe
    most programs.  Also,  keep all description lines  less than
    72  characters  wide.   You  can  insert  blank lines if you
    wish, and they will be preserved when compiled.

    Believe it or  not, that is  all there is  to it!   Not very
    hard is it?

    To add additional programs to our "VIRUS.CAT" catalog  file,
    simply repeat  steps 2-4  above.   Here is  our catalog file
    after adding two more virus checking programs:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel {Acme: Jim Smith} 23.95                            │
    │Anti-virus program that helps preserve the integrity of  │
    │your files.                                              │
        │#VI107                                                   │                                             │
    │Flu Shot+ 17.95                                          │
    │Protects you system against virus and Trojan horse       │
    │programs. Read/write protection for programs. Checks for │
    │contamination and prevents virus activities.             │
    │#VI100                                                   │
    │Virex {Version 2.1} 34.95                                │
    │Virex checks an entire disk for over 800 different virus │
    │strains.  If it detects a virus, Virex will remove the   │
    │virus from the program or disk.  Quarterly update        │
    │virus signature lists are available from the publisher   │
    │to protect your computer against new virus strains.      │

    Notice  that  you   do  NOT  repeat   the  "Virus protection
    software" category  description line.    This  occurs   only
    ONCE, and must  be on the   first  line   of  your   catalog
    file (VIRUS.CAT).

    We  strongly  recommend  that  you enter/insert new products
    in alphabetical order.   This will make your  catalog easier
    to navigate through  when viewed by  your customers.   There
    exists  a  function  in  The  Disk  Vendor  run-time  module
    (CATALOG.EXE)  that  lists  all  the  product  items  in the
    currently selected  category.   This "quick  browse" listing
    displays the products' names in the same order in which  you
    entered them into the catalog file.  Therefore, if you  want
    this list to appear in alphabetical order, you should  enter
    the products in  alphabetical order.   The Disk Vendor  will
    not sort  this list  because it  wants you  to practice good
    catalog file creation and maintenance.   It is also to  your
    benefit  to  enter  and  maintain  products  in alphabetical
    order.  It  not only makes  it easier for  your customers to
    locate products, but  it makes it  easier for YOU  to locate
    products when it comes time to update or purge your  catalog
    files.

    If these  3 titles  are all  you have  in the  way of  virus
    checking  software programs, then  close  the    "VIRUS.CAT"
    catalog file and save it to disk.

    One last  feature that  you may  be interested  in adding to
    your catalog file is a  "customer note".  A "customer  note"
    contains  text  information  that  helps better describe the
    items that follow.  A  "customer note" does NOT have  prices
    or part  numbers attached  to them.   You begin  a  customer
    note with  a "#"  symbol, immediately  followed by  "NOTE#".
    Move down one line and  enter a header line, then  move down
    one line and enter the  ASCII text that makes up  your note.
    Using the VIRUS.CAT file as an example:

    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │Virus protection software                                │
    │#VI040                                                   │
    │Expel {Acme: Jim Smith} 23.95                            │
    │Anti-virus program that helps preserve the integrity of  │
    │your files.                                              │
    │#NOTE#                                                   │
    │WHAT IS A COMPUTER VIRUS?                                │
    │A computer virus is a program designed to replicate and  │
    │spread on its own, preferable without you knowing it     │
    │exists.  Like a human body, computers are vulnerable to  │

    It is best to experience a customer note in a compiled  data
    file first hand in order  to appreciate its usefulness.   We
    have included several customer  notes in the sample  catalog
    files (*.CAT) that accompanied  this program.   Take a  good
    look at these files to understand how they work.

    Customer notes  can occur  anywhere in  your catalog  files,
    and they can  be unlimited in  length (1 to  1000 lines) but
    are restricted to 72 columns in width.

    A few  other guidelines  that you  should be  aware of  when
    working with catalog files (*.CAT):

        Use lower  case letters  as much  as possible. Upper
        case  letters  do  not  compress well during compile
        time.  On average you  will achieve a 40% file  size
        reduction if the majority of your catalog files  are
        in lower  case (before:  100,000K, after:  60,000K).
        Don't  overdo  this,  of  course.   Just  type  your
        catalog files as  if you were  typing a letter  to a
        friend.  Keep the CAPS LOCK off, and avoid  entering
        product names  in uppercase  and you will be  OK (or
        is it "ok"?).

        Do not  use high  ASCII characters  in your  catalog
        files (*.CAT).   Characters such as  ║  ▒  █ ╚ ½  å
        will  not  be  compiled  properly.  Absolutely avoid
        them!


    OTHER NECESSARY FILES BEFORE COMPILING:

    Although your catalog files  (*.CAT) are the most  important
    files  that  you  need  to  have prior to compilation, there
    are additional files that you can and should create.

    The  first  mandatory  file  required  for  compilation is a
    "wait file".  This file is an ASCII text file that  contains
    a message for your customer while the run-time module  works
    on a task.   This file can  be created with  an editor,  and
    must be saved  with the filename  "WAIT.TXT".  If  this file
    does not  exist when  you go  to compile  your catalog using
    COMPILE.EXE the compilation process will abort.   "WAIT.TXT"
    is  absolutely  mandatory.   With  The  Disk  Vendor package
    that  you  have  received  a  sample  "WAIT.TXT" file can be
    found  that  you  may  use  as  a guide.  The most important
    things  that  you  must  remember  when  working  with   the
    "WAIT.TXT" file is that it  can NOT be longer 72  characters
    wide  by  17  rows  high.   Also,  this  wait  file must not
    contain any high ASCII characters.

    The second (and last)  mandatory file that must  exist prior
    to compilation  is a  shipping text  file.   Identified with
    the filename "SHIPPING.TXT", this file contains  information
    on  the  shipping/mailing  methods  that  you  provide  your
    customers with,  and their  costs.   A sample "SHIPPING.TXT"
    file has been included with The Disk Vendor system that  you
    received and  can be  used as  a guide.   Its format  is  as
    follows:

    [Type of shipping]=[Cost]

    Where  [Type of shipping]  is  replaced   with   the   words
    identifying the type  of shipping/mailing method  available,
    and where  [Cost]  is replaced with  the actual cost.  These
    two parameters are linked together with a "=" equals symbol.
    Here is  a real  life example  of a  "SHIPPING.TXT" file, so
    that you can see better the format you must follow:

    USPS (US)=2.95
    USPS (Canada)=5.00
    USPS (Elsewhere)=7.00
    UPS Ground (US)=4.00
    UPS Blue (48 Sts)=7.00
    UPS Blue (AL HI PR)=8.00
    UPS Red (US)=16.00
    UPS Red (AL HI PR)=19.00
    Federal Express overnight=20.00

    You can have  one line in  your shipping file,  or 10 lines.
    You have the choice  to add or delete  any lines.  The  only
    requirement  is  that  at  least  one  line  exists  in  the
    "SHIPPING.TXT"  file,  and  that   you  follow  the   format
    outlined above.

    Having your  catalog files  (*.CAT) and  the "WAIT.TXT"  and
    "SHIPPING.TXT"  files,  you  can  now  begin the compilation
    process  if  you  wish.   These  files  are mandatory before
    running COMPILE.EXE.   You may wish  to add some  additional
    files, but this is optional (see next section).


    OPTIONAL TEXT FILES TO INCLUDE IN YOUR CATALOG:

    Many businesses and  companies who use  The Disk Vendor  may
    wish to add additional ASCII text files for their  customers
    to view.   This can  be done  with an  editor, and  the only
    requirements that The Disk Vendor impose are:

    1) The text  file must NOT  contain  control  characters nor
    high ASCII characters > 126 (decimal).

    2) The  text file  must be  saved with  a filename extension
    ".TXT"  (short  for  "text").   "BONUS.TXT",   "README.TXT",
    "COUPON.TXT", "SPECIALS.TXT" are all valid text filenames.

    3) The  text file  can be  any length  (within reason),  and
    should be less than 81 characters in width.

    4) The first line of your  .TXT file must be reserved for  a
    description  line.   This  reserved  description  line works
    exactly  as  the  description  line  in  your  catalog files
    (*.CAT).   This  description  line  will  appear in the Main
    Menu  catalog  index  box  and  must  contain  less  than 35
    characters.   Again, this  description line  MUST reside  on
    line 1 of your text file!

    What would you use .TXT files for?  Some possibilities are:

        To describe your company and its products.

        To display a discount coupon that the customer can
        print using the PRINT SCREEN key and then redeem.

        To explain your return policies.


    HELLO AND GOODBYE:

    Should  you  wish  to  create  a special opening screen that
    your customer  views before  the Main  Menu screen  appears,
    then  create  a  "hello"  file.   This  file is also created
    using  an  editor,  and  must  be  saved  with  the filename
    "HELLO.TXT".    Unlike   other   ASCII   text   files,   the
    "HELLO.TXT" file can contain high ASCII graphic  characters.
    This  will  enable  you  to  create  some attractive opening
    screens with boxes  and shadows and  text.  The  "HELLO.TXT"
    file  can  contain  up  to  25  lines  of  characters  by 80
    characters  in  width  (the  size  of  a  normal  text  mode
    screen).  Here is an example of what you could do:

      ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
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      ▓▓▓▓▓┌───────────────────────────────────────┐▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
      ▓▓▓▓▓│                                       │░░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
      ▓▓▓▓▓│    XYZ COMPUTERS PROUDLY PRESENTS     │░░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
      ▓▓▓▓▓│        ITS WINTER 1995 SOFTWARE       │░░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
      ▓▓▓▓▓│          CATALOG ON A DISK            │░░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
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      ▓▓▓▓▓│       Press any key to begin...       │░░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
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    Just remember  to include  an instruction  for your customer
    to "PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE..." or else you may find  your
    customer  scratching  his  head  wondering  what to do next.
    You may  never receive  an order  from him  because he could
    not get past your opening screen!

    Likewise, if you  wish to have  a special message  appear at
    the close of  the program, create  a "goodbye" file  with an
    editor.   Follow exactly  the same  guidelines as  described
    above  for  the  "hello"  file,   but  save  this  file   as
    "GOODBYE.TXT".   Again,  remind the customer with  a message
    to press any key to exit the program!

    Both the "HELLO.TXT"  and "GOODBYE.TXT" files  are optional.
    You may wish not to have opening or closing screens, or  you
    may wish  to have  one but  not the  other.   This is  fine.
    Just delete the files you  don't need, or don't create  them
    in the first place.


    THAT'S ALL FOLKS!:

    Speaking of "goodbyes", the  instructions above are all  you
    need to get  you up and  running creating your  own personal
    shareware catalog on disk.   We hope that you find  The Disk
    Vendor a useful tool in marketing your products.


    SHAREWARE:

    The Disk Vendor is  shareware software and continued  use of
    the program requires  you to support  the author.   Once you
    have registered, you will receive the latest version of  The
    Disk Vendor that will permit you to begin distributing  your
    compiled  data  file  (CATALOG.DAT)  and the run-time module
    (CATALOG.EXE) freely without royalties.


    ALL IN THE FAMILY:

    Attention shareware distributors!!!!   If you would like  to
    use  The  Disk  Vendor  to  distribute  public  domain   and
    shareware software disks, we  have a special version  of The
    Disk Vendor JUST  FOR YOU!   Custom tuned for  the shareware
    industry,  The  Disk  Vendor  "shareware vendor" version has
    features  unique  to  your  industry,  such  as   multi-disk
    prices,  separate  pricing  structures  for 360K, 720K, 1.2M
    and 1.4M disk  sizes.  We  highly recommend this  "shareware
    vendor" version  if you  need a  catalog on  disk system  to
    distribute  your  shareware  library.   Contact  the program
    author with a SASE or by phone to learn more details.


    CAN I CONVINCE YOU TO CONVERT?:

    Question:  "I  currently  use  EmmaSoft's  Catalog-On-A-Disk
    program to distribute  the  products we sell and would  like
    to switch  to The  Disk Vendor.   What are  the  differences
    between these two products, and can I salvage my COAD  *.TXT
    files for use with The Disk Vendor?"

    Answer:

    1)  A  very  clean,  uncluttered,  attractive user interface
    distinguishes   our   product   from   EmmaSoft's   product.
    Your customers will find   it easier to  use,  and hopefully
    order more products from you   if they can navigate   easily
    through the on-disk catalog that you have provided them.

    2)  The  Disk  Vendor  run-time  distribution  .EXE   module
    (CATALOG.EXE) is only 54000 bytes in size.  Our competitor's
    product is approximately  81000 bytes.   So what?   The more
    products you  offer your  customers, the  more products  you
    are likely to sell.   The more disk space available  on your
    distribution disk  means more  products you  can list.   The
    smaller the  run-time .EXE  program, the  more products  you
    can offer  your customer.   You know  how many  products you
    can get into  27000 bytes of  disk space (the  difference in
    size between our product  and theirs)?  Literally  hundreds!
    The more  product selections  you offer  your customers,  or
    the better you  describe your products,  the more disks  you
    will  be  able  to  sell.   Free  disk  space  equals   more
    potential sales.

    3)  On  your  distribution  disk  to your customer, only two
    files need to  exist for your  on-disk catalog to  run using
    The  Disk  Vendor  -  (CATALOG.EXE  and  CATALOG.DAT).   Our
    competitor creates dozens of ".CM" files if you have  dozens
    of  product  categories.   So  what,  you  may  ask?  Again,
    getting back  to the  story of  available disk  space.   The
    more available  space on  your distribution  disk, the  more
    products  or   better  descriptions   you  can   offer  your
    customers.  It is a hardware fact in DOS that if you have  a
    file  on  a  360K  disk  that  is  only  11  bytes  long, it
    actually will  take up  1024 bytes  of disk  space!  This is
    due  to  the  way  files  are  allocated  on  a  disk.   For
    instance,  if  you  have  a  file  called  "HELLO.CM" and in
    it contains  the letters  "HELLO WORLD",  although the  file
    listed in  a DIR  command shows  the file  size as  11 bytes
    long, it actually  displaces 1024 bytes  on disk.   Multiply
    "HELLO.CM" two dozen times, and 264 bytes (24 x 11) now  has
    displaced 24576 bytes!  Alright,  so what's the point?   The
    point is that the more  files you have on your  distribution
    disk, the more  disk space you  are most likely  wasting due
    to partially  filled clusters.   The Disk  Vendor eliminates

    wasted disk  space by  needing only  two files  to exist  on
    your  distribution  disk  -  CATALOG.EXE  and   CATALOG.DAT.
    Also,  needing  only  two  files  on  your distribution disk
    makes file housekeeping chores much easier.

    4) The  compilation of  your catalog  ASCII text  files to a
    single catalog  data file  (CATALOG.DAT) is  a one-step wham
    bam, "run it once and  I'm done process".  Our  competitor's
    product requires you  to compile two  dozen ".CM" files  one
    at a  time if  you have  two dozen  product categories.  The
    Disk  Vendor  saves  you  time,  compiling  ALL your catalog
    ASCII files  automatically in  one swoop,  insuring that the
    resulting  CATALOG.DAT  file  is  the  latest  and  contains
    complete, up to date information.

    5) The  Disk Vendor  provides you  with a  utility that will
    convert all  your Catalog-On-A-Disk  .TXT files  to The Disk
    Vendor ASCII .CAT format.  Converting from our  competitor's
    product to  The Disk  Vendor couldn't  be easier!   You lose
    none of  your hard  work.   Copy the  file "COAD_CVT.EXE" to
    the directory where you store your EmmaSoft COAD .TXT files,
    then  run "COAD_CVT.EXE" from DOS.  This conversion  utility
    will create new  catalog files (*.CAT)  that can be   placed
    in  the  directory  where  The  Disk  Vendor  resides.