Welcome! Thanks for trying out HandyCards, a flash card program designed to aid in memorizing nearly any type of information.
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INSTALLATION
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Unzip the downloaded file and then install the following files onto your PalmOS device:
HandyCards.prc
MathLib.prc
NSBRuntime.prc
All three files are required to run HandyCards on your PalmOS device.
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PROGRAM LAUNCHING
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Simply click on the HandyCards icon to run the program.
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HandyCards Interface
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MAIN DISPLAY ITEMS
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CORRECT? option boxes
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The Correct? option boxes allow you to keep track of how many questions you get correct (YES) or incorrect (NO). After answering the question and pressing the ANSWER button, you must chose either YES or NO by clicking on the appropriate box containing either 'Yes' or 'No." NOTE: The CORRECT? option boxes are only counted when you press the NEXT button, so you can only go forward when you want to count the number of correct and incorrect responses. The number of correct and incorrect responses can be tallied for both the current set of questions and for the entire questioning session. If MIX Q AND A or RESTORE Q AND A are chosen, the current session scores are erased, but the total session scores are retained. The only time both the current and total session scores are both reset is when you select CLOSE in the File menu. Also, if you press NEXT when neither YES nor NO are selected, there is no change to the scoring. Finally, be sure to press NEXT after answering the last question so that the last question is included in the scoring.
PRIOR and NEXT buttons
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The PRIOR and NEXT buttons are for selecting either the previous or next question, respectively.
ANSWER button
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The ANSWER button is to display the answer to the current question. In Full-Screen mode, the text of the ANSWER button will change to QUESTION, indicating pressing the button again will now show the current question.
FULL button
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The FULL button switches from a display showing both the question and answer to a much larger display that takes up nearly the full screen (Full-Screen Mode). After pressing the FULL button, the text of the button changes to SPLIT, indicating that pressing the button will switch to a display showing both the question and answer.
REMOVE button
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The REMOVE button is to temporarily remove the current question. This allows you to focus only on the questions you need to work on. Selecting this button will not alter your text file. After pressing the REMOVE button, the text of the button changes to UNDO. Pressing the UNDO button will un-delete the current question.
CURRENT window
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The CURRENT window indicates the number of the current question.
TOTAL window
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The TOTAL window indicates the total number of questions in the current testing session.
NOTE: The two triangles allow for expanded viewing of either the question or answer, based on the box that is beneath the arrow. Because there is no scrollbar in dialog boxes, there is a maximum of only 200 characters that can be displayed by this method.
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MENU ITEMS
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FILE...OPEN
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Choose the file from which questions and answers should be taken. If you are writing in the name by hand, please note that the name is case sensitive. If you are opening a file which was created on your desktop computer and has never been opened on your PalmOS device, you will need to remember the name of the file on your PC prior to the conversion, not the *.pdb name, because that is the name you will enter in the Open window. A file transferred to your PalmOS device will not be displayed in the Open Database window prior to first use because of the way the PalmOS works. Once you have opened the database file the first time, then it will be displayed in the Open Database window from then on.
FILE...CLOSE
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Close the current file you are working on.
FILE...EXIT
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Exit HandyCards.
TOOLS...RANDOMIZE Q/A
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Allows you to randomize the list of questions and answers. Randomization with this menu item is disabled if randomizing has been disabled.
TOOLS...RESTORE Q/A
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Allows you to re-load all questions that were removed with the REMOVE button. Using RESTORE Q AND A has the same effect as closing the current text file and then re-opening it, only much faster.
TOOLS...SHOW SCORES
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Choose this item if you want to display your score, whether you have finished the set of questions or not. NOTE: Scores are only tallied when you move through questions by pressing the NEXT button. If you use the PRIOR button to return to earlier questions, the CORRECT CIRCLES are ignored.
TOOLS...RESET SCORES
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Choose this menu item to delete all current scoring data and set the values for correct and incorrect answers to zero.
TOOLS...CLEAR Y/N BOXES
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Choose this menu item to deselect both the YES and the NO boxes to prevent them from being counted during testing.
TOOLS...SEARCH Q/A
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Choose this item if you want to open the search window to search the current set of questions and answers. See the "Search Questions and Answers" section below for more extensive instructions on searching questions and answers. WARNING: Please be aware that once a search is started, it may take a few minutes to complete if you are searching through many questions. To significantly reduce the amount of time searches take, make them case sensitive. Also, consider only searching questions or answers, but not both if possible.
TOOLS...ENTER/EDIT Q/A
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Choose this item to either generate new question and answer pairs or edit question and answer pairs you have already created. See the "Enter/Edit Question and Answer" section below for more extensive instructions on modifying and/or creating questions and answers.
TOOLS...MULTIPLE CHOICE
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Choose this item to test yourself in multiple-choice format. See the "Multiple Choice" section below for more extensive instructions on using the multiple-choice testing features of HandyCards.
PREFS...LOAD LAST FILE ON/LOAD LAST FILE OFF
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When you start HandyCards, you may want to automatically start testing using the same file you ended your last testing session with. Choose these menu items to either load or not load the your most recent testing file.
PREFS...DISABLE RANDOM/ENABLE RANDOM
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Choosing this menu item allows you to turn off or on randomizing throughout HandyCards. When randomizing is disabled, questions are presented to the user in the order they are found in the data file.
PREFS...SWITCH Q/A
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Choose this item if you want to temporarily switch the order of the question and answer in memory, such that the question becomes the answer and the answer becomes the question. The switching of the question and answer also affects testing in the multiple-choice portion of HandyCards. Selecting this option makes no changes to the original data file. Changes are only made to the data running in the program.
PREFS...FULL-SCREEN/SPLIT-SCREEN
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Choose these items to either set Full-Screen or Split-Screen as your default view. Full-Screen mode refers to only having either the question or answer on the screen at one time, but never both. Split-Screen mode refers to having both question and answer windows visible on the screen at the same time.
ABOUT...REGISTER
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Choose this item if you want to register your copy of HandyCards and view registration instructions.
ABOUT...ABOUT
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Provides HandyMed contact information, the HandyCards web site address, and the current HandyCards version number.
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QUESTION/ANSWER TEXT FILE FORMAT
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Data for HandyCards can be created either directly on your PalmOS device in HandyCards or it can be created on your desktop or laptop computer. The file that contains your questions and answers on your desktop computer needs to be a standard text file. For example, you can use the Notepad program on a personal computer running Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT. You can also used Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect, just be sure to Save As an ASCII Text file. After creating the text file, you then need to use the HandyCards File Converter to generate a PalmOS-compatible database file. The HandyCards File Converter is included in the files you downloaded from the HandyMed web site and can also be used to convert data from WinCE HandyCards to PalmOS HandyCards and vice versa. While the HandyCards File Converter can work with any delimiter separating the question and answer, if you intend to use data files on Windows CE machines in addition to PalmOS devices, you should use a pair of pound signs (i.e. ##) to delineate the beginning and end of the questions and answers. An example of the text file layout is provided below. You can place any text before or after questions, just be sure that only questions and answers are between the ## signs. You cannot use the delimiter in the text of questions or answers, otherwise the question or answer will be truncated and the remaining data file will be mis-read.
WARNING! If you delete HandyCards from your PalmOS device, be certain to save your data files onto your desktop or laptop computer. When you delete the parent application, all associated data files are deleted.
The following is the text found in Sample.txt and is a functional test data file:
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HandyMed created this test file on May 10, 2000
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These questions deal with multiplication.
##Question1##Answer1##
##Question2##Answer2##
##Question3##Answer3##
##Question4 Line1
Question4 Line2
Question4 Line3##Answer4 Line1
Answer4 Line2
Answer4 Line3##
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These questions deal with division.
##Question5##Answer5##
##Question6##Answer6##
##Question7##Answer7##
##Question8##Answer8##
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If you use the format described above, you do not need to press the "Add End Delimiters" button during the conversion, because each question already has delimiters on both ends of each question. Please notice how question four demonstrates how data can span multiple lines.
You can also use a spreadsheet, such as Excel or Quattro Pro, to generate data files. When using a spreadsheet, be sure to save your text file as a comma-delimited text file. Again, because the question and answer are being separated by a comma, you may not have comma's in your data file if you use the spreadsheet method of generating data files. Data generated in a spreadsheet can only have questions and answers on a single line if you intend to have the HandyCards File Converter make the appropriate changes. Data generated with a spreadsheet also cannot have any text in the file other than the question and answers, because text is generically flanked by delimiters, regardless if it is a question, an answer, or simply comments you include to annotate the file. Below is an example of data generated from a spreadsheet:
Question1,Answer1
Question2,Answer2
Question3,Answer3
Question4,Answer4
This data is then converted, by the HandyCards File Converter into the following format prior to conversion to a format usable by your PalmOS device:
,Question1,Answer1,
,Question2,Answer2,
,Question3,Answer3,
,Question4,Answer4,
After data files have been created on your desktop computer, you install them using your standard installation program. Because the PalmOS does not have an inherent method of listing all files on your PalmOS device, you will need to remember the name of the data file the first time you load it into HandyCards. After you have loaded a data file the first time, it will be listed in the "Select Database:" list box.
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Search Questions and Answers
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ENTER SEARCH TEXT HERE box
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This is the box in which you enter the search text you wish to find.
SEARCH WHICH FIELDS option set
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The three options are QUESTION, ANSWER, and QUESTION AND ANSWER. This option sets whether the question, the answer, or both are searched using your search text.
SEARCH WHICH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS option set
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The three options are ALL Q/A's, ACTIVE Q/A's, and REMOVED Q/A's. This option sets whether all question and answer sets are searched, regardless of whether or not they have been remove; if only non-removed questions and answer sets are searched; or if only removed question and answer sets are searched.
MODIFY SUCCESSFUL SEARCHES HOW? option set
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The two options are INCLUDE and REMOVE. This option sets whether questions and answer pairs that contain the search text are either included or removed.
CASE option set
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The two options are IGNORE and SENSITIVE. This option set determines whether the search considers the case of the search text and the question and answer set. Choosing IGNORE will set the search to look for any instance of the search text, regardless of the case of the search text or question and answer set. Choosing SENSITIVE will force the search to focus on exact matches between the search text and the question and answer set. NOTE: Using the SENSITIVE option allows for a slightly faster search.
MODIFY FAILURES? check box
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This check box works with the MODIFY SUCCESSES option set. Based on the MODIFY SUCCESSES option set, successful search question and answer pairs, or those that contain the search text, are either included or removed. When the MODIFY FAILURES? check box has a check in it, those question and answer pairs which do not contain the search text are set to the opposite include or remove setting that successful search question and answer pairs receive. When the MODIFY FAILURES? check box does not have a check in it, those question and answer pairs that do not contain the search text are not modified. For example, with the MODIFY SUCCESSES option set to INCLUDE, performing a search for "cat" with the MODIFY FAILURES? check box checked, and then performing a search for "dog" with the MODIFY FAILURES? check box empty will result in only question and answer pairs with "cat" and "dog" being available for testing.
CLOSE button
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Press this button to close the search window.
SEARCH button
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Press this button to execute the search.
RESET button
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Press this button to set all options to their default values and clear the search text field.
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Enter/Edit Questions and Answers
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This area is reached through the main menu by selecting Tools and then Enter/Edit Q and A.
GO TO button
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This box indicates the question number of the current question. This question number is based on the order in the original data file and is not based on the randomized order of the testing session. This box also allows you to enter a new number and move directly to that question by pressing the GO TO QUESTION button.
DUPLIC button
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Use this button if you want to search through your current set of questions and answers for duplicate questions and duplicate answers. You will only be notified if there are duplicates. You will then need to note which questions and/or answers are duplicated and decide if the duplication is appropriate. Please note that if you have hundreds of questions loaded, this search may take one to two minutes, depending on the processor in your handheld device.
SAVE button
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Press this button to store any modifications you have made to the current question and answer pair. If you are creating a new file, you will be prompted for the new file's name.
FIND button
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After entering search text in the box next to the FIND button, press this button to search through your questions and answers for the desired text. Searching begins with the question following the current question and does not start from the first question. Searching then proceeds sequentially through the questions in the order they are presented in the data file, not in the randomized order in the testing window. When the search text is found, the current question and answer pair is replaced with the question and answer pair that contains the desired text. Pressing the FIND button again will then search for the next question and answer pair that contains the desired text. If the search item is not found, you will be asked if you would like to search again from the beginning of the questions.
NEW Q/A button
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Press this button to create a new question and answer pair. New question and answer pairs are always added to the end of the current data set. You will not be able to create a new question and answer pair until the any changes to the current question and answer pair have been saved. If you should happen to create extra new question and answer pairs, leave the extras blank and they will be deleted when you save your new question and answer set. If you have blank question and answer pairs, you will not see them when you are testing yourself, so it is not a problem to have blank question and answer pairs. Should you want to have either a blank question or answer, simply insert a space in the desired field.
QUESTION/ANSWER toggle buttons
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Selecting either of these buttons determines if you are editing the question or the answer. When either item is selected, it has a dark background with light writing. The deselected option has a light background with dark writing.
PRIOR and NEXT buttons
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The PRIOR and NEXT buttons are for selecting either the previous or next question, respectively.
UNDO button
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Use this button to revert to the last saved version of the current question and answer pair.
DELETE button
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Use this button to remove the current question and answer pair from the data set. There will still be a blank space where the question and answer pair was, but this blank question and answer pair will be removed when the data set is saved in the main testing window.
CLOSE button
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Use this button to close the Modify Questions & Answers window and return to the main testing window.
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Multiple Choice Testing
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In the Multiple Choice window, the question is in the top field and four answers are in the fields beneath it. Only the question field has a scrollbar. Consequently, each field has a triangle to its left which, when pressed, will display 200 characters of the corresponding field.
Pressing the letter in the box in front of an answer selects that answer as the user's choice. The correct answer is displayed on the bottom of the screen next to the "Ans=" label.
Recall that the SwitchQA preference also applies to multiple choice testing. This allows you to also test questions and answers in both directions.
PREV button
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Press this button to test yourself on previous question.
NEXT button
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Press this button to test yourself with the next question.
SCORE button
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Press this button to learn your current score and learn how many questions you have answered.
CLOSE button
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Press this button to exit from the multiple choice testing and return to standard testing.
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General information
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When registering, please be sure to include your last name and e-mail address on the registration form. Otherwise, there will be a delay in sending you your Registration Code until HandyMed has your necessary personal information.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Any personal information you provide to HandyMed, LLC, will be used solely for registration purposes. Your personal information will never be distributed to other parties without your prior approval.
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VERSION HISTORY
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1.4 -- * corrected error generated when the 'Clear Y/N Boxes' menu item is
selected
1.3 -- * introduced full-screen testing as opposed to only split-screen testing
* introduced multiple-choice testing
* full screen use now allows both questions and answers to be of
unlimited length
* Enter/Edit window modified to switch to a full-screen view permanently
to facilitate question and answer entry and editing
* reorganized the main interface to allow space for the full/split button
* removed scrollbar from answer window to allow for adding scrollbar in
full screen view -- only one scrollbar is allowed
* scoring is now summarized in one screen instead of across two screens
* preferences are now stored for loading the last file, randomization,
switching the question and answer, and full-screen versus split-
screen
* menus modified to allow for preferences
* primary search window menu item re-added
* delete function improved in Enter/Edit window
* pressing the expand-question and expand-answer triangles no longer
result in a Fatal Error if there is too much data being displayed.
* the artifacts associated with switching between full- and split-screen
views have been corrected
1.2 -- * added full search capabilities
1.1 -- * corrected bug associated with saving data
* improved save function by changing last-used file name to saved file name
1.0 -- * first released version
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License Agreement
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HandyCards is Copyright (c) 1999-2000 by HandyMed, LLC
All Rights Reserved
You should carefully read the following terms and conditions before using this software. Your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this license agreement.
Demonstration Version
Prior to registration, only 10 question and answer pairs may be used. These question and answer pairs must be created using a text editor, as opposed to using the question/answer creation aspect of HandyCards.
Registration information can be obtained from http://www.handymed.com/register
HandyMed, LLC, reserves the right to decline registration for any reason.
Registered Version
You may: (i) use the Software on any single computer; (ii) use the Software on a second computer so long as the first and second computers are not used simultaneously; and (iii) copy the Software for back-up and archival purposes provided any copy must contain all of the original Software's proprietary notices.
You may not: (i) permit other individuals to use the Software except under the terms listed above; (ii) modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble (except to the extent that this restriction is expressly prohibited by law) or create derivative works based upon the Software or Documentation; (iii) copy the Software or Documentation (except for back-up or archival purposes); (iv) resell, rent, lease, transfer, or otherwise transfer rights to the Software or Documentation; or (v) remove any proprietary notices or labels on or in the Software or Documentation.
Additional restrictions: Individuals who register for HandyCards Version 1.0, and any subsequent version, are entitled to free updates and patches up to the next major Version. For example, if someone were to register for Version 1.1, they would receive any version of HandyCards up to, but not including, Version 2.0 free of charge.
Governing Law
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
Disclaimer of Warranty
THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OR MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE, LESS PROCESSING AND TRANSACTION FEES. NEITHER HANDYMED, LLC, ITS EMPLOYEES, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, DIRECTORS, NOR AGENTS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IN THE EVENT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES OR JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, IN SUCH STATES OR JURISDICTIONS, HANDYMED, LLC'S LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Once you have purchased your registration code, you have agreed that the maximum refund you can receive is the total cash value received for your registration by HandyMed, LLC. If you paid by credit card, any fees associated with credit card payment cannot be refunded. To allow yourself the option of a full, unconditional refund, you must pay by cash or check.
E-mail support is provided when possible, but is not guaranteed. Good data processing procedure dictates that any program be thoroughly tested with non-critical data before relying on it. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.
If any part of the Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed to reflect the parties' original intent, and the remaining portions remain in full force and effect. The laws of the State of Michigan govern this Agreement and your registration, and you expressly agree that exclusive jurisdiction for any claim or dispute arising from the use of HandyCards resides in the courts of the State of Michigan.
