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READ-ME.TXT
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1989-09-28
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Welcome to Rank and File
------------------------
Version 1.0a
Copyright (c) 1989
by
G&G Computer Services
39 Cathy Circle
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Disclaimer:
-----------
The Rank and File (c) program is provided 'as is' without
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The entire risk as
to the quality and performance of the program is with the user and
should the program prove defective, the user and not the authors will
assume the entire cost of all necessary remedies. None of the authors
warrant that the functions contained in the program will meet any users
requirements or that the operation of the program will be error-free or
uninterrupted. G&G, its employees, and associates claim no
responsibility for any damages incurred during use of this product.
The general who wins a battle makes many calculations before the
battle is fought.
Sun Tzu,
The Art of War
Introduction:
-------------
Every day we are required to make decisions. Whether it be what
to buy or who to promote... Yet psychologists say that humans can only
accurately weigh and make decisions on a very small number of choices.
So to aid in the decision making process Rank & File was created.
Rank and File is a decision making/ranking aid. It uses Artificial
Intelligence Techniques to order a list of choices (objects) according
to a list of relative criteria.
Rank and File is designed to aid everyone:from the person seeking
to choose the best car to buy, to the manager who has to promote
employees, and beyond--the only limit is the creativity of the user.
System Requirements:
--------------------
Rank and File will run on all 100% IBM compatible computers.
Minimum system requirements:at least 128 KB Memory and 1 floppy
drive.
Files
-----
The following files listed below should have been included in the
ZIP file:
READ-ME.TXT - This File.
TUTOR.TXT - An introduction to using R&F.
R&F.EXE - The Rank and File (c) program.
NEWCAR - An example data file.
PROMOTE - Another example data file.
ORDFRM - The registration form for this product.
To run Rank & File:
-------------------
1) Copy all files onto their own disk/into their own subdirectory.
2) Type 'R&F' at the DOS prompt. R&F will detect if you have a
CGA/EGA/MDA card. If you have an CGA/EGA card, but have a single
color monitor, then type 'R&F Mono' or 'R&F M' at the DOS prompt for
a 2 color screen.
3) After the program is loaded, the opening message will be
displayed on the screen. Press any key to enter Rank and File.
Special Functions and Keys (Global):
------------------------------------
The keys listed below can be used in all work areas for entering
new data and editing.
INSERT - Inputs new entries/objects. Note: you are allowed a maximum of
10 criteria and 20 objects. If you use the maximum of
allowable entries, then no new entries will be accepted
until one is deleted.
ARROWS - Moves the bar or cursor in their respective direction.
DELETE - When pressed, removes highlighted criteria/present object.
ESC - Escapes from LIST work area to the criteria work area, or
out of the menu area.
RETURN - When pressed on a highlighted criteria/present object, will
allow you to edit that entry.
* CONTROL C will abort all operations, not saving any changes to a
file, and exit the R&F program - returning you to the DOS prompt.
Selection Menu:
---------------
To activate the Selection menu, hit 'F10' when you are in the
criteria window only, and the following commands are then available:
l[I]st - Activates the LIST (objects) work area. This option
ranks the information you've provided and allows
editing of the object list.
[L]oad - LOAD a file. Loads a predefined data file.
[S]ave - SAVE a file. This option will prompt you for a
filename and will save all present data to that file.
[H]elp - Online HELP. A quick reference guide. It explains how
to use the arrow keys, to insert a new entry, and to
delete an existing entry in the criteria (main menu)
area.
[E]xit - EXITS the program and prompts you to save the data.
[W]ipe - WIPES all work areas.
To select the above options after pressing F10, use the RIGHT and
LEFT arrow keys or the capitalized letters, then press the RETURN key
to activate.
Criteria Window:
----------------
When you first boot up, you are in the Criteria menu. If you are
in the List window and wish to return to the criteria window, press
the ESC key.
Loading Data:
-------------
To Load in an existing saved file, hit 'F10' to activate the
selection menu and then move the cursor or hit 'L' for the Load
option and hit RETURN. A type-in window will then be displayed
and you will enter in the window the c:\path\filename or
filename of your choice to be loaded in. If you enter just the
filename, it will look in the default subdirectory that you are
running RANK and FILE from.
Entering Data:
--------------
1) Hit the 'INSERT' key to start adding a new criteria entry.
You will notice that an empty criteria will be highlighted.
Next, type an important factor of your choice into the window
then hit RETURN.
2) Next will be the '+' or '-' sign, which is there to tell the
program whether this criteria is ranked HIGH to LOW (+) or LOW
to HIGH (-) on your priority list. For example, if you were to
add a criteria called PRICE, and you wanted any object with a
higher price to be near the top of the list, then you would
choose a '+'. Yet if you wanted an object with a lower price to
come out near the top of the list, then choose the '-'. After
selecting the sign, hit RETURN.
3) Now comes the bar scale, which is there to tell the program
whether this criteria is to be from very low to very high of
an importance factor. To make your selection, move the
diamond by moving the arrow keys LEFT or RIGHT on the scale
to rate how little or how much this criteria is of importance,
compared to the others in the list.
Editing Data:
-------------
To edit an existing entry in the Criteria window, move the
highlighted bar by using the UP and DOWN arrow keys to the entry
you wish to edit and then hit RETURN. Then use the LEFT and RIGHT
arrows, BACKSPACE and DELETE keys to edit the text.
Deleting DATA:
--------------
To delete an existing entry in the Criteria window, move the
highlighted bar by using the UP and DOWN arrows to the entry you
wish to delete and hit the DELETE key.
Saving DATA:
------------
To save a file, hit 'F10' to activate the selection menu and
then move the cursor or hit 'S' for the save option and hit
RETURN. A type-in window will then be displayed and you will
enter in the window the c:\path\filename or filename of your
choice. If you enter just the filename, it will be placed in the
default subdirectory. If the filename already exists, it will
prompt you to overwrite the file. If you say no, then you can
re-enter a new filename. If you answer yes, it will write over the
existing filename. To abort this, hit the ESCAPE key.
List Window:
------------
To enter the list window, press the F10 key and either move
to the menu option using the RIGHT and LEFT arrow keys or hit
the letter 'I' then hit RETURN.
Entering Data:
--------------
1) Hit the 'INSERT' key to start adding a new object for ranking.
a) You will notice that a space after Object will be
highlighted. Next, type the first object you have collected
information on then hit RETURN.
ex: Name of car, item, etc.
2) Next, the highlighted bar will be on the first criteria you
add in through the criteria window. You will notice that
medium is the default ranking. So now, depending on what you
thought of the criteria when collecting the data:whether it
was Very Low, Low, Medium, High or Very High, move by using
the LEFT and RIGHT arrows to make your selection. Press RETURN
after you have made your selection.
Ex: if PRICE was the first criteria in a car purchase,
and you thought the price was High, then move the
arrow until High is displayed. If the car was priced
Low, then move the arrow key until Low is displayed.
3) Now continue through the criterias, going from step 1
through step 2, until there are no more criterias to enter.
If you make an error, don't worry, you can go back to the
object that had the errors at any time. Refer to Editing
Data in this section.
Editing Data:
-------------
To edit an existing entry in the List window, use the UP/DOWN
arrow keys to select the object you wish to edit and then hit
RETURN. Then use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow, BACKSPACE and DELETE
keys to edit the text then press RETURN.
Deleting Data:
--------------
To delete an existing entry in the List window, use the
UP/DOWN arrow keys to select the object you wish to delete then
hit the DELETE key.
Ranking Data:
-------------
You'll notice under the object name the word 'ranking' with
a number beside it. After inputting two objects, the objects are
ranked in order from the information you've provided. The number
'1' means it's the best selection, but you may wish to compromise
some things over another for the number 2 or 3 selection. By
using the UP/DOWN arrow key, you can scan through the data to
see how each object is ranked according to the information
you've input. When at this window, you may hit ESCAPE to exit
back to the main menu. At that time, you may save the data.
The objects listed in the list menu will also be saved.
* For more information, please refer to the TUTOR.TXT file in
this package. It will show you a step by step example using
one of our files on how to use Rank and File (tm) by explaining
how we entered our data and the results we came up with.
Miscellaneous:
--------------
This product is shareware and may be distributed freely. If
you find it of use after a reasonable test period, please send $25.00
(US funds) per copy to:
G&G Computer Services
39 Cathy Circle
Portsmouth, RI 02871
When you register your copy, you will be placed on the update
list and receive a copy of R&F that allows printing of lists and
criteria. Once on the list, you will be notified of updates to this
product and the release of new products from our company.
For any questions, problems, or suggestions call by modem:
- Ups and Downs BBS Portsmouth, RI 1-(401)-683-5961
or
- Swat BBS Swansea, MA 1-(508)-675-8503
and leave feedback to the sysop or write to G&G Computer Sevrices at
the above address.
Both of the above Bulletin Boards support 300/1200/2400 Baud and
operate 24 hours - 7 days a week.