The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/p/ptrns11g.zip/PATTERNS.DOC

Text File | 1993-03-20 | 10KB | 181 lines

          -------------  I N T R O D U C T I O N  -----------------

 INTRODUCTION:  PATTERNS software works with ANY diet/exercise program to
 reveal patterns of change within your WEIGHT HISTORY.  PATTERNS uses the
 powerful ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE technique of PATTERN RECOGNITION to provide
 you with insight and knowledge concerning YOUR personal weight patterns.  A
 PROJECTION OF PATTERN is calculated by the program to predict your FUTURE
 WEIGHT, based on the BEST PATTERN MATCH found.  This valuable information can
 provide an early-warning when your weight may be about to rise without you
 realizing that it is about to happen.  The CONCEPT behind PATTERNS is that
 if you know what is LIKELY to happen, you can then take steps to ACTIVELY
 manage your weekly body weight changes.  The program also calculates your
 actual average weight change per week and how many pounds away you are from
 your goal weight.  A graphical "line-chart" shows your entire 15 week weight
 history and 3 week projection of pattern.

 This copy of PATTERNS you are evaluating is the SHAREWARE version.  The
 SHAREWARE method of distribution allows you, the user, a chance to use
 PATTERNS for thirty (30) days, at no cost.  After thirty days, if you
 continue to use PATTERNS, you are required to register the software with
 T. M. Parker (see ORDER.FRM file).  The SHAREWARE version of PATTERNS is
 fully functional.

 HOW TO SET-UP PATTERNS:  PATTERNS assumes you have a basic understanding of
 DOS commands - MD, COPY etc.  NEVER erase the EXAMPLE1.PAT file, as it is
 needed to re-build the PATTERNS configuration file.   Create a directory on
 the hard drive of your computer (typically drive C), named PATTERNS, and
 copy all the files on the distribution diskette on to that directory.  Type
 PATTERNS, press <Enter> and the program will begin.  Alternately, you can
 type PATTERNS 3 <Enter>, and the program will delay on the opening screen
 for 3 seconds and then continue without your having to press any key to
 continue.  You can use values other than 3, depending on how long you want
 the opening screen to remain.

          --------------  M E N U   C H O I C E S  ----------------

 Update - Choose this option to update the current PATTERNS file with the
 newest date and weekly weigh-in.  The oldest weight will AUTOMATICALLY
 drop-off and the new weight will move into the queue.  PATTERNS will
 AUTOMATICALLY search the 15 weights for pattern type, and then build the
 PATTERNS Report and create the PROJECTION OF PATTERN which contains your
 predicted future weight.  The program makes (3) passes and literally
 thousands of calculations take place.  This process can take up to
 45 seconds to complete, depending upon the speed of your computer.

 PATTERNS recommends that you weigh daily, and then average your daily
 weigh-ins for the week. Then enter that average, once a week, into the
 program.

 Chart (EGA or better graphics required) - Displays a chart of your 15
 actual weights (red), and your 3 predicted weights (yellow).  Press any key
 to return to PATTERNS Report screen.  Alt+1 prints chart to dot-matrix
 printer and Alt+2 will print chart to laser-jet printer.

 File - This menu choice allows you to load any previously created PATTERN
 file.  Simply hi-lite the file of choice using the arrow keys and press
 <Enter>.

 Print - The print selection checks to see if printer is ON, and then sends
 the current PATTERNS Report to your attached printer.

 New - This option lets you ADD a new person to the PATTERNS program.  You
 will need to enter their FIRST name and their GOAL weight.  Next, PATTERNS
 will need the starting DATE and WEIGHT you will begin with.  The program will
 then create 15 date/weight combinations, using your starting date/weight.
 A pattern search will take place and you will end up with your first
 PATTERNS Report.  The report's value is pretty minimal at this time, but as
 you do weekly updates, the program will begin to have weight series that it
 can "work with" to locate YOUR patterns within your weight history.  Usually
 by the third to fifth update the program will be able to generate meaningful
 PROJECTIONS OF PATTERN.

 Goal - Sometimes your goal, or ideal weight will need to be modified, and
 this menu choice allows you to easily do it.

 Info - Displays the PATTERNS.DOC file on-screen for easy reference of
 program operation/concept.

 Weight - This menu selection will help you determine what your goal weight
 should be, based on your height in inches and also whether you have a small,
 medium or large frame.  If you have a small frame, use the lower weights
 calculated by PATTERNS.  A large frame would use the larger weights and if
 you have a medium frame use the weights that are in-between.  Calculations
 are done AUTOMATICALLY by PATTERNS.

 pRinter - With this option you can set your printer to use, or not use, the
 extended character set.  First try printing with extended characters.  If
 the output looks WEIRD and contains strange characters, then choose NOT to
 use extended characters.  Normally, you only have to access this feature
 only once, or when you change printers.

 Esc to exit - Pressing the Esc key will end the PATTERNS program and return
 you to DOS.


          ------------  P A T T E R N S   R E P O R T  ------------

 The most important part of the PATTERNS Report is the PROJECTION OF PATTERN.
 This projection is the PREDICTED WEIGHTS and TREND of the next three
 weigh-ins, based on a found pattern within previous weights in the queue.
 The weight history area of the screen will have some of the date/weight
 combinations hi-lited.  This represents the BEST PATTERN MATCH based on
 recent weights and is used by the program to create the PROJECTION OF
 PATTERN.

 The ability to know which direction your weight is headed, based on YOUR
 own, unique patterns, allows you to ACTIVELY manage your weight.  When your
 weight is predicted to rise, you need to be more aggressive with your
 diet/exercise program.  When the trend is downward, or at the goal level,
 you can afford to splurge with a dessert or perhaps skip an aerobic exercise
 session.

 Your goal weight is always displayed on-screen as is, how over (or under)
 weight you currently are from goal.  The program considers you to be AT goal
 weight if you are plus or minus 2 lbs. of goal weight.

 PATTERNS recommends that you lose no more than 1-1/2 lbs. per week.  The
 program AUTOMATICALLY checks your average weight change (AWC), and cautions
 you if you are above this level.  AWC is defined as the average weight
 difference of the current week + the 1st week prediction.  PATTERNS also
 tells you if your average weight change is less than .5 lb.  If you are just
 starting a weight loss program, you may lose more than 1-1/2 lbs during the
 first two weeks.  This is not a cause for alarm as this is usually water
 weight.  If after the 3rd week you continue to lose at this higher level, you
 need to ACTIVELY step-in and take measures to slow your weight loss down;
 decrease exercise, increase caloric intake, etc.  Weight that is lost SLOWLY,
 tends to stay gone - PERMANENTLY.

 The types of patterns the program reveals are based on CYCLES, RATIOS and
 INCREMENTAL changes.  The BEST PATTERN MATCH is located after thousands of
 calculations are done.

 Your goal is to reach GOAL WEIGHT and maintain your weight at that level
 permanently.  PATTERNS helps you during this period by quickly predicting in
 the PROJECTION OF PATTERN when you may be moving out of your GOAL WEIGHT
 range.

 It's should be obvious by now that PATTERNS will work with YOUR
 diet/exercise program.  Not all diet/exercise programs are effective, or
 even healthy.  PATTERNS' role is to measure and report the EFFECTIVENESS of
 your weight loss program and determine FUTURE WEIGHTS and TREND, based on
 YOUR unique patterns of change.  PATTERNS recommends you use a weight
 loss/management program that is based on reduction of dietary fats, and also
 some form of aerobic exercise three times per week for thirty minutes.
 PATTERNS is useful when you are losing weight and also when you are
 maintaining your goal weight. ACTIVE weight management and the use of the
 PATTERNS, are both lifetime propositions.

 When you register the PATTERNS software, you will receive a personalized
 diskette and also the booklet "PATTERNS for Living".  The "PATTERNS for
 Living" booklet contains information on how to lose weight using the
 PATTERNS software.  If you don't have a diet/exercise program, or are
 unhappy with the results of diet programs that you've tried in the past,
 be sure to register PATTERNS to receive this informative booklet.

 CAUTION!! - NEVER begin a diet OR exercise program without first talking it
 over and receiving the go-ahead from your physician.

 You can order PATTERNS directly from Public (software) Library (PsL) with
 your MC, VISA, AMEX, or DISCOVER card by calling 800-242-4PsL (from overseas
 or 713 area: 713-524-6394), or FAX a print-out of the ORDER.FRM file to
 713-524-6398 or CompuServe at 71355,470.  These numbers are for ordering
 only.  T. M. Parker can NOT be reached at the above numbers.  To contact
 T. M. Parker for non-credit card orders, information about dealer pricing,
 volume discounts, site licensing, status of product shipment, the latest
 version number or for technical information, write:

                T. M. Parker  P. O. Box 1431  La Porte TX, 77572.

 Licensing and Distribution Agreement
 ------------------------------------
 This program is Copyright (C) 1993  T. M. Parker, All rights reserved.
 The software you are purchasing is NOT a shareware program; there is no fee
 associated with the shareware version, and it may be used for a 30 day
 period, and distributed freely.  THIS SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED AS IS; THERE
 ARE NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES THAT IT WILL SUIT YOUR NEEDS AND
 T. M. PARKER SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY FOR YOUR USAGE OF THIS
 PROGRAM NOR FOR ANY POSSIBLE CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT MAY ARISE FROM THAT
 USAGE.