401(k) plans are growing as the retirement plan of choice by employers and employees. $401K PLANner™ will help you in your $401K decision making process by calculating the future value of your current $401K account balance, as well as the future value of your future $401K contributions. It is extremely flexible since it allows the user to control the rate of inflation, rate of return (interest rate), number of years until retirement, amount of contributions, etc.
By changing the values the user can easily see how $401K decisions made today will affect your retirement future. Every employee with a 401(k) account should have this program. This program can be customized to fit the needs of businesses, financial institutions, and corporations for mass distribution to all employees and 401K plan participants. Please inquire by e-mail for further info (tturner@awa.com).
This application is protected by the SoftLock registration system. You must register your copy in order to access the full calculation ability of the program. Feel free to share this program with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and any other MAC users.
But you must include this document with the program when you pass copies along to others. This program can be freely distributed on CD-ROMs and other "shareware" collections, provided I'm notified in advance.
-Once you launch $401K PLANner™, click your mouse to dismiss the splash screen OR wait and it will close on its own.
- Next you will be asked to either "Try the Demo" or to "Register". Choosing "Try the Demo" will let you try out the program, but you will not be able to edit the interest rate, your salary, or the number of years until retirement until you have registered. Choosing "Register" will take you to the registration screen...
- Registering with SoftLock Services: Write down the Product Number and the SoftLock ID shown in the registration screen. Then call 1-800-SoftLock and give them the information requested including your credit card number (VISA and Mastercard accepted). You will be given a password which you will then enter into the password field. This will unlock the full program for you to run on your computer. Note that the password will be stored in a "$401K Password" file that you should keep in the same folder as the main program. Once registered, you won't see the "Try the demo" screen anymore. IMPORTANT: WRITE DOWN YOUR PASSWORD AS SOON AS YOU GET IT FROM SOFTLOCK AND KEEP IT IN A SAFE PLACE. In case you lose data on your computer, you may need the password again to unlock your backup copy.
-Next, you will see the main window. Fill in your current 401(k) balance, interest rate, # of years until retirement, inflation, etc. Click the CALCULATE button to calculate your future balance. Note that the interest rate, inflation rate, and number of years to retirement apply to BOTH the current balance and the future payments calculations. Also, be sure to check with your personnel or human resources representative about what your company's maximum matching percentage is. $401K PLANner™ does not cap the matching funds since it varies by company. It is up to you to know your plan's details and fill in the values accordingly. $401K PLANner™ does, however, cap your contributions if you hit the maximum yearly contribution allowed by the I.R.S. This amount changes yearly so you should make sure you download the new version of $401K PLANner™ every year.
-Trying changing your values and watch the results. You'll be amazed at how small changes can have a big effect on your retirement funds!
- You can save your data to a file by choosing "Save" or "Save As..." from the File menu. This version also supports printing!
-To quit the application, select QUIT under the FILE menu. Your password will be saved at this time so you don't have to re-enter it each time.
NOTE: Do not run $401K PLANner™ from a floppy disk. You must run it from a hard drive. Otherwise, you won't be able to purchase a password that unlocks all of the program's functionality.
By using this program or trying it out, you agree to the following:
1. GRANT OF LICENSE: This license agreement permits you to keep and store this program for your use. It also allows you to pass along copies to friends and colleagues, etc. who may be interested in using the software. You may not attempt to remove the SoftLock or circumvent it by any means other than actual registration with SoftLock Services.
2. COPYRIGHT. This SOFTWARE is owned by Timothy J. Turner and is protected under U.S. copyright laws. By remitting your registration fee to SoftLock Services, you are granted a license to use this program on one computer only. You may not run this program over a network or use other means to allow multiple users simultaneous access. You may copy the program to "share" with 3rd parties as long as you distribute this document along with the program. You may not attempt to remove the SoftLock or circumvent it by any means other than actual registration with SoftLock Services.
3. WARRANTIES:
LIMITED WARRANTY: This SOFTWARE is not warranted to perform to any specification or any other express warranty. This software is meant only as a guide and is not meant to be taken as advice as to any investment approach or method. It should be used for estimation purposes only. Caculations are not warranted to be exact. Any implied warranties on the software are limited to 90 days from the time you remit your registration fee. In no case will an unregistered copy be warranted. Some states do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
CUSTOMER REMEDIES: The owner's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at my option, return of the registration fee or replacement of the software. The LIMITED WARRANTY is void if failure of the software or hardware has resulted from accident, abuse, neglect or misapplication.
NO OTHER WARRANTIES: The owner disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantibility and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the software and the accompanying written materials. This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have others, which vary from state to state.
NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES: In no event shall the owner of the software's copyright be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, investment losses, inaccuracy in calculating/performing, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this software, even if the owner has been advised of such damages. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you. In any case, by using the software you agree to limit all damages to no more than the price you paid for the SOFTWARE.
When I release this version onto the 'nets, I intend to sell it for $14.95 per copy. To find out the current price just call 1-800-SoftLock and enter the product number: 30033. (I don't intend to change the price anytime soon, but these files linger around the 'nets for years, so if this is an old version, the price may have changed).
For a mere $14.95 you will get:
- the most amazing spectacular 401(k) retirement plan calculator around
- FREE lifetime upgrades (your password will be good for a long time)
- FREE e-mail technical support
- added to my e-mail list and will be notified when new versions are available
(if you want to get on the list, though, you must e-mail me w/ your name, address, and e-mail address requesting to get on the list.... SoftLock™ Services does not at this time collect e-mail addresses, only snail mail. So if you don't e-mail me, you won't be notified of new versions.)
For volume purchase discounts or site licenses, contact me by e-mail with the following info:
Your Name, Company Name, address, etc.
Number of Employees at the site
A Proposal if you have one
We can try to work out a deal for you to purchase SoftLock vouchers in bulk and/or I can create a special customized version to meet your needs. SoftLock vouchers are basically like gift certificates...each one is good for one SoftLock password.
This program can be customized with your company/business name, logo, and other contact information. Once customized, you can then distribute the program to your employees, customers, and potential customers as a promotional item. You may buy SoftLock vouchers for your customized version which would allow those recipients to call in and get a valid SoftLock password without paying for it.
I'm willing to customize this program for free in exchange for volume purchases.
Bottomline: send me an e-mail with what you're interested in, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
If you are interested in generating revenue for yourself by selling this program, then contact me. Here's one example: I recompile the source with a unique SoftLock Product # just for you. Now whoever calls in to register copies you've given away, will purchase your "product". In which case, I'll know what revenues you've generated and be able to give you your share. Proposals welcome. Again, send me an e-mail message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Any questions, comments, suggestions, bug reports, etc. can be sent to:
Internet: tturner@awa.com
or AOnline: TTurner
Please send me your ideas. I can't improve this product without feedback from you... the customer. And please send me your e-mail address if you want to be notified of new versions when I upload them online.
Version 1.0: The initial version of $401K PLANner™ released onto the 'nets in early 1994. This shareware version was downloaded by over 4200 people, but only 8 honest souls sent me their registration fee. Thanks so much to those kind and generous customers! This version would not run on Powermacs (Aargh! Sorry for those who got the freeze). It was developed using Prograph 2.5.2.
Version 1.1: This version was the same as Version 1.1 except that I added my Compuserve address for those who needed it. This version would not run on Powermacs either.
VERSION 2.0: This version was created using Prograph CPX 1.1 and was released "online" in March 1995. It was a change over the last versions in that all info was integrated into one main screen, rather than 3 seperate screens. This version is also "shareware", but it uses the SoftLock™ registration system. THIS VERSION DOES RUN FINE ON POWERMACS! Due to my many struggles with the Prograph CPX upgrade, I chose to cut back on "enhancements" in favor of getting a Powermac compatible version online as soon as possible. Too many users were getting their PowerMacs frozen by the old version. Unfortunately, that meant that I did not get a chance to add Document opening, saving, and printing to this version.
VERSION 2.1: This version has many "little fixes" to various problems or things I decided to change including:
- added the price to the registration screen.
- removed stray Version # behind the splash screen graphic.
- reworded various messages to the user.
- fixed a few typos in this README file.
VERSION 2.2: (July 1995) This version is so much better than the last one! You can now:
- save and restore your data using File Save, Save As, and Open
- print your documents (your $401K Data)
I also:
- enhanced the SoftLock™ registration screen to add an explanatory scroll text that tells all about SoftLock™ and how to register $401K PLANner™.
- added the SoftLock™ Services logo to the registration screen
- fixed typos in this README file
FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS: Here is my short list of future enhancements that I will be working on. If you have others, then let me know via e-mail.
- add a 3D Interface
- User selectable Compounding periods
- Support for Multiple "Accounts"
- Password protection for your "personal" data (i.e. salary).
- Retirement Payout Calculation (i.e. If you pay out your balance in equal payments over 20 years, what will be your yearly income?)
- Charting/Graphing that shows how your balance grows over time and later shrinks during retirement as you "pay out" your balance to yourself for income.
SoftLock™ is for you if you want a powerful sales and distribution system for your software. With SoftLock™, you can distribute your complete program as SoftLock™ed shareware or as a demo copy, and be assured that users will register their program with you.
In order to use the "advanced features of your program (whatever you define those to be), the user must obtain a unique password to "unlock" your program's advanced features on that user's computer (and no one else's computer). With SoftLock™, programs and encrypted data need not be copy-protected. They can be distributed over the internet, BBS, Online services, etc, but you still get paid! The beauty of SoftLock™ is that each computer requires a different password to unlock your program. Thus, if you copy an unlocked version of your program to another computer, it will revert to "demo" mode.
With SoftLock™ you can program a business operation as easily as you program your computer. By incorporating the SoftLock™ tools into your program, you enable SoftLock to sell your customers the unique Password they need to unlock your product. SoftLock Services' fully automated order fulfillment/password generation system allows you to receive the user's payment 24 hrs./day, 7 days/week. SoftLock™ does all of the credit card processing for you, which frees you to do what you do best... create software.
If you're interested in preventing piracy, increasing your revenues, and reducing your distribution costs by using the SoftLock™ system, please contact me by e-mail for more info (tturner@awa.com or AOnline: TTurner).
Read the previous section on SoftLock™ing software because all of that can apply to you as well. You can earn money by electronically publishing your books, newsletters, or whatever "information" you have to sell, using the SoftLock toolkits. Basically, you can use SoftLock to distribute your info electronically via online services etc. Only those users who pay for your product can actually view the full text of your product.
If interested in making money by publishing your books, poems, newsletters, recipes, info or whatever using the SoftLock™ system, please contact me by e-mail for more info (tturner@awa.com).
Do you want to advertise your goods or services on the internet?
Downtown Anywhere is currently one of the premiere Web sites on the glorious WWW. At the time I wrote this, Downtown Anywhere was receiving over 1900 hits per hour round the clock. DA has been featured in PC WEEK and PC TODAY. It's been on Ventana Media's short list of best internet sites. So if you want a lot of exposure at reasonable prices, contact me and I'll fill you in...
Downtown Anywhere is a virtual city on the Web with a thriving economy and social culture. If you'd like to visit or to do business on the internet through Downtown Anywhere, please contact me via e-mail, and I'll fill you in. If you find DA on your own, tell 'em I sent you 8-)
To my family...Thanks for your unending patience as Daddy worked diligently on the 'puter. During the course of this and other projects, my son frequently told me "Daddy don't get on the 'puter." And in all of my love for him, I obliged his requests (at least until he went to bed). As for my sweet baby daughter, she frequently crawled over to try to chew on my feet as I worked on the 'puter. That was her way of saying "Daddy get off the 'puter". And my wife was far more straight-forward in the matter and frequently told me to "Get off the 'puter" or that she was going to "break that darn 'puter". I haven't yet broken the news to her that the money I make from this program will go towards a much needed family vacation AND a newer better faster 'puter for Daddy (so we can have two 'puters ) 8-)
To Jon Schull...Thanks for SoftLock™ and Downtown Anywhere -- hopefully my means to the glorious goal of self-employment (or the next best thing - a job as a virtual employee working for a virtual corporation - an "Anywhere Associate"?).
