This is the second upgrade of "Around The House". I've taken many of the little programs I use and incorporated it into this one. The future plan is to make this do everything YOU might also want to see and use. If you have suggestions, wishes, comments or trouble write to me and let me know. You may use and evaluate this program for thirty days. At the end of that time if you decide you want to continue using "Around The House" complete the order form provided on the disk and send in your registration. Select "Registration Form" from the 'Utilities' menu to register your "Around The House" program. It will print it out for you. When you register, you'll receive the latest upgraded version of this program. AND you will also receive, ***FREE***, a registered version of a "My VCR Tapes Library". This is a very nice program to keep track of all your video tapes and who you lent them to. This is a well-written program, similar to "Around The House". If you register, you will recieve notices of all future upgrades, you can then order them for a small fee ($10.00, at present). You can order directly from BlueCollar Software by printing out the order form ('copy order.txt prn' at the DOS prompt) and sending in your check. Or from Public (software) Library with your MC, Visa, AmEx, or Discover card by calling 800-242-4PsL (from overseas: 713-524-6394) or by FAX to 713-524-6398 or by CompuServe to 71355,470. ASK FOR "AROUND THE HOUSE" DISK 10605. THE ABOVE PHONE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERING ONLY. BlueCollar Software can NOT be reached at those numbers. To contact BlueCollar Software for information about dealer pricing volume discounts, site licensing, the status of shipment of the product, the latest version number, or for technical information, or to discuss returns, call: BlueCollar Software (513) 653-8388 or write: Bill Sturgell BlueCollar Software 1323 South Route 68 Urbana, OH 43078 or use CIS Mail, ID number: 72630,1714 Technical Support will be available between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM EST on weekdays. Please don't call at any other time. My wife works nights and she's likely to use some "truck driver language" on you if you wake her up. She won't be able to answer your questions, anyway. Hopefully, the program is "user friendly", and tech support will rarely be necessary, but you can still call to express 'wants and desires', or to 'shoot the bull'. There is a manual written in ASCII included on the disk. To print it out, go to the DOS directory where you stored your program "Around The House" and type 'copy manual.frm prn'. Everything written in the manual is also available in the 'Help Screens' of "Around the House". Press F1 to access them. ****** TIP ******* "Sort Files" in the Utility Menu can come in quite handy. If you are looking for an entry in any of the databases that you are certain is there, but it doesn't show up, use this option. It is possible that a corrupted index is present. This will fix it. Every precaution has been taken to ensure the reliability of this program and the integrity of your information. However, 'things happen' (things?). I can't be held responsible for data loss due to hardware malfunctions, power failures, and so forth. But if they do, 'Sort Files' might help. It does a lot more than just "Sort". ********This program must be installed in the hard drive.******** Type ATH in the directory where you installed "Around The House" to start the program. This program will check to see if you have a color card installed in your computer. If it finds one, it will set the screen display to color. If it finds a monochrome card it will set your screen display to monochrome. But if you are using a color card and a monochrome monitor, you will see some odd screens. If you do, go back to the DOS prompt and type "ATH M" to restart the program. This will correct the screen display, by setting it to monochrome. Check your CONFIG.SYS file. If you this program generates a "Too Many Files Open Error", your CONFIG.SYS must be changed to: FILES=20 BUFFERS=20 (edit these two lines to the above.) DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of "Around The House" must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Around The House" is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse- quential, which may result from the use of "Around The House"." "Around The House" is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using "Around The House" and continue to use "Around The House" after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg- istration payment of $29.00 to BlueCollar. The $29.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of "Around The House" must register and pay for their copies of "Around The House" within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by con- tacting BlueCollar. Anyone distributing "Around The House" for any kind of remuneration must first contact BlueCollar Software for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering "Around The House" immediately (However BlueCollar must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of "Around The House".). You are encouraged to pass a copy of "Around The House" along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of "Around The House". **** That's It! **** So Far. ********************