SUREFIRE Version S2.0 Copyright 1993, Piaf, Inc. 3918 Orchard Court, Boulder, CO 80304 Tel: (303) 786-8222 (File: README.TXT) WHAT IS SHAREWARE? ------------------ This copy of Surefire is shareware. This means that you may use your copy of Surefire, free of charge, for a trial period of 30 days. If you decide to continue using Surefire you must order a registered copy of the product. The registered version of Surefire provides you with phone support, a 475 page illustrated User's Guide, a spell checker and memory management for up to 8Mb on 286 machines or better. Since shareware is freely distributed it makes it convenient for you to try software before you buy it, while at the same time, the price of the registered version can be kept considerably lower than comparable retail software. But the authors do not get paid until you order a registered version. Support the continued development of Surefire. Order your registered copy! INTRODUCTION TO SUREFIRE ------------------------ Integrated packages minimally provide word processing, data base management and spreadsheet capabilities in a form that is easier to work with than using three or more separate packages. Surefire is a unique integrated package that also allows you to produce integrated documents, called Smart Documents. Using Surefire, data bases and spreadsheets can be "edited" directly into a document. The document is formatted with pages, margins and headers. When a document is used, database (dBase compatible) access is done directly from within the document. Spreadsheets don't need to be restricted to a grid. And fields, whether used for data base access, spreadsheet calculations or both, can be interspersed anywhere within your text. They can be within paragraphs and flow along as words scattered anywhere on any page of your document. Buttons can also be added to smart documents. Buttons can bring up other smart documents and link smart documents together. They can also be used to do specific calculations, operations involving text, data base operations, and more. Surefire can be used to build rather complex "smart document applications". Surefire Contacts is a contact management system that is built as a Smart Document application, and is thus completely integrated with Surefire. Surefire won "Best New Product" in the 1992 Shareware Industry Awards and has also received "Editors Choice" from Shareware Magazine and Computer User. Surefire has also been reviewed in many other periodicals all giving it high praise. - Put live forms, spreadsheets and databases (DBase compatible) right in your "smart documents"! - No more switching among word processor, spreadsheet and database programs! - Build complete Smart Document applications! Type in text like in a word processor and add fields to create a form or spreadsheet... right there on your page. Immediately fill out the form and calculate results. Now, add a record... a database is automatically created and your first record is stored. And, the pages on your screen are always like you'll see them on paper! Anywhere within your document take advantage of over 70 spreadsheet functions, or use the powerful search capabilities on your database. You can even generate reports by injecting data from many records right into your document. And all this can be done in one program using only 7 simple pull down menus! But that's not all! Add buttons to bring you to a page, get another document, do a calculation, or join to another database. Before you know it, you'll be building complete Smart Document applications. SUREFIRE CONTACTS ----------------- A contact management system is used to keep track of the people you deal with (customers and clients) and to help manage your time. Surefire Contacts has all the features you'd expect in any contact management program; a contact database, mail-merge into form letters, a daily agenda and timely reports. And, it provides all the capabilities of an Integrated Package. Many features of Surefire Contacts revolve around the Profile. This is where the general information about leads, prospects, clients and associates are kept. You can note additional data in a freeform manner and keep a dated record of specific activities such as phone calls and visits. Letters and mailing labels can be generated for a specific profile or set of profile records at the push of a button. Since Surefire Contacts is integrated with Surefire, you may also use the capabilities of Surefire to customize Surefire Contacts into your own unique contact management system. Maybe you want to keep financial data about your clients. Or, you want to store information on your distributors, suppliers, associates and others. You may even change any of the standard reports to fit your needs, or add completely new ones. WHAT'S NEW IN SUREFIRE 2.0 -------------------------- * Mouse Support * Contact Manager with profile data, agenda, and mail merge * Duplicate Record Checking * Text Alignment * View first/last database record * Print to a file * Wild-cards in directory listing * Up to 75 report fields * Persistent Increment fields for invoice/order numbers, etc. SUREFIRE is a registered trademark of Piaf, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. AWARDS and QUOTES ----------------- "Best New Product" -- 1992 Shareware Industry Awards "Editor's Choice" -- Shareware Magazine, May 1992 "One of the Best New Programs of 1992" -- Public Software Library "Trophy Rating" -- Public Brand Software "Within a half-hour I had a document that previously would have taken three applications to complete" -- The PC Journal "This hybrid of word processor, data base and spreadsheet provides the same facilities as integrated packages like Microsoft or Lotus Works, except here the integration is tighter" -- Australian PC Review "This inexpensive 'integrated' program puts all of its features in a word processor so you don't have to jump from module to module" -- PC World "Surefire is excellent for use in business, education, and home use, and its applications are limited only by your imagination. The power of this program is something you'll have to see to believe." -- Dr. File Finder Shareware Magazine SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- Surefire S2.0 requires 640k bytes of memory and at lease 720k of disk storage. A hard drive is recommended. The registered version has the option of providing memory management for up to 8Mb on 286 machines or better. SUREFIRE S2.0 PACKING LIST -------------------------- The following files should be on the SUREFIRE Distribution Disk(s): Disk #1: SFS20A.ZIP INSTALL.EXE INSTALL.FIL PKUNZIP.EXE Disk #2: SFS20B.ZIP If your copy of SUREFIRE S2.0 came on a disk that holds 720Kb or more, all the above files could be on the same disk. If you obtained SUREFIRE S2.0 from a BBS, you must obtain both SFS20A.ZIP and SFS20B.ZIP. Use pkunzip with the -do option to unpack these two zip files. INSTALLING SUREFIRE ------------------- 1) Place SUREFIRE Disk 1 into a floppy drive. 2) Type A:INSTALL (or B:INSTALL) and press the ENTER key. 3) Now follow the simple on-screen instructions. THE SUREFIRE INFO SMART DOCUMENT -------------------------------- The INFO smart document presents general information about Surefire. It is also a simple example, in itself, of what can be done using Surefire. The INFO smart document is automatically brought up when you first install Surefire. After Surefire is installed, you may run SUREFIRE INFO as follows: 1) Change to the SFSHARE directory: Type "cd c:\sfshare" at the DOS prompt. (Note: If you installed Surefire somewhere else, substitute that drive and directory for "c:\sfshare".) 2) Run the "sfinfo.bat" file: Type "sfinfo" at the DOS prompt. SUREFIRE DEMO/TUTORIAL ---------------------- The Surefire Demo/Tutorial is another way to learn more about Surefire. It takes you step by step through several example applications. It's fast and easy, so give it a try. To run the Demo/Tutorial: 1) Make sure you are in the SFSHARE directory. 2) Run the "sfinfo.bat" file. (Type "sfinfo" at the prompt.) RUNNING SUREFIRE ---------------- To run Surefire: type "surefire" at the DOS prompt. (If the directory containing surefire is not in your path you must change to that directory first.) When Surefire comes up, you will be looking at the representation of a standard size page with standard margins. There is a menu bar across the top with 7 pull down menus. Use the F-10 key and the arrow keys to access the menus. Pressing F-1 gives you a description of what you are looking at. Typing ALT+X allows you to leave Surefire. With a mouse, you can click on menu items or the Hint Line (at the bottom of the screen) with the left mouse button to perform an action. Pressing the right mouse button generally corresponds to a cancel or gets you back to where you were. RUNNING SUREFIRE CONTACTS ------------------------- SUREFIRE CONTACTS can be run from the SUREFIRE INFO smart document: 1) Run SUREFIRE INFO as described above. 2) Press the "Surefire Contacts" button. Or you may run SUREFIRE CONTACTS directly as follows: 1) Make sure you are in the SFSHARE directory 2) Run the "sfcont.bat" file. (Type "sfcont" at the prompt.) ON-LINE DOCUMENTATION --------------------- Included with your evaluation copy of Surefire there is a companion 200 page version of the Surefire User's Guide in the file called "sfdoc.txt". You may print this file by using the DOS command "print sfdoc.txt". There is also a Surefire Contacts User's Guide in a file called "sfcdoc.txt". Use the DOS command "print sfcdoc.txt" to print the file. When running Surefire, on-line context sensitive help is available by pressing F-1. Press Esc to close the help window. Press F-2 for help while using Surefire Contacts or the INFO document. YOUR EVALUATION OF SUREFIRE --------------------------- During your evaluation of Surefire, give us a call if you have any problems or questions. We consider professional technical support to be as important as the product and should be part of your evaluation. We really want to hear from all of you who try out Surefire, whether you register or not. Please share your thoughts with us and let us know what you think. Knowing what you think is the only way we can make better products and provide you with what you need. But if you are using Surefire, please register. This is the only way we get paid. We do not receive anything from bulletin boards or shareware vendors. Everything we get is directly from you. And feel free to give a copy of this shareware version of Surefire to as many people as you wish. All we require is that the complete original shareware version be copied with all its original files. ORDERING REGISTERED COPIES OF SUREFIRE -------------------------------------- To use SUREFIRE after your initial free evaluation period of 30 days, you must obtain a registered copy from Piaf, Inc. or an authorized dealer. To order by phone call: (303) 786-8222 (24 hours) To order by mail, print the order form in the file "order.txt" by typing the DOS command "print order.txt". Fill in the form and mail it to: Piaf, Inc 3918 Orchard Court Boulder, CO 80304-1023 To order by CompuServe E-mail, send the filled out order form with your VISA or MC Number to: 73407,1034. You may choose to order any of the registered versions of Surefire below: Full Surefire Package - $79 * Includes a 475 page User's Guide with step-by-step illustrations and examples. * Smart documents for all examples in the User's Guide. * 6 Months Phone Support * Registered disks with latest version includes: - Spell Checker with over 100,000 word dictionary - Additional executable that supports up to 8Mb of memory on 286 or higher machines. - Demo Smart Document applications: lease management, phone list/org chart, contact database, travel reports, budget and cash flow. Registered Disks Only - $39 * An economical way to provide copies of Surefire for additional users at a site. * This version contains the registered disks as described above. * One tech support phone call, then mail or e-mail only. Full Surefire Package with Contacts - $99 * This is a full retail version ($169 List Price). * Includes the Full Surefire Package * A Quick Reference card * PLUS, a Full Contact Manager with: - A separate 100 page, illustrated User's Guide - Enhanced Contact Manager - Automatic Correspondence tracking - Timer/Alarm - Many other new features Shipping and Handling (per unit) - Full Package Disks Only $ 6 $ 4 U.S. $ 8 $ 6 Canada $ 25 $ 12 Overseas All orders entitle you to discounts on future products. If you wish to use Surefire by more than one person on more than one computer, or to have Surefire available to more than one person on a network, you must purchase the full package or the registered disks for each person, or you must obtain a site license. Please contact Piaf, Inc. for more information regarding site licensing. Piaf, Inc. also provides Surefire consulting services for custom applications and seminars. Please contact Piaf, Inc. for more information. All prices are subject to change without notice. A Registered Copy of Surefire may also be obtained from the following dealers: AUSTRALIA MANACCOM Pty Ltd Tel: (07) 368 2366 9 Camford St. Fax: (07) 369 7589 MILTON Queensland PO Box 1297 MILTON Qld 4064 UNITED KINGDOM: The Thompson Partnership Tel: +44 (0)889 564601 Church Croft, Bramshall, Fax: +44 (0)889 563219 UTTOXETER, Staffs. ST14 5DE