## ## ## /\ ## // \\ ## // \\ +-------+ // \\ | | // \\ | | // \\ | | // \\ | | // \\| | // \\ | // HOME MANAGER 1.0 \\ | // \\ | // Copyright (c) 1987 \\| // Applied Micro Systems Technology \\ // September 20, 1987 \\ // \\ // \\ +------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | The Home Manager is a dedicated database program for | | IBM Personal Computers and 100% compatibles. Applied | | Micro Systems Technology reserves the COPYRIGHT to this | | program and all related materials. The user is granted | | a non-exclusive license to use the program and is | | encouraged to make a donation if the program is found to | | be useful. $15 is recommended and $35 will entitle the | | user to full registration including notice of updates, | | support, and input to product improvements. If sending | | a donation for full registration, use the form included | | at the end of the documentation. Send donations to: | | | | +------+ | | | | | | | | +--------------------------------------+ | | | | | Applied Micro Systems Technology | | | | @| | 219 N. Franklin | | | | | | Ames, Iowa 50010 | | | | | +--------------------------------------+ | | | | | |============================================================| The user is also granted permission to make unlimited copies of the program and to distribute those copies as long as no fee is charged for the program. A duplication charge not to exceed $5 may be collected. Applied Micro Systems Technology specifically disclaims all warantees, expressed or implied, including but not limited to, implied warantees of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. In no event shall Applied Micro Systems Technology be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages. TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- INTRODUCTION .................................... 1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ............................. 2 INSTALLATION .................................... 3 REQUIRED FILES .................................. 4 GENERAL OVERVIEW ................................ 5 PROGRAM DATABASES ............................... 6 DATA ENTRY SCREENS .............................. 8 BACKING UP THE DATABASES ........................ 9 ASSET/LIABILITY DATABASE ........................ 10 BUDGET DATABASE ................................. 11 BUDGET DETAIL DATABASE .......................... 12 ENVELOPE PRINTING ............................... 13 FINANCIAL CALCULATOR ............................ 14 HOME MAINTENANCE DATABASE ....................... 15 LISTS DATABASE .................................. 16 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS (Export, Fixup) ........ 17 PHONEBOOK DATABASE .............................. 18 RECORDS DATABASE ................................ 20 SETUP ........................................... 21 TODOLIST DATABASE ............................... 22 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DATABASE .................... 23 COMMON QUESTIONS ................................ 24 REGISTRATION FORM ............................... 25 INTRODUCTION ------------ I, like many of you, am a computer enthusiast and part-time programmer. I have been programming on a semi-professional basis for about three years now, and I have decided to enter the user-supported software market. The Home Manager is my first attempt at such a program, and I sincerely hope you find it to be useful and easy to use. The Home Manager arose from my dissatisfaction with the multitude of programs I have been forced to use when attempting to manage the details of operating a home. Yes, I have very good spreadsheet, database, and word processing software, but even the good ones force me to do things in a somewhat convoluted fashion. With the Home Manager, I have attempted to encapsulate, within a single program, the primary data management tasks around the home. I have also added a few extras to make the program more useful (such as data export and a built-in calculator and calendar). The Home Manager currently supports the following functions: Asset/Lia: Make a database of assets and liabilities and print net worth statement Budget: Budget and track your home finances and print net worth, etc... DetBudg: Enter budget detail lines Envelope: Print an address on envelope (laser printers only) Finance: Calculate payments, interest, etc... Home: Schedule and track maintenance on your home Lists: Make a database of general items Misc: Export databases or attempt to fix databases and regain disk space Phone: Make a database of names and addresses and print labels Records: Make a database of your important records Setup: Select program options Todolist: Create a general database of things to do Vehicle: Track your vehicle maintenance As I mentioned, this is my first public offering. I am more than willing to enhance the program to meet the needs of you, the user. I am already incorporating a simple word processor into the program that will import the phone database. Other suggestions are welcome. As you are well aware, part of the reward for writing well-received software is monetary. If you like the Home Manager, I would appreciate a $15 donation to my programming habit. If you would like to receive notices of future upgrades, a contribution of $35 is requested. Please use the registration form in this manual when sending contributions. The remainder of this documentation provides specific details on each the the major program function outlined below. In each section, special features are discussed. Happy computing! - 1 - SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- This program requires the following hardware and software to correctly operate: o IBM or strictly compatible computer o 256K minimum memory o 2 floppy disks or a hard disk o MS-DOS version 2.0 or greater o Color/graphics, monochrome, or EGA display adaptor o CONFIG.SYS must have FILES=10 or higher A hard disk would be helpful, but is not necessary. The speed of the program is reduced substantially when operating on a 2-floppy system. - 2 - INSTALLATION ------------ Installation of this program is as simple as operating the program itself. Follow these installation instructions carefully. If any problems are encountered, first check your computer. If you still have problems, enlist the aid of someone who is perhaps more knowledgeable with computers than yourself (if you know such a person). A third, but slower alternative, is to drop me a line and I will try to give you some assistance (note that registered users will receive highest priority!). The program is contained in archive form in the file "HM10.ARC". To install on a 2-floppy system: 1) Place Home Manager disk in drive A: 2) Place formatted (non-system) disk in drive B: 3) Type: PKXARC HM10 B: To install on a hard disk: 1) Copy files to desired subdirectory. 2) Change to that subdirectory with 'CD' command. 3) Type: PKXARC HM10 4) You may then delete the 'HM10.ARC' and 'PKXARC.COM' files from your hard disk. To print the documentation, type: COPY HMGR10.TXT PRN: To run the program, type: HM ************************** IMPORTANT ************************** In order for the Home Manager to operate correctly, your CONFIG.SYS file must have the following line: FILES=10 (or higher) ***************************************************************** - 3 - REQUIRED FILES -------------- To run the program, several files must be available. Following is a list of the Home Manager program and data files. The first group is the program and related files. The second group is the data files that the Home Manager creates as needed. The second group would be the files to back up when storing your data. Program files: HM.COM THE HOME MANAGER PROGRAM HM.000 PART OF THE HOME MANAGER HM.001 " HM.002 " HM.003 " HM.004 " HM.005 " HM.SCR HOME MANAGER SCREENS Data files: HMAST.DAT ASSET/LIABILITY DATABASE HMAST1.IDX " INDEX HMAST2.IDX " INDEX HMBDG.DAT BUDGET DATABASE HMBDG1.IDX " INDEX HMBDG2.IDX " INDEX HMDEFS.DAT PROGRAM DEFAULT DATA HMDET.DAT BUDGET DETAIL DATABASE HMDET1.IDX " INDEX HMDET2.IDX " INDEX HMDET3.IDX " INDEX HMHMT.DAT HOME MAINT. DATABASE HMHMT1.IDX " INDEX HMHMT2.IDX " INDEX HMHMT3.IDX " INDEX HMLST.DAT GENERAL LISTS DATABASE HMLST1.IDX " INDEX HMLST2.IDX " INDEX HMLST3.IDX " INDEX HMPHN.DAT PHONE BOOK DATABASE HMPHN1.IDX " INDEX HMPHN2.IDX " INDEX HMREC.DAT RECORDS DATABASE HMREC1.IDX " INDEX HMREC2.IDX " INDEX HMTDO.DAT TODO LIST DATABASE HMTDO1.IDX " INDEX HMVMT.DAT VEHICLE MAINT. DATABASE HMVMT1.IDX " INDEX HMVMT2.IDX " INDEX HMVMT3.IDX " INDEX HMVMT4.IDX " INDEX - 4 - GENERAL PROGRAM USE ------------------- When the program is run (by typing HM from the DOS prompt), a slight delay will occur as the program loads the screen file. Next, the main program screen will appear. The top line of the screen displays the name and version of the program and a copyright notice. The center portion of the screen displays a detailed copyright notice and will later be used to display program information. The bottom section of the screen displays the command menus with a single line explaining the current command. At any time during the operation of the program, you may press the [Alt-C] key combination to activate an on-screen calculator. The [Esc] key will return you to the program at the point from which you started the calculator. Another "always available" command is the [Alt-L] command which displays an on-screen perpetual calendar. Again, the [Esc] key will return you to the point at which the calendar was activated. Program functions are executed through the list of commands shown in the bottom area of the screen. These commands may be executed in two ways. First, the [space], [BackSpace], or [left/right arrow] keys may be used to highlight the desired command; the [return] key is then pressed to execute the highlighted command. The second and fastest method to run a command is to press the first letter of the command. The command corresponding to the selected letter will be immediately executed Some commands will simply move to another command list. The name of the current command list is always shown on the upper left corner of the command list box. You may move to a previous command list by pressing the [Esc] key. Each command list also has a QUIT command which may be used to move to the previous command list. A complete list of the commands in this program is found later in this documentation. Occasionally, you will be presented with a vertical list of choices for some program options. Select from these lists by pressing the up or down arrow keys to move the highlight bar and press [return] when the desired option is highlighted. If the first letters of the options are shown in bold characters, you may press the corresponding letter to make a selection. You may optionally press the [Esc] key to abort the selection process. In general, the [Esc] key serves to abort any operation or selection. To quit the program and return to the operating system, press [Esc] or select QUIT from the Main Menu command list. NEVER TURN THE COMPUTER OFF WHILE THE PROGRAM IS OPERATING. ALWAYS QUIT FIRST. DAMAGE TO DATABASES COULD RESULT FROM TURNING THE COMPUTER OFF AT THE WRONG TIME! ALSO, FLOPPY DISK USERS SHOULD NEVER CHANGE OR REMOVE DISKS UNTIL PROMPTED TO DO SO!!! - 5 - PROGRAM DATABASES ----------------- There are 9 databases contained in this program. They are: o Asset/liability database o Budget database o Budget detail database o Home maintenance database o Lists database o Phonebook database o Records database o Todo list database o Vehicle maintenance database Each of these databases will be discussed in detail in separate sections of this documentation. In general, the program databases operate in the same fashion. After selecting the appropriate database from the program main menu, a screen will appear that displays information relative to the database in use. The name of the database will be shown in the upper left corner of the screen. On the same line, the current order of the database will be displayed, followed by the number of records currently stored in the database, and finally, the number of records that may still be added to the database (dependent on disk space remaining). A maximum of 32,767 records may be stored in a single database. Floppy disk users will be much more restricted in the size of their databases. Many of the commands used in the databases are common and are discussed here. Those commands that are not common to all databases are discussed in the section relative to that database. Browse: Shows the records in tabular format. The [PgUp/PgDn], [Home], [End] and [up/down arrow] keys may be used to move through the list. [Esc] returns to the original database screen at the original record and [return] will select the record that the arrow is pointing to. Delete: Deletes the current record after user confirmation. Enter: Enters a new record into the current database. For an explanation of data entry, see the section on Data Entry Screens. Find: Finds a record matching the current order key. You will be prompted to enter a key to match. You may enter a partial key and the program will attempt to find the closest match. Next-Rec: Displays the next record in current order. - 6 - Order: Changes the order that records will be displayed. A list of choices will appear from which you may select the desired order. Prev-Rec: Displays the previous record in current order. Report: Prints a report of the data in the current database. The reports vary, depending on which database you are using. Update: Updates the current database record. For an explanation of data entry, see the section on Data Entry Screens. Quit: Quits from the current database and returns to the main menu. - 7 - DATA ENTRY SCREENS ------------------ At many points in the program, you will be using the ENTER and UPDATE commands to enter and/or change information on the screen. This procedure is generally the same and is outlined here. Differences that occur in this procedure are covered in the appropriate detail sections of this documentation. After you have selected the ENTER or UPDATE command, a flashing "*" will appear on the data screen to indicate where your information is to be entered. A cursor will also show the current position within a data field. (Data fields are the highlighted areas of the screen). Some or all of the following commands will be available for data entry: [left/right arrow]: Moves the cursor within the current field. If the cursor is at the first position within a field, then the previous field will be selected. If the cursor is at the last position within a field, then the next field will be selected. [up/down arrow]: Select the previous or next data field for editing. [F3]: Same as left or down arrow for previous field. [F4]: Same as right or down arrow for next field [F5]: Accepts changes to the current record and moves to the previous record of the database. (Not available in Enter mode.) [F6]: Accepts changes to the current record and moves to the next record of the database. [Enter/return]: Same as right or down arrow for next field. [Esc]: Aborts changes made to the current record and completes Enter/Update action. [F10]: Accepts changes made to the current record and completes Enter/Update actions. - 8 - BACKING UP THE DATABASES ------------------------ Power outages and surges as well as computer malfunctions may cause corruption to occur in the databases of the program. The only security you have against such problems is to make regular backups of your data. It is suggested that you use a rotated backup routine where you keep two copies of backups. Alternate between these disks each time you perform a backup. When making your backups, you may either use the backup program that comes with your DOS disks; or any other commercial backup program. To backup your data, you must specify all files that end with a ".DAT" extension. If the need ever arises to restore your databases from your backup disks, follow the procedure in your backup program documentation to restore your data. Then, before using any other function of the program, use the FIXUP command on each of the databases. The FIXUP command (explained later) will recreate your database files. - 9 - ASSET/LIABILITY DATABASE ------------------------ DESCRIPTION The Asset/liability database is used to store information regarding items of worth that you own or items on which you owe money. DATA FIELDS ITEM NAME: The name of the asset/liability. IDENTIFIER: A description (such as Serial# or Loan# used to identify the asset/liability. ASSET/LIABILITY (A/L): Is this an asset or liability? DATES: The ORIGINAL (starting), REVIEWED (last look), and ENDING (final) dates. AMOUNTS: The ORIGINAL (starting), REVIEWED (last look), and ENDING (final) amounts or values. REVIEW FREQUENCY (wks): How often do you wish to review this asset/liability. NEXT REVIEW: The date that the next review should be done. This value is automatically calculated by the program by adding REVIEW FREQUENCY to REVIEWED DATE. SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the asset/liability database. You may wish to note, however, that one of the reports in this database is a net worth statement (handy!). - 10 - BUDGET DATABASE --------------- DESCRIPTION The Budget database is used to track your actual expenditures and compare them with budgeted amounts. (If they are the same, you are doing better than I am). This database is primarily a summary of the information entered in the Budget Detail database. You may only modify the Budget amounts directly, while the actual amounts are obtained from the budget detail. Reports include Budget and Actual comparisons and summaries. DATA FIELDS ACCOUNT: A description of the account (like food, gas, etc.) GROUP: Used to separate budget categories into groups if you wish to maintain quasi-separate accounting for business/personal spending or if you wish to separate certain categories of budget items into groups. INC/EXP (I/E): Is this an income or expense item? BUDGET AMOUNTS: Single month budget amounts and a year-to-date total. ACTUAL AMOUNTS: Single month actual amounts (calculated by the program from data in the Budget Detail database). Tax Deductable? A flag to indicate whether this item is tax deductable (used later on summary reports). SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Budget database. - 11 - BUDGET DETAIL DATABASE ---------------------- DESCRIPTION The Budget Detail database is used to accumulate single expenditure or income transactions. The data from the Budget Detail database is then used to update the totals found in the Budget database ACTUAL AMOUNT columns. This database is your detailed source of where your money is going (but only if you use it and keep it up to date). You must enter some accounts in the Budget database before you may enter transactions. DATA FIELDS DETAIL NUMBER: A number that is automatically assigned by the program to keep some type of order. TRANSACTION DATE: Date the transaction took place BUDGET ACCOUNT: Account in the Budget database in which you want this transaction to be entered. A list of accounts will "pop" onto the screen when you reach this field, and you may then select from the list. You must have entered some accounts in the Budget database before the program will allow you to enter transactions. AMOUNT: Dollar amount of the transaction NOTES/COMMENTS: General comments about the transaction, such as check#, etc... HAVE CHANGES BEEN MADE TO THIS RECORD SINCE LAST TRANSFER? This field is automatically maintained by the program. See TRANSFER below. SPECIAL COMMANDS The only special command in the Budget Detail database is the TRANSFER command. Whenever a change is made to the Budget Detail database (or new transactions are entered), the "Changed" flag for the new or changed record is set to TRUE. Before these changes are reflected in the account totals found in the Budget database, you must use the TRANSFER command to send the new or updated totals into the associated accounts. When entering the Budget database, the program will ask if you have transferred all transactions, just to make sure that your totals will be correct. There is no harm in running the TRANSFER command when there are not any new transactions.. no changes will be made in the budget database. - 12 - ENVELOPE -------- DESCRIPTION The Envelope command is used to print addresses on envelopes on HP Laserjet printers only. If you do not have an HP Laserjet, then you must resort to the LABELS command found in the Phone Book database. Make sure that you have configured the program for the Laserjet (see SETUP). If you have entered any names in the Phone Book database, you will be able to put them on an envelope with ease (see the GetName command in this section). Even if you haven't entered any names in the Phone Book database, you will still be able to print envelopes. This command only works with letter size (business) envelopes. DATA FIELDS MAILING ADDRESS: Five lines of address to mail to RETURN ADDRESS: Five lines for the return address SPECIAL COMMANDS The envelope command does not directly use a database, therefore, the commands found here are somewhat different than the database commands. However, the screen editing is still similar. The commands are as follows: Getname: Get a name and address from the phonebook database. A list of names from the Phone Book database will appear on the screen. You may use the cursor, PgUp, PgDn, or first letter of name to select a name. [Return] will place the current name into mailing address field of the envelope screen. Print: Print the current name and address on an envelope. The program will automatically set your laser printer to manual feed mode and return it to the default state when finished. Reset: Not Printer Reset! Sets return address to default Savedef: Save the return address as a default Update: Update the current name and address - 13 - FINANCIAL CALCULATOR -------------------- DESCRIPTION The financial calculator is a set of 8 data screens (called "scenarios") that allow you to fill in the blanks to calculate answers to some standard financial questions such as payments on a loan, etc... DATA FIELDS The data fields in the financial calculator will vary depending on the "scenario" you have selected. The program will be asking for some of the following information on each screen: Present Value: The current value of the loan or account Future Value: The value at some time in the future of the loan or account APR: The annual percentage rate of interest charged or earned Payment: The amount paid on a loan or withdrawn from an account at periodic intervals # Payments: The total number of periods in question. Remember to enter the number of months if that is what the program is asking for! This might be a good place to use the built-in calculator [Alt-C]. SPECIAL COMMANDS To use the financial calculator, you must first select a SCENARIO that matches a situation you are investigating. After your selection is made, a new screen of information will replace this one. The screen will describe the scenario and there will be places for you to enter pieces of information that the program needs. These data entry areas will be the inverse areas of the screen. The UPDATE command allows you to change the scenario information. After you have entered the numbers that fit your situation, pressing F10 will cause the program to calculate the results. You may use UPDATE again to change the numbers, or REPORT to print the results. If you would like to pick a different scenario, just pick SCENARIO again. Report: Print a financial report Scenario: Select a financial scenario Update: Update the finance data and calculate results - 14 - HOME MAINTENANCE DATABASE ------------------------- DESCRIPTION The Home Maintenance database is used to track expenditures or planned maintenance on your home (or even income property). DATA FIELDS MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION: A description of the maintenance done or planned. PROPERTY ID: Some type of identifier for the property. Most useful when tracking maintenance on several properties. WORK COMPLETED ON: Date the work was completed MATERIAL: The source and cost of materials for the work LABOR: The source and cost of the labor for the work TOTAL $: The total of labor and material costs for the work SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Home Maintenance database. - 15 - LISTS DATABASE -------------- DESCRIPTION The lists database is used for whatever you want to keep track of. The data fields provide the capability to categorize items into meaningful groups. I use this database to maintain a list of my software, magazine articles, books and movies that I have recorded. DATA FIELDS ITEM DESCRIPTION: A description of the item (obviously!) ID CODE: A code used to identify the group that this item belongs to (used if you are using the Lists database for more than one type of item like I do). DATE FIELD: A date that means whatever you want it to. NUMERIC FIELD: A number that means whatever you want it to. TEXT FIELD: A long text field that allows for at least some detail in your list. SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Lists database. - 16 - MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS ----------------------- DESCRIPTION Miscellaneous functions is the command I use when I can't find something better to do! Actually, there are two commands within the MISC command; EXPORT and FIXUP. EXPORT sends data from any of the program databases to a text file so that you may use the Home Manager data with other programs. Each record is output to the user-selected file on a single line, with each field separated by a comma. The data is output in the following format: Strings: Enclosed in quotes Numbers: No quotes, accuracy same as on screen Dates: MM/DD/YY, enclosed in quotes. Yes/No: Either "Y" or "N" The FIXUP command automatically performs two functions. First, FIXUP attempts to recreate the index files (those ending in ".IDX") associated with the database you attempt to FIXUP. This may be necessary if your database(s) somehow become corrupted (via a power outage, etc..) or if you have restored your databases from a backup. Running FIXUP on a non-corrupted database will cause no harm. If errors still persist after running FIXUP, then I hope you have a good backup!! The second of FIXUP's functions is to attempt to reclaim unused disk space. When you use the Home Manager databases, each record you create with ENTER will grab more disk space. So far, so good. If you delete some of the records later, the records will be gone, but the database size will not decrease. This is because deleted records are simply marked as deleted, but are not actually removed. FIXUP is similar to other programs' PURGE command, which actually removes the unused records from the database(s). Unused records don't really hurt anything because they will be used for newly ENTERed records. Any time you run FIXUP, both of the described functions will be attempted. If you are short on disk space, one or both of the functions may not be able to operate. DATA FIELDS There are no data fields in the MISC command. SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the MISC command. - 17 - PHONEBOOK DATABASE ------------------ DESCRIPTION I have found this to be one of the more useful parts of the Home Manager. The Phonebook database is used to store names and addresses. While on the surface this may not seem too exciting, look deeper. The Phonebook database is set up for coded access. By assigning single letter codes (up to 10 of them), you can create a highly specialized address book. The Phonebook can print a selected group of names that match certain codes, either on plain paper or labels. You can even print a list of birthdays for each month of the year. DATA FIELDS NAME: Person's name SPECIAL CODE: Up to 10 single character codes to associate the person with a certain group. ADDRESS: Up to 4 lines of address PHONES: Space for both home and work phone CODES & DESCRIPTIONS: A list of up to 10 user-definable single letter codes used to identify groups. You may use codes that are not in this list, but it will be up to you to remember what they mean. USE BIRTHDAY FIELD? If set to "N", the BIRTHDAY field will not be used. BIRTHDAY: The person's birthday MISC. COMMENTS: Other comments you may wish to add SPECIAL COMMANDS The CODES command is used to set the user-definable special codes. Updates are similar to the database commands. All characters in the codes are converted to upper case. The LABEL command is used to print labels. When you select the LABELS command, you will be given the opportunity to edit the label specifications as follows: - 18 - LABEL SPECIFICATIONS PROMPT ON EACH NAME? If "Y", the program will stop after each name to ask if you want to print it. PRINT CONDENSED? If "Y", the labels will be printed in 17 cpi mode (necessary with 3-up labels) MANUAL FEED LABELS? If "Y", manual feed will be used on your printer. The program will prompt you when a page of labels is required. SPECIAL CODE MATCH A single character code to match from the list of special codes. TOP OF PAGE MARGIN Number of lines to skip at the top of each page. LABELS PER ROW The number of labels per row. LABELS PER PAGE The total number of labels per page. START COLUMNS: #1 The starting column position for each #2 column of labels printed. Remember to #3 count 17 cpi if printing condensed. LABELS SPECIFICATION EXAMPLES HP Laserjet, 3-up labels: PROMPT ON EACH NAME? N PRINT CONDENSED? Y MANUAL FEED LABELS? Y SPECIAL CODE MATCH Whatever you want TOP OF PAGE MARGIN 4 LABELS PER ROW 3 LABELS PER PAGE 27 START COLUMNS: #1 0 #2 50 #3 95 IBM/Epson DMP, 1-up labels: PROMPT ON EACH NAME? N PRINT CONDENSED? N MANUAL FEED LABELS? N SPECIAL CODE MATCH Whatever you want TOP OF PAGE MARGIN 0 LABELS PER ROW 1 LABELS PER PAGE 11 START COLUMNS: #1 2 #2 0 #3 0 - 19 - RECORDS DATABASE ---------------- DESCRIPTION The Records database is used to maintain a list of your important records (like wills, insurance policies, etc...), their locations, and desired review dates. DATA FIELDS RECORD DESCRIPTION: A description of the record CURRENT LOCATION: Where the record is stored ORIGINAL DATE: Date the record was first created REVIEWED DATE: The last date the record was reviewed ENDING DATE: Termination date of the record REVIEW FREQUENCY (wks): How often you wish to review this record NEXT REVIEW: Calculated by the program, this is the REVIEWED DATE + REVIEW FREQUENCY. SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Records database. - 20 - SETUP ----- DESCRIPTION The SETUP command is used to establish the configuration for the Home Manager. In SETUP, you can select program colors and other defaults. DATA FIELDS NORMAL TEXT COLOR: The color (from a list) in which all normal text will appear. Normal text is used in all areas that do not demand the user's attention. BOLD TEXT COLOR: The color (from a list) in which all bold text will appear. Bold text is used in all areas that demand the user's attention. BEEPER ON?: If "Y", the computer's beeper will sound on errors and other places within the program. Set this to "N" if the sound drives you crazy. DATA DRIVE: This is the disk drive letter that your data will reside on. Floppy users must run the Home Manager from one disk and use the other for data. PRINTER: Currently supported printers are the IBM/Epson compatibles, HP Laserjets, and a category called "Other". If you select "Other", you will be prompted to enter a string of digits separated by commas that represent the decimal codes required to turn condensed print mode of your printer on and off. SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands with SETUP. - 21 - TODO LIST DATABASE ------------------ DESCRIPTION The Todo List database is used to schedule future activities or to log past activities. I know that there are many of these programs available (most of them better). I added this database simply because I didn't want the user to "have" to use a variety of other programs to accomplish a complete job of home chores. DATA FIELDS DATE: Shedule date COMMENT: A special comment (like remember a birthday!) 7:00-6:00: A list, by 1/2 hour, of scheduled activities SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Todo List database - 22 - VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DATABASE ---------------------------- DESCRIPTION The Vehicle Maintenance database is used to track expenditures or planned maintenance on your vehicle(s). DATA FIELDS VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: A description of the maintenance done or planned. VEHICLE ID: Some type of identifier for the vehicle. Most useful when tracking maintenance on several different vehicles. WORK COMPLETED ON: Date the work was completed MATERIAL: The source and cost of materials for the work LABOR: The source and cost of the labor for the work TOTAL $: The total of labor and material costs for the work ODOMETER READING: The current mileage on the vehicle when the work was performed SPECIAL COMMANDS There are no special commands in the Vehicle Maintenance database. - 23 - COMMON QUESTIONS ---------------- Q: I get an I/O Error when trying to use some of the databases. A: Make sure that your CONFIG.SYS file has FILE=10 or more. If That is not the problem, then try using the FIXUP command from the MISC command on the affected database(s). Q: When using a 2-floppy system, I can't open a database without getting an error. A: Make sure the data disk is not almost or completely full. If it is, then you will have to use a different disk for your database. - 24 - REGISTRATION FORM ----------------- PROGRAM: Home Manager VERSION: 1.0 Applied Micro Systems Technology 219 N. Franklin, Ames, IA 50010 Name __________________________________________________ Company __________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Phone ( ) _______________________ Donation $_______ ($15 suggested, $35 for full registration) (no cash please) Comments __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ - 25 -