***************************************************************** -> This file introduces PERS-PLAN, explains how to get started etc. It should be read by all first-time users. -> The file has been supplied as an integral part of PERS-PLAN. This is a personal financial planning software package developed as a shareware package for use on a 'try-before-you-buy' basis by Invest-Tech Limited. For contact details, see end of this file. -> To print this file, type "PRINT README.TXT" (Press CTRL+BREAK to quit now) ***************************************************************** WELCOME ======= PERS-PLAN (r3.0) is an easy-to-use software package for preparing a personal/household budget and cashflow projections for twelve months ahead. It enables you to project your income and expenditure and to forecast monthly cashflows and end-month bank and credit card balances. Use PERS-PLAN to plan ahead and save money !!!!!!!! We have offered PERS-PLAN as shareware to encourage users to evaluate and to register it and maybe to also purchase some of our other financial planning software products for preparing financial projections for businesses. PERS-PLAN is NOT free software. It has been supplied on a "try- before-you-buy" basis. If you continue to use PERS-PLAN after a 30-day trial period, you must register with the author, Invest-Tech. In return for registering, you will receive a copy of the latest release of PERS-PLAN with its printing and file options fully enabled, a spiral-bound 90-page manual incorporating tutorial exercises etc. You also gain access to full support etc. Registration only costs 29 pounds (sterling or Irish) or US$44, including p&p (S&H), so it will not break your family's finances. Full registration details are contained in the REGISTER.TXT file. PERS-PLAN is fully protected by copyright. However, the shareware version may be copied in its entirety and without modification for FREE distribution to friends and, subject to the conditions set out in the VENDOR.TXT file, by shareware libraries, BBSs etc. Good luck with PERS-PLAN. Brian Flanagan, Invest-Tech Limited ***************************************************************** FILE CONTENTS/INDEX =================== This file (README.TXT) covers the following topics in separate sections below: A - Details of supplied files, how to copy them etc. B - General introduction PERS-PLAN and related matters C - Guidance on how to run PERS-PLAN D - Explanation of shareware E - User Licence Agreement F - Software revisions ***************************************************************** A - SUPPLIED FILES ================== It is a breach of copyright to change, break-up or interfere with the set of files contained in the ZIP files (PERSPLAN.ZIP) or in any other achive file being used by a shareware library to distribute PERS-PLAN as a complete set of files. If you wish to give a copy of PERS-PLAN to friends etc., you should copy the PERSPLAN.* file in its entirety. For further information about distributing PERS-PLAN, please refer to the Distributor Agreement and Form contained in the VENDOR.TXT file. The text file FILELIST.TXT contains a list of all PERS-PLAN's files with brief descriptions of their functions. If you have obtained a copy of PERS-PLAN from an unknown source, take care that you have not also secured a virus ! Either, run a virus check or secure a copy directly from a reputable source. If using a hard disk or single 3.5" disk, all the supplied files should be kept together on the same disk/subdirectory. Before starting to use PERS-PLAN, we recommend that you review this entire file either on-screen or, preferably, after printing it. It includes brief instructions for loading PERS-PLAN which should enable you to start using the package. Another supplied text file (MANUAL.TXT), explains, in much more detail, how to load and use PERS-PLAN. Because PERS-PLAN is very intuitive and contains very extensive 'on-line' help, you may only need to refer to this file on an occasional basis. However, you may wish to print it at this stage in order to have it readily accessible for future reference, or if you get "stuck", or need detailed guidance on a specific issue. We have also included with PERS-PLAN a text file (MONEY.TXT) which contains dozens of famous (and not so well-known) quotations on the subject of "money". If you feel depressed about your personal finances after using PERS-PLAN, you should have a look at MONEY.TXT. It MIGHT cheer you up !! We welcome further quotations for inclusion in the next release of PERS-PLAN. More seriously, have a look at Section 6.5 within the manual text file (MANUAL.TXT) for some basic ideas on utilising the output from PERS-PLAN to improve your financial planning and/or position. Other text files of note are as follows: PICPRT About the PICprint graph printing utility) READ-1ST Basic information for first-time users REGISTER Details and Form for registration VENDOR Information for shareware libraries, BBSs etc. ENTERASS Detailed guidance on entering assumptions. To print a text file: 1. Make sure your printer is 'on-line' and is supplied with ample paper. 2. Type "PRINT *.TXT" at the drive prompt (e.g C:\PERS>) to which you have installed PERS-PLAN and press the RETURN key in respond to a prompt about the name of devices. Replace the * by the appropriate file name. For example, type "PRINT REGISTER.TXT" to print the supplied file containing the Registration Form. If you are using Windows, you can print the text files using the Notepad or Write accessory. ***************************************************************** B - GENERAL INTRODUCTION ======================== PERS-PLAN is an easy-to-use software package for preparing a personal budget and cashflow projections for twelve months ahead. It can be used to improve the management of your finances by forecasting your income and expenditure. The resulting budget can then be used to improve your financial planning & control and, ultimately, to save yourself money. For a more detailed and formal description of PERS-PLAN, you should refer to the text file called VENDOR.TXT. Based on your estimates and assumptions, PERS-PLAN compiles a detailed and summary budget for twelve months ahead. It also produces reports analysing the budget and detailing all your underlying assumptions on income and expenditure. PERS-PLAN incorporates facilities for graphing key results; overwriting assumptions by actuals; undertaking 'what-if' analysis; and rolling-forward assumptions and projections one month at a time. PERS-PLAN is very suitable for users with limited or no prior experience of computers as well as for more experienced computer users who do not wish to go to the very considerable trouble, or to waste valuable time, developing their own planning system on a spreadsheet. Bear in mind that PERS-PLAN involved hundreds of hours of development and years of "know-how". To run PERS-PLAN you need the following system: * Industry-standard PC with DOS 3.30 or higher and a hard disk, or dual 3.5" or 5.25" drives. * Conventional memory of 640k. * VGA, GCA, mono, Hercules or LCD display (or equivalent). A printer (dot-matrix, ink-jet or laser) is desirable. You can run PERS-PLAN as a DOS program within Windows (use the supplied icon called PERSPLAN.ICO). Please check the READ-1ST.TXT file for latest information. PERS-PLAN complements the very many personal financial packages currently available in the market. Most of these are basically household accounts systems with only very limited budgeting facilities. To our best knowledge, very few of them have any dynamic planning capabilities, similar to PERS-PLAN's. To produce any form of projections with most of these systems, you must first keep historic accounts. For many people, this is a pain in the ...... Most of us are much more interested in projecting our income/expenditure and making ends meet in the FUTURE, rather than in learning about the past ("water under the bridge", "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted" and that sort of thing). Historic data is NOT required to use PERS-PLAN. However, if you do happen to keep household accounts (either manually or computer-based), past data on income and expenditure patterns etc. should help you make more accurate projections for the future. Features -------- PERS-PLAN's features include the following: * Thirteen categories of income (salaries for one or two wage earners, reimbursed work expenses, dividends, rent etc.). * Facilities for handling salary deductions based on absolute amounts and simple percentages as well as different percentages related to bands and thresholds (as for PAYE income tax) specified by the user. PERS-PLAN is not restricted to any particular tax system or currency. * Seventeen main expenditure groups (household, car, accommodation etc.) incorporating over fifty subgroups which can be defined by a user. * Facilities for planning credit card expenditure and payments and for calculating interest on any outstanding balances. * Current and deposit accounts with facilities for calculating interest on the basis of specified interest rates, handling accrued interest and specifying interest payment dates. Help ---- PERS-PLAN is entirely menu-driven and incorporates very comprehensive context-sensitive help facilities. These include extensive menu prompts, error trapping, on-line Help Pages, pop-up Hint & Guidance Windows, annotated variable descriptions and "drill-down" values. A very comprehensive manual is supplied as an accompanying text file (MANUAL.TXT). Specification ------------- Number of reports 13 Number of graphed variables 18 Approximate maximum number of user assumptions 1,100 Approximate total number of built-in formulae 1,700 Registration ------------ The idea behind shareware is to allow a user to evaluate a software package at minimal cost - "try-before-you-buy". PERS-PLAN is NOT FREE software. If you decide that you would like to retain and continue to use PERS-PLAN after a 30-day trial period, you must register with Invest-Tech, the author and copyright holder. In return for registering, a user is licensed to continue using PERS-PLAN on one computer without any time limit and receives a copy of the latest fully-operational version of PERS-PLAN with its 90-page spiral-bound printed manual (incorporating tutorial exercises etc.). You also gain access to full support. If you prefer, you can remotely upgrade this shareware version of PERS-PLAN. Press U (for Upgrade) from PERS-PLAN's Main Menu for details. The Registration Fee is 29 pounds (sterling or Irish) or US$44 including p&p (S&H). Cheques, drafts, international money orders, Eurocheques etc. are all acceptable provided that they are denominated in pounds sterling, US$ or Irish pounds. Payment can also be made by credit card (Visa, Access, MasterCard or Eurocard). See the REGISTER.TXT file for further details and a Registration Form. Invest-Tech Limited ------------------- We are management consultants specialising in financial and business planning software. Formed in 1983, Invest-Tech is a Registered Practice within the Institute of Management Consultants in Ireland. Our banker is Bank of Ireland, Dublin, and our auditors are Deloitte & Touche, Dublin. In addition to PERS-PLAN, our range of financial planning software includes the following commercial products: BANK-PLAN: 12-month cashflow planner for micro- and small- businesses. Runs 'stand-alone' and with similar general structure to PERS-PLAN. Handles debtors, VAT, creditors, expense payments etc. Price: 60 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. Note: These is a shareware version of BANK-PLAN. Look for a file called BANKPLAN.ZIP or contact your friendly shareware library. CASH-PLAN: 4-week + 11-month cashflow planner for small/medium sized businesses, subsidiaries of large companies and corporate cash planning. Runs 'stand-alone' and with similar general structure to PERS-PLAN. More powerful version of BANK-PLAN with additional features and facilities. Price: 115 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. EASI-PLAN: A range of comprehensive and fully-integrated financial planners (P&Ls, cashflows, balance sheets, ratios etc.) covering 12-months plus 8 quarters. To our best knowledge, no other package even remotely offers the same range of features or facilities for business and financial planning. Runs 'stand-alone' with similar general structure to PERS-PLAN. A "MICRO" version for new and very small businesses (with annual sales of up to 250,000 pounds). Price: 55 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. A "LITE" version for new and small businesses (with annual sales of up to 2 million pounds). Price: 91 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. A "PRO" version for larger businesses and/or professional advisers. Price: 175 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. Note: These are shareware versions of EASI-PLAN Micro and Lite. Look for file called EASIPLAM.ZIP or EASIPLAN.ZIP or contact your friendly shareware library. FIN-PLAN: Wide range of comprehensive and fully-integrated financial planners (P&Ls, cashflows, balance sheets, ratios etc.) covering 12-months plus 8/16 quarters. Versions are available to run on Lotus 1-2-3 (any release for DOS or Windows), Symphony & SuperCalc. Extensive menus with numerous features and facilities. Easily expanded by user. Price: 234 pounds (sterling or Irish) including VAT etc. Comprehensive descriptions, specifications and 'demos' are available for each of the foregoing products. Intending purchasers of these products who are registered for VAT in any country (other than Ireland) within the European Union can deduct VAT at 21% from the above prices PROVIDED that they quote their VAT number at the time of ordering. All purchasers from outside the European Union can also deduct the 21% VAT from the above prices but they should add 10% to cover shipping by airmail etc. ****************************************************************** C - HOW TO RUN PERS-PLAN ======================== Refer to Section 3 of the MANUAL.TXT text file for more detailed instructions if you run into any problems. Note that you can run PERS-PLAN as a DOS program within Windows. The following guidelines assume that you have already installed (i.e. copied, unzipped, unarchived, uncompressed etc.) the complete set of PERS-PLAN files onto a hard disk or a 3.5" disk. If PERS-PLAN has been installed onto a hard disk: ------------------------------------------------ a) Get into the sub-directory where you have installed all PERS-PLAN's files. For example, if the sub-directory PERS was used, type "CD PERS" and press RETURN at the DOS prompt. b) Read the READ-1ST.TXT file by typing "TYPE READ-1ST.TXT|MORE" where "|" is the vertical pipe symbol (look for it in the left-hand lower corner of the keyboard). c) For general introductory information, type "GO". If your PC uses a very old type of display, do not select this option - choose d) or e) below. or d) For guidance on the syntax for loading PERS-PLAN etc. type "PP". or e) Type "PP MASTER" to load PERS-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS (Make sure that there is a single space between "PP" and "MASTER"). By following the on-screen Hints and Guidance Notes and by accessing Help Notes and Help Pages, have a go at building your first budget. Good luck ! If you are running PERS-PLAN from a 3.5" drive: ---------------------------------------------- a) Place the disk to which you have installed PERS-PLAN into a drive. If necessary, switch to that drive by typing the drive designation followed by a colon, e.g. "A:" and press RETURN. b) Read the READ-1ST.TXT file by typing "TYPE READ-1ST.TXT|MORE" where "|" is the vertical pipe symbol (look for it in the left-hand lower corner of the keyboard). c) For general introductory information, type "GO". If your PC uses a very old type of display, do not select this option - choose d) or e) below. or d) For guidance on the syntax for loading PERS-PLAN etc. type "PP". or e) Type "PP MASTER" to load PERS-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS (Make sure that there is a single space between "PP" and "MASTER"). By following the on-screen Hints and Guidance Notes and by accessing Help Notes and Help Pages, have a go at building your first budget. Good luck ! **************************************************************** D - WHAT IS SHAREWARE ? ======================= "Shareware" is a method of software distribution designed to give users a chance to test a package before purchase at a very competitive price. Copyright rules apply to shareware and the authors retain all the rights except as indicated in their licence agreements. As you will see from PERS-PLAN, shareware does not signify cheap (in the nasty sense) or poor quality software. Subject to the terms and conditions of our User Licence Agreement (see below) and Distributor Agreement (see VENDOR.TXT), you are free to copy PERS-PLAN for friends etc. provided that no charge is made and recipients are made aware of the need to register as users if they wish to retain the package. As all the supplied files must be copied in their entirety and without modification, we suggest that you only copy the archived file, PERSPLAN.* (with START.BAT) for this purpose. Shareware distributors, bulletin board and commercial on-line system operators are invited to become distributors of PERS-PLAN and to list it for supply or downloading to their customers or users. See the VENDOR.TXT file for further information. ***************************************************************** E - USER LICENCE AGREEMENT ========================== PERS-PLAN is a "shareware" program. IT IS NOT "freeware", "public domain" software etc. You are granted a licence to use PERS-PLAN only under the terms and conditions specified in this Agreement. PERS-PLAN is owned at all times by Invest-Tech and is fully protected by copyright throughout the world. After a free initial 30-day trial period, every user who wishes to continue using PERS-PLAN must make a registration payment to the author, Invest-Tech. If you do not register, you must stop using PERS-PLAN after the trial period. Once registered, PERS-PLAN is licensed for use, without any time restriction, on one computer or at one network node by the registered user. In return for registered, you will receive a copy of the latest fully-operational version of PERS-PLAN with its printed manual. In addition, you gain access to support for PERS-PLAN by mail, phone or fax for three calendar months following confirmation of registration by Invest-Tech. After this period, the provision of support will be at Invest-Tech's discretion. Unregistered copies of PERS-PLAN are unsupported. PERS-PLAN has been supplied strictly on the understanding that the software and all its associated files and documentation will not be translated, repackaged, replicated, dismantled, reverse-engineered or modified in any way. It must not be copied, sold, transferred, lent, rented or leased to any user or third party except under the terms and conditions set out in the accompanying VENDOR.TXT file. If you copy PERS-PLAN for friends to try, you must include all the files contained in PERSPLAN.ZIP or PERSPLAN.EXE. PERS-PLAN must not be sold as "rackware" or used as a promotion or enticement for any commercial venture (including use as a "cover" disk for a periodical) unless prior written approval has been secured from Invest-Tech. PERS-PLAN is supplied strictly on an "as is" basis and without any warranty either expressed or implied as to merchantability, performance, or fitness for any purpose. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program. Every user is advised to always test and check the output thoroughly before relying on its results or contents. Invest-Tech accepts no responsibility and no liability whatsoever for any defects, errors or incidental or consequential losses or damages associated either directly or indirectly with its usage. Distribution and/or use of PERS-PLAN signifies acceptance of these terms and conditions. Violators of the copyright terms of this agreement may be prosecuted. Details of volume discounts, site licences and bundling prices for PERS-PLAN can be obtained by contacting Invest-Tech. To register, use the Registration Form contained in the supplied file (REGISTER.TXT). ***************************************************************** F - SOFTWARE REVISIONS ====================== r3.0 20th-June-1995 --------------------- First shareware release of PERS-PLAN. ***************************************************************** PERS-PLAN (c) Copyright Invest-Tech Limited 1992-95 All Rights Reserved Invest-Tech Limited 27 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Irish Tel: 01-283 4083 UK Tel: 01232-315454 (Call 9 to 9 weekdays and 10 to 6 weekends - GMT/BST) Fax: 278 2391 Fax codes: Irish:01- UK:00-353-1- Inter'l:+353-1- CompuServe: 100606,2665 Internet: 100606.2665@compuserve.com ***************************************************************** To print this file, type "PRINT README.TXT" *** End of README.TXT file ***