Welcome to Exchange
 Exchange's Help File [shareware version]

This Help File and Exchange are Copyright Shawn Kresal © 1994-1995 All Rights Reserved.

  Contacting the Author	Warranty Information	Distribution Policy

Installing and Running Exchange

Which files do I need to run Exchange?

How do I install Exchange on my computer?

Common questions/problems and their answers

More on Exchange

All about registering

Accuracy of Exchange

Where can I get current exchange rates?

Where can I get the latest version of Exchange?


 Which files do I need to run Exchange?

Exchange will usually come to you in the form of a compressed ZIP file. It must contain

ALL of the files listed below in order to be installed properly.  If it does NOT contain one

or more of these files then you have an incomplete copy.  Click here for information on

how and where to get a complete, up-to-date copy.

-  CMDIALOG.VB_	Provides standard dialog boxes/Help file integrater

-  COMMDLG.DL_	Library for standard dialog boxes

-  CTL3D	.DL_	3D message box library

-  EXCHANGE	.EX_	The program itself

-  ORDERFRM.WR_	Order form

-  README	.HLP	The file you're currently using

-  README	.TXT	ASCII text version of this file

-  SETUP	.EXE	Installation program

-  SPIN	.VB_	3D control library file

-  THREED	.VB_	Beveled 3D effects library file

-  VER	.DL_	Necessary windows system file

NOTE:  You must have VBRUN300.DLL to install and run Exchange.


How do I install Exchange on my computer?
How do I install Exchange?

1) Run Windows

2) Start File Manager

3) While running File Manager, double click on the file SETUP.EXE that came

with this set of files.  The other files that came bundled with this file must be

found in the same directory as SETUP.EXE for the installation to succeed.

  	That's all there is to it!  The rest is done for you automatically.

NOTE:  You must have VBRUN300.DLL to install and run Exchange.


 What do I get for registering?

Registering through CompuServe	Print Out Order Form

If you find this program to be worthwhile or beneficial, please support the author's efforts by registering.  Your support is the only means that the shareware author has for continuing to bring you quality software.

By registering Exchange you will receive:

  Complete custom currency options

  Ability to print out a hard copy report of exchange rates

  Full 60 day upgrade protection

  Removal of the opening "About" screen

  All up-to-date exchange rates pre-loaded

  The latest version of Exchange

Please send your check or money order to:	Shawn Kresal

                                                                          	P.O. Box 25834

Fresno, CA 93729

The registration fee is $15.00 plus $1.50 for shipping and handling. Orders outside the continental US please add an additional $3.00.  Payments must be made in US Dollars. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery; slightly longer if paying by personal check.


Warranty Information
No Warranty

BY USING, OR ATTEMPTING TO USE THE PROGRAM EXCHANGE,

YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

THE USE OF THE PROGRAM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. EXCHANGE

IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,

EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED

TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FIT-

NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  SHOULD EXCHANGE PROVE

DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY REPAIR

OR CORRECTION.

IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,

INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST MONIES, ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR

MENTAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH, OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE, OR INABILITY

TO USE THE PROGRAM.

THE PERSON USING THIS SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE

QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.


 Contacting the Author

   Comments, questions, bug reports?

You can register Exchange with the author at the US Postal address

below or on CompuServe.

Please send bug reports to either e-mail address that follows.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.  Many of

Exchange's users have given their feedback to the author

only to have their ideas turned into features in future versions.

Your voice counts!

CompuServe e-mail: 	72066,1750

Internet e-mail: 	shawn@satyrs.csufresno.edu

or

72066.1750@compuserve.com

US mail:	Shawn Kresal

P.O. Box 25834

Fresno, CA 93729


 VBRUN300.DLL

(Microsoft's Visual Basic 3.0 Run Time Dynamic Linked Library)

To run Exchange and it's installation program, you must have the file VBRUN300.DLL.

HOW TO OBTAIN

This file is readily obtained from CompuServe (GO WINSHAR), the Internet, America

Online, and most any BBS from around the globe.  If you have access to the World

Wide Web, you can get VBRUN300.DLL from the author's home page.

WHERE TO INSTALL

VBRUN300.DLL must be in your 'path'  (see your MS-DOS manual for more

about your path) or, better yet, in your windows\system directory.  Look in this

directory if you are not sure whether or not you have VBRUN300.DLL.

OTHER VERSIONS

Note that VBRUN100.DLL and VBRUN200.DLL are not substitutes for VBRUN300.DLL.


Where can I get current exchange rates?

The finance or business section of any major Newspaper is one

of the best places to look for current exchange rates.

With your computer and a modem, you can also get exchange

rates from any of these fine establishments:

America Online

CompuServe

Internet


Internet Exchange Rates
 Exchange Rates via the Internet

There are many places you can get exchange rates from on the internet.

The Holt Report is the recommended source of Information.  Here are

a few examples from each of it's most popular Internet routes.

usenet	misc.invest  (posted daily)

gopher	wuecon.wustl.edu

/Washington Univ Econ Gopher/Holt's Stock Market Reports

ftp	wuecon.wustl.edu

/gd/holt

(look for holt.[mmddyr] as in holt.122594 for the Dec 25, 94 report)

www	gopher://una.hh.lib.umich.edu/00/ebb/monetary/tenfx.frb

                                      	or

the author's www home page

Since the internet is in a constant state of flux, these addresses could change at any time without warning.  If you find a better place to acquire exchange rates, please email the author so that your great discovery can be noted in future versions.


CompuServe Exchange Rates
Exchange Rates via CompuServe

Of the basic services, the Wall Street section of the Associated

Press Online (GO APO) is one of the best ways to get dozens

of current exchange rates.  Look for an article titled "New York

Foreign Exchange".  It is generally posted around Wednesday.

Continuously updated up-to-the-minute quotes are available in the

Global Reports service (GO GLOREP).

Quotes on over 150 currencies are available on a next day basis

in the historical quote databases (GO PRICES, GO QSHEET,

or GO MQDATA).  You can GO INDICATORS to search for

the ticker symbols to use in these services.

Many of these areas are surcharged, GO RATES for complete details.


America Online Exchange Rates
Exchange Rates via AOL

On America Online, you can get a wealth of exchange rates by

accessing keyword TRAVELER.  Look for the entry titled

Currency Exchange Rates.   Rates are updated every

Thursday.


Latest Version of Exchange

You can always acquire the very latest version of Exchange from

CompuServe or from the author's home page on the World Wide Web.

On CompuServe:  	Windows Shareware Forum (GO WINSHAR)

LIBRARY 10 - General Win Apps

Search by keywords EXCHANGE and RATES

On WWW:	Author's Home Page


 Author's WWW home page

The author's home page contains such things as:

The latest shareware version of Exchange.

Exchange rates updated daily at noon EST.

VBRUN300.DLL online and ready to download.

Great links to travel sites!

Much, much, more!

Just point your web browser towards:

http://osiris.csufresno.edu/Personal/CSci/Students/Shawn_Kresal/Home.html


Registering through CompuServe

If you are a member of CompuServe, you can register Exchange online.  This is the fastest and easiet method of registering. Your registered program will be emailed to you within three working days.

How to Register Exchange through CompuServe:

1.  Use the Shareware Registration Forum (GO SWREG).

2. Designate in what section of the world you reside.

3. Choose option number 2 "Register Shareware".  The "Search

Database by" screen will then be presented to you.

4. Choose the first option: "Registration ID".  Exchange's registration ID is 4343.

After you do this, CompuServe will immediately email the author with a notification of your registration. The registered version of Exchange will then be e-mailed to your CompuServe address where you can quickly and conveniently download it to your computer.

The cost for registering on CompuServe is US$15

and there are no shipping and handling charges.

Please do not hesitate to contact the author if you have any questions or problems regarding this procedure.


Accuracy of Exchange

Entering Rates

When you enter an exchange rate for a currency, it is accurate to 4 decimal places.  Any values entered beyond 4 decimal places will be rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth of a unit.  The values you enter will always be accurate to +/- 0.0001.  For example, the value 0.1234 is a completely valid rate where no adjustments are necessary because the value only extends for 4 decimal places.  However, entering 0.12345 would cause the entered rate to be rounded up, resulting in the adjusted value of 0.1235 being saved as the exchange rate.  Moreoever, entering 0.12343 would cause the entered rate to be rounded down to 0.1234.

Reading Rates

Exchange's main screen (the "output" screen) shows equivalent money values accurate to 4 decimal places.  If a calculated value goes beyong 4 decimal places, the result is rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth.   For example, if a calculated equivalent value was 1.23456, this value would be rounded up to 1.2346.  Likewise, if the amount calculated were 6.54321, it would be rounded down to 6.5432.

Verification

Exchange's calculation algorithms have been verified with Excel and  Quattro Pro on an Intel 80386 processor.  My TI pocket calculator and my Ticonderoga #2 then verified the values generated by the spreadsheets.


Shareware
 What is 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 in detail -- 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 programmers, and the programs are of comparable quality. 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.


Print Out Orderform
 Print Order Form

To print out this order form, click on the print button.

            * * *  R e g i s t r a t i o n    F o r m    F o r   E X C H A N G E    * * *

Please send a check or money order to:

                                                                       Shawn Kresal

                                                                       PO Box 25834

                                                                       Fresno, CA 93729

Name _________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________

City ________________  State ____________   Zip Code _______________

E-Mail Address  _________________________________________________

Please check your preferred disk size:       _______  3½"       _______  5¼" HD

How did you acquire this program? (please check one)

________ CompuServe   ________ Internet   ________ AOL    ______ CD-ROM

________ Local BBS   ________ Software Distributor   ________ Other

                 Number of Copies of  Exchange:   _______ @ $15.00 each =	$ _________

                                                        Shipping and Handling	$ ___1.50___

                                         Orders outside of continental U.S. please

                                         add an additional $3 for postage and handling	$ _________

                                                                                                      Total	$ _________

Thank you for your order.

Please include a check or money order payable in US dollars for the amount shown on the "Total" line above. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery; slightly longer if paying by personal check; significantly longer if paying with rubles ;-).


 Upgrade Protection

If a major release* of Exchange is released within 60 days of your registration, you will receive the upgrade for the new version completely free of charge.  No cost.  No postage and handling fees.  Absolutely Free!

You need not take any action, it will be mailed to you automatically.

*A major release is defined as any 0.5 or greater upgrade over the current version.

Ie, if you register version 2.0 and version 2.5 or greater is shipped out within 60 days,

you will receive that newer version free.


 Options

Change Calculator Path

You can substitute any program to execute instead of the default Windows calculator applet when you click on Run°Calculator. Simply click Options then Change Calculator Path.   You will be presented with a path-type dialog box for you to select your new calculator of choice.  Find the program you want, then click Ok.

Now when you click the Run°Calculator menu option from Exchange's main screen, your calculator-of-choice will execute.

Welcome Screen Status Option

To see what Exchange is doing when it is loading, turn On the Show Loading Status At Welcome.  Turning this option on will not slow down the loading of Exchange.


 Distribution Policy

This version of Exchange is shareware and may be copied and distributed freely

for non-commercial use (BBS's, online services, and catalog vendors included)

as long as all the files are included and no part of any file is changed.

Distribution via Catalogs: Catalog vendors are automatically granted a

license to distribute Exchange via their catalog provided they agree to abide

by the following terms:

a) A copy of the first catalog or listing advertising the distribution of

Exchange will be sent to the author.

b) Updated versions of Exchange sent to the distributor will be reflected in

what is distributed and advertised in the catalog or listing as

soon as possible.

c) Problems or complaints about Exchange will be reported to the author.


Rates Screen

Click on the object you'd like to have help on.


Relative Currency

The currency that you are entering your rates in as is termed as your

relative currency. In other words, if your newspaper or exchange rate

provider gives all exchange rates relative to the US Dollar (as in: US$1 = £0.64,

US$1 =  86.7¥), then you would use the US Dollar as your relative currency.

NOTE: repetitive switching between relative currencies can cause an

averaging effect on your data.  Whenever you select a new relative currency

Exchange goes through a lengthy division and multiplication process to recalculate

all the other exchange rates.  You should not need to change the relative currency

more than once.


Copy Exchange Rates

Click this button to copy all currency names and their exchange rates

to the clipboard.  This will enable you to easily paste the data from

Exchange into your Windows-based spreadsheet like Microsoft Excel.


Reset Rates

Clicking this button will cause Exchange to reset all currency values to their original values stored that are stored internally in Exchange.  You will be asked for confirmation

before this action takes place. You cannot undo this action.


Rate Input

Enter your exchange rates in this input box. Enter the amount of the

chosen currency that is equal to one unit of your relative currency.

Read across the screen like in an equation:

 1 [relative currency] = [enter your value here] [chosen currency]

As in:

 1 US Dollar = 0.67 British Pounds

NOTE: Exchange will not allow any change to the rate between

the relative currency and itself. In other words, you cannot

make 1 US Dollar = 0.75 US Dollars.


Date Stamp

Click this button to see the last date

that exchange rates were entered.


Problems
 Common Questions and Problems

You can always email the author with your comments and questions about Exchange.

Q:	I'm trying to install Exchange but I keep getting the error

message "Cannot find file or one of it's components."

What can I do?

A:	You need VBRUN300.DLL.

Q:	The output boxes on the main screen are too small.

My numbers are getting cramped in them. Is this a bug?

A:	This is not a bug.  It's a feature.  Drag the left or right edge

of Exchange's main window and the output boxes will resize

themselves accordingly.

Q:	I want to register Exchange from my own country.

Q:	I want to avoid the added expense of getting an overseas

money order.

Q:	I want to elliminate the expensive shipping and handling charges

to my country.

A:	Register Exchange on CompuServe. Here's how.