Copyright: Copyright Shawn Kresal 1994-96 All Rights Reserved


Welcome to Exchange
 Exchange Help File [shareware version]

  Contacting the Author	Warranty Information	Distribution Policy

  How to Use Exchange

  Installing Exchange

  How to Register

  Common questions/problems and their answers

  Where can I get current exchange rates?

This Help File and Exchange are Copyright Shawn Kresal © 1994-1996 All Rights Reserved.


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

1) Start windows.

2) Run your file manager.

3) Select the appropriate drive/directory that you are installing from.

4) You will see a window similar to the one below.  From the list of files

     on the right, double-click on "setup.exe" .

5) Follow the installation prompts.

If you have problems installing, click here.

VBRUN300.DLL must be present on your computer to install and run Exchange.


 How to Register

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.

What do I get for registering?

The registration fee for Exchange is $27.00 plus $1.50 for shipping and handling. Orders outside the continental US please add an additional $1.50.  Payments must be made in US Dollars. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery; slightly longer if paying by personal check.

  •  How to register through CompuServe

  •  Placing a credit card order

  •  Registering through standard mail

  •  How to get your FREE registered version


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 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 for future versions.

Your voice counts!

CompuServe e-mail: 	72066,1750

Internet e-mail: 	72066.1750@compuserve.com

US mail:	Shawn Kresal

P.O. Box 25834

Fresno, CA 93729-5834

(this address is guaranteed good

until at least December 1996)


 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 to acquire exchange rates on the internet.

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

a few examples from each of the 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

Exchange will update your exchange rates for you automatically

through CompuServe. However, if you'd like to verify the rates

for yourself, look in these areas.

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 on or about

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:  	Travel Software SupportForum

(GO TSSFORUM)

Exchange software section

On the Web:	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 to:

http://osiris.csufresno.edu/~shawn/exchange.html


 Registering through CompuServe

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

CompuServe members can register Exchange right online.Your registered

version will be e-mailed to you within three working days and the bill will be

appended on to your normal monthly charges.

The cost for registering Exchange through CompuServe is $27.00

and all shipping and handling charges are waived!

  How to Register Exchange through CompuServe:

Step 1:	Go to the Shareware Registration Forum (GO SWREG).

Step 2:	Find Exchange by it's registration ID # 4343.

Step 3:	Register!

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


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.  Moreover, 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:

(this address is guaranteed until December 1996, after which time you should register

Exchange with another method, or download the newest versionto find the current address)

                                                                       Shawn Kresal

                                                                       PO Box 25834

                                                                       Fresno, CA 93729-5834

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:_______ @ $27.00 each =	$ _________

Shipping and Handling	$ ___1.50___

Orders outside of continental U.S.

please add an additional $1.50

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. For example,

if you register version 3.0 and version 3.5 or greater is shipped out within 60 days, you will

receive that newer version free.


 Options

File Paths

Formatting

Default Values

Prompting


 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

Relative Currency

Print Report

Reset Rates

Copy Rates

Rate Input


Relative Currency

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

Relative Currency. For example, 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.

Please note that repetitive switching between Relative Currencies can

cause an averaging effect on your rates.  Whenever you select a new

Relative Currency, Exchange goes through a lengthy process of division

and multiplication to recalculate all the other exchange rates. By the nature

of the math that is used, some element of error will be introduced.

Do not change the relative currency unless you are sure of the change

you are making. Under normal circumstances, you should not need to

change the Relative Currency more than once.

If you plan to always update your exchange rates using Exchange's

CompuServe connection, you should set the Relative Currency to the

US Dollar.


Copy Exchange Rates

Click this button to copy all currency names and

their exchange rates to the clipboard in a tab

delimited format. This will enable you to easily

paste the data from Exchange into your favorite

spreadsheet or database application.

The format looks something like this:


Reset Rates

Clicking this button will cause Exchange to reset all currency values to their original values 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.

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

between the relative currency and itself. For example, you cannot make 1 US Dollar = 0.75 US Dollars.

The acceptable range for values is 0 to 50,000.


Problems
 Common Questions and Problems

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

Exchange will not properly connect to CompuServe.

I cannot get Exchange to install properly.

What is the Relative Currency?

How accurate is Exchange?

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

The output boxes on the main screen are too small.

How can I avoid the expense of getting an overseas money order?

Can I get the source code for Exchange?

Where can I get the latest shareware version of Exchange?


Thanks to...
 Special Thanks to...

•	A heartfelt thanks to all the beta testers who spent so many of their precious hours putting Exchange through the paces (and emailing me constantly!): Ed Z (since version 1.0!), Jan, Dave "Brainstorm" Horne, Mark Males, John Mulroy, Richard "Wordsmith" Carter, Mark Petersmeyer, et al.

•	As always I extend thanks to my good friend and VB guru Hannes Thor Leifsson for his thorough testing, good-natured criticism, and copious praise of interface design.

•	Usenet's comp.lang.basic.visual.misc newsgroup also deserves a hearty round of applause for their tips, tricks, snippets, and wonderfully helpful FAQ (great job Jan!).

•	Thank you CompuServe, PC Plus Magazine, MasterCard, and Ziff-Davis for giving Exchange a little added exposure and for being so helpful.

•	The biggest thanks of all goes to all the people who support Exchange and the shareware concept.  Without you, this project would not have been worth all the time and effort.

•	Thank you Karen and Elizabeth for getting me interested in travel in the first place.


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

A:	You need VBRUN300.DLL.


Output boxes

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.


elliminate the shipping and handling charges
Elliminate the shipping and handling charges.

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


avoid the expense
Avoid the Expense of Money Orders

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


modified version of Exchange
 Source Code for Exchange

The source code is made available to other developers

on a limited, contractual basis.

Exchange was written in Microsoft's Visual Basic 3.0.

To a large extent, the code was written to conform to

the Microsoft Coding Standards and Guidelines. It uses

numerous third-party VBXs that the author is not legally

authorized to re-distribute.

Contact the author for more information.


  Ordering by Credit Card

MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover orders for Exchange must be

placed through PsL (Public Software Library), a credit card order taking service.

To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the day of your order

and we will ship the product directly to you.

You can reach PsL by:

Telephone: 1-800-242-4PsL (4775) or 1-713-524-6394

Important info about these numbers! Please read.

Be sure to tell the operator you are ordering: Exchange, Item# 14402

 	FAX at 1-713-524-6398	Click here to see or print the FAX order form.


TSSFORUM

CompuServe members can download special goodies and add-ins

for Exchange from the Travel Software Support Forum. Just GO TSSFORUM

and check out the Exchange file and message sections.

Hope to see you there!


Installation Problems

1.	If you are having problems installing Exchange, you should first try closing

all of your Windows programs that may be running, then try installing again.

2.	If that does not work, try the following procedure:

•	Open a Run Dialog Box

Win 3.1 - Program Manager, File, Run...

Win 95 - Start Buton, Run...

•	Run the Exchange Setup program with a "/local" option as in the figure

below. This will force the setup program to install all the Exchange files

into the installation directory that you specify inside the setup program.


What do I get for registering?

By registering Exchange you will receive:

  Complete custom currency options

  Full 60 day upgrade protection

  Removal of the opening "About" screen

  All up-to-date exchange rates pre-loaded

  The latest version of Exchange


 Registering through Standard Mail

The registration fee for Exchange is $27.00 plus $1.50 for shipping and handling. Orders outside the continental US please add an additional $1.50.  Payments must be made in US Dollars. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery; slightly longer if paying by personal check.

Please send your check or money order to:

Shawn Kresal	(this address is guaranteed good

P.O. Box 25834	until at least December 1996)

Fresno, CA 93729-5834

 Click here to view or print the order form.


Problems Connecting

Please note that although this feature of Exchange has been tested as thoroughly as possible, there are some configurations that Exchange has problems with.  Since there are an infinite number of modem and computer combinations, not every one can be tried and tested.

If you have problems connecting, try these suggestions (listed in order of likelihood as to the cause of the problem):

•	Use scripting to login to CompuServe. This can be enabled by selecting the "Use scripting to login" checkbox on the screen where you choose what rates you want to download. Scripting does not work for everyone, but it works more often than the non-scripting method, occassionally non-scripting will work better for some than others.

•	Decrease the baud rate, a slower speed may mean a more stable connection. Click here for more about time and costs online.

•	Increase the timeout to the maximum value, some CompuServe nodes take more than a minute to connect. When in doubt, use the maximum.

•	Re-enter your CompuServe ID and password and verify that the modem settings are correct. It is quite common to mistake COM1 for COM2 and vice versa.

•	Close any other applications that you may have running, especially ones that may use your modem.

•	Select only one popular currency to download as a test.


Print Report

Click this button to print an exchange rate report.

The report is date/time stamped, shows the name

of all currencies and their values.


 Connect Screen

CompuServe settings

Remember Password

Modem settings

Scripting

Log Files

Auto-configure

Selecting rates to update

Online costs

Click here if you are having problems connecting.


Online costs

As of January 1996, there were no surcharges incurred while

updating exchange rates through CompuServe. However any

connect-time charges still apply.

The average time online to update all currencies, at 2400 baud

was less than two minutes.  At $2.95 per hour, two minutes would

cost about 10 cents.


CompuServe settings

Access number	the telephone number to dial

User ID	Valid CompuServe user ID

Password	Password for the above user ID

Auto-configure	Attempts to configure the above items

by reading your WinCIM initialization files.


Modem settings

Baud	the maximum speed your modem

can send and receive data

Port	the communications port that your

modem is using

Time-Out	maximum time to wait until the

connection is aborted


Selecting rates to update

Not all rates are available through CompuServe. Any user-defined

rates or commodities are examples.

The relative Currency cannot be updated because it's value is always

equal to one. For example, it makes no sense to try and update the

exchange rate to find out how many US Dollars are equal to one US

Dollar.  The value is always one.


   How to Use Exchange

Exchange is an easy-to-use currency converter. It is designed to be very intuitive and to take as little time as possible to "learn".

•	First select which currency you'd like to convert into other currencies.  This main currency we will call our Base Currency. It is selected from the top-left portion of the main screen in the box labeled "Base Currency".

•	The text box just below the Base Currency selecter is where you may enter the value you'd like to be converting. You can use your keyboard to type in the value or you can use your mouse to "scroll" to the value by clicking on the up/down buttons. Negative values are not allowed.

•	On the right side of the screen you will notice a column of flags. These flags and their associated output boxes show the amount that your Base Currency is worth in that particular country. To replace a currency with a different one you can right-click on the country's flag and select "Edit".

There are many more features to Exchange, don't be afraid to experiment. Go ahead and find out what your money's worth all over the world!


Prompting

This option lets you choose whether or not you'd like Exchange

to remind you when your rates need to be updated.


Default Values

This option allows you to choose what value you want Exchange to

start with in it's main input box.


Formatting

This option allows you to specify the formatting of the numbers on

the readout panels on the main screen.

Show trailing zeros will always fill the values to 4 decimal

places.

Show leading zero will always display a zero in front of the

decimal place if the value in the panel is less than one.


File Paths

Selecting a new Calculator

You can substitute any program to execute instead of the default Windows calculator applet when you click on Run°Calculator. Simply click Options on the main menubar, then select the File Path tab.   Click the button labeled "..." and find the program you want to use as your calculator.  Click Ok.

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

Selecting a User-Defined Program

You can substitute any program to execute on Run°User-Defined. Simply click Options on the main menubar, then select the File Path tab.   Click the button labeled "..." and find the program you want, then click Ok.

Now when you click the Run°User-Defined menu item from Exchange's main screen, your program-of-choice will execute.

Here are few ideas from some of Exchange's users:

•	Microsoft Excel or other Windows-based spreadsheet

•	CompuServe WinCIM

•	Microsoft Acces or other Window-based database

•	Microsoft Works


A Note About These Numbers

THE AUTHOR OF EXCHANGE CANNOT BE REACHED AT

THESE NUMBERS.  THESE NUMBERS ARE ONLY FOR

PLACING CREDIT CARD ORDERS THROUGH PsL.

Any questions about the status of the shipment of an order,

refunds, registration options, product details, technical support,

volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc., must be

directed to the author.

Thank you.


 CompuServe membership

You can become a member of CompuServe by calling one

of their representatives at 1-800-487-4838.

Please note that Exchange and it's author are not in

any way affiliated with CompuServe or H&R Block.


FAX Order Form
 FAX Order Form  (click "Print" to print this form out now):

FAX this Order Form to: 1-713-524-6398

PsL requires the following information:

Credit Card [ ] MasterCard [ ] VISA [ ] AMEX [ ] Discover

Product Registering:	Exchange, Item # 14402

Credit Card Number:	_____________________________________

Expiration Date:	_____________________________________

Name On Card:	_____________________________________

Billing Address:	_____________________________________

              	_____________________________________

              	_____________________________________

The registration fee for Exchange is $27.00 plus $1.50 for shipping and handling. Orders outside the continental US please add an additional $1.50. All monies referred to are in US Dollars.


Scripting

What is scripting?

Exchange can use what is called scripting to login and retrieve rates

from CompuServe. This method is a 'listen and respond' strategy for

communicating with the online service. Exchange waits until a line of

text is sent from CompuServe, then it responds accordingly.

Scripting was developed for Exchange because the non-scripting

method was not reliable for all users.

How To Enable Scripting

You can tell Exchange to use scripting to login by selecting the

checkbox titled "Use scripting to login" from the Connect screen.

More about Scripting

Scripting does not take any longer, or access a different service.

It is just a different method of acquiring exchange rates.

•	If you need to use pulse dialing, you must use the scripting method to login.

•	If you want to control the modem volume, you must use the scripting method to login.


Auto-configure

Clicking Auto-Configure will have Exchange read your

CompuServe WinCIM initialization files to determine what

user ID and modem parameters should be used. For security

reasons, Exchange will NOT attempt to read your password.


Password
Remembering the User Password

Selecting this option will encrypt and save your password

to Exchange's INI file. You should protect this file as you

would your password.

Although Exchange's method of encryption is relatively

secure, all methods can be broken given enough time.

You should use this option with caution.


Log File

A log file is a character-for-character transcript of exactly

what was transmitted between your modem and CompuServe.

When this option is active, a new log file will be created every

time Exchange attempts to connect and get rates. If the log

file already exists, it will be over written with the current session's

log.

If you are having problems connecting to CompuServe, the log file

is the best tool for determining where the problem lies.


Free Registered Version

Send us any magazine that mentions Exchange!

If you are the first person to send us any magazine or newspaper

that mentions Exchange, we'll express our gratitude by sending

you the complete, registered version absolutely free! No shipping

or handling charges, no hidden costs, FREE!  Click here for our

address.

The magazine isn't in English? We don't care. The more exotic,

the better!

You may wish to e-mail the author first to find out if anyone has

sent in the issue you are submitting.

We must receive the periodical in its entirety. No clippings or

photocopies please.

"Exchange" refers to this currency conversion software only.