------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE GROCERY CONSUMER 3.11 Food-for-Thought Software © 1994-1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IMPORTANT: After installation, please refer to the on-line Windows Help from within GC (see Help... Contents...) for details on how to use this software. When you register this software (see Help... Register...), you will receive the latest version on diskette, a printed and bound user manual, a registration code, priority technical support, free upgrades to future versions, and more. This document includes information on: HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FILES REQUIRED INSTALLATION TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS SHAREWARE CONCEPT ARCHIVE PACKAGE OVERVIEW OF THE GROCERY CONSUMER REGISTRATION INFORMATION HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Windows 3.1+ VGA/SVGA monitor video driver any VGA (640x480) or SVGA (800x600,1024x768) driver (64K colors is recommended, but not necessary) (do not use GC with any type of zoom fonts utility) mouse recommended, but not necessary printer recommended, but not necessary hard drive requires about 1.5 MB disk space for GC files plus average of 2.7K disk space per recipe (e.g., 3MB per 1000, 30MB per 10,000) RAM 160K RAM for GC program plus 0.2K per recipe (e.g., 200K RAM per 1000, 2MB RAM per 10,000) PKUNZIP.EXE file decompression program (PKWARE) to unzip GC cookbooks PKZIP.EXE file compression program (PKWARE) - see free sources below used by GC to zip GC cookbooks for exchange with others VBRUN300.DLL Visual Basic runtime library - see free sources listed below text editor Windows Notepad or another text editor GC311.ZIP Grocery Consumer program archive SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FILES REQUIRED: vbrun300.dll (run-time library for Visual Basic 3.0) internet anonymous FTP to ftp.coast.net (vbrun300.zip in /SimTel/win3/dll) BBS The Fox's Lair BBS at (423) 922-4679 (look for vbrun300.zip) Microsoft Microsoft Download Service at (206) 936-6735 (look for vbrun300.dll) pkz204g.exe (self-extracting archive containing pkzip.exe, pkunzip.exe) internet anonymous FTP to ftp.coast.net (look for pkz204g.exe in SimTel's directory /SimTel/msdos/zip) BBS The Fox's Lair BBS at (423) 922-4679 (look for pkz204g.exe) any local BBS, usually in File Area called Archivers or Compression you can download both from The Grocery Consumer WWW Page at http://www.intergate.net/chtml/ghauser/gcinfo.html INSTALLATION: WARNING!!! : If you have a previous version of GC on your system, DO NOT select its directory as the installation path; use a new directory. Otherwise, you will OVERWRITE your personalized recipe database and other important files with the sample ones that come with the GC archive! Step 1. Make sure PKZIP.EXE and PKUNZIP.EXE are in your DOS path. "In your DOS path" means it is included in the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. GC will run without these but GC will not be able to create .ZIP files for you when you Zip Cookbooks. You can optionally specify the path to these files from within GC. For example, if your PATH statement looks like this: path=c:\dos; and pkzip.exe and pkunzip.exe are in your c:\utils directory, make your PATH statement look like this: path=c:\dos;c:\utils; To create a utilities directory like that referred to above, enter: cd\ mkdir utils Step 2. Make sure VBRUN300.DLL is in your \windows\system directory. The Grocery Consumer will not execute without it. Verify this using the following commands from a DOS prompt: cd\ dir /s vbrun300.dll or from the Windows File Manager, click on c:\ then select File... Search... and enter vbrun300.dll in the text box. Press OK to perform the search. Step 3. Install the Grocery Consumer Make sure ALL other applications are closed, especially Visual Basic applications. Double-click setup.exe in the list of files that were unzipped. This will run the Setup program that will install The Grocery Consumer on your hard drive under c:\gc311 unless you select another location during the install. WARNING: DO NOT select a previous GC directory as your install path! If you want to do this, rename the old directory first. Example: You want to install gc311 into a directory that is named \gc311. First rename the existing directory (use File... Rename... in the File Manager) to \gc311old and then install GC into \gc311 to avoid installing over the old one. Step 4. Before you run GC (---IMPORTANT---): Make sure your PC's date and time are set correctly (use DATE and TIME commands in DOS, or use Control Panel... Date/Time... dialog box to set these) If you are upgrading from any 2.xx version of GC, you must run GC2XTO3X.EXE to convert your existing recipe file, category index, and menu file to GC v3.xx format. This will create these files in v3.xx format in your previous (v2.xx) directory. You will then need to use GC v3.xx File... Upgrade... procedure when you first run GC as follows. Step 5. When you run GC for the first time (dbl-click the GC icon): If you are a registered user of a previous GC version: ------------------------------------------------------ Once GC is running, use File...Upgrade... to upgrade user files and your registration key from the previous GC directory. If the version you used previously was 3.06 or earlier, make sure you check the box to upgrade your coupon list when you do File... Upgrade... (next step). There was a format change in the coupon list for v3.07 and higher. If you are NOT a registered user of a previous GC version: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Register the new version, enter the registration code using Help... Register... Reg. Info button. Then run File... Upgrade... to upgrade user files from your old GC directory to the new one. NOTE: If you wish to continue adding to your recipe database as you upgrade but you aren't a registered user, you may contact Gary Hauser via BBS message or internet email. I will tell you how to do this if your need is legitimate and you intend to register in the near future. IMPORTANT : WARNING: Do not attempt to use a registered key or code that does not belong to you, or data loss could result. Do not attempt to edit the gc.key file or alter it in any way, or data loss could result. Step 6. You are DONE! Begin using The Grocery Consumer to manage your grocery activities. PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS: Read the detailed on-line Help (Help... Contents...) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the GC WWW Page (see URL below). You can also contact Gary Hauser (GC author) for technical support by any of the following means (I prefer internet email): email: ghauser@usit.net FAX: (423) 922-5768 omment to Sysop: The Fox's Lair BBS at (423) 922-4679 phone: (423) 922-4294 or 922-7722 If you need to contact me about a problem you are having, please include as much of this information as possible: - What type of PC are you running? - What version of Windows are you running? - What version of GC are you attempting to install/run? - Where did you obtain the GC archive you are using? - Have you been running a previous version of GC? Which one? - What is the exact name of the archive you are using? (gc311.zip, gc311r1.zip, gc311.zip, etc) - What is the EXACT wording of the message you obtained? - What steps had you taken prior to the message? (be explicit) ================ IMPORTANT!!! See GROCERY CONSUMER WWW Page ================= Latest GC version, all external files, tech support, FAQ on internet WWW at: http://www.intergate.net/chtml/ghauser/gcinfo.html This WWW page is also a source of several thousand Meal Master (tm) recipes that you can convert as you import them into GC cookbooks. ============================================================================= SHAREWARE CONCEPT: This software is SHAREWARE. SHAREWARE is licensed software that you can try for free before you buy. If you like GC and wish to continue using it, you register it. See the ordering information below or GC's on-line help (Help... Register... ) on how to order by direct mail from the author or with a credit card. This SHAREWARE program is distributed with the concept that if you find it useful and continue to use it beyond a 60-day free trial period, you must send in the registration fee. See the file REGISTER.TXT for the order form, or print the form using the Help...Register... selection from GC's main menu. To help you evaluate the program, the shareware version of GC is fully functional. However, GC will inform you after a 30-day trial period that you have not registered. If you have not registered after 60-days (i.e., 30-day grace period after the 30-day trial period), GC will disallow further use, and you must register at that time to continue using the software. You will not lose any of your databases that you have worked hard on, even after 60 days, but you cannot access them with GC until you register. The version you have is fully functional during this trial period. It will demonstrate the power of this software because thousands of recipes can be imported quickly from Meal Master (tm) sources and maintained efficiently. Distribution and Resale You are granted permission to distribute the GC311.ZIP archive freely, provided all the original files are kept together unaltered in any way. You may not disassemble, decompose, reverse engineer, or alter any of the files in the package. This includes, but is not limited to, modifying any icons, menus, or displays associated with the software. This software is provided as SHAREWARE and cannot be sold. This restriction does not apply to connect time charges, or flat rate connection/download fees for electronic bulletin board services. This software can not be bundled with any commercial package or accompanying books or magazines without express written permission from the author. Disclaimer This software and accompanying materials are distributed "AS IS" and without warranty, expressed or implied. No implied warranty exists for merchantability and/or fitness for any particular purpose. Under no circumstances shall anyone involved in the creation, production, or sale of this product be liable for direct, indirect, consequential, or special damages arising out of any use of this product whatsoever. You, as the user, assume full responsibility for use of this product. Installation of this program constitutes agreement on your part with all shareware licensing requirements and disclaimers outlined in this document and in other documentation for this program. Use of this software beyond the initial 60-day trial period without registration is strictly prohibited. ARCHIVE PACKAGE: List of Files System Files gcxxx.exe Grocery Consumer (GC) program (xxx is version number) gauge.vbx Visual Basic gauge control grid.vbx Visual Basic grid control gtlist.vbx Visual Basic listbox control (tabbed) spin.vbx Visual Basic spin control threed.vbx Visual Basic 3D button control toolbars.vbx Visual Basic toolbar control cmdialog.vbx Visual Basic common dialog box control commdlg.dll Visual Basic common dialog runtime library msafinx.dll Visual Basic date function runtime library compat.tbl system compatibility table pkzip.pif PIF file to run PKZIP to compress GC cookbooks pkunzip.pif PIF file to run PKUNZIP to decompress GC cookbooks file_id.diz GC description file for BBS desc.sdi GC description file for BBS gc.key user registration key (key shipped with GC is UNREGISTERED) gc.ico Grocery Consumer icon gc.ini initialization file (text editor, startup cookbook paths) gc.hlp Windows help file (Contents, Search) j1z3x7qv.txt temporary file holding directions of recipe being edited readme.txt first instructions for installation register.txt registration form User Files recipes.gcf cookbook (recipe database) packaged with GC recipes.idx recipe index for recipes.gcf recipes.cdx category index (recipe assignments) for recipes.gcf recipes.cli list of categories for recipes.gcf (text-based) name.gcf other cookbooks name.idx recipe index for name.gcf name.cdx recipe category index (recipe assignments) for name.gcf name.cli list of categories for name.gcf (text) name.zip ZIPped cookbook (name.gcf, name.idx, name.cdx, name.cli) name.mnu file containing working menu for cookbook name.gcf (text) latest.shp file containing latest shopping list (text) filename.shp other simultaneous shopping lists that you can maintain (text) ingred.lst droplist of recipe ingredients (text) units.lst droplist of units for recipe ingredients (text) prep.lst droplist of preparations for recipe ingredients (text) miscitem.lst droplist of miscellaneous items to add to shopping list (text) brand.lst droplist of brand names for ingredients and misc items (text) autokeys.lst list of keyword strings for auto-assigning recipes (text) price.lst list of store names, aisles, prices for items in stores (text) unitcvrt.lst unit conversion list (text) coupon.lst list of coupons for coupon manager (text) colors.lst list of user-defined colors for GC screens sample.mmf Meal Master (tm) recipe files (test MM import feature) External files required to run GC: pkzip.exe compression program (must be in your DOS path). pkunzip.exe decompression program (must be in your DOS path). Use version: PKZ204G.ZIP archive on The Fox's Lair or most any other BBS. vbrun300.dll Visual Basic run time library notepad.exe Windows Notepad editor (or your choice of an editor) for opening large Meal Master (tm) files. OVERVIEW OF THE GROCERY CONSUMER The Grocery Consumer 3.11 is a full-featured recipe organizer and database, meal planner, shopping list maker, and grocery cost manager for Windows. The Grocery Consumer (hereafter called GC) is a super easy way to manage all of these activities in one interface. GC is more than a recipe manager -- it gives you the consumer power to compare the cost of your shopping list at all your favorite stores and create shopping lists organized by store aisle. It will even flag coupons applicable to your shopping list when you use GC’s coupon manager. GC makes a shopping list from a multi-day meal plan that you create by selecting recipes (dishes) for each day's meals from your own personalized recipe database. You can add miscellaneous items (e.g., cat food, deodorant, toothbrush) to the shopping list, or remove items from the list that you have in stock before printing the list that you take to the store. No more forgetting those obscure little items and wasting your time going back to the store! You can search for recipes by category or keyword string. You can easily add, edit, or delete recipes from multiple cookbooks (recipe databases). Droplists are provided on the recipe editing screen to provide consistent use of ingredient names and units. No more fumbling through boxes of paper or cards to find a favorite recipe. Simply select it and print it from your recipe database. You can rapidly expand your recipe collection by easily converting Meal-Master (tm) recipes (available on-line virtually everywhere) to GC cookbook format. You can assign recipes to user-defined categories, or let GC auto-assign categories for you. You can fine-tune how GC auto-assigns recipes to categories. You can exchange recipes with friends using GC's recipe import and export features. These allow you to copy any or all of your recipes and share them with others, or include GC recipes they give you into your GC cookbooks. GC can also set you up to do recipe swapping on-line by creating a .ZIP recipe file (compressed recipe file) for you. This feature also provides a means for efficient backup of your cookbooks. The author of GC has a real problem with software that requires too many keystrokes for data entry and program navigation. Accordingly, all data entry screens throughout GC are equipped with entry guessing and droplists to minimize keystrokes during data input. With entry guessing, you seldom need more than a keystroke or so before GC adds the rest, guessing the remaining characters based on a search of existing items in the droplist. Droplists can also be viewed at data entry and items selected with the mouse. Cut and paste operations using standard Windows techniques can be used almost anywhere in the GC interface. All screens with gridded data tables (e.g., shopping list, price list, units conversion list, etc.) allow editing in the tables with a click of the mouse to the cell containing the entry you want to change; then type a replacement for the cell contents. Use the backspace key to backspace if you need to correct a typo. In summary, a lot of data entry and editing power is at your fingertips with GC. GC uses a price list for stores that the user builds, along with extensive use of units conversions, to handle the tough job of converting recipe-size ingredient amounts into store-size purchase amounts. This way GC is able to cost out the greatest portion of your shopping list using available price list information. Each item you add to a recipe or shopping list is added to your price list automatically; you need only add the prices. As you improve your price list and units conversion list, GC can use a higher and higher portion of the shopping list to establish a shopping list cost. In other words, the more you use it, the smarter GC gets. When comparing GC features and price with other recipe/cooking/grocery management software, we believe GC represents the best value (i.e., features for the price) available today for Windows - including commercial, shareware, or otherwise. Functionality and ease of use has been emphasized in its development, and its convenient interface has evolved via thoughtful feedback from avid users in all walks of life. GC is a powerful program that makes a job we all must do very fast, efficient, and even fun. It can cut hours off the time it takes to locate and organize your favorite recipes, plan your menu, and create your shopping list. Best of all, it helps you save time and money in grocery shopping trips. Benefits to Consumers · cost comparison at various stores · shopping lists by aisle · rapid shopping list preparation from menu plan · menu planning from database of dish recipes · user definable recipe categories · automatic categorizing feature that can be fine-tuned by user · convenient, personalized recipe database with multi-criteria search · easy conversion of Meal Master (tm) recipes into GC format · minimal keystrokes on all data entry using quickfill and droplists · recipe import/export in GC format · convenient zipping of recipe cookbooks for exchange with others · coupon manager that flags coupons that apply to items in your shopping list · extensive units conversions to condense shopping list and evaluate cost Concepts (Functionality) · ingredients build recipes, recipes build meal plans, meal plans build shopping lists, shopping lists are used to quantify costs · user selects a menu period up to 28 days, builds a menu by selecting recipes for each day · user selects up to six dishes (i.e., recipes) for each meal in a menu period · GC automatically creates a shopping list from the completed menu · user can add miscellaneous items to shopping list or remove items on hand · GC computes the cost of the shopping list cost for several stores of interest · GC creates a shopping list by aisle for any of the several stores · user can scale (resize) a recipe if a recipe doesn't serve enough people · with the help of The Grocery Consumer to streamline the process, the user: builds and maintains a list of store prices and aisles for various items builds and maintains a list of units conversions builds and maintains database of dish recipes that includes ingredients, units of measure, quantities, etc. and directions (optional) for each recipe · GC can print: shopping list shopping list by aisle shopping list cost meal plan meal plan recipes any or all recipes in user cookbook recipe categories recipes in each category droplists (ingredients, units of measure, preparations, misc items, brands) coupon list unit conversions list prices and aisles lists REGISTRATION INFORMATION: See the on-line documentation (Help... Register...) for complete registration information. Registration entitles you to: · a printed, bound user manual · a copy of the latest version of GC · a registration code to personalize GC and remove registration nags · free upgrades to new versions of GC (how many commercial retailers do this?) · notification of major upgrades (if you have an email address) · priority technical support · a voice in defining features for subsequent versions · peace of mind for having done the right thing You may register GC and receive the latest version for a one-time modest fee. Two registration methods are available: · check or money order: by mail directly from author [$25 + shipping/handling, applicable sales tax] · credit card: via PsL, or Public (software) Library [$31 + shipping/handling, applicable sales tax] ORDER BY DIRECT MAIL TO AUTHOR: This ordering method is the least-cost method (credit card orders to PsL are $6 more). Select Help... Register from within GC and fill out the on-line form or use the following form. Print the form, enclose personal check or money order payable in U.S. dollars to Gary Hauser (see pricing schedule below) and mail to: Gary Hauser Food-for-Thought Software 7304 Foxlair Rd Knoxville, TN 37918 ordering from: reg. fee + taxes/S&H: remit: ============== ==================== ====== within USA (except TN) $25 + $2 = $27 Tennessee (USA) $25 + $2 + .0825($25) = $29 Canada $25 + $3 = $28 Europe or other $25 + $7 = $32 (NOTE: These prices good through Dec 31, 1996. After that, check the latest version for updated prices.) ============================================================================= REGISTRATION FORM for THE GROCERY CONSUMER Name______________________________________________________________ (enter firstname & lastname EXACTLY as you want them on key) Ship My Package To: Name_________________________________________ [ ] same as above Address___________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________________________ State/Province________________________ ZIP/Postal Code____________ Country______________________ Telephone ( )____________________ Where did you hear about the Grocery Consumer? __________________________________________________________________ Email address________________________ send key as email? Y N (circle one) Diskette 3.5" 5.25" (circle one) ============================================================================= By mail, you will receive a printed manual and diskette containing the latest version of GC. Any questions or comments, you can find more information in on-line Help or you can contact us in any of the following ways (email preferred): email ghauser@usit.net The Fox's Lair BBS (423) 922-4679 [8-N-1] FAX (423) 922-5768 voice (423) 922-4294 (leave message) Ordering just the user manual: If you wish to order just the user manual, you may do so by remitting only U.S. $10 and noting your request for only the user manual on a completed registration form. This option is handy for those registered users who upgrade free to a new version and wish to receive a user manual covering all the latest features. Alternatively, you may simply elect to learn the new features using GC's on-line Help. ORDER BY CREDIT CARD VIA PsL You can register GC via the Public (software) Library, also known as PsL, using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. This ordering method is $6 more than ordering by mail direct to the author. For orders only, call: 1-713-524-6394 1-800-2424-PsL You can order by FAX to PsL at 1-713-524-6398. You can also mail credit card orders to PsL at P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705 THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY. THE AUTHOR CANNOT BE REACHED AT THESE NUMBERS. To ensure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the day of your order and we will ship the product directly to you. When ordering, please tell the operator you are ordering part number: 14306 ordering from: fee + S&H + tax remit (U.S. dollars): ================== ==================== ===================== within USA (except TN) $31 + $2 = $33 Tennessee (USA) $31 + $2 + .0825($31) = $35.50 Canada $31 + $3 = $34 Europe or other $31 + $7 = $38 (NOTE: These prices good through Dec 31, 1996. After that, check the latest version for updated prices.) PsL only provides the registration service. Any questions about the status of shipment of your order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, sub-licensing, etc. MUST be directed to: Gary Hauser Food-for-Thought Software 7304 Foxlair Rd Knoxville, TN 37918 email: ghauser@usit.net fax: (423) 922-5768 BBS: (423) 922-4679 WWW: http://www.intergate.net/chtml/ghauser/gcinfo.html More on the registration key... When your registration fee is received, a registration code will be sent to you with your package (latest diskette, manual). When entered into GC (Help... Register... Reg. Code button), it will personalize your GC interface, remove the "unregistered" nag screens, and disable the 60-day shutdown. Each time you install a new version of GC, make sure you use File... Upgrade... to bring over your old files (including your registration key). You do not have to re-register as new versions come out. Simply download future versions from any of the various sources and your registered key will work with them. THANKS FOR REGISTERING!