Welcome to RetireA Before using RetireA, read the following disclaimer clause: The author of this program does not make any claims about the ability of this program to improve the user's financial position, current or future. This program is merely a tool and the useful- ness of this tool depends entirely on the ability of the user to define, predict, and interpret current and future financial factors. The author also disclaims any responsibility for damage to the user's data base or damage to any user's software or equipment. If you agree with the above statements and agree not to hold the author (or the distributor where you received RetireA) responsible for any losses incurred while using or because of using RetireA, then proceed. Otherwise, stop now and do not use RetireA. __________________________________________________________________ Installation Note: RetireA is designed to run under Windows 3.1. It has not been tested under earlier or later versions of Windows. Since you are reading this file, it is assumed that you have extracted the files from the compressed file that you received from the Library. (Compressed files with a .ZIP extension are un-compressed by using the PKUNZIP utility. Self-extracting compressed files, which have a .EXE extension, are decompressed by "Running" the file. Before doing either method, place the compressed file in a "RetireA" directory that you have created. Example - c:\Retirea ) After decompressing, You should have 7 extracted files. The seven files that should remain are: RETIREA.EXE Main Program RETIREA.HLP Help file TMCGDLL.DLL Author's Library COMMDLG.DLL BWCC.DLL README.TXT This file SAMPLE.RET Sample RetireA data set The 7 files will take about 450K bytes of disk space. Note: The compressed file is no longer necessary after the seven files are extracted and it is suggested that it be copied to a backup diskette and deleted from the hard disk. RetireA icon It is also suggested that the RetireA icon be placed in an exist- ing existing Program Group (in Window's Program Manager). One way to do this is to: 1) Enter File Manager 2) "Click" the RetireA directory. 3) Activate Window's "Task List" (Ex. Press Ctrl-Esc keys) 4) Press "Tile" button- so that Program Mgr. & File Mgr. are both displayed. 5) Then, using the mouse, hold left mouse button down and "drag" the RETIREA.EXE program from the File Mgr. directory to a Program Mgr. Program Group. The icon will materialize in the Program Group when the mouse button is released. RetireA can now be run by double clicking its icon. __________________________________________________________________ Note to RetireA version 1.0 users. First be aware that this is version 1.1. There is a change that affects the .RET data files. If you have developed .RET files using version 1.0, they will still be usable with version 1.1. The only problem (temporary problem) is when you use an "old" RET file the first time with vers 1.1. The Start Date of the 30 year period will be wrong. Correct this by doing the Calculate | Setup option. Vers 1.1 (and later) saves this information in the data set; Vers 1.0 did not. If you are creating new data sets, you should not have this problem. __________________________________________________________________ Changes from Version 1.0 to version 1.1. In addition to the Start Date for the 30 year calculation being saved in the data set (mentioned above), the following changes have been made: . key F1 activates the RetireA Help. . The flat vertical bar display in Report 2 is now a 3D display. Also, a 3 button tool bar has been added to make switching the 3 - 10 year periods easier (for Report 2 only). . The starting year range of incomes and expenses has been increased. The lower end is now the current year - 30 years and the upper end is the current year + 100. This also applies to the 30 year calculation. . The initial logo at start up is held for 5 seconds regardless of the machine speed. __________________________________________________________________ The first thing I recommend is reading the on-line help topics, especially the Overview, and the Tutorial. If you do not wish to execute RetireA at this time, read the RetireA help file (RETIREA.HLP) by double clicking it from Window's File Manager. If you have a printer, print the Tutorial help using the Help File | Print. Then, when you are ready to try RetireA, follow the Tutorial using the supplied test file SAMPLE.RET. __________________________________________________________________ I am distributing RetireA as Shareware. The concept of Shareware is that you are permitted to try a shareware program for a reason- able trial period (in this case - one month) and if after that time you wish to continue using it, then you are required to register (order) the program. The registered version (the version of RetireA which you receive directly from the author upon registration) currently has four additional report displays, which I find extremely useful. See on- line Help, Reports Menu, Reports 5a, 5b & 6a, 6b. And the reg- istered version has a installation program to make things easier. And.... who knows what other enhancements will be incorporated? In fact, I welcome your suggestions, and if I use one of your suggestions, your registration fee will be returned, and you will receive a free upgrade of RetireA when it is released. Note: If I receive two or more suggestions I determine are basically the same only the first one received will be rewarded the free offer. If you need information about product shipment or have technical questions about the product, contact me at 215-353-0834 or CompuServe 71672,1203. When you are ready to order, see help topic "Shareware Registrat- ion" for further information. __________________________________________________________________ I can't think of very many topics which are more important than financial and retirement planning. Nearly everyone should be con- cerned with this subject. And although RetireA was developed with retirement in mind, I have found that it is just as effective in planning one's financial picture, regardless of age. It helps you to become organized and it promotes an interest in trying to tie all of your financial factors together. And today, probably more than ever, retirement doesn't necessarily spell the end of productivity (in my case, writing RetireA, for example). My goal was to retire from a structured job by the age of 55. Us- ing the principals found in RetireA, I was able to achieve that goal. I have been "retired" for four years and I now use RetireA to plan my future financial strategies. I hope that it will help you plan and achieve your financial goals. Thank you for your support. Tom McGrath September 1993