About AUTO PRICE Thank you for using AUTO PRICE. AUTO PRICE is the property and is copyright by AIM Software, 2970 Williams Drive #232, Georgetown, TX. 78628. Starting in January 1994, Shareware Service will be handling the registration of AUTO PRICE. See the order form for their number and address. A new feature for 1994, is the ability to convert a shareware version of AUTO PRICE into a register version (including invoice prices). DESCRIPTION: New car pricing program. Menu driven program to select make, model, style, & options. Includes printer output and loan table. Intelligent data base adds/deletes equipment, checks requirements, and changes prices of options based on selected option. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: This program was originally written for individuals who plan on purchasing a new automobile. The program provides an easy way of price comparisons between cars and/or equipment and provides price information when dealing with a new car salesman. The program provides similar information found in car pricing books that are sold in the magazine racks. AUTO PRICE replaces the book, scratch pad, and calculator, while providing instant running cost as changes are made. FILES: The following files are included in AUTO PRICE: README AP Install information. AP94 EXE AUTO PRICE program. AP_LOGO DAT Logo screen data. AP_HELP TXT Help File. AP_CONF TXT Configuration data for EXE file. AP_GUIDE TXT User guide AP_ABOUT TXT This file. AP_ORDER TXT Order form to register AUTO PRICE. AP_LEGAL TXT Legal text file. CONFIG 94 Configuration data for EXE file. OPTION 94 Universal option/equipment file for 1994. USAC 94 US auto data file. FA-M 94 Foreign (A-M) auto data file. FN-Z 94 Foreign (N-Z) auto data file. TV 94 Truck, Van, & Utility auto data file. FILE_ID DIZ Description, used by BB. VENDOR DOC Instruction for shareware vendors. All files with a extension of "TXT" are text and can be printed via DOS print or copy command. All files with a extension of "94" are encrypted. Do not attempt to modify the data files. Any modification may make them unusable. PHONE SUPPORT: AIM Software will provide phone support. FAX machine should be available at all times. The following voice phone hours are planned for technical support: Central Time Zone Response Level 10am - 6pm Week days 60/40 Person/machine 9pm - 8am All days Answer machine only Other times & Weekends 30/70 Person/machine REGISTER AUTO PRICE: Registering AUTO PRICE has two advantages. First the register version contains INVOICE PRICES. Second, you will receive the latest update which is a continuous process until approximately June. NEXT YEARS RELEASE: The next model year version will probably start in September. Cars will be given first priority, and should be completed in December. The following sequence is planned for updating data: Cars (all) Mini Vans Foreign trucks and utility US Utility US Trucks and Vans Shareware version will be released at least once a year (Dec/Jan). Orders will be taken at all times. If you order early in a model year you may get a mix of two years pricing. Call to get the latest update information. Plans are to send registered users a new release notice. PROGRAM INFORMATION: The AUTO PRICE program is written in "C". The data is encrypted ASCII files. The data includes intelligences to check requirements, changes the status of options/equipment, change the price of options, and provide cross reference between options and equipment. AUTO PRICE is flexible enough to support most any product that is priced similar to automobiles, therefore, anyone interested in a special product line may call (512) 863-8357. Examples of products that could be priced by this program are boats, computers, trailers, etc. VERSION NUMBERS: The following convention is used for AUTO PRICE version numbers: The first digit represents major revision level. This usually includes major design changes and/or new features. The second digit represents the model year and may include significant changes from the previous year. The last digit represents minor revisions. This number resets to 0 for each model year. Normal changes include bug fixes, changes in auto data structure, and minor user interface changes. COMMERCIAL USERS: In addition to individual user, loan officers, car dealers, insurance agents, etc., may find this program useful in their businesses. The program is not recommended for lease company, car brokers, or other business that purchase automobiles and base their cost on this program. AUTO PRICE is continuously being updated, however, the prices are usually several months behind manufacturers price. No fees can be charged for any output from the AUTO PRICE program. The program can not be used by and persons or organization that charges for auto price quotes. Commercial clients may provide an IBM PC compatible computer with AUTO PRICE program installed for their customers use. For instance, a credit union may provide a computer and printer in the lobby for its customers to price out a new car. A XT computer with a hard drive is sufficient to run AUTO PRICE. AUTO PRICE can be set up to run on such a machine without the "Quit" option on the main menu.