_______ STRAT-TECH, INC. ____|__ | (R) P.O. Box 1957 --| | |------------------- Milwaukee, WI | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware U.S.A. 53201 |__| o | Professionals 1-414-271-0980 -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER Thank you for your selection of the Deer Expert System!! OUTDOOR LIFE magazine features the program in their December, 1989 issue stating: "The Deer Expert System may just be the planning tool you need to bridge the gap between you and your whitetail." (Article by outdoor writer Bill Clede). You use the program as a planning tool for obtaining the most successful hunting method given certain hunting conditions. This is very important since you want to make the best use of a limited gun hunting season and your time as well. The system is for whitetail deer only and covers the type of hunting found in midwest and eastern United States, and eastern Canada. It also applies to any area which has similar woodland conditions in other areas of North America as could exist in western U.S. and Canada. You easily view the hunting methods and conditions in the library file 'METHODS.TXT' so we do not list them here. For a quick start to the process see the file 'readme' in the log section. The system boots up to a menu and you follow the instructions as listed on the screens. The shareware program contains data for doe, smaller bucks, and recovering wounded deer. When you register the program we send you the latest version of the program marked as registered and FREE additional databases for medium to large bucks. You also get more log files and also more library files to include in the library. As an added incentive to register you may also get one or more of our other programs at half price each. (see the orderfrm in the log section or call our toll free number 1-800-783-9544 (available 24 hours a day). You may use this toll free number for support as well. We also support the program on the Compuserve "Outdoor Forum" which we scan almost daily (General, hunting, fishing, and computer sections). If you have not registered and/or paid yet, we expect you to do so after trying the program for a two week trial period. With each registration of $26, we send you the most current version with any added files or hunting databases, and the most recent hunting techniques and findings. You may use the order form in the log "orderfrm" to register. The system is based on recent research on deer behavior and involves a literature search of recent writings in the area. We found a consensus of opinions in these writings and use the consensus as the basis for determining the data base which includes possible hunting conditions and the best methods for the conditions. The data base contains hundreds of possibilities which the expert system links to automatically. The expert system is a popular technology used for relaying complex information in an area. Doctors use expert systems to diagnose illnesses, and we apply the expert system concept to deer hunting. We use the "Prolog" programming language commonly used for expert systems and artificial intelligence applications. This fifth generation language allows a more compact program and data base than other languages. It can take 10 times the program code in a fourth generation language (dbase, C, etc.) to do the same program in prolog. We thus give you much more programming for your dollar. The Deer Expert System covers many more situations than any video or tape. We developed it to complement your favorite articles, books, videos, and tapes. You use the system as an excellent training tool for new hunters and children, and the seasoned veteran learns from it as well. It helps you have a safer hunt since you adequately prepare for different conditions. It gives you a tremendous step forward in deer hunting technique! The program gives information mainly concerning gun deer hunting, but you may generalize much of it to bow hunting as well. The expert system is in Section 2 Determine Method. You may want to turn on NUM LOCK and use the numeric keypad for your Yes/No responses in this section. Remember to toggle it off (press NUM LOCK again) when finished with the section to restore arrow key functions. The Library section includes files which you only want to view and changes are not allowed (you may print them). The Hunting Logs section has files which you can modify, view, and print. You print out a library file or log file as follows: TO PRINT: move flashing cursor to top with arrow keys. mark this point with keys Ctrl K B; move cursor to end with arrow keys; mark end with Ctrl K K; and print with Ctrl K P. PRESS THE 'Ctrl' WHILE YOU PRESS THE OTHER TWO KEYS IN ORDER. Alternatively put the cursor where you wish to start printing, press Ctrl K M, use the arrow keys to mark the block you wish to print, finally press Alt F8 to print. The program also includes a handy 'Hunting Logs' section. This section allows you to keep track of and completely plan your hunt. You can store information from year to year - packing lists, equipment lists, scouting lists, recipes, safety, etc.. Some logs you can just view on such topics as hunter education, sighting, or hunting knives. You can fill these logs with up to 64K of information. You also can print the logs for sharing this information with other members of your hunting camp. We especially recommend printing and sharing the safety log with hunting camp members before each hunt. A tremendous feature is the key word search; use the F3 search key to find exactly what you want in the logs. Online help exists when you press the 'Shift and F1' key within the logs. You may use 'Wordstar' compatible commands for many functions (see help). You add your own files to the log directory by using the F8 key. Press F8 from any log; press return with the light bar on 'load file' and enter any file name and press return. You must not enter a '.txt' or '.doc', just the 8 character name followed by a period(.). For example, 'newlog.'. Answer yes when asked 'File does not exist, Create y/n:'. Put some information in it (You must enter something to make it possible to save it). Press F10 and then return to save. This creates a log which shows up in the log directory. You also can change the headings for certain logs. Some logs contain headings so that as you add more information the text scrolls still allowing you to see headings. The logs with headings are the Kill Record (Record), the Scouting Log (Scoutin), the Address Log (Names), and an "Extra" log for you to use. You may have multiple logs in the same family e.g. record, record1, record2, etc. or extra1, extra2, etc. and headings come up for all of these files in the same family. You use the procedure in the above paragraphs to create appropriate heading logs as well; for example, to add "extra1" use the log name 'extra1' when asked for a name after pressing the F8 key (and enter). Change the headings with the auxiliary log editor - F8 key. F8 allows another file to be examined and changed in addition to the log you are working on. Use the feature to change headings for the logs mentioned above. The file name for changing headings is "headcfg.dat". Use the Ctl-F10 key to enlarge the window. More instructions are given when you edit "headcfg.dat" using the F8 key from any log you edit normally. (The F8 key works after you have selected a log to work on but you may edit any other file). The logs always return to the last cursor position you were on in the logs last. The information which allows this is stored in the first five positions of the log, and this function overwrites anything there originally. We show the number in the upper left corner to remind you not to enter data in this area. It is possible for your top line to get chopped; if this happens just add some spaces after the cursor position number and everything will work fine. You must read the license information in the library before running the program further. The Deer Expert system includes the files: hunt.exe, hunt.hlp, prolog.err, info, recipes, packing, notes, sources, orderfrm, record, safety, equipmen, names, blank.log, scouting, othrprod.txt, wounded.txt, educate.txt, knife.txt, outdoor.txt, license.txt, sightin.txt, info.txt, safety.txt, methods.txt. ticks.txt, hunt38.cfg, colorcfg.dat, headcfg.dat and hunt34.dba. These files must all reside in the same directory or floppy disk with only Deer Expert system files (except see below). We add more files as we advance the program and the shareware program does not have all the files because they would take up too much room. The program, of course, is identical to the registered version of the program. Do not attempt to alter hunt38.cfg, colorcfg.dat, and hunt34.dba or prolog.err since altering them even slightly causes the system to malfunction. You must place these files in the same directory as hunt.exe in order for the program to run. The file headcfg.dat must also be in the same directory as hunt.exe, but you may alter it as mentioned earlier. Another feature, the print menu (activated by pressing Alt-P) creates a file called prolog.log which contains screen output. View the contents using the Auxiliary Log editor (F8). Press F8, enter, then enter the name "Prolog.log". The log comes up and you may review and edit it. Turn on "Text mode" to make the long descriptive lines word wrap (see Miscellaneous help - and use Ctl Q Ctl W) for better viewing. You also may wish to delete unnecessary lines or add your own comments. The Library section includes files which you only want to view, and/or print; changes are not allowed. The Hunting Logs section has files which you can modify, view, and print. We may duplicate a few files, such as the safety log, in both areas so that you can make your own notes about the topic and so that you can print out the contents and share them with your deer camp. The Hunting Logs section contains online help when you press 'Shift' and 'F1' from within a log. The help shows you how to print files, do key word searches, etc. You can also edit an auxiliary file at the same time by pressing the F8 key. This allows you to edit information in other files and save it by using the F10 key. The F9 key allows you to bring in other information from other files or just view other files while you use one of your 'Deer Expert' logs. In the logs, you save and exit the log by using the F10 key, and exit the log without saving changes with the 'Esc' key. INSTALLATION (See also the Readme file in the Log Section) If you receive the Deer Expert system on a floppy disk, and you have a hard disk, make a directory using the command: 'md c:\hunt' (no quotes). You can use any directory name, but we recommend 'hunt' for compatibility with future versions. Copy the files from each floppy disk in drive a: via the command 'copy a:\*.* c:\hunt' (no quotes). The program diskette contains all 'system' files and the log/library disk contains the log/library files. (720k users receive all files on one disk). Set the default drive in the General Section of the program as appropriate. We recommend you put all files in the same directory. Be careful using the above copy command if you used a previous version of "The Deer Expert" and created log information. The above copy command copies all new log files and overlays existing ones if they exist. In this case copy new log files individually to your 'hunt' directory. For example, to copy the recipe log from the original file to your 'hunt' directory use the command 'copy a:\recipe c:\hunt'. Of course, only copy those logs which you wish to establish new with no data in them. You may use the mechanized backup procedure as specified in detail in the 'Utility' log in the program (Application keys Alt-9 or Alt-B when in a log). If you do not wish to use the this feature the following tells you how to backup logs using the DOS commands. Of course, you should back up all the programs initially and then periodically to safeguard all your valuable information. To make a copy of all files to a backup disk in drive a: from a hard disk directory which only has Deer Expert files type: 'copy *.* a:\' (no quotes). When the logs become too large you may have to backup using two diskettes; or just keep the main programs (hunt.exe, all '.txt' files, prolog.err, hunt.hlp, hunt34.dba, colorcfg.dat, headcfg.dat, hunt38.cfg, and blank.log) on one diskette since these files do not change, and copy the rest of the files to a floppy disk periodically to backup your logs. The command to just backup up log files from a hard disk to a floppy disk in drive a: is 'copy *. a:\' (no quotes). You reference a log or library file on other drives or paths by setting a default path for logs and library files in the General Section of the program. The main program files must reside in the main system directory which you run the program from, and normally keeping logs and library files there works fine. However, you may wish to have or access files in other directories and/or drives and the default drive set in the General menu provides for this. If you have a two drive floppy system: It is best to have all the files in one directory on one floppy disk or hard drive; however, the system runs easily on two floppy drives as the following example shows. You have the main files (hunt.exe, prolog.err, hunt34.dba, hunt.hlp, colorcfg.dat, hunt38.cfg, headcfg.dat and blank.log) on a disk in drive a:, and the rest of the files on a floppy disk in drive b:. (log and library files). This is the way the programs are shipped to you for 360K users so all you need to do is put the program disk in drive a: and the log/library disk in drive b:. Set the default drive in the General Section 1 of the main menu to b:\. After this subsequent log and library use accesses drive b. You may have as many diskettes as you desire with log or library information. Just insert the appropriate disk in drive b: to work with them and leave the program disk in drive a:. You may desire to make added log disks when you need more room. To install added log files on drive b: disks use the Dos copy command to copy log/library files from the original log disk in drive a: to a floppy disk in drive b: - 'copy a:\record. b:\' (no quotes). To copy library files use the command 'copy a:\info.txt b:\' (no quotes). Substitute the file name as appropriate. To backup files in drive a: to a floppy disk in drive b: enter 'copy a:\*.* b:\' (no quotes). To only backup the log files (or copy them) to a floppy disk in drive b: enter 'copy *. b:\' (no quotes). If you have one drive and do not have a Hard Drive or do not care to use the hard drive: If the drive you have is the newer 720K or larger drive you should be able to run the system quite easily with one disk with all the files on it. If your files get too large and you desire to have more than one disk then follow the instruction below for 360K one drive users. You must set the default drive to the drive you use for the system although it is the same as the system drive. If you have a 360K drive and use the logs you probably will run out of room at some point. In this case you run the system by creating and using added diskette(s) with your logs and library files only. You copy the logs to the added diskette using the DOS copy command when you need more room. For each diskette you create you must also copy the file colorcfg.dat, headcfg.dat, hunt.help, and prolog.err to the new diskette. They should only take up about 30K of room so you have plenty of room for log information. Also set the default drive to a: in the General Section 1. Also you may wish to copy the added files blank.log and extra. if you plan to add new logs of your own. A second disk comes with the registered version of the program and it contains the necessary files already set up on the added logs and library diskette for 360K users. If you make added files then you must copy the appropriate files as we discussed above. BAK FILES Saving files accessed with the F8 key causes additional '.bak' (backup) files to be created for these files. This 'bak' file is a copy of the original file you accessed and takes up the same amount of room as the original file accessed. The regular file contains your changes as you entered and saved them. You use the Dos erase command to erase the 'bak' files if desired: 'erase record.bak' erases the record backup and retains your regular record file. Erase *.bak erase all bak files. PROLOG.LOG Using Alt-P and its log file function creates a file called 'prolog.log'. You might find it useful to store Section Two output here and then review or edit it later using the F8 auxiliary log editor. You may edit this file in using the F8 key after bringing up any log. You must rename or copy prolog.log if you with to save its data; when you toggle Alt P LOG file off, the next time you toggle it on it overwrites what you logged before. Use the F8 key from any log file and specify the file name 'prolog.log'; press return to bring the file up; edit it as desired; press F10 to save; change the file name in the save box to a name of your choice (no extension if you wish it to show up in the Log Directory window). TO RUN THE PROGRAM: To run the program enter "hunt". Enter the command at the Dos prompt in the directory where you have the files (e.g. hunt). You enter the command 'cd c:\hunt' (no quotes) to get into the 'hunt' directory. Menus guide you once you start the program. Select many menu items by just pressing the menu number selection. WINDOWS 3.1 OPERATION The program works fine when you run it as an icon under windows. A windows 'pif' is enclosed: go into the Program Manager of windows, file menu, new, select program item. In the description box enter 'The Deer Expert 4.1', in the command line box enter 'c:\hunt\hunt.exe'. Choose the OK box. Then just click on 'The Deer Expert' to run. The included pif file presumes you install the program to 'c:\hunt' directory'. You may change the icon if desired. COLOR AND REVERSE VIDEO DISPLAYS: The color display is set in the General Section. If you have any trouble you may specify a screen display when you run the program: The 'hunt c' command gives you another set of colors for color monitors. The 'hunt r' command gives you reverse video for monochrome monitors. Minimum System Requirements are: IBM PC or compatible computer. 356K of RAM internal memory. PC-DOS or MS-DOS operating system, Version 3.3 or later. Color or Monochrome monitor. Dos Version greater than 3.3 is recommended. You get an error 1001 if the program could not boot up because of insufficient memory. If system does not boot or system boots and section 2 does not run, remove any TSR (terminate and stay resident) (memory resident programs). Rerun the Deer Expert program. You may also reduce the memory used by these TSR's (see their documentation) in order to get the 256K necessary to boot up the Deer Expert with your memory resident programs. If the system still does not boot make sure you have the proper cfg files (colrcfg.dat, hunt38.cfg, headcfg.dat, and hunt34.dba in the same directory as hunt.exe. Also try running the program with one of the command line options above ('c' or 'r' as appropri- ate)(no quotes and small letters e.g. hunt r). When the system comes up reset the colors and path which may have become corrupt. Also if you set an incorrect path in the General Section Default Path selection, then you get errors in Sections 3 and 4 as the program searches for files in the incorrect path you set. Simply reset the correct default path in the General Section Default procedure. Error number 7003 'Bad Path' comes up in Sections 3 and 4 until you set the path correctly. CHANGES IN VERSION 4.0 OVER 3.4: Hunting methods data base in section 2 almost twice as large. We updated many of the patterns for the latest information and added more conditions and information. Adds many more log functions Use of 8 Application Function Keys in logs including unique Pattern Creator for creating your own patterns. Adds more help information Adds a default directory for logs on other drives/paths Adds user color selection Faster execution Logs scroll under headings Changeable headings Adds Status lines at bottom of screens for easier use Adds Alt-P Pop up Print Selection and Log file Adds Path name in directory; file mask change allowed in Library Logs prompt when data entered but not saved Directory change allowed in library at ..\ selection Some new log and library files added Adds return position to logs Now comes on two 360K diskettes Easier menu flow in directories and expert system -------------- Good Hunting !!!! Chester Ceille, President, STRAT-TECH, Inc. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments: Chester Ceille at address above or Compuserve EMAIL: 72317,2332 ------------- We dedicate this program to Mr. Dale Henderson, Sr. who has run our yearly deer hunting camp for over 20 years. We also thank the other hunting camp members we hunted with over the years: Mickey LoDuca, Dr. John Eichholz, Dale Henderson Jr., Carl and John Amport, and Scott Rodgers. -------------- The software is intended for use only as a tool and not as a professional adviser. Neither STRAT-TECH nor anyone else involved in the creation, production or distribution of the software warrants, guarantees, or makes any representations regarding the use of the software in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency, or otherwise, and you rely on the software and results solely at your own risk. Neither STRAT-TECH nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or distribution of this software shall be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising out of the use, the results of use, or inability to use the software even if STRAT-TECH or any such other party has been advised of the possibility of such damages.