PREFACE Because you have gotten this far, we want to tell you about a little "goodie" that might be of use to you. It is the README.EXE program that is stored on your SPPC Disk 1. It is a public domain program that you may keep and use to your heart's content. Here's how it works. If you issue the command, README , the program will search the default drive or directory for a file having the name README. If it finds such a file, it will display it on screen and then print it for you. Thus, you may create any ordinary ASCII text file named README and the README.EXE program will display and print it for you. We use the README.EXE program extensively to write letters to friends, colleagues and customers, and we use it to issue instructions such as those you saw at the beginning of the SPPC program. We just copy the program and a README file onto a diskette and mail the diskette to a friend with a label such as: ___________________________________ : : : Hey Joe! : : : : README : : : :___________________________________: But there's more! The README.EXE program will read and display any file, anywhere. If you copy the program onto your root directory, you can use it to read or review any file you wish. All you need to do is issue the command, README DRIVE\PATH\FILENAME and the program will read, display and print the FILENAME stored in the \PATH on the DRIVE you specified. For example, if you have a file named LETTER.14 stored on the \MYTEXT directory of Drive D, you need only issue the command, README D:\MYTEXT\LETTER.14 We hope this little program will be useful to you. Again, it is a public doman program so you may copy and distribute it in any manner you wish. The only thing you can't do is change it, sell it, or charge a fee for its use. INSTALLING YOUR COPY OF THE SPPC The "Statistical Package for the Personal Computer" or SPPC program is ready for you to use. All you need to do is make a working copy and configure it to your system. If you are using a dual floppy system, make a working copy of the program by copying all the SPPC distribution diskettes onto formatted blank floppies. If you are using a hard disk system, put the SPPC Disk 1 in Drive A and then issue the command, A:HINSTALL . The software will then instruct you completely and install itself on your hard disk. USING THE SPPC PROGRAM Once you have a working copy of the SPPC program, on floppy diskettes or on your hard disk, it is ready to use. Floppy Disk Users: If you plan to use the SPPC program on floppy diskettes with a dual floppy system, always begin the program by putting your working copy of the SPPC Disk 1 in Drive A. Then issue the commands A: SPPC Hard Disk Users: If you have installed your copy of the SPPC program on your hard disk, always begin the program by issuing the commands CD\ SPPC If you are using DOS 3.1 or higher, you should also know that you can call up the SPPC program from any directory on your hard disk. All you need to do is issue the command \SPPC THE SPPC OUTPUT DISK If you will be using the SPPC program on a dual floppy system, you MUST prepare a blank formatted diskette and label it as your SPPC OUTPUT DISK. If you are using a hard disk system you do not need an SPPC OUTPUT DISK. Use of the SPPC OUTPUT DISK is explained in the User's Manual. LEARNING ABOUT THE SPPC PROGRAM Once you have installed your copy of the SPPC program, call it up using the procedures described above. When the program appears on screen, tap the space bar twice. When you see the Master Menu, choose the "Instruction" option. When you do that, you will be presented with the "Instructional Menu". You may read the entire User's Manual right on screen by selecting any of the topical options in the "Instructional Menu". However, you will also see an option to print the User's Manual. We urge you to either print or purchase the User's Manual and then read it! It is very important because it explains how to use the most powerful features of the program that are available to you. Just a word about the purchase of the User's Manual. As you well know, the production of a User's Manual is expensive. If we provide a printed User's Manual, the cost of the manual would be added to the cost of the program. We decided to give you the choice of printing your own or purchasing it separately. In other words, you get the User's Manual free by printing it yourself. If you decide to print your copy of the User's Manual, have plenty of paper on hand. The manual is well over 100 single spaced pages. COLOR CONFIGURATION The SPPC program automatically detects the use of a monochrome or color board and monitor, so you do not have to worry about that. It's all taken care of for you. The program automatically configures itself to your system when you begin using it. However, some users own systems that use a color/graphics board but a monochrome monitor. If you have such a system your video screen will look absolutely AWFUL! If that happens to you, it is easily fixed and you need to do it only once. Here's how. If you are using a dual floppy system, put your SPPC Disk 1 in Drive A and issue the commands A: SPPC B If you have installed your copy of the SPPC program on your hard disk, issue the commands CD \SPPC SPPC B Note: If you later install a color monitor, you can re-configure your SPPC program as above but use the command SPPC C . USE AND PURCHASE CONDITIONS The Statistical Package for the Personal Computer or SPPC program is produced and copyrighted by the WALMYR Publishing Co. It is NOT a public domain or "freeware" product. You may reproduce and distribute the examination copy of the program in any manner provided that: (1) you do not sell the program, (2) you do not charge any fees for use of the program, and (3) you do not change the program or any of its documentation in any manner whatsoever. YOU MAY NOT DISTRIBUTE THE COMMERCIAL VERSION OF THE PROGRAM IN ANY MANNER! IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE IN VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT, THE WALMYR PUBLISHING CO. WILL THEREBY BE DAMAGED, AND YOU WILL LOSE ALL UPDATE AND SERVICE PRIVILEDGES. MAKE A COPY FOR A FRIEND If you would like for a friend or colleague to have a copy of the program to consider for possible purchase, you can prepare such a copy quite easily. First, copy the SPPC Distribution Diskettes onto newly formatted blank floppies. Then put the copy of the SPPC Disk 1 into Drive A and issue the commands A: NEWSPPC . Your friend or colleague will instanly have an examination copy of the SPPC program for purchase consideration. PURCHASE THE PROGRAM!! Naturally, we urge you to purchase the program because we think it can be very helpful to you. Moreover, we have designed the system to fit your pocketbook. That is, you do not have to purchase the entire system in order to get what you need and want. Instead, purchase only the modules that you need and build your system as your needs expand. Each module is priced quite modestly (which you can see by printing an order form). Best yet, you get FREE UPDATES! Indefinitely! If we improve or expand any module that you have purchased, we'll notify you of the update which you may then obtain by sending us a fixed rate postage and handling fee of only $5.00. If you wish to purchase one or more modules, choose the option in the "Instructional Menu" to print an order form. Then complete the order form and enclose a check of money order to cover the cost of your purchase. We look forward to hearing from you. !!! SPECIAL STUDENT VERSION !!! Students who are pursuing the study of statistics may obtain a FREE Student Version of the entire program. Although the Student Version is more limited than the full commercial version of the program, it has many very powerful features that you can use in your studies. If you would like to have a copy of the Student Version of the program, carry out the following steps: 1. Make a working copy of the program by copying the distribution diskettes onto newly formatted floppies. 2. Insert your working copy of the SPPC Disk 1 in Drive A. 3. Issue the command, STUDENT . You will instantly have a Student Version of the program. !!! RESEARCH AND STATISTICS INSTRUCTORS !!! If you are teaching research or statistics courses and want to avoid the complexity of instructing students in the use of large mainframe statistical packages, you may want to consider adopting the Student Version of the SPPC program for use in your courses. The Student Version is very powerful yet costs nothing. Just copy the Student Version of the SPPC diskettes and give them to your students. Better yet, if you install your copy of the Student Version on a hard disk system. You can rig it so that students may create their own copy of the program. Following installation of the program, get into your \SPPC directory and issue the command STORSPPC Follow all instructions that appear on screen. The program will automate a student "copy" procedure. LIMITED WARRANTY AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE 1. All sales of the Statistical Package for the Personal Computer or SPPC program are final. 2. The sale of each copy of the SPPC program conveys a license for use ONLY by the registered user. However, the registered user may use the program on any computer system. 3. All software found to have a diskette medium defect will be repaired or replaced by the WALMYR Publishing Co. at NO CHARGE to the customer, if it is returned within 30 days of the date it was shipped. 4. The WALMYR Publishing Co. reserves the right to discontinue any product and any medium format at any time without notice. 5. THE WALMYR PUBLISHING CO. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS THAT IT PROVIDES AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. WALMYR PUBLISHING COMPANY SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR COMPENSATORY, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. WALMYR PUBLISHING CO.'S SOLE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SOFTWARE LICENSED HEREUNDER.