************************************ * * * VEHICLE * * * * EXPENSES * * * * Version 3.1 * * * ************************************ Gary LaRonge 3023 Wilderness Loop S.E. Olympia, Washington 98501 (C) Copyright 1988 VEHICLE EXPENSES Version 3.1 DESCRIPTION: VEHICLE EXPENSES provides a means of writing, storing and maintaining files of four categories, fuel, scheduled, emergency and other expenses, related to the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles or other equipment. Using VEHICLE EXPENSES is quite easy. The data base is created by simply assigning a file name and adding the appropriate information. After the file has been created, and the appropriate data has been entered, save the file using a unique name that in some way identifies the machinery to which it pertains. Some names that you might consider are vehicle type (MUSTANG, PICKUP, BIGTRUCK, etc.) or license number (DAT111, FGH089, etc.). The method you choose is not important as long as it is meaningful to you. The file may now be added to, deleted from, edited, printed to screen or printed to printer as your needs dictate. INCLUDED FILES: VEHEXP31.TXT- This documentation. VEHEXP31.EXE- The main program. SAMPLE.EXP - A sample vehicle expense file. This file may be used to practice editing, printing, etc. until you feel comfortable enough to create your permanent files. HASERROR.EXP- This expense file has an out of sequence entry in it. Select "print file to screen" to see the results. EXPINSTL.BAT- A batch file to assist installing VEHICLE EXPENSES 3.1 on a hard disk. TYPEDOC.BAT - A batch file to automate document printing. NOTE- DOS Version 2.0 + is required for proper operation of this program. What's NEW in Version 3.0 - 1- Now writes files using different extensions than earlier versions. .FUE = Fuel expenses .SM = Scheduled maintenance expenses .EM = Emergency expenses .OTH = Other expenses This was necessary to gain the added record capacity. 2- Handles up to 157 records of each category. It is suggested that new files be started annually and retain a separate disk of the data entered for the previous year. -Version 3.1- Changes in user input fields Change of Address -1- NOTE- If your computer is equipped with a color video board and a mono monitor, it will be necessary to utilize the configuration file to advise the program of the mono monitor. The Version 3.0 file structure is not compatible with the structure of earlier versions. The differences between the two file structures is so great that it is not practical to write a conversion program, so it will be necessary to start new expense files. LETS GET STARTED: To install VEHICLE EXPENSES on a hard disk, place the floppy disk containing VEHICLE EXPENSES 3.1 and the files previously mentioned, in drive A: and type EXPINSTL . A directory named C:\EXPNS will be created on the hard disk and the files on the floppy disk in drive A: will be copied to the new directory. When the file transfer has been completed, type C: to access the hard disk, then type CD\EXPNS to change directory to the new maintenance directory. Version 3.1 supports a configuration file that is named VEHEXP30.CNF. When the program is invoked it checks for the presence of VEHEXP30.CNF. If the file is found, the data contained becomes values which determines, the name in line one of the opening screen, monitor type definition, and the I.D. of the disk drive/sub- directory containing the expense files. To invoke VEHICLE EXPENSES, Type VEHEXP31 . An opening screen will appear with the prompt "Press to continue" displayed at the bottom of the screen. At this point, if you wish to create a configuration file, hold down the control key and press F1. Follow the prompts to complete the three required entries. -or- If you wish to install password protection, hold down the control, shift and alternate keys and press F10. Enter the desired password and be certain that it is not forgotten or you are in serious trouble. Normally, use of password access will not be desired or required. Press to continue and when the opening screen clears you will see the main menu which displays the following choices; 1- SELECT expense file. 2- PRINT expense file. 3- ADD expense records. 4- EDIT expense records. 5- DELETE expense FILES. 6- EXIT to DOS -2- Let's explore the options- "SELECT expense file" is normally going to be your first choice after the file has been created. When selected, you will need to specify the type of file to select as fuel, scheduled, emergency, or other, then all expense files are sorted and displayed with a numerical reference. Simply enter the number assigned to the file of your choice and that file will be opened and prepared for processing. Up to 10 files will read into the directory for selection. If you require maintaining data for more than 10 vehicles or pieces of equipment, ask about our Commercial version. It is also very inexpensive and offers nice features and handles 200 vehicles. If you wish to create a new file, press instead of entering a file number. "PRINT maintenance due" When selected, you will need to choose one of the four available categories, fuel expenses, scheduled expenses,emergency expenses or other expenses. A print sub-menu offers the choices of "Print to screen" or "Print to printer", you may then indicate your choice of printing "all" records or a "single" record of the selected category. If "print to printer" was your choice, you will be given the opportunity to enter up to a 50 character title header for the printed sheet. The print routine uses no special character codes so it should function correctly with most printers. "ADD expense records" As additional expenses are encountered, they may be entered into the main file with this option. You will be asked to enter the date, mileage, and cost of the expenditure and if the selected category is fuel, you will be asked to enter the amount of fuel purchased. Two 60 character comment lines have been provided in each entry to make appropriate notes regarding that entry. "EDIT expense records" After selecting the desired category, you may opt to edit a record by browsing through all records to edit as necessary or you may choose a record by record number. When the appropriate record has been displayed, you simply enter the number of the line to edit and make the necessary corrections. Returning to the expense menu will cause the file to updated automatically. "DELETE expense files" should be used with caution. DO NOT confuse this option with an editing function. This selection ERASES THE FILE OF CHOICE FROM THE COMPUTER DISK !!!. To use this option, enter the number of the file to be deleted as shown on the directory of expense files. You will then be given an opportunity to abort the operation if you choose to do so. "EXIT to DOS" is the end of biz!. -3- This software is provided "as is" and offers no warranty, express or implied. The author accepts no liability for this software use or misuse, or any consequential, special, or exemplary damages attributed to it's use. -A CLOSING NOTE- In most situations, pressing will get you out of a place in which you don't wish to be. My thoughts on contributions for shareware. Pretty simple, If you decide to use this software and wish to contribute the suggested value I will be forever grateful, If you feel you can't afford the suggested amount, contribute what you think will better suit your budget. If you want to use the software and contribute nothing, I guess you will probably do just that. The down side of using shareware and failing to contribute for its use is becoming more and more evident. A few years ago, it was not difficult to find full featured software readily available but now, thanks to those who don't wish to support a fine system, we are seeing more and more "teaseware", that is software that has been released without being fully implemented. One of the beauties of the shareware system, besides extremely low cost, is the opportunity to test new software and be sure it suits ones needs before spending a couple of dollars and with "teaseware" that benefit is being restricted. Let's not destroy the system altogether. The thought of being restricted to purchasing only commercial software is not a pretty one. -4- Please mail to: Gary LaRonge 3023 Wilderness Loop S.E. Olympia, Washington 98501 Please add my name to the list of registered users of- VEHEXP31 (Individual use - $ 5.00) (Commercial use - $20.00) NOTE- Commercial registration includes the next release on disk. BUSINESS NAME- __________________________________ DEPT- ___________________________________________ NAME- ___________________________________________ ADDRESS- ________________________________________ CITY, STATE- ____________________________________ ZIP CODE- _______________________________________ Please accept my sincere thanks, Gary