*************************************************************
DATEBOOK:  An automatic reminder program for important dates.

			   By
		       Bill Faust
		      Version 1.0
			8/29/92
*************************************************************

NOTE:   If you wish to print these instructions, return to the
	DOS prompt and type:
		      TYPE DATEBOOK.TXT > PRN
		(make sure the printer is on first!) 


For those of you who "Don't Do Manuals".......................
	1)  Make sure the files datebook.exe and alarm.dat are
	    in the root directory or somewhere accessible through
	    your path statement.  
	2)  Type: datebook /setup <enter>.  (Use datebook /msetup
	    if you have a mono only system!)
	3)  Follow the instructions to add YOUR alarms.  The one 
	    that's in there will delete itself later.
	4)  Add the line:                
			datebook
			   or
			datebook /mono (for mono only systems)
	    to your autoexec.bat file.  (If you don't turn off your
	    computer each day, place the line in a batch file that
	    you normally run every day.  You don't even have to run
	    datebook from a batch file, just type datebook <enter>
	    from the DOS prompt when you wish to check your alarms.)
	    By the way, datebook is NOT a TSR program!!
	5)  Datebook will now run automatically every time you boot
	    up.  You will hear a beep and your message will appear.
	    RESET will reset the alarm (to next week, month, etc).
	    SAVE will NOT reset the alarm - it will appear each time
	    you run datebook until you reset it.
	6)  P.S. You can always delete an alarm by running 
	    datebook /setup (No more anniversaries after the divorce
	    decree is signed, etc).
	7)  If something doesn't make sense here, READ below.  That's
	    why I typed it.
	
*********************************************************************
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For those of you who DO "Do Manuals"................................
	
	INSTALLING DATEBOOK:
		The files needed to run datebook are DATEBOOK.EXE
		and ALARMS.DAT.  DATEBOOK.EXE is the program &
		ALARMS.DAT is the data file with all of your alarm
		information.  Datebook is NOT a TSR program so you
		don't have to worry about memory or conflicts.

		Datebook is normally run from your autoexec.bat file.
		This way, every time you turn on the computer, the 
		program checks for any alarms automatically.  If you 
		are in the "never turn off the computer!" camp, simply
		run datebook from a batch file that you normally run 
		every day.  If any of these don't suit you, just run
		datebook from the DOS prompt whenever you want to
		check on your alarms (but that's kind of self-
		defeating).

		Copy the 2 files to the root directory or any other 
		directory accessible through your path statement.
		Make sure you put both of them in the SAME directory.
		Add these lines to your autoexec.bat file:
		
			cd\ [directory you put the files in]
			datebook [datebook /mono for mono systems]
			
			Examples:       
					cd\utils        
					datebook

					  OR

					cd\
					datebook /mono

	ADDING ALARMS:
		Now, BEFORE you run datebook for the first time, it 
		would be nice to put in some of your own alarms.
		Type:
		     datebook /setup <enter>   
		     (or datebook /msetup <enter> for mono systems)
		at the DOS prompt.  You will be asked if you want to
		enter or delete alarms.  Press A to ADD alarms.  A 
		dialogue box will appear & ask you to enter the TYPE
		of alarm.  They are as follows:
			YEARLY   - Alarm sounds once every year on the
				   same date. (ie. 6/1/92, 6/1/93, etc.)
			MONTHLY  - Alarm sounds once every month on the 
				   same day of the month. (ie. 5/20/92,
				   6/20/92, etc)
			WEEKLY   - Alarm sounds once a week on the same
				   day of the week. (ie. every Monday)
			ONE TIME - Alarm sounds one time only.
		Choose the alarm type by pressing the appropriate 
		highlighted letter - Y for YEARLY, M for MONTHLY, etc.
		Next, you will be prompted for the date of the alarm.
		Type in the number of the month (1 = Jan, 2 = Feb, etc.)
		followed by the date (1-31) and finally the FULL year
		(1992, 2001, etc. Don't type '92 or similar).  Finally,
		type in the message you want displayed for the alarm.
		The maximum number of characters for the message is 40.
		When you have finished, you will be asked if the 
		information is correct.  If it is, press <enter>.  If 
		it is not, press X and you can redo the above process.
		You will then be asked if you wish to add more alarms.
		Type Y or N to continue as you wish.  There is a maximum
		limit of 100 alarms.  Datebook is now ready to work for
		you.  Datebook is shipped with one alarm installed 
		already.  It is a "one timer" that will erase itself
		automatically when reset.

	DELETING ALARMS:
		  Eventually you will need to get rid of some alarms. 
		(No more anniversaries when the lawyer drops off the
		final divorce decree!)  
		Type:
		     datebook /setup 
		     (or ... /msetup for mono systems) and then D to 
		delete alarms.  Your alarms will be numbered & listed 
		on screen - up to 20 at a time.  You will be prompted 
		to enter the number of the alarm you wish to delete 
		or type C to Continue.  Find the alarm you wish to 
		delete and type its number followed by <enter>.  The
		number you typed will clear and you may enter additional 
		numbers for other alarms you wish to delete.  When you are 
		finished with that page, type C to continue.  
		If you have more alarms, another page will be displayed.  
		Repeat the above process until finished.  When there are 
		no more alarms in your list and you press C to continue, 
		the program will ask you if you are SURE you wish to delete 
		the chosen alarms.  Press Y for yes or N for no.  If you 
		press Y, the alarms will THEN be deleted.  Pressing N will 
		return you to the DOS prompt.  Simply rerun the setup 
		program to delete the alarms.  (NOTE: If you just want to 
		view your alarms, run setup as if you were going to delete 
		alarms.  Press C to continue to each page and then type N 
		so that no alarms are deleted.)


	USING DATEBOOK:
		Datebook is pretty automatic.  When you boot up, the
		program runs. It checks the date and looks through
		your alarms.  If an alarm is now due OR ITS TIME
		HAS PASSED, it will be displayed and the computer will
		beep.  The date of the alarm and your message line 
		appear in the box.  You now have two choices:
			RESET - Resets the alarm according to its
				type.  A yearly alarm for Jan 1,1992
				will RESET to Jan 1, 1993.
			SAVE  - The alarm will NOT be reset. It will 
				remain intact and therefore keep going
				off every time you start the computer.
				This is useful when it's difficult 
				for you to do anything about the 
				alarm at the moment. (And you're afraid
				the alarm will fade from your memory
				as well as the computers' the minute 
				you turn it off!)
		Type the highlighted letter of your choice.  If another 
		alarm is due, it will be displayed now.  Alarms will be
		displayed until there are no more current ones due.

	TIPS ON USING DATEBOOK:
		  I wrote this program primarily for myself - I can't 
		remember anything!  It is perfect for all those little 
		things that I can never remember.  
		  Use the yearly alarms for the obvious ones;  Aunt 
		Ethel's Birthday, YOUR ANNIVERSARY, Pearl Harbor Day, 
		backing up your hard disk (?), etc.  However, don't set 
		the alarm for THE date of the event.  Set the alarm for 
		a week or so ahead of time - put the actual date in the 
		message line.  If you want to send Elvis a birthday card, 
		it's no use finding out that the card was supposed to be 
		at Graceland by TODAY!  Don't forget Mother's Day too.
		  Use the monthly alarm's for things like - my favorite -
		the dog's worm pills!  Set up an alarm to remind you to 
		pay the bills, no more nasty notes from the mortgage co.        
		  Use the weekly alarms for - my second favorite - TRASH
		DAY! (One of my prime motivations for writing this!)
		Bath day is also a good one.
		  The One Time alarms are good for Doctor appointments,
		special events, and to record the Twilight Zone marathon
		on PBS next Saturday night.
		  Finally, don't reset alarms unless you're sure you'll
		do what it is you're supposed to do.  SAVE the alarm if
		you need to pick up a birthday card and you know you
		won't get to the mall for 2 or 3 days.
		  (One note of caution.  Leap year MAY throw off a FEW 
		of your alarms by a day or two.  You may have to delete 
		and then re-enter a few.)


	FINAL NOTES:
		  As I said, I wrote this program primarily for myself.  I
		am not, nor do I claim to be, a professional programmer.
		I decided to make this "Shareware" because I felt other
		people could get some use out of it too.  The are giga-
		bytes of other programs out there that do the same thing
		or more, but none of them seemed to fit the bill for me.
		I use this program every day.  Now, nobody gets mad at me 
		for forgetting their birthdays or not taking out the trash.
		(The dog is even happy with me for keeping the worms away.)     
		  If you get some use out of the program, feel free to send 
		whatever "donation" you feel is appropriate.  If you like
		the program, tell me - this is my first foray into the
		world of Shareware.  If you absolutely hate it, keep it to 
		yourself, I bruise easily.  (Constructive criticism is
		welcome.)  If you have any bugs with the program I MAY be
		able to fix it, but I can't guarantee anything.  With a job,
		a 2 year old, & both my wife & myself back in school, I'm
		a little short on time these days.
			  You can send donations to:
				Bill Faust
				229 HAINES AVE.
				BARRINGTON, NJ 08007-1117
			(You can also look me up on Prodigy.)
		
		Please feel free to make copies and distribute this 
		program for your friends, enemies, other BBS's, etc.  
		However, please DO NOT alter the program in any way.
		

	LEGAL STUFF:    
		This product is shipped "AS IS" and no warranties are
		given or implied.  The creator shall not be held liable 
		for any damage from the use of this product.


							Thanks,
							Bill Faust

