		         Welcome to RetireA

Before  using  RetireA,  read  the  following  disclaimer  clause:

The author  of this program does not  make any  claims  about  the
ability of this program  to improve the user's financial position,
current or future. This program is merely  a tool and the  useful-
ness of this tool depends entirely  on the ability  of the user to
define,  predict,  and  interpret  current  and  future  financial
factors.
The author  also disclaims  any responsibility  for damage  to the
user's data base or damage to  any  user's software  or equipment.

If you agree with  the above statements and agree  not to hold the
author (or the distributor where you received RetireA) responsible
for any losses incurred while using or because  of  using RetireA,
then proceed.

Otherwise, stop now and do not use RetireA.

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Installation

Note: RetireA is designed to run  under  Windows 3.1.   It has not
been tested under earlier or later versions of Windows.
 
Since you are reading this file,  it  is  assumed  that  you  have
extracted  the files  from  the compressed file  that you received
from the Library.

(Compressed files with a .ZIP extension are un-compressed by using
the PKUNZIP utility.  Self-extracting compressed files, which have
a .EXE extension, are decompressed by "Running" the file.   Before
doing  either  method,   place  the compressed file in a "RetireA"
directory that you have created.    Example -  c:\Retirea )
 
After decompressing, You should have 7 extracted files.  The seven
files that should remain are:

RETIREA.EXE	Main Program 
RETIREA.HLP	Help file
TMCGDLL.DLL	Author's Library
COMMDLG.DLL	
BWCC.DLL	
README.TXT	This file
SAMPLE.RET	Sample RetireA data set

The 7 files will take about 450K bytes of disk space.

Note:  The compressed file is  no longer necessary after the seven
files are extracted  and  it is suggested  that  it be copied to a
backup diskette and deleted from the hard disk.

RetireA icon
It is also suggested  that the RetireA icon be placed in an exist-
ing existing Program Group (in Window's Program Manager).  One way
to do this is to:
 1) Enter File Manager
 2) "Click" the RetireA directory.
 3) Activate Window's "Task List" (Ex. Press Ctrl-Esc keys)
 4) Press "Tile" button- so that Program Mgr. & File Mgr. are both
displayed.
 5) Then, using the mouse, hold left mouse button down  and "drag"
the RETIREA.EXE program from the File Mgr. directory  to a Program
Mgr. Program Group. The icon will materialize in the Program Group
when the mouse button  is  released.   RetireA can  now  be run by
double clicking its icon.
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Note to RetireA version 1.0 users.
First be aware that  this  is version 1.1. There is  a change that
affects  the .RET data files.  If  you  have  developed .RET files
using version 1.0, they  will still  be usable  with  version 1.1.
The only problem (temporary problem) is  when you use an "old" RET
file the  first time  with vers 1.1. The Start Date of the 30 year
period will be wrong. Correct this by doing the  Calculate | Setup
option.  Vers 1.1 (and later) saves  this information  in the data
set;   Vers 1.0 did not.  If you are creating  new data sets,  you
should not have this problem.
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Changes from Version 1.0 to version 1.1.
In addition  to the  Start Date  for the 30 year calculation being
saved  in the data set  (mentioned above),  the  following changes
have been made:

. key F1 activates the RetireA Help.

. The flat vertical bar display  in Report 2  is now a 3D display.
Also, a 3 button tool bar has been added to make switching the 3 -
10 year periods easier (for Report 2 only). 

. The  starting year  range  of  incomes  and  expenses  has  been
increased.  The lower end is now the  current year - 30 years  and
the upper end  is the current year + 100. This also applies to the
30 year calculation.

. The initial logo at start up is held for 5 seconds regardless of
the machine speed.
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The first thing I recommend  is  reading  the on-line help topics,
especially the Overview, and the Tutorial.

If  you  do  not wish  to execute RetireA  at this time,  read the
RetireA  help  file  (RETIREA.HLP)  by  double  clicking  it  from
Window's File Manager.

If you have  a printer, print  the Tutorial  help  using  the Help
 File | Print.  Then, when  you are ready  to try RetireA,  follow
the Tutorial using the supplied test file SAMPLE.RET.
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I am distributing  RetireA  as Shareware. The concept of Shareware
is that you are permitted to try a shareware program for a reason-
able  trial period  (in this case - one month)  and  if after that
time  you wish  to continue  using  it,  then  you are required to
register (order) the program.
The registered version  (the version of RetireA  which you receive
directly  from  the author upon registration)  currently  has four
additional report displays, which I find extremely useful. See on-
line Help,  Reports Menu,  Reports 5a, 5b & 6a, 6b.   And the reg-
istered version has a installation program  to make things easier.
And....  who knows  what other enhancements will be  incorporated? 
In fact,  I welcome  your suggestions,  and  if  I use one of your
suggestions, your registration fee will be returned,  and you will
receive a free upgrade of RetireA when it is released.  Note: If I
receive two or more suggestions I determine are basically the same
only  the first  one received  will  be rewarded  the  free offer.

If you need information about product shipment  or  have technical
questions about the product,  contact me at     215-353-0834    or
CompuServe 71672,1203.

When you are ready to order,  see help topic "Shareware Registrat-
ion" for  further information.
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I can't think  of very many topics  which  are more important than
financial and retirement planning.  Nearly everyone should be con-
cerned with this subject.  And although RetireA was developed with
retirement in mind,  I have found that  it is just as effective in
planning one's financial picture, regardless of age.  It helps you
to become organized and it promotes  an interest  in trying to tie
all of your financial factors together.
And today, probably more than ever, retirement doesn't necessarily
spell the end  of productivity  (in my case,  writing RetireA, for
example).
My goal was to retire from a structured job by the age of 55.  Us-
ing the principals  found in RetireA,  I was able  to achieve that
goal.  I have been "retired" for four years  and I now use RetireA
to plan my future financial strategies.   I hope that it will help
you plan and achieve your financial goals.
  
Thank you for your support.

	Tom McGrath   September 1993
