Copyright: ®1995, Kenneth G. Kirkpatrick


Contents

What's New This Version?

This Help File contains information for:

The Shareware Version

The Registered Version

Miscellaneous

Association of Shareware Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

Ken Kirkpatrick

Registering This Software

Technical Support

Other Products by Ken Kirkpatrick Software

Our BBS

  I Need This Software Yesterday!

A Note to International Customers

Procedures

Quick Start

Importing Names For Batch Processing

Troubleshooting

     Force Printing To Single Page

Printing Religious Holidays


Association of Shareware Professionals

Kenneth G. Kirkpatrick is a member of The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly. ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.

Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road., Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, or send a CompuServe message via CIS MAIL to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.


Ken Kirkpatrick

Kenneth G. Kirkpatrick

Ken Kirkpatrick Software

P.O. Box 981

Taft CA 93268-0981

(805) 763-3545 Voice, Monday - Friday, 9-5 Pacific

(805) 763-3335 FAX 24hrs Daily

(805) 765-4321 BBS - Customer Support - 24hrs Daily

E-Mail:  ksoft@lightspeed.net

Visit our Web Site:  http://www.kksoft.com


 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.    I like your program, but I want to use the data in Word Perfect or another program. How can I do that?

        A.    You can't. The data is encrypted and in a proprietary

                database. Thousands of hours of work went into the

                compilation of the database, and I cannot allow the info

                to be exported to plain English for any reason. Then YOU

                would have my database and there would be nothing exclusive

                about my product! Sorry, but never!

Q.    I want to add info to my printout. How can I do that?

        A.    Because the layout of the page is pre-determined, there is no

                room for "extra" data. (Except for a "Tag Line")

Q.    I would like some special modifications to your program for my special needs. I am willing to pay. How do I proceed.

        A.     I do not make "special editions." One, because of time

                constraints. Two, I could not possibly keep up with the

                myriad of versions I would have "out there" at update time.

Q.    I don't like having your name on MY printout! If you would remove your copyright notice, I might buy!

        A.    When you buy a Chevrolet, General Motor's name is all over

                it. When you buy your mom a greeting card, I'll guarantee

                the manufacturer's name in on the back. You own a non-

                exclusive right to use the software. I own the copyright.

                When you buy a dress shirt from Arrow, It says "Arrow" in

                the collar, not "Bob's Shirt."

Q.    Can I copy the program and use it on my other computers? After all, when I register I have paid for it!

        A.    Unless you have a multiple-use site-license, your

                licensing agreement (registered version) provides for

                only one copy. Treat this software as you would a book.

                You may transfer this software from one computer to

                another computer to another so long as there is no

                possibility that it can be used on both computers at

                the same time; just as two people cannot read the same

                book at the same time! You ARE encouraged to give copies

                of the SHAREWARE - try before you buy - Version to your

                friends, BUT are prohibited from copying the registered

                version. It's only fair.

Q.     If I find a typo in your data, how can I get it corrected?

        A.    Should you find a typo (a typing or spelling error) in

                the database, PLEASE make a printout of the dated with

                error circled and mail or fax it to us. If you are a

                registered user, we will immediately correct the error

                and mail you a new database!

Q.   I noticed that this is a SHAREWARE program. What does that mean?  I've heard different things from different people!

        A.    SHAREWARE is a marketing method NOT a type of software.

                With SHAREWARE, you "try-before-you-buy." It's that

                simple. It is NOT free-ware or a "demo" but a fully

                functional program that allows you to evaluate its

                suitability BEFORE you purchase. If you got this

                program from a disk vendor and paid a few dollars for

                it, you paid for disk duplication and distribution only,

                NOT the program itself. SEPARATE payment directly to

                the author is REQUIRED for continued use of a SHAREWARE

                program. This program, for instance, is SHAREWARE and

                we encourage you to try it out! However, after a

                reasonable evaluation period your are expected to

                register this product with the author. Any public

                distribution of the printout is strictly prohibited in the

                SHAREWARE version. Registration brings MANY benefits

                to the owner. Look elsewhere in this documentation for

                the many benefits that await YOU when you register!

                Remember also, that ONLY with YOUR support of SHAREWARE

                products, can we continue to produce quality programs

                like this one!

Q.      Can I use different fonts for the printout?

        A.    No. Everything must "fit" just right, and changing the fonts would alter

                the layout.

Q.     I'm just giving the printouts to my friends and relatives, and I am NOT selling them, do I still have to register?

        A.    ANY distribution of the printout other than for evaluation

                is NOT allowed. This is "Try-before-you-buy" software, not

                a "free" public domain program. Quality Shareware like this

                program can only be made with the continued support of people

                like YOU. In other words, if you like it and use it, then

                register it!


Register
Registering This Software

From the main screen of the Shareware Version, "Click" the Registration Button. It will print a registration form that you may mail-in, or FAX. You may also telephone Ken Kirkpatrick Software directly with your order.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express or checks in U.S. funds.

 I Need This Program Yesterday!


I Need This Yesterday!
I Need This Program Yesterday

Yes! We can Help.

We can ship FedEx Standard Overnight. This service will be billed to you at cost. The order MUST be received BEFORE 12 Noon, Pacific Coast Time. You may phone-in or Fax your order.

Ken Kirkpatrick Software also has a BBS for your convenience. This BBS may be accessed 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week. Upon request, your registered program may be downloaded by you directly from our Bulletin Board. It will be "attached" to a private message to you, so ONLY you can gain access! This means you can have almost instant access to a registered version! Call for details. (credit card orders only!)

Please call Ken Kirkpatrick Software for any special shipping needs. If we can help, we will!

 While every reasonable attempt will be made to accomodate your deadline, we cannot be responsible for common carrier delays. This means that if the software doesn't arrive on time, we cannot be held responsible nor will we re-ship at our cost. It's only fair!


The Shareware Version

The Shareware, "Try-Before-You-Buy", version is identical to the registered version except for the watermark,"Evaluation Copy" displayed on each copy of the printout. This does not prevent you from fully evaluating the product as the "Watermark" allows reading of the underlying text.

Our Shareware distribution policy is almost as innovative as our software! We want everyone to get a copy of The Birthday Chronicle and try it for a reasonable time. Those who like the product and find it useful (almost everybody, we hope) can register for a reasonable price. The ONLY restriction is that the Shareware version displays the "Evaluation Copy" watermark to remind you to register this software. If you find that our software is not for you, simply delete it from your computer. That's the essence of "Try-Before-You-Buy."

In addition, each registered copy is personalized with your name or company name at the bottom of the printouts and replaces "Your Name Here, etc.."

The "Name" line is mandatory, that is, we will not ship an un-personalized copy of the software. The address line and phone number are optional, but are highly recommended for your repeat business!

Upon registering the Shareware version,we will send you the registered version by mail or E-mail.

We offer full technical support for the Shareware version, so please do not hesitate to call with you questions or problems. Service before and after the sale are important to us!


The Registered Version

Why Register?

1. Eliminates the "Evaluation Copy" watermark from your printouts.

2. Your name or company name in place of "Your Name Here, etc.."

3. Periodic updates to the massive database available to registered users only.

4. The latest version and database when you register.

5. Order shipped within 24 hrs. of receipt.

6. Shipped priority mail at no extra cost in the U.S.A.

7. FedEx service available at cost.

8. Only by registering shareware programs like this one can we continue to produce quality software!

9. Unlimited free technical support.

10. Free Updates for the life of the product from our BBS.

The above changes make the program commercially viable.

One of the FEW programs that actually Makes You Money!

Plus, Satisfaction Guaranteed - We Want You Happy!


Catalog of Products

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The meaning of more than 14,500+ first names. Simply enter any name ,and the birthday if available, press enter and "Voila!", out comes a printout, in Calligraphy, suitable for framing. This program will amaze you with the sheer number of names in its database. Great as a fund-raiser for schools or organizations or as a money maker for the entrepreneur at a swap-meet, street fair or craft show. You've seen this program in malls, now own this software yourself.  Professional Edition which does personalized mugs & keychains, 5 x 7's, 8 x 10's, and much more! Available for  Windows. Fully Windows 95 Compatible!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

"What Happened The Day Your Were Born?" This unique program produces a mini-newspaper front page of the day you were born, graphics and all! No special paper required. There is no other program like it anywhere and is a guaranteed money maker! Shows the headlines of the day, a picture of the President, the Academy Awards, Sports, and much, much more. Sets a  new standard for "What Happened The Day You Were Born" programs. Guaranteed to surpass anything you have ever seen. Salable and suitable for framing, this unique printout will be treasured by all who receive it.  Every date back to January 1, 1900.  Available for  Windows. Fully Windows 95 Compatible!

New Products are being developed all the time. Check with Ken Kirkpatrick Software for new products or dial-up our 24 hr. BBS.


Quick Start

Welcome!

We have tried to design a foolproof, error-free program! We are firm believers that our programs should require NO "learning curve," that is, a total novice should be able to understand and operate this program.

Here's how:

1. Enter any full name, like John Adams Smith. The program will automatically put what you enter in upper/lower case, so leave the "caps" OFF. Now Press 'Enter'.

The program will assume that if you use a title as a suffix, such as Jr., Ph.D., D.D.S., M.D., you will put periods in the title. This is so that the program can recognize the suffix AS a suffix and NOT the last name. This is helpful to know as the program utilizes the last name in the head of the printout as "Serving The [Surname] for ## years."

You would not want, "Serving the Jr. Family for ## Years."

2. Scroll up or down with your up-arrow or down-arrow keys or mouse to the correct birth month. Press 'Enter.'

3. Type in the two-digit number for the day of birth, such as 18 or 23 or 06. The program will automatically move you to the next prompt so DO NOT HIT ENTER. (If you enter  a number less than 10 then precede it with a  zero

and you won't have to hit 'Enter.')

4. Type in the two-digit value for the year such as 47 for 1947 or 83 for 1983. Simple enough! The program will not allow you to enter dates before 1900 or after the most recently completed year. The program will now highlight the "Print" button

5. Press enter to print or hit "ESCape" to "back-up".

That's it, its that simple! After the printing is completed the program will prompt you for another name.

NOTE: This program prints WITH graphics, that means your printer is in GRAPHICS mode. Graphics take time to print. Understand this and know that your print speed depends on you computer speed and printer speed.

The program itself is NOT SLOW, but your printer is!

Use of Windows "Print Manager" is highly recommended and its use or non-use is indicated on the main screen. You may engage the print spooler by going into the Windows Control Panel and selecting "Printer." Simply check the Print Manager box and return to THe Birthday Chronicle. Use of this "tool" will allow you to enter many names and allow them to "spool" or stack-up while the printer is busy, thus freeing your computer.


BBS
Ken Kirkpatrick Software BBS

For your convenience, we have established a BBS (Bulletin Board Service).

(805) 765-4321, (8-N-1), up to 28.8 baud, 24 hrs. daily. Free for the phone call!

This service will provide you with the latest shareware versions of our products, along with the technical support for those who wish to communicate directly with the author via E-Mail.

In addition, registered users may receive additional access not available to the general public.

There is never a charge and you are encouraged to utilize this resource at any time. It will always contain the most up to date programs and information for our Try-Before-You-Buy and registered customers.

 One MAJOR advantage of our bulletin board is the availability of your registered version via the BBS. Upon request and REASONABLE notice we can upload a registered version of any of our programs to our BBS and you may download the password protected file at your convenience. Call Ken Kirkpatrick Software for details.

This, of course, means that you must register over the phone with a credit card prior to the download.


Troubleshooting

By far the most common problem when printing in Windows is an improper WINDOWS DRIVER installed OR

a Windows driver that is "buggy." ( Actually happens all the time! )

Here's what to do if you experience problems with the printout:

1. Make SURE you have the correct driver for YOUR printer installed. These drivers are provided by the manufacturer of your printer and were shipped with your printer.

2. If your printer emulates another printer such as a Hewlett Packard Laser II or III then install and load the HP driver that your printer emulates. If this solves the problem, then your printer driver is defective. Contact your printer manufacturer's technical support and ask how to obtain the most CURRENT version of the driver in question.

3. Look in your printer manual and find out how to reset your printer to factory defaults. Do this and retry the program. It is best to get totally out of Windows to DOS and restart Windows when attempting to troubleshoot.

4. If your printer, usually an ink jet, prints the output on multiple pages (it should all be on one), then check the box on the main screen that says, "Force Printing To Single Page" .  This is quite common with ink jets as they cannot usually print the entire printable LENGTH of the page.

This program has been extensively tested and has no KNOWN bugs. If all else fails, we welcome you to call

technical support any time Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5 Pacific Time, and we will be HAPPY to help you.

In the "Control Panel", "Printers", "Setup", make SURE that you are *NOT* printing the True Type Fonts as graphics. That box should be UNCHECKED!

This program relies on the fact that you have not removed ANY of the installed TrueType fonts that came with

Windows. In particular, the printout looks for "Arial" , "Times New Roman.", and "Wingdings". If you have removed these fonts the product will NOT print as designed.


Religious Holidays
RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES

When you make a printout, you will notice in the upper right-hand corner a box that says "EXTRA!" This is the default graphic printed when the recipient was born on a non holiday date.

If, however, the recipient was born on a holiday, a suitable graphic for the holiday replaces "EXTRA!".

There are three types of holidays. Generic, Christian and Jewish. A generic holiday is something like the 4th of July or Labor Day, etc.  A Christian holiday  might be Easter, Palm Sunday, etc. Yom Kippur is an example of a Jewish holiday.

You may wish to print all holidays, generic, Christian & Jewish. This is the default. The default also provides that if a Jewish Holiday and a Christian Holiday fall on the same date, the Christian Holiday will take precedence and be printed. You may reverse this so that Jewish Holidays take precedence by changing the settings in the "Options" menu choice at the top of the screen.

You may also may want to have Christian only or Jewish only as you desire. Or you may wish to print NO religious holidays. It's your choice! Clicking on "Reset Defaults" returns the settings to factory originals.

Your choices are reflected on the main screen under Current Options.

These choices ONLY affect RELIGIOUS holidays and have no bearing on generic holidays which always print.


International Customers

Persons using this software outside the United States should realize that this program is heavily "slanted" to American audiences, that is, the focus is VERY American. The news stories, the Presidents , the holidays and most everything printed is a facet of life in the United States of America.

An international version is NOT planned currently, so if you plan to register this software (and many do), be willing to take it AS IS.

When we undertook this project, please understand we had NO access to microfilms back to 1900, for other than U.S.A. sources. Plus remember that what is interesting to people in Australia MAY NOT mean much to people in Italy! See our predicament?


Force Printing
Force Printing To Single Page

Checking this box will force the program to override the Windows printer driver supplied with your printer that does not allow text to be printed below a certain "unprintable" length. This applies to MANY of the newer ink jets by Canon, Epson and Hewlett-Packard.

According to the supplied printer driver, many of these machines simply do not allow printing within the bottom one-half to one inch portion of the physical page! That means that this program, which was designed to print within one-half inch from the bottom, prints the balance on subsequent pages. Obviously, this is not acceptable!

If your printouts span more than one page, then by all means check this option. It will stay checked until you change it or another printer which does not have this  limitation (most lasers and dot matrix) is selected.

Note that the page layout is now altered to accomodate the limitation of your print mechanism, that is, the news stories will now always remain above the non-printable area.

Obviously, the stories and information have been condensed to accomodate this option, but are still available in their original format should you be able to utilize another printer that does not have this print limitation.


Import Names
Importing Names For Batch Processing

This program now allows the importation of a list of names and birth dates for batch processing.

This feature will be particularly valuable for "batch" printing many names at once, unattended. It will automatically process and print an entire list of names without user intervention.

To enable this feature simply click the "File" menu selection, then click "Import Names for Batch Processing."

You will then be presented with a file selection dialog box with the default file extension of "*.txt".

MOST IMPORTANT! You must have previously created an ASCII file that contains comma and quote delimited information. This is a very common form of export for many database programs. An example of a comma and quote delimited file that works in The Birthday Chronicle "batch mode" is:

                                                            "Joe Blow","9/22/1956"

                                                            "Steven King","6/14/1946"

                                                            "George Hatcher","12/25/1953"

                                                            "Forrest Gump","July 4 1943"

                                                             Other acceptable formats

The above example represents four (4) names in the proper format for import, that is the name field and date field are separated by a comma (mandatory), and the fields are contained in quotes (optional). This is currently the ONLY format supported by the import function. ".DBF" (dBase)  files are not currently supported.

After selecting the file, another screen will appear for further selection and printing. If you wish to print the entire list unattended in one session, click "Select All" and then click "Print Selected." The program will then process and print each name in the list until finished or interrupted by the user.

If you wish to print only selected names on the list, even just one name, simply highlight the name with the mouse and holding down the control button on your keyboard, make multiple selections of your choice with the mouse. At any time you may "clear" the list and re-import by clicking "Clear" and clicking "Import & Read".

Alternately clicking and clicking again a name will select and unselect it for printing.

As means of an exemplar, a sample file has been provided in the application directory called "Sample.txt" and will allow you to "play" with this function.

If the list contains ANY bad information or incorrect structure for import then importation will not be allowed. In this case check your import file VERY carefully for missing commas or extraneous characters.

Be SURE to tell PRINT MANAGER (if you are using it)

to use LOW PRIORITY in PRINT MANAGER "options."

Click on the Print Manager Icon and under "Options" , click "Background Printing"

then check "LOW", under Printing Priority.


Other Acceptable Formats

The name and date fields in the ASCII file

may be formated as ANY of the following:

"Aaron Burr","6/25/45"                  (standard)

"Aaron Burr","6-25-1945"               (Long Year)

"Aaron Burr","6 25 1945"                (No Date Separators)

"Aaron Burr","June 25 1945"         (Long Alpha Date, no commas in date allowed!)

"Aaron Burr","Jun 25 45"                (Short Alpha Date)

 Aaron Burr , 6/25/1945                   (No Quotes around fields)

The comma separating the two fields

is ALWAYS required, but the quotes

are optional. The above formats

may be MIXED in the file.

The DATE field may have the following

separators:

                     (space)

                      - (dash)

                      /(slash)

for ANY of the above formats!

Hint! Take a look at "Sample.txt" in this directory. It contains examples

of acceptable import formats!

Be SURE to tell PRINT MANAGER (if you are using it)

to use LOW PRIORITY in PRINT MANAGER "options."

Click on the Print Manager Icon and under "Options" , click "Background Printing"

then check "LOW", under Printing Priority.


What's New This Version

What's New This Version?

Date	Version	Type	Comments

07 Mar 1997	4.0d	Minor	Enabled better detection of International Date

formating for both Win 3.1x and WIN 95. Now

program will auto-recognize your date formating

and produce printouts without alteration to U.S.A.

date formating standards.

_____________________________________________________________________

12/15/1996	4.0c	Minor	Misc. minor error corrections in Data Base.

_____________________________________________________________________

08/02/1996	4.0b	Minor	Corrected small data base errors.

Corrected error with F.D.R.'s actual

date of death, April 12, 1945. Now reflects

Truman as Pres. subsequent to that date,

and Roosevelt, prior.

Eliminated overhead of VBRUN300.DLL

included with program files. Now available

as supplemental file if needed.

_____________________________________________________________________

06/01/1996	4.0a	Major	Eliminated update program, as main program

now incorporates auto-update capability.

Starting with version 4.0a, to update your previous

version, simply install any newer version, and

run the program. It's that simple! This new version

will automatically extract your "old" registration

information and "write" it to the new copy. No

user interaction is required. It is imperative that

the new version be installed to the directory where

the old version resides.

Corrected some grammatical and spelling errors

in the data base.

_____________________________________________________________________

04/11/1996	3.9i	Yearly	Adds 1995 data and releases year for

usage

Chinese Zodiac offers greater degree

of date accuracy. Previously, the Chinese

Lunar Year was the same as the calendar

year. Now, it is date specific as the

Chinese New Year ACTUALLY starts

sometime during the month of January

or February.  Dates prior to the ACTUAL

Chinese New Year will reflect the previous

year's symbol, such as the Rooster, etc.

Enhanced printing for Ink Jets due to large

unprintable area at bottom of page. The

page format at the bottom actually changes

when an ink jet printer is detected.

Due to popular demand, recognizes and

utilizes international date formatting without

intervention in Control Panel. Will automatically

use 29 March 1996 OR March 29, 1996.

(Win 3.1x only)

When a name is entered such as 'McGregor', the

program will automatically capitalize the 'G' after

the 'Mc'. Just type in the name in lower case, the

program will understand how to capitalize.

Dozens of new celebrities added to

"Celebrities Share Birthday" column.

 _____________________________________________________________________

11/04/1995	3.9h	Minor	Added ability to move "dealer" tag line

from bottom of page to top. Click on

'Options' for this choice. Especially

valuable for ink-jet users who cannot

fit their name on bottom of page due to

unusually large unprintable area.

Data base typo fixes.

Improved compatibility with Windows 95

_____________________________________________________________________

09/20/1995	3.9g	Minor	Improved print speed due to proprietary

internal print caching.

_____________________________________________________________________

09/12/1995	3.9f	Minor	Improved Windows 95 Internal Compatibility.

Fixes problem of quitting application

successfully when Control Box is dbl clicked.

Allows printing of registration form in new

WIN 95 Wordpad format or WIN 3.1.

Corrects some minor database typos.

Invokes this screen on update!

_____________________________________________________________________