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1994-05-15
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**************************************************************************
* HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER *
* Release 1.5 March 1994 *
**************************************************************************
Robert Gellman
Gellman Software
431 Fifth Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
(C) Copyright 1991-94 Robert Gellman
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
===> THIS PROGRAM IS SHAREWARE. DETAILS BELOW. <===
If you own a house, condominium, cooperative, house trailer, or any
type of residence, you need HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER. This program will
help you keep track of the basis (or cost) of your home. This information
is vital when you sell your home. By using the HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER,
you can be certain that you will have all the information necessary to
minimize the taxes due on the profits from the sale of your home.
The tax laws allow a homeowner who sells one home and buys another to
rollover any taxes due. This means that taxes on profits from the sale of
a home can be postponed for many years. This also means that you have to
maintain information about a home for years or decades after you have sold
it. HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER is perfectly designed for this purpose.
Listen to the IRS: "You should save receipts and other records for
all improvements, additions, and other items that affect the basis of your
home. Ordinarily, you must keep records for 3 years after the due date for
filing your return for the tax year in which you sold, or otherwise
disposed of, your home. But if you use the basis of your old home in
figuring the basis of your new one, such as when you sell your old home and
postpone tax on any gain, YOU SHOULD KEEP THOSE RECORDS AS LONG AS THEY ARE
NEEDED FOR TAX PURPOSES."
Why do you need a computer program to accomplish this? You could
maintain the information in a ledger. But you won't. This program will
prompt you to maintain complete, up-to-date records. It has information
about basis that you don't have. It provides printed reports. If you are
like most computer users who have read this far, you know that you are more
likely to keep complete records in a computer than on paper.
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER will help you to identify all costs
associated with home ownership. The purchase price of your home is just
the starting point. The program lists three dozen circumstances that can
affect the basis of your home. Scanning the list provided by the program
will help you to identify every cost element. The discipline of the
program will save you money.
Tax laws are complex, and there are many surprising events that change
the basis for home ownership. HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER offers no tax
advice. It just helps you in maintaining the records that are necessary so
that you can minimize your taxes. You may need to consult with a tax
advisor before actually paying tax on the sale of your home, but with
complete records you can be assured of paying the minimum tax possible.
**************************************************************************
* RUNNING THE PROGRAM *
**************************************************************************
To start HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER, change to the directory or drive
containing HOME.EXE and enter HOME at the DOS prompt. The program requires
256 K and should run under DOS 2.0 or better. Both color and monochrome
monitors are supported. A graphics card is not required.
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER is menu-driven and simple to use. If you
managed to buy a house, then you can operate the program. The best way to
learn is to use the program for a while. Enter a new house and a few
events. Then come back and read this file. This documentation explains
the finer points.
There are three command line switches. One switch (/HP) selects the
HP Laserjet as the default printer. Another switch (/IBM) selects the IBM
Proprinter (dot matrix) as the default printer. Printer use is explained
more fully below. The third switch allows you to override the use of color
on a color monitor. To suppress color, use the /BW switch. You may use
both switches if you like. Start the program this way: HOME/BW/HP.
**************************************************************************
* REGISTRATION *
**************************************************************************
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER is shareware. Shareware provides you with
an opportunity to try a program before you are obliged to pay for it. You
may use the program on a trial basis for 30 days. If you don't like it and
don't use it, you own nothing. If you use the program thereafter, you are
obliged to register with the author. The price is $25.00. If you can
afford to buy a home, then you can afford to pay for this software.
To register the program, send $25.00 with your name, address, the
version number you are using, and where you acquired the program, to:
Robert Gellman
431 Fifth Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
I hate documentation that goes on for pages explaining shareware and
begging for registrations, so this is it. IF YOU USE THE PROGRAM, PLEASE
PAY FOR IT. There are more details on the license agreement, disclaimer of
warranty, and other legal technicalities later in this documentation.
Gellman Software also offers STOCK PORTFOLIO RECORD MANAGER, an
easy-to-use program that maintains all of the records needed to manage
investments in the stock market. Registered users of the STOCK PORTFOLIO
RECORD MANAGER can register HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER for only $20.00.
Registered users of HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER are also entitled to a $5.00
discount on the $25 price of the stock market program. Registered users of
either program also may obtain copies of five freeware game programS from
Gellman Software. See appendix 1 for more information.
Thanks for your interest and cooperation.
**************************************************************************
* DOCUMENTATION *
**************************************************************************
This document explains the program's general approach and includes
lots of explanatory information. This document file has margins at 5 and
75, and there are form feeds roughly every 60 lines. If you want to print
the document, you can enter TYPE HOME.DOC > PRN from the DOS prompt. Or
you can load it in your word processor with the proper margins and edit it
to meet your needs.
The program is not as valuable if you can't print reports. You must
have an IBM Proprinter, HP Laserjet, or printer that is compatible with
either. Most dot matrix printers work like the IBM, and most laser
printers can emulate the HP. You must use continuous form paper in your
dot matrix printer. Version 1.2 permits printing to a DOS file. The
printer selection process is explained later.
**************************************************************************
* ADVICE FOR NEW USERS *
**************************************************************************
When you start HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER for the first time, you are
told that the main data file (HOME.DAT) cannot be found. This is a warning
in the event that any existing data files are not in the current directory.
Ignore the warning the first time you see it. If you see it after you have
entered data, chances are that you are in the wrong directory or a file is
missing. Investigate before entering more data.
When you get to the main menu on your first visit, you only have two
live options. You can ENTER A NEW HOUSE from the ENTER menu. The other
option is to QUIT the program. Once you have entered a new house, all
other options are available.
The program is easy to use once you get started. Define a new house,
and then add events to it. Start with your settlement sheet and find every
expense that affects your basis. In my case, I found 15 basis events
connected with the purchase of my house. These included inspections, title
searches, title insurance, and attorney. You may have more events or
fewer. Everyone's experience is different.
I have also recorded about 15 improvements that I have made in the ten
years I have owned my house. Some were major -- like a new heating system
or a new room. Others were minor -- like a door knocker. Refinancing my
mortgage added ten more events. You can list separately all expenses
related to a specific improvement or you can lump them together. This is
entirely up to you.
**************************************************************************
* WHAT IS BASIS? *
**************************************************************************
NOTE: Most of the information in this section is taken from IRS
publications. Tax laws are changeable, and there is NO guarantee that this
information is either correct or current.
Basis is a way of measuring your investment in property for tax
purposes. The basis of property you buy is usually the cost or purchase
price. While you own the property, you may make adjustments (increases or
decreases) to the basis. If you change the original basis, you have
adjusted the basis.
This adjusted basis is used to figure gain or loss when you sell or
otherwise dispose of the property. You also must know the adjusted basis
at the time of a casualty to determine your deductible loss for the
casualty. If you change your home to rental or business use, your
depreciation is based on the fair market value of the home or its adjusted
basis at the time of the change, whichever is less.
PURCHASE - The original basis of a home you bought is the purchase
price or cost of the property to you. This includes your down payment and
notes you gave to the seller. Certain settlement or closing costs are
added to or deducted from your basis. Some of these costs are discussed
below.
CONSTRUCTION - If you contracted to have your house built on land you
own, your original basis is the cost of the land plus the amount it cost
you to complete the house. This includes the cost of labor and materials,
or the amounts paid to the contractor, and any architect's fees, building
permit charges, utility meter and connection charges, and legal fees
directly connected with building your home.
If you built all or part of your house yourself, the original basis is
the total amount it cost you to complete it. Do not include the value of
your own labor or any other labor you did not pay for in the cost of the
house.
CONDOMINIUM - Your basis is its cost plus improvements.
COOPERATIVE APARTMENT - Your basis in the apartment is usually the
cost of your stock in the co-op housing corporation, which may include your
share of a mortgage on the apartment building.
GIFT - If your home was a gift, its original basis to you is the same
as the donor's adjusted basis when the gift was made. However, if the
donor's adjusted basis was more than the fair market value of the home when
it was given to you, you must use that fair market value as your basis for
measuring any possible loss if you later sell the home. You still use the
donor's adjusted basis to measure any gain. Please be aware that gifts
raise complicated tax questions. Consult the IRS or your tax advisor.
INHERITANCE - If you inherited your home, the original basis of the
home is its fair market value on the date of the decedent's death or the
later alternate valuation date if that date was used for federal estate tax
purposes. If you are a surviving spouse, and you owned your home jointly,
your basis for the half interest owned by your spouse will be one-half of
the fair market value on the date of death (or alternate valuation date).
The basis in your half will remain one-half of the adjusted basis
determined previously. Your new basis is the total of these two amounts.
ADJUSTED BASIS - This is your original basis increased or decreased by
certain amounts.
Increases to basis include: 1) Improvements; 2) Additions; 3) Other
capital expenses; 4) Special assessments for local improvements;
5) Amounts spent to restore damaged property; 6) Legal recording fees;
7) Abstract fees; 8) Surveys; 9) Transfer taxes; 10) Title insurance;
11) Architect's fees. This is not a complete list.
Decreases to basis include: 1) Insurance reimbursement for casualty
losses; 2) Deductible casualty loss not covered by insurance; 3) Payment
received for easement or right-of-way granted; 4) Depreciation deduction
if you used your home for business or rental purposes; 5) Gain from sale
of old home on which tax was postponed. This is not a complete list.
Certain settlement fees do not affect basis at all: 1) Points;
2) Fire insurance premiums; 3) Mortgage insurance premiums; 4) Charges
for services concerning occupancy of the house.
An improvement adds to the value of your home, prolongs its useful
life, or adapts it to new uses. Improvements are added to the basis of
your property. Improvements can be anything from a new room to a new
furnace to built-in furnishing to new appliances to new locks.
Repairs maintain your home in good condition. They do not add to the
value or prolong its life and are not added to the basis of your property.
For example, putting a recreation room in your unfinished basement,
adding a bathroom, putting up a fence, putting on a new roof, and paving
your driveway are IMPROVEMENTS. These are added to basis.
Repainting your house, fixing gutters, repairing leaks, and replacing
broken windows are REPAIRS. These expenses do not affect your basis. But
if items that are considered repairs are done as part of extensive
remodeling or restoration, the entire job is considered an improvement.
If you claimed any residential energy credit and added the cost of
energy items considered improvements to the basis of your home, you also
must decrease the basis by the amount you claimed as a credit.
**************************************************************************
* BASIS CATEGORIES *
**************************************************************************
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER recognizes over 40 basis categories. Most of
these categories represent events that increase basis. Some represent
events that decrease basis. A few represent events that do not affect
basis at all.
The categories are used to keep similar events together. One report
lists all events for a house according to the basis categories. Thus, all
improvements will be listed together.
You are not required to use the categories provided by the program.
While the list of categories is long, it may not include every category of
basis that affects real estate. You may supply your own categories if you
like. Follow the prompt (i.e., just hit ESCAPE) from the basis category
screen.
The list of categories will prompt you to identify and include all
events that affect basis. Scan through the list when it appears on the
screen to look for basis events you might have missed.
The list of categories shows whether events in that category normally
increase or decrease basis. This is just a guide. An unusual transaction
may result in a different effect. If so, don't feel bound by the guidance.
Do the right thing.
You can enter events that have no effect on basis. This is a helpful
facility for several reasons. First, you can track other events related to
your house that are not basis events. For example, you might want to know
how much you have spent on repairs that do not affect basis.
Second, you may not be sure if or how some events affect basis. For
example, points paid by the buyer are normally not basis events, but they
may be in some circumstances. If you are not sure, record the points as an
event that does not affect basis. You will have all of the relevant
information, and you can decide on the tax consequences later.
For more information about basis, I recommend IRS publications 523
(Tax Information on Selling Your Home) and 551 (Basis of Assets). These
are available at no cost from the IRS.
For each event, the program allows for both a description and a basis
category. The purpose of the description is to identify the specific
event. For example, all new rooms added to your house will be categorized
as "improvements". You use the description so that you can distinguish
between the new bedroom and the new porch.
You also may use the note fields that are part of each event to
include additional details of each transaction. There are two notes
fields. Use them or leave them blank as you please.
**************************************************************************
* HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS *
**************************************************************************
You will find it helpful to understand how the program stores
information. There are two types of files created and maintained by the
program. Summary information about all houses is maintained in a file
called HOME.DAT. This file grows in size with each house entered.
For each house, you must provide a DOS file name (up to eight
characters) for that house. Information about the events entered for each
house is maintained in a file using that name with a .LOG extension. There
is one .LOG file for each house.
The program checks to make sure that a house file name does not create
a DOS file with a reserved file name. Thus, names like CON, NUL, LPT1,
LPT2, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, LST, and AUX will be rejected. These are
reserved names in some versions of DOS. If your file name is rejected,
just pick another one.
The .LOG file contains information about each basis event entered.
The file grows in size with each event entered.
If you enter two houses, there will be three data files on your disk
(HOME.DAT plus two .LOG files). You may NOT change the name of these
files. If you delete any of these files through DOS rather than through
the menu, all of your data will be irretrievably ruined. The program
cannot deal with missing files or renamed files. You may, however, rename
the HOME.EXE file.
**************************************************************************
* PRINTERS *
**************************************************************************
While all information can be viewed on the screen, some useful reports
can only be printed. The reports are the most powerful feature of the
program. You no longer need a printer to see reports. Beginning with
version 1.2, you can print reports to a DOS file, and printing to a DOS
file is the default. See the PRINT TO FILE discussion below.
The program supports two physical printers: the IBM Proprinter and
the HP Laserjet. There are two ways to select a physical printer. First,
pick SELECT PRINTERS (option 4) from the PRINT menu. Follow the prompts to
make a selection. You can switch printers during a session as often as you
like. The SELECT PRINTERS menu line shows which printer type is the
current selection.
There is a command line switch to specify a physical printer. This
switch allows you to specify a printer in a batch file without having to
remember to select it each time you run the program. To select the HP
Laserjet, enter HOME/HP from the DOS prompt. Enter HOME/IBM to select the
IBM Proprinter.
If you don't have a Proprinter or Laserjet, you still may be able to
print. Most laser printers emulate the HP codes. If your printer can use
HP codes, then you can print reports. Many dot matrix printers use the
same codes as the IBM Proprinter. If you have any dot matrix printer, try
the IBM selection. When using any dot matrix printer, you must use
continuous form paper. You cannot feed single sheets. If nothing else
works, you can always print reports to a file and then load that file into
a word processor. You can then control printing through your word
processor.
There are only three printer codes used by the program so there is a
good chance that your printer is compatible. The IBM Proprinter codes used
are CHR$(12) [Form Feed]; CHR$(15) [Condensed Printing - approximately 17
characters per inch]; and CHR$(18) [Regular Printing - 10 characters per
inch]. You cannot control the printer using printer switches because most
reports use both regular and condensed printing.
All physical printing is done through LPT1. If your printer is
connected to another parallel port or to a serial port, you must handle
printer redirection at the DOS level. If you don't understand this
paragraph, don't worry about it unless you can't print. Then you should
consult your DOS manual about use of the MODE command.
When you order a printed report, the program tests to see if printer 1
(LPT1) is on-line. If it isn't, you are warned. This test is not reliable
for every type of equipment and configuration so an override is provided.
If you try to print and there is no printer, the program will crash. VERY
IMPORTANT: Before you do this for the first time, exit back to DOS. This
writes any data you entered to the disk. Then if the program crashes, you
won't lose any data entered during the current session.
**************************************************************************
* REPORTS *
**************************************************************************
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER provides several printed and visual reports.
The reports are the most powerful feature of the program. All information
maintained by the program can be printed.
The report menu offers three types of printed reports. The first is a
list of all events associated with a house organized by basis categories.
This is likely to be the most useful report.
The second report is a list of all events for a house organized by
basis effect. All increases are listed together; all decreases are listed
next; events with no effect are last.
The third report is a summary of all houses. There is one line
listing for each house contains a description of the house, the date of the
first and last event for that house, and the current basis of the house.
In addition to the formal reports, you can print a complete list of
each house and its events. You may print the entire file or, the main
house files alone. The screen prompt explains the available options.
**************************************************************************
* ASSORTED DETAILS *
**************************************************************************
1) CURRENT DIRECTORY: The program looks for and creates its data
files in the current directory. Any marginally adept PC user should
already understand directories. If you don't, read the DOS manual.
HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER can be run from a floppy or hard disk. The
data files MUST be in the current directory when the program is started.
The program can be kept elsewhere if you understand how to do it.
2) DATA ENTRY: You can enter and correct new data for a house or
event before formally adding it to the program. Enter data in the
highlighted field and move to the next field by hitting ENTER or by using
the UP or DOWN cursor keys. If you try to move in an impermissible
direction, nothing happens. When the input is correct, highlight the "ALL
DONE" box and hit ENTER. The ESCAPE key aborts the current data entry.
While entering or editing data in a highlighted field, the standard
editing keys work. This includes the cursor keys, HOME, END, BACKSPACE,
DELETE. The INSERT key toggles the standard insert mode. If you enter
more characters in a data field than the program can accept, the program
beeps at you.
Some data fields are optional. These fields can be used to hold any
information that you like. If data is mandatory and you fail to provide
it, you will not be able to continue. There are separate note fields for
each house and each event.
3) DELETE RECORDS: You can delete an individual event or an entire
house file through the delete menu. If you delete a house file, all
associated events are also deleted. You are warned several times before
files are actually deleted.
The only safe way to delete files is through the program. If you
delete an event (.LOG) file through DOS, the house file will still be in
HOME.DAT. Serious problems will arise because there are no underlying
events. The program cannot recover from a missing .LOG file. The only
hope is to delete the house entry and start again.
4) CHANGE RECORDS: Any data that can be entered by the user can be
changed through the change menu. House and event data can be modified.
5) DOLLAR LIMITS: HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER can handle transactions
in the millions of dollars.
6) BACKUPS - I STRONGLY recommend that you back up all data in several
ways. I keep multiple copies of my data files in case of disaster. I keep
printed copies of data as well. Finally, I keep all original documents so
that I can recreate the data files if necessary. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
should you rely exclusively on the program as the only source of data.
There is a possibility that an undiscovered error will ruin all data.
Always be able to recreate essential records. The legal gobbledygook below
disclaims all responsibility for program failures.
7) PRINT TO FILE - Version 1.2 added the ability to print reports to a
DOS file. This saves paper, allows those with nonconforming printers to
use the program, and permits users to import reports into other programs.
Printing to a DOS file is the default. To print on paper, use the SELECT
PRINTERS option on the PRINT menu or the command line switches.
Version 1.4 added an internal file viewer that allows you to read the
DOS report files. Use the DISPLAY REPORTS ON SCREEN selection in the
DISPLAY menu. You will find this to be a great convenience. You can also
read the documentation from within the program as well.
The program will examine the path and file name that you enter, and
blatantly illegal choices will be rejected. All target file names MUST
have a .RPT extension, and the default file name is HOUSE.RPT. Remember
that the path and file name are only checked for validity and not for
availability. If the drive you select is full or not available (e.g., the
drive door is open), the program will crash.
If the program does crash, any data entered during the current session
may be lost and data files can be ruined. To be extra careful before
printing to a disk file, exit the program first to write all new data to
disk. Then restart the program and print to your disk file.
Data written to a disk file will be appended to a file. This permits
you to write multiple reports from the one or more sessions to the same
disk file. You can change the name of the target DOS file as often as you
like during a session.
**************************************************************************
* PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS *
**************************************************************************
I have made only limited attempts to make HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER
idiot-proof. If you want to screw up the data, you can do it. Things will
go well if you follow instructions and enter good data.
Your data should be safe unless you take steps to erase it. Data is
vulnerable right after it is entered. The program does not always write
new data to disk immediately. The best precaution after entering new data
is to exit the program. This flushes the buffers and writes data to disk.
If you find that data in a house file becomes irretrievably incorrect, you
may have to delete the file for that house and start over.
Any abnormal end to the program can result in the loss of newly
entered data. ALWAYS exit through the menu. An abnormal termination may
also result in the retention of temporary working files. If you find files
in the default directory with a .XXX extension, these files can (and
should) be deleted.
If HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER can't find the HOME.DAT data file when it
starts, you are warned. When you run the program for the first time, this
warning should be ignored. If you see this warning at any other time,
check it out before you enter any new data. Note that a missing .LOG file
produces no warning. You are responsible for maintaining the existence and
integrity of the data files except when the program is running. The
program has not been known to trash its own files.
The program has been tested in a reasonably thorough manner. Of
course, it is likely that there are still a few bugs somewhere, and new
features may create new difficulties. Please write to me if you encounter
a problem or any difficulty of any type. Be specific about the problem and
what you did that resulted in the error.
**************************************************************************
* PROGRAMMING NOTES AND HISTORY *
**************************************************************************
The current version is written and compiled in Microsoft's QuickBASIC
4.5 under DOS 3.1. The source code is not public.
Version 1.5 was released in March 1994. It changed the order of
operations as the program finished so that files would be erased or written
to disk as the next to last (rather than the last) act. It also now
remembers dates, basis category, and documentation for events and will
offer a prompt to repeat the previous entry. The program shows the report
files available to be viewed. Finally, the topline display in the file
viewer has been adjusted slightly.
Version 1.4 was released in May 1993. It added a DOS file viewer for
reports and for the documentation. Also, an internal problem was fixed.
The program could accept unlimited events, but it was unable to display
more than 400 using the one-line, scrollable display. In addition, the
display of events could result in an improper background color if there
were a large number of transactions. All of this has been fixed by a
complete revision of the display routines. The display screen is now
constructed on the disk rather than in memory. The downside is that it
takes longer to create the screen. A progress counter has been added to
the "Task in Process" screen.
Version 1.3 was released in June 1992. It corrected a small but vital
error that prevented basis figures from appearing on the screen.
Version 1.2 was released in April 1992. Significant changes and
improvements include the addition of the capability of printing to a DOS
file. Printing to DOS is the default, and a new command line switch has
been added to select the IBM Proprinter. The program now recognizes
February 29 as a legal date, but it does not check to see if it is a leap
year. The report by basis category has been modified so that a category
subheading will not print alone at the bottom of a page.
Version 1.1, the first public version, was released in July 1991.
***************************************************************************
* LICENSE AGREEMENT AND OTHER LEGAL STUFF *
***************************************************************************
THIS PROGRAM AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND
PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. The entire liability of
Gellman Software and Robert Gellman shall be limited to a return of the
registration price or replacement of the program at the option of Gellman
Software and Robert Gellman.
GELLMAN SOFTWARE AND ROBERT GELLMAN DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE
PROGRAM AND WRITTEN MATERIALS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL GELLMAN SOFTWARE OR ROBERT GELLMAN BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR SIMILAR DAMAGES) DUE TO
LOSS OF DATA OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PROGRAM
EVEN IF GELLMAN SOFTWARE OR ROBERT GELLMAN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Anyone may use the program for a thirty day trial period. At the
conclusion of the trial period, you must stop using the program or pay a
$25.00 registration fee. To register, send $25.00 with your name, address,
and version number you are using to:
Robert Gellman
431 Fifth Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
I will respond to all who register to let you know if you are using
the latest version. Copies of later versions will only be provided in
accordance with the update policies set out below.
There is no restriction on personal use of the program by a registered
user. Registered users may not license others to use the program or
transfer their license to others.
Anyone may give a copy of the program with all accompanying
documentation to any other person. The program with its documentation may
be distributed by computer bulletin boards, software clubs, shareware
libraries, and similar organizations at a standard charge for media and
distribution. The maximum charge permitted without specific written
permission from Gellman Software is $6.00. No other forms of distribution
for money are authorized.
The program and its documentation are copyrighted. No one is
authorized to make changes to either the program or the documentation.
***************************************************************************
* UPDATE POLICIES *
***************************************************************************
I plan to fix errors, make changes and improvements, and add new
features from time to time. I WELCOME SUGGESTIONS FROM USERS. I am not,
however, making any binding commitments to issue updates or corrections.
While I expect to issue occasional updates, I am not anxious to get
into the disk distribution business. HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER is
available from the Public (Software) Library, P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX
77235. I provide updates to PSL as soon as they are released. At this
time, disks are available from PSL for $5.00 plus a $4.00 shipping charge.
A 3.5 inch disk costs an extra dollar. I encourage everyone to use PSL.
It offers good service, and its monthly shareware catalog is excellent.
A Washington D.C. computer bulletin board has agreed to serve as "home
base" for Gellman Software shareware programs. Sysop Rob Richmond of the
CPA's BBS has graciously agreed to make the programs available to all. The
phone number of the BBS is 202-882-9067. The file names will be SPRMxx.ZIP
and HBRMxx.ZIP. The xx stands for the current version number. Interested
users may find it worth their while to visit the CPA's BBS and to read the
bulletin about these programs. I can be reached through the CPA's BBS
under the name Bob Gellman. Information about the phone number and
availability of the BBS is current as of the file date. It is, of course,
subject to change at any time.
I try to put new versions on Compuserve and America Online, although I
am not on either system as a user.
Finally, I will make updates directly available to registered users in
two ways. Any registered user who sends me a self-addressed, stamped disk
mailer and a disk can receive a copy of the latest version at no cost. If
a user wants me to provide the disk and mailer, the cost is $5.00. I
reserve the right to revoke this offer at any time.
I want to discourage people from asking me to provide disks and
mailers. I don't have the time or the facilities. But I want to
accommodate my users, and I will provide updates at no cost if you provide
the disk, the mailer, and the postage.
If you like, I can include my other programs along with any update.
If you like the home basis program and you own stocks, please consider my
STOCK PORTFOLIO RECORD MANAGER. My other programs are freeware games and
are described in Appendix I. Let me know if there are any that especially
appeal to you. Tell me if you can handle ZIP archives and I will send
everything squeezed on one disk. All of my programs will not fit on a
single 360K floppy. It takes two regular floppies or one 1.2 Meg floppy.
HBRM and the stock market program will fit on one disk, however.
I have always responded to any correspondence from registered users so
let me know if you need help, find problems, or have complaints. Alas, I
cannot promise to notify registered users of new versions. The Public
(Software) Library monthly catalog will contain update notices.
***************************************************************************
* APPENDIX I: OTHER GELLMAN SOFTWARE PROGRAMS *
***************************************************************************
SPRM39 STOCK PORTFOLIO RECORD MANAGER (shareware)
This program stores, manipulates, and prints records needed to
manage a portfolio of stocks. STOCK PORTFOLIO RECORD MANAGER totally
replaces or supplements paper records. It provides powerful reports
about your portfolio, transactions, and dividends. Both laser and dot
matrix printers are supported. Anyone who has investments in the
stock or bond markets should consider using this program.
HBRM15 HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER (shareware)
If you own a house, condominium, cooperative, house trailer, or
any type of residence, you need HOME BASIS RECORD MANAGER. This
program will help you keep track of the basis (or cost) of your home.
This information is vital when you sell your home. By using the HOME
BASIS RECORD MANAGER, you can be certain that you will have all the
information necessary to minimize the taxes due on the profits from
the sale of your home.
Gellman Software has also published these freeware games:
POKER571 Head to Head Draw Poker (freeware)
1POKER14 Poker Solitaire (freeware)
CALC15 Calculation Solitaire (freeware)
LABELLE4 La Belle Lucie Solitaire (public domain)
SIXLTR42 Six Letter Word Game (freeware)
The last two programs were coauthored by other programmers.
These programs are available from the Public Software Library, P.O.
Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235. The latest versions are normally sent to PSL
as soon as they are released. I recommend PSL to anyone interested in
shareware or freeware. Gellman Software programs are also available on
finer computer bulletin boards in the Washington, DC area and elsewhere.
Copies of all programs are available directly from Gellman Software.
Send a self-addressed, stamped mailer and disk to the address on the first
page. State which programs you want. IMPORTANT: Please indicate if you
know how to handle ZIP archives. If you want all programs, send one 1.2
Meg disk, two 360K disks if you can unZIP, or three 360K disks if you do
not understand ZIP archives. There is no charge if you supply the disk,
the mailer, and the postage.
****End of HOME.DOC****
