-> This file explains how to install EASI-PLAN Pro. -> The file has been supplied as an integral part of the shareware version of EASI-PLAN, a financial planner for new/small businesses, specially developed for use on a 'try-before-you-buy' basis by Invest-Tech Limited. For contact details, see end of this file. ********************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. How to install & run EASI-PLAN Pro 2. Things to know before exploring EASI-PLAN 3. Running the registered version of EASI-PLAN through Windows 4. Other Information ********************************************************************** 1. How to install & run EASI-PLAN Pro --------------------------------------- EASI-PLAN can be installed via Windows (recommended) or DOS. Via Windows: ----------- a) Unzip the supplied archive file "EASI*.ZIP" (most probably you have already done this if you are reading this message). b) Move all the extracted files into a new sub-directory (EASIP3 is the recommended name). c) Use Program or File Manager ("File | Run") to run "Easiplan.exe". This installation program will extract files, create a new Program Group, and set up icons for EASI-PLAN and its text files within this Group. d) Switch to the EASI-PLAN Program Group, click on the "Try Easi-Plan" icon and away you go.. Note: If you register your copy of Easi-Plan, refer to Section 3 below about running the registered version of EASI-PLAN through Windows. Via DOS: ------- a) Unzip the supplied archive file "EASI*.ZIP" (most probably you have already done this if you are reading this message). b) Move all the extracted files into a new sub-directory (EASIP3 is the recommended name). c) Unzip a further file called "EASIPLAN.EXE" which will be located within the EASIP3 sub-directory. Note that this is another archive file and is NOT an executable - if you try to run it directly from DOS as an executable you will get an error message. d) Run an introductory program called GO.BAT by typing "GO". This will lead you into EASI-PLAN. If your PC uses a very old display, do not select this option - choose e) below. *or* e) Type "EP MASTER" to load EASI-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS. Notes: (1) If you register your copy of Easi-Plan, refer to Section 3 below about running the registered version of EASI-PLAN through Windows. (2) If you register your copy of EASI-PLAN and wish to continue running it through DOS, you should type "EP X". Press RETURN to ignore the 'File does not exist' message and then use the cursor keys and RETURN to select the desired *.ASS file in response to the instruction "Enter Data File Name" which appears at the top of the screen. If more than five such data files exist, press the F3 Function Key to display them all within a larger window. ********************************************************************** 2. Things to know before exploring EASI-PLAN -------------------------------------------- Before exploring EASI-PLAN, you need to know that: All commands are executable from a Main Menu, sub-menus or function key menus. At any stage, the Main Menu can be retrieved by pressing the F10 function key once. You can access context-sensitive Help Pages by pressing F1 at any time. Whenever a report is being displayed on the screen, you can use certain function keys to perform the actions explained in the menu strip displayed at the bottom of the screen. Additional function key commands can be used to call up special facilities for entering data etc. These can be accessed by holding down the ALT key on the keyboard while tapping one of the indicated function keys (press ALT+F1 for help). If you get lost at any stage, try pressing the function key F10 to return to the Main Menu. If a system error is encountered, press the RETURN key (or CTRL+BREAK) and then F10. If a 'secured cell' message is encountered, press RETURN to clear it. ********************************************************************** 3. Running the registered version of EASI-PLAN through Windows -------------------------------------------------------------- (This is only relevant if you have remotely upgrade your copy of EASI-PLAN to the registered version and wish to run it on an ongoing basis through Windows - see Register.txt and the Upgrade command in the Main Menu.) If you are already running the shareware version of EASI-PLAN through Windows, you will *still* need to follow most of the procedure described below. You should open the Properties box for your installed copy of EASI-PLAN (click on the EASI-PLAN icon and use Program Manager's File Properties command) and then follow the instructions given below for steps 4 & 5. To set up the registered version of EASI-PLAN to run within Windows, run Program Manager and proceed as follows: 1. Select the Applications Group which you want to contain EASI-PLAN. 2. Select File and New options from the Program Manager's menu. 3. When the New Program Object box appears, select Program Item and OK. 4. When the Program Item Properties box appears, proceed as follows: - Type "EASI-PLAN Pro" as the Description. - Type "C:\EASIP3\EP X" as the Command Line. Make sure you enter a single space between EP and X. This command assumes that EASI-PLAN has been installed to the EASIP3 sub-directory on a hard disk called C. - Enter "C:\EASIP3" as the Working Directory. - Select Change Icon and select OK when the Change Icon message box appears. - When the next Change Icon box appears, enter "C:\EASIP3\EASIPLAN.ICO" as the File Name and select OK. - Once you return to the Program Item Properties box select OK twice to complete installation. 5. To run EASI-PLAN within Windows, double-click on its icon and wait while it loads. Press RETURN to ignore the 'File does not exist' message and then use the cursor keys and RETURN to select the desired *.ASS file in response to the instruction 'Enter Data File Name" which appears at the top of the screen. If more than five such data files exist, press the F3 Function Key to display them in a larger window. ***** If using Windows 3.1 - WATCH OUT **** If you try to display graphs when running EASI-PLAN in a DOS Window within Windows 3.1 (i.e. less than full screen) when running in Enhanced Mode, the graphs may not show and the display may lock. To unlock it, return to a full DO screen by pressing ALT+RETURN. Always use a DOS full screen when displaying EASI-PLAN graphs. ********************************************************************** 4. Other Information -------------------- The following text files contain more detailed information about EASI-PLAN etc.: Register.txt - Registration details, form etc. Readme.txt - Comprehensive introduction to EASI-PLAN Manual.txt - Manual for EASI-PLAN ********************************************************************** EASI-PLAN (c) Copyright Invest-Tech Limited 1992-97 All Rights Reserved Invest-Tech Limited 27 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Irish Tel: 01-283 4083 UK Tel: 01232-315454 (Call 9 to 9 weekdays and 10 to 6 weekends - GMT/BST) Fax: 278 2391 Fax codes: Irish:01- UK:00-353-1- Inter'l:+353-1- CompuServe: 100606,2665 Internet: brianf@iol.ie WWW Site URL: http://www.planware.ie/resource/planware/ ***********************************************************************