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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #2163)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
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Information about “HOME FINDER”
A sophisticated database program specifically for Real Estate Agents
and property consultants, HOME FINDER puts your listings at your
fingertips.
It sets up three databases: properties for sale, properties for rent,
and properties currently rented. Each database can have up to 250
records (the registered version holds 20,000 records). Search quickly
for properties that match a customers requirements in size, number of
bedrooms, location, type of dwelling, swimming pool, parking, and many
other criteria. Add and change criteria to meet your needs.
The program is sophisticated enough to also search for properties that
almost match a customer's requirements as well. Searches can also be
done by address or any keyed word or phrase. Results are displayed on
the screen or you can print them . Impress your clients with personal
reports of the properties they are interested in. HOME FINDER's
client report format never prints vital property information that would
let a customer simply go to the property owner.
HOME FINDER is an easy-to-use program that lets you move easily
through its series of menus using your cursor keys. Help screens
either automatically appear as you move through the operations or can
be called up whenever you need them. You can print reports in
five different formats.
FILE2163.TXT
Disk No: 2163
Disk Title: Home Finder
PC-SIG Version: S1
Program Title: Home Finder
Author Version: 3.0
Author Registration: $65.00
Special Requirements: A hard drive.
HOME FINDER is a sophisticated database program written specifically
for Real Estate Agents and property consultants. HOME FINDER keeps
all your listings easily available and very easy to retrieve.
HOME FINDER sets up three databases, one for properties for sale, one
for properties for rent and one for properties that are currently
rented. Each database can contain up to 250 records, (the registered
version will hold 20,000 records in each database!) Each database can
be searched quickly for properties that match a customers requirements
in size of property, number of bedrooms, location, type of dwelling,
swimming pool, parking, and many other criteria. You add and change
criteria to meet your needs. The program is sophisticated enough to
also search for properties that almost match a customer's requirements
as well. Searches can also be done by address or any keyed word or
phrase. The results of your search are displayed on the screen or
printed out. Impress your clients with personal reports of the
properties they are interested in. HOME FINDER's client report format
never prints vital property information that would allow a customer to
simply go to the property owner.
HOME FINDER is an easy to use program that lets you move easily
through its series of menus using your curser keys. Help screens
either automatically appear as you move through the operations or can
be called up whenever you need them. You can print reports in any of
five different formats in either draft or letter quality. This is an
easy to use, professional standard program to put the listings you
want in your customer's hands.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
FINDHELP.TXT
H O W T O S E A R C H F O R A P R O P E R T Y W H I C H M E E T S Y O U R R E Q U I R E M E N T S 1 ) F i r s t o f a l l y o u m a y c h o o s e w h i c h d i s t r i c t s t o l o o k i n . I f y o u e n t e r 0 i n t o a l l 3 c h o i c e s f o r d i s t r i c t , t h e n t h e c o m p u t e r w i l l l o o k i n a l l t h e d i s t r i c t s f o r p r o p e r t i e s w h i c h m e e t y o u r o t h e r r e q u i r e m e n t s . H o w e v e r y o u m a y c o n f i n e t h e s e a r c h t o 1 , 2 o r 3 p a r t i c u l a r d i s t r i c t s b y e n t e r i n g t h e d i s t r i c t n u m b e r s y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n . 2 ) N e x t y o u m a y e n t e r t h e t y p e s o f p r o p e r t y y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r . U p t o 3 t y p e s m y b e s p e c i f i e d , l e a v i n g a l l b l a n k w i l l s e a r c h t h r o u g h a l l t y p e s f o r p r o p e r t i e s w h i c h m e e t y o u r o t h e r r e q u i r e m e n t s . 3 ) N e x t y o u m a y e n t e r v a l u e s f o r t h e m a x i m u m r e n t y o u a r e p r e p a r e d t o p a y ( o r m a x i m u m s a l e p r i c e ) , t h e m i n i m u m f l o o r a r e a t h a t y o u r e q u i r e , a n d t h e m i n i m u m n u m b e r o f b e d r o o m s r e q u i r e d . I f t h e s e a r e u n i m p o r t a n t u s e a h i g h r e n t / s a l e v a l u e a n d l o w v a l u e s f o r t h e a r e a a n d b e d r o o m s . 4 ) F o r t h e o t h e r c h o i c e s , e g p a r k i n g , a Y m e a n s Y e s y o u w a n t i t , a n N m e a n s N o y o u d o n ` t w a n t i t a n d a b l a n k m e a n s i t d o e s n ` t m a t t e r . 5 ) Y o u m a y e n t e r U , F , S , o r a b l a n k f o r U n / F u r n i s h e d , S e r v i c e d o r n o p a r t i c u l a r r e q u i r e m e n t i n t h e f u r n i s h e d / s e r v i c e d c h o i c e . P R E S S A N Y K E Y T O R E T U R N T O T H E P R O G R A M
HFMANUAL.TXT
CONTENTS
An OVERVIEW of the program ................................ 2
INSTALLATION .............................................. 3
What DATA is STORED by the program ........................ 3
How to use Home Finder - THE MENUS ........................ 6
The MAIN menu - Selecting a Database ...................... 6
The TASK menu - The Primary Functions ..................... 7
The UPDATE menu - Changing the stored records ............ 7
ADDING Records ............................................ 7
EDITING Existing Records .................................. 8
DELETING Records .......................................... 9
RESTORING Deleted Records ................................. 9
TRANSFERRING Records between Databases .................... 9
PACKING the Databases ..................................... 9
The LOCATE Menu ........................................... 10
FINDING Records by REQUIREMENT ............................ 10
SEARCHING for Records by ADDRESS .......................... 10
LOCATING Records by Entry/Deletion Date ................... 11
The VIEW Menu ............................................. 11
The PRINT Menu ............................................ 12
ROUTINE USAGE ............................................. 12
HARDWARE Requirements ..................................... 13
The SETUP Program - Configuring to suit your computer ..... 14
Video Mode ................................................ 14
CHANGING the VARIABLE FIELDS .............................. 15
PRINTER DRIVER - Setup for your printer ................... 15
The DATA CHECK variables .................................. 16
Changing up the District Help Screen ...................... 16
OVERVIEW
Home Finder is a purpose written computer database program for
Real Estate Agents and Property Consultants, and the data to be
stored is dedicated to this purpose; however some of the data
fields can be re-configured using the setup program.
The program sets up 3 databases, one each for properties
currently offered for sale, properties currently offered for
rent and properties which have been let and which are to be
re-called at an appropriate date.
Each database can contain up to 250 (20,000 in the registered
version) entries, and because selection data is kept in memory,
can be searched quickly for properties which meet a customer's
requirements (If the exact requirements cannot be found a
search will be made for properties which almost suit the
requirements). Similarly a search for properties which contain
a certain word or phrase in their address can be made quickly
and effortlessly. After making a search all matching entries
can be displayed on screen and printed out if required.
The strength of the program is its extremely friendly user
interface. All the tasks carried out by the program are
controlled by the user either by moving a marker around on a
menu list, or by pressing a single key in response to a
question asked by the computer. In the case of menu selections
a message describing the current function appears on screen as
the marker is moved from choice to choice. If an incorrect key
is pressed the computer will respond with an appropriate error
message and the user can re-try.
All critical activities such as the deletion of a record from
the database require double confirmations to proceed, before
being carried out.
Help Screens to assist in various aspects of the operations
appear either automatically or as requested by the user as
appropriate.
Data entry and the editing of existing entries are checked to
ensure that sensible and legal (user set) values are being
entered.
Reports are printed in 5 formats: full reports, medium reports
and short reports for internal use, and a long and medium type
report for issuing to clients. In addition a choice of draft or
letter quality printing (subject to printer ability) is
available. The program can be configured to a particular
printer using the setup program. Printing is spooled from disk
allowing the user to continue using Home Finder.
INSTALLATION
Computers with a Hard Disk:
Place the diskette in drive A: and type HFINST this will cause
the following actions to take place:
A directory called \HOMEFIND will be created on drive C:
All the files on the diskette will be copied to the new
directory;
a program called HFMAKE will be run which will create 3
test databases to assist your evaluation of the program;
Computers without a Hard Disk:
Copy all the files except the manuals onto a new disk, then
use the new disk and type HFMAKE, to make 3 databases on it;
All Computers:
if you are using a computer with a monochrome adaptor you
must use the configuration program by typing HFSETUP to
reset the video mode; it is suggested that you do not
alter any of the other setup settings at this stage.
Home Finder can then started by typing HF at the
appropriate DOS prompt.
WHAT IS STORED ?
Most of the fields to store the information are fixed, and
dedicated to the nature of a real-estate program. However 6
fields can be altered using the setup program.
Each entry stores the following information:
The date the entry was entered or deleted, this is
obtained automatically from the computer clock;
The type of the property, House, Condominium, Apartment,
Town House or Row House, input the initial letters;
The number of stories, enter a number between 1 and 5;
The Address of the property stored as 2 lines. The first
line which normally contains the flat number and/or
building name will not appear on the client's printouts.
This is to prevent customers by-passing your agency, and
approaching the property owners directly;
A two line description of the accommodation;
The District Code of the property, this is a 2 digit
numeric code which you set yourself in order to enable
searches for properties by district; Whenever it has to
be entered a list of codes and districts created by the
setup program will be displayed;
For records in the Rental or Sales Database the date that
the property will become available; If it is unknown
enter U for the first part of the date, and the computer
will enter a date of Unknown; Otherwise fill in the date
in European or American format as previously selected with
the setup program and without typing the / between the
digits;
For records in the Re-call Database, the month 1 to 12 and
year (88,89,90....) to re-call the record;
The Floor area in square feet or square meters as
previously selected with the setup program;
A short description of the view; eg. City, Sea, Mountain;
A maximum length of 10 letters is allowed;
The monthly rent or sale price as appropriate; Input is
any numeric value within the permissible limits previously
set with the setup program;
The management fees and the property taxes;
These 2 fields may be redefined by the setup program to
store other financial or numeric data; Input is any
numeric value within the permissible limits set with the
setup program, or if unknown input a U;
The number of bedrooms. Enter a value between 1 and 7;
The the approximate age of the property in years; Input
is any number between 0 (for new) and 100, or a U if the
age is unknown;
Whether there is a swimming pool, or garden and if so
whether it is private or communal; Input is Y or N for
Yes or No, if yes then input P or C for Private or
Communal; Enter C if the status of the facility is
unknown;
Whether there is a balcony, a children's playground,
tennis or racket ball facilities; The last 2 fields can
be redefined to some other Yes/No requirement by using the
setup program; Input a Y or an N as appropriate;
Whether there is car parking, and if so the number of
spaces; Input is Y or N for Yes or No; If you answer
yes, input the number of covered and uncovered parking
spaces as a number between 0 and 5, or U for unknown;
Whether the property is air-conditioned or not and if so
whether centrally or by separate units; Input is as usual
Y or N. If you answer yes input C for central U for
unknown or the actual number of separate air-conditioning
units;
Whether the property has central heating and if so what
kind of fuel is used; Input is as usual Y or N followed
by the first letter of the fuel type;
Whether the property is furnished, unfurnished or
serviced; Input F, U, or S as appropriate;
Details of the commission and the lease; Both these 26
character text fields can be redefined for other uses by
using the setup program. Only the Lease field will be
printed on client's printouts.
Up to 12 lines of remarks, any lines beginning with an *
will not appear on client's printouts.
USING HOME FINDER
Travelling Around the Menus
There are 6 menus :
The MAIN menu; selects which records to work with.
The TASK menu; selects one of the menus below.
The UPDATE menu; makes changes to the stored data.
The LOCATE menu; locates specific records by address, type
or entry date.
The VIEW menu; allows viewing of records, and optional
printing
The PRINT menu; allows printing of records.
Other than the main menu which appears when the program starts,
all the other menus are selected from the task menu.
Selections are made by positioning the highlight over the
required selection on the menu bar with the cursor keys and
pressing the Enter key, which is also known as the Return key.
A message describing the current selection's function is
displayed under the menu bar.
The menu bar is moved by using the left and right arrow keys.
(Cursor keys) If the bar is at the left hand end of the menu
and the left arrow is pressed it will move to the right hand
end. Similarly when it is on the extreme right it will move to
the left hand end if the right arrow is pressed.
A menu that you have just left can be returned to by selecting
the Return option on the menu you just selected.
THE MAIN MENU
As with a physical card system you must first open the box of
cards you wish to search. The main menu which appears on
switch on (and whenever else you want it) "opens" the Rental,
Sales or Re-calls database or quits the program. You should
always quit the program in this way rather than simply turning
off the computer. After choosing which database to work with,
the choice will appear in the left hand section of the lower
status bar. You must return to this menu whenever you wish to
change databases.
THE TASK MENU
After choosing the database the Task Menu will be displayed.
Here you may choose from the primary tasks of updating the
records, finding specific records and printing or viewing
records. Further menus as chosen will then appear, you will
return to this menu whenever you want to begin another primary
task. Alternatively you may choose to Return to the main menu
to change Databases.
THE UPDATE MENU
The Update menu has 6 choices:
Edit; to edit the information on an existing record.
Add; to add a new record to the database.
Delete; to remove a record from the database.
Restore; to restore a deleted record to the database.
Transfer; to transfer records between databases.
Pack; to increase disk space by packing the current
database.
When any of these options are selected you will immediately be
asked to confirm your intention by pressing Enter, pressing any
other key will return you to the Update Menu.
Add
A blank input screen will appear, with the record number of the
new record. You will proceed through the input screen filling
in the particulars. The program will move from field to field
automatically when you finish an entry by completely filling a
field with data, or for partially filled fields when you press
Enter. If the entry is invalid you will be prompted with a
helpful error message to re-enter the data until it is
acceptable.
The text fields such as address and view will accept any form
of input or can be left blank. For details of valid input to
the other fields see under WHAT CAN BE STORED.
After filling the first input screen, you will be asked to
press Enter to confirm that no changes are to be made. If you
are not satisfied press another key, and then you may re-edit
your entries. (See next menu "Edit" for details).
Alternatively you may press Escape to abandon the input at this
stage.
After confirming that the first input screen is satisfactory a
second blank screen will appear for you to fill in, and the
process is completed in the same way as it is with the first
screen.
The remarks field deserves a special explanation. With all of
the other fields entry is made using the normal typewriter
keys, and the only other keys which have any effect are the
backspace key to erase mistakes and the Enter key to enter the
data. With the comments field a far greater set of editing
commands is available:
Home will move the cursor to the beginning of a line.
End will move the cursor to the end of a line.
Pg Up (page up) will move the cursor to line 1.
Pg Dn (page down) will move the cursor to line 12.
Left arrow & right arrow move the cursor to the left &
right.
Up arrow & down arrow move the cursor up and down.
Del deletes the character under the cursor & re-justifies
the text to suit.
Backspace deletes the character to the left of the cursor
without re-justifying the text.
Enter will move to the start of the next line.
When the remarks have been entered to your satisfaction press
the Esc (Escape key), if you wish to make no remarks press this
key as soon as the field is entered.
Remember any remark line starting with a * will not appear on
the client's printout.
When the second input screen is completed to your satisfaction
you will be asked to confirm that you wish to save the record.
Pressing Enter will save the record, other keys will return you
to the Update menu without saving the entry. After saving, you
will be asked if you wish to enter another record press Enter
to do so, or another key to return to the Update menu.
Edit
Editing an existing record is a very similar process to adding
a new one. The principle differences are:
You must enter the number of the record to be edited.
The input screens appear filled in with the current data
for the chosen record.
You do not have to enter information into every field. Move
the cursor to the fields you wish to alter by pressing any
key except Enter, press Enter on any fields which you
want to edit. For reference the old entry will
appear under the new entry as data is being entered.
Delete
After confirming your intention to continue, you will be asked
for the number of the record to be deleted. The chosen record
will appear on the screen, and you will be asked to confirm its
deletion by pressing Enter. Upon confirmation the record will
be deleted, and you will be asked if you wish to delete
another. The reply is as usual by pressing Enter or any other
key.
Restore
Deleted records are not actually deleted from the database
until you pack the database. When a record is deleted all that
actually happens is that a flag is set to tell the program to
ignore these entries when making searches (except when looking
for deleted records). Consequently the Restore option allows
you to re-activate a deleted record in the same way as
deleting a record.
Transfer
The mechanics of the transferring option are similar to those
of the delete option. However please note that transfers are
only possible between the Rental and Recall databases (in both
directions). In addition you will be prompted for the
available date for transfers to the rentals database, or
re-call date for transfers to the recall database.
Pack
Deleted records do increase search time and take up valuable
disk space. From time to time when you are sure that you will
never want to restore currently deleted records you should pack
the data base to permanently remove the records from the disk.
As with the other options packing only occurs on the currently
selected database and ample opportunity will be given for you
to back out if you decide not to proceed. However once packing
has begun you must allow it to complete, otherwise your disk
files may be corrupted - it is suggested that a disk back up be
carried out prior to packing.
THE LOCATE MENU
The Locate menu has 5 options:
By Type; to find records which meet certain requirements.
By Address; to search for records by their address.
By Date; to search for records by entry or deletion date.
View; to enter the view menu after locating records.
Print; to enter the print menu after locating records.
By Type
This option has 2 variations, it is used to find records in the
rental and sales databases which meet certain requirements or
it can be used to search the re-call database for records to be
re-called up to and including a specified date.
Dealing with the first option:
After confirmation of intent an input screen will appear in
which information is entered in a similar manner to when
records are being edited. You will be asked to confirm whether
you wish to retain the current search parameters which you have
entered previously or return to the default values. This saves
you the work of re-entering all your conditions if there has
been only a slight change in your requirements since a previous
search. Up to 3 districts may be specified, if all 3 are set
to zero all districts will be searched. Up to 3 dwelling types
can be entered, if all are left blank all types will be
searched. You may enter all your other requirements in terms of
maximum rent, minimum number of bedrooms, the facilities
required etc. and edit if necessary, eventually confirming your
acceptance (press F1 to F10 for help). After a further
confirmation to proceed with the search, a search for matching
records will be made.
There are 3 possible results. Matching records are found,
records which almost match are found, (in either of these
cases you are advised to proceed to print or view them) or no
matching records are found. In the last case you will be asked
whether you wish to edit your requirements or leave the
procedure.
In the case of the re-call database the procedure is similar,
but simpler in that only the re-call date can be entered.
By Address
This option is used to search for records which have a certain
name in their addresses. For example you might want to find
all properties in Maple Street or in Paramount Towers.
After the usual confirmations an input screen appears. If you
are only interested in a particular district, you may enter up
to 3 district codes to specify which districts to look in. If
the district codes are all set to zero then all the districts
will be searched (which will take longer);
Data entry is similar to the record editing procedure, and upon
completion you are asked to confirm the search is to be made.
The computer will then search and tell you how many matching
records were found.
By Date
This option is used to identify all records which were entered
between the set dates, or which were deleted/transferred
between set dates. Use is self explanatory and similar to the
options above.
Print & View
These options can be entered from the find menu to allow you to
conveniently proceed to these menus after completing a search.
THE VIEW MENU
The view menu allows you to view the records on the screen, it
has 2 main options Numbered or Selected. Choose selected after
carrying out a find or search operation. You may then scan
through the chosen records by using the up and down arrow keys.
Choose Numbered if you want to see a specific record. You will
be prompted for the number and the record will appear on
screen. You may then scan through the records one at a time
by using the cursor keys.
It is not possible to view all the information on a record
simultaneously, pressing any function key (F1 to F10) will
switch between the primary and secondary information stored for
each record. Press the Escape key to return to the menu. Any
record on screen can be printed by pressing P, but printing
will not start until viewing is complete.
The remaining options Style and Quality set the printout type
and the printing quality to either draft or Near Letter
Quality. These options should be set before commanding any
printing. The current settings are visible in the middle of
the lower status bar.
THE PRINT MENU
This menu is similar to the view menu with an additional choice
of Cancel, which will stop any printing which is in progress.
After selecting Cancel you should turn off your printer, and
re-align the paper.
The operational difference between the Print and View menus is
that when viewing, printing is optional and carried out on
request by pressing P on each individual record. However when
printing from the Print menu all selected records are printed
automatically without having to press P. If your search has
just found 1000 records, printing Selected from the Print menu
will attempt to print them all so beware. Press the Escape key
to abort such an unwelcome occurrence.
ROUTINE USAGE
Once the initial data has been entered into the system you can
begin using Home finder for your Residential property
management system.
On a typical day you would add any new properties which come to
your attention into the Rentals or Sales databases as
appropriate. Any properties which have been sold would be
deleted from the Sales database. Any properties which have
been let would be transferred to the Re-calls database. Lists
of the additions and deletions can be conveniently made with
the Locate by Date option and the Short printing style.
On enquiry from clients printouts of properties which meet
their requirements would be produced by locating suitable
records and printing them out.
Internal printouts would be produced at will for the
information of your sales team.
Once a month you would search the Re-calls database for
properties which are soon to come to the end of their tenancy,
and print them out. Enquiries would then be made as to whether
the current tenancies are to be renewed in which case you would
edit the re-call date, or whether the properties are to be
re-let; in which case you would transfer the property to the
Rentals database.
From time to time or when forced to do so you should pack the
databases.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Computer - IBM XT or AT compatible with at least 256 Kb of RAM
installed. The minimum memory of 256 Kb will allow your
largest database to contain 4000 records, as installed memory
is increased to the maximum of 640 Kb up to 20,000 records can
be handled. The computer should have a hard disk drive ( C:)
preferably of at least 20 Mb. capacity. The total number of
records in all 3 databases is limited by disk size to about
2,000 per Mb. of disk space.
Monitor - A monochrome or color monitor with a color card (CGA
or VGA) or a monochrome monitor with an IBM monochrome card can
be used.
The program is configured to use your particular monitor with
the Setup program.
Printer - The printer should be an 80 or 130 column printer
with tractor feed; Epson compatible preferred. Printer
effects are set by using the setup program described later in
this manual.
Operating System - IBM PC DOS or MS DOS version 2.0 or higher.
THE SETUP PROGRAM
Home Finder comes ready configured to run on a computer with a
monochrome monitor using a CGA card, printer codes (which allow
your printer to underlined or print enlarged characters etc)
are set to typical Epson type codes and the maximum and minimum
values for data checking are set to reasonable values.
District Codes on the automatic help screen are set to "Not
Used" or to some local Hong Kong place names.
If using a moochrome card IT IS ESSENTIAL that you re-configure
to suit your display monitor, and save any change before the
program's first use. otherwise Home Finder will not be
displayed properly on your screen monitor.
The configuration program is started by issuing the following
command sequence :
C: to ensure you are using hard disk drive C:
cd \homefind to select the correct sub-directory.
HFCONFIG to start the program.
Using the Configuration program is similar to the editing
procedures used in the main program, the highlight is moved
from field to field by pressing any key except Enter. If
Enter is pressed the parameter can be edited using the normal
typewriter keys and backspace to erase. The new entry is
complete when the field is full or Enter is pressed.
Before Home Finder is used for real data you should think
carefully about how you wish to configure Home Finder for your
needs. Complications may arise if you have to make changes
after a significant amount of data has been entered. For
example if you alter the district code of one of your
districts you would have to edit every record in that district
to the new code. Changing the tennis field to store
information on badminton would involve reviewing every
record in accordance with the change. Reducing the maximum
rent might invalidate data already stored. etc etc. - SO THINK
ABOUT IT FIRST !!
Video Mode
The first decision to be made when running HFCONFIG is the
video mode. The program will not continue until you make a
valid reply of 1, 2 or 3. If you change the mode you will be
warned that you must save the change when given the
opportunity, or the new video mode will not be stored. Some
computers have display adaptors which driven by hybrid cards
which appear to work correctly with mode 2 (CGA with mono
screen), but the district and help find screens do not appear
when they are supposed to, try re-configuring to mode 1 (mono).
Variable Fields
This section allows you to rename the 6 variable fields:
The 2 re-configurable numeric fields can be re-labeled and
output as numbers, or as money preceded by your chosen money
sign. Entering a Y in the money option will cause the figure
to be interpreted as money. You can also set text to follow
them on the printout such as per year per week etc.
The 2 yes/no fields can be re-labeled and the text to appear
under facilities if the field = Y can be input; for example
'Games Room' 'a games room'.
Finally the 2 text fields can be re-labeled to your
requirements, but remember that only the first field
(labeled Lease as default) will appear on client printouts.
Printer Driver
The printer driver section, allows you to control the
appearance of your printouts by setting the printer codes for
underlined characters, enlarged characters, near letter quality
etc.
Many printer codes appear as strange characters such as funny
faces and cannot be entered directly from the keyboard. These
characters can be entered by holding down the key marked Alt on
the keyboard and then using the Numeric keys (usually situated
on the right hand side) to key in the ASCII value of the
character, releasing the Alt key will then cause the character
to appear. For example to enter ASCII code 1 which appears as
a face; hold down the Alt key press 1 on the numeric key pad
(ensure you are not using the other numeric key on the top of
the key board) releasing the Alt key will cause this character
to appear. Code 27 which is essential to most Epson printer
codes can by input by pressing the Escape key. A list of
Printer codes and their ASCII values will be contained in your
printer manual. However it should be noted that Pin Writer and
Wheel Writer type printers cannot perform Enlarged Character
or sub-script character printing. Blank the appropriate codes
if using these printers.
Additionally this section allows you to input the message that
appears below your company name on the client printouts, the
currency symbol to be used ($, FF, DM, ECU etc), whether areas
are to measured in meters or feet and the number of lines per
page for both kinds of report. (6 lines / inch (25.4mm)). The
standard length for 11 inch paper is 66 and for A4, 70 lines.
If the area units are changed your file data can be
automatically adjusted when you save the changes. However
conversion will not be successful if you have already input
mixed units into your data.
Data Check Parameters
This section deals with the maximum and minimum values to check
data input against. Setting these values is a balance between
making sure incorrect data cannot be entered on the one hand,
and ensuring an adequate range for your needs on the other.
If the maximum sale price or rental value are changed and you
save the changes, the existing record data for price index can
be adjusted automatically. However reducing these values will
cause all records over the new maximums to carry the maximum
index value. This might cause selection by price or rent to be
less precise.
Finally you may choose between the European (day/month/year) or
American (month/day/year) date systems.
Saving the changes
At this point you have the choice of saving or abandoning all
the changes that you have made so far before continuing on to
assign new names to the 28 district codes. If you have changed
any of the critical factors : Date system, Area units, Maximum
Rent or Maximum Sale Price. You will be asked if you wish your
existing data to be converted to suit. The normal reply of Y
for Yes will cause your existing data to be converted to your
new format. For example if the date format is to be changed
from European to American then all records will be changed as
follows 29/06/88 will become 06/29/88. Conversion will take
several minutes.
Setting The District Names
The final section allows you to give names to the 28 districts
which appear on the help screen. After which you may choose to
save your changes or not. If you save the changes a new help
screen will be created in accordance with your allocated
district names. This has no effect on the district codes of
any data that you may have already stored. Consequently you
should decide on the districts to be used before entering data,
and try not to make changes other than the addition of new
districts when necessary. If you increase or decrease the
number of areas in use you should reset the maximum value for
the maximum number of districts variable using the Data Check
Variables section of the setup program.
Next time you run Home Finder its operation will reflect any
changes you have made.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #2163
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
HFMANUAL FW3 34784 4-15-89 4:26p
HFMANUAL PRT 34952 4-15-89 4:28p
HFMANUAL TXT 33016 4-15-89 4:27p
HFMANUAL DOC 38912 4-15-89 4:29p
HFMANUAL WP 30922 4-15-89 4:31p
TYPE_ME OUT 962 4-14-89 10:12p
GO BAT 33 4-14-89 10:16p
HF EXE 108144 4-15-89 10:40a
HFMAKE EXE 23296 4-14-89 10:24p
HFSETUP EXE 35040 4-14-89 10:23p
HFCONFIG DAT 455 4-14-89 10:27p
FINDHELP TXT 4000 4-05-89 11:29a
DISTHELP DTA 2560 4-14-89 10:27p
DISTRICT DTA 812 4-14-89 10:27p
FILE2163 TXT 3109 4-25-90 7:28p
HFINST BAT 184 7-09-90 11:24p
16 file(s) 351181 bytes
3072 bytes free