























                      ************************************
                      *                                  *
                      *              VEHICLE             *
                      *                                  * 
                      *              EXPENSES            *
                      *                                  *
                      *            Version 3.1           *
                      *                                  * 
                      ************************************
















                                  Gary LaRonge
                            3023 Wilderness Loop S.E.
                              Olympia, Washington
                                     98501





                               (C) Copyright 1988










                                VEHICLE EXPENSES
                                  Version 3.1


      DESCRIPTION:

          VEHICLE EXPENSES provides a means of writing, storing and 
      maintaining files of four categories, fuel, scheduled, emergency and 
      other expenses, related to the operation and maintenance of motor 
      vehicles or other equipment.

          Using VEHICLE EXPENSES is quite easy. The data base is created by 
      simply assigning a file name and adding the appropriate information.

          After the file has been created, and the appropriate data has 
      been entered, save the file using a unique name that in some way 
      identifies the machinery to which it pertains. Some names that you 
      might consider are vehicle type (MUSTANG, PICKUP, BIGTRUCK, etc.) or 
      license number (DAT111, FGH089, etc.). The method you choose is not 
      important as long as it is meaningful to you. The file may now be 
      added to, deleted from, edited, printed to screen or printed to 
      printer as your needs dictate.


          INCLUDED FILES:

                 VEHEXP31.TXT-  This documentation.
                 VEHEXP31.EXE-  The main program.
                 SAMPLE.EXP  -  A sample vehicle expense file. This file 
                                may be used to practice editing, printing, 
                                etc. until you feel comfortable enough to 
                                create your permanent files.
                 HASERROR.EXP-  This expense file has an out of sequence 
                                entry in it. Select "print file to screen" 
                                to see the results.
                 EXPINSTL.BAT-  A batch file to assist installing VEHICLE 
                                EXPENSES 3.1 on a hard disk.
                 TYPEDOC.BAT -  A batch file to automate document printing.

          NOTE- DOS Version 2.0 + is required for proper operation of this 
                program.

      What's NEW in Version 3.0 -

      1-  Now writes files using different extensions than earlier 
          versions.
          <filename>.FUE = Fuel expenses
          <filename>.SM  = Scheduled maintenance expenses
          <filename>.EM  = Emergency expenses
          <filename>.OTH = Other expenses
          This was necessary to gain the added record capacity.
      2-  Handles up to 157 records of each category. It is suggested that 
          new files be started annually and retain a separate disk of the 
          data entered for the previous year.

                               -Version 3.1-
          Changes in user input fields
          Change of Address
                                      -1-







      NOTE- If your computer is equipped with a color video board and a 
          mono monitor, it will be necessary to utilize the configuration 
          file to advise the program of the mono monitor.

      The Version 3.0 file structure is not compatible with the structure 
      of earlier versions. The differences between the two file structures 
      is so great that it is not practical to write a conversion program, 
      so it will be necessary to start new expense files.

      LETS GET STARTED:

          To install VEHICLE EXPENSES on a hard disk, place the floppy disk 
      containing VEHICLE EXPENSES 3.1 and the files previously mentioned, 
      in drive A: and type EXPINSTL <enter>. A directory named C:\EXPNS 
      will be created on the hard disk and the files on the floppy disk in 
      drive A: will be copied to the new directory. When the file transfer 
      has been completed, type C: <enter> to access the hard disk, then 
      type CD\EXPNS to change directory to the new maintenance directory. 

          Version 3.1 supports a configuration file that is named 
      VEHEXP30.CNF. When the program is invoked it checks for the presence 
      of VEHEXP30.CNF. If the file is found, the data contained becomes  
      values which determines, the name in line one of the opening screen, 
      monitor type definition,  and the I.D. of the disk drive/sub-
      directory containing the expense files.
          

        To invoke VEHICLE EXPENSES, Type VEHEXP31 <enter>.

      An opening screen will appear with the prompt "Press <ENTER> to 
      continue" displayed at the bottom of the screen. At this point, if 
      you wish to create a configuration file, hold down the control key 
      and press F1. Follow the prompts to complete the three required 
      entries.
                                      -or-
      If you wish to install password protection, hold down the control, 
      shift and alternate keys and press F10. Enter the desired password 
      and be certain that it is not forgotten or you are in serious 
      trouble. Normally, use of password access will not be desired or 
      required.

      Press <ENTER> to continue and when the opening screen clears you will 
      see the main menu which displays the following choices;


                 1- SELECT expense file.
                 2- PRINT expense file.
                 3- ADD expense records.
                 4- EDIT expense records.
                 5- DELETE expense FILES.
                 6- EXIT to DOS







                                      -2-







          Let's explore the options-

          "SELECT expense file" is normally going to be your first choice 
      after the file has been created. When selected, you will need to 
      specify the type of file to select as fuel, scheduled, emergency, or 
      other, then all expense files are sorted and displayed with a 
      numerical reference. Simply enter the number assigned to the file of 
      your choice and that file will be opened and prepared for processing.
          Up to 10 files will read into the directory for selection. If you 
      require maintaining data for more than 10 vehicles or pieces of 
      equipment, ask about our Commercial version. It is also very 
      inexpensive and offers nice features and handles 200 vehicles.
          If you wish to create a new file, press <ESC> instead of entering 
      a file number.


          "PRINT maintenance due" 
      When selected, you will need to choose one of the four available 
      categories, fuel expenses, scheduled expenses,emergency expenses or 
      other expenses. A print sub-menu offers the choices of "Print to 
      screen" or  "Print to printer", you may then indicate your choice of 
      printing "all" records or a "single" record of the selected category. 
      If "print to printer" was your choice, you will be given the 
      opportunity to enter up to a 50 character title header for the 
      printed sheet. The print routine uses no special character codes so 
      it should function correctly with most printers.


          "ADD expense records" 
      As additional expenses are encountered, they may be entered into the 
      main file with this option. You will be asked to enter the date, 
      mileage, and cost of the expenditure and if the selected category is 
      fuel, you will be asked to enter the amount of fuel purchased. Two 60 
      character comment lines have been provided in each entry to make 
      appropriate notes regarding that entry.


          "EDIT expense records"
      After selecting the desired category, you may opt to edit a record by 
      browsing through all records to edit as necessary or you may choose a 
      record by record number. When the appropriate record has been 
      displayed, you simply enter the number of the line to edit and make 
      the necessary corrections. Returning to the expense menu will cause 
      the file to updated automatically.

          
          "DELETE expense files" should be used with caution. DO NOT 
      confuse this option with an editing function. This selection ERASES 
      THE FILE OF CHOICE FROM THE COMPUTER DISK !!!. To use this option, 
      enter the number of the file to be deleted as shown on the directory 
      of expense files. You will then be given an opportunity to abort the 
      operation if you choose to do so.

          "EXIT to DOS" is the end of biz!. 




                                      -3-







      This software is provided "as is" and offers no warranty, express or 
      implied. The author accepts no liability for this software use or 
      misuse, or any consequential, special, or exemplary damages 
      attributed to it's use.





                                -A CLOSING NOTE-

          In most situations, pressing <esc> will get you out of a place in 
      which you don't wish to be.



          My thoughts on contributions for shareware. Pretty simple, If you 
      decide to use this software and wish to contribute the suggested 
      value I will be forever grateful, If you feel you can't afford the 
      suggested amount, contribute what you think will better suit your 
      budget. If you want to use the software and contribute nothing, I 
      guess you will probably do just that. The down side of using 
      shareware and failing to contribute for its use is becoming more and 
      more evident. A few years ago, it was not difficult to find full 
      featured software readily available but now, thanks to those who 
      don't wish to support a fine system, we are seeing more and more 
      "teaseware", that is software that has been released without being 
      fully implemented. One of the beauties of the shareware system, 
      besides extremely low cost, is the opportunity to test new software 
      and be sure it suits ones needs before spending a couple of dollars 
      and with "teaseware" that benefit is being restricted. Let's not 
      destroy the system altogether. The thought of being restricted to 
      purchasing only commercial software is not a pretty one.

























                                      -4-








      Please mail to:

          Gary LaRonge
          3023 Wilderness Loop S.E.
          Olympia, Washington  98501


      Please add my name to the list of registered users of-

          VEHEXP31            (Individual use - $ 5.00)
                              (Commercial use - $20.00)

          NOTE- Commercial registration includes the next release on disk.           


          BUSINESS NAME- __________________________________

          DEPT- ___________________________________________

          NAME- ___________________________________________

          ADDRESS- ________________________________________

          CITY, STATE- ____________________________________

          ZIP CODE- _______________________________________

                                       
                          Please accept my sincere thanks,

                                               Gary      
                                































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