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        FINREAD.TXT--Read me text for the "FINCALC" demo program.
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[CONTACT INFORMATION]

                      THANK YOU FOR TRYING FINCALC !

                                   by
                             Joe Piedimonte
                             3609 S. 10th Street Ct.
                             Blue Springs, Missouri   64015

                             FAX phone: (816) 224-3517

                             Compuserve ID: 71573,235
                             AOL: PIEDIMONTE
                             INTERNET: 71573.235@compuserve.com
                                       PIEDIMONTE@aol.com

  COMPUSERV USERS: You can register this product through the Compuserv
  Registration Database. If you do, I will forward the final version 
  of the software. To purchase by this method do the following:

                             GO SWREG
                             the registration ID is 3807

                             WEBPAGE URL for JP Software:

                http://www.geocites.com/SiliconValley/Orchard/3028/

          NOTE: The JP Software web page handles comments and
                issues and provides the latest support information.
                The current demo program is available for downloading
                and software orders can be placed from this location.
                Fill out the online form and mail your check to the
                address above and the registered version will be sent
                in about 3 to 4 days.

                ONLINE CREDIT CARD PURCHASING IS POSSIBLE!!!

                To place a credit card order through the RegNet
                registration service, use the support web page
                above, or use the following URL to go directly to
                the order form on RegNet:

                http://www.reg.net/product.asp?ID=3780

                Diskettes will automatically be shipped once your
                credit card is approved in about 3 to 4 days. You can
                order by phone at 1-800-999-2734 by requesting
                product ID # 3780. This phone number is for ordering
                purposes only.

                                          
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[VERSION NUMBER]  4.00
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[COPYRIGHT NOTICE]  All rights reserved by Joe Piedimonte
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[PROGRAM DESCRIPTION]  "FINCALC" is a Windows program designed to 
handle differing financial calculations related to investments and
lending.  Businesses, Financial Institutions, Government Agencies,
and Consumers will find this program useful. If you are involved in
analyzing, acquiring, and recommending investments or loans you 
will like using "FINCALC".
     The program acts like a loan calculator.  It will display and 
print loan amortization schedules.  The loan calculator portion
computes the scheduled payment, the number of payments, the APR,
or the proper loan payout, if the other input items are given. The
loan calculator optionally considers four types of insurance and
real estate taxes on the amortization schedule. Estimated annual
insurance charges can be entered for homeowners, or one other type
of miscellaneous insurance.  A provision is made for both
disability and life where the insurance is calculated on the
outstanding loan balance and allows user definable insurance rates,
terms, and repayment frequencies.  The same features are offered
for balloon loans, with a user definable amortization period and
term.  All loan calculations can be based on a 360 or 365 day
interest year.  The program allows for multiple repayment 
frequencies and will calculate the maturity date based upon leap
years.
     The investment portion of the program handles annuities and
figures both present and future values of deposits based upon user
input for APR, interest periods, investment term, and optional
recurring investment contributions.  An effective APR based upon 
input for the number of compounding periods can be performed.
General business calculations including, markup over cost and 
price, percent of total cost, and price based upon a markup percent, 
are also available.  The program provides context sensitive on-line 
help with examples and hypertext links.
     Also included with the Investment portion of the program is a
complete system for recording and analyzing stocks and mutual fund
investments called "Investment Tracker".  This feature offers a fund 
summary data entry screen where new funds can be setup and viewed
with the latest yield analysis information.  The yield can be based
on an entered value, or the most recent transaction.  If a value is
entered it can be used to do a "what-if" type profitability analysis,
or to establish a more current value for the fund.  The system will
calculate continuosly by fund, the current value in dollars, the gain/
loss dollars, the gain/loss percent, the book value, the total number
of shares and the average cost per share.  Reports giving the current
value of all funds and a transaction recap are available.  All trans-
actions for each fund can be entered, or viewed on screen.
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[REGISTRATION INFORMATION] This program is shareware.  If you find it
useful, please send me $30.00 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. 
The user is granted a limited license to evaluate the program.  If you
wish to continue using the program, please register is by completing
the registration form (which can be printed from the HELP menu item
called registration form).  Please send the completed form with the 
$30.00 registration fee (plus $3.00 S/H) to:

                        Joe Piedimonte
                        3609 S. 10th Street Ct.
                        Blue Springs, Missouri   64015
 
Registration will entitle you to a licensed copy of the latest version
and special upgrade prices on future releases of the program.
     The user is granted permission to make unlimited copies of the
demo program and distribute those copies as long as all files are
copied intact and no fee is charged for the program.
     "FINCALC" is written by Joe Piedimonte and all rights are reserved.
No warranties are made, either expressed or implied, with respect to 
the software, its fitness for any particular purpose, or its documen-
tation.  The product is sold "as is".
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[INSTALLATION] After downloading "FINCALC.ZIP", unzip this file in any
directory.  The following program files will be placed in the C:\FINCALC
directory after the setup.exe program is run.

      1. FINCALC.EXE--The main program file.
         (decompressed on installation)
      2. LNPAYOUT.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
      3. BLPAYOUT.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
      4. MARKP.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
      5. MARKC.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
      6. FINCALC.HLP--The online help file.
      7. FINCALC.ICO--ICON for use with FINCALC.EXE.
      8. FINREAD.TXT--The file which you are viewing that contains
         installation and product information.
      9. INVEST.EXE--The main program for investment tracker.
         (decompressed on installation)
     10. HISTOREP.EXE--Report program for investment tracker.
         (decompressed on installation)
     11. FUNDSREP.EXE--Report program for investment tracker.
         (decompressed on installation)
     12. INVEST.HLP--The online help file for investment tracker.
     13. LINEITEM.DBF--Database fields and definitions for the
         fund history file in investment tracker.
     14. FUND.DBF--Database records and definitions for the fund
         summary data file in investment tracker.
     15. LINEITEM.KBF--Database definitions for the fund history
         file in investment tracker.
     16. FUND.KBF--Database definitions for the fund summary file
         in investment tracker.
     17. KTABLE.DLL--Library required for INVEST.EXE.
     18. CALL.DLL--Library required for INVEST.EXE.
     19. PRINT1.DLL--Library required for FINCALC.EXE that handles
         print functions for non-balloon amoritzations.
     20. PRINT2.DLL--Library required for FINCALC.EXE that handles
         print functions for non-balloon amoritzations.
     21. FINCALC.DGB--A file required by FINCALC.EXE.
         (decompressed on installation)
     22. LINEITEM.TBL--Screen definitions for the fund history input
         screen.
     23. FUND.1--Fund Summary demonstration data file pointers.
     24. FUND.4--Fund Summary demonstration data file pointers.
     25. FUND000.INC--Fund Summary data file index.
     26. LINEITEM.1--Lineitem demonstation data file pointers.
     27. CLPRT1.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
     28. CLPRT2.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
     29. LIST1.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.
     30. LIST2.DLL--Library required by FINCALC.EXE.

The above files are the required demo configuration and cannot be
installed without the use of the setup program. The "FINCALC.ZIP" file
can be unzipped in any directory and the above files will be installed
with use of the setup program included in the ZIP file. The setup
progam will place all files in a directory called "C:\FINCALC". Do not
change this directory when running setup.exe, or the investment tracker
program will not work.  The fincalc executable looks for the investment
tracker program in "C:\FINCALC" so it should not be changed. 

If installing under WIN 3.1,WIN 95, OS/2, NT4.0, or WIN 98 the install
program will do the following: 

         1.  Create a program group on your windows desktop
             called "FINANCIAL".
         2.  Create an ICON within the program group called
             "FINCALC".
         3.  Create an ICON within the program group called
             "FINCALC HELP"
         4.  Create an ICON within the program group called
             "FINCALC INVESTMENT TRACKER HELP"
         5.  Create an ICON within the program group called
             "FINCALC'S TEXT FILE" that will launch what you
             you are reading with NOTEPAD.EXE.
         6.  Copy all files to the C:\FINCALC directory.

WINDOWS 3.1 USERS:
To run the setup program, select from the Program Manager in
Windows 3.1, the FILE|RUN option. Where the command line is asked for, 
key in:  [drive]:\dir\setup.exe. (As an example: C:\FIN\SETUP.EXE).
The "dir" is the directory or path, where you placed FINCALC.ZIP
and unzipped the file.  

OS/2 USERS:
This product will run under OS/2 if WIN OS/2 is installed. Use of the
install program may not work depending on the OS/2 version used. You
should go to a WINOS2 full screen session and select FILE|RUN from the
program manager to launch the SETUP.EXE installation program. On Warp 
Version 4.0 and greater you can use the drives icon from the O/S 2
main desktop to run the setup.

WINDOWS 95 USERS:
To run the setup program, select from the desktop START|RUN then
enter [drive]:\dir\setup.exe. (As an example: C:\FIN\SETUP.EXE).
The "dir" is the directory or path, where you placed FINCALC.ZIP
and unzipped the file.

WINDOWS 98 USERS:
To run the setup program, select from the desktop START|RUN then
enter [drive]:\dir\setup.exe. (As an example: C:\FIN\SETUP.EXE).
The "dir" is the directory or path, where you placed FINCALC.ZIP
and unzipped the file.

WINDOWS NT USERS:
To run the setup program, select from the desktop START|RUN then
enter [drive]:\dir\setup.exe. (As an example: C:\FIN\SETUP.EXE).
The "dir" is the directory or path, where you placed FINCALC.ZIP
and unzipped the file.


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[HOW TO RUN]  

     A.  Windows 3.1:
         After the setup program is used, double click on the group
         item called "FINANCIAL" and then double click on 
         the program item called "FINCALC" while in the Program 
         Manager. This will launch the program.

     
     B.  Windows 95:
         After the setup program is used, just click on the icon
         called "FINCALC" created under the "FINANCIAL" Start Menu
         choice.  In other words, on the Windows 95 desktop click
         on START, then FINANCIAL, then FINCALC.
         

     C.  Windows 98:
         After the setup program is used, just click on the icon
         called "FINCALC" created under the "FINANCIAL" Start Menu
         choice.  In other words, on the Windows 98 desktop click
         on START, then FINANCIAL, then FINCALC.
       

     D.  O/S 2:
         After the setup program is used, double click on the group
         item called "FINANCIAL" and then double click on 
         the program item called "FINCALC" while in the WINOS2 
         Program Manager. This will launch the program.

     E.  Windows NT:
         After the setup program is used, just click on the icon
         called "FINCALC" created under the "FINANCIAL" Start Menu
         choice.  In other words, on the Windows NT desktop click
         on START, then FINANCIAL, then FINCALC.
    
           
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[REQUIREMENTS]  Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, O/S 2, Windows NT,
PKZIP/UNZIP, 4MB RAM, (8MB Recommended), 4.3MB Free Disk Space.
486 processor or faster is recommended.
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[KNOWN INCOMPATABILITIES]  Incompatible with windows versions prior  
to 3.1, or OS/2 versions prior to 3.0.
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[VERSION HISTORY] 

Version 4.0 
-----------

The following features were added:

1. The loan calculator computes the APR if zero is entered.
2. The payout analysis calculates the regulation Z effective APR on
   loans.
3. The payout analysis computes the total amount of a down payment on
   a loan. This includes a flat amount and the percentage if both were
   entered.
4. The payout analysis computes the total amount of the loan origina-
   tion. This includes the flat amount and the percentage if both were
   entered.
5. The down payment amount and percent down fields were added to the
   loan input screen.
6. The loan origination fee and percentage fee fields were added to
   the loan input screen.
7. The finance charge field was added to the loan input screen. This 
   allows the APR to be computed based on this charge, if other loan
   factors are known.
8. New calculations for missing loan variables have been added.  Some
   calculations will allow two missing variables at once.  The
   possible computations are as follows: scheduled payment, number of
   payments, APR, APR and number of payments, APR and the scheduled
   payment, payout analysis and finance charge.
9. A print function was added that produces a calendar year amortiza-
   tion schedule giving totals by calendar year on all payment
   frequencies and includes balloon loans.
10.A print screen function was added for business and investment
   calculations.
11.New investment calculations were added for the following functions:
   Internal Rate of Return (IRR), the time value of withdrawals given
   a starting balance, and the future value of regular deposits with
   a starting balance.


The following errors were corrected:

1. Accuracy on maturity date calculations.
2. The extra form feed on print functions.


Version 3.01
------------
offered new features for interest computation.  A 360/365 interest
calc method was added.  This means the daily rate represents the APR
divided by 360 days and the interest collection period represents 365
days.  A 10% loan becomes an effective 10.14% with this method. To use
the feature just declare the interest flag as a "2".  A new feature
was added to compute variable first payment interest from the loan
date to the first due date. A new input field was added for the loan
date on regular loans and balloon loans. Several bugs were fixed on
single payment loans, so the print and list fuctions indicate the
correct values and all payout totals are correct. An error message
about the "Scheduled payment exceeds the loan amount" was corrected.
The scheduled payment considers variable first payment dates for
interest calculation on single payment loans.

Version 3.0
-----------
offered the additon of new features for Homeowners Insurance and
Miscellaneous Insurance for all loan amortizations and payment
calculations.  The Loan Input screen was redesigned to be more
intuitive and a "COMPUTE" button was added to it.  The printed
amortization schedule now gives totals for all categories by year.
A bug was fixed having to do with insurance payments computing
incorrectly when the repayment frequency was not monthly. A bug was
fixed making the scheduled payment more level when the interest base
is 365 days. A bug was fixed with the maturity date when the number
of payments is given with or without the payment amount.  A bug was
fixed with the computed number of payments when disability and life
insurance are figured with a specified payment. A bug was fixed with
the loan payout totals not matching the screen listing of totals at
the bottom of the amortization. A new price based upon a user
definable markup percent was added to the Business Menu of the
program.  In general modifications were made to make the
program more intuitive over version 2.01. The most recent addition
to FINCALC is the investment tracker. This will record and analyze
investments or mutual funds.  This feature was a major change over
version 2.01.
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***** PLEASE NOTE *****

This software is provided "as is".  The author claims no responsibility
for any damages you may experience as a result of using this software.
Any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcomed.

                           Joe Piedimonte
                           3609 S. 10th Street Ct.
                           Blue Springs,  MO   64015

                           FAX phone: (816) 224-3517

                           Compuserv ID:  71573,235
                           AOL:  PIEDIMONTE
                           INTERNET: 71573.235@compuserve.com 
                                     PIEDIMONTE@aol.com
                           
  COMPUSERV USERS: You can register this product through the Compuserv
  Registration Database. If you do, I will forward the final version 
  of the software. To purchase by this method do the following:

                             GO SWREG
                             the registration ID is 3807

                             WEBPAGE URL for JP Software:

                http://www.geocites.com/SiliconValley/Orchard/3028/

          NOTE: The JP Software web page handles comments and
                issues and provides the latest support information.
                The current demo program is available for downloading
                and software orders can be placed from this location.
                Fill out the online form and mail your check to the
                address above and the registered version will be sent
                in about 3 to 4 days.
                                  
                ONLINE CREDIT CARD PURCHASING IS POSSIBLE!!!

                To place a credit card order through the RegNet
                registration service, use the support web page
                above, or use the following URL to go directly to
                the order form on RegNet:

                http://www.reg.net/product.asp?ID=3780

                Diskettes will be automatically shipped once your
                credit card is approved in about 3 to 4 days. You can
                order by phone at 1-800-999-2734 by requesting
                product ID # 3780.  This phone number is for ordering
                purposes only.



