Welcome to AnyBook!Software: Small Publisher's Business Kit  
Basic Edition Version 5.85  
Copyright (c) 1996-2001 Ron Watters / Great Rift

This file includes helpful information about AnyBook! which 
you'll want to review prior to installing it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
1. General Information
2. Installing the Program
3. System Requirements.
4. Instructions if you are re-installing the program and how to 
protect your existing data files.
5. Removing the Program
6. On-line Help
7. How to Register the Program
8. Distributing the Program to Others
9. Date Format and Y2K Information 
10. Version 5.85 Information
11. A Comparison of AnyBook's Three Editions



1. GENERAL INFORMATION
----------------------
AnyBook! is specifically designed for small publishers. It 
prepares invoices, does billings, generates sales reports, and 
keeps track of inventory.  The program also handles book 
returns, prepares mailing lists and monitors activity with 
consignment wholesalers and distributors. 

AnyBook! is a shareware program. That means you're welcome to 
try out the program at no cost and make sure it will work for 
you.  You're also welcome to give the program to others or to 
make it available on your web site. (For more information on 
shareware, see "How to Register the Program," below).

The set-up program with this software package is designed for 
computers running on Windows 95 or Windows 98. If you would 
like to use the program with Windows 3.1, a special package may 
be downloaded from the author's web site.

For more program tidbits, special announcements, and upgrade 
information, you are cordially invited to visit the author's 
web site at http://www.isu.edu/~wattron/ (follow the software 
link).  Additional contact information is included below.



2. INSTALLING THE PROGRAM
-------------------------
Depending on the download site, AnyBook! comes bundled as 
either a zip file or as a self-extracting zip file.  If you 
receive a zip file (with a .zip extension), first unzip it.  A 
number of different zip utilities are available for this 
purpose.  Once the file is unzipped, RUN SetUp.exe.  This will 
start the setup program and will install the program files.

If you received the self-extracting zip file (with a .exe 
extension), RUN the file as it is.  The program files will be 
unzipped, and the setup program will start automatically.

We suggest that you do not use a program directory name with 
spaces, i.e. "C:\Program Files."  While AnyBook can handle long 
directory names, we've come across some software and operating 
system combinations that will not allow access to AnyBook's 
program directory.  For the best results, use the default 
program directory or a directory name of your choosing without 
spaces.



3. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
----------------------
HARDWARE:		
a) 486-66, Pentium, Pentium II or III Personal Computers
(The program will run on 486-33 and slower computers, but it is 
not recommended because of sluggish performance.)
b) A minimum of 8MB RAM (16 or more is recommended)
c) A hard disk with 10MB of available disk space
d) VGA/SVGA monitor and graphics adapter
e) Mouse

OPERATING SYSTEM:
Windows 95/98/2000 
A special version of AnyBook is also available for Windows 3.1



4. INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARE RE-INSTALLING THE PROGRAM:
   AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR EXISTING DATA FILES.
-------------------------------
If you are re-installing AnyBook!, or if you install an updated 
version of the program, your data files will be replaced by the 
sample files that come with the program.  Thus, before doing a 
re-install or a new install, it's important that you do the 
following:

1) Make sure you have backed-up your files. (Complete 
information on backing up files is found in the on-line help 
information included with the program.) This normally is done 
every time you exit from the program, but for an install, you 
should give yourself an added measure of security and back-up 
your files on a second disk. If you plan to set up a directory 
on your back-up disk, be aware that some software and operating 
system combinations have been known to create file access 
problems when directory names have spaces.  To be safe, don't 
use any spaces.  For example, use "A:\BackUp\" rather than 
"A:\Back Up\."

2) Once you are certain that your important files have been 
safely backed up, install the new version of the program (or 
re-install the old one).

3) When you start up the new version, you'll see the sample 
files.  To replace the sample files with your own files, select 
FILE and RESTORE BACK-UP FILES.  Once the restore process is 
complete you'll have access to all of your own data files.



5. REMOVING THE PROGRAM
-----------------------
The installer for Windows 95/98/2000 creates an uninstall 
program which will remove all files associated with AnyBook! 
The uninstall program is listed with the AnyBook program group 
in the Start Menu.  You can also uninstall the program by using 
"Add/Remove Programs" found in the Windows Control Panel. If 
you installed the program for Windows 3.1 and no longer wish to 
use it, you'll need to delete the files.  All program and data 
files are kept in one directory which makes removing the 
program easy. Using the File Manager, go to the AnyBook 
directory.  Delete all the files and then delete the directory. 



6. ON-LINE HELP
---------------
A complete on-line help system has been built into the program.  
It is accessed by selecting HELP from the Menu.  The help 
system has been set up using standard Windows commands and 
procedures. Information on topics of general interest may be 
reached from the Contents page (accessed by selecting HELP and 
CONTENTS from the Menu Bar).  Topics of a more specific nature 
may be located using the Windows Help Search feature.

Special information has also been developed to help you get 
started.  For a quick introduction to the program, select HELP 
and GETTING STARTED from the Menu.  Information on how to 
prepare the program so it is ready to work in your business is 
found in Help under the topic "Preparing the Program for Your 
Use."

Information on which version of the program you are using is 
found in the "About" dialog box.  It is accessed by selecting 
HELP and ABOUT from the Menu. 

Registered users who have specific questions or problems with 
the program are welcome to contact the program's author, Ron 
Watters by phone: 208-232-6857 or via email wattron@isu.edu.



7. HOW TO REGISTER AnyBook!
---------------------------
This is a shareware program.  We invite you to try out the 
program and thoroughly test it for your business environment 
and the type of computer equipment that you use. There is no 
cost for evaluating the program.  You are also welcome to pass 
it on to others who might be interested in it. 

If after evaluating AnyBook!, you find that it isn't what you 
need, simply erase the files.  No registration is necessary.

If, however, you find that it works for you, and you begin to 
use it on a regular basis, we ask that you register AnyBook and 
make a nominal payment for its use.  This program has been 
developed mostly out a labor of love, and the proceeds from 
user registrations are used primarily to clear up bugs and 
develop new features. Once you're registered, we'll provide you 
with information on improvements and software updates. You'll 
also be provided with a registration code which removes the 
"unregistered" status of the program and officially registers 
it under your name. 

There are several ways to register: 

(1) Click on the registration link found in the Important 
Information Dialog Box.  To access this dialog box, select 
HELP and IMPORTANT INFORMATION from the Menu Bar on top of 
AnyBook's screen.

(2) Log on to Ron Watters' website.  Ron is the developer of 
the program.  His website is:  http://www.isu.edu/~wattron/  
(Follow the software link)  

(3) Send him an email at wattron@isu.edu  

(4) Call 1-208-232-6857

(5) Write to Ron at 1135 East Bonneville, Pocatello, ID 83201.  
For your convenience, this software package includes an order 
form.  It's found in the file "Order.frm" which can be loaded 
into a word processing program and printed.

The cost of registration is $29.95.



8. DISTRIBUTING THE PROGRAM TO OTHERS
-------------------------------------
You may make as many copies of the evaluation version of this 
software and documentation as you wish; give exact copies of 
the original evaluation version to anyone; and distribute the 
evaluation version of the software and documentation in its 
unmodified form via electronic means.  There is no charge for 
any of the above.  

You are, however, specifically prohibited from charging, or 
requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and 
from distributing the software and/or documentation with other 
products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written 
permission.



9. DATE FORMAT AND Y2K INFORMATION
----------------------------------
AnyBook has been thoroughly tested and is fully Y2K compliant. 
The program uses the American style of formatting dates, i.e. 
(mm/dd/yy).  As long as you don't mind using the mm/dd 
system, AnyBook can be, and is, used in other countries 
utilizing different date formats.  No adjustment in the 
Regional settings in Windows are necessary.



10. VERSION 5.8-5.85 INFORMATION
--------------------------------
In Version 5.85, several new procedures were added to program 
start-up code to provide a more thorough check of the integrity 
of database files prior to the appearance of the Main Invoice 
Screen.  Additional options were added to the Data File 
Diagnostics module which is triggered when AnyBook detects a 
file problem.  Several editorial changes and additions were 
made to program and help system messages. 

Version 5.8 added a number of new features to the program, 
including a Payment Analysis function which provides a report 
of all payments and where they are recorded.  It also flags 
transactions which could be the source of possible payment 
problems such as incomplete payments.  The feature is helpful 
when checking payment records of customers with high levels 
of account activity.  A number of enhancements were made to 
the Mark Paid feature, making it easier to find invoices 
when a customer pays in a lump sum payment.  A sorting 
function was added to the Customer Information database. 
The double-click routine which brings up the pop-up list 
of all past customers now includes an additional option which 
eliminates duplicate names.  The same option was added to 
Billing File functions and Payment Analysis. A safety 
mechanism was added to prevent inconsistencies in the 
interface between the Windows environment and AnyBook from 
causing entry problems when dealing with dates. To help 
speed up the printing of statements, a Quick Print button 
was added to the Billing Statements screen.

The void function was changed slightly so when it prints the 
word "VOID" on top of an invoice, it proceeds "VOID" with four 
CHR(250) characters instead of three dashes.  This has the 
effect of placing all voided invoices at the end of a list 
whenever invoices are arranged alphabetically by billing name. 
It's a very minor change, but it makes alphabetical lists a 
bit easy to use.  Previous users of AnyBook can take advantage 
of the change by searching for voided invoices, temporarily 
removing the voided status and then voiding them again.  Once 
they are voided a second time, the new formatting will be 
picked up.

There is one other change that previous users should be 
aware of. In Version 5.8, the function which makes the 
Invoice Screen moveable--a handy feature for those with 
large screens--is now accessed from the WINDOW menu.  In 
past versions, it was accessed from the INVOICE TOOLS menu. 
This was done to make room for a number of new features 
which are planned for the Version 6.0 release.

More Information. Information on how the program evolved and 
a listing of version numbers and new features can be found in 
History.txt included in the AnyBook software package.




11. A COMPARISON OF ANYBOOK'S THREE EDITIONS
--------------------------------------------

AnyBook is available in three editions including Basic, 
Professional Standard, and Professional Advanced.  You 
have downloaded the Basic Edition. The differences 
between the editions are explained below: 

ANYBOOK BASIC.  AnyBook Basic forms the foundation of the 
AnyBook family. Carefully crafted and well tested, it is 
the winner of a number of shareware awards and it is highly 
regarded in both the publishing and software worlds.  It is 
particularly useful for self-publishers and small publishers.  
It generates invoices and billing statements, keeps track of 
inventory, handles book returns, produces sales reports, 
records customer payments, tracks consignment items, 
and creates customer mailing lists.  The program is efficiently 
designed and uses compact files.  (Registration is $29.95)

ANYBOOK PROFESSIONAL STANDARD.  The Professional Standard 
Edition of AnyBook is for the small or self-publisher 
who needs greater functionality and versatility.  It 
includes all the features of AnyBook Basic with many 
additional features.  Here's a partial listing:  
     It has larger field sizes for customer names and 
addresses.  It includes a Customer Contact Manager which 
can be used to write notes and keep track of customer names 
or the names of individuals and departments within a 
corporate business--along with phone numbers, email 
addresses, etc.  It will automatically start your email 
program or Internet browser should you need to write a 
customer a note or visit their website.  
     The Professional Standard version includes additional 
fields on the Main Invoice Screen including the customer's 
phone number and a new invoice code which can be used to 
provide a more refined breakdown of sales data.  It also 
includes a feature which calculates the total weight of an 
order.  
    It will keep track of shipping expenses including those 
which are charged and those which are not charged to the 
customer.  It has an export feature which allows you to 
export invoice and sales data to other programs.  The export 
feature also allows you to export credit card information to 
a third party credit card processing program.  
    The cost to register the Standard version is $49.00.  

ANYBOOK PROFESSIONAL ADVANCED.  The Professional Advanced 
Edition is a full-featured publishing business software program.  
It includes all the features of AnyBook Basic and the 
Professional Standard Edition, plus credit card processing, 
telephony features including two separate phone dialers 
(a basic and advanced version), and one of the easiest-to-use 
royalty accounting systems in the industry.  
     With the Advanced Edition, you can click on a button on 
the Main Invoice Screen or within the Customer Contact Manager 
and your computer will dial the phone number.  You can have the 
phone dialer key-in the individual's extension or menu choice 
numbers automatically for you.  If you need to call FedEx 
(or another shipper) to pick up a package, the phone dialer will 
even input your account number.  
    The royalty accounting feature is an entire software program 
in itself, fully integrated so it works seamlessly with 
AnyBook and AnyBook's data files.  This portion of the 
program provides a wide range of options.  Royalties can be 
based on cash or accrual accounting.   They can be calculated 
on a percentage of the retail price, net sales, or a flat 
amount.  Royalties can also be set up to change depending on 
the quantity of books sold and/or depending on the discount 
at which books are sold.  Over 235 different royalty 
combinations are available for nearly any royalty 
arrangement.  The neatly printed reports generated by the 
program provide you and your authors and photographers with 
all the important accounting details.  When you are ready to 
mail printed royalty reports, they are designed so that they 
can be folded and inserted in a windowed business envelope. 
    The Advanced version also includes credit card processing 
features.  The credit card processing portion of the program 
can be used if you have a small volume of cards--two to five 
cards a day--and you have signed up for voice or touch tone 
processing with your bank.  Note that if you don't use voice 
or touch tone processing or if you have a higher card volume, 
you'll want to use third party credit card processing 
software. To do so, AnyBook has a credit card export feature 
which allows you to export card information to third party 
software such as PCAuthorize and others. The cost to register 
the Professional Advanced version is $89.00.  


