
                             * * *  My Little Realm  * * *

                            -  Records of the Realm v/2.6  -
          ____________________________________________________________________
          
                                  General Information
          ____________________________________________________________________

                                      Important

          Records of the Realm is protected by copyright.  It is not 
          freeware, and it is not in the public domain.
          
          This is the evaluation version of My Little Realm's Records of the
          Realm.  It is a full-featured, fully functional program.  You are
          welcome to try it on your computer to ensure that it functions on 
          your system as it should, and that it meets your individual needs.
          If after 30 days you decide to keep using Records of the Realm, you
          must pay for the program.  To print an order form, press <$> in the
          Options Window.

          Bonus!  Get one MLR stand-alone program free with your order.
          Read DESCRIBE.TXT for details.  This offer ends 12/31/94.

          My Little Realm Enterprises stands behind all of its products with
          a 90-day money back guarantee.

          Thank you for trying Records of the Realm!
          ____________________________________________________________________

                                     Introduction
          
                                                     +   Documents   +
          The records of the realm are           __________________________     
          the memory records that remember      |                          |
          when you can't.  This routine's       |   A   Marriage License   |
          major purpose is to record the        |   B   Birth Certificate  |
          location of those documents deemed    |   C   Death Certificate  |
          invaluable to the realm, but it       |   D   Divorce            |
          can also help alleviate the worry     |   E   Adoption           |
          should you discover that your         |   F   Military           |
          credit cards have been lost or        |   G   Personal Data      |
          stolen.  The types of documents       |   H   Will               |
          typically catalogued are reflected    |   I   Citizenship        |
          in the list of Document categories    |   J   Contract           |
          found in the sample Viewing Window    |   K   Life Insurance     |
          to the right.                         |   L   Loan               |
                                                |   M   Car Information    |
          All of the Document types (except     |   N   Home Information   |
          Q, Credit Card) may be changed by     |   O   Social Security    |
          using the Change Quickeys EPO, <\>.   |   P   Mortgage File      |
          Refer to the section entitled         |   Q   Credit Card        |
          Extended Processing Options for       |__________________________|
          more details.
          ____________________________________________________________________

                                    The Interface

          Windows.

          Records of the Realm's screen consists of three types of windows:
          a Working Window, a Viewing Window, and an Options Window.  If you 
          are using a color monitor the Viewing Window is always green, the 
          Working Window red and the Options Window blue.

          You select processes (like adding a record) in the Options Window.
          You create your records in the Working Window, and you find your 
          Quickeys documents in the Viewing Window.  

                             ----------------------------

          Extended processing options.

          Several processing tasks, called extended processing options or 
          EPO's, are not listed in the Options Windows, because they are 
          functions that only occasionally need to be performed.  EPO's are
          used to "extend" a program's power and functionality.

          To find out what EPO commands are employed by Records of the 
          Realm, enter <?> (the question mark) in the Options Window.  The 
          EPO's of Records of the Realm are defined at the end of this 
          document.

                             ----------------------------

          Quickeys.

          The Quickeys in Records of the Realm give you single key access 
          to the types of documents whose whereabouts you want to catalog.
          Enter them once, and you'll never have to enter them again.  See 
          the <\> EPO definition in the section entitled "Extended Processing
          Options" for full details.
          ____________________________________________________________________

                                   Getting Started

          Note:  If you have a color monitor, press <#>, the pound sign, in 
          the Options Window to switch to the color mode.

          The very first thing you'll want to do with Records of the Realm is
          make the program uniquely yours.  To do that, you will probably 
          want to change some of the Quickey document categories in the 
          Viewing Window.  The Change Quickeys function is invoked by the 
          backslash key, <\>, entered in the Options Window.

          Tip:  Be sure you log the important documents that are infrequently
          needed, like your school-age children's medical records.  You 
          should also record documents like life insurance policies, house 
          titles, condo or rental contracts, important warranties (on your 
          cars, furnace, water heater), marriage licenses, divorce papers, 
          and even jury duty notices.

          Please understand, Records of the Realm can't help you remember if 
          you don't tell it what it needs to know.  Make it a family event 
          some rainy day, and collect all of those important papers, notices,
          documents, what have you, and log them ... and THEN forget all
          about them.
          
          Exiting Records of the Realm.
          If you've made changes to your data file, Records of the Realm will
          so notify you when you attempt to return to your operating system 
          and ask if you want to save the changes.  You will almost always 
          respond with <Y> or <enter> to save the changes.  If, for some 
          reason, you do not want to save the changes, press <N>.  Following 
          either response, you'll be returned to DOS.  If you press <esc>, 
          Records of the Realm will instead return you to the Options Window 
          from where you can resume processing.

          Why would you ever want to not save changes?  Home programs must
          take into account the unwanted help of children who occasionally
          get into a program and wreak havoc.  Should you find that someone
          you love is "helping you" with Records of the Realm, don't get 
          angry.  Just exit the program and don't save the changes.
          ____________________________________________________________________
          
                                   Program Information
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Options Window of Records of the Realm.
                       _____________________________________________
                      |                                             |
                      |   1  Add          4  View                   |
                      |   2  Change       5  Print      Choice  __  | 
                      |   3  Delete       6  Lost!                  |
                      |_____________________________________________|

          There are several EPO's available in the Records of Realm.  They 
          are defined at the end of this document.
                                    ____________________

          Option # 1, adding records.

          Creating records requires four pieces of information for all but 
          the credit card entries (Quickey Q in the Viewing Window).  If you 
          tell Records of the Realm to make a credit card record, it will 
          display the extra fields necessary to create one in the lower half 
          of the Working Window.

                                  ~ Field Definitions ~

          - Item field (20, required).

          Type in the Document Quickey and press <enter>.  If you wish to 
          enter your own document category manually you should keep it short 
          (and mnemonic).  

          You can change the Quickeys to suit your own needs by using the <\>
          (backslash) EPO described at the end of this document.  [Note:  
          You cannot change the Q Quickey, Credit Cards.]

          Credit Card Records.
          If you're creating a credit card record (Quickey Q), be sure you 
          have the necessary information to complete the record.  See the 
          Credit Card Record Fields section immediately following the Memo 
          field definition below.

          You will not be able to enter credit card records until you have 
          created a credit card file.  A credit card file is simply a list of
          the names of your credit cards.  If you are already using MLR's
          Credit Card program, Records of the Realm will automatically pick 
          up its credit card file.  If not, you must create a file using the 
          <|> EPO.  Press the pipe symbol key in the Options Window and enter
          the names of your credit cards.
                                    ____________________

          - For field (35, optional).

          Use this field to indicate to whom the record belongs (i.e., in
          whose name it is).  If it's a birth certificate, for example, put 
          the person's name here; if it's a credit card, enter the name of 
          the person whose name appears on the card; and so on.

          Other memory records that are useful to keep are items that should
          last a long time but frequently don't for one reason or another.
          If you buy a new car battery, create a record with Quickey M,
          Car Information.  In the For field, enter the car that received
          the new battery.  In the Location field, enter the store or garage
          that sold you the battery, and in the Memo field, put the purchase
          and expiration dates.

          This procedure is quite beneficial for all sorts of costly items,
          like appliances, replacement parts for cars, or anything that has
          a lengthy warranty.
                                    ____________________

          - Location field (35, optional).

          Use this field to identify the location of the document or who has
          possession of said document.  Read the section entitled "Using the
          Records of the Realm Program" found at the end of this document.
                                    ____________________

          - Memo field (35, optional).

          Use this field to note contract expiration dates, loan interest 
          rates and other pertinent information.
          __    _________________                   ____________________    __

                           --  Credit Card Record Fields  --

          If you are entering a credit card record, Records of the Realm will 
          display the credit card portion of the Working Window and ask for 
          the following:

                    Card Name  
                    Card Number
                    Card Issuer
                    Address                  (of card issuer)
                    City, State and Zip      (of card issuer)
                    Phone Number             (of card issuer)

          These fields are defined below.

          You will quickly discover that finding this information is not so 
          easy as it might first appear because card issuers don't always put 
          the necessary information on the Agreements they send you.  If you 
          cannot find the information you need on the Agreements statements, 
          look at the Billing statements.  They sometimes carry it.  In the 
          case of local stores, you might be better off getting the addresses 
          and phone numbers from your phone book.  

          Note:  You will not be able to enter credit card records until 
          you've created your Credit Card Quickey list using the <|> EPO 
          function.  If you are already using My Little Realm's Charging 
          program, Records will automatically use its Quickey file.  Read 
          about the <|> EPO in the section entitled "Extended Processing 
          Options" at the end of this document for more information.
                                   ____________________

          - Card name field (single character entry, required).

          This is another Quickey field.  Records of the Realm will display 
          your Credit Card Quickeys in the Viewing Window when it's time to 
          fill in this field.  Simply enter the Quickey of the credit card 
          you want.  You cannot manually enter a credit card name here.
                                   ____________________

          - Card number field (20, optional).

          Enter the number that appears on your credit card.

          Records of the Realm uses this number in the letter it generates 
          when you run the LOST! function, <6> in the Options Window, 
          declaring your credit cards lost or stolen.
                                   ____________________

             --  The next six entries pertain to the credit card issuer.  --

          - Card Issuer field (30, optional).

          This is the name of the company that extends you credit ... not
          necessarily the company that offered the card.  As examples:  Ford 
          Motor Company offers MasterCard and Visa, but the card is actually 
          made available by the Associates National Bank of Delaware.  Sears 
          offers the Discover Card, but credit is actually extended by the 
          Greenwood Trust Company, also of Delaware.  Check your Cardmember 
          Agreement Statements to find the name of the bank/company that is 
          actually extending the credit.
                                    ____________________

          - Address field (30, optional).
                                    ____________________

          - City field (15, optional).
                                    ____________________

          - State field (15, optional).
                                    ____________________

          - Zip Code field (15, optional).

          Numbers and letters may be entered in this field to accomodate 
          international zip codes.
                                    ____________________

          - Phone Number field (10, optional).

          Standard American phone field format, (###) ###-####.
                                    ____________________
              
              All of the optional fields in the credit card section of this   
              function must be filled in if Records of the Realm is to do a  
              proper job for you.  Creating records like these was called a 
              "rainy day job" in the Getting Started section of this 
              document.  Now you'll find out why.  But it's better to do this
              work on a rainy day when you have a little leisure time than 
              after you've actually lost your credit cards and are hard 
              pressed to remember everything you have to do given the time 
              constraints for legal notification.           
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Option # 2, changing a record.

          Select the Document category under which the record you want to 
          change is stored.  Records of the Realm will take you to the first 
          in that category and ask if that is the one you want to change.  If
          it isn't, press <N>, and Records of the Realm will take you to the 
          next record.  You can also use the directional keys to peruse that 
          Document category.  When you find the record you need to change, 
          press <Y> or <enter>.

          Records of the Realm will display a sub-menu in the Viewing Window 
          of the fields you can change.  You may not change the Document 
          type.  If the record is a credit card record, those fields 
          pertaining only to the credit card records will also be displayed.

          Enter the hotkey of the field you want to change, and Records of 
          the Realm will put the cursor in that field and await your changes.
          If you change your mind, press <esc>, and Records of the Realm will 
          restore that field's old value.
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Option # 3, deleting a record.

          Indicate the Document category of the record you want to delete.  
          Records of the Realm will ask if the displayed record is the one 
          you want to delete.  If it isn't, press <N> until you find the 
          correct record.  Like the Change function, you can also use the 
          directional keys to find the record in question.

          After you've found the record you want to delete, press <Y> or 
          <enter>.  Records of the Realm will ask you to verify the record 
          it is about to delete.  If you're sure that it's the one you want
          to delete, press <Y>.  [Note:  You cannot press <enter> for yes in
          this final query.]
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Option # 4, viewing a record.

          Simply tell Records of the Realm which Document category you wish 
          to view, and it will display the records in the chosen category to 
          you one at a time.  Use the directional keys to view the Document 
          category.

          If you want to view all of the records in your file without regard 
          to Document categories use the View All function, invoked by 
          entering the plus sign (the <+> EPO) in the Options Window.  See 
          the section entitled "Extended Processing Options" at the end of 
          this document.
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Option # 5, printing a record.

          This option prints a comprehensive listing of all of your records.
          If, during the execution of the Print function, you decide you do 
          not want to print out the entire listing, press <esc>.
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Option # 6, lost credit cards.

          Doing double duty, Records of the Realm also serves your credit 
          card needs in the event of loss or theft.  If you've set up your 
          records properly, Records of the Realm will, when you choose this 
          option, print: 

               1)  the list of phone numbers that you have to call 
                   to issue a loss/theft notice, 
               2)  the letters necessary to legally notify all of 
                   your card issuers of the loss or theft, and, 
               3)  the mailing labels you'll need to send those 
                   letters off promptly.  
                                   
          Records of the Realm will ask for your name, address, and phone 
          number so that it can complete the letters to your credit card 
          issuers.  You should not leave any of the data fields blank.  You
          can advance and retreat through the fields using the up and down
          arrow keys.
          
                    Note:  Once you enter your name and address 
                    you will not have to enter that information 
                    again, unless you leave Records of the Realm.
                    That is to say, if you find, after entering 
                    your personal data, that you need to make 
                    changes to several of your credit card records, 
                    you can safely leave the Lost! function, make 
                    your changes, and return to the Lost! function 
                    to find your personal data intact.

          Unlike My Little Realm's Calling Cards's Label function, this 
          function does not validate the addresses.  In other words, it is up
          to you to make sure all of the addresses on your credit card 
          records are complete.

          After your lost/stolen letters have been printed, Records of the
          Realm prints a test label and asks if the alignment is okay.  Reply
          with <Y> or <N>, for yes or no, respectively.

          If the alignment is not correct, press <N> and refer to the field
          prompt in the Viewing Window, which looks much like this:

                         _____________________________________
                        |     ____________________________    |
                        |                                     |
                        |       Print Head Alignment          |
                        |     ____________________________    |
                        |                                     |
                        |     Press <spacebar> to advance     |
                        |     form one line                   |
                        |                                     |
                        |     Press <enter> to run            |
                        |     another test pass               |
                        |                                     |
                        |     Use left and right              |
                        |     arrow keys to adjust            |
                        |     horizontal Tab.                 |
                        |                                     |
                        |     Tab = 0                         |
                        |_____________________________________|

          
          By pressing the right arrow key, for example, you can force the
          printer to start printing farther to the right.  Pressing 
          <spacebar> advances your labels one line.  When you think the 
          adjustments are okay, press <enter> to print another test label.
          If all meets with your approval, press <Y> to print the real
          labels.

          You can abort this function at any time by pressing <esc>.

          If you have not yet created a credit card Quickey list, you will 
          not able to choose the LOST! option.  Read about the <|> EPO in the
          Extended Processing Options section at the end of this document.
          ____________________________________________________________________

          Using the Records of the Realm Program.

          Each member of the realm should have a file folder kept in a metal
          filing cabinet marked "Personal File" with his or her name under
          that title.  Into these files go all of the personal documents
          relating to the individual named on the folder ... for instance, 
          that person's medical records, life insurance policies, birth 
          certificate, and, social security papers.  Then for each document 
          put into these files, you should enter a record in Records of the 
          Realm logging the document's existence and whereabouts.

          For example, to enter a new daughter's birth certificate into the 
          records file, start Records of the Realm.  In the Options Window, 
          press <1> to create a new record.  Records of the Realm will put 
          you in the Working Window and wait for the Document Quickey of the 
          item to be entered.
          
          In this instance, you would enter <B>, Birth Certificate.  The next
          field entry is "For:", to which you would respond with your new 
          daughter's name.  After that comes the entry for the location of 
          the document which in this case might be something like "in her 
          Personal File."  The last entry is Memo which gives you an extra 35
          spaces to add any additional details such as "original in safe 
          deposit box".

          Many of the realm's documents won't be kept in your personal files.
          Passports, titles, contracts, mortgage papers, and so on, should be
          kept in your safe deposit box.  (The original copy of a will should 
          not be kept in a safe deposit box, however, since it will be locked 
          upon your demise, but rather with your executor or lawyer.  You 
          should keep a copy of your will in your safe deposit box or at home
          for easy reference.)  In the case of copies of any document, make a
          note of the whereabouts of the original document as well as the 
          copy.

          You might find it advantageous to record your warranties in Records
          of the Realm, too.  Your file will require frequent updating, 
          however, since most warranties are only for 60 or 90 days, and the 
          necessary adding and deleting of records can quickly grow tedious.  
          The best compromise might be to record only the extended warranties 
          you obtain on your major purchases.

                    Tip:  If you are considering purchasing an 
                    extended warranty, Consumer Reports' article 
                    entitled "Who Needs An Extended Warranty?" 
                    in the January 1991 issue should be required 
                    reading.  In summary, the article says that 
                    extended warranties are a waste of money.

          Flotsam and Jetsam.
          Some of the "where can I put these?" records are best kept under
          general categories.  For example, keeping tabs of your auto
          insurance records is important, but so is the oil change you're
          supposed to give your car every three or four months.  List those
          records as well under "Car Information", along with warranty data 
          on the new muffler, battery, etc.  
          
                    Note:  If you haven't yet started a "Warranty" 
                    file, it would be a good idea to start one now.
                    Put all of your long term warranty statements in 
                    it.  To keep it up to date, browse through it once 
                    a year and discard the expired warranties.  Don't 
                    forget to delete those old records from your 
                    Records of the Realm file as well.

          Keep a record of your jury duty sessions, too, under the Personal
          category.  Some states do not require you to pull jury duty if 
          you've already performed your civic obligation within the past year 
          or two.  Keep the official notice in your personal file.

                                 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

          One final note.

          Once you've set up the records of your realm, don't just use them 
          when you need to find something.  Use them when it comes time to 
          return that something to its proper place and you can't recall 
          where to put it.  

          That way you'll be able to find it ... again  and again  and again.
          ____________________________________________________________________

          The Extended Processing Options.

               EPO  Definition

               <\>  Change the Records of the Realm default Document 
                    categories.
                    
                    Records of the Realm asks you which document category 
                    you want to change.  It then puts your cursor under 
                    that category and awaits your modifications.

                    If you want to delete the entire line, press 
                    <alt> + <C>.  If you press the wrong Quickey, press 
                    <esc> while the cursor is in the Viewing Window and 
                    the old Document category will be restored, even if
                    you've already made some changes to the original.

                    To end the Change Quickey function press <esc> when 
                    Records of the Realm asks which Quickey you want to 
                    change.  

                    Category names can be up to seventeen characters long.  

                    Note:  You cannot modify or delete the last Quickey, 
                    Credit Cards.

                                    - - - - - - - - -

               <|>  Create or change your credit card names.  This EPO is
                    used to enter the names of your credit cards in the
                    event you do not have My Little Realm's Charging program
                    to create the list for you.  See Warning below.
                    
                    Records will display your present credit card file, if
                    it exists, and ask:

                         Change which credit card Quickey? _

                    Enter the Quickey of the name you want to change.
                    Records of the Realm will put your cursor under the
                    existing name, if there is one, and let you make the
                    necessary changes.  If you inadvertently press the 
                    wrong Quickey, press <esc> and Records will reinstate 
                    the old name.  

                    Credit card names can be up to 19 letters in length.

                    WARNING!  If you already have MLR's Charging program, you
                    must not use this EPO or any other text editor to modify 
                    your credit card name file.  If you use MLR's Charging
                    program, Records of the Realm will automatically use its
                    Quickey file.  

                    As a matter of fact, if you have MLR's Charging program,
                    Records of the Realm will tell you to use Charging to 
                    modify your credit card Quickey file.  Serious damage 
                    will result to your credit card data file if you do not.

                                    - - - - - - - - -

               <+>  View all records in the Records of the Realm file.

                    This allows you to see all of the records regardless of 
                    the Document type.  You browse through the file by using 
                    the directional keys.

                    The Message Line in the middle of the Working Window
                    will tell you how many records you have and which record
                    you are currently viewing in the following manner:

                       --|  Number of records:  103    Record #:  16   |--

                    Given this example, you would be viewing record number
                    16 out of a file of 103 records.

                    This EPO is handy should you discover you cannot recall 
                    how you spelled a Document category you manually entered 
                    on the Item line.  Remember, keep it short!

                                    - - - - - - - - -

               <#>  Enter the pound sign in the Options Window to switch
                    between color and monochrome modes.

                                    - - - - - - - - -
          
               <$>  Print an order form for the registered version of the
                    Records of the Realm program.  This EPO is only 
                    available from the Options Window.

                                    - - - - - - - - -

               <?>  Display the Records of the Realm's EPO symbols and their 
                    definitions.


                                       +  The End  +     
          ____________________________________________________________________

          (c) Copyright 1991 - 1992 John L. Salisbury

