UPDATED: MARCH 2, 2001 EMAIL: brian_stewart -AT- pobox.com STATUS: Free registration codes released SUPPORT: Via email, but not really. It works, even under Win2k Pro and Server. ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º K O M I X I N V E N T O R Y S Y S T E M º º º º D O C U M E N T A T I O N º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÑÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³³ ³³ ³³ ³³ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÏÏÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º (c) Copyright 1986, 1994 ~ Brian J. Stewart º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÑÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³³ ³³ ³³ ³³ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÏÏÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º VERSION 3.75 ~ March 15th, 1994 º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Table of Contents ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Legal Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Program requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Program files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Start-Up and configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Description of program functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 On-Line help system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Upgrading previous KIS versions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Registering your software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Demonstration version of KIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 User support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Non-IBM users of KIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Protecting your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Future versions of Komix Inventory System. . . . . . . . . . 29 Help Me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Comic shop/Shareware house distribution. . . . . . . . . . . 31 Thought for the day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program Credits ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Programming & Development: Brian J. Stewart (AKABS) Additional Help: Ray L. Haynes (RAY-MAN) Programming Tools: Borland's Turbo Pascal v7.01 Technojock's Turbo Toolkit v5.02b DeltaInfinity's Help_Access v3.0 Beta Testing: Sir M. Stewart (M.Stewart13) Thomas Wood Chris Imershein (C.Imershein1) Phil Schechter (I.Schechter) Glenn Valentine (Pun-Gent) Dennis Snelgrove (D.Snelgrove2) Beta-Testers: You probably think you didn't do all that much, but every little suggestion or idea you sent me has been noted. Your opinions and thoughts helped give me a clearer view as to what the (average) comic book collectors would like. As a veteran comic book fan and collector I have my own personal thoughts on what is needed, but your insights have helped give KIS a wider appeal to more people. You may note that with this latest version, many of those features you suggested are now part of Komix Inventory System. Thanks, _ __ |_) (_ |__)rian __)tewart...1:24pm March 15th, 1994 ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 3 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Legal Disclaimer ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ BS SOFTWARE PRODUCTIONS hereby disclaims all warranties relating to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. BS SOFTWARE PRODUCTIONS will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if BS SOFTWARE PRODUCTIONS or an agent of BS SOFTWARE PRODUCTIONS has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall BS SOFTWARE PRODUCTIONS's liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license to use the software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software. This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the STATE OF MISSOURI. Any action or proceeding brought by either party against the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent jurisdiction located in Jackson county, Missouri. The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts. Any problems, comments, questions, or ideas for improving this software package may be directed to the author in writing at the above address(page 1), or by (GEIS) GEnie electronic mail to AKABS. *** It is big mouthful of b%llsh%t legalese, but it is there to protect you and me from stupid lawsuits...that will never occur. My software will only do what you tell it to do. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 4 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program Requirements ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Komix Inventory System should run on any IBM PC, or 100% compatible PC. Please note that older model TANDY's could have problems with their video coloring, but should still run without problems. I started developing KIS on the now antiquated IBM PC, and am currently using a Kaypro 286-12 system. This range of computers has insured that all features should run on ANY machine...naturally the faster your computer's processor the better performance you will get from KIS. Minimum Recommended ------- ----------- Free Memory . . . . . . .237K 384K or more DOS version . . . . . . .MS-DOS 3.x DOS 3.3 or higher Drives. . . . . . . . . .1 Floppy (720K) Hard drive Monitor . . . . . . . . .Monochrome CGA,EGA, or VGA If you seem to be lacking in one of the Minimum requirement areas you can still try using KIS. I quote MS-DOS 3.x, because that is the oldest DOS I had to test on. KIS may work with older DOS's. Also XT users can have the KIS executables in drive A:, and the data files in drive B: to get around the disk space problem. As you can see KIS (unlike most other comic book programs) does NOT need a lot of computer hardware. The above minimum list will allow you to enter your data, run reports (to screen), and use all other program features. The better your hardware though, the more functionality you can get out of KIS. The addition of a printer to your system will give you a lot more use from the listings and reports you can generate. It would be nice to carry your inventory list around at comic book conventions rather than having to rely solely on your memory. KIS also supports the use of a Microsoft-compatible mouse. You can use the mouse to move around menus, data entry fields, and for scrolling through the help windows. If you have a disk cache, you can increase the speed of things considerably. Naturally you will have to have enough free memory to load both the disk cache and KIS. PLEASE make sure that after you have run KIS with a disk cache that you force "cached" data to be written back to your hard drive before you turn off your computer system. If you do not insure that the "cached" data is written to the disk, you may lose critical data. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 5 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program Files ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The following list and descriptions below will tell you what minimum files you will need to run Komix Inventory System. These files MUST be placed in the same directory. KOMIXPRG.EXE ~ The main program. This is what you load to use KIS. KOMIXPRG.OVR ~ Additional .EXE program information. KOMIXPRG.DAT ~ On-line help database file. KOMIXPRG.XDX ~ On-line help database file. KOMIXPRG.NDX ~ On-line help database file. KOMIXPRG.DST ~ On-line help database file. KOMIXPRG.IDX ~ On-line help database file. MST_AUTH.KMX ~ Used by KIS for data entry/report purposes. The following files are usually distributed with KIS, but are not normally essential to program operation. They can be useful though. KISCONV3.EXE ~ This file is needed if you are currently using a version of KIS that is below v3.xx. See the upgrade chapter for more information. KOMIXPRG.DOC ~ You are here. PRINTDOX.BAT ~ A batch file that asks if you would like to print the .DOC file out to the printer. ORDERFRM.KMX ~ This little form can be printed out. It contains all the necessary information to order/or upgrade your copy of KIS. The following files are sent ONLY to registered users of KIS. BBS SysOps: if you are placing KIS in your library of files, please make sure these files ARE NOT included. REGISTER.KMX ~ This file contains registration information, and also determines whether or not KIS will run normally, or in demonstration mode. BITMASK.EXE ~ Handy program for registered users, who are on the (GEIS) computer network. Used for upgrade purposes. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 6 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Installation ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ SINGLE FLOPPY USERS ------------------- You need to copy the "essential" files listed in the previous chapter onto a blank disk. Once you have copied these files over you need to create a sub-directory on the disk. Use DOS's MKDIR command to do this; i.e. MKDIR komix. Your data files will be written into this sub-directory. Please note that KIS runs at its worst on single floppy systems. Single drive systems limit program speed, and the amount of records you can store. Using a 360K floppy system you would be able to store about 1000 comics, while a 1.44Meg floppy user could get about 8000 comics on their disk. Older users of KIS (using a 360K) floppy system will most likely be UNABLE to run the conversion program KISCONV3.EXE. If you have a large database already entered, and can not use the conversion program, please contact me and we will be more than happy to upgrade your database for free. DUAL FLOPPY USERS ----------------- You need to copy the "essential" files listed in the previous chapter onto a blank disk. Next you will need to have a blank disk for use in drive B. Drive B will be your data drive, and you will need to create a sub-directory on the data disk. Use DOS's MKDIR command to do this; i.e. MKDIR komix. Your data files will be written into this sub-directory. Please note that KIS runs OK on a dual floppy systems, but a hard drive is the best setup. Dual drive systems still limit program speed, and the amount of records you can store. Using a 360K floppy system you would be able to store about 3000 comics on you data disk, while a 1.44Meg floppy user could get about 12000 comics on their disk. Older users of KIS (using a dual 360K) floppy system should be able to run the conversion program KISCONV3.EXE, assuming their data disk is less than half full. If you have a large database already entered, and can not use the conversion program, please contact me and we will arrange to get your files upgraded. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 7 of 32 . HARD DRIVE USERS ---------------- You can keep all the "essential" program files on one of your floppy drives, or you can place them on the hard drive for faster access. If you are placing the "essential" files on your hard drive you will need to copy the "essential" files listed in the previous chapter into a sub-directory. Next you will need to create another sub-directory for you data files. Use DOS's MKDIR command to do this; i.e. MKDIR c:\komix. Your data files will be written into this sub-directory. Hard drive users will be able to access their data, generate reports, and perform searches several times faster than when using a floppy drive system. The addition of a disk cache can also speed up hard drive access. With a hard drive you are virtually unlimited (depending on your drive size) with the amount of comics you can store. ALL USERS --------- Once you have finished setting up your program disk, and data directories you are ready to run Komix Inventory System. COMMAND LINE OPTIONS -------------------- Registered users (and those who ask nicely) will be given a list of command-line parameters you can use when running KOMIXPRG.EXE. There are command-line parameters to skip the opening screens, and to have KIS automatically load your database files. These are nice and handy, and can save you quite a bit of time. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 8 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Start-Up/Configuration ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The very first thing KIS does is show the credits screen and then prompt you for the KOMIX directory. Please make sure you have already created your data directory. See the "Installation" chapter for more information. You will see a small screen and a list of directories at the bottom of the screen. If your personal data directory is not included in the list then you need to scroll down the list and choose "Add/Create new data path". Once you have selected this, you will be prompted to enter your data drive/path. The default path is "c:\komix", but you may enter any valid drive/path. A few examples of possible data directories are: "e:\bjs\database\komix", "a:\komix", or "e:\dbase\bjs\comics\data". If this is the VERY FIRST time you are running KIS then you will be asked to verify a few questions. You will be asked, "Do you want to create a data disk?". This function will create skeleton files in your data directory. Once this function is done, you will be sent to the main menu. KIS starts out with all program parameters preconfigured. You may want to select the "Printer/Configuration" option and further customize program features to your liking. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 9 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program Functions ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The main menu will be displayed as a floating window on your screen, and you may use the cursor keys, your mouse, or spacebar to move the highlight bar up and down the list of choices. You may also use the first letter of every choice to select the function, versus scrolling the highlight cursor around the menu list. ADD NEW ISSUES: This function is used to add new issues to a previously created title, or to create a new title. This is a batch entry process and will keep recording data until you tell it to stop, so feel free to enter entire boxes of comics at a time in order to minimize repetitive steps. Once pressed you will first be prompted for the title name you want to create/or add to. The title name input screen will resemble the display below: [----------------------------------------------------] [ TITLE NAME INPUT ] [----------------------------------------------------] [ ] [ (F 2) = LAST TITLE YOU ENTERED GOES HERE ] [ (F 3) = GREATEST BATMAN STORIES EVER TOLD ] [ (F 4) = GREATEST JOKER STORIES EVER TOLD ] [ (F 5) = GREATEST SUPERMAN STORIES EVER TOLD ] [ (F 6) = GREEN ARROW ] [ (F 7) = GREEN ARROW: THE LONG BOW HUNTERS ] [ (F 8) = GREEN LANTERN (2ND SERIES; #1 TO #205) ] [ (F 9) = GREEN LANTERN (3RD SERIES; #1 TO ...) ] [ (F10) = GREEN LANTERN CORPS (#206 TO #224) ] [ ] [ TITLE: GR_ ] [----------------------------------------------------] TITLE ENTRY: As you type the title name character by character the shortcut list (F2 through F10, Control-A (^A) to Control-D (^D)) will flash the closest match to what you have typed so far, and also the next following titles in alphabetical order. NEW TITLE: If you are adding this title for the very first time then just enter the full name of the title and press and the new title name will be added to the database list. After you have entered your first issue in the new title you will be prompted to enter a title description. Title descriptions can be up to 6 lines long, and allow you to list publisher information, related books, book format, and other desired information. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 10 of 32 . OLD TITLE: Keep typing the title name in letter by letter, until you see the title name you desire, and then press the function key that corresponds to the shortcut list. FOR EXAMPLE: In the display above I have typed in GR and the shortlist has popped up displaying my database list from GR on. Now to add an issue to GREEN LANTERN (2ND SERIES) I just have to press (F8) and it is chosen. With this shortcut method you can access almost any title within 3-6 keystrokes, versus typing in the entire title name time after time. A excellent time saver! F2 KEY: The (F2) shortcut key pops up on the display when you are entering several different issues at one sitting. What ever the last title was that you added/entered will be displayed in the (F2) location. This is great for when you are entering 100 issues of your favorite GREEN LANTERN title into the database in a single setting. UNIQUE TITLE NAMES: It is recommended to make your title names as unique as possible. In this way you can distinguish between similar titles. You have 40 letters, characters, or numbers to spell your title name, so be creative. Below is an example listing of several ways to make title names unique and descriptive: ALIENS: EARTH WARS (4 ISSUE MINI-SERIES) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE BATMAN BATMAN ANNUAL BATMAN SPECIAL BATMAN: ARCHIVES (HARDCOVER; REPRINTS) GREEN LANTERN (GOLDEN AGE ~ #1 TO #38) GREEN LANTERN (SILVER AGE ~ #1 TO #205) GREEN LANTERN (MODERN AGE ~ #1 TO ...) GREEN LANTERN CORPS (#206 TO #224) HARD BOILED (DARK HORSE ~ 4 ISSUE MINI) IRON MAN: CRASH (EPIC GRAPHIC NOVEL) SUPERMAN (1ST SERIES) SUPERMAN (2ND SERIES) SHADE, THE CHANGING MAN (2ND SERIES) X-MEN, THE UNCANNY ISSUE DATA: Now that you have entered the title name in you are ready to describe the issue information. Just follow the field descriptions, and prompts when entering data. Below are a list of editing keys that can make life easier: ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 11 of 32 . EDITING KEYS ------------ CURSOR KEYS: Use your UP,DOWN,LEFT, & RIGHT cursor keys to move around the fields. You may also use a mouse to move around the display if you have one--the Left mouse button functions as the key, and the Right mouse button functions as the key. TAB: This keys functions like the CURSOR RIGHT key. SHIFT TAB: This keys functions like the CURSOR LEFT key. ESC/MOUSE-RIGHT-BUTTON: This key allows you to abort the editing feature. Aborting out of the input screen erases only the data you had been entering, not all the previous data you had entered. ALT-D: Pressing this key clears out the current field you are in. This is easier than backspacing through a large field. HOME: This key takes you to the leftmost location of the field you are currently in. F1: Pressing this key brings up various help windows giving brief information about the field your cursor is located in. F9: This key allows you to paste the last data screen you entered. You can use this if you are entering several issues that are similar, but you need to change some of the data fields. If you are entering multiple issues that are identical except for the issue number you should use the COPY TO/END NUMBER field. F10: Accepts the data you have entered, and prepares it for further processing. When F10 is pressed it also checks the fields for valid data. It will not let you accept the data unless you have filled in information for the following fields: Issue Condition, Issue Cost, Issue Value, Issue Quantity. You will then be prompted again, to visually verify the above data you entered, and then providing you accepted the data, it will be processed. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 12 of 32 . VALID DATA RANGES: TYPE = 7 characters maximum ISSUE# = ranges from 0 - 9999 TO = ranges from (Issue # +1) to 9999 N/MINT VALUE = ranges from $0.00 to $99999.99 COST = ranges from $0.00 to $99999.99 VALUE = ranges from $0.00 to $99999.99 CONDITION = ranges from CL(coverless) to MNT(mint) QUANTITY = ranges from 1 - 255 COMMENTS = 60 characters in length WRITER - INKER2 = use key to pop-up listing TYPE: is limited to seven letters,and is intended for ANNUALs, SPECIALs, BOOKs, SECTIONs, SPRING, WINTER, 1ST PRT, etc. This allows you to keep the annuals, etc under the same title name, instead of having to create IRON MAN, and IRON MAN ANNUALS separately. If you are just entering regular issues then leave this area empty (by pressing at the prompt). ISSUE: is pretty obvious. With an upper limit of 9999, I doubt any comic will pass the 10000 mark in my lifetime. TO: is for entering a series of books in one setting. You can enter "1" in the ISSUE field, and place "75" in the TO field. This will automatically enter issues 1,2,3,4...74,75 at the same time. They will be exactly alike except for the issue_number field. Great for entering in an entire title all at once. CONDITION: has a range from MINT (1) to COVERLESS (14). You may choose to grade your comics by several methods, and this large selection of conditions should cover all possibilities. You can press the key to pop-up a list of available conditions. Below is a list of available grading conditions: (1) MNT : MINT (8) VG : VERY GOOD (2) NM : NEAR MINT (9) GD+ : GOOD+ (3) VF+ : VERY FINE+ (10) GD : GOOD (4) VF : VERY FINE (11) FA+ : FAIR+ (5) FN+ : FINE+ (12) FA : FAIR (6) FN : FINE (13) PR : POOR (7) VG+ : VERY GOOD+ (14) CL : COVERLESS NEAR MINT VALUE: is a time saving entry field. Enter the current N/MINT value from your current price guide in this field, and KIS will automatically compute the VALUE field for you based on the CONDITION you entered for the comic. No more calculators needed to figure values! ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 13 of 32 . COST: is what you paid for the comic. Some people include the tax into their cost calculations, but this is strictly up to you. VALUE: is up to your preference of pricing. I follow OVERSTREET's rules for guiding, and it is the basis of my grading system. I use the OVERSTREET, and other guides for the basis of my prices. QUANTITY: lets you keep track of your multiple copies, and saves on disk space by placing multiple copies of the same condition book in one data record versus multiple data records. COMMENTS: put anything you can fit in the 60 character space in this area, use it to distinguish between GREEN ARROW-LONGBOW HUNTERS #1 1st prints, and #1 2nd prints. Keep track of Spiderman and Batman appearances, crossovers, origins, etc. Use this space, because KIS will use 60 bytes of disk space, whether you leave it blank or fill it up. I personally label practically every issue, this lets me look back at AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and see when McFarlane stopped doing issues, or when Venom was killed. EDIT ISSUE/TITLE INFORMATION: This can be used to update a title's information. You might want to change your prices on BATMAN after the OVERSTREET ANNUAL came out, this way you would know approximately what your entire collection is worth. Use your cursor keys/mouse to move around within the editing areas. You can also delete an issue if you remove it from your collection, change any of the issues information (type,issue#,value,etc). And you can delete the ENTIRE TITLE--if you happen to sell/trade it. Be careful with the editing functions, because once you RESAVE the information to disk it is permanent. With v3.24 the editing menu has been expanded to allow are larger display of the issue information, and the new Update function. The update function will allow you to update large amounts of data with single entries. This is great for updating entire titles after the new comic books price guides come out. The Update function consists of four separate choices: Values, Comments, Creators, and Load Scripts. All four options allow you to confirm each update, or you can let the program update your issues automatically. (1) Values: This update function allows you to update an issue range of NMINT values. You are asked the starting and ending issue number, the NMINT value, and then those issues are updated. (2) Comments: This function allows you to update a range of comments. After selecting the issue range the program will update the comment fields. If a comment already exists for that issue you will be prompted to either Replace, Append, or Ignore the new comment data. Replace and Ignore are obvious, but Append is a little different. Append will add the new comments to the end of the current comments. Any comments that run past the end of the field will be truncated. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 14 of 32 . (3) Creators: This allows you to update the creator/author fields. After selecting the range you will then select the author field and then the author. Author fields are automatically replaced, unless you otherwise specify manual confirmation. (4) Load Scripts: The new and powerful feature of KIS. This function allows you to access the KOMIXGUIDE update files. These files consist of a computerized update information. The update files will be able to update NMINT values, creator fields, and comments all at the same time! The first prompt you get when selecting this option is the drive/path of the update script files. Enter the full drive and path, for example: "c:\komix\update", "a:", "f:\komixprg\upd_0991". Once you have correctly enter the path a scrollable selection window will pop-up. Select the appropriate title and then choose either automatic update or manual confirmation. Contact me for more details on obtaining KOMIXGUIDE update files. INDIVIDUAL TITLE LISTING: This allows you to list a SINGLE title to screen, disk or printer, uses the same guidelines as multiple listing--read below. LIST MULTIPLE TITLES: This allows you to list a MULTIPLE titles to screen, disk or printer. Your first option for listing is which title, or which range of title names your want listed. You will be prompted for your starting title name, such as ACTION COMICS, and then you will be prompted for the ending title name, such as X-MEN. Next you are asked for Title listing parameters, this refers to your title in it's whole(all the issue information added together). You are asked to enter a LOW total value, and then a HIGH total value. You can do this to list out your cheap titles by entering $0.00 and then $5.00, thus allowing listing of titles with $0 - $5 of total value. You then enter LOW and HIGH numbers for total count. For Example use this to printout titles with only 1 issue, by entering 0 and 1 respectively. Next you are asked if you want to also list out issue information. If you JUST SAY NO, then your listing will consist of the following: Title Name Title Cost Title Value Title Count ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ACTION COMICS 100.00 115.20 112 BATMAN 750.75 2302.50 302 GREEN LANTERN (SILVER AGE) 1023.25 2435.70 295 IRON MAN 9.55 22.34 10 If your choice was Yes for issue listing then your next prompt will ask for your issue listing parameters, this let's you single out LOWS and HIGHS for Issue#s, Conditions, Quantities, Costs and Values. Basically you can build any type of print out you want just by selecting parameters. NOTE: if you just want to list everything without parameters, then just press at all the title and issue parameter prompts, and everything will be included in your listings. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 15 of 32 . Your next choice if your selected ISSUE LISTING, is whether or not you want [F]ull listings, or [S]hort listings. For example, FULL listings could look like this: GROO THE WANDERER, SERGIO ARAGONES 1 $2.00/ $12.00 NM(x5) great humor 2 $2.00/ $6.00 NM 3 $2.00/ $6.00 NM 50 $1.00/ $1.50 NM double size 60 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 61 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 62 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 63 $1.00/ $1.50 NM really good issue A Short listing of the same title would look like this: GROO THE WANDERER, SERGIO ARAGONES 1 $2.00/ $12.00 NM(x5) great humor 2-3 $2.00/ $6.00 NM 50 $1.00/ $1.50 NM double size 60-62 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 63 $1.00/ $1.50 NM really good issue If you choose SHORT listings then your next question is if you want to [M]atch comments, or [I]gnore comments when listing a Short listing with comment matching would look like the above example, while a Short listing with comments being Ignored, would look like this: GROO THE WANDERER, SERGIO ARAGONES 1 $2.00/ $12.00 NM(x5) 2-3 $2.00/ $6.00 NM 50 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 60-62 $1.00/ $1.50 NM 63 $1.00/ $1.50 NM All comments are stripped off, and this allows even more condensing of your output--use which ever method makes your happy, I like Short with Comment matching. Next you are asked whether or not you want to list AUTHOR information. If you select NO, then any data you have entered in the creators' fields will not be listed. Naturally selecting YES will output creator information on your reports. Your FINAL listing option is whether you want your output to Screen, Disk or Printer. If you choose Printer, make sure your printer is ready, KIS will not start printing until your printer is ready. NOTE: see printer parameters for more possible listing options. RESPELL TITLE NAME: This lets you respell a title name, in case your made a mistake and didn't catch it, or a title changes its name. For example, I had to change my GREEN LANTERN to GREEN LANTERN (SILVER AGE) so that my new title GREEN LANTERN (MODERN AGE) would fit better in sorting process. KIS will not allow you to respell the name to a title that already exists. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 16 of 32 . MISSING ISSUES REPORT: This lets you run a missing-issues report. This report generator is not perfect due to the wide variety of comic book possibilities out there. But it will cover most of the mainstream comic titles. First off it will ask for the title you want to run the report on. Next it will ask for your starting issue number; if you are checking DETECTIVE COMICS and only want to list missing issues from 500 and up then you can do that with the second option. Third it asks for the highest issue number; this is where you want to stop listing at. If your last DETECTIVE you bought was issue 593, but the most recent issue published was 623, then 623 is the number you would enter here. If you have all the recent issues then just press enter at the prompt and a 0 will appear,and the program will not list any further than the most recent issue. Your next parameter is the minimum acceptable grade; this is the lowest condition you will accept. If you are looking for comics in FINE or better condition then enter FINE here. If you already have a lower grade comic in the title, an * will appear next to the report number. Options for printing to screen or printer are your last options. Below is an example listing from my database: DETECTIVE COMICS FN = minimum condition * = lower grade copy in inventory 275 276* 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 381 382 383 384* 385 386 388 389 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 564 565 567 568 569 624 & up DATABASE STATISTICS: This lets you see some statistics about your database, an example display might look like the following: [---------------------------------------------] [ DATABASE STATISTICS ] [---------------------------------------------] [ ] [ Total value of database = $20445.08 ] [ Total cost of database = $6969.69 ] [ ] [ Total number of titles = 464 ] [ Total number of issues = 4864 ] [ ] [ Average value per issue = $4.20 ] [ Average cost per issue = $1.43 ] [ ] [ Investment Change = + 193.34% ] [ Total Net Profit = + $13475.39 ] [---------------------------------------------] [ Available disk space = 602355 records ] [ Free memory available = 420448 ] [---------------------------------------------] ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 17 of 32 . This gives you a quick overview of your collection, and also gives you an approximate amount of free disk space left for KIS usage. The more titles you have the more disk space that will be used. For example 10 titles with 50 issues in each title would take up more space than 5 titles with 100 issues each. Check this area frequently, if you are running low on disk space, start another data disk, or clear out some space on your disk drive. CHANGE PASSWORD: This allows you to change your password, or disable the password. The diagram below shows approximately what the screen will look like: [--------------------------------------------------] [ Change Password ] [--------------------------------------------------] [ ] [ Old Password = *OFF* ] [ ] [ New Password = ____________________ ] [ ] [--------------------------------------------------] [ Enter "*OFF*" to disable password function ] [--------------------------------------------------] OWNERSHIP INFORMATION: This shows registration info, which if you are a registered number will have your name and serial number. It also shows the version number, and when it was completed. Registration information is included, and you are asked if you would like to print out the "Registration/Upgrade" form--this form matches the order form contained in ORDERFRM.KMX. Below is an example display: [--------------------------------------------------------] [ REGISTRATION SCREEN ] [--------------------------------------------------------] [ ] [ COMPILE DATE: 01/21/1992 ] [ ] [ PROGRAMMED BY: Brian J. Stewart ] [ (GEIS) Network ID# AKABS ] [ ] [ REGISTRATION: $19.95 (U.S. Funds Only) ] [ ] [ REGISTERED OWNER: Sir M. Stewart ~ Groo fan ] [ ADDRESS: 210 Blue Ridge Extension ] [ CITY/STATE: Grandview, Missouri 64030 ] [ SERIAL NUMBER: 10000a01f07c6 ] [ ] [--------------------------------------------------------] ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 18 of 32 . PRINTER/OPTIONS SETUP: The below screen will pop up for editing: [--------------------------------------------------------------------] [ Komix Inventory System : Printer & Setup Options ] [--------------------------------------------------------------------] [ ] [ Timestamp Message....."%%%% Brian Stewart = (816) 941-4233 %%%%" ] [ ] [ Printer Header Code......14 [---Condition Percentages(%)---] ] [ [ ] ] [ Printer Paper Width......132 [ MNT...105.00 VG.... 30.00 ] ] [ [ NM....100.00 GD+... 20.00 ] ] [ Printer Page Length......64 [ VF+... 75.00 GD.... 15.00 ] ] [ [ VF.... 75.00 FA+... 12.50 ] ] [ Duplicate Issue Costs....A [ FN+... 55.00 FA.... 10.00 ] ] [ [ FN.... 50.00 PR.... 5.00 ] ] [ Issue Totals Printed.....N [ VG+... 35.00 CL.... 2.50 ] ] [ [ ] ] [ [------------------------------] ] [ ] [--------------------------------------------------------------------] [ Cursor Keys for movement, Press [F10] when finished ] [--------------------------------------------------------------------] TIMESTAMP MESSAGE: This is your TIMESTAMP line. This line if you choose to have one, will be printed out with your special printer header code you defined earlier, and will include the current date and current time that the listing was printed... you may just hit and a blank line will be printed only. An example timestamp line (mine) looks like the following (imagine the 1st line is in expanded print): %%%% B r i a n S t e w a r t = ( 8 1 6 ) 9 4 1 - 4 2 3 3 %%%% PRINTED ~ 12:35:10 p.m. Friday February 14, 1992 ~ KIS v3.24 PRINTER HEADER CONTROL CODE: This allows you to set a few more options. The first prompt is for you to enter YOUR printer's EXPANDED control code, most printers use (14). This will highlight your listings and make it easier to see where a title starts and ends. If you want to use other printer modes, such as bold facing, or underlining, put your favorite control code in. **NOTE: if you don't want any type of special printing then enter 0, and everything will print out in one font. *** PRINTER PAPER WIDTH: This option asks if you have an 80 or 132 column printer. If your printer is antique (like mine) and you have to set your dipswitches to obtain condensed 132-column output, then set your printer options up before running any reports. PRINTER PAGE LENGTH: This option asks for your printer page length (DEFAULT=66) which allows KIS to pagefeed at your printer paper breaks, which will allow you to tear apart your listings and place them in a notebook for easy reference. Choose whatever page length you prefer up to 255 lines per page. Laserjet, and inkjet users should set page length at (Page length -1). If you printer defaults to 60 lines (most laserjets), set your page length to 59 to prevent blank pages from being inserted between every formfeed. Laserjet users should as choose a fixed font instead of a proportional fonts, otherwise nothing will physically line-up on the output. Courier 10/12cpi (80 column), and Lineprinter 16.67 (132 column) are both excellent fonts to use with laserjets. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 19 of 32 . DUPLICATE ISSUE COSTS: This option specifies whether you want duplicate issues to be (A)veraged in the value field, or listed (S)eparately. This means that if you have 3 copies of GREEN LANTERN(3RD) #1, and bought one copy for $1.00, another for $2.00, and the third for $5.00 then the following would occur: If AVERAGED then you would only have 1 record listing as follows: GREEN LANTERN (3RD) 1 $2.67/ $12.00 NM(x3) beginning of new series While SEPARATE would have 3 records as follows: GREEN LANTERN (3RD) 1 $1.00/ $12.00 NM beginning of new series 1 $2.00/ $12.00 NM beginning of new series 1 $5.00/ $12.00 NM beginning of new series Use the (A)verage or (S)eperate option in which ever way you prefer. Some people like to know each and every issue's cost, while collectors like me would rather just have an average of what I have paid for duplicate issues--it also makes your printouts shorter. ISSUE TOTALS PRINTED: This option asks if you want to individually list TOTAL VALUE, and TOTAL COUNT after each title. This lets you choose whether or not your want this added information. In my case I turn them off--when I run a full listing of all my comics, those extra total lines would add up to over 13 pages by themselves!! If you want the ability to see individual titles' totals then leave this option on. If you are environmentally aware like me, then you will want to save on paper waste, and if you are not environmentally aware then this function will make your big printouts easier to carry. :) CONDITION PERCENTAGES: This area is for defining your own personal guidelines for the comic book grades. If you want you can define MINT as 125% of N/MINT prices to show that MINT books are truly rare. The default settings can be changed to any value (within reason) you want. This lets you personalize your book prices. I personally set my MINT=115%, and my VERY GOOD+ = 38.50%, and I leave the rest set to default. Choose whichever values you want to customize the feel of the system. GRAPH ISSUES: This fancy (almost silly) function will allow you to graphically display a title to the screen. It provides a nice visual display that you can compare to the Missing issues report. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 20 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ On-Line Help System ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Starting with Komix Inventory System v3.xx there is a new and radically improved help system available to the user. Users can now press at virtually any location within KIS to obtain a pop-up help screen. Once the help screen has popped up you can user your cursor keys/mouse to scroll the text windows. The use of the CONTROL + T, B, S, P and TAB keys will allow you to get additional user out of the help screens. The functions as an key, and the functions as an key. Control-T (^T) will bring up the help system topic list. With the topic list you can search for specific help screens. Control-B (^B) will take you back to the last help screen you were at (this session). So if you selected another screen from the topic lists, (^B) would take you back the previous help screen you were on. Control-S (^S) allows you to search for the first occurrence of a specific phrase. With this you can look for a specific word or group of words, instead of by topic. Control-P (^P) allows you to print the current help screen to the printer. The key allows you to switch you cursor to the related topics window. The related topics window will appear at the bottom of the screen, if they exist. You can then move your cursor around, and highlight the related topic. Pressing will switch you to the new help screen. Pressing takes you out of the help system, and allows you to continue using the program. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 21 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Upgrading from version 2.xx ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ If your current version of KIS is v1.xx then I am afraid you are out of luck. Unfortunately I have lost the source code, and conversion program that converts files from v1.xx to v2.xx. You will just have to make a full print out of your database and start reentering the issues with the new version. Sorry :( If your current version of KIS is v2.xx then you will need to run the conversion program "KISCONV3.EXE" to upgrade your data files to the new standard. The conversion program is normally only sent to registered users, but may be obtained from me if you ask nicely. Before running the upgrade/conversion program PLEASE backup you data files! This is an important safety precaution just in case something goes wrong in the conversion process. Once you have started the conversion program you will be asked for the drive/data path of your current files. After that you will be reminded to backup you files before proceeding. The program will convert your titles one by one until they are completely upgraded to the new format. Once you have played around with the new updated files to ensure they were properly converted you may delete the following old files: "MAIN.KMX" and "TITLESV2.KMX". If you do have troubles converting your files, such as not having enough free disk space to do the conversion, just let me know. I will be more than happy to upgrade your older format files for free. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 22 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Registering Komix Inventory System ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ You can print out the file labeled ORDERFRM.KMX, which will list a detailed order form with order/updating instructions or you can refer to the information below: Send $19.95, $10 (if you send a 5.25/3.5" disk with return mailer and postage), check or money order in US FUNDS to: Brian Stewart ~ Komix Inventory 6708 East 135th Street Grandview, Missouri 64030-3243 I will send you the newest version and documentation, and you will also be added to my database of registered users. Registered users can obtain updates for $4.50, or $2.50(if you send 5.25/3.5" disk with return mailer and postage). (GEIS) GEnie USERS: You may contact me via my GEnie account (AKABS) and we will arrange updates, and product support via the BITMASK transfer protocol. Other methods of payment: If you have a fear of sending money to support the shareware concept you may contact me to arrange for a trade. I am always looking for golden age GREEN LANTERNs, BATMANs, and SHOWCASEs, I would be more than happy to trade comics in exchange for sending you a registered version of Komix Inventory System. :) ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 23 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Demonstration/Evaluation Copy ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Unlike other software authors who implement severe limited use, software copy protection, passwords, or the elimination of major program functions; my demonstration version is a complete and working copy except for one feature. That feature consists of those nasty opening messages regarding this being a demonstration version, and annoying flashing messages stating that this is 'DEMONSTRATION VERSION'. Also delays have been added to force certain information screens to stay displayed longer in the demonstration mode. With the shareware concept you can enter data, edit, and play with KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM to see how you like the feel of the system. And when you finally get around to registering for a legal copy, you won't have to re-enter your data, because it is already there in the proper formats. I would greatly appreciate it if you passed along a ZIPed, or ARCed file consisting of the DEMO version, and DOCUMENTATION to your local bulletin board so that other collectors can get a chance to use this software program. PLEASE do not upload your registered copy to other people; I have spent a lot of time developing this software, and have intentionally kept the price cheap so that everyone could afford their own registered copies w/documentation. If I do happen across a copy of KIS on a bulletin board that is a registered version, that registered owner will lose their registration status for upgrades. They will have to RE-register at the full price. Sorry for this inconvenience...to insure that you do not give out your registered copy, MAKE SURE that the file REGISTER.KMX is NOT in the ZIPed or ARCed files you upload. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 24 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ User Support ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ I am available during reasonable hours to help users with questions or problems your might have. Naturally if you are a registered user I will be "more" available for you. I do not discriminate against people who have not registered, but at $19.95 KIS is probably THE most affordable comic book database program on the market. If computer users continue to ignore the shareware concept of software marketing, you the end user will suffer in the end. Shareware is the only thing keeping software prices down, and forcing commercial applications to continually match or beat shareware performances. How do you get support? Simply by contacting me various methods, you can reach me in the following ways: (A) You can pick up the phone and call me. Reasonable hours are 8am to 11pm, but calling me on the weekends will probably work the best. I do have an answering machine, but do not expect me to return every call, I will do my best though. I just don't have an unlimited amount of money to spend on long-distance calls. Just try back again at a later time, and you will probably reach me. My current phone number can be found on the title page of this documentation file. (B) Contact me on the (GEIS) GEnie computer network. You can receive me anytime at the E-mail address of AKABS. Contacting me through (GEIS) will be the quickest and easiest way for me to support you. (C) Finally you can contact me via writing. Describe your problem, or question as clearly as possible. Also if you can include a screen print, or print out of the problem it will make it easier for me to determine the cause. My mailing address is can be found on the title page of this documentation file. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 25 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Non-IBM users of KIS ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Believe it or not I have quite a few users who are not even using IBM compatible computers! If you are one of these proud users, please let me know. I will try to support you as much as possible. If you are having trouble running certain functions, or seem to be encountering bugs while running PC-emulation software let me know. If possible I will find a way to fix the problem so that you can get full use of Komix Inventory System functions. Please send me your machine specifications, and a list of the hardware or software emulators you are using to run Komix Inventory System. I would like to be able to provide a list in a future version of this documentation. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 26 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Protecting your data files ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ If you are smart, and you are since you're reading this documentation file, you will want to protect your data files. You should backup your komix database for your own health. I use PKZIP to backup my files--it compresses my files by almost 73% into one manageable file. If you don't backup regularly and your hard drive crashes, or your floppy disk accidentally falls onto a kitchen knife 37 times, then you may have to reenter all 5 billion of your comics again. I am sure you wouldn't want to reenter your entire comic book collection again. I have setup a batch file to do my backup procedures, and I recommend you do so also. It ZIPs and transfers my data to a floppy disk for safe storage. The PKZIP layout usually is as follows: PKZIP -u [drive]:\komix\*.* a:\kis_data.zip I have used PKZIP without any problems, and strongly recommend it, or similar archivers for backing up your database. If you do have a hard disk failure, or accidentally delete your data files you will at least be able to restore your last backup. This is a much better option versus having to reenter your entire database again. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 27 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Revision History ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ A complete, detailed list of revisions is available for those sadistic enough to desire it. I figure a short history will be okay since the entire revision history takes up about 40,000 bytes. Version Official Release Date Comments ------- --------------------- -------- 1.00 November 12th, 1986 originally developed on Commodore 64 1.24 April 1st, 1987 1.30 April 12th, 1989 ported over to the IBM PC. 1.40 June 18th, 1989 1.75 January 9th, 1990 2.00 July 30th, 1990 new database format 2.03 Sept 5th, 1990 2.25 November 2nd, 1990 2.25g December 9th, 1990 2.40 January 18th, 1991 3.24 December 28th, 1991 official upgrade from v2.40 new database format 3.28 February 3rd, 1992 intermediate release with cosmetic changes, a new improved AUTHOR entry window, and updated HELP files. 3.75 March 15th, 1994 new reports including author, and comment searching. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 28 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Future versions of KIS ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Given the proper amount of free time, and a continued flow of registration money (hint, hint) I will continue to upgrade and improve Komix Inventory System. Below is a small list of things I hope to have added to KIS in the near, or not-so-near future: A simple, yet super indexing routine to find any bit of information contained in the database. Built in backup options to make protecting your data files easier. A whole slew of new reports! I have already planned out 30+ new report formats that will give you all kinds of weird statistics on your comics. A new database format (yes, again) that will provide faster access (I am also want faster access), use less disk space, and hold more detailed information. A report generation module that would allow users to build a set of their own custom reports. This would allow users to pick what data they wanted, and exactly where they want it to be placed on the output. Extended printer support. Currently printer support is low, but I hope to add options in the future that will allow users to send printer control codes. This will be great for laserjet users, etc which will make it easier to select duplexing modes, and fonts versus the current method of having to manual configure your printer. Audit reports that would save information on deleted issues/titles, etc. These would allow you to keep a long-range statistical overview of your collection. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 29 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Help Me ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ If you are having troubles with any program functions, or have found bugs, please contact me so that I can locate and fix any problems. Also if you have ideas for functions, ideas for making things look better both on the screen and on print outs--please let me know, I will gladly send you a update for any ideas, or functions that I incorporate into future versions. Help me with documentation. If you find things lacking in this documentation let me know and I will expand upon this file. Also I will continue to expand the on-line help files. The bulk of new documentation will be added to the on-line files versus this documentation file, since it will be easier to access. Support me! The registration fee I ask for is very low, and everyone should be able to register their software. Unless of course, they are just a bunch of uncaring heartless bastards who would rather pay high commercial software prices instead of supporting shareware authors like myself. This money won't make me rich, far from it, but it will help me offset my costs for mailing and maybe allow me to buy a comic book or two. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 30 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Comic Shop/Shareware Distribution ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ I do offer several different distribution programs that allow third- party vendors to sell Komix Inventory System. There are two basic types of distribution programs that I currently support. The first distribution method is via the national software Shareware houses. You have probably received dozens of shareware catalogs in the mail, and that is one of the ways I distribute KIS. Shareware companies that advertise KIS in their catalogs get a vendor specific version. This special version of KIS adds a advertisement screen at the startup of the program. The ad tells who the software distributor is and what their order/catalog information number is. Customers who purchase their version of KIS through a shareware house receive a 10% discount off their registration fees. Shareware distributed versions of KIS are NOT registered versions, they must be registered after you purchase the software from the catalog company. The second and most common method of KIS distribution is through your local comic shop. For you shop owners out their interested in stocking Komix Inventory System for re-sale will naturally be interested in turning another buck. Comic shop versions of KIS are setup in the basically the same fashion as the shareware houses. An advertisement listing your comic shop, your specialties, address, and owner information will be shown every time KIS is loaded. Store owners pre-purchase a batch (usually in blocks of 10) of Komix Inventory programs ready for re-sale. Customers who purchase their version of KIS through their local comic shops will usually receive a 30-60% discount off their registration fees. Comic shop owners please contact me for your very low-cost sales kits, which usually net a 50- 60% profit. If you have received your copy of KIS through a local comic shop, or via a Shareware catalog house you need to read the introduction advertisement for your specific registration fees. ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 31 of 32 . ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Thought for the day ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ "You see the chain I got? I got it honestly." "You see the clothes I wear? I got it honestly." "You see the jeep I drive? I got it honestly." "I work hard, it ain't easy being me." --- Heavy D. "Continuing to use unregistered (shareware) software is not a crime, it is a shame..." --- Unknown "Thanks for using Komix Inventory System. Whether or not you are a registered user, it brings me great satisfaction to know that people are using MY software." --- Brian J. Stewart ____________________________________________________________________________ KOMIX INVENTORY SYSTEM Page 32 of 32 .