                                                          Apr. 11, 2001

                           HANDYSHOPPER v2.0
                    for the Palm Computing Platform

                  "Shopping Lists plus so much more!"



    BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS:  Read the "INSTRUCTIONS" section (below),
                              and the "FAQ.txt" file.



|   NEW:  Text that is new since build 2029 is marked with a vertical
|         bar in the left margin "|".



CONTENTS: -----------------------------------------------------------------

    1.  Postcard-Ware
    2.  Disclaimer
    3.  Installation
    4.  Instructions
    5.  Going Shopping
|   6.  User Group
    7.  Ideas for Creative Use of HandyShopper
|   8.  What's Not In 2.0
    9.  What's New
|   10. Using HandyShopper with the Palm Emulator
    11. Feedback



POSTCARD-WARE: ------------------------------------------------------------

    HandyShopper is (and has always been) FREEWARE.

    BUT...if you like HandyShopper, please send me a postcard!  My
    favorites are local or scenic cards.  I enjoy plastering my office
    walls with the postcards I receive - over 1600 so far, from all over
    the world.  "Thank you" to everyone who has sent a postcard!

    Please send postcards to:

        Chris Antos
        9649  174th Place NE
        Redmond, WA  98052
        USA



DISCLAIMER: ---------------------------------------------------------------

|   This is the "official" release of HandyShopper 2.0, but please keep
|   in mind that this software is FREE and I cannot be responsible for
|   lost data or any other problems.  If this is not acceptable to you,
|   do not use HS2!
|
|   That said, myself and tens of thousands of people around the world
|   have been using the Beta versions for over 16 months.



INSTALLATION: -------------------------------------------------------------

    Use the Palm Install Tool to install the "HandyShop2.Prc" file onto
|   your Palm device, and then do a HotSync.  The app "HS2.0" will show
|   up in your Launcher's "Unfiled" category.

    Do *NOT* delete previous versions of HandyShopper before installing
    the new one; if you delete them, you will erase all your data.  If
    you were using 1.7 or earlier, then you can delete it AFTER you
    import your data.  If you were using a beta version of 2.0, then you
    don't need to do anything except install the new version.

    The first time you run the app, it will check to see if you have HS1
    on the device.  If you do then it will ask if you want to import
    your HS1 data.  (You can always do it later if you want, by using
    the menu).

    See "INSTRUCTIONS", below, for information on how to use HS2.


|   NOTE: HS2 does *not* overwrite HS1 or its data.  You can safely have
|         both of them on your device at the same time.


    HandyShopper 2 is "BackupBuddy Certified"!
    Visit http://www.backupbuddy.com for more information.



INSTRUCTIONS: -------------------------------------------------------------

|   HandyShopper comes with very little documentation, but hopefully it
|   doesn't need much documentation.  Tap the "i" buttons for helpful
|   Tips, and visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper to find
|   other users and ask (or answer) questions.

    Some of the major improvements since HS1:
        o  Multiple databases.  HS1 only allowed one database, but HS2
           allows as many as you wish.
        o  Per-store prices (optional).  HS2 allows you to track an
           item's price and aisle independently for each store.
        o  The Total command really works now.
        o  Attach Notes to items.
        o  Automatic sorting.
        o  Up to 100 stores.
        o  Aisles can be 0-200, or A-Z.
        o  Variable column widths.
        o  Custom text field (for instance, works great for an Author
           field in a book list).  This field is searchable via the
           system Find command, just like the Description and Note
           fields.
        o  Optional separate sort orders for the All/Need views.
        o  Copy an item to another list (even copies its stores, too).
           The 'Copy to...' command is found on the Item Tool.
        o  Beaming databases via infrared.


    TIPS:
|       o  Tips -- tap the "i" button for helpful Tips.
|       o  Menu -- to pop up menus, tap the "Menu" circle in the
|          graffiti area (in the lower left corner).
|       o  Context menu -- tap an item and hold the stylus down for half
|          a second to pop up a context menu with some common actions.
        o  HandyShopper is useful for almost any kind of list, not just
           for shopping lists.  Try creating databases for "Gift Ideas",
           "Movies", "To Do", etc.  Use your imagination!
        o  Use the Preferences screen to control the visible columns,
           how items are sorted, and many other settings and options.
        o  In most popup dialogs with a text field, you can also write
           the newline stroke instead of tapping the OK button.
|       o  Stores that have needed items, show up in bold in the Stores
|          dropdown list.
|       o  Visit the HandyShopper user group at Groups.Yahoo.com,
|          http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper


    No-Stylus mode, for one-handed operation while shopping:
        o  Use the Menu and select "Options", then "No-Stylus mode".
        o  or, on a PalmV or PalmVx just press the Contrast button!
        o  The hard buttons work as follows:
                o  DateBook - page up
                o  Address - page down
                o  Up/Down - move hilight up/down one item
                o  ToDo - check off item
                o  Memo - Undo (eg, undo checking off an item)



GOING SHOPPING: -----------------------------------------------------------

    In general, working with HandyShopper follows a pattern like this:
        1. Add items to database (or, go the 'All' view and find items
           from previous shopping trips, that you need this time).
        2. Select the 'Need' view.
        3. Go shopping at one store.
        4. Check off items as you put them in your cart.
        5. Pay for the items.
        6. Use the Checkout command (on the menu) to reset the list for
           the next store (this tells HandyShopper you purchased the
           items you checked off, otherwise they'll still appear in the
           Total at the next store).  Note, the Checkout command also
           deletes any completed items that are marked as Auto-delete.
        7. Go shopping at another store, and go back to step 4.


    COUPONS: Check the 'Coupon' checkbox in the item's Details screen.
             Copy the item, using the 'Copy Item' command (under the
             'Record' menu), and assign a negative price to the new
             copy.  For instance if you have an item "Coke, 2ltr" and a
             coupon for 50 cents off, you could copy the item, and
             assign $-.50 as the price (this makes the Total command
             more accurate).



USER GROUP: ---------------------------------------------------------------
|
|   There is a user group for HandyShopper users, at Groups.Yahoo.com.
|   Visit and post ideas, questions, or etc.  Benefit from other users'
|   ideas, and share your own ideas, too.  Share lists with other users.
|
|   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper



IDEAS FOR CREATIVE USE OF HANDYSHOPPER: -----------------------------------

    Aromatherapy - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        I use HandyShopper to record different blends of aromatherapy
        oils for different uses.  My items are individual oils and I use
        the stores to represent different uses such as relaxation,
        alertness, fatigue, headache etc.  I have the database set to
        record per-store prices and aisles, and I use the aisles to
        record the number of drops of each oil needed when making up a
        blend for a particular purpose.  This means when I select a
        particular use from the stores list, HandyShopper shows which
        oils I need with the number of drops for each oil.

    Book List - (submitted by Craig Lawson)

        I mix together books that I want to buy with those I want to
        check out from a library.  If I discover someone has checked out
        the book from the library, I make note of the call number so I
        can quickly locate it again either there or at another library.

        [editor's note:  and the Custom Text field is great for storing
        the author's name, too!]

    Collections - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        HS2 is excellent for keeping track of collections.  Use the
        quantity field to keep track of amounts, and the price field for
        current values.  Also, the 'stores' and 'category' fields are
        great for easy sorting.

    Furniture Shopping - (submitted Janet Hilsmier)

        We loaded Rooms into the Categories.  It was much easier to walk
        around the store, plug in each table, couch or chair that we
        liked, the dimensions and the price.  When we finally decided
        which ones we "needed", it was easier to make sure the sales
        agent charged us correctly.  Later, we added our downpayment and
        interim payments as negative numbers, so that we knew what was
        owed by final delivery.

    Gift Idea/Shopping List - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        Set up your categories as to the type of gift (Christmas,
        Birthday, Baby Shower).  Use the person's name in the 'store'
        field.  As your friends and family hint at what they want for
        their special occasion, add it to the list and then check it off
        as you purchase it.  I also input the price so I can add up what
        I have spent for each person.  It is also great to have that
        list handy when you can't find an item they ask for at
        Christmas.  Then after Christmas you can use the list for
        potential birthday gifts, just change the category for the item.

    Home Chores List - (submitted by Janet Hilsmier)

        We loaded all of the mundane dusting, mopping, vacuuming tasks
        and rooms, plus the semi-annual and annual tasks like changing
        batteries.

    Home Improvement Projects

        Each month of the year is a store.  Categories included "Indoor",
        "Outdoor" and "Painting".  Then, each project was loaded.  We
        assigned the projects to months to help us schedule everything
        we want to do, within reason.  (It is impossible to paint, till,
        stain, mulch, build and plant in one weekend!)  It also helps us
        to keep focused on getting to some of those "someday I'd
        like..." projects.

    Impulse Purchases - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        If you find yourself buying things you later realize you don't
        need, try this.  Create a dated list called "Impulse", and make
        the Price and Date columns visible.  Whenever you see something
        new you want to buy, add it to the Impulse list and mark down
        how much it costs and when you saw it.  Then walk away and don't
        buy the item - wait about 3 weeks.  Every few weeks, look
        through your Impulse list and see if you still really think you
        need the items.  If you still think those $199 fold-up
        sunglasses will make a significant difference in your life, then
        by all means go back and buy them.  <wink>  This technique has
        saved me more than $1000 over the past year.  Another great
        thing about the Impulse list is you can actually see how much
        money you've prevented yourself from wasting.

    Inventory - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        HandyShopper is NOT designed for inventory!  Inventory and
        Shopping are opposite concepts.  Extremely simple inventories
        can be done with HS2, but in general HS2 does not work well for
        inventory.  Several inventory programs do exist for the Palm
        devices, so I recommend searching web sites to find them.

    Karate Training - (submitted by Philip Wright)

        After three years of training, I reached the higher ranks at my
        karate school.  But I still didn't have a good way to keep track
        of all my combat techniques.  HS2 solved that problem.  I
        created a checklist, and assigned the karate session (Jan-Feb,
        Mar-Apr, etc.) to the Stores field, and the level (Beginning,
        Intermediate, Advanced) to the Categories field.  Now all I have
        to do is put the title of each technique in the task list, and
        put the instructions for each technique in the Notes field of
        the tasks.  Now it only takes me two seconds to find a
        technique, and one tap of the stylus to see the complete
        directions for the technique.  And one of the coolest things is
        that when I'm preparing to test for my next belt, I can check
        off each technique as I master it, so that I know which ones I
        still need to practice.

    Movies - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        When you see a trailer for a movie you'd like to see, add it to
        your Movies database, along with the its upcoming release date.
        You can use the categories for "Theater", "Rent", "Buy VHS",
        "Buy DVD", etc.  Attach a note to the item, with a description
        of the movie, in case you forget what the movie's about or who's
        playing in it.

    Orders - (submitted by Gilly Rosenthol)

        When I order something, I record the item and the date ordered.
        That way I can keep track of what packages I'm expecting and see
        how long it's been.

    Packing List - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        This one is obvious but can be fun to experiment with.  I set
        mine up with categories first (clothing, toiletries, food,
        accessories, etc.)  Then I put everyone in my family in the
        'stores' field.  As I added the items to pack, I assigned them
        to the proper person.  For example, my husband & I both wear
        contacts, so I assigned 'contacts' to both of us.  For items
        like socks and shoes, I assigned them to everyone.  Now, if only
        my husband will be traveling, I change the store to his name and
        he then has a customized list of things he needs to pack.

    Project task lists - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        As a freelance lecturer, a lot of my work involves going through
        a specific sequence of tasks in relation to a particular
        project.  For example, if I'm planning a new course for a
        particular college I have certain tasks such as planning the
        overall content, then planning the individual sessions,
        delivering each session, marking assignments and so on.  I use a
        store for each project.  The items are the tasks.  I use the
        aisle number to record the sequence that the tasks have to be
        carried out in, and I sort the database by aisle.  I use price
        to record the number of hours that each task usually takes, and
        quantity to record the number of times it has to be repeated
        (for example, assignments might take half an hour each to mark,
        but I might have 60 of them).  At the start of each project, I
        can go through and select the tasks I need (usually all of them,
        but not always).  I can also enter the number of assignments etc
        where relevant.  I can then use the Total command, and
        HandyShopper tells me the total hours needed to complete the
        project, and how many hours work I have done so far.

    Reading List with Calculated Priorities - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        I read somewhere that if you have to get through an awful lot of
        reading, you can prioritise this as follows.  You estimate the
        importance of the article or book by deciding how much you would
        be prepared to pay to read it.  However, if you would pay the
        same to read a 20-page paper and a 200-page book, then your time
        is better spent reading the paper.  So you calculate your
        priorities by dividing the price your willing to pay by the
        length of the book or paper.

        HandyShopper does this very nicely as follows.  The items are
        the books or articles.  I use quantity to record the number of
        pages and aisle to record how much I would pay (in GBP) to read
        the book.  The built-in calculator is invaluable for calculating
        value (aisle) divided by length (quantity), and I use the price
        column to store this value.  The list is sorted in descending
        order on price so that the highest priority item comes out on
        top.  I use the categories to distinguish between reading for
        work and for pleasure, and I use the stores to record books I've
        finished reading and books I've started but not finished
        (because I tend to have several things on the go at the same
        time).

    Recipe Database - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        This is extremely easy to build.  Use the 'stores' list to
        create categories, such as meat dishes, pastas, seafood, sauces,
        appetizers, etc. Then use the actual categories function to make
        a more detailed sort - like crockpot, holiday, favorites, etc.
        Add the title of the recipe in the description field and attach
        a note with the recipe instructions.  This is quite handy for
        keeping track of recipes found on the net (copy/paste from
        memopad) and also helpful for jotting down recipes on the go.

    Remodelling a House - (submitted by Maria Popoli)

        I'm using it to remodel our house!!  The categories are rooms,
        exterior elements, substructures.  The stores are
        subcontractors, our own elbow grease, or particular stores for
        required purchases.  We redecorated our son's room in a weekend
        because we had everything ready to go like a kit - no trips to
        the hardware store.  I've got another database for the
        landscaping, categories are:  nursery for purchases, existing
        design, gardening chores pending, failures,& growers.  Stores
        are locations within my yard.  No wasted money at the nursery
        and a beautiful garden.

    Restaurants - (submitted by David Jacobs)

        I have created a restaurant list using the "Stores" filed for
        "Style" of food (Asian, Vegetarian, Seafood, etc).  This allows
        restaurants to be categorised by multiple "Styles".  The
        categories field could be used to denote locations and the
        priority field for quality rating.  The price field could be
        used to give an average cost for a meal.

    Shopping - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        Some tips on setting up shopping lists...
        Unit prices are important in getting the best value.  Some
        items, like laundry detergent, come in various sizes.  If you
        buy 100-oz laundry detergent at K-mart for $3.99 and 200-oz at
        the Dollar store for $4.99, the best price will show up as
        $3.99@K-Mart.  That may be the low price, but not the best
        value.  All you needed to know is that the best unit price was
        $.03/oz.  Instead of having 10 different entries for the various
        sizes of laundry detergent, try one of these two methods.
        Create on entry for laundry detergent and make the unit field
        'oz'.  Then attach a note to the field and insert the unit price
        info there (I created a shortcut that will add the appropriate
        text and I just fill in the price).  Another way is to create a
        'store' called "Unit Price".  For this store, insert the unit
        price for the item.  Now when you tap details to see the best
        price, you will see what a good unit price is for comparison.

    Software List - (submitted by Rosemary Lewis)

        Under categories, I use Accessories - Software.  Under Stores, I
        use Author, (Seller names I use), Demos, Freeware, In ROM, Not
        Purchased, Purchased, Removed Permanently and Shareware.  Of
        course each product can appear in a number of "stores" but this
        gives me the ability to keep track of every program I have ever
        tried out.  What happened to it, my comments on each in Notes,
        see cost as Demos move to Purchased and of course, the total
        amount of $$ spent on this project.  I am VERY happy with this
        effort!

    Training - (submitted by Bruce Chappell)

        I thought you might be interested in how I use your HandyShopper
        program. I am a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (Part Time),
        and am responsible for training other EMTs in a hospital.
        Because of the dynamics of Emergency Medicine, I can't always
        start teaching a, then b, then c, etc. So I use Aisles to group
        things, such as Heart Monitors Aisle 5, then list the various
        things I have to cover, Alarm Volume, How to alter preset
        limits, etc.

        Before HandyShopper it was a miracle if I covered everything I
        was suppose to. I never could remember if I taught this shift to
        this person, or another shift to another person. Now I can
        guaranty that everything is covered before I sign somebody off
        as having completed their orientation. Thanks for a Great
        Program.

    Wine Database - (submitted by David Jacobs)

        Create different "classes" of wines (Red, White, Fortified,
        Sparkling, etc) using the "Stores" field and categories of wines
        (Shiraz, Chardonay, etc) and assigning "ratings" using the
        "Priority" field and using the "Notes" field for comments.

    ...And many more creative possibilites exist!

|   ...Share your ideas at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper



WHAT'S NOT IN 2.0: --------------------------------------------------------
|
|   There are some things I said would be in 2.0, that unfortunately I
|   just haven't had the time to finish.
|
|       o  Merging two lists via infrared beaming (this is still
|          anticipated in a future version).
|       o  Faster or easier table scrolling.
|       o  Better documentation.
|
|
|   Here are some things I always said would not be in 2.0, and still
|   are not in 2.0:
|
|       o  Desktop program -- I'm not doing this.  Someone else can
|          write one, making use of the (upcoming) HandyShopper CSV/PDB
|          converter program.
|       o  Recipe program -- would be useful, but this is FREEWARE as a
|          hobby, and I don't have the time or the personal interest.
|          Again, someone else can write one, using the HandyShopper
|          CSV/PDB converter program to build the shopping list.
|
|
|   Coming "soon":
|
|       o  CSV/PDB converter program to convert PDB databases to CSV
|          files, and vice versa.  This will enable users to edit
|          databases in Excel, Perl scripts, or even to write complex
|          tools such as a desktop companion program.  It's likely the
|          converter will also support XML, though probably not in the
|          initial release.



WHATS NEW: ----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|   This is the official 2.0 release, build 2811 (Apr. 11, 2001).
|
|   Highlights of the changes since build 2029 (Aug. 29, 2000):
|
|       Features:
|
|           o  Added 'Copy item to...' to the menus.
|           o  Launch'Em support for the sysAppLaunchCmdOpenDB command.
|           o  The Reset command has a new option to reset items to the
|              checked-out state.
|           o  Tap and hold the stylus on the Description column for
|              half a second to pop up the item context menu.
|           o  The date field has a new 'wide' option that shows the
|              year.
|           o  Now you can copy items/prices/aisles from one store, to
|              another store, by using the new Copy button in the Stores
|              screen.
|           o  Tip screens give quick helpful tips.
|           o  ... and various other minor features.
|
|
|       Fixes:
|
|           o  Fixed an obscure bug in the Details screen, that could
|              overwrite the wrong item under unusual circumstances.
|           o  Deleting a store that had needed items did not update the
|              bold stores properly.
|           o  Fixed bug about tap+drag not working in table fields
|              where only part of the field's text is visible.
|           o  Fixed crash when the Q and $ columns are visible, trying
|              to choose a number in the Quantity popup, and sorting by
|              Quantity.
|           o  The 'Copy to' command used the Sort order of the From
|              database. Now it properly uses the Sort order of the To
|              database.
|           o  Fixed some drawing problems when the Description and
|              Custom Text fields resized taller (especially on OS 3.0).
|           o  Fixed the Edit Stores button in the Stores screen, which
|              could sometimes accidentally delete the item and then
|              crash.
|           o  For most non-US locales, six-digits prices with decimal
|              places didn't fit even with the "Wide" setting, because
|              the width was computed assuming a period for the decimal
|              separator, instead of a comma.  Now the correct decimal
|              separator is used.
|           o  Fixed an obscure problem where editing the Description,
|              then changing the Category, then editing the Description
|              some more so that the field grew or shrunk vertically,
|              the next item could be overwritten.
|           o  Cancelling out of the Details screen would always force a
|              re-sort if the database is sorted by category.
|           o  Imported items have the Auto-Delete and Taxable flags set
|              per the preferences.
|           o  When the currently selected category was delete, the view
|              became confused.
|           o  When a category with no items was displayed, new items
|              disappeared from the view, until choosing a different
|              category or store.
|           o  After choosing (and exiting) the Edit Stores button from
|              the Select Stores screen, now you're (usually) returned
|              back to the Select Stores screen.
|           o  ... and various other minor fixes.



USING HANDYSHOPPER WITH THE PALM EMULATOR: --------------------------------

    Many users find the Palm Emulator (aka POSE) useful to test



FEEDBACK: -----------------------------------------------------------------

    E-mail me at chrisant@premier1.net with any feedback.  Send me
    comments, criticism, praise, suggestions, bug reports, whatever.
    But please understand that I may choose not to implement your
    suggestion.  Also, due to high volume of e-mail I receive about
    HandyShopper, I may not be able to reply to your mail.


