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                      *                                      *
                      *              MEAL-MASTER             *
                      *       Quick-Start Instructions       *
                      *                                      *
                      ****************************************
          
          
          
          ***  WHAT IS MEAL-MASTER?  ***
          
               Meal-Master is a menu-driven database system especially
               created and tailored to manage recipes.  With Meal-Master,
               you can store, update, and print your recipes in a variety
               of formats.  But the real power of Meal-Master lies in its
               search and utility functions!
               
               You can search for recipes using any combination of Title,
               Category, or Ingredient criteria.  Imagine being able to
               find all the recipes that can be made with a certain
               ingredient!  Plus, just change the number of servings a
               recipe makes, and all the individual ingredient amounts will
               be adjusted automatically!
               
               To help in entire menu preparation, you can "mark" recipes
               as you select them.  Then activate the Shopping List
               function:  Meal-Master will find the ingredients for all the
               marked recipes, total the quantities of like items, and
               print a shopping list!
               
               Other features allow you to print a recipe index by title or
               category, "batch" print a set of recipes, or "extract"
               recipes to a standard DOS file, so you can use it in a word
               processor or upload it to a bulletin board system.
               Extracted recipes can also be "imported" back into
               Meal-Master without retyping - making recipe exchange with
               friends that use Meal-Master a real snap!
               
               Meal-Master not only replaces the dog-eared, disorganized
               collection of index cards found in most kitchens, it
               provides a valuable tool for meal selection and preparation!
               
               
          ***  WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED?  ***
          
               Meal-Master should run on any IBM-PC, PC-XT, or close
               compatible with at least 256k of memory.  It will run on
               floppy or hard disk systems, with either a color or
               monochrome monitor.
               
               







Meal-Master                                                           page 2
Quick-Start Instructions




          ***  HOW DO I GET STARTED?  ***
          
               To start using Meal-Master, you need only the program file,
               named MM.EXE.  When you type "MM" and press return,
               Meal-Master should begin running.
               
               Meal-Master stores your recipes in three files:  INDEX.MMF,
               INGRED.MMF, and DIRECT.MMF.  It uses a fourth file,
               PARM.MMF, to store information such as what kind of forms
               you are using on your printer.  Starting with version 5.00,
               there is also a fifth file, CATFILE.MMF, which is used to
               store a list of valid recipe categories.  If any of these
               files are not found when Meal-Master starts, they are
               created automatically.  This makes Meal-Master very easy to
               install:  just copy the MM.EXE file to the diskette or hard
               disk directory of your choice, type MM, and press return.
               Meal-Master will ask you for the operating parameters it
               needs to build the PARM.MMF file, then create a new recipe
               database.
               
                  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT NOTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                  
                  If you have been using a previous version of
                  Meal-Master (or Meal-Meister), with a version number
                  less than 5.01, then your current working disk or
                  hard disk directory will contain two program files,
                  MM.COM and MM.000.  YOU SHOULD DELETE THESE TWO FILES
                  before attempting to use version 5.01 or higher of
                  Meal-Master.  Alternately, create a new working disk
                  (or directory) and copy your database files (*.MMF)
                  to the new disk or directory, along with the new
                  program file.
                  
                  Version 5.01 and higher of Meal-Master consists of
                  one program file, MM.EXE.  If both the new (MM.EXE)
                  and old (MM.COM) files are present on the disk and
                  directory when you type "MM" and press return, the
                  new program will be ignored and the old program will
                  be run.
                  
                  Also, for Meal-Master to run properly you must have
                  the file CONFIG.SYS in the root directory of the disk
                  you boot from, and it must contain a "FILES=xx"
                  statement, where "xx" is at least (11).  If not, some
                  Meal-Master functions will not operate.
                  
               If you're in a hurry to see how some of Meal-Master's
               advanced features work, you can try it out with the sample
               recipe database provided.  Make sure that the provided
               INDEX.MMF, INGRED.MMF, DIRECT.MMF, PARM.MMF, and CATFILE.MMF
               are on the same disk and directory as the program files, and
               start Meal-Master.  Then try out the search, shopping list
               and batch print options.  You can keep these recipes and add
               to them, or delete the files and start your own database.
               
               





Meal-Master                                                           page 3
Quick-Start Instructions




          ***  OK, IT'S RUNNING - NOW WHAT?  ***
          
               Meal-Master is completely menu driven and very easy to use.
               
               ADDING RECIPES
                    Selecting 'A' from the main menu allows you to add new
                    recipes to the file.  You will be prompted for the
                    title, categories (each recipe can reference up to five
                    categories), and number of servings.  When asked for
                    categories, a window will be displayed containing all
                    the valid category names (If more than one page of
                    names exist, the PGUP and PGDN keys will move through
                    the categories; and category names can be changed,
                    added, or deleted from the Maintenance/Setup menu).
                    
                    Next, Meal-Master will display the ingredient screen.
                    To add an ingredient, press the "INSERT" key or the "I"
                    key.  A new line will be inserted, and you will be
                    prompted first for the ingredient quantity, then the
                    unit of measure, and, finally, the ingredient name.
                    
                    The quantity can be entered as either a common fraction
                    (i.e., 1/2) or as the decimal equivalent (i.e., 0.5),
                    but will be displayed in the format selected on the
                    Maintenance/Setup Screen (MM comes setup to display
                    common fractions; if you want to see decimal
                    equivalents, simply change the format option on the
                    Maintenance/Setup Screen).  The quantity field will
                    also accept an "H", to allow a heading to be entered
                    for a group of ingredients.
                    
                    Repeat the steps above for each ingredient you wish to
                    enter.  After all ingredients have been entered, press
                    the "ESC" key to proceed to the direction entry screen.
                    
                    Each line of recipe directions can be added just as
                    ingredients are added - simply press the "I" or
                    "Insert" keys to create a new line, enter the line of
                    text, then press return.  Also, there is a complete
                    "word-wrap" feature available.  If you continue typing
                    past the end of the line, the cursor will automatically
                    break between words and continue on the next line.
                    When all directions have been entered, press the "ESC"
                    key again.
                    
                    If you make a mistake and wish to delete an ingredient
                    or a line of direction text, use the up/down arrow keys
                    to position that line to the center of the display
                    window, then press the F10 key.
                    
                    
               SEARCHING FOR RECIPES
                    Selecting 'S' from the main menu takes you to the heart
                    of Meal-Master.  Here you can specify search criteria
                    and have Meal-Master find the recipes that match.  You






Meal-Master                                                           page 4
Quick-Start Instructions




                    can instruct Meal-Master to select only those recipes
                    that:
                    
                         a)  Contain a certain word or phrase in their
                             title;
                         b)  Reference a certain category (ie, "Soups" or
                             "Main Dishes");
                         c)  Use a specific ingredient;
                         d)  Any combination of the above.

                    Once you have entered your search criteria, pressing
                    "S" will start the search.  The number and title of
                    each recipe that qualifies will be listed.  If you
                    start the search without entering any search criteria,
                    all recipes in the file will be listed.  Note that a
                    search may be stopped at any time by pressing the ESC
                    key.
                    
                    
               LISTING, REVISING, and MARKING
                    Recipes found by the search function will be followed
                    by a prompt asking if your wish to List, Revise, or
                    Mark any of them.
                    
                    If you type an "L", another prompt will ask if you want
                    the recipe listed on the screen or on your printer.  If
                    you select the printer, the recipe will be printed
                    using the parameters specified in the
                    "Maintenance/Setup" section of the program ('M' from
                    the main menu; there you can specify what size and type
                    forms you are using for Recipe printouts and for
                    Listings, and specify special printer controls).
                    
                    If you type 'R', you will receive the Revise menu.
                    From here, you can update the selected recipe title and
                    category list; add, delete or revise ingredients and
                    directions; or change the number of servings.  When
                    changing the number of servings, Meal-Master will ask
                    if you want the ingredient quantities adjusted.  If you
                    answer yes, Meal-Master will adjust all the ingredient
                    quantities in the same proportions as the serving size
                    change you have made!
                    
                    You can also 'Remove' a recipe from the file.  When you
                    use this option, the recipe is not really deleted, but
                    just marked as removed.  The recipe can still be seen
                    in searches and can be 'Restored' until it is
                    permanently deleted by use of the "Delete Removed
                    Records" option on the Utilities menu.
                    
                    If you type an 'M', a prompt will ask which recipe you
                    want to mark.  Enter one of the displayed recipe
                    numbers and press return to mark that recipe.  Once
                    some recipes are marked, you can use the 'Shopping
                    List' and 'Batch Print' features on the Utilities Menu.
                    These options only process marked recipes, allowing you





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Quick-Start Instructions




                    to automatically print several selected recipes, or
                    produce a consolidated list of ingredients to use as a
                    shopping list!
                    
                    
          ***  MORE HELP  ***
          
               It is impossible to cover all the features of Meal-Master in
               this short file, but the preceding instructions, with some
               experimentation, should get you started using Meal-Master.
               If you decide to keep and register Meal-Master, you will
               receive a comprehensive user's manual with complete
               descriptions of all Meal-Master's features.  As a registered
               user, you will also receive announcements and discounts on
               future versions of Meal-Master.
               
          ***  REGISTERING MEAL-MASTER  ***
          
               Meal-Master is shareware.  That means you get a chance to
               "try-before-you-buy".  If you like Meal-Master, and decide
               after trying it to keep and use it, you should register.
               
               To register, and receive the latest version of Meal-Master,
               along with the complete user's manual, please send check or
               money order for $35.00 (includes shipping/handling) to:
               
                                        Episoft Systems
                                          Suite #143
                                  1321-N SE Everett Mall Way
                                      Everett, WA  98204
                    
                    (Residents of Washington state add 7.8% sales tax)




























