                COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGISTS (PEPI)
            by J.H. Abramson and Paul M. Gahlinger.  Version 4.04x
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  The PEPI programs are primarily for use in the planning or analysis of 
  epidemiologic studies, but most can be used in other contexts also.  
  
  Most of the programs are for use after observations have been tabulated 
  or counted, and require keyboard entry of data; some can read data files.

  PEPI Version 4.04x (PEPI404X.ZIP) contains all the statistical programs of 
  Version 4.0* except the PEPI-for-Windows program WHATIS.  They can be run
  in Windows (as DOS applications) and in DOS.  

  WHATIS and other PEPI-for-Windows programs can be downloaded free from
  www.myatt.demon.co.uk/index.htm 

  **************************************************************************
     For information on Internet sites (free downloads, new programs) and 
      distributors of the manual and programs, press F1 or click on Help 
                       after opening any PEPI program.      
  **************************************************************************
  
                     FOR BASIC INSTRUCTIONS, READ ON.

  Besides the statistical programs, PEPI404X.ZIP contains a Program
  Finder (index to the programs) in two formats: FINDER.HLP (a Windows help
  file) and FINDER.COM (for use in DOS), and test files for use with LOGISTIK
  and LOGX (LA.DAT, LA.DIC) and POISSREG (PA.DAT, PA.DIC).  For a full list,
  see FILELIST.TXT.  New features in this version are listed in UPDATE.TXT.

  After extracting the files you can run the programs from any disk or
  directory, in Microsoft Windows (any version) or in DOS.  They can be made
  more pleasant to use in Windows by clicking on a suitable format, e.g.
  8x12, or by pressing Alt-Enter (which toggles between a window and the
  full screen).
  
  If you copy the programs to your hard disk and intend to use them in DOS, 
  ensure that the directory to which they are copied is included in the 
  PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

  If you installed an earlier version of PEPI, copy the new files (except
  SM.CFG) to the directory containing the old files, replacing the old ones. 
  To use the PEPI menu in DOS, copy the new SM.CFG to the C:\ root directory

  The programs are copyrighted, but may be freely copied and distributed for 
  personal use.  They may not be exploited commercially without permission.
 

  FINDING THE PROGRAM YOU NEED

  The Program Finder will help you to identify the program you need.  You
  can search for a statistical procedure (e.g. "binomial test"), or what you
  want to accomplish (e.g. "smoothing of curves") or compute (e.g. "kappa"),
  or the kind of study (e.g. "cohort study").
    
    In Windows, run FINDER.HLP or (if you used an installation program) click 
    on the "Program finder" ("Help") icon.  The Windows Program Finder does not 
    specify DOS-based programs whose functions are met by the PEPI-for-Windows 
    program WHATIS (it is assumed that WHATIS will be used).  

    In DOS, run FINDER.COM or (if you used an installation program) type "PEPI" 
    to call up the menu, and then select the "Program finder" option.  The DOS 
    Program Finder specifies DOS-format programs only.  

  A comprehensive Program Finder, including both DOS-based and PEPI-for-Windows
  programs, is printed in the Manual.  
    
  To obtain thumbnail descriptions of programs: In Windows, click on the 
  Program Finder icon or run FINDER.HLP, and then press "Search" and enter a 
  program's name).  In DOS, run PROGRAMS.COM or type "PEPI" to call up the 
  menu if installed) and select "The programs".  You can obtain thumbnail 
  descriptions of most of the programs by opening them and pressing F1.  
                                           
  The best way of finding what a program does is to use it.  You need not
  fear getting "stuck" in the program - there are numerous escape hatches.
                                 

  USING THE PROGRAMS - BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
  
  In Windows, the programs (except WHATIS) are run as DOS applications.  
  
  In DOS, either run the program from the directory in which it is situated,
  or make sure this directory is in your PATH.  If the PEPI menu has been
  installed, you can type "PEPI" to call up the menu; then move the
  highlight bar with an arrow key or a mouse, and press <Enter> or the left
  mouse button to select a program.  To quit the menu, press <Escape> or the
  right mouse button.  The menu will work only if the directory to which the
  programs have been copied is in your PATH, and SM.CFG is in the C:\ root
  directory, where the installation programs put it.  [Do not use the menu
  while in Windows or in a DOS shell with little free memory].
    
  The programs are easy to use.  Follow the instructions shown on the
  screen.  Many programs display "Press F1 for help" messages; WHATIS has a
  "HELP" button.  For fuller explanations and examples, see the manual.  If
  you do something wrong - for example, if you enter a letter instead of a
  numeral - the program will usually beep and ask you to try again.

  The following instructions refer to the DOS-based programs:

    To quit during the data-entry stage (and if no "quit the program" option
    is offered), try pressing <Enter>.  You can quit a program at any time
    by pressing <Ctrl><Break>; there may be a delay.  In a real emergency,
    press <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
     
    <Ent> refers to the <Enter> or <Return> key, and <Esc> refers to the
    <Escape> key.

    When choices are offered, e.g."Type A if .. or B if ..", it is generally
    sufficient to tap the key, without pressing <Enter>.  You may use either
    lower-case (a, b) or upper-case (A, B).

    After entering a number you will almost always have to press <Enter>.
    
    When there are no further data to enter, you are generally asked to 
    signal this by pressing <Enter>.  
    
    When rates are entered, you will generally be asked what their base is;
    if the rate is 4 per 1,000, enter 1000.  A proportion is always between
    0 and 1, with a base of 1.  The term "rate" is used both for measures
    with number-of-individuals denominators (prevalence, cumulative
    incidence, risk) and for rates whose denominators are person-time units
    (incidence density, mortality density).

  The programs do not store data or retrieve data from computer files, with
  some exceptions: LOGISTIK and LOGX can read data files and create and use
  dictionary files, DIRST and INDIRST can store standards entered at the
  keyboard, POISSREG and SURVIVAL can store data for their own subsequent
  use, and WHATIS and WHATS store results, constants and formulae.

  If a program creates a disk file for data storage, you will be asked to
  supply a name for the file.  Make a note of the name, or you will not be
  able to retrieve the data.


  PRINTING AND SAVING THE RESULTS 
                                                                
  Most of the programs offer optional printing and saving of the results.
  In WHATIS, click on the "HELP" button.

  If you wish to be discriminatory about what you print, do not select the
  printing option, but instead use the computer's "PrintScreen" (<PrtSc>) 
  key whenever you want to print what is on the screen.  In Windows, this 
  will work only for programs installed by WINSTALL or WINST.  It may not 
  work with newer versions of Windows.  
  
  Three of the programs (LOGISTIK, LOGX and POISSREG) offer a word- 
  processing option, permitting the addition of comments to the saved or
  printed results.
                                                           
 
  -------------------------
  
  The programs are provided without any warranties, whether expressed or
  implied, and without any liability to users.
  
  Feed-back from users has been very useful, and comments and suggestions
  are always welcome.  Send them to one of the PEPI distributors.
  
  =========================
  
  * This ZIP file includes modified versions of DIRST, FIT, FREQ,
    LOGISTIK, LOGX, MATCHED, PAIRS, RANKCORR, RELATED, and SCRN.





