Index
Help Index

Introducing On This Day for Windows

Navigating Through the Calendar

Selecting the Day to Display

Creating "Fancy" Output

Controlling Output Options

Controlling Output Destination

Generating Output at Startup

Other configuration controls

Databases

Compressing Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

Known Problems/Limitations

Database Format

Date Specifiers

Bibliography

Purchasing On This Day for Windows

Disclaimer - Agreement

Definition of Shareware

User Supported Software

Reporting Bugs


Introducing WINOTD
Introducing On This Day for Windows

Have you ever been curious about events that happened on this day in history?  On This Day for Windows can generate a list of just such items of note.

Some of the types of information which may be displayed are:

Astronomical Events

Birthdays of Famous People

Historical Events

National Observances

Religious Holidays and Events

In addition, a personal database may be created to contain events important to each specific user.  Events such as birthdays of relatives and friends may be appropriate for this file.

To clarify, the question this software was written to answer is:

What historical events, religious holidays, etc. happened on a particular date?

It is not intended to answer questions like:

What date is Easter next year?

When was John Wayne born?


Event Types

The currently available event types are:

Birthdays

Events

Religious Events

Personal Events

Monthly Events - these are generated only on the first day of each month


Blanks

This indicates that one or more spaces can be placed here.


Fast Day

A fast day in the Hebrew calendar is one which if it occurs on a Saturday will be moved to the following day (i.e., Sunday).


The Software Construction Company

We may be reached via mail at

PO Box 160
North Billerica, MA  01862-0160
USA

We may also be reached via phone (voice or FAX, 24 hours per day) at

    (978) 851-6204

Our phone system is capable of accepting Mastercard or Visa orders as well.

We may also be reached electronically via one of the following addresses

CompuServe	70313,3615
Internet	info@swconst.com

Visit our WWW site:

    http://www.swconst.com


Association of Shareware Professionals
The Association of Shareware Professionals

You may contact the Association of Shareware Professionals via mail at

545 Grover Rd
Muskegon, MI  49442-9427
USA

Or via phone at:

(616) 788-5131

(616) 788-2765 FAX


Controlling Output Options

There are several different categories of events that can be selected individually.  Select the  Event Types ... command under the Options menu selection.  A dialog box will appear allowing you to choose which event types should be included in the output of On This Day for Windows.

Select those event types you would like to have included in On This Day for Windows' output.

You can also select the way you would like the output to read.  By default, each birthday or event will have a string like "In 1492," prepended to it.  If you would rather On This Day for Windows to do the arithmetic and present the string like "507 Years Ago," you can use the Output ... command under the Options menu selection.  A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select your preference for birthdays and for events.

All of the settings you select will be remembered until you change them.


Controlling Output Destination

On This Day for Windows' output can be directed to appear in either a window, a disk file, or at a printer.  The default destination is a window.  If you request the output to go to a window or the printer, your selection will be remembered for the next time you run On This Day for Windows.  If you have requested that the output go to a file, it will only be remembered for the duration of this session in On This Day for Windows.

To determine the current setting, select the Options menu.  There will be a check mark next to either the Output to File ... command, the Output to Window command, or the Output to Printer.

To change the setting, select the prefered command under the Options menu.  Note that the Output to File ... command will cause a dialog box to appear to specify the pathname of the file to which to send the output.


Generating Output at Startup

If you'd like to see the current day's events automatically each time you start On This Day for Windows, select the Output Today's Info on Startup choice from the Options menu.  A checkmark will appear next to this choice if it has already been selected.  Selecting it again will remove the checkmark (and no longer cause this option to be in effect).

To have this happen automatically when you start Microsoft Windows perform the following steps:

Select the WINOTD icon (but don't start the application).  Select Copy... from the File menu and select the Startup group in the resulting dialog box.  If you are successful, you should see a new icon in the Startup group.

To check to see if it will be started as an icon or not, select the WINOTD icon in the Startup group (again, don't start the application).  Select Properties... from the File menu.  The resulting dialog box will have a checkbox for starting the application as an icon.


Other Configuration Options
Other Configuration Controls

OTDDIR

On This Day for Windows will first search the directory where the executable resides for the databases.  If they aren't found in that directory, the directory specified by the OTDDIR line entry in the WINOTD.INI file will be searched.

This entry was created or altered when you installed On This Day for Windows.  The easiest way to change its value is to reinstall On This Day for Windows.  If, however, you've just moved the entire directory to a new location, you may wish to change the entry in the .ini file.  WINOTD.INI is in the directory in which Microsoft Windows was installed (typically, c:\windows).  Alter the line that looks like:

otddir=<some path name>

Change the part to the right of the =, <some path name> in the example above, to indicate the new directory in which the data files reside.

TZ

Some of the events that are automatically calculated (e.g., phases of the moon) display a time associated with the event.  If the TZ environment variable is set, the time printed will be your local time.  If it is not set, the program will assume that it is being run in the Eastern time zone of the United States.

The syntax of the TZ environment variable is:

SET TZ=zzz[+/-]d[d][lll]

zzz is the name of the current time zone (e.g., EST, PST).

[+/-]d[d] is an optionally signed number of one or more digits.  It is the local time zone's difference from GMT in hours.  Negative numbers adjust westward from GMT. (e.g., 5=EST, +8=PST, -1=continental Europe).

lll is an optional name that represents the local time zone's daylight savings time (e.g., EDT, PDT).  Don't include this field if your time zone does not observe daylight savings time.


Databases

On This Day for Windows reads event data from a subset of the following databases:

BIRTHDAY.JAN	EVENTS.JAN

BIRTHDAY.FEB	EVENTS.FEB

BIRTHDAY.MAR	EVENTS.MAR

BIRTHDAY.APR	EVENTS.APR

BIRTHDAY.MAY	EVENTS.MAY

BIRTHDAY.JUN	EVENTS.JUN

BIRTHDAY.JUL	EVENTS.JUL

BIRTHDAY.AUG	EVENTS.AUG

BIRTHDAY.SEP	EVENTS.SEP

BIRTHDAY.OCT	EVENTS.OCT

BIRTHDAY.NOV	EVENTS.NOV

BIRTHDAY.DEC	EVENTS.DEC

RELIGION	EVENTS.OTH

PERSONAL

If birthday information was requested, BIRTHDAY.<current-month> will be read.  If event information was requested, EVENTS.<current-month> and EVENTS.OTH will be read.  If religious information was requested, RELIGION will be read.

See Controlling Output Options for more information on requesting different event types.

Entries are displayed in the order in which they appear in the database.  If you want your events to occur in a particular order, place them in that order in the database.

On This Day for Windows is distributed with all the above databases with the exception of PERSONAL.  See Purchasing On This Day for Windows for more information on purchasing the program.  Use the "What Do I Get? ..." button on the startup screen or the "What Do I Get? ..." menu selection on the "Help" menu for details on what is included upon purchase.

The database named PERSONAL is used to add any personal information you care to track with the program but do not wish to get lost in our data.  You are, of course, free to intersperse your data with ours.  It is entirely up to you and what you wish to do with the program.

See also Compressing Databases.


Navigating Through the Calendar

If the correct month and year are already displayed, simply select the square representing the day in which you are interested (see Selecting the Day to Display for more information).

If the month displayed is not correct or is from the wrong year, there are several ways of changing it to the correct month and year ...

To move forward and backward a month at a time:

Use the << and >> buttons.

Use the Page Up and Page Down buttons.

Use the "Previous Month" and "Next Month" choices on the "Go To" menu.

To change the month and year at the same time:

Use the button between the << and >> buttons.

Use the "Month/Year ..." choice on the "Go To" menu.


Selecting the Day to Display

On This Day for Windows displays a conventional "month at a time" calendar.  The currently selected day will appear red.  Pressing the enter key will generate output for the currently selected day.

There are a number of ways to select a different day:

Use the "Today" choice on the "Go To" menu to jump immediately to today's date.

Use the left and right arrow keys to move forward and backward a day.

Use the up and down arrow keys to move forward and backward a week.

Click on the date desired.  Note that this will also generate output.  The above methods of movement require that you press enter to actually generate output.


How Do I?
Frequently Asked Questions

This section will attempt to answer some of the more frequent questions we've gotten.

How can I create a copy to share with my friends?

How do I purchase On This Day for Windows?

What are your sources for this information?

How can I add personal data to On This Day?

Why is my favorite holiday or event missing?

Why can't I edit the data with my Word Processor?

What Do I Get When I Purchase On This Day for Windows?


What are your sources for this information?

I have used a great many sources to amass this collection of information.  Virtually everything I've read since sometime in 1985 has been used as a source from one time or another.  Less frequently, I use radio and TV broadcasts as sources.  I find them to be a bit less reliable for dates than printed media.

It is important to state here that we do not guarantee the information's accuracy in any way.  You may find duplicate entries or other mistakes.  We do our best to keep the data as "clean" as possible and appreciate hearing about any mistakes (or additions) you find.

When writing about mistakes or new entries, please try to give supporting evidence.  We are trying to keep track of sources in order to arbitrate any possible discrepancies in the dates.

Lastly, we must point out that we reserve the right to ignore any and all suggestions related to our data.  As a customer, you will have access to all the files that we have and may remove events you don't like, add ones you think should be added, and improve the wording of others.  We hope you will understand.

See Also Bibliography


Creating a Copy to Share
Creating a Copy to Share with Your Friends

There are two versions of On This Day for Windows in circulation:

The Evaluation Version

The Registered Version

If you've paid for On This Day for Windows, (see Purchasing On This Day for Windows for more information ) you have The Full Retail Version.  If you have not purchased your copy and see only a handful of birthdays and events when you request a date, you have The Evaluation Version.  If you have not purchased a copy and see a large number (i.e., 30 or more events per day), you have The Full Retail Version (which you shouldn't have).

To share a copy with your friends, perform the following steps, depending on which version you have:

The Evaluation Version

Copy the directory containing the executable and data files to a diskette (e.g., COPY c:\otd\*.* a:).

The Full Retail Version

Make certain you are in MSDOS (either an MSDOS shell within Microsoft Windows or at the MSDOS prompt prior to entering Microsoft Windows.

Change your directory to the directory where On This Day for Windows was installed (e.g., cd c:\otd).

Execute the OTDSHARE batchfile specifying the diskette drive containing the diskette onto which you'd like the software copied (e.g., otdshare a:).


Adding Personal Data

On This Day for Windows will read a database file with the name PERSONAL as well as the files distributed from the manufacturer.  Create this file in the same directory as the other data files using your favorite text editor or word processor.  NOTEPAD will do fine.  For more information, see databases.


Holiday or Event Missing

If you have purchased On This Day for Windows and are using the larger databases included with the full retail version, we'd very much like to learn of the data that you think we've overlooked.  Obviously, we can't have all holidays and all events listed.  We'd like to come as close as possible, however.  See The Software Construction Co. for the various methods you can use to contact us.

If you are using the evaluation version, we may be aware of the data you have noticed missing.  We deliberately don't distribute out entire collection of data.  We do this for two reasons:

1.	The distribution would be much too large and would discourage people from downloading 	the program for a trial.

2.	We reserve the larger databases as a reward to those who register our program.

The program in the evaluation version is identical to the full retail version.  You are welcome to add the data to the evaluation databases if you would like to see it displayed.

For more information on the benefits of purchase, use the "What Do I Get? ..." button on the startup screen or the "What Do I Get? ..." menu selection on the "Help" menu.


Why Can't I Edit The Data With My Wor Processor?
Why Can't I Edit The Data With My Word Processor?

The short answer is "you can!"

When editing the data with a word processor (as opposed to a text editor), you must remember that word processors typically save font and other formatting information.  Text editors only save the characters you typed in.  On This Day for Windows cannot understand the formatting codes your word processor inserts in the data.

In order to get your word processor to save your data in a way that On This Day for Windows WILL understand, you must tell it that it is a text file.  Ususally, this will be possible under the File/Save As menu choice.  You must indicate that the file type is a text file.

For example, in our copy of Microsoft Word, the File/Save As menu choice brings up a dialog box.  At the very bottom of that dialog box is a list box control that can be changed to read "Text Only" rather than the usual "Word Document."  As another example, Microsoft Write uses "Text Files" as the prompt in the same dialog box.

We are unable to give specific instructions on how to do this on every word processor you might have.  Every word processor we have seen implements this facility similarly, but yours may have chosen a different way to do it.  If you are having trouble doing this, either look through the help for your word processor or call the manufacturer's support phone number.  If you ask them how to save a document as a text file with no formatting information, they should be able to guide you through the procedure.

If your word processor is unable to do this or you are unable to determine how to do this, you might want to consider doing your On This Day for Windows data entry using a text editor.  For small datafiles, Notepad should be sufficient.


What Do I Get When I Purchase On This Day for Windows?

There are a number of benefits only supplied upon purchasing On This Day for Windows.  The easiest way to see a list is to use the "What Do I Get? ..." button on the startup screen or the "What Do I Get? ..." menu choice on the "Help" menu.  Of course, if you have any questions, please contact us.


Year

This is a decimal digit indicating the year.  All digits should be indicated (e.g., 1992 should not be abbreviated 92).  On This Day for Windows will attempt to extrapolate most years even if the calendar currently being used was not yet in existence.


Day

This is a decimal digit indicating the day.  Valid values depend on the calendar currently being used and the month specified.


Calendars

On This Day for Windows can currently calculate dates in the following calendars.  Use the characters following the calendar name to create a relative date specifier.

Gregorian	G

Hebrew	H or HF to specify a fast day

Islamic	I

Julian	J


Month

This is a decimal digit indicating the month.  Valid values depend on the calendar currently being used.


Weekday

Valid weekday values are:

Monday	M

Tuesday	T

Wednesday	W

Thursday	R

Friday	F

Saturday	S

Sunday	U


Date Specifiers

Date specifiers may have one of the following forms:

Absolute dates

month

If the specified month matches that in the date specifier and the monthly event type has been chosen, then the item is output.

month/day

If the specified month and specified day matches that in the date specifier, then the item is output.

month/day/year

If the specified month, specified day, and specified year matches that in the date specifer, then the item is output.  Note that this is the only one of the three formats that will include a year in the output.

Relative dates

alternate calendar absolute date

This indicates to use the specified calendar to evaluate the absolute date following.  See above for a discussion of absolute dates.

absolute date + days

Add the specified number of days to the absolute date.  For example, 1/3+37 in the Gregorian calendar is the same as 2/9.  See above for a discussion of absolute dates.

absolute date - days

Subtract the specified number of days from the absolute date.  For example, 1/3-21 in the Gregorian calendar is the same as 12/13.  See above for a discussion of absolute dates.

weekday(month/day)

This indicates the first weekday occurring on or before the date specified by month and day.  For example, W(8/14) specifies the second Wednesday occurring in the month of August in the Gregorian calendar.

weekday(*)

This indicates every occurrence of weekday.  For example, M(*) specifies every Monday.

E

This indicates the Christian holiday Easter.

E + days

Add the specified number of days to the date of Easter.

E - days

Subtract the specified number of days from the date of Easter.

*

This indicates every day.

* + days

This indicates to add the specified number of days to the current date requested.  This is useful in the command line version of the product in order to be able to ask for tomorrow's data.

* - days

This indicates to subtract the specified number of days to the current date requested.  This is useful in the command line version of the product in order to be able to ask for yesterday's data.


Database Format

A line in a database may be in one of the following forms:

#:stuff

This line is ignored.  It is useful to add commentary to a file.

date specifier:stuff

Should the date requested match the relative date, stuff will get output.

blanks:stuff

This format indicates a continuation of the preceding line.


Compressing Databases

On This Day for Windows can read either normal text databases or those that have been compressed with the included compression program (CMP).  On This Day for Windows determines automatically whether a database is compressed or not and uses the appropriate method to read it.

You may replace any or all uncompressed databases with compressed ones and vice versa.  The compressed databases are smaller but take longer to read.  Therefore, if you value disk space more than execution speed, you should try to compress as many databases as possible.  If you value execution speed more than disk space, uncompress as many databases as possible.


Registering On This Day for Windows
Purchasing On This Day for Windows

The purchase price for On This Day for Windows is just $30.00 (US funds).  Massachusetts residents must include 5% sales tax.

Use the "What Do I Get? ..." button on the startup screen or the "What Do I Get? ..." menu selection on the "Help" menu for details about what is included upon purchase.

Although we encourage copying and sharing of On This Day for Windows, we must insist that registered users NOT share the larger databases, the quotation database and program, and any utilities not included in the evaluation version.  We retain full copyrights to these files.  It is an infringement of copyright law to distribute copies of these files.

In order to make this easier, purchased copies of On This Day for Windows contain a batch file which will create an evaluation diskette that you may freely share.  See the README.TXT file on your registered diskette for more details.

You can, of course, purchase On This Day for Windows directly from The Software Construction Company (click on our name for how to contact us).  We accept cash, checks, money orders, Mastercard and Visa.  Please specify 5¼ or 3½ diskettes (If you don't specify, we'll ship 3½ diskettes).  We have made this as easy as possible by providing a "Register" command under the Help menu.

We also have an arrangement with the following company to accept orders on our behalf:

Public (software) Library
PO Box 35705
Houston, TX   77235-5705
(800) 242-4775 Orders
(713) 524-6398 FAX
(713) 524-6394 Information and Help
CompuServe: 71355,470

See also Evaluation diskettes.


Evaluation Diskettes

For $5 (US funds) to cover our costs (refunded when upon purchase), we will supply you with the latest edition of the software.  Please specify 5¼ or 3½ diskettes (If you don't specify, we'll ship 3½ diskettes).


Bug Reports

Should you discover a bug in this code, please let The Software Construction Company (click on our name for ways to contact us) know.  Please provide us with as much of a description of the problem as you can, as well as your name and address.  If you would prefer being contacted by phone, add your phone number and the hours we can reach you.


Known Problems
Known Problems/Limitations

The Jewish holiday Ta'anit Esther occurs on the preceding Thursday when Purim falls on Sunday.  There is no currently known way to indicate this relationship.

There is a similar problem with the Fast of the Firstborn when Passover occurs on a Sunday.


Bibliography

Special thanks to John Peyton, a friend who helped get me thinking along the right path several times.

Following is a list (no doubt partial) of items I found helpful when learning how to calculate the various calendars, astronomical events, etc. that are contained in On This Day for Windows:

Astronomical Formulae for Calculators by Jean Meeus, 1982, Willmann-Bell, Inc.

Calendrical Calculations by Edward M. Reingold and Nachum Dershowitz, 1989, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Practical Astronomy With Your Calculator by Peter Duffett-Smith, 3rd edition 1988, Cambridge University Press.

Many people have asked for a list of the sources for the events contained in the databases.  I have used a huge number of them and it would be impossible to list them all.  However, some of the most helpful are:

Book of Holidays Around the World, The by Alice van Straalen, E.P. Dutton.

Chase's Annual Events, Contemporary Books, Inc.

Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates, The, Harper and Row.

Glory and the Dream, The by William Manchester, Bantam Books.

Old Farmer's Almanac, The, Yankee Publishing Inc.

People's Chronology, The by James Trager, Henry Holt and Company.

This list does not include the several almanacs, numerous newspapers and magazines that have contributed to the collection of data since 1985.


Gregorian Calendar

This is the calendar currently used by much of the world (including the United States).  It was designed by a commission assembled by Pope Gregory XIII in the sixteenth century.  It is based on the revolution of the earth about the sun.

The months and their corresponding numbers that are legal for this calendar are:

Name	Num	Num Days

January	1	31

February	2	28 (29 on leap years)

March	3	31

April	4	30

May	5	31

June	6	30

July	7	31

August	8	31

September	9	30

October	10	31

November	11	30

December	12	31


Hebrew Calendar

This calendar was placed in operation in the mid-fourth century by Hillel II.  It is based on the moon's revolution about the earth.  However, it has solar corrections built in.  These corrections take the form of leap months that are periodically added to the calendar.

The months and their corresponding numbers that are legal for this calendar are:

Name	Num	Num Days

Nisan	1	30

Iyyar	2	29

Sivan	3	30

Tammuz	4	29

Av	5	30

Elul	6	29

Tishri	7	30

Heshvan	8	29 or 30

Kislev	9	29 or 30

Teveth	10	29

Shevat	11	30

Adar	12	29 or 30

Adar II	13	29

Note that Adar II is a leap month.  When there is an Adar II, Adar is named Adar I.

Certain holidays (fast days) must be moved to the following day (Sunday) if they fall on a Saturday.  See calendar specifiers for a way to specify this in the databases.


Islamic Calendar

This calendar is based upon the moon revolving around the earth.  There are no dates in this calendar before Friday, July 16, 622 (Julian).

Much of the world does not agree with the calculations to determine this calendar.  They rely on the proclamation of the new moon by the authorities at al-Azhar in Cairo to define the calendar.  Consequently, the dates computed in On This Day for Windows may differ by a day from those observed by much of the Islamic population of the world.

The months and their corresponding numbers that are legal in this calendar are:

Name	Num	Num Days

Muharram	1	30

Safar	2	29

Rabi I	3	30

Rabi II	4	29

Jumada I	5	30

Jumada II	6	29

Rajab	7	30

Sha'ban	8	29

Ramadan	9	30

Shawwal	10	29

Dhu al-Qada	11	30

Dhu al-Hijjah	12	29 or 30


Julian Calendar

This calendar was instituted in 45 BC by Julius Caesar.  It is based on the revolution of the earth about the sun.

The months for the Julian calendar are the same as those for the Gregorian calendar.


User Supported Software

This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  The ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, the ASP may be able to help.  The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.  Please write to

ASP Ombudsman
157-F Love Ave
Greenwood, IN   26142

or FAX the ASP Ombudsman at

(317) 888-2195

or send an email message to the ASP Ombudsman a

omb@asp-shareware.org

See also Definition of Shareware, Disclaimer - Agreement.


Definition of Shareware

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it.  If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to purchase it.  Individual programs differ on details ... some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.  With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both shareware and retail software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with  a few specific exceptions as stated below.  Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like authors of retail software, and the programs are of comparable quality.  (In both cases there are good programs and bad ones!)  The main difference is in the method of distribution.  The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.  For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.  You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's retail or shareware.  The shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.  And because the overhead is low, prices are low also.  Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee ... if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

See also Disclaimer - Agreement, User Supported Software.


Disclaimer - Agreement

Users of this program must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

On This Day for Windows is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of On This Day for Windows.

This program is distributed as shareware and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share unaltered copies of it with your friends.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find this program useful and find that you are using it and continue to use it after a reasonable trial period, you must purchase a copy.  Purchase your copy by making a payment of $30.00 (US funds) to The Software Construction Company.  Massachusetts residents must include 5% for sales tax.  This price will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

Commercial uses of this program must purchase their copies within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting The Software Construction Company.

Anyone distributing this program for any kind of remuneration must first contact The Software Construction Company for authorization.  This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the Association of Shareware Professionals as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering this program immediately (however, The Software Construction Company must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of this program along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to purchase their copy if they find that they can use it.  There are a number of benefits only available upon purchase.  Use the "What Do I Get? ..." button on the startup screen or the "What Do I Get? ..." menu choice on the "Help" menu for details..

If you have received this software through one of the so called "Shareware Houses" (companies whose business is selling diskettes containing other authors' software), please note that none of the money you have paid so far has (or will) make its way to the author.  You have simply paid for the duplication and distribution costs.

See also Definition of Shareware, User Supported Software.


Creating "Fancy" Output

On This Day for Windows can create output in two formats.  The "normal" format lists all data in each category specified in the Options/Event Types dialog.  You may also wish to create a fancier sheet to display or give as a gift.

To do this, you'll need to print a sheet with headings and graphics and then use it as your blank paper when you send output to the printer.  Here are the steps you'll need to perform to create a fancier output:

1.	Print a sheet with the headings, graphics, etc.

You can find a Microsoft Word file named BIRTHDAY.DOC in the directory into which you've installed On This Day for Windows.  If you have Microsoft Word, open this file, alter it if you'd like, and print it out.  If you don't have Microsoft Word or are interested in other templates, look at our WWW site, http://www.swconst.com, for other formats and other templates.  If you still can't find what you need, please contact us.  We will attempt to satisfy your needs and we can add any new files to our WWW site.

2.	Reload the paper into your printer so that it will print on the same side as step 1.

Hopefully, you printed a few sheets in step 1.  If you've never done this before, it may take a try or two to get the orientation right.

3.	Send the output from On This Day for Windows to the printer.

Select Options/Output to Printer.

Select Options/Output... and select the appropriate options.  The one you must have selected is Format for Pre-printed Form.

You may display the output as either the year it occurred or the number of years ago that it occurred.

You can also select whether to include newest or oldest data in the event there is too many entries for a section.

Now click on the date whose output you want to put on the form.  A dialog box will appear that will allow you to add some custom text to the form.  Fill in any or all fields and press OK.

That's all there is to it!