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MEAL-MASTER README! File  --- Version 8.06
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This file contains important information to help you get the most from 
Meal-Master. Please review this information before using the program.

Beginning with version 8.06, Meal-Master is distributed as 
"freeware".  This means that individuals and non-profit 
organizations can use the program at no charge.  All others must 
contact the author for specific permission prior to using the software.

INSTALLATION
---------------------------------
As released by Episoft, Meal-Master is a single, self-extracting 
archive file, "MM806.EXE".  Simply type "MM806" at the DOS prompt and 
follow the on-screen instructions.  A different procedure may be 
necessary if you received your copy from a software distributor, time 
share service, or BBS system rather than Episoft.


THE SAMPLE DATABASE
-------------------
If you are using Meal-Master for the first time, and want to try it out 
without having to type in recipes, you can use the sample database 
provided.  From the Main menu, select "U Utilities" then "I Import" and 
specify "SAMPLE.TXT" for the file name.  On the next menu, select "M 
Mode: Automatic" then "S Start Importing".  The sample database of 35 
recipes will be loaded into the program, and you can immediately begin 
trying the search, shopping list, index, and other features of Meal-
Master.

CAUTIONS/COMMON PROBLEMS
------------------------
If you use the EMM386.SYS memory manager with its NOEMS option, and run 
Meal-Master under Microsoft Windows, and specify the "/EMS" switch when 
starting MM.EXE, then you may receive a "violated system integrity" 
message.  There are three ways to correct this problem:  1) Do not 
specify the /EMS switch when starting Meal-Master, OR 2) Remove the 
NOEMS option from the EMM386.SYS line in your CONFIG.SYS file, OR 3) 
Create a PIF file for MM and specify zero for the "EMS Limit" and "XMS 
Limit" entries.

Some monochrome displays driven by color adapter circuitry 
(particularly prevalent on laptop machines) often do not provide 
sufficient gray scale contrast to differentiate between the text colors 
used by the unregistered version of Meal-Master.  If you encounter this 
problem with the unregistered version, try using the DOS command "Mode 
BW80" before running Meal-Master (the MODE command is found in the DOS 
directory).  Registered users can use the MMCOLOR program to set the 
specific color combinations that work best on their machine. 

You must have the file CONFIG.SYS in the root directory of your boot 
disk, and it must contain the statement FILES=xx, where xx is a number 
that is at least 30 (at least 50 if you are using Windows, Desqview, or 
another environment that allows multiple applications running at once).  
If this file is missing, does not contain the FILES= statement, or 
specifies a value less than recommended, Meal-Master may not perform 
all functions.

The PARM.MMF and CATFILE.MMF files created by some very old versions of 
Meal-Master are occasionally incompatible with a newer version.  If you 
receive a "runtime error" when trying to start MM, try deleting these 
files and then restarting the program.  This will initialize new files 
that are compatible with the current version.

Sight-impaired users with speech-synthesis equipment should start MM 
with the "/C", "/T", and /NOCLOCK switches.  The "/C" switch will route 
screen output through BIOS services, where speech synthesis software 
can intercept them.  The "/T" switch (or "D" option on the 
Maintenance/Setup menu) will cause unit of measure "t" (teaspoon) to be 
displayed as "ts", and "T" (tablespoon) to be displayed as "tb".  This 
eliminates the ambiguity that exists when using "T" and "t" with a 
speech synthesis device.  Lastly, the /NOCLOCK switch inhibits 
continuous, second-by-second updating of the clock on the main menu.  
Instead, the clock is only updated when returning to the menu from a 
sub-menu, or when pressing a key (like space bar) on the main menu.


FILES PROVIDED
--------------
MMQUICK.DOC     This file contains a short manual with enough information 
to get you started trying out Meal-Master.  Additional 
documentation and problem solving tips can be found at the 
Meal-Master home page on the web.

IMPORTF.DOC     Provides a specification of how a file must be formatted to 
Import into Meal-Master.

MM.EXE  The main Meal-Master program file.

README! The file you are now reading.

FILE_ID.DIZ     A short description file used when posting Meal-Master on 
electronic bulletin board systems for distribution.

CONVERT.EXE     Utility program to convert CompuChef (tm), Micro Cookbook 
(tm), Micro Kitchen Companion (tm), Chef's Accountant, and 
MasterCook (tm) files for Import into Meal-Master.  
(CompuChef is a registered trademark of Hillstepper 
Software, Micro Cookbook is a reg. trademark of Virtual 
Combinatics, Micro Kitchen Companion is a registered 
trademark of Craftsbury Software, Inc., and MasterCook is a 
registered trademark of Arion Software, Inc.) 

SAMPLE.TXT      Sample Meal-Master Database, in Meal-Master Export format.  
(See instructions above for installation)

*.MMP   Assorted printer driver files.

CHGCAT.EXE      Utility program to manipulate category names in the 
database.  This program will scan all recipes, collecting 
and organizing all category names.  Each unique category is 
listed, along with information about how many recipes 
contain that category and whether it is on your personal 
category table or not.  A new category name can be 
specified for any of the existing categories, and the 
update will be applied throughout the database.  Also 
identifies "empty" categories and allows easier maintenance 
of the "valid category table" than is possible from within 
the main Meal-Master program.

MMSTAT.EXE      Utility program to analyze database usage.  This program 
reports statistics about how many recipes are in the 
database, maximums and averages of ingredient and direction 
usage per recipe, and remaining capacity based on current 
averages and available disk space.

MMCOLOR.EXE     Utility program to set custom colors.  Meal-Master allows 
background and foreground colors to be selected for Normal, 
Medium Intensity, High Intensity, and reverse video.

TITLES.EXE      Utility program to mass update the format of recipe titles 
throughout the database.  Especially when importing recipes 
from multiple sources, some titles will be in all capital 
letters, some in all lower case letters, and some in a 
mixture.  This utility lets you pick the way you want your 
titles to be stored, and updates the entire database using 
that style.

MMM.EXE Menu "shell" program.  This program provides an integrated 
menu from which the Meal-Master main program and all the 
utility programs can be accessed with a single keystroke, 
rather than exiting and starting each program from the DOS 
prompt.


VERSION 8 RELEASE HISTORY

For a history of MM changes, please go to our web site at:

    http://home1.gte.net/welliver


LEGAL STUFF and LIMITED WARRANTY
--------------------------------
Meal-Master (tm) is a trademark of Episoft Systems and Scott Welliver.  
All rights are reserved.  Copying, distribution, and use is allowed by 
individuals and not-for-profit organizations. Businesses, government 
agencies, or any other for-profit organization must contact the author 
for specific permission before using or distributing the software.

Episoft and Scott Welliver disclaim all warranties, either express or 
implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of 
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to 
this software and any accompanying written materials.  This limited 
warranty gives you specific legal rights.  You may have others, which 
vary from state to state.

In no event will Episoft or its suppliers be liable for any damages 
whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business 
profits, business reputation, business interruption, loss of business 
information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or 
inability to use this Episoft product, even if Episoft has been advised 
of the possibility of such damages.  Because some states do not allow 
the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or 
incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.

*** END OF README! FILE ***

