To Do Help Index

General

Whats New

Windows

Done List

Selected Date

Add Item

Edit Item

Delete Item

Return

Exit

Function Keys

Print Todays List

Installation

INI File

Shareware

Ordering Information

Yellow Sticky  Copyright 1992 - 1995  Henning Associates


General

This program had it's origins from all of the yellow post-it notes that I would find every morning in and around my desk.  I figured that there had to be a better way to organize my day and remember the things I had to do.  Since my computer got turned on every day, the easiest thing to do was to write a program to remind me what it was I needed to remember.  Since the initial version for DOS in 1992, Yellow Sticky has made the move to Windows and has many more features than the DOS program.  Users are always coming up with new and interesting uses for Yellow Sticky.  One of the more innovative uses comes from insurance agents who are using Yellow Sticky as a "pend" file for calls that have to be made on future dates.

All management consultants will tell you that the most important thing that you can do to be more efficient in your work is to make a list of the things you need to do and prioritize them.  Begin working on the most important item and don't quit until it is done.  A management consultant was paid $25,000 for that one piece of advice given to the CEO of a major steel company.  That is what this program is all about.

To see what is new in this version of Yellow Sticky go to the What's New page.

This is a Shareware product.  Shareware is not free software but a means for you to try software before you buy it.  To keep the shareware concept going it is important for you to register your copy of this software, if you use it.  If you decide not to use it (ever) then pass the program to someone who might use it and don't register the copy.  If you do use it then you are obligated to register it.  If you find the program useful then please share the program with other users.  The cost of registration is $15.00.  If you want to get a master diskette of the program in addition then the cost is $20.00 to cover shipping and handling for the diskette.

If you are going to use this program, registration instructions are in the Ordering Information help screen.

Help Index


Whats New

Version 4.5 continues the upgrade of Yellow Sticky.  This is not version 5.0 because there were not any major changes to the program presentation.  What you will find new in this version of the program is:

Ability to use European style dates (INI File)

Ability to change the default fonts (INI File)

Selection of multiple entries for delete or edit.

Correction of some bugs (hard to believe isn't it.)

Easier registration

Automatic disabling of the annoying shareware windows. (with registration)

Because Yellow Sticky file information is transparent to the user, it is compatible with Windows 95.

Help Index


Windows

There are four windows in the Yellow Sticky application.  Two windows contain calendars and are not selectable.  The calendar window in the upper left of the desktop is the month of the currently selected date, with the currently selected day highlighted.  Below that window the next month is displayed.  Neither of the calendar windows can be selected and the selected date is changed by using the function keys or by pointing and clicking on the item in the status bar (at the bottom of the screen).  The mouse can be used to select a new date by pointing and clicking on the desired date in either calendar window.

The currently selected day is displayed in blue and any days that have items pending are displayed in black.  Any other day is displayed in gray.

The window on the top right shows the items in the data base for the currently selected day.  This window is used to enter future items into the data base.  The window can be selected and items can be added, edited, and deleted in the data base.

The final window is the window that shows all of the "to do" items for the current date and all those for previous dates which have not been deleted from the data base.  This window can also be selected and items can be added, edited, and deleted in the data base.

All of the windows can be sized using the size bars so you can expand your today list and shorten your current date list or visa versa.  The program will write these parameters out into a parameters file and save them for subsequent executions of the program.  If you have terribly messed up the windows and want to restore the original configuration then delete the file PARAMS.DB in your yellow sticky directory and the original configuration will be restored.

Help Index


Done List

When a to do item is deleted it is added to the done list.  The done list provides you a way of keeping track of the things that you have completed.

The done list is displayed using the Show Done List item from the Main menu.  When the done list is displayed you have the option of deleting individual items, or clearing the whole list.  To delete a single item, highlight the item and then click the Delete Item button.  Version 4.0 allows you to select multiple items on the done list and delete them all with a click on the delete button.  To clear the whole list just click the Clear List button.

Help Index


Selected Date

The key to the program is the use of the selected date and selected date window. The selected day is changed by using the function keys or by clicking on the actions in the status bar.  The date in the "Today" window is only changed by the computer when the day changes.  So, while you are entering new items in the To Do list, you will not lose site of your current tasks.

The selected day is displayed in blue in the first month window.. Days that have items entered are displayed in black on both the current month and the next month windows.

It is possible to change the current date so that tomorrow's 'to do' list can be looked at.  This is done by selecting the new date so that it is highlighted in blue.  At the Main menu select Change Today Date.  This will cause the today list to be updated relative to the new today date.

Help Index


Add Item

To add an item for the selected date use the function key or click Add in the status line.  This action will present a dialog box that allows the user to enter the new item.  By clicking on the date field, the date can also be changed, but if an invalid date is entered, the program will return to the dialog box and not allow the user to add to the data base with a bad date.

A new feature has been added that allows you to set a specific event on multiple dates.  If you want to enter a specific event on more than one date then check the repeat event box.  After clicking OK you will get the repeat dialog.  To repeat and item every other day for instance your repeat cycle would be 2.  If you want that same event five times then put a 5 in the number of times.  If you have an event that is just for weekdays then check the week day box, leaving the top two boxes zero.  Select the number of weekdays you want the item to repeat.  Click on OK and your event is entered a multiple number of times.  Finally, version 4.5 added a monthly repeat item.  You can repeat an event the same day every month.  Select the number of months you want the item to repeat and click the OK button.  If the item you are repeating is at the end of the month the item will be repeated on the last day of each month the does not have the number of days that the current month has.  That is, if you want to repeat an event starting August 31, each month then September 30, October 31, November 30, ....February 28 or 29, ... will be selected for the repeat count.

Help Index


Edit Item

Items shown in the Selected Date or the today windows can be edited.  Use the mouse or cursor keys to highlight the desired item and then use the edit function key or click on the Edit label with the mouse.  Editing can also be initiated by double clicking on an item in either of the 'to do' windows.  The selected item will be presented in a dialog box and can be edited by the user.  By clicking on the date field, the date can also be changed, but if an invalid date is entered, the program will return to the dialog box and not allow the user to add to the data base with a bad date.

Help Index


Delete Item

When an item has been completed, or needs to be deleted for some other reason, the user selects the item in the appropriate window and uses the delete function key or clicks the mouse on the Delete label.  The item will then appear in a dialog box for the user to confirm the deletion.  When the user exits the program a new TODO.DB file is written and the old file is saved in TODO.BK.  If items are deleted by mistake, the backup file can be copied to the .DB file and the to do list will be restored to its original state.

Help Index


Return

The Return function not only sets the selected date to current date but will also change the todays list date back to the current date.  This action reverses the action of Change Today Date.

Help Index


Exit

When the user exits the program, the current to do data base is saved in a file named TODO.DB.  If a previous version of TODO.DB exists, it will be renamed TODO.BK.  The TODO.DB file is an ASCII file that can be read and modified with any text editor.  This could present problems though if you do not enter data exactly as it is entered by using the Yellow Sticky program.

If items are deleted in error, the old To Do data base can be restored using the back up file.  The DOS command to do this would be:    COPY TODO.BK TODO.DB

Help Index


Keys

The following function keys are used in this program:

  F1 - Help Index

  F2 - Return Today

  F3 - Previous Day

  F4 - Next Day

  F5 - Add Item

  F6 - Edit Item

  F7 - Previous Month

  F2 - Next Month

  F9 - Delete Item

  F10 - Menu Bar

  + - increment selected day

  - - decrement selected day

  Ins - Add item

  Del - Delete item(s)

The tab key is used to switch between elements in the dialog boxes.  The selected item will be highlighted, or the cursor will appear.

The Main menu can be called by using Alt-M and the Help menu by using Alt-H.

Help Index


Print Todays List

After considerable debate and procrastination I decided to add a print feature to the program.  Several people have asked for the ability to print the list and I did not do it because one of the purposes I had for the program was to save paper.  Anyway, here it is.  To print the todays To Do list select Print Current To Do List from the Main menu.

There is a qualifier on printing the list.  If the list is longer than 35 lines only thirty-five lines will be printed.  A system warning is issued and the printout will only contain the first 35 lines of the current to do list.

The program does allow you to setup your printer.  Generally if you are using a laser printer and select a lower print density (i.e. 75 dots per inch) your quality is not changed and it prints a lot faster.  The print set up feature would also let you change from your default printer.  I have tried to do everything to make sure that the printouts work as advertised but I am at the mercy of the printer vendors who supply drivers to Microsoft.  If you have a printer problem please contact me.

Help Index


Installation

Now that Yellow Sticky is loaded into your Windows Operating System there are two ways to load it and see what you have to do when you start windows.  The first way is to move the Yellow Sticky Icon to the Start Up group.  To do that, Select the Yellow Sticky icon and select File from the Program Manager menu.  Select Copy and then select Start Up from the combination box.

The second method is a little more involved but will allow you to load the Yellow Sticky program and keep it as an icon at the bottom of the screen until you are ready to execute it or present the window.  To do this you must edit the WIN.INI file.

From the files function find WIN.INI in the Windows directory.  Double click on the WIN.INI name.  The notepad will be loaded and the WIN.INI file will be presented.  At the beginning of the file you will see two commands, LOAD= and RUN=.  These commands may have data already attached to them from other applications that you have installed on your computer.  The LOAD command line allows you to load applications at Windows start up and install them as icons at the bottom of the screen.  The RUN command line will run the programs that you have selected in the line at Windows start up.

No matter which command you want to use, the data is the same.  Put the fully qualified path name of the program to be run on the line, separated from the other data by a space.  So, for Yellow Sticky the line might look like this:

LOAD=C:\YLWSTKY\YLWSTKY.EXE

or

RUN=C:\YLWSTKY\YLWSTKY.EXE

Help Index


INI File

Version 4.5 of Yellow Sticky adds an INI file into your Yellow Sticky directory the first time the program is run.  This file has just three options at the current time but will be used in the future for upgrade information as the program gets better and better.

The current information in the file is:

FIXED = ANSI_FIXED_FONT

VARIABLE = SYSTEM_VAR_FONT

DATES = US

The fixed line is the fixed font default for Windows.  Variable is the variable font default for Windows.  The date line can be used to select the date format - US MM/DD/YY or European DD/MM/YY.

To change the INI file use the file manager and double click on the file YLWSTKY.INI in your Yellow Sticky directory.  This will invoke the Notepad text editor.  If you are changing a font you should make sure that the font is available in your system.  To change the date format use either

DATE = US

or

DATE = EUROPEAN

The date information line must be entered exactly as described above.  The next running of the program will invoke the new date format.

If you should somehow mess this file up so that the program looks really bad, delete the file using the file manager and restart Yellow Sticky.  That will recreate the original INI file.

Help Index


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 register.  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.

When you register the software the initial registration notice will be disabled.  You can access the window by selecting Help About, or by re-enabling the screen in the Main menu.  When the Toggle Registration Screen is checked then the presentation is disabled.  The program time stamps your EXE file so that at the end of 90 days the program remains fully functional but you will receive a registration reminder every time the data file is written.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below.  Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, 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 commercial 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.

Disclaimer - Agreement

Users of Yellow Sticky must accept this disclaimer of warranty:  Yellow Sticky is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of mechantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Yellow Sticky.

Yellow Sticky is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  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 Yellow Sticky and continue to use Yellow Sticky after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $15 to Henning Associates.  The $15 registration fee 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 may 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 users of Yellow Sticky must register and pay for their copies of Yellow Sticky within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Henning Associates.

Anyone distributing Yellow Sticky for any kind of remuneration must first contact Henning Associates at the address below for authorization.  This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering Yellow Sticky immediately (However Henning Associates must still be advised do that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of Yellow Sticky.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Yellow Sticky along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the Yellow Sticky system.

Henning Associates

Mike Henning

Rt. 2 Box 526-A

4542 Doylesville Rd.

Crozet, VA  22932

(804)-823-6896 (800)-823-6896

Help Index


Ordering Information

Order Methods

Henning Associates has tried to make registration as easy as possible.  This new version of Yellow Sticky does not require a program update for registration, just a registration name and number.  That information can be gotten by phone, e-mail, or snail mail.  Of course registration over the phone or by e-mail require a credit card.  You can also fill out the registration form and mail it with your registration payment.

If you want to FAX the registration form you can easily do that by selecting your FAX/Modem as the Windows default printer.  Call up the order form from the Main menu or the Registration window.  Fill out the form completely, including the credit card information and then select Print.  Your registration form will be printed on your FAX.  Use our toll free number (800-823-6896.)  If you include a FAX number with your address information I will FAX the registration information back to you or I will send it out by snail mail.

To order by e-mail, instead of selecting the Print option choose the file option.  This will create a file named ORDER.TXT in your Yellow Sticky directory.  Attach this file to a message to any of the e-mail addresses that are listed below.  If you are ordering by internet then you will have to paste the file in your message since attachments don't work on the net.

Cost

The cost for registering Yellow Sticky without a diskette is $15.00.  This price will get you a registration name and number.  Additionally you will be sent a letter of confirmation of the data with a Yellow Sticky label for making a master diskette of the program.

If you decide that you need to have a diskette then the cost of the registration will be $20 which will include the registration information and a master diskette with the label already attached.

Site licenses for Yellow Sticky can also be purchased if you are going to have multiple users of the same copy of the program.  This information will be furnished on request.

If you are a registered owner of Yellow Sticky and do not have access to an on-line service to get the updated version you can request a diskette for a S&H fee of $5.00.

Support

The purchase of Yellow Sticky comes with lifetime support and lifetime free upgrades.  I value your support and am always willing to talk with you about any problems you may be having or just to discuss enhancements you would like to see in the program.  Your registration name and number will be good for the life of the program and will work on all future versions of the program.  You will be notified of major upgrades to the program by mail so that you can look for it on the major networks.  I am happy to say that soon all of our software is going to be available on the WWW through a shareware vendor JCSM @ http:\\www\jcsm.com.

Addresses

Henning Associates

Rt. 2 Box 526-A

4542 Doylesville Rd.

Crozet, VA  22932-9518

voice/fax - 804-823-6896 or 800-823-6896

AOL - mikerh1053

CompuServer - 72176,2507

MSN - Henning_Associates

Internet - mikerh1053@aol.com

Henning Associates is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  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, 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 the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI  49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe: Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.

Help Index