ReadMe - MemAud Version 4.07
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** NB: If you are upgrading from any previous version of MemAud, be sure to run the |UPGRADE| option first thing after installing your new software (4.07 Manual, Page 22).

MemAud will run on any IBM compatible computer, even an 8086, as long as it has a hard drive, a floppy drive, and a printer.

MemAud is designed specifically for National Audubon Society chapters. It was written by a chapter membership chair familiar with the layout and purpose of the CCR. As in any computer program there will be a learning period before the user is comfortable with MemAud, but before long the savings in time will more than repay the initial effort. Without too much practice, it should take you about an hour to do the monthly CCR in a chapter with 1000 members.

Please read the manual. Not only does it tell you how to operate MemAud, it will describe capabilities in detail. Basically, MemAud helps you maintain member records of all kinds, prints mailing labels, and organizes the membership list for bulk mailing.

ReadMe - MemAud Startup
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The file RB407.EXE is a self-extracting compressed file that contains three files: AUDUBON1/2/3.RBF (these files contain the actual membership data). You will need these files ONLY(!) if you are a first-time user of MemAud. If you are upgrading your current version of MemAud, ignore RB407.EXE.

The file MA407.EXE contains three program files (MEMAUD.EXE/OVL/MSG), two manuals files (DOC_407.DOC in Word for Windows 2.0 format and DOC_407.ASC in straight ASCII), HISTORY.ASC (a history of updates and revisions to MemAud), README.ASC (what you're reading now), RBCHECK.BAT and RBCHECK2.EXE (see Trouble-shooting), and MEMAUD.PIF for running MemAud as a DOS job in Windows 3.1 (if desired).

The file DOC407.EXE contains two versions of the documentation (also included in MA407.EXE).

ALL INSTALLATIONS: create a new directory, "C:\MEMAUD", and put the files you have downloaded into this directory. It's a good idea to keep a copy of them on diskette, and when installation is complete, to delete these files from your hard drive (especially RB407.EXE, which *may* cause trouble by erasing your membership files if it runs again).

DOS INSTALLATION: get yourself into C:\MEMAUD and type "MA407". The ten program/manual files will appear as if by magic. If you have an older version of MemAud on the computer, answer "Yes" when it asks if you want to overwrite files. At the DOS prompt, key in "COPY DOC_407.ASC PRN" and a 27 page manual will print out.

Type "RB407 [Enter]" ONLY(!) if you are a first time user! AUDUBON1/2/3.RBF will appear.

To start the program, make sure you are in C:\MEMAUD and type "MEMAUD [Enter]".

WINDOWS 3.1 INSTALLATION: Double click on MA407.EXE and the program files will appear. Repeat for RB407.EXE if you are a first time user ONLY! Using Word for Windows, print out the manual "DOC_407.DOC". From the Program Manager click on File, New, Program Item, and OK. Type into the "Command Line" box: "C:\MEMAUD\MEMAUD.PIF". Click on OK and an MS-DOS icon with "MemAud" underneath it will appear in your Program Group. Double click the icon and away you go.

NB: do not try to run MemAud as a background task. It will terminate during label printing, for instance. Memory troubles. In fact, there are more problems than we would like, running under Windows 3.x under any circumstances.The best way to run MemAud 4.07 is under DOS.

BE SURE TO BACK UP AFTER EVERY WORK SESSION!

IMPORTANT! You must modify your CONFIG.SYS file so that it contains the following statements (each on its own line): "FILES=20" and "BUFFERS=25". You may make the numbers higher if you wish, but these are the minimum. See your DOS manual for a discussion of these parameters.

MemAud comes with 70 names (in the *.RBF files), names with old expiration dates and Los Angeles addresses. As you read the manual you may want to experiment a little before you get down to entering your own names. For comments, suggestions, and cries for help, call Charles Bragg at (310) 454-9662, or email me. Letter bombs may be sent to PO Box 35, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

There are three programs that require a password. The password is "BLIVET". Passwords are normally used in programs where data can be lost if instructions are not followed exactly. This is a modest precaution to keep little kids from losing your data.

For those with membership files already on computer: if you can do an ASCII dump of those files, they can be loaded into MemAud without further keypunching. It is a custom operation, however, and you will have to contact Chuck Bragg for details.

Legal Phrases: You are permitted to use this program on as many machines as you like. Please, however, do not give it away to anyone else but a chapter of the National Audubon Society, and if you do, make sure what you give is a copy of the original files, MA407.EXE and RB407.EXE. All chapters are free to use this program at no charge. The retail price for non-Audubon chapters is $4,995.00.

** NB NB NB NB: If you are upgrading from any previous version of MemAud, be sure to run the |UPGRADE| option first thing after installing your new software (4.07 Manual, Page 22).

ReadMe - How to check your database for Mysterious Errors
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RBCHECK was included only with versions 4.06 and later, but it works for all versions of MemAud. You will see it listed on the Download Page as CHECK.EXE. Download it to your MemAud directory just as you do for the other program files. When it decompresses, there will be RBCHECK.BAT (a batch file that runs the program), RBCHECK2.EXE (the program itself) and RBCHECK.ASC (documentation).

RBCHECK is highly recommended to all. It verifies the integrity of your files before you back them up. You don't want to have a problem and find your backups are flawed.

smbas