FILES
     The ZIP file includes four files: CHOICMKR.EXE, this
README.TXT, ORDER.TXT, and UNINSTAL.BAT.  Operation is best if
you unzip into a folder on your hard drive.  ORDER.TXT gives
information on alternatives for ordering.  
     Double-click on CHOICMKR.EXE to start the program. 
Alternatively, create a short-cut from CHOICMKR.EXE and drag it
onto your desktop, to allow execution by clicking there.  The
first use of CHOICE MAKER will create another file, GOOD.TXT, in
the same folder.  It will provide a record of saved criteria
which you can read as a text file.  The presence of GOOD.TXT
means that you skip the legalese before each session, and it is
necessary to maintain your registration.  If you enter options,
saving results will also create the file, OPT.TXT.
     To uninstall, that is, to eliminate all CHOICE MAKER files
from your computer, you may execute the file, UNINSTAL.BAT, by
double-clicking on it.  You can then delete the files' folder if
you created one for this purpose.  Alternatively, if you placed
all files in a new, separate folder, to uninstall just delete
that folder and its contents.

APPROACH
     Most decisions involve a choice between options.  A simple
case may be the choice of whether to take an action or not.  More
complex choices may require analyzing more options -- leisure
activities must select from a range of options and purchases must
select from many brands and models.
     This software provides a structure and calculations to help
you make choices.  The best choice is assumed to depend on
criteria that you pick according to the specific circumstances of
the decision.  Your choice of a house to buy may depend, for
example, on proximity to your work place and the quality of local
schools.  Critical to the need for this software, some of the
criteria may be more important than others: having a park near
your house may be nice but not as important as being on a bus
route.  You will specify the importance of each such criterion by
assigning a number to it, 1-10, for example, with higher numbers
for more importance.  You will then evaluate each option
according to each criterion, giving higher values to options that
are more satisfactory or more complete with regard to that
criterion.  The highest score (the weighted sum) of all options
then indicates the best choice.
     In a typical use of the software, you first will click on
'PREVIOUS' to see the sets of criteria that have been saved. 
(This software comes with several sets.)  You may click on each
group name to see the related criteria.  If you see a set that
looks helpful, close the selection window.  (The provided
criteria are probably not exactly what you want -- they may
suggest better ideas.)  You may then add criteria by clicking
'CREATE' or delete a criterion by clicking on 'Edit Mode' then
specifying the line number and clicking 'DELETE LINE.'  While in
'Edit Mode,' starting at line 1, enter the importance of that
criterion (under 'Import') and the value of each option for that
criterion.  Go through all criteria, ENTERing each line.  You may
then go back and change 'Import' or any values to see the effect
on the scores.
     (Within limits, the range of values is up to you:  for some
options and criteria, a simple choice between 0 and 1 may be
appropriate.  Standard ranges are 0-7 and 0-10.  Negative values
for the Import or the option values are allowed so that
experienced users can handle undesirable criteria that way.  You
probably can do everything with positive values.  The maximum for
any value is set as 10 to avoid 'swamping' the score
unintentionally.  If you want a finer discrimination between
values, enter a value with tenths, 5.6 compared with 5.5, for
instance.)

MECHANICS  
     All entries are made from the 'ENTER HERE' section. When you
click 'ENTER,' whatever appears (and is not blank) in the six
boxes, 'Criteria' through 'Value of Opt#4', goes into the
specified line # of the main lists.  You may move from one box to
the next by pressing your Tab key.  You may specify the line #
either by typing in that box or (if in 'Edit Mode') by clicking
on an existing criterion.
     At any point you may add criteria with 'CREATE' or view
'PREVIOUS' criteria.  Editing part of a line is possible in 'Edit
Mode.'  If you enter words in any box that expects a number, the
entry is considered to be 0.
     If you enter more than 15 criteria, the program will keep
the values logically aligned even if they appear unaligned.
To maintain visual alignment if the scroll bars appear, keep all
of them all the way up or down.  In 'Edit Mode' select a line by
clicking on the desired criterion.
     If you have more than 4 options, run them in batches with
the same numbers for importance of criteria or replace options 
with low scores by other options.
     The button for "Your Options" is provided as a reference
aid.  It may help to leave that window open to remind you what 
your options are.  If you drag it, be sure to keep part of that 
window outside the frame of the main window in order that you 
can click on it (and see it) after you have clicked a button 
on the main window.  
     When you want to save criteria and/or results, type a name
(date if you wish) in the bottom box and click 'Save/Printable.' 
The existing criteria will then be available the next time you
click 'PREVIOUS' and you can view or copy the results in the
file, GOOD.TXT.  Until you register the program by paying for it,
you are allowed to save only a limited number of criteria.  If 
Option #1 is not blank, your options and their scores will be 
saved in file OPT.TXT.