                                                           Mar. 28, 2002

                           HANDYSHOPPER v2.3
                    for the Palm Computing Platform

                  "Shopping Lists plus so much more!"



    BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS:  Read the "INSTRUCTIONS" section (below),
                              and the "FAQ.txt" file.



CONTENTS: -----------------------------------------------------------------

    1.  Postcard-Ware
    2.  Disclaimer
    3.  HandyShopper User Group
    4.  Installation
    5.  Desktop Companion
    6.  Instructions
    7.  Going Shopping
    8.  Ideas for Creative Use of HandyShopper
    9.  Converter Tool
    10. What's Not New
    11. What's New
    12. Future Features
    13. Feedback



POSTCARD-WARE: ------------------------------------------------------------

    HandyShopper is (and has always been) FREEWARE.

    BUT...if you like HandyShopper, please send me a postcard!  My
    favorites are local or scenic cards.  I've lost count, but you've
    sent over 1600 so far, from all over the world.  "Thank you" to
    everyone who has sent a postcard!

    Please send postcards to:

        Chris Antos
        9649  174th Place NE
        Redmond, WA  98052
        USA



DISCLAIMER: ---------------------------------------------------------------

    This software is FREE and I cannot be responsible for lost data or
    any other problems.  If this is not acceptable to you, do not use
    HandyShopper!



HANDYSHOPPER USER GROUP: --------------------------------------------------

    There is a user group for HandyShopper users, at groups.Yahoo.com.

        http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper

    The group was started on October 21, 2000 by enthusiastic users of
    HandyShopper.  Here are just some of the things you can do when
    visiting the user group:

        o   Ask questions (or answer question).
        o   Download databases that other users have shared.
        o   Post databases you've created, and share them.
        o   Benefit from other users' ideas, hints, and tips on how to
            get the most out of HandyShopper -- and share your own
            ideas, too.
        o   You can even download a user manual, written as a
            collaborative effort by several users.

    Beta versions will appear here periodically, before they are
    released publically on http://www.Palmgear.com.



INSTALLATION: -------------------------------------------------------------

    If you are installing HandyShopper for the first time:

        Use the Palm Install Tool to install the "HandyShop2.Prc" file
        onto your Palm device, and then do a HotSync.  "HandyShpr" will
        show up in your Launcher's "Main" category.  (If your device does
        not have OS 3.5 or higher, then "HandyShpr" will show up in the
        "Unfiled" category).

        The first time you run the app, it will check to see if you have
        HS1 on the device.  If you do then it will ask if you want to
        import your HS1 data.  (You can always do it later if you want,
        by using the menu).

        See "INSTRUCTIONS", below, for information on how to use HS2.

    If you are upgrading from a previous version of HandyShopper:

        Follow the same steps as if you are installing HandyShopper for
        the first time.

        Important:  do *NOT* delete or uninstall previous versions of
        HandyShopper before installing the new one; if you delete it,
        you will erase all your data.  If you were using 1.7 or earlier,
        then you can delete 1.7 AFTER you import your data.  If you were
        using a previous build of HandyShopper 2.x, then the only thing
        you need to do is install the new build.

        HS2 does not overwrite HS1 or its data.  You can safely have
        both of them on your device at the same time.

    HandyShopper 2 is "BackupBuddy Certified"!
    Visit http://www.bluenomad.com for more information.



DESKTOP COMPANION: --------------------------------------------------------

    There is a HandyShopper desktop companion program for Windows,
    written and maintained by a third party.  You can find it at
    http://www.palmgear.com by searching for "HandyShopper" (one word).



INSTRUCTIONS: -------------------------------------------------------------

    HandyShopper comes with very little documentation, but hopefully it
    doesn't need much documentation.  Tap the "i" buttons for helpful
    Tips, or visit the HandyShopper User Group to find a user manual
    written by other enthusiastic HandyShopper users.

    Some of the major improvements since HS1:
        o   Multiple databases.  HS1 only allowed one database, but HS2
            allows as many as you wish.
        o   Per-store prices (optional).  HS2 allows you to track an
            item's price and aisle independently for each store.
        o   The Total command really works now.
        o   Attach Notes to items.
        o   Automatic sorting.
        o   Up to 100 stores.
        o   Aisles can be 0-200, or A-Z.
        o   Variable column widths.
        o   Custom text field (for instance, works great for an Author
            field in a book list).  This field is searchable via the
            system Find command, just like the Description and Note
            fields.
        o   Optional separate sort orders for the All/Need views.
        o   Copy an item to another list (even copies its stores, too).
            The 'Copy to...' command is found on the Item Tool.
        o   Beaming databases via infrared.


    TIPS:
        o   Tips -- tap the "i" button for helpful Tips.
        o   Menu -- to pop up menus, tap the "Menu" circle in the
            Graffiti area (in the lower left corner).
        o   Context menu -- tap an item and hold the stylus down for
            half a second to pop up a context menu with some common
            actions.
        o   HandyShopper is useful for almost any kind of list, not just
            for shopping lists.  Try creating databases for "Gift
            Ideas", "Movies", "To Do", etc.  Use your imagination!
        o   Use the Preferences screen to control the visible columns,
            how items are sorted, and many other settings and options.
        o   In most popup dialogs with a text field, you can also write
            the newline stroke instead of tapping the OK button.
        o   Stores that have needed items, show up in bold in the Stores
            dropdown list.
        o   Visit the HandyShopper user group at Groups.Yahoo.com,
            http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper


    No-Stylus mode, for one-handed operation while shopping:
        o   Use the Menu and select "Options", then "No-Stylus mode".
        o   or, on a PalmV or PalmVx press the Contrast button.
        o   or, drag the stylus from the Graffiti area to the upper half
            of the screen.
        o   The hard buttons work as follows, in the No-Stylus mode:
                o   DateBook - page up
                o   Address - page down
                o   Up/Down - move hilight up/down one item
                o   ToDo - check off item
                o   Memo - Undo (eg, undo checking off an item)



GOING SHOPPING: -----------------------------------------------------------

    In general, working with HandyShopper follows a pattern like this:
        1.  Add items to database (or, go the 'All' view and find items
            from previous shopping trips, that you need this time).
        2.  Select the 'Need' view.
        3.  Go shopping at one store.
        4.  Check off items as you put them in your cart.
        5.  Pay for the items.
        6.  Use the Checkout command (on the menu) to reset the list for
            the next store (this tells HandyShopper you purchased the
            items you checked off, otherwise they'll still appear in the
            Total at the next store).  Note, the Checkout command also
            deletes any completed items that are marked as Auto-delete.
        7.  Go shopping at another store, and go back to step 4.


    COUPONS: Check the 'Coupon' checkbox in the item's Details screen.
             Copy the item, using the 'Copy Item' command (under the
             'Record' menu), and assign a negative price to the new
             copy.  For instance if you have an item "Coke, 2ltr" and a
             coupon for 50 cents off, you could copy the item, and
             assign $-.50 as the price (this makes the Total command
             more accurate).



IDEAS FOR CREATIVE USE OF HANDYSHOPPER: -----------------------------------

    Included here are some example ideas contributed by users.
    Share your ideas at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper

    Aromatherapy - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        I use HandyShopper to record different blends of aromatherapy
        oils for different uses.  My items are individual oils and I use
        the stores to represent different uses such as relaxation,
        alertness, fatigue, headache etc.  I have the database set to
        record per-store prices and aisles, and I use the aisles to
        record the number of drops of each oil needed when making up a
        blend for a particular purpose.  This means when I select a
        particular use from the stores list, HandyShopper shows which
        oils I need with the number of drops for each oil.

    Book List - (submitted by Craig Lawson)

        I mix together books that I want to buy with those I want to
        check out from a library.  If I discover someone has checked out
        the book from the library, I make note of the call number so I
        can quickly locate it again either there or at another library.

        [editor's note:  and the Custom Text field is great for storing
        the author's name, too!]

    Collections - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        HS2 is excellent for keeping track of collections.  Use the
        quantity field to keep track of amounts, and the price field for
        current values.  Also, the 'stores' and 'category' fields are
        great for easy sorting.

    Furniture Shopping - (submitted Janet Hilsmier)

        We loaded Rooms into the Categories.  It was much easier to walk
        around the store, plug in each table, couch or chair that we
        liked, the dimensions and the price.  When we finally decided
        which ones we "needed", it was easier to make sure the sales
        agent charged us correctly.  Later, we added our downpayment and
        interim payments as negative numbers, so that we knew what was
        owed by final delivery.

    Gift Idea/Shopping List - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        Set up your categories as to the type of gift (Christmas,
        Birthday, Baby Shower).  Use the person's name in the 'store'
        field.  As your friends and family hint at what they want for
        their special occasion, add it to the list and then check it off
        as you purchase it.  I also input the price so I can add up what
        I have spent for each person.  It is also great to have that
        list handy when you can't find an item they ask for at
        Christmas.  Then after Christmas you can use the list for
        potential birthday gifts, just change the category for the item.

    Home Chores List - (submitted by Janet Hilsmier)

        We loaded all of the mundane dusting, mopping, vacuuming tasks
        and rooms, plus the semi-annual and annual tasks like changing
        batteries.

    Home Improvement Projects

        Each month of the year is a store.  Categories included "Indoor",
        "Outdoor" and "Painting".  Then, each project was loaded.  We
        assigned the projects to months to help us schedule everything
        we want to do, within reason.  (It is impossible to paint, till,
        stain, mulch, build and plant in one weekend!)  It also helps us
        to keep focused on getting to some of those "someday I'd
        like..." projects.

    Impulse Purchases - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        If you find yourself buying things you later realize you don't
        need, try this.  Create a dated list called "Impulse", and make
        the Price and Date columns visible.  Whenever you see something
        new you want to buy, add it to the Impulse list and mark down
        how much it costs and when you saw it.  Then walk away and don't
        buy the item - wait about 3 weeks.  Every few weeks, look
        through your Impulse list and see if you still really think you
        need the items.  If you still think those $199 fold-up
        sunglasses will make a significant difference in your life, then
        by all means go back and buy them.  <wink>  This technique has
        saved me more than $1000 over the past year.  Another great
        thing about the Impulse list is you can actually see how much
        money you've prevented yourself from wasting.

    Inventory - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        HandyShopper is NOT designed for inventory!  Inventory and
        Shopping are opposite concepts.  Extremely simple inventories
        can be done with HS2, but in general HS2 does not work well for
        inventory.  Several inventory programs do exist for the Palm
        devices, so I recommend searching web sites to find them.

    Karate Training - (submitted by Philip Wright)

        After three years of training, I reached the higher ranks at my
        karate school.  But I still didn't have a good way to keep track
        of all my combat techniques.  HS2 solved that problem.  I
        created a checklist, and assigned the karate session (Jan-Feb,
        Mar-Apr, etc.) to the Stores field, and the level (Beginning,
        Intermediate, Advanced) to the Categories field.  Now all I have
        to do is put the title of each technique in the task list, and
        put the instructions for each technique in the Notes field of
        the tasks.  Now it only takes me two seconds to find a
        technique, and one tap of the stylus to see the complete
        directions for the technique.  And one of the coolest things is
        that when I'm preparing to test for my next belt, I can check
        off each technique as I master it, so that I know which ones I
        still need to practice.

    Movies - (submitted by Chris Antos)

        When you see a trailer for a movie you'd like to see, add it to
        your Movies database, along with the its upcoming release date.
        You can use the categories for "Theater", "Rent", "Buy VHS",
        "Buy DVD", etc.  Attach a note to the item, with a description
        of the movie, in case you forget what the movie's about or who's
        playing in it.

    Orders - (submitted by Gilly Rosenthol)

        When I order something, I record the item and the date ordered.
        That way I can keep track of what packages I'm expecting and see
        how long it's been.

    Packing List - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        This one is obvious but can be fun to experiment with.  I set
        mine up with categories first (clothing, toiletries, food,
        accessories, etc.)  Then I put everyone in my family in the
        'stores' field.  As I added the items to pack, I assigned them
        to the proper person.  For example, my husband & I both wear
        contacts, so I assigned 'contacts' to both of us.  For items
        like socks and shoes, I assigned them to everyone.  Now, if only
        my husband will be traveling, I change the store to his name and
        he then has a customized list of things he needs to pack.

    Project task lists - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        As a freelance lecturer, a lot of my work involves going through
        a specific sequence of tasks in relation to a particular
        project.  For example, if I'm planning a new course for a
        particular college I have certain tasks such as planning the
        overall content, then planning the individual sessions,
        delivering each session, marking assignments and so on.  I use a
        store for each project.  The items are the tasks.  I use the
        aisle number to record the sequence that the tasks have to be
        carried out in, and I sort the database by aisle.  I use price
        to record the number of hours that each task usually takes, and
        quantity to record the number of times it has to be repeated
        (for example, assignments might take half an hour each to mark,
        but I might have 60 of them).  At the start of each project, I
        can go through and select the tasks I need (usually all of them,
        but not always).  I can also enter the number of assignments etc
        where relevant.  I can then use the Total command, and
        HandyShopper tells me the total hours needed to complete the
        project, and how many hours work I have done so far.

    Reading List with Calculated Priorities - (submitted by Claire Appleby)

        I read somewhere that if you have to get through an awful lot of
        reading, you can prioritise this as follows.  You estimate the
        importance of the article or book by deciding how much you would
        be prepared to pay to read it.  However, if you would pay the
        same to read a 20-page paper and a 200-page book, then your time
        is better spent reading the paper.  So you calculate your
        priorities by dividing the price your willing to pay by the
        length of the book or paper.

        HandyShopper does this very nicely as follows.  The items are
        the books or articles.  I use quantity to record the number of
        pages and aisle to record how much I would pay (in GBP) to read
        the book.  The built-in calculator is invaluable for calculating
        value (aisle) divided by length (quantity), and I use the price
        column to store this value.  The list is sorted in descending
        order on price so that the highest priority item comes out on
        top.  I use the categories to distinguish between reading for
        work and for pleasure, and I use the stores to record books I've
        finished reading and books I've started but not finished
        (because I tend to have several things on the go at the same
        time).

    Recipe Database - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        This is extremely easy to build.  Use the 'stores' list to
        create categories, such as meat dishes, pastas, seafood, sauces,
        appetizers, etc. Then use the actual categories function to make
        a more detailed sort - like crockpot, holiday, favorites, etc.
        Add the title of the recipe in the description field and attach
        a note with the recipe instructions.  This is quite handy for
        keeping track of recipes found on the net (copy/paste from
        memopad) and also helpful for jotting down recipes on the go.

    Remodelling a House - (submitted by Maria Popoli)

        I'm using it to remodel our house!!  The categories are rooms,
        exterior elements, substructures.  The stores are
        subcontractors, our own elbow grease, or particular stores for
        required purchases.  We redecorated our son's room in a weekend
        because we had everything ready to go like a kit - no trips to
        the hardware store.  I've got another database for the
        landscaping, categories are:  nursery for purchases, existing
        design, gardening chores pending, failures,& growers.  Stores
        are locations within my yard.  No wasted money at the nursery
        and a beautiful garden.

    Restaurants - (submitted by David Jacobs)

        I have created a restaurant list using the "Stores" filed for
        "Style" of food (Asian, Vegetarian, Seafood, etc).  This allows
        restaurants to be categorised by multiple "Styles".  The
        categories field could be used to denote locations and the
        priority field for quality rating.  The price field could be
        used to give an average cost for a meal.

    Shopping - (submitted by Gretchen Cawthon)

        Some tips on setting up shopping lists...
        Unit prices are important in getting the best value.  Some
        items, like laundry detergent, come in various sizes.  If you
        buy 100-oz laundry detergent at K-mart for $3.99 and 200-oz at
        the Dollar store for $4.99, the best price will show up as
        $3.99@K-Mart.  That may be the low price, but not the best
        value.  All you needed to know is that the best unit price was
        $.03/oz.  Instead of having 10 different entries for the various
        sizes of laundry detergent, try one of these two methods.
        Create on entry for laundry detergent and make the unit field
        'oz'.  Then attach a note to the field and insert the unit price
        info there (I created a shortcut that will add the appropriate
        text and I just fill in the price).  Another way is to create a
        'store' called "Unit Price".  For this store, insert the unit
        price for the item.  Now when you tap details to see the best
        price, you will see what a good unit price is for comparison.

    Software List - (submitted by Rosemary Lewis)

        Under categories, I use Accessories - Software.  Under Stores, I
        use Author, (Seller names I use), Demos, Freeware, In ROM, Not
        Purchased, Purchased, Removed Permanently and Shareware.  Of
        course each product can appear in a number of "stores" but this
        gives me the ability to keep track of every program I have ever
        tried out.  What happened to it, my comments on each in Notes,
        see cost as Demos move to Purchased and of course, the total
        amount of $$ spent on this project.  I am VERY happy with this
        effort!

    Training - (submitted by Bruce Chappell)

        I thought you might be interested in how I use your HandyShopper
        program. I am a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (Part Time),
        and am responsible for training other EMTs in a hospital.
        Because of the dynamics of Emergency Medicine, I can't always
        start teaching a, then b, then c, etc. So I use Aisles to group
        things, such as Heart Monitors Aisle 5, then list the various
        things I have to cover, Alarm Volume, How to alter preset
        limits, etc.

        Before HandyShopper it was a miracle if I covered everything I
        was suppose to. I never could remember if I taught this shift to
        this person, or another shift to another person. Now I can
        guaranty that everything is covered before I sign somebody off
        as having completed their orientation. Thanks for a Great
        Program.

    Wine Database - (submitted by David Jacobs)

        Create different "classes" of wines (Red, White, Fortified,
        Sparkling, etc) using the "Stores" field and categories of wines
        (Shiraz, Chardonay, etc) and assigning "ratings" using the
        "Priority" field and using the "Notes" field for comments.

    ...And many more creative possibilites exist!



CONVERTER TOOL: -----------------------------------------------------------

    HandyShopper now comes with a converter tool that can convert the
    .PDB database file to other formats, and can convert from .CSV
    format back into a .PDB database file that can be installed onto the
    handheld.

    NOTE:  For now, the converter is only available for PC's running
           Microsoft Windows.  See Future Features for more information
           about other computers.

    The converter tool is a "command line" utility program, and does not
    have any graphical user interface.  To use it, you must open a
    Command Prompt window first.  There is usually a shortcut for this
    on the Start -> Programs -> Accessories menu.

    Converting from .PDB to .CSV:

        1.  Find the .PDB file that you wish to convert.  It is usually
            located in the "C:\Palm\<username>\Backup" directory.  The
            file name of the .PDB file will usually be the same as what
            you named the database on the handheld device, but may begin
            with a "HS2_" prefix.  However, if the database was created
            with an older version of HS2 the prefix may be omitted.

        2.  Run the following command to convert your .PDB database file
            into a .CSV file.

            hs2convert -c C:\Palm\Username\Backup\MyData.PDB NewFile

            Two files will be created in the current directory:
            NewFile.CSV which contains the items from the database, and
            NewFile.TXT which contains the stores and other information
            about the database.

            TIP:  You can use the CD command in the Command Prompt to
                  change the current directory.  Run "cd /?" for more
                  information.

        3.  If you intend to make changes to the .CSV file on the PC and
            synchronize the changes back to the handheld device, DO NOT
            use the database on the handheld until you install the
            updated database onto your handheld (see below).  The PC
            will overwrite any changes you make on your handheld during
            that time.

    Converting from .CSV to .PDB:

        1.  Run the following command to convert the .CSV file from
            above back into a .PDB file.

            hs2convert -p NewFile.CSV NewDatabase.PDB

            This reads both the NewFile.CSV and NewFile.TXT files and
            produces the NewDatabase.PDB file, which can be installed
            onto the handheld device.  The NewDatabase.PDB file is
            created in the current directory unless a pathname is
            specified.

        2.  After the converter finishes, you can install the new
            database onto the handheld device, using the Palm Install
            Tool.  One way to install the database is probably to run
            "start ." to open a window that lists the files in the
            current directory.  Find the NewDatabase.PDB file and double
            click on it to queue it for installation during the next
            HotSync.

    Converting from .PDB to other formats:

        The converter tool can also convert to XML, but cannot convert
        back from XML.  To export XML, run the following command:

            hs2convert -x C:\Palm\Username\Backup\MyData.PDB XmlFile

        For information about the converter tool, run "hs2convert /?".

    For other programmers:

        o   Try out the -i flag, which makes the converter use Id
            numbers for stores.  This can make certain tasks (such as
            renaming a store) easier and higher performance.



WHAT'S NOT NEW:------------------------------------------------------------

    There are some things I said would be in HandyShopper 2, that
    unfortunately I just haven't had the time to finish.

        o   Merging two lists via infrared beaming (this is still
            anticipated in a future version).


    Here are some things I always said would not be in HandyShopper 2,
    and still are not in HandyShopper 2:

        o   Desktop program -- I'm not doing this; someone else can
            write one, making use of the HandyShopper CSV/PDB converter
            program.  And in fact someone has, and you can find it on
            www.palmgear.com by searching for "HandyShopper" (one word).
        o   Recipe program -- would be useful, but this is FREEWARE as a
            hobby, and I don't have the time or the personal interest.
            Again, someone else can write one, using the HandyShopper
            CSV/PDB converter program to build the shopping list.



WHATS NEW: ----------------------------------------------------------------

    New in build 3928 -- March 28, 2002

        NOTE:   If you are using HS2CONVERT (or an application that uses
                HS2CONVERT, such as Desktop Shopper), make sure that you
                update HS2CONVERT in addition to updating HandyShopper
                on your handheld device.

        Features:

            o   Columns in the table can be resized by dragging the
                column separator.
            o   Jog dial behavior is revised; pushing the jog dial while
                in one-handed mode now checks off the highlighted item,
                rather than cancelling one-handed mode.
            o   The Copy button in the Edit Stores screen is now able to
                copy from Unfiled to a store (assigns a store to all
                items that are not yet associated with any store).

        Fixes:

            o   Fixed intermittent problem where items that should have
                been filtered from the view would accidentally appear.
            o   Various fixes to the Price field in the table.
            o   Undo failed when trying to undo deletion of an item that
                had been auto-deleted because its description was empty.


    New in build 3914 -- HandyShopper 2.3 -- March 14, 2002

        NOTE:   If you are using HS2CONVERT (or an application that uses
                HS2CONVERT, such as Desktop Shopper), make sure that you
                update HS2CONVERT in addition to updating HandyShopper
                on your handheld device.

        Features:

            o   The new scrollbar-like control in the main view is the
                'Navigator' and enables you to quickly jump to anywhere
                in the list.  Additionally, HandyShopper is much faster
                when using the Up/Down buttons to scroll through the
                list, or when using any command whose action affects
                only the records in the current view.
            o   The font is selectable separately for each database.
            o   Some grayscale-capable devices have poor quality
                screens, so now HandyShopper has a menu command to
                toggle grayscale mode on/off.
            o   Export to Memopad now has an option to use dashes
                instead of bullet characters.
            o   Import from Memopad gives a reminder that items are
                imported into the current database.

        Fixes:

            o   Sony Clie devices could lock up when Hi-Res Assist was
                enabled, apparently due to a hardware problem in the
                Clie devices.  HandyShopper now works around the problem
                and the devices no longer lock up.
            o   HS2Convert was still messing up per-store prices.
            o   The selected tab in the Preferences screen is drawn
                a little better on hires handheld devices.
            o   Devices with OS versions earlier than 3.5 could crash
                when exiting HandyShopper.  This has been fixed.
            o   Beaming could get confused when receiving a HandyShopper
                database if HandyShopper was the currently active app.
            o   Fixed rare crash while editing in the table view.
            o   Fixed column headers in the Select Stores screen when
                the left-handed preference is set (see Lefty,
                http://www.strout.net/pilotsoft).


    New in build 3901 -- March 1, 2002

        NOTE:   If you are using HS2CONVERT (or an application that uses
                HS2CONVERT, such as Desktop Shopper), make sure that you
                update HS2CONVERT in addition to updating HandyShopper
                on your handheld device.

        Features:

            o   Alternating rows use a custom background color on OS 3.5
                and higher, and the color can be selected separately for
                each database.
            o   HandyShopper now supports Lefty, for the convenience of
                left-handed users.  (http://www.strout.net/pilotsoft)
            o   Now supports the Handspring Treo jog dial.

        Fixes:

            o   Fixed two data corruption bugs in HS2Convert, having to
                do with per-store prices and aisles.  The bugs were
                first available in build 3816.
            o   The Priority popup list in the Reset Items screen was
                broken and caused a crash.  This has been fixed.
            o   Certain screens worked on OS 4.0 and higher, but were
                cut off on earlier OS versions.  This has been fixed.
            o   Exporting to Memopad accidentally wrote alphabetic
                aisles as numeric aisles; this has been fixed.
                Importing from Memopad works both for alphabetic aisles
                and also for their accidental numeric representations.


    New in build 3816 -- HandyShopper 2.2 -- February 16, 2002

        Features:

            o   HandyShopper now supports masking private records on OS
                3.5 and higher.
            o   HandyShopper now adds an Undo button to the command bar
                on OS 3.5 and higher.
            o   HandyShopper now uses the item description as the title
                for the Select Stores form, to help make it clear which
                item is being edited.
            o   Popup list of databases now supports incremental
                searching using Graffiti.
            o   Added the Euro symbol and other missing symbols to the
                narrow font.
            o   Improved MegaWiki compatibility.
            o   OS 5.0 compatible.

        Fixes:

            o   Build 3705 was recalled due to a nasty bug in per-store
                prices.  Apologies to anyone who got bitten by it.  The
                bug is fixed and per-store prices should work correctly
                again.
            o   The global Find feature didn't search the CustomText
                field.  This has been fixed.
            o   Purging items earlier than a particular date had several
                problems:  (1) it always purged items earlier than
                today, (2) it set the popup control text to "Choose
                date..." instead of the selected date, (3) it crashed
                after it was finished.  These are fixed and now work
                properly.
            o   The global Units list is backed up by HotSync now (but
                see FAQ #18).
            o   After deleting all the text from a Note the table didn't
                refresh properly, making it appear as though the record
                still had a Note attached.

        Obscure fixes:

            o   Fix bug when not all the columns fit in the table.
            o   Tapping on the calculator show/hide button, moving the
                pen off the button, and releasing the pen confused the
                popup calculator.
            o   Fix string resource that never got unlocked, in the
                Total screen.  (This could be what caused a weird crash
                for some users with Visors).
            o   Fixed drawing bug in the main view table, after
                importing items from Memopad.
            o   Tapping outside the popup calculator before tapping the
                Equals sign lost the result of the calculation in
                progress.  This has been fixed.
            o   Fix crash when switching to another app while both the
                popup calculator and menu are open.
            o   Various other popup calculator bug fixes.
            o   Fixed or worked around various problems reported by
                debug ROMs.
            o   ...and various other obscure bug fixes.


    New in build 3705 -- January 5, 2002

        Fixes:

            o   The Handera jog dial only worked in no-stylus mode.  Now
                it also scrolls the view in normal mode (the Sony jog
                dial already worked for both).
            o   Certain international currency symbols didn't work on
                Palm OS 4.0 devices.  Previously HandyShopper relied on
                the Palm OS to say whether any of the characters in the
                user's currency symbol were digits, but it seems the
                Palm OS has an unusual definition of a "digit".  So now
                HandyShopper is hard-coded to recognize "0" through "9"
                as digits.  Hopefully this won't cause problems for
                non-US/European devices...
            o   Changing the priority from the Details screen didn't
                re-sort the item to the proper position.
            o   HS2Convert (the converter tool) mistakenly always set
                RoundPricesToWholeNumbers=Yes and ColumnCoupon=No
                regardless of what the actual settings were.  This has
                been fixed.
            o   HS2Convert could crash while reading databases from very
                old builds of HS2.  It was supposed to give an error,
                but with certain databases the crash occurred before it
                had a chance to report the error.  Now HS2Convert gives
                the proper error message and explains how to upgrade the
                database to a format that HS2Convert can understand.


    New in build 3409 -- HandyShopper 2.1 -- October 9, 2001

        Features:

            o   Introduces the HS2Convert converter tool.
            o   Added support for the HS2Convert tool.  HS2Convert can't
                sort the list on the PC the same way the handheld sorts
                it, so HS2 now recognizes when a list has been converted
                and automatically sorts it next time you open the list.
            o   Added support for the Sony Clie jog dial.
            o   The Best Buy form now has a popup calculator.
            o   The Best Buy form now has Tip text.
            o   The Edit Stores form supports the up/down hard buttons.

        Fixes:

            o   When receiving a beamed database that has the same name
                as an existing database, HS2 added the existing database
                to the list of databases (even when it wasn't an HS2
                database) even when the user chose not to overwrite the
                existing database.
            o   On OS 3.5 and lower, the overdue ! for dates didn't show
                up when using the narrow font.
            o   Import from Memopad didn't understand negative prices.
            o   Import from Memopad now sets items to the Default
                Priority per the Database tab in the Preferences screen.
            o   When a new item is inserted in the table, or when an
                item is moved due to sorting, the height of the new row
                was not reset properly.
            o   When deleting a store, any items that were associated
                with only that particular store (and no others), the
                items did not properly show up in the Unfiled store.


    New in build 3026 -- June 26, 2001

        Fixes:

            o   Build 3023 added Handera support, but this inadvertently
                made the tabs in the Preferences screen get erased when
                tapped, on OS 3.3 and lower.  This is fixed.


    New in build 3023 -- June 23, 2001

        Features:

            o   Limited support for Handera 330 devices.  The jog dial
                controls the No-Stylus mode.  Also improved the drawing
                so it looks better in the Scale-to-fit mode.  There is
                no support for the retractable silk screen area, etc.

        Fixes:

            o   Argh!  In build 3017 the Select Stores fix had a subtle
                typo, which effectively made the device unstable after
                closing the Select Stores form, and the device would
                need to be reset (poke the reset hole) soon after.
            o   Tapping the Note button in the Details form neglected to
                save the changes made in the Details form, before
                opening the Note form.
            o   In a test database, where HS2 had crashed a few times
                from the Select Stores problem, someone was able to
                generate an item that was so badly corrupted that it
                could not be used anymore.  There is a new menu command
                that can find and fix certain kinds of damage.  It scans
                the current database, and repairs any damaged items that
                it can find.  It reports how many (if any) damaged items
                were found and repaired.  The command successfully
                repaired the test database.  The new menu command is
                located in the Preferences form -- go to the Preferences
                form, tap the Menu graffiti circle, select Extra, then
                select the Repair Items... command.


    New in build 3017 -- June 17, 2001

        Fixes:

            o   Popup lists didn't work on the Qualcomm or Kyocera
                smartphones.
            o   The Copy button in the Edit Stores form didn't copy
                per-store prices or aisles correctly, and could crash or
                damage the per-store data (still).  Unfortunately, if
                the per-store data in your database has become seriously
                damaged to the point that HandyShopper is crashing, then
                you may need to purge the per-store data by opening the
                Preferences screen, tapping the Menu graffiti button,
                and selecting the menu command Extra -> Purge Per-Store
                Info. Special thanks to Douglas Goudie for narrowing
                this down and providing superlative repro steps.
            o   The Select Stores form sometimes did not show checkmarks
                next to all the stores the item is associated with.
                This was especially likely if the item had been copied
                from another database.  Special thanks to Cheryl Wheeler
                for her detailed help tracking down yet another
                unusually troublesome bug (this is something like the
                4th or 5th important bug she's helped with -- credit is
                past due).
            o   Prices could be accidentally drawn in red if more than
                one store shared the lowest price.

        Note, I don't normally give props to people who have helped, but
        Douglas, Cheryl, and Phil (below) have gone above and beyond the
        call of duty, helping to finally track down some long-standing
        and particularly nasty bugs.


    Build 3009.2 -- June 9, 2001

        Changes since build 2811.

        Color:

            o   Added large and small color icons for the application
                launcher.
            o   The exclamation mark for overdue dates is drawn in red.
            o   The price field is drawn properly on color devices.
            o   The selected item indicator is drawn properly on color
                devices (actually it wasn't drawn quite right on B&W
                devices previously, either).
            o   The titlebar down arrow is drawn in the correct color.
            o   The Notes form title is drawn in the correct color.
            o   The selection color in No-Stylus mode is drawn in the
                correct color.
            o   The price is drawn in red, when the current store does
                not have the lowest recorded price for the item.
            o   The selected page tab in the Options form is drawn in
                the same color as the form's frame.

        Features:

            o   The Details form can switch to the Next/Previous item.
                Choose the commands from the menu, or use the physical
                Up/Down buttons.
            o   No-Stylus mode can be enabled with the Ronamatic stroke
                (up from Graffiti area to the top half of screen).
                However, when a field is being edited, the Ronamatic
                stroke respects the system preferences.
            o   On devices with OS 3.5 or higher, HS2 is automatically
                installed into the "Main" category.
            o   New database names are prefixed with "HS2_" to avoid
                conflicts with other apps.  The "HS2_" prefix is used
                whenever creating new databases or renaming existing
                databases, but the prefix is hidden for display
                purposes.

            NOTE:  Existing databases are *NOT* automatically updated
                   with the prefix.  You can manually rename each of
                   your databases to use the new "HS2_" prefix -- for
                   each database, use the Rename Database command and
                   just tap OK.  The hidden HS2_ prefix is applied when
                   you tap OK.

        Fixes:

            o   Checking off the last item would crash while using
                No-Stylus mode.
            o   Using the newline stroke in the Best Buy screen crashed.
            o   The first character in the Lookup field could be
                duplicated in a particular case.
            o   Build 2811 broke private records, so that they were no
                longer hidden.  This has been fixed.
            o   The Copy button in the Edit Stores screen was broken,
                and usually ended up not actually doing anything.
            o   Tapping where the calculator toggle button had last been
                on the screen, would erroneously treat it as a hotspot
                and activate the calculator.  This has been fixed.
            o   Build 2811 broke the progress meter on OS 3.0, making it
                crash.  This is fixed in build 3009.2 (but not 3009).
            o   Cutting text from an item's description could sometimes
                lock up or crash the device, requiring a reset.  Special
                thanks to Phil Nunnally for a carefully constructed test
                database that reproduced the problem 100% of the time.


    Official 2.0 Release, build 2811 -- April 11, 2001

        Highlights of changes since build 2029 (Aug. 29, 2000).

        Features:

            o   Added 'Copy item to...' to the menus.
            o   Launch'Em support for the sysAppLaunchCmdOpenDB command.
            o   The Reset command has a new option to reset items to the
                checked-out state.
            o   Tap and hold the stylus on the Description column for
                half a second to pop up the item context menu.
            o   The date field has a new 'wide' option that shows the
                year.
            o   Now you can copy items/prices/aisles from one store, to
                another store, by using the new Copy button in the
                Stores screen.
            o   Tip screens give quick helpful tips.
            o   ... and various other minor features.


        Fixes:

            o   Fixed an obscure bug in the Details screen, that could
                overwrite the wrong item under unusual circumstances.
            o   Deleting a store that had needed items did not update
                the bold stores properly.
            o   Fixed bug about tap+drag not working in table fields
                where only part of the field's text is visible.
            o   Fixed crash when the Q and $ columns are visible, trying
                to choose a number in the Quantity popup, and sorting by
                Quantity.
            o   The 'Copy to' command used the Sort order of the From
                database. Now it properly uses the Sort order of the To
                database.
            o   Fixed some drawing problems when the Description and
                Custom Text fields resized taller (especially on OS
                3.0).
            o   Fixed the Edit Stores button in the Stores screen, which
                could sometimes accidentally delete the item and then
                crash.
            o   For most non-US locales, six-digits prices with decimal
                places didn't fit even with the "Wide" setting, because
                the width was computed assuming a period for the decimal
                separator, instead of a comma.  Now the correct decimal
                separator is used.
            o   Fixed an obscure problem where editing the Description,
                then changing the Category, then editing the Description
                some more so that the field grew or shrunk vertically,
                the next item could be overwritten.
            o   Cancelling out of the Details screen would always force
                a re-sort if the database is sorted by category.
            o   Imported items have the Auto-Delete and Taxable flags
                set per the preferences.
            o   When the currently selected category was delete, the
                view became confused.
            o   When a category with no items was displayed, new items
                disappeared from the view, until choosing a different
                category or store.
            o   After choosing (and exiting) the Edit Stores button from
                the Select Stores screen, now you're (usually) returned
                back to the Select Stores screen.
            o   ... and various other minor fixes.



FUTURE FEATURES: ----------------------------------------------------------

    There are a lot of features on the wish list.  Some of the more
    important ones are listed below.

        o   Synchronize databases between handheld devices via Infrared.
        o   Converter tool for *nix and Mac systems.
        o   Localization overlay template so users can translate
            HandyShopper to other languages and share their translations
            (requires OS 3.5 or higher).
        o   Programmable interface so other handheld applications can
            access/update HandyShopper data.
        o   Maybe (only *maybe*) provide source code for accessing
            HandyShopper data, that can be reused without needing to
            understand the complex data format.



FEEDBACK: -----------------------------------------------------------------

    E-mail me at chrisant@premier1.net with any feedback.  Send me
    comments, criticism, praise, suggestions, bug reports, etc.

    Due to high volume of e-mail I receive about HandyShopper, I may not
    be able to reply to your mail.  Please understand that I may choose
    not to implement your suggestion.

