Welcome to PastTense ==================== PastTense is a shareware software tool that can help you to reduce the build up of stress in your body. PasteTense is written by Phil Donaldson of Anyware Ltd in Wellington, New Zealand. PastTense v2.1 was released in November 1999. Please forward suggestions for improvement to PastTense to one of: email: ptsupport@anyware.co.nz postal: Anyware Limited (NZ), PO Box 38-965, Wellington, New Zealand. TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- 1. Product Overview 2. Minimum system requirements 3. Ordering and installation 4. How to get help 5. Warranty 6. Distribution 7. Version History 1. PRODUCT OVERVIEW ------------------- What Is PastTense? PastTense is a tool that can help you to reduce the build up of stress both in general and in specific parts of your body. With PastTense a number of different configuration options can be defined, each of which contains one or more timers to remind you to have a rest. Timers can be set to remind you of anything from taking a short walk around the office every hour to stretching your wrists every 30 seconds. A number of default configurations are supplied with PasteTense and these can be customised to suit your individual needs. You can define up to 10 configurations, each with up to 10 timers. Any one of these configurations can be selected and used at any time. PastTense does not force you to have a rest by locking up your PC. It may not always be convenient to have a rest 'right now' and the main job of PastTense is to give you reminders based on the times that you define. Why Did I Write This Application? A combination of digging in the garden, competitive basketball, ongoing mis-use and an old whip lash from a car accident gave me back and neck injuries that made my life a misery. I eventually worked out that I had to take control, so I wrote a prototype of this application. It helped me to constantly evaluate my use and mis-use of my body and build my general awareness of that use and mis-use. I then figured, what better way to earn a dollar than to use that experience to help others with the same type of problem? 2. MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------------------ PastTense v2.1 requires Windows 95 or higher, an 80386 or newer processor (486 recommended), 4Mb of system memory and 600k of spare disk space. PastTense v1.2.1 is also available for Windows 3.1. Basically, if your PC runs anything, it will run PastTense. 3. ORDERING AND INSTALLATION ---------------------------- First download the PastTense demo from . - Click 'Download' - Save the file pt21.zip to a temporary directory (create a directory if neccessary) - To unzip the instal files, open Windows Explorer and run pt21.zip from the directory you saved it to - Extract the zipped files to the temporary directory - Run install.exe from the temporary directory - Answer the questions to instal PastTense Note that the pt21.zip file contains the vendinfo.diz file which contains distibution and readme information about PastTense. PastTense can be downloaded for free and can be evaluated for as long as you want. The only missing feature is the ability to configure your own timers - you'll have to register to get this. How to Register A. (Fastest) From : - Click 'order' and follow the instructions to order a registration code online using your credit card - You will be emailed a registration code B. From the PastTense demo: - select 'About' from the 'Help' menu and click the 'Order' button - You will be walked through the ordering process. Payment options include: Cash, Check or Money Order, VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, First Virtual or Invoice. - You will be sent an email or postal confirmation of your order depending on the information you supplied - You will be emailed a registration code within a couple of days After you receive your registration code: - From the PastTense demo, select 'About' from the 'Help' menu and click the 'Register' button. Fill in the registration code and you will have a full featured version of PastTense. The price of PastTense is US$9 (includes tax). PastTense is freely distributable on the conditions that it is distributed in full and without change, and that registration codes are not distributed with the software. 4. HOW TO GET HELP ------------------ If you have any problems with this product, please read this file and the online help files (accessible from the applications Help menu) first. If you still have a question and need assistance, send an email to the author at the address at the beggining of this file. 5. WARRANTY ----------- Because PastTense is shareware that you can evaluate before registering, we offer no warranty. However, any suggestions for product improvements are always welcome at ptsupport@anyware.co.nz 6. DISTRIBUTION --------------- See the VENDINFO.DIZ file for information on PastTense distribution policy. 7. VERSION HISTORY ------------------ 1.0 - Prototype A basic appliction with hard coded timer values that reminds you to stretch your back every 3 minutes. Added timer control features (start/pause/reset). Added timer autostart feature (start timer on application start up). 1.1 - Customisation Bug fixes. Added configuration screen and timer logic so the user can have as many timers as they want. Created online help. Created installation program. 1.2 - Feature Addition Minor bug fixes. Tidied up application graphics and icons. Added reminder message text. Added Minimise feature to minimise application window between rests. Added ability to select a configuration from the timer menu. Added Beep On Rest feature. Added Show Counters feature. 1.2.1 - Distribution Information Created the VENDINFO.DIZ file. 2.0 - Windows 95 Version Re-built PastTense for Windows 95. Replaced beep with Windows exclamtion sound for 'Beep on rest' feature. Minor user interface improvements. 2.1 - Repackaged PastTense Re-built install program for Windows 95. Added windows registry functions to installer. Added Startup menu option to installer.