====================================================================== ====================================================================== CurveExpert 1.

3: A comprehensive curve fitting system for Windows Copyright (c) 1995-2001 Daniel Hyams All Rights Reserved. ====================================================================== ======================================================================

INTRODUCTION ====================================================================== Thank you for your interest in CurveExpert 1.3! CurveExpert 1.3 is a comprehensive curve fitting system for Windows. XY data can be modelled using a toolbox of linear regression models, nonlinear regression models, interpolation, or splines. Over 30 models are built-in, but custom regression models may also be defined by the user. Full-featured graphing capability allows thorough examination of the curve fit. The process of finding the best fit can be automated by letting CurveExpert compare your data to each model to choose the best curve. This program was designed to be simple but powerful, so that all users can obtain a model for their data quickly and easily. Documentation is provided in the form of a Windows help file. This on-line manual is complete and does not need the supplement of a printed copy. This way, we conserve our Earth's valuable resources while at the same time reducing the cost of this software. For the information on the latest features of CurveExpert, visit the CurveExpert home page at ===> http://www.ebicom.net/~dhyams/cvxpt.htm <=== This software package is ShareWare.

SUPPORTED PLATFORMS ===================================================================== CurveExpert has been released for the following platforms: 16-bit version: 32-bit version: Windows Windows Windows Windows 3.1 or later 3.1 or later + Win32s 1.30 or later 95 NT 3.51 or later

Note that the 16-bit version is Windows 95 compatible, so it will run under Windows 95 as well as Windows 3.1.

IF THE INSTALLATION PROGRAM FAILS WITH A GPF (16-bit version only) ===================================================================== If the installer program fails with a General Protection Fault, please restart Windows immediately. CurveExpert has been installed correctly, and will run correctly once Windows has been restarted after a fault of this type by the installer.

REGISTRATION -- HOW TO REGISTER ====================================================================== To order CurveExpert, open the help file by choosing 'Help' from the Help menu. Then click the 'Register' button in the help file. This will give directions for ordering CurveExpert as well as the order form. The registration fee of $35 [16-bit version] or $40 [32-bit version] can be submitted via mail or by a credit card. Development of this software has taken countless hours of study, programming, and debugging. Please support the shareware concept and register the software if you intend to keep and use it! The future of this product depends on the response that I receive from you, the user. If you would like for this project to continue and grow, please send suggestions and register, if you use this program.

INSTALLATION ====================================================================== If you obtained this program from an Internet source, you must first unzip CVXPTxxx.ZIP (using PkUnzip or WinZip -- if you don't have this, go back to your ftp site and pick it up) to unpack all of the distribution files. Note that the xxx denotes the version number of CurveExpert that you have obtained (eg. version 1.21 will be cvxpt121.zip). From the Program Manager, File Manager, or your particular shell, select File Run and run the SETUP.EXE program that was included in your CurveExpert distribution. The installation program will ask you where to install this software and give the space requirements required. Also, you may give your name and company, if you are a registered user. The rest of the process is automated -- CurveExpert will install itself onto your computer in the location you specified and will make its own Program Manager group. Should you ever want to uninstall CurveExpert, simply double-click on the UnInstall icon in the CurveExpert program manager group. In Windows 95, go to the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware applet to uninstall CurveExpert.

LEGAL MATTERS ====================================================================== Read the Disclaimer Warranty section in the included help file. Using CurveExpert 1.3 means that you agree to all terms stated in the disclaimer. CurveExpert is Shareware. You are hereby granted license to use CurveExpert 1.3 for an evaluation period of 30 days, after which you must pay the registration fee to continue using CurveExpert 1.3. However, use of CurveExpert during the 30-day evaluation period is free of charge. You may make exact copies and distribute these copies of the Evaluation version of CurveExpert 1.3 and its documentation as long the only charge applied, if there is a charge applied, is for the distribution of these unmodified copies of CurveExpert.

You are specifically prohibited from charging or requesting donations for ANY and ALL copies of CurveExpert or its documentation. You are prohibited from distributing CurveExpert or any portion of CurveExpert or its documentation as part of another product (commercial or otherwise) without PRIOR expressed written consent from me personally. FEATURES ====================================================================== + Over 35 distinct data models to choose from, along with over 15 additional models provided as user-defined models + User-defined models allow you to input, design, and manage your own regression functions with up to 19 parameters + Toolbox of fitting techniques includes linear/nonlinear regression and many types of interpolation/spline fitting. + Uses the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for quick and robust nonlinear regression performance. + Unlimited number of data points + As curve fits are applied, a ranking chart keeps track of the best to worst models + CurveFinder examines every possible regression model for your data set and returns the best one + Full-featured graphing capability with customizable, dynamic graphs gives immediate feedback on curve fit quality + User has the ability to terminate a computation at any time + Customizable plots can be copied directly to the clipboard for use in another Windows application + Easy-to-use point-and-click interface + Reads simple ASCII data files and can ignore comments or text in the file + Data set can be scaled, translated, sorted, the outliers removed, edited by hand similarly to a spreadsheet + Analysis tools allow the location of exact points on the curve fit as well as differentiation and integration of any model. + Full featured toolbar and status bar increase your productivity

WHAT'S NEW ====================================================================== See the HISTORY.TXT file for all of the latest additions and bug fixes.

---Daniel Hyams, author of CurveExpert 1.3 email: dhyams@altavista.net or dhyams@ebicom.net phone w/ voice mail: (662) 323-4198 FAX: (662) 323-4198 US mail: 204 Winterset Drive Starkville, MS 39759