May 6, 1992


XLATEALD - Translation utility to convert *.ALD data
           files created by versions of Almanac prior
           to Almanac 3.0.


USING XLATEALD
--------------

XLATEALD.EXE runs under DOS.  The instructions which follow
can be entered into the Command Line edit control from the
File.Run dialog, or can be entered directly at any DOS
command prompt.

The XLATEALD.EXE utility has a simple command format that
is very similar to the DOS COPY command.  XLATEALD expects
two parameters to be specified on its command line.  These
parameters specify the disk directory that contains the
old *.ALD files (or "from" directory), and the disk
directory that the new files will be written (or the "to"
directory).

A sample command line might be:

      XLATEALD C:\WINDOWS\ALMANAC\ALD C:\ALMANAC\ALD

This example would be correct for a system where the
earlier version of Almanac was installed in the ALMANAC
directory located under the WINDOWS directory, and Almanac
3.0 has been installed in the ALMANAC directory under the
root directory. 

If you would like to copy your ALD files to a temporary
work directory, you can translate files within the work
directory.  Old ALD filenames are formatted as MAY92.ALD,
and new filenames are formatted as MAY-1992.ALD, so there
will be no conflicts or overwriting of files during the
translation process.  Just specify the same directory for
both of the command line parameters.

NOTE:  XLATEALD will convert a maximum of 124 items per
       monthly ALD file.  It will stop converting after
       the 124th item, skipping any remaining items.

       This restriction is because the ALD index area
       requires expansion after 124 items.  If this
       limitation creates a problem for you,
       registered users may contact us for a special
       version of the conversion utility designed
       specifically for the size of your index area.