Vorton Financial Tools
Vorton Financial Tools PC CD calculate finance money debt budget calculator tool
Application
Windows
Vorton
1997
CD
$10.48
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Vorton Financial Tools (VFT) is a suite of personal financial tools designed to help the average person untangle the intrinsic difficulties of money matters ranging from compound interest calculations to mortgage and retirement scenarios spanning decades. Designed for everyone from financial planners to the financial novice, Vorton Financial tools is a comprehensive software application intended to assist individuals in analyzing and making decisions in the area of personal finance. Financial Tools includes a set of easy-to-use financial calculators, a comprehensive financial glossary and a wizard to help you get started!
VFT is actually a software platform which houses a collection of five major and ten minor calculator modules along with their respective supporting utilities and extensive online help. A central 'Profile' module shares basic information about you (such as age, salary, assets and debts) with the various modules, as required. You can update your 'Profile' information interactively from within most of the major modules.
The Help system is well organized by button bar 'categories', menus and a conventional Windows Help index. It appears to be well cross-referenced, too. But the most valuable feature that the VFT help resource offers (for non-financial types like me, at any rate) is the comprehensive glossary, listing hundreds of terms and providing simple, comprehensible definitions.
Another thing about the Help system -- it's available at all times, via a distinctive 'Question Mark' button, in all 'live' calculator working windows as well as from the main-screen button bar. The Glossary has its own direct access button on the main screen bar, but you're never more than a couple of clicks away from an explanation wherever you run across an unfamiliar word or phrase. Very comforting. The other omnipresent aid, available in all live windows, is a calculator button. Nothing fancy, here -- it simply pops up the Windows Calculator on top of your current working window -- but it's indispensible for side calculations when figuring out overall values for insertion in the VFT modules.
Some of the major modules offer sophisticated financial graphing tools which can provide visual representations of the process and final outcomes of various scenarios. The Mortgage Calculator, for instance, produces full-colour bar charts clearly showing how much interest you'll pay under different repayment schemes.
Most charts and tables can be printed out for hard-copy reference and conventional filing. Like many 'native' Windows applications, VFT features a Wizard designed to walk you through the more complex functions of the five major calculator modules (Loan, Savings, Bonds, Mortgage and Retirement Planning). The Wizard helps to familiarize the new user with VFT's many functions and acts as a tutorial guide. After a while, when you're more comfortable with VFT, you'll bypass the Wiz and go directly to the module you need.
The major calcs
The five major (detailed) 'calculator' modules provided in VFT cover the five most common types of transactions and financial planning functions most individuals face.
Every-day calculations such as loan repayments, bond interest and savings accrual are available directly from the main screen button bar, as are more complex functions (equations requiring more input from you and involve many more variables) which model mortgage amortization and retirement savings scenarios.
In each module, you can change values and recalculate at any time and, as I mentioned earlier, you can even access (and monkey with) the 'set' information in your personal 'Profile' if you wish.
Each major calculator module can save the set-up and results of a given scenario for future reference. In fact, each module actually has its own data-file format and file extension, so all your VFT working files can be conveniently stored in the same directory.
The minor calcs
Along with the major calculator modules, VFT provides a collection of ten minor calculators, 'hard wired' to provide quick answers to basic financial questions with just a few variables.
Available from a floating tool box that's 'always on top' of the VFT main screen, these pop-ups include present and future value of sums and annuities, after-tax yield (with and without inflation), dividend yield and -- perhaps the most interesting and, yet, least encouraging of the functions -- real rate of return on investments (calculating the effect of inflation on interest rates).
You'll probably find yourself popping into VFT frequently to perform quick present/future value and after-tax checks on various financial options that come your way. These minor functions will also support your more-detailed work in some of the major calculator modules.
Internet options...
VFT's main-screen button bar also contains an 'Internet' selection which launches the Windows Internet Explorer browser and loads a page of selected financial links. Most of the major banks and financial institutions are represented, along with other relevant resources. When you end your Net session, you go right back to the point where you left off in VFT, which has been running in the background all the while.
Just remember, Explorer will boot and the links page will display anytime you hit the VFT 'Internet' button -- but you're not going any place without a live connection to your ISP!
Aside from the cold, hard cash advantages, there are also emotional benefits, a certain comfort level, that a package like VFT can provide. If you're at all like me, it's not making the decisions that generates fear and loathing when it comes to dealing with money matters -- it's having confidence in those decisions. Using VFT is like having your own personal financial analyst -- a knowledgeable, objective third party with no agenda of their own that might colour their advice -- to confirm your routine financial decisions.
In fact, in my very first VFT session, I actually worked out a retirement plan.
General Features:
Easy to use
Comprehensive help files
Financial wizard
Mortgage calculations
Loan calculations
Loan analysis tool
Bond calculations
Savings calculators
Retirement planning model
Advanced calculators for calculating present and future values
Financial tips
Comprehensive financial glossary
Personal profile and preference settings
3D graphs for viewing and printing
and more
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
VFT is actually a software platform which houses a collection of five major and ten minor calculator modules along with their respective supporting utilities and extensive online help. A central 'Profile' module shares basic information about you (such as age, salary, assets and debts) with the various modules, as required. You can update your 'Profile' information interactively from within most of the major modules.
The Help system is well organized by button bar 'categories', menus and a conventional Windows Help index. It appears to be well cross-referenced, too. But the most valuable feature that the VFT help resource offers (for non-financial types like me, at any rate) is the comprehensive glossary, listing hundreds of terms and providing simple, comprehensible definitions.
Another thing about the Help system -- it's available at all times, via a distinctive 'Question Mark' button, in all 'live' calculator working windows as well as from the main-screen button bar. The Glossary has its own direct access button on the main screen bar, but you're never more than a couple of clicks away from an explanation wherever you run across an unfamiliar word or phrase. Very comforting. The other omnipresent aid, available in all live windows, is a calculator button. Nothing fancy, here -- it simply pops up the Windows Calculator on top of your current working window -- but it's indispensible for side calculations when figuring out overall values for insertion in the VFT modules.
Some of the major modules offer sophisticated financial graphing tools which can provide visual representations of the process and final outcomes of various scenarios. The Mortgage Calculator, for instance, produces full-colour bar charts clearly showing how much interest you'll pay under different repayment schemes.
Most charts and tables can be printed out for hard-copy reference and conventional filing. Like many 'native' Windows applications, VFT features a Wizard designed to walk you through the more complex functions of the five major calculator modules (Loan, Savings, Bonds, Mortgage and Retirement Planning). The Wizard helps to familiarize the new user with VFT's many functions and acts as a tutorial guide. After a while, when you're more comfortable with VFT, you'll bypass the Wiz and go directly to the module you need.
The major calcs
The five major (detailed) 'calculator' modules provided in VFT cover the five most common types of transactions and financial planning functions most individuals face.
Every-day calculations such as loan repayments, bond interest and savings accrual are available directly from the main screen button bar, as are more complex functions (equations requiring more input from you and involve many more variables) which model mortgage amortization and retirement savings scenarios.
In each module, you can change values and recalculate at any time and, as I mentioned earlier, you can even access (and monkey with) the 'set' information in your personal 'Profile' if you wish.
Each major calculator module can save the set-up and results of a given scenario for future reference. In fact, each module actually has its own data-file format and file extension, so all your VFT working files can be conveniently stored in the same directory.
The minor calcs
Along with the major calculator modules, VFT provides a collection of ten minor calculators, 'hard wired' to provide quick answers to basic financial questions with just a few variables.
Available from a floating tool box that's 'always on top' of the VFT main screen, these pop-ups include present and future value of sums and annuities, after-tax yield (with and without inflation), dividend yield and -- perhaps the most interesting and, yet, least encouraging of the functions -- real rate of return on investments (calculating the effect of inflation on interest rates).
You'll probably find yourself popping into VFT frequently to perform quick present/future value and after-tax checks on various financial options that come your way. These minor functions will also support your more-detailed work in some of the major calculator modules.
Internet options...
VFT's main-screen button bar also contains an 'Internet' selection which launches the Windows Internet Explorer browser and loads a page of selected financial links. Most of the major banks and financial institutions are represented, along with other relevant resources. When you end your Net session, you go right back to the point where you left off in VFT, which has been running in the background all the while.
Just remember, Explorer will boot and the links page will display anytime you hit the VFT 'Internet' button -- but you're not going any place without a live connection to your ISP!
Aside from the cold, hard cash advantages, there are also emotional benefits, a certain comfort level, that a package like VFT can provide. If you're at all like me, it's not making the decisions that generates fear and loathing when it comes to dealing with money matters -- it's having confidence in those decisions. Using VFT is like having your own personal financial analyst -- a knowledgeable, objective third party with no agenda of their own that might colour their advice -- to confirm your routine financial decisions.
In fact, in my very first VFT session, I actually worked out a retirement plan.
General Features:
Easy to use
Comprehensive help files
Financial wizard
Mortgage calculations
Loan calculations
Loan analysis tool
Bond calculations
Savings calculators
Retirement planning model
Advanced calculators for calculating present and future values
Financial tips
Comprehensive financial glossary
Personal profile and preference settings
3D graphs for viewing and printing
and more
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
WHAT YOU GET:
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion.
Be patient if there are problems during installation or gameplay. Typically someone else has
already ran into that problem and has listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help.
Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer.
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
SHIPPING:
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
