This file contains general information about DataFit Version

8.1.x by Oakdale Engineering.

For the most up to date release notes, pricing and version
information, visit our home page on the web at
http://www.curvefitting.com.
____________________________________________________________
Table of Contents:
Section 1 - Description and Capabilities of DataFit
Section 2 - Machine Requirements
Section 3 - Purchasing DataFit
Section 4 - Installation
Section 5 - Contacting Oakdale Engineering
Section 6 - List of Installed Files
Section 7 - License, Distribution and Disclaimer
____________________________________________________________
Section 1 - Description and Capabilities of DataFit
DataFit is a science and engineering tool that simplifies
the tasks of data plotting, regression analysis
(curve fitting) and statistical analysis. What sets DataFit
apart from similar curve fitting and regression programs is
its ease of use. With the combination of the intuitive
interface, online help and wide range of features, it is a
tool that is used effectively by both beginners and experts.
Main features of DataFit include:
- Intuitive Graphical Interface - most curve fitting and
regression software packages take a programming type
approach, meaning that you tell the program what to do in
a pseudo-code programming language. This approach forces
you to remember many commands, and the proper command
syntax. With DataFit, the program is driven by a
well-designed graphical interface, which makes it much
easier to learn and use. Remember, the goal you are
striving for is accurate regression analysis, not
learning a new proprietary programming language.
- Online help and "tool-tip" text - With context sensitive
help and "tool-tip" text, the answers to your questions
are always close by.
- Straightforward data entry - Data can be entered by typing
it into a standard spreadsheet interface, by importing it
from ASCII files or ODBC data sources created by other
applications, or by cutting and pasting it from other
windows based applications.
- ODBC Database Connectivity - Data can be imported directly
from any ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) data sources.
These sources include Microsoft Access, dBase, Excel,
Oracle, Paradox, Visual FoxPro and SQL Server.
- Multi-dimensional regression model capability - DataFit
can solve regression models with up to 20 independent
variables.

- Variable Selection (Data Mining) - DataFit includes

Forward Selection, Backward Elimination, Stepwise
Selection and Manual variable selection modes to help
determine which independent variables should be included
in your regression model. These features include checks
to help identify multicollinearity between predictor
variables.
- Pre-defined regression models - there are currently 298
two-dimensional and 242 three-dimensional nonlinear
regression models pre-defined in DataFit. The
pre-defined nonlinear regression models are commonly
used in scientific, statistical and engineering
applications.
- User defined regression models - If regression models
you need are not pre-defined in DataFit you can define
them yourself. User defined regression models can have
up to 100 fitting parameters, or variables, and you can
use whatever variable names you want to use in your
model without declaring them. This makes defining your
own regression model as simple as typing in the
equation. You can also assign rule-based initial
estimates to the models so that the initial estimates
don t need to be assigned each time you run a
regression problem. An additional feature is the
ability to specify the analytical derivatives for
user defined models (optional).
- Robust solver - DataFit utilizes the Levenberg-Marquardt
method with double precision to perform nonlinear
regression.
- Various solution options - You can perform linear OR
nonlinear regression on one model at a time that you
choose from a list, groups of models (pre-defined
model groups, or define your own), or all of the models
available with one mouse click. The pre-defined models
are grouped together based on the number of parameters
and the general shape of their curves. If you
continuously solve the same models over and over, you
can create your own group consisting of the models you
choose.
- Automatic solution ranking - As regression models are
solved, they are sorted automatically according to the
goodness of fit criteria you specify (Residual Sum of
Squares, Correlation Coefficient, DOF Adjusted
Correlation Coefficient or Standard Error). If you
aren't an expert and aren't sure which equation you
should use to model your data, DataFit helps you make
this decision.
- Solution Log - DataFit tracks each step in the
regression process and reports it to the user in the
solution log. If a model fails to solve, the solution
log contains some diagnostics to help you figure out
the problem.
- Detailed regression results - DataFit reports the

following information about each solved regression

model automatically without additional user action:
- Number of observations
- Number of missing observations
- Number of nonlinear iterations performed
- Sum of Residuals
- Average Residual
- Residual Sum of Squares
- Standard Error of the Estimate
- Coefficient of Multiple Determination (R2)
- Proportion of Variance Explained
- Adjusted coefficient of multiple determination (Ra2)
- Durbin-Watson statistic
- Coefficient values, Standard Error, t-ratio and Prob(t)
- Confidence Intervals (68, 90, 95 and 99 percent levels)
- Variance Analysis (ANOVA)
- Data Table, including entered data, calculated data,
residual, percent error, minimum residual and maximum
residual.
- Formattable regression model plots
- Formattable residual probability plots
- Formattable residual scatter plots
- Presentation quality plotting capability - Create 2D and
3D plots of raw data and/or regression models by simply
selecting the desired information from the list of
available data. Each plot is completely customizable,
including fonts, ranges, line colors and styles, error
bars, visibility, etc. You can also graphically compare
the results of different models and/or data on the same
plot window. Plots can be saved along with all of their
customization, or copied to the Windows clipboard for
pasting into other applications. Plot templates can be
saved and applied to instantly give plots your own
custom appearance.
- Data calculator (currently 2D only) - Manipulate raw
data or regression models in a built in data calculator.
The data calculator can perform over 70 mathematical and
statistical operations on curves, discreet data, or
numbers. The calculator can also perform some special
functions, such as FFT's or creating a data table based
on an equation you type in.
- Excel and HTML export support - results and data table
creation can be exported in Excel native format or HTML
table formats in addition to delimited text format.
- Automatic source code generation - Export source code to
utilize a model of your choice in a program that you have
written. You can export self-documented code in either
BASIC or C.
- Non-graphical execution - DataFit can be run nongraphically from other programs. Simply create a
configuration template (either on your own or through the
interface), save it, and call DataFit from your program.
You can choose handshaking options, such as DDE (Dynamic
Data Exchange), progress indicators, and message box

displays. Macros can be parameterized which makes batch

processing large numbers of datasets a simple operation.
- Direct link to the World Wide Web - From the DataFit
interface, you can connect directly to Oakdale
Engineering's home page on the web for product updates
and technical support. You can also submit bug reports
or enhancement requests.
____________________________________________________________
Section 2 - Machine Requirements
DataFit version 8.x is a 32 bit application, supported on
Windows '95, Windows '98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.x,
Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Memory Requirement - At least 8 MB RAM
Disk Space Requirement - Approximately 10 MB
____________________________________________________________
Section 3 - Purchasing DataFit
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PRICING OR UPGRADING
OPTIONS, please visit our web page at
http://www.curvefitting.com. You can also contact Oakdale
Engineering by email at sales@curvefitting.com, or by
telephone at (724) 693-0320.
You can purchase DataFit software using any of the following
methods:
Credit Card Orders (VISA, MasterCard and American Express):
- Purchase online from our order page at
http://www.curvefitting.com/order.htm. From there, you
can connect to our secure online web store.
- Print and complete a copy of the order form in the
online help or from http://www.curvefitting.com/orderform.htm
and fax it to (724) 693-9201, or mail it to the address
shown below.
- Call Oakdale Engineering at (724) 693-0320.
Check or Money Orders:
- Print and complete a copy of the order form in the
online help or from http://www.curvefitting.com/orderform.htm
and send it along with your payment to the address
shown below. If paying by check, the check must be in
U.S. funds drawn from a U.S. bank and be made payable
to Oakdale Engineering.
Purchase Orders:
- Print and complete a copy of the order form in the
online help or from http://www.curvefitting.com/orderform.htm
and fax it along with a purchase order number to
(724) 693-9201, or mail it to the address shown below.
Payment terms are net 30 days.

Bank to Bank Transfers (Direct Deposit):

- To initiate a bank wire transfer, send an email to
sales@curvefitting.com stating your intention and we
will supply you with the necessary information in order
to make the transfer. An additional bank processing fee
may apply.
Our Postal Address is:
Oakdale Engineering
ATTN: Order Processing
23 Tomey Road
Oakdale PA 15071 USA
____________________________________________________________
Section 4 - Installation
To automatically install DataFit for Windows on your hard
disk:
Installation from a CD-Rom:
If you have received the software on a CD-Rom directly
from Oakdale Engineering, the files are ready to
install from the CD. Place the CD-Rom in a CD-Rom
drive of your computer. If Autorun is enabled on your
computer, the installation shell will begin
automatically. If Autorun is disabled, click on the
Windows "Start" button and select "Run...". In the Run
dialog box, click on the Browse button and double
click on "Autorun.exe" in the root directory of the CD.
Click on "OK" in the Run Dialog box. The Setup
application will prompt you for additional information
as required.
Installation from a .ZIP file:
If you have downloaded the software from the web in the
form of a .ZIP file, copy the zipped file to a temporary
directory and unzip the files using winzip or other
compatible compression software. Click on the Windows
"Start" button and select "Run..." In the Run dialog box,
click on the "Browse" button and double click on
"setup.exe" in the directory where you unzipped the
files. Click on "OK" in the Run Dialog box. The Setup
application will prompt you for additional information
as required.
NOTE: The DataFit installation program performs version
checking of files, and will not overwrite existing
files with older versions. For a list of installed
files, see section 6.
____________________________________________________________
Section 5 - Contacting Oakdale Engineering
Technical Support Questions:

You can obtain technical support in any of the following

ways:
1) Email your question or problem to
support@curvefitting.com. Contacting technical support by
email assures a quick response time to your questions.
2) Fax your question or problem at any time to us at
(724) 693-9201.
The URL for our home page is: http://www.curvefitting.com.
Sales Questions:
If you have a question about pricing or license options
you can email us at sales@curvefitting.com, or call
(724) 693-0320. Our fax number is (724) 693-9201.
Our address is:
Oakdale Engineering
23 Tomey Road
Oakdale, PA 15071 USA
____________________________________________________________
Section 6 - List of Installed Files
The DataFit installation program (setup.exe) installs the
following files on your hard disk during the installation
process.
NOTE: The installation program performs version checking
and WILL NOT over-write newer versions of the files already
existing on your machine.
The following files are installed to the Windows/system
directory (Windows '95, '98) or the Windows/system32
directory (Windows NT). These files are shared files and
should NOT be deleted manually. Most of these files will
already be present on your machine and will not get updated
unless the version on your machine is older.
File
Version
------------------------Msvbvm60.dll
6.00.8964
AsycFilt.dll
2.40.4275
StdOle2.tlb
2.40.4275
OleAut32.dll
2.40.4275
Olepro32.dll
5.0.4275
ComCat.dll
4.71
Comdlg32.ocx
6.00.8418
MsComctl.ocx
6.00.8862
MsComct2.ocx
6.00.8804
RichEd32.dll
4.00.993.4
Richtx32.ocx
6.00.8804
Tabctl32.ocx
6.00.9043
St6Unst.exe
6.00.8450
VB6StKit.dll
6.00.8450
ttf16.ocx
6.1.5.12

The following files are installed to the application

directory (the directory you specified when installing
DataFit):
File
Version
----------------------Datafit.hlp
8.x
datafit.cnt
8.x
DataFit.exe
8.x
Tutor2D.dat
NA
Tutor3D.dat
NA
Tipofday.txt
NA
Readme.txt
NA
oakengr.htm
NA
The following files are created during installation and
execution of DataFit:
File
Description
--------------------------DataFit.gid
DataFit Help Related File
St*Unst.Log
Installation Log File
If you are running Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT/2000/XP
and want to remove DataFit from your machine, do the
following:
1. Click on Start/Settings/Control Panel.
2. Double Click the Add/Remove Programs Icon.
3. On the Install/Uninstall Tab, click on DataFit in the
list.
4. Click on Add/Remove
Warning: Some of the files distributed with DataFit are
shared files, which may be used by other applications. These
files should NEVER be deleted manually. Uninstalling DataFit
as recommended above checks to see if the shared files are
used by any other program installed on your computer and will
not delete them if they are in use. If you delete these files
manually, your system may become unstable. The only files
that can be manually deleted safely by the user are the files
copied to the application directory.
____________________________________________________________
Section 7 - License, Distribution and Disclaimer
License Agreement:
The evaluation version of DataFit is provided free of charge
to the user for evaluation purposes only. The evaluation
copy may be redistributed to others for evaluation purposes,
but it must not be altered in any way and cannot be
redistributed as part of another system.
To continue to use DataFit after the 30-day evaluation
period, you must purchase the software in order to
continue using it.

Distribution:
Anyone distributing the evaluation version of DataFit for
any kind of remuneration must first contact Oakdale
Engineering at the address below for authorization. This
authorization will be automatically granted to
distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its
guidelines for software distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering DataFit immediately.
However, Oakdale Engineering must still be advised so
that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the
latest version of DataFit.
Oakdale Engineering
23 Tomey Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
USA
DISCLAIMER
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION ONLY, ON AN "AS IS"
BASIS. OAKDALE ENGINEERING DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
NEITHER OAKDALE ENGINEERING NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN
INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS
SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
SUCH SOFTWARE, EVEN IF OAKDALE ENGINEERING HAS BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS. THE PERSON
USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.