Calculations

One of the most useful calculation programs I have used in my practice through the years is an old DOS based calculator called PerSense.  When I originally acquired this program, it was marketed by the publisher of Timeslips under the name Percent Edge, and as I recall sold for around $100.  I got my copy from my father, a CPA, long before I was even a lawyer, and have moved it from computer to computer as I have upgraded machines over the years.  It will produce present value calculations, amortization tables, compute pre– and post– judgment interest, and even tell you whether it is better lease or buy.  Thankfully, windows has allowed me to continue to use this DOS program, however printing has become something of a challenge, requiring me to save a printout in a .txt format, then retrieve it in a word processor, and try to make the spacing print properly.  Recently I was happy to discovery that the author of the program has written a Windows based version of the program.  What’s more, the program is available for free at http://www.persense.org/.  The free version has full functionality except printing and saving files, which can be unlocked for the purchase price of $70.  In my experience this is a solid program, and I was happy to pay the $70 purchase price just so I could enjoy Windows based printing.