GENERAL HELP
~~~~~~~~~~~~

 File Requester info.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some of the functions in PowerBase present you with a file requester.
This file requester has now been updated to the latest Amivision
Software file requester and is far more user friendly than the standard AMOS
requester.
For those who have not come across this requester before , here is
a brief description of its operation:

The device names are displayed in boxes ie DF1: DF0: RAM: . If there is
no disk in a drive then the box for this device will not be shown. To
get a listing of a device simple click the corresponding box when the
disk is not being accessed. Boxes will only appear for the devices you
have connected to your system , so Dh0: will not appear unless you have
a Hard disk drive connected.

To view inside a directory (ie df0:C/) you should double click on the
directory in the list.

The PARENT button takes the directory back to the previous path
(i.e "PowerBase:Files/" then click the PARENT symbol and the directory
will change to "PowerBase:").
The slider bar allows you to view all of the current directory.
A file can be chosen by clicking its name and then either clicking its
name again or clicking the O.K button.


QUIT - cancels the selection of a file.

SET DIR - is equivalent to the CD command in CLI or the DIR$ command in
          AMOS and sets the current directory to the default directory.


That is just a short run down of the file selector and more can be
found out just by using the requester.


If you have the preference option (Record slider bar) set to ON and you
have some records in your database you will see a slider bar above the
V.C.R style panel. This bar allows quick and easy access to your
records.



 Instructions for beginners
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 * A database or a database file consists of records and each record
   consists of several fields.

   e.g.  You could store the details of your book collection etc.etc.

         Firstly decide what the fields will be ie. Name of the book ,
         author , publisher , price etc.

         Then you enter the records , ie the information.

         Name of the book : Charlie and the chocolate factory
         Author : Roal Dahl
         Publisher : Puffin
         Price : 3.99


 * The best tip for beginners is not to try and use too many of
   PowerBase's features at once. Just use the ones you specifically
   need and then slowly you can learn to use the more poweful
   features.


 * You will notice that there is no add record option this is because
   this is done for you. If you have 10 records in your file all with
   information in them , then record 11 will be blank and has been
   added for you.


 * Save your database quite regularly to ensure you do not lose all of
   the information in event of a power cut or a software failure etc.

 * Use the timed autosave feature.


 * If you do set the passwords please write them down somewhere just
   in case you forget them and get locked out of your own database!

 * If you do get locked out of your databases becuase you can`t remember
   the password then contact me (Steven Rennocks) because I have a
   solution.

 * Press {HELP} when on the main screen for more information


 * If you have any problems with POWERBASE then don't hesitate to
   write to me enclosing a SAE (Address is on the about author option).



 DISPLAY BAR AT TOP OF SCREEN
 ----------------------------

 This shows the version of Powerbase you are running.
 The file you have loaded.
 The date
 The time
 Alarm set. An * is shown next to the time if the alarm is set.
 No. of fields

 The gadget on the far right of the display bar is the screen size
 gadget.  Clicking on this once will reduce the display to just the
 display bar and the rest of the screen will be black.  This is to
 prevent damaging your monitor.  Clicking the gadget again will restore
 the screen to its original size.

 The last but one gadget on the right is the bring to front / send to
 back gadget.  Clicking this once will send the PowerBase screen to the
 back of all other open screens such as workbench etc. so that you can
 access other programs (multitasking).

 ** To bring PowerBase back to the front you must press LEFT AMIGA and
    A  (Sorry about this combination , it is not my fault!)

 The gadget on the left of the display bar is the close gadget ie QUIT
 if you do click this it will ask you if you really wish to QUIT just
 in case you have accidentally selected this.



 ** Your name and address has been encoded into this program and so any
    unauthorised distribution of this disk can be traced to you!!!

    Software piracy is theft.



 ** Phone or write to me for details of the latest updates




 Steven Rennocks , 1 Cherrington Drive , Great Wyrley , Walsall ,
 West Midlands, WS6 6NE , England.
