DP Tool Club 17/CD_ASCQ_17_101194.iso/vrac/comimg16.zip/INSTN.DOC

Text File | 1994-08-03 | 16KB | 413 lines

                        COMIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

                          SHAREWARE VER. 1.6
                           Released 05/05/94

                         PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS

   Mertech Consulting Copyright (c)  1993, 1994 All Rights Reserved


NOTICE:

This software product is copyrighted under Title 17 U.S. Code of
United States Copyright Law and all rights are reserved by Mertech
Consulting.  Mertech Consulting grants you without charge the
right to reproduce, distribute and use copies of this
"Shareware" version of our COMIC Management program, on the express
condition  that you do not receive any payment, commercial benefit,
other than consideration for such reproduction or distribution, or
change is license agreement or copyright notice.

The rights to receive any such financial or other benefit, and to
modify the product or its components, are reserved exclusively by
Mertech Consulting, Inc.

This SHAREWARE version is supplied fully functional, so that you
may test and try it before you buy.   You can purchase the program
directly from:

                        Mertech Consulting
                           6 Bates Drive
                   Port Jefferson Sta., NY 11776
                    Telephone No. [phone]

The registered copy is supplied with several module additions that
give you complete file maintenance (duplication, file packing,
etc.) order processing, and file viewing prior to printing feature.

The program organizes, inventories, and evaluates your COMIC
collection.  The program tracks your collection offering a variety of
search options.  Print out or view information meeting
your selection criteria, maintain data files, Search, Find, and Mark
records for view or printout. Backup and Restore feature and access to
DOS from within program help maitain file integrity.


THE PROGRAM IS MENU DRIVEN.

              YOU SIMPLY SELECT FROM MENUS AND TABLES
                  AND ENTER INFORMATION ON FORMS.

2.0  HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS.

The COMIC Management program runs on any IBM compatible computer; AT
286 or higher with at least 470K of available ram.





Other requirements are: MS-DOS 3.1 or higher.  A hard drive with
capacity to load the program, 1 Megabyte, and sufficient space to
store the amount of  records you intend to place into the system.
The program is very efficient in use of storage space. The number
of  records it can store is only limited by the available capacity
of the hard drive; e.g., a 40 megabyte hard drive can store at the
minimum 30,000 records.

A dot matrix printer.  A HP laserjet or compatible is also
supported.

3.0  GETTING STARTED

Make a backup copy of your original disk.

             ****THE PROGRAM IS NOT COPY PROTECTED****

Use the DOS commands or any standard disk copy program.

4.0  INSTALLATION

4.1  INSTALLATION FOR REGISTERED VERSION

Insert the program disk in your floppy disk drive.  Address the
floppy disk drive A: or B:.

                   A:\> or B:\>

with the cursor box blinking next to the '>', Now all you have to
do is type:

                   INSTALL

Press <ENTER> key  (on some PCs called "RETURN" key).


The computer will now run the install program which includes a step-
by-step quided procedure for expanding the program files, copying them
to the directory you name, and changing your autoexec.bat file and
config.sys file as you wish.

NOTE: YOUR CONFIG.SYS must be setup for at least:

                   BUFFERS=20
                   FILES=50

If you reconfigure CONFIG.SYS, reset your computer at the completion
of the installation procedure.

The command COLLECT starts the program from your chosen directory, for
example, C:\COMIC.  All files related to the program will be
maintained in this directory.

4.2  INSTALLATION FOR SHAREWARE VERSION

Your config.sys must be setup for at least:

       BUFFER=20
       FILES=50

If you change config.sys, reset your computer after this installation
and prior to running the program.

The file which you have downloaded or retrieved from disk is a
compressed ZIP file.  Most likely you have expanded file in a working
directory inorder to retreive this manual along with other ASCII files
and the self-extracting Comimg.EXE.

Create a directory on your fixed drive that you will use for the
program files, e.g. c:\COMIC, or whatever name you chose.  Copy the
self-extracting Comimg.EXE to the directory you have created and
execute the EXE, that is type Comimg. Executing COMIMG.EXE
automatically expands all program files.

The command "Collect" starts the program.  All files related to the
program will be maintained in this directory.


5.0  PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The program maintains separate data files along with sort keys and
memo data:

Data file extensions are <filespec>.DAT

Associated keys are <filespec>.K01, K02, etc.

Memo files are <filespec>.MEM

The main data file is COMIC.DAT

DESIGN FEATURE

Program automatically rebuilts keys (<filespec>.K0n) on loading.

If a COMIC, CATEGORY, WRITER, ARTIST, CHARACTER OR GRADE file is
deleted you data is lost, however, the file structure is rebuilt on
loading and you can start entering new data for that file.

                                WARNING
            DO NOT DELETE CONTROL.DAT OR SYSGEN.DAT FILES.
           THEY WILL NOT BE REBUILT AND SUBSEQUENTLY PROGRAM
                           WILL NOT OPERATE.

With the above in mind, use the programs BACKUP/RESTORE feature
liberally.  You can BACKUP data and associated keys on to floppies at
any point and RESTORE the same data and keys whenever you wish.
Individual files and keys can be copied from hard disk to floppies
using the DOS access feature (function key F4 on the maintenance
menu). NOTE: keep data and related files together.

The program is supplied with a sample file so that you may immediately
get a feel for how it works.  This file can be deleted and you can
start anew. Remember the file will automatically be restructured along
with associated key files. System auto File No. assignments will go
back to 0000001.

The COMIC Management program is designed primarily around the use of
three types of screens:  MENUS, TABLES, and FORMS. This type of
programming design facilitates easy of use and quick entry
and location of data.

The general use and application of this design is given in the
following paragraphs. Specific application of the screens is
described in the manual that is supplied with the registered copy.

         ***THE PROGRAM CONTAINS EXTENSIVE HELP SCREENS***

5.1  MENUS

MENUS allow you to make your selection from one of several
options.

You make a selection by moving a highlighted bar to your selection
with the cursor arrow keys.

Once you have highlighted your selection, pressing the <ENTER> key
will bring you to either a sub-menu for additional optional
choices or execute the particular operation.

5.2  TABLES

Tables display several key items of a file in a scrolling table
format.

EACH DATA FILE HAS AN ASSOCIATED SCROLLING TABLE

By means of the table you can select information previously stored
in the system in order to perform a specific action; change it,
delete it, or select it for entry into the main COMIC file.

Tables are also frequently used as the first step in adding new
information, updating existing information, or deleting
information no longer needed.

While a table is displayed, pressing the <INS> key allows you to
"insert" a new information record.

Highlighting a particular item and pressing <ENTER> displays a
Data Entry form screen for updating the record.



If the table was displayed as a "lookup" aid while you were
filling in information on a data entry form, pressing the <ENTER>
key selects the item and inserts it automatically in the form (or
as in some cases pressing a designated function key, i.e. F2).

If you want to update an item while a "lookup" table is displayed,
press <ENTER> key or (the designated function key).  The selected item
form is displayed for viewing or modification.

5.3  FORMS

Forms are conventional data entry screens that display prompts and
fields into which you enter new information to become a file
record.

A form on the screen is very much like a form on paper.  There are
titled prompts and spaces (fields) for you to fill in.

In a form, you may move from one field to another by pressing the
arrow keys or by pressing <ENTER> or <ESC> keys. (Some fields must
have an entry before you can move to the next.)  The down arrow or
the <ENTER> key saves the information in the present field and
proceeds to the next (generally in a left to right or top to
bottom, fashion).  If you press the up arrow or the ESC key, the
changes to the present field are discarded and the cursor backs up
to the previous field.  The exception to this rule is multi-line
"Memo" fields.  To back out of a Memo field you must press the
<ESC> key.

If you have filled in part of a screen and would like to save it
as displayed without pressing the <ENTER> key for each remaining
field on the screen, simply press <F9> or <CTRL><ENTER>.
Similarly, If you would like to discard all changes to the p
resent entry form, press <F10> or <CTRL><ESC>.  You then quit the
current procedure without saving the changes to the field in the
current form.  If you were working in a pop-up window,  you are
instantly returned to the preceding or underlying window.

There is a fourth type of screen that combines the table with the
form.  It has both information to be entered as in a form and to
be displayed in the conventional table manner; that is a scrolling
list.  The "New Data Entry" screen is a combination form/table.

6.0     PROGRAM OPERATION

Purchasing the registered program provides you with a complete
manual.  The manual includes detailed operating instructions.  The
program, however, has been designed with extensive help screens.
Just press F1 in most areas of the program and a help screen
is displayed.  Programs inherent design offers easy of use.

If you have a problem in operating this shareware, give us a call
and we will be glad to help you.


PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION

You can order the program from:

Mertech Consulting, 6 Bates Drive, Port Jefferson Sta., NY 11776.
Phone [phone]. (Use Order form included on disk.)

When you purchase the program you become a registered user.  Several
enhancements are included with registered copy in addition to our full
and devoted support.  Also all shareware and copyright displays are
removed.

                               APPENDIX

The COMIC Management  program takes advantage of many of the special
keys on your computer keyboard. When we refer to one of
these keys in this manual we will indicate that it is a special
key by enclosing the name of the key in angle brackets, like so:
<KEY>.
                   <ESC> "Escape" key, usually located at the top
left, or near the number pad on the right.  While in a data entry
field, pressing the <ESC> key before pressing <ENTER> will cause
your additions to the field to be discarded.  In other parts of
the program it functions like the <F10> key described below.

                   <F1> Function key at the left side or top of
your keyboard.  The <F1> function key will display context-
sensitive help for the screen currently displayed.

                   <F2> This is the "lookup" key.  Whenever you
are in a field that is preceded by an arrow (  ) you can display a
"lookup table" containing your currently available choices for
the field.  While the table is displayed you can also add a new
choice to the table by pressing <INS>, if it does not already
exist. See the section on TABLE screens for more details. This
allows you to build up data file such as for players and issuers .

                   <F7..F8>  These keys function differently at
different points of the program.  If they are active, their
function will be displayed on the screen, generally at the bottom
or the top.

                   <F9>This is the "save" or "accept" key.  It
will record any changes you have made to the current screen and
proceed to the next logical procedure. If a lookup table is
displayed, pressing <F9> will select the highlighted item for u
update.
                   <F10>This is the "go backward" key.  It will
discard changes to the current screen and return to the previous
procedure.  If you press <F10>  you will exit from the program.

                   <INS>The "Insert" key shares the "0" with the
number pad (make sure the (make sure the NUM LOCK light is off)
and may also have a key of its own.  Throughout the program,
pressing the <INS> key while in a data entry field will toggle between
overtype and insert modes.

                   <DEL>The "Delete" key shares the "." on the
number pad and may have a key of its own.  It usually deletes the
characters on which the cursor is located.

                   <HOME>The "Home" key shares the "7" on the
number pad and may have a key of its own.  While in a data entry
field, the <HOME> key moves the cursor to the beginning of the
current entry field.

                   <END>The "End" key shares the "1" on the number
pad and may have a key of its own.  While in a data entry field,
the <END> key moves the cursor to the end of the current entry
file.

                   <Pg Up>The "Page Up" key shares the "9" on the
number pad and may have a key of its own.

                   <Pg Dn>The "Page Down" key shares the "3" on
the number pad and may have a key of its own.

                   <ENTER>The "Enter" key is the one in the
position of the carriage return on the typewriter.  On some
keyboards there may be a second <ENTER> key on the far right, next
to the number pad.  You may use them interchangeable.  Sometimes
this key is called the <RETURN> key.
                   <CTRL>The "Control" key, located on the left
side of the keyboard, or on either end of the space bar, does
nothing b y itself.  It is a kind of shift key that modifies the
function of another key pressed at the same time, or while <CTRL>
is pressed.  A common combination we will be <CTRL> <ENTER>,
which means press the <CTRL> key, hold it down, and then press the
<ENTER> key.

                   <CTRL><ESC>Same as <F10>.

                   <CTRL><ENTER> Same as <F9>.

                   <MINU><MINUS>Pressing the <MINUS> key on the
keypad (or the hyphen while entering a number will complete the
entry and change the arithmetic sign of the entry to negative.  In
other words, if you enter the number '100' and then press the
<MINUS> '100" will become '-100' and the cursor will go to the
next field.

                   <PLUS>Pressing the <PLUS> key on the keypad (or
on the main keyboard) while entering a number will complete the
entry and change the arithmetic sign of the entry to
positive.  In other words, if you wanted to change the sign of the
 number '-100' , just move to that field and press the <PLUS>. The
 '100' will become '100' and the cursor will go to the next field.
 If you wanted to change the value as will, type in the new number
 before pressing the <PLUS>.

                   <CTRL><HOME>      Pressing the <CTRL> and
<HOME> keys at the same time will clear the entry in the current
field.

                             <CTRL><END> Pressing the <CTRL> and
<END> keys at the same time will erase from the cursor position to
the end of the current field.

                   <CTRL><RIGHT      Pressing the <CTRL> and
<RIGHT ARROW> keys a the same ARROW>time will advance the cursor
to the first letter of the next word in a memo entry field.

                   <CTRL><LEFT>      Pressing the <CTRL> and <LEFT
ARROW> keys at the same ARROW>time will advance the cursor
to the first letter of the previous word in a memo entry field.
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