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Gold Medal Software - Volume 3 (Gold Medal) (1994).iso
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INTRO_S.HLP
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╒═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
│ Introduction │
╘═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛
Welcome to DOCTOR DATA File, a comprehensive, professional and
user-friendly datadase manager for mailing lists, sales management,
hobbies, or anything else. Up to 1 BILLION records can be stored in
a single database file (dBASE III) up to your drive's capacity.
We encourage and welcome you to evaluate this program to see if it
will meet your database management needs. This version of DOCTOR
DATA File is Shareware, meaning that you may share copies with others
for their evaluation. However, this program is NOT FREE SOFTWARE! If
you paid a Shareware distributor for this program you paid for the
cost of distribution - not for the program itself. As you find this
program useful and continue to use it, you are asked to register by
completing and returning the order form in this manual or call (602)
246-8907 to place your order with a Visa or Master Card. If you
continue to use this program without registering, you are destroying
the shareware concept of marketing software and breaking the law. And
if enough people did this, shareware would cease and desist.
Since August of 1987 we've been developing DOCTOR DATA Label
(DDLabel). Through the years DDFile has received a lot of praised for
its mailing list management features but through the years we have
often been asked if the database can be modified to include another
phone number field, date field, etc.. The answer sadly was always
no until DDFile!
DOCTOR DATA File (DDFile) is an update from DDLabel and is now MUCH
more than just a mailing list manager. With the introduction of
DDFile, the mailing list management features from DDLabel have been
retained and greatly enhanced PLUS you have complete control in
creating and modifying dBASE III files with user-friendly menu
selections. What this means is that you can customize the database
itself to your exact needs.
No matter what your database management need may be, from a Christmas
list to mass mailings, from recipes to coin or stamp collections,
DDFile can handle the job.
If you have questions as to whether something can be done with
DDFile, or if you have any suggestions on the program or this manual,
we want to hear from you. Also, if you don't understand some of the
terms used, don't be alarmed. They will all be explained in this
manual. This program was written for the novice computer user as well
as the professional.
Thank you
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Highlights of DOCTOR DATA File
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
* Perhaps the one most important feature in a database manager is the
ability to easily edit, add, delete, and locate records. This is
one of DDFile's most powerful features carried over from DDLabel.
* Use one of the database files provided or custom design one to fit
your particular needs. You are not required to use any fields you
don't want.
* Choose from over 980 printers from our master printer driver file
for custom printouts (available with registration).
* For all of you who are in sales and need to make call-backs, our
Tickler feature allows you to easily locate records of customers
who need to be contacted.
* Easily imports and exports most other lists. (dBASE III, ASCII
Delimited, or ASCII SDF).
* Any label you have will work with DDFile, even if a completely new
one were to come out tomorrow. You can fully customize the data to
print on any size labels (up to 9 across), postcards, Rolodex
cards, any size forms, stationary or anything else that will go
through your printer.
* Save 20% to 27% on postage costs using 9 or 11 digit POSTNET bar
codes. Requires HP Laserjet II, HP Deskjet, Epson (9 or 24 pin),
IBM Proprinter (9 or 24 pin), Toshiba (24 pin), Okidata Microline
Standard or any other printer that will emulate any of these.
* DDFile can print bulk and carrier route reports to accompany your
mailings.
* Use our built-in editor to create form letters and master
lists/reports or easily import your own.
* Duplicate records can be looked for either before or after they are
entered. The search is quickly done on up to 5 fields at one time.
* Duplicate records can either be automatically or manually deleted.
* Filter a file to create a sub-set of records based on field content
such as all Smith's in zip code 12345 or individually select them
as needed.
* Create up to 15 index files per database to sort your records any
way you like. These files are updated and selected automatically
each time you select a database.
* DDFile uses dBASE III compatible files which means they may be
accessed by dBASE III or any other program that uses dBASE III
files.
* DDFile can automatically enter the city, state and area code into
your records for you using Zippy(tm), our optional zip code
database. Simply enter the zip code and the rest is done for you.
If you enter a zip code with more than one city name, you will be
allowed to select the city name to use. If you enter a zip code
that belongs exclusively to a Post Office Box, "P.O. Box" will
automatically be inserted into the street address field that you
assign. Zippy saves about 25 keystrokes per record; paying for
itself in time saved. You can also cross-reference Zippy to look up
data on an area code, city or state. Zippy is available upon
registration.
It doesn't end here. You're going to find many more features and
benefits in DDFile that will be hard to find in any other program.
And if you've looked at any other programs on the market, you will
find that you will need to spend many times the price of DDFile to
find a program with comparable features and benefits. This is our
goal and ambition. Thank you for your interest in DDFile.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Disclaimer
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DOCTOR DATA SOFTWARE has taken great care in the writing of this
documentation and DOCTOR DATA File. In no event whatsoever will
DOCTOR DATA SOFTWARE be liable for damages of any kind, incidental or
consequential, in regard to or arising out of the performance or form
of the material in this manual and in DOCTOR DATA File. DOCTOR DATA
SOFTWARE makes NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY STATUTE OR
OTHERWISE, REGARDING THE DISKS AND RELATED MATERIALS, THEIR FITNESS
FOR ANY PURPOSE, THEIR QUALITY, THEIR MERCHANTABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
System Requirements
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DOCTOR DATA File v6.x requires an IBM PC\XT\AT\386\486 or compatible
computer with at least 512K RAM and DOS v2.1 or later and two floppy
drives (one of which must be at least a 720K drive). A hard drive is
not needed (except for Zippy), however is recommended because of it's
higher speed and larger capacity. If a hard drive is present, only
one floppy drive (of any size) is required. Also, DOS version 3.30 or
higher is recommended because of it's higher FILES setting capability
(see Appendix A).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Running DOCTOR DATA File
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The following files are distributed with DDFile. The only one needed
to run DDFile is DDFILE.EXE. The other DDFILE files are created if
not already existing.
DDFILE.EXE - This is the DOCTOR DATA File program.
DDFILE.DBF - Template Database used for printing labels, letters
and lists.
DDFILE.DBT - Part of DDFILE.DBF (memo field).
DDFILE.DEF - Default definition file.
STATES.TXT - State name and abbreviation file used by DDFILE.EXE.
INTRO_S.HLP - Introduction help file.
GETSTART.HLP - Getting Started help file.
EDITADD.HLP - Edit/Add Records help file.
FILTER.HLP - Creating a Filter help file.
INDEX.HLP - Indexing help file.
PRNLLL.HLP - Printing Labels Letters Lists help file.
PRNREP.HLP - Printing Reports help file.
DUPS.HLP - Duplicate Checking help file.
IMPEXP.HLP - Import/Export help file.
CREATMOD.HLP - Create/Modify Database help file.
FILEMNGT.HLP - File Management help file.
MISCUTIL.HLP - Miscellaneous Utilities help file.
GENSETUP.HLP - General Setup help file.
APPENDIX.HLP - Appendix help file.
GLOSSARY.HLP - Glossary help file.
The SAMPLE files consist of the four types of files created each time
you create a database. The DBT file will be created and needed only
if the database contains one or more memo fields. The following four
files are important if you are new to computers or simply want to be
able to start using DDFile without first creating and setting up a
database of your own.
SAMPLE.DBF - Sample database (same as DOCTOR DATA Label v5.0 and
v5.1 database)
SAMPLE.DBT - Part of SAMPLE.DBF (memo field(s)).
SAMPLE.DF1 - Definition memory file for SAMPLE.DBF database.
SAMPLE.DF2 - Definition database file for field placement for
SAMPLE.DBF database.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Users of DDLabel
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have any database files from any version of DDLabel, they may
be easily and quickly imported into DDFile for their immediate usage.
They do not have to be imported because they are dBASE III files and
DDFile can access any dBASE III file. However, if you do not want to
setup the database (design the screen, position the fields, and
assign the fields), you will want to import them into a database that
is already setup. The SAMPLE.DBF file is such a file. It is setup
just like the DDLabel files. This file is provided to allow easier
and faster upgrading from DDLabel.
To import your old DDLabel files into the SAMPLE.DBF file, first
select the SAMPLE.DBF file with "Select/Close Database File" in the
main menu. Next, select "Import/Export dB3/ASCII Files" from the main
menu then refer to "Importing & Exporting" in the on-line
documentation.