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S A N D D ' S B O O K G U I D E
Version 1.3
Book Catalog & Library Software
Copyright 1992-1993 - Sandd Software
Written by Bertrand LaMarche
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0
What is Book Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
SETTING UP BOOK GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0
Distribution Diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1
Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2
Installing Book Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
Using the Mouse Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3.1
Program Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4
Screen Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.1
Speaker Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.2
DOS Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.3
Auto Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.4
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.5
Printer Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.6
VGA Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.7
Book Sort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.8
Auto Increment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4.9
FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0
Select Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1
Verify Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2
Modify Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4
Quit Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5
USING BOOK GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0
Adding Information to Your Data Base. . . . . . . . . . 4.1
Changing and Updating Information in Your Data Base. . . 4.2
Finding Information in Your Data Base . . . . . . . . . 4.3
Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.
Book Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.
Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.
Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.
Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.
REPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0
Report Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1
Report Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.A
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.B
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.C
Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.D
Select Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.E
Select Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.F
Heading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.G
Print Page Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.H
Left Margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.I
Print Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.J
Lines / Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.K
Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.L
Begin Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.M
Quit Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.N
MULTIMEDIA FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0
Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1
Paste Multimedia file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2
Multimedia Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3
Viewing Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3
PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0
Backups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2
Compatability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3
*** IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION ***
Sandd warrants the physical diskette(s) and physical documentation
provided with registered versions to be free of defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of ninety days from the date of order.
If Sandd receives notification within the warranty period of defects
in materials or workmanship, and such notification is determined by
Sandd to be correct, Sandd will replace the defective diskette(s) or
documentation.
The entire and exclusive liability and remedy for breach of this
Limited Warranty shall be limited to replacement of defective
diskette(s) or documentation and shall not include or extend to any
claim for or right to recover any other damages, including but not
limited to, loss of profit, data, or use of the software, or special,
incidental, or consequential damages or other similar claims, even if
Sandd has been specifically advised of the possibility of such
damages. In no event will Sandd Software's liability for any damages
to you or any other person ever exceed the lower of suggested list
price or actual price paid for the license to use the software,
regardless of any form of the claim.
Sandd specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to, and implied warranty of
merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.
1. INTRODUCTION
Sandd's Book Guide "Book Guide" program for Personal Computers (PCs)
allows you to catalog your library of reading information.
You can use Book Guide to create one or more relational data bases
that contain information about books, or series of books, that you
want to keep track of. Book Guide lets you apply your own extended
comments about the books it contains, so you can be as detailed as
you like. Sandd has built great deal of flexibility into the program
that allows you to find your data quickly.
Book Guide uses relational data bases that allow you to add, update,
and retrieve information. Book Guide will manipulate information
from these data bases that you put into the program. The data
that you keep in these data bases is entirely up to you, and you can
change the information as often as you like, and build reports for
viewing on the screen or printing on your printer. With the
purchase of Book Guide 3.1, you should have a 3/12 or 5 1/4 inch
diskette. This diskette contains the programs that set up, run, and
maintain Book Guide. You will use files stored on this diskette
to install Book Guide on your personal computer (note that these files
are in a compacted format; contained on the diskette is a program which
will install the files and then un-compress them). We recommend, as
does anyone else who sells you software, that you make backup copies
of the files that we send you in case some disaster with your PC causes
a loss of files.
1.1 What Is Book Guide
Sandd developed Book Guide to enable you to keep track of the Books,
Authors and Editors you are interested in. Book Guide's relational
data bases are interconnected, so after you enter information into
the "Book" data base, it's available to the other sections, too
ie. Authors and Editors. You don't have to build, say, a data base
containing information about Book Editors; the program will extract
the information about Editors from its relational data bases and
display it (or print it) at any time, for you.
Sandd's Book Guide is a PC based library that can catalog information
that relates book collecting and tracking. Data look-up is simple and
strait-forward. Each record holds information about each book.
2.0 SETTING UP AND USING BOOK GUIDE
2.1 Distribution Diskettes
Book Guide from Sandd is distributed on 3-1/2 or 5-1/4 diskettes. As with
any software you purchase, you should make backup copies of your diskettes
before you begin to work with Book Guide. See your DOS manual for more
instructions on how to make backup copies of diskettes. If you are
upgrading always back up your data files before installing the newest
version of the program.
2.2 Files
The Installation diskette contains the following files:
* BOOK.LZH - the Book Guide program files
* BOOKDAT.LZH - the Book Guide sample data files
* INSTALL.EXE - install program you need to run
* LHA113.COM - part of the install program
* README.DOC - Special Book Guide information
2.3 Installing Book Guide
On the disk labeled Book Guide Program, there is an install program.
Put this disk into your floppy drive and type "A:INSTALL". Follow the
instructions to install Book guide onto your Personal Computer.
Type B:INSTALL if the program is being installed from your B:\ drive.
If you have the shareware version simply unpack the program to a
directory on your hard disk and type "BOOK" to run the program.
2.3.1 Using the Mouse Interface
If you have a mouse connected to your Personal Computer, you can tell
Book Guide to use it by starting the program with a parameter. The
parameter is the word "mouse".
* Type BOOK MOUSE to enable the mouse to run in the program.
Simply move the cursor around with the mouse to highlight the selection
you want, then press the left-hand mouse button to select it. If you
press the right-hand mouse button, you back up, one level at a time.
Whenever this document tells you to use the left and right arrow keys
to move your cursor, you can use the mouse instead. Just use the mouse
to move the cursor around on the screen, then click the left-hand mouse
button to make your selection. The right-hand mouse button always exits
you from the current Book Guide panel. Both buttons are equal to the
page down key.
2.4 Program Settings
Once Book Guide has been installed onto your PC, take a few moments
and review the settings Book Guide uses. Run Book Guide and select
SETTINGS from the FILES menu to view or change the settings. This
feature allows you to alter the configuration that Book Guide uses.
Use the arrow keys to highlight "Settings" under the "FILES MENU"
and press <Enter>. Book Guide displays a pop-up panel in the center
of your screen called "Configuration". The program settings are
described below.
2.4.1 Screen Display
AUTODETECT, COLOR, or MONOCHROME. Normally you can leave
this set to autodetect, this will sense the type of monitor you have
and adjust the colors accordingly. If you are using a VGA White or a
Portable PC, you may want to experiment with the monochrome settings.
This setting may be easier to read.
2.4.2 Speaker Sound
This will control sounds from your internal PC speaker. Book Guide will
produce clicks and other sounds when you navigate throughout the program.
2.4.3 DOS Version
Use the left and right arrow keys to let Book Guide know if the DOS version
you are running is prior to version 3.0 or after.
2.4.4 Auto Save
Use the left and right arrow keys to turn Auto Save on and off.
Auto Save on will automatically save any database changes to disk.
Autosave off will ask to save any changes before they are saved.
2.4.5 Printer
select the type of printer you own. Choose Laser Printer or Dot
Matrix printer. If you have a laser printer then be sure to set
the Lines Per Page option to 60 lines for your reports. Dot Matrix
printers should use 66 Lines Per Page.
2.4.6 Printer Port
Select from LPT1, LPT2, or PRN. If you have problems printing, try
changing this item to PRN. This will allow DOS to handle all printing
requests. This may be necessary if you are on a LAN or have re-directed
the output to a serial printer through dos.
2.4.7 VGA Support
Enable or disable VGA support. If this is active and you have a VGA
monitor, Book Guide will fade screens in and out. There are two
speeds of fading, choose whichever you like. If you are running in
a partition such as windows set this to off.
2.4.8 Book Number Sort
Use the right and left arrow keys to select the sort type. Options
include Automatic/Standard. If Automatic is selected then the program
will try to sort book numbers by Dewy Decimal. If Standard is selected
then the program will do a standard sort by book number. If you change
this option then the database must be re-sorted for the change to take
effect. Re-sort the data with the verify files option.
Now that you have installed and configured Book Guide for your PC
you are ready to select a file.
2.4.9 Auto Increment
This option is usefull for adding books. If Auto Increment is off then
regular adding will be in effect. If on then the program will display
a menu during the ADD function, this menu will show the greatest book
number entered in the database for a particular series. To display a
book number select a series and the greatest number for that series will
be displayed. The display of the last book number entered for a given
series helps to avoid duplicate numbers in the database. Also by using
this feature you can avoid gaps in your numbering system.
3.0 FILES
Use the FILES PANEL to select your Book Data files and change directory
paths, make sure the your data files are not corrupted, modify the series,
change the program settings, and exit the program.
3.1 Select Files
To access the Select Files panel, use the arrow keys to highlight the
FILES on the Main Panel. The Select Files panel appears. The Book
Path Directory is highlighted. To select the current directory path
press <Enter>.
To add a new Book directory path, press the down arrow key to highlight
a blank line under the existing path and press the <Spacebar>. Type the
path name for the new directory. Make sure that you start with the drive
name (e.g., a:\pictures in our example). Book Guide will add the final
backslash "\" if you do not type it. Press <Tab> to highlight the blank
line below "Multimedia Data Path Directory", then press the <Space bar>.
Enter the path name of your multimedia files. To select a directory
highlight the one you want and press <Enter>. The selected or active
directory where the program will find the files is the top item displayed.
Press <Esc> or <Enter> on the first entry after file is selected.
3.2 Verify Files
If you suspect that your directories have become corrupted back them
up first! Next move the cursor to the "Verify Files" and press <Enter>.
Book Guide displays the "VERIFY DATA FILES" panel, which gives
you some reasons why catalogs can become corrupted. If you select a
new sort method, from the settings menu then use this option to
rebuild the index files. Choose to update and rebuild your data or
multimedia files. Highlight your choice and press <Enter> to begin.
After you see the message "Recovery Process Completed," note if there
were any errors. If there are errors run verify again to see if they
were fixed in the first run. Press <Escape> to return to the Main Menu.
3.3 Modify Series
Use the "Modify Series" selection to add/edit/delete a series name to your
Book series list. For example, to add the series "History" then move the
cursor to a blank item and type in "History". Press <Esc> and the program
will ask if you wish to save this series. Now when you add or edit a book
the new series will be displayed as one of your choice's for series.
To add a series name, access the "Modify Series" panel. The screen shows
all 43 choices. Use the arrow keys to move the highlight to a blank area
on the panel. Type the name that you want to use, then press the <Esc> key.
Book Guide will update its data base so that it contains the new series.
3.5 Quit Program
Use the EXIT selection to leave the program. Note that before you turn off
your PC, you should use the EXIT function to be certain that the program
saves any changes that you made to your data bases.
4.0 USING BOOK GUIDE
The following are some general rules to keep in mind when you are using
Book Guide. Move to the next field on a panel by pressing the down arrow
key or the <Enter> key, and move to the previous field by pressing the up
arrow key. Use of the <Spacebar>, <Insert>, <Delete>, <PgUp>
<PgDn>, <Enter> and of course <Escape> are the main control keys
in the program.
If you want to erase characters in a field, you can just type over the
letters that already occupy the space. Be aware, however, that any
characters already in a field will stay in the field unless you overtype
them, with other characters or with spaces. Note that the spacebar will
delete characters after the cursor, and the backspace key will delete
characters before the cursor. You'll get some interesting results if the
new information you are typing does not completely cover the old data.
Along the top of this Entry Panel are five selections:
* FILES
* LIBRARY
* REPORTS
* MULTIMEDIA
Each of these selections are described in a separate section in this
document. Use the left and right arrow keys to change selections, and
the up and down arrow keys to highlight the choices in the pop-up panels
that appear below each selection.
4.1 Adding New Information to Your Data Base
Sandd's Book Guide allows you to make your data base as large as your PC
will allow. You can include a great deal of information about each Book.
You add new information to Book Guide from the "Books" selection on the Main
Menu Panel under "Library". Book Guide's relational data base structure
automatically keys the information you enter to the appropriate places in
its data base structure. Use the following procedure to add information to
Book Guide. When you are working with Sandd's Book Guide, you can erase
characters that you have typed by using the backspace key, or use the left
arrow key and overtype. You move to the next field blank by pressing the
<Enter> key.
Under "Library" on the Main Menu, highlight "Books" and press the <Enter>
key. There is a brief delay while the software loads. In a few seconds,
the "Book Guide File Maintenance" panel appears. Now press the Insert key
and Book Guide will add a new Book and let you begin to edit it.
NOTE: You cannot type information into the fields that are prepopulated.
Information is selected by using the <Spacebar> or the right and left
arrow keys. To view all of the choice's at once press <Enter> on the field.
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your choice and press <Enter>,
to abort press <Esc>.
Book Guide highlights the "Book Title" field. Type the name of the Book.
Press <F5> to modify the sort title. The sort title is created automatically,
but at times needs to be changes to reflect your preference for sorting.
If you know the name of the Editor, type that name into the highlighted
field and press <Enter>. If you don't know the Editor's name, just press
<Enter> to move on.
Book Guide highlights the "Year" field. Type the year in which the Book
was released and press <Enter>, or just press <Enter> to skip.
Book Guide highlights the "Series" field. This field is prepopulated
with a number of selections; you can see all the options by repeatedly
pressing the <Spacebar>. To view all the choices at once press <Enter>
and use the up and down arrow keys to select the series for this record.
When Book Guide displays the selection that you want, press <Enter>.
Selections here are created from the "Modify Series" Menu.
Book Guide accepts your selection and highlights the "Authors" field.
Type the names of the Authors who appear in the Book, up to 20 characters
and ten authors are allowed. After you type each name, press the <Enter>
key. When you have added all the names you want to, press the down arrow
or <enter> key to move to the next field.
To select the book format(s) use the <Spacebar> key. First select if the
book is Fiction or Non-Fiction. Further define the book format with the
next field, your choices include:
Hard Cover
Paper Back
Library
Cassette
Magazine
Paper
Other
Next there is a place to rate the book with a star rating. This field
is pre-populated, use the <Spacebar> to toggle each field. Press the
<Spacebar> repeatedly until you see the rating you want to use for this
book, then press <Enter>.
1/2
*
* 1/2
**
** 1/2
***
*** 1/2
****
****1/2
The edition of the book can be toggled with the <Spacebar>. The range is:
1st edition to the 99th edition.
The number of pages in the book can be typed in by you. Only numbers are
allowed in this field. Press <Enter> to go to the Edition field.
Type in the price (numbers only) into this field. If you want to track the
value of your collection enter a number in the value field. Next to the
value field is the condition field. With this field you can toggle between
NEW to WORN with more choices in between.
The Reading field is unique in that is reveals the status of your involvement
with the book. Choose between:
Finished reading this book
I want to read this book
Have not read this book
The book number is important in two ways. First the book number is used as
a way to lookup your books (Sorting). Second this can be used to track if
the book is in your personal library, since usually only books you own would
be assigned a book number. You can input letters or numbers in this field.
To use the book number with a Dewy decimal sort use standard Dewy input.
If you want to use your own cataloging system the program will still sort
by book number. You can use letters and numbers and dashes to distinguish
your catalog.
In the settings part of the program you can choose the sort type. Usually
it can be left in the "Automatic" mode. If automatic is selected then the
program will try to determine if the book number is Dewy or standard and
sort each differently.
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is optional.
Type the publisher's name in the publisher field.
Book Guide highlights "Description". Add any description you want. Be sure
to press the <Enter> key at the end of each line. Also, if data already existed
in this field, be careful when you are typing. The new letters you type will
overlay the existing characters; If your new entry does not completely change
the old, use the <Spacebar> to erase the old characters, or you will end up
with extraneous characters in the field.
Book Guide highlights the bottom block on the screen, the "Description"
field in which you can enter your own description (and opinion!) of the Book.
Type a brief description of the Book. You can type anything you want to, but
be sure to press the <Enter> key at the end of each line, since Book Guide
does not automatically wrap the text for you.
If what you want to type more than 7 lines, do not despair! Sandd provides
a facility that allows you to type up to 800 lines in the Description field
with the Extended Description field. If more than seven lines are in the
record than using the up and down arrow keys while viewing the data will
scroll the extended description in the seven line field.
The book description
Press the <TAB> key to start editing in "Extended Description". Book
Guide then shows you the "Extended Description" panel. Type to your heart's
content, but remember that the text does not wrap automatically; press the
<Enter> key to begin each new line. The number of lines that you have typed
appears in the lower right-hand corner of the panel. To insert a new line
press <F5> or to delete a line press <F6>.
After you have made the changes, press <Esc>. Book Guide opens a panel on
your screen that says "This Book has been modified, Save changes?" Press
"Y" to alter your relational data base, or press "N" to abort the procedure.
If autosave is on then changes are saved and no prompt is given.
When you have finished entering the text, press <Esc>. Book Guide saves
what you have typed (there is a short pause while the program saves your
changes), and returns to the book lookup screen.
Note that the Description section on the Book Data Base panel shows only the
first seven lines of the description if the description contains more than
seven lines. Everything is still there--press <TAB> to edit the entire
description. If you are viewing a book the description will scroll by
using the up and down arrow keys.
4.2 Changing and Updating Information in Your Data Base
After you have typed information into Book Guide's relational data base,
you can, of course, go back and change any or all of the information, or
delete information that you have already entered. Use the following
procedure to make changes to the relational data bases.
Use the left and right cursor keys to highlight "Books" under "Library."
Press the <Enter> key to start file maintenance.
Book Guide displays the list of Books currently in its data base, beginning
with the letter "A" (or as close to the letter "A" as it can get). Move
around in this list by using one or more of the following methods.
Press the Spacebar and type Twain, Book Guide will search for this book
title. You can also type a phrase or as little as one letter. Whatever
you type will be highlit where it is in the title. Press <Ctrl> + L
to find the next occurrence of the phrase you typed in the search string.
Use the left and right arrow keys to jump, one letter at a time, either
forward or backward in the alphabet. Along the bottom of the panel, from
left to right, are the letters of the alphabet, with the letter that begins
the highlighted Book highlighted.
Press the first letter of the first word in the Book title to jump to that
letter. For example, press "c" to jump to those books in the data base
whose first letter begins with "c".
Use the <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys to jump one screenfull of information
at a time. Use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor one book
title at a time.
When the cursor is highlighting the Book you want, press the <Enter> key.
Book Guide will search its data base, then display the information it has
for the book you selected. If more than three authors are entered than the
authors scroll. To view more of the description use the up and down arrows.
4.3 Finding Information in Your Data Base
While you are looking at the Main Panel, use the left or right cursor keys
to highlight "Library". Book Guide automatically highlights "Books".
Press the <Enter> key. Book Guide displays the "Book Guide File
Maintenance" screen, which contains an alphabetical list of the Book
titles currently in your data base.
Note the following features of this screen.
In the center of the screen is the cursor bar, which highlights the first
Book in the list. At the top of the screen, Book Guide shows you information
about the Book:
Below the list is a bar containing letters of the alphabet; the highlighted
letter is the first letter that appears in the book title. At the bottom of
the screen appears information about navigating in the data base. Use the
<PgUp> and <PgDn> keys to jump, one screen at a time, backward or
forward in the data base. The <Esc> key, as usual, backs you up one
level, in this case back to the Book Guide Main Menu screen.
The up arrow key moves the cursor up one selection on the screen. The down
arrow moves the cursor forward on the screen, or forward to the next screen.
The left and right arrow keys move to the next letter in the alphabet.
The current letter is highlit when compared to the other letters.
When you press the <Enter> key, Book Guide displays the detailed
information that it has about the Book that is highlighted (the
information contained in the Book Data Base). Use the list to locate
a particular Book in your data base, highlight the name with the cursor
bar, and press the <Enter> key. Under the "Library" selection at the
top of the screen are the following selections.
* Books - Books sorted by title
* Book Numbers - Books sorted by book number
* Authors - Alphabetical listing of all Authors and Editors
* Series - Lists Books by a particular series
* Search - Search the Book database
A. Books
Use the "Books" selection to find Books by title. This is also where
you can add, change, or delete Books in the file.
B. Book Numbers
Use the "Book Number lookup" selection to find Books sorted by number.
Books without a book number are shown after the books with a number.
From this area of the program one can add, change, or delete books in
the file. Use the arrow keys to select the book you want. Press <Space>
to search for a book number, after the book is found then press the
<Enter> key to view more about the book. To edit the book press the
<Tab> key. This is a good place to view only books you own if you
only add a book number to any book that you do own. Since books with-
out a book number will be displayed after book with a book number your
collection will be at the "top of the file".
C. Authors
Use the "Authors" selection to find the Authors and Editors that the data
base contains. To access this portion of Book Guide's data base, use the
arrow keys to highlight "Library", then move to the menu that displays
"Authors" and press <Enter>. Book Guide displays a panel that contains
up to three columns.
At the left side of the panel are the names, listed in alphabetical order.
Near the center of the screen is the number of times that a name appears
in the relational data bases. In the third column is the name "Author"
or "Editor or Both".
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor bar forward (toward
the beginning of the alphabet) or backward (toward the end of the alphabet).
To search for a person press <Space> and input the search string.
You can also use the <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys to jump, one screen at a
time, in either direction. When you have highlighted the Author, Editor
you want, press <Enter> to see a screen containing more details
about the books that person is connected with. This screen shows the
person's name in the upper right, and the book titles associated with
the Author/Editor found.
Use the cursor keys to highlight these books and press <Enter> to see the
book or event that pertains to the Author/Editor found.
D. Series
When you highlight "Series Lookup" and press <Enter>, Book Guide shows a
list of all series names under which the Books have been entered. Use the
arrow keys to highlight the series you are interested in, then press Enter>
to see the Books in the data base that were entered with that series name.
If you press <Enter> while a Book name is highlighted, Book Guide shows
you the Book Data Base panel for that Book. If you have added more Authors
than the screen can show, Book Guide will match the names from right to
left, showing you all the names that appear in the field.
E. Search Books
Use the "Search Books" selection to query your data base. When you
highlight "Search Books" and press <Enter>, Book Guide shows you the
"Search Book File" screen. Each of the fields shown enables you to
limit the search.
Fill in as few or as many fields as you like and press the <F5> key to
begin the search. Note that the larger your data base, the longer the
search will take. Press <Esc> to abort the search.
After Book Guide completes its search, it displays the "Book Guide Search"
screen, which contains the results of the search just made. In the center
of the screen is an alphabetical list of the Book names. The top portion
of the screen shows some details about the Book currently highlighted by
the cursor. The bottom of the screen shows the keys to use to move around
the "Book Guide Search" panel.
Press <Enter> to see details about the Book selected, or press <Esc> to back
out of the selection. A pop-up panel appears on the screen indicating the
search is in progress. When the search is complete Book Guide displays the
number of hits made in the data base. You can create a report from any
search. After selecting the search criteria and then searching, return to
the "Report Generator" screen and select last search to print of the books
that were found in the search.
5.0 REPORTS
Book Guide is capable of producing a number of reports, that you can look
at on your screen or print on your printer. Use the Reports Generator
selection to create and print reports about the information you have in
your catalogs. We suggest that when you specify all the report parameters
that you want, you view the report on the screen before you print it.
This can save paper, and can give you the opportunity to ensure that
the report is what you want.
5.1 Report Generator
Use the "Report Generator" selection to specify the parameters that you
want to use for your report. When you highlight "Report Generator"
and press <Enter>, Book Guide displays a menu of 10 reports that you
can customize or run. Press <Esc> to view a panel that allows you
to specify various parameters that can narrow the search and change
the way the report prints on your printer.
5.1.A Report Number
Press <Enter>. Book Guide can save up to 10 unique report types.
Select the number you want to print or change. Use the page up and
page down keys to change the report number. With this feature you can
set up reports the way you like and they are saved to disk. This makes
it easy to create your report at a later time since the report format
has been saved to disk.
5.1.B Description
The report description is used for your reference to give the different
reports unique names.
5.1. C Report Type
Highlight "Report Type" and press the return key. Book Guide will display
a panel on the right side of the screen that contains the following
selections. Use the up and down arrow keys to select one of the types,
then press <Enter>.
TITLE
If you select "Title", the report that Book Guide provides will be sorted
by the Book title.
BOOK NUMBER
If you select "Book Number", Book Guide will create a report sorted by
ascending numbers which you have assigned to your books.
SERIES
If you select "Series", Book Guide will create a report sorted by series.
This report is similar to catalogs used by book review magazines. Also,
you may elect to print a Table of Contents and Index with the series report.
LAST SEARCH
Book Guide remembers the parameters that you specified for the last search
you made, and uses them to make its current search.
5.1.D Format
Use "Report Format" to tell Book Guide how you want to see the report.
You have the following options.
* FULL DESCRIPTION
* SORT TITLE - YEAR - NUMBER
* TITLE - YEAR - NUMBER
* SORT TITLE - FORMATS
* SORT TITLE - PRICE - CONDITION
If you select "Full Description", Book Guide will print all the information
that it has in its data base. All the reports are shown below. These
five formats will print a single line per Book, except the full description
report.
5.1.E Select Books
You can use this setting to tell Book Guide which Books to print. All Books,
only Books with numbers, or Books without numbers. By using this feature,
you can print only Books in your library that have book numbers.
5.1.F Select Series
You can use this feature to tell Book Guide which series to print. You can
select any or all series. If the series has an asterisk next to it than it
will be selected.
5.1.G Heading
Whatever you enter in this area will be printed at the top of each page
printed.
5.1.H Print Page Number
You can elect to print page numbers on each page or omit them.
5.1.I Left Margin
You may set the number of characters as a left margin. Set this so the
reports are aligned on the page to your liking.
5.1.J Print Guide
This option only takes effect when you select a single line report.
You can turn on a guide which your eye can follow when reading across
the reports.
5.1.K Lines / Page
You can select the number of lines per page you want your reports to be
printed. Laser printers use 60 lines per inch and dot matrix use 66 lines
per inch. If you want to print in laser book format use about 40 lines
per inch.
5.1.L Output
You can select three ways to view or print the report you have selected.
PRINTER
This is the normal report format which directs the report directly to
your printer. This works for laser and dot matrix printers.
LASER 4 UP
If you have a laser printer, you can drastically reduce the number of
pages required to print the reports. Select this to print 2 pages on
a single side of paper. You will need to reload the paper when asked,
so the back side of the page can be printed. The report now folds neatly
giving you a handy report similar to a book.
SCREEN
It is a good idea to view the way the report will look before you actually
print it. Use this feature to view and scroll through the report before
you actually print it. Once you are happy with the way the report looks
and you want to print it, select either PRINTER or LASER 4 UP.
5.1.M Begin Report
After you have filled in the fields discussed below, highlight
"Create Report" and press <Enter>. Book Guide will create the report that
you have asked for.
5.1.N Quit Reports
When you have finished generating, viewing, or printing the reports you
want, use the arrow keys to highlight "Quit Reports" and press the <Enter>
key. Book Guide returns to the Main Menu. The <Esc> key also quits to
the main menu.
6.0 MULTIMEDIA FILES
Multimedia files are pictures or digitized images, sound files, or text
files stored electronically. If you have images associated with your
collections, or sound files, you can use Book Guide to display them.
Use the cursor keys or mouse to highlight "Multimedia Files" and press
<Enter>. Book Guide displays a list of the file names that have the
extension PCX,ROL,GIF,FLI. You can select any of these files for view
or play on your computer.
6.1 Database
Use this area to add and modify the multimedia files. This is where you
assign multimedia events to Books in your database. To add a new record
press <Insert>. From the Edit screen input the file you wish to tag to a
book record. Use the function keys listed at the bottom of the screen to
help you paste the necessary information.
6.2 Paste multimedia file
If you have picture files that match a record in the database then you
will have the option to view the data or a picture. To setup a picture
press <F6> from the multimedia edit screen and a listing of books will
be displayed. Select the book that is related to the picture and press
"P". Paste will attach the picture to the book in the database. Now
if a Book title, Author or Editors is found in the database the associated
picture can be displayed.
6.3 Multimedia Search
This will search your drive(s) for any multimedia files that may work
from inside the program. This information is stored in the multimedia
file. Book Guide displays a panel that allows you to specify the drive
where you have the files. Type the drives you wish to search and press
<Enter>. Book Guide searches and catalogs all the multimedia type files
found on the drive(s).
6.4 Viewing Pictures
After a picture is loaded to memory and displayed on the screen you can
change the resolution if a VESA driver is present. Select <F7> 320x200
<F8> 640x480 <F9> 800x600 <F10> 1024x768. To move the picture use the
arrow keys. To control the movement increments press minus & Plus.
7.0 Performance
There are a few ways to customize and enhance the performance of the
program. Since this is a database program disk cache is the best way to
speed up the feel of the program. If you have VGA then set VGA Support
to quick or slow fades, fading can be easier on the eyes. If you like to
use a mouse then start the program as "BOOK MOUSE" to enable the mouse.
Turn Autosave on to add or edit data without being prompted to save your
data. When editing notes about the book use the full screen view of notes.
This view allows adding and deleting of lines and is easier to use.
To run Book Guide in a Dos partition set a minimum of 512K, to view any
pictures full screen mode would be required.
7.1 Backups
To perform a full backup of your data files copy all files with an extension
of .DAT to your backup disk. From these files Book Guide can recover your
database with a simple rebuild from the Verify Files menu. We recommend that
you compress the "*.DAT" files first and then store them to your
backup disk to save disk space. If you use a full backup program then that
program will most likely compress and store the data files on it's own.
To copy the data files to your A drive use the Dos copy command example >
COPY *.DAT A:\
7.2 History
Nov 1992 - Version .9 is beta tested by computer people, librarians and
book collectors.
Feb 1993 - Version 1.0 is released as shareware
May 1993 - Version 1.1 is released with enhanced lookup feature. Also
all problem reports are solved.
Sept 1993 - Version 1.3 released with automatic last tape number lookup for
adding. A value field is added and a value report is added.
A new report Title-Author-Edition is added. Improved searching
now includes all fields in the database. Greatly enhanced
picture support for higher resolutions and full GIF viewing.
7.3 Compatability
All data files are fully compatible with the newest version of Book Guide.
To update data files from an older version to the newest release follow the
three steps below.
1) Backup your data files
2) Run the new version and select the file directory where your old files
are located, select "VERIFY FILES" from the "FILES" menu.
3) Select "VERIFY" and run "VERIFY BOOKS"
After the books have been verified your database should be updated to the
latest version.