United Public Domain Gold 2/United Public Domain Gold 2.iso/utilities/pu083.dms/pu083.adf/ACE_DEMO/ACE_LOGGER/readme.doc

Text File | 1989-03-19 | 7KB | 177 lines

                     Applied Computing Enterprises
                         -- ACE_LOGGER --

November 12, 1987

This readme file contains some basic operational information about the
program pair ACE_LOGGER and ACE_LOGDEF.  Together, these two programs will
allow you to setup any type of log that you desire, whether it be for
contest or general radio operation.  With this program, there is no need
to buy specific programs to log specific contests as you will find readily
for the PC-DOS and MS-DOS machines.

These versions are for DEMO only.  They are fully operational except that
they will not add any new log data to the log files.  You may experiment
with the definition of new logs, test their layout appearance etc.  You may
also look at the sample CANAM log file (which happens to be my 1987 actual
log).  This will give you a sample of the duping and reporting features
as they currently exist in the program.

These programs are currently written in AMIGABASIC, although they are
currently under modification to compiled "C" code.  This has the advantage
of reduced size, increased speed and greater features (having full access
to the ROM Kernel in the computer).  The "C" version will be available in
about a month.  It will contain more advanced file selection and display
features via requestors to enhance the ease of use over the current version
as well as more efficient use of memory by dynamically allocating duping
memory as required.

Any person who decides to purchase the current AMIGABASIC
version will receive the upgraded "C" version upon completion for the cost
of media and shipping.

Should you care to purchase the program, because you find it worthwhile,
send $39.95 to

            Applied Computing Enterprises,
            924 Westbury Court,
            Sarnia, Ontario
            Canada   N7T 7R7

This will bring you the logging programs on 3.5" diskette with a printed
manual.

If you have any comments or suggestions for enhancements, drop me a line
and I'll see what I can do.  This program was tailored for the features
that I felt that I could use.  You may some additional ones.


ACE_LOGDEF Program

This program is used to define the characteristics of the log.  It gives you
the ability to custom design your log.  It allows you to define screen
layout, field prompts, field size, field entry order, field default values.
It will allow you to define the standard types of duping possibilities.  It
allows you to define report headers, print order and column position on the
printed page.  All of this adds up to you defining the log you want.

I have included a sample log definition, called CANAMA3.  This is the
definition that I used for the 1987 CANAM contest, A3 mode.  You can
add too or delete from this definition to experiment with the log definition
utility.

You should find the menu items fairly easy to follow.

1) Options -- Display/Modify Definition
              Look at and modify an existing log file layout and definition.
              This option has many suboptions once you get in for modifying
              a definition.  Just follow the prompts.

           -- Create a new definition
              Create a new definition from scratch.

           -- Startup options definition
              Define logging program startup options like default log to
              use, disk drive (or its label) to find it on etc.  It assumes
              that the file will be found in a subdirectory called "DATA".

2) Test Log
              This will display a log file layout and entry order so that
              you can get a "what you see is what you get" type display on
              your screen.

3) File Operations
           -- List current files
              Shows you all current definition files on your selected
              default drive in the DATA subdirectory.

           -- Delete a log definition
              Deletes a definition from the DATA subdirectory on your
              default drive.

4) Exit Pgm
              Guess what, this gets you out of the program!



ACE_LOGGER Program

This program is used to actually do the logging.  Once you have defined
your log, you need not ever run ACE_LOGDEF again, but use ACE_LOGGER only.

The following is a brief description of each menu item.  These are discussed
in much more detail in the full manual.

When the program starts, it will give you a full screen introduction, and
then note the definition file that it is reading.  If you have duping
enabled it will create a second window for duping.  The primary window is
created with the size that you defined.  The duping memory is loaded up with
existing log file entries on disk.  When this operation is complete, the
log entry blank will be displayed with the cursor in the first field for
data entry.

If you have a time field on the log entry display, it will show the current
system time.  It is updated each time a field in entered so that you will
always show a time close to the current time, but not eating up the system
with the overhead of continually updating this field.

To stop entering data use the <F3> key.  This will tell logger to quit
accepting data, close all open files and return to the menu.  If data has
been added the updated files will be written to disk.


Menu Items:

1) Data Entry -- Modify/Insert/Delete entry
                 These options work on specific entries in the log file.
                 They have been added so that you can go back and fix a file
                 that has incorrect data entered into it.

2) Start/Stop -- Start/Stop Logger
                 When you want to start the logger in earnest again for
                 entering new data you use this option.  When you have the
                 menu up, it will always show stopped.

              -- Enable/Disabled autoprint
                 This option allows you to print a new log entry to your
                 system printer as soon as the data is entered.  This may
                 make you feel better in case of a system disk failure.
                 See note below.

3) Print      -- by number
                 Will print your log in ascending QSO number

              -- sorted log
                 Will print your log in ascending alphabetical order of
                 call.

4) Files      -- Select new log
                 Allows you to move to a new log file definition.

              -- Clear a data file
                 Kills all log entries in this log.  Good for clearing out
                 last year's log, to start fresh this year, without having
                 to redefine the log.  Use the same definition, just kill
                 the data.

5) Exit Pgm
                Guess what, this again gets you out!!


NOTE:  Have you had trouble with read/write errors on your disk?  Well I
       have and in the middle of a contest.  Thus I have a modified version
       of the logging program that will simultaneously write to the DF0:
       drive plus one other that you define.  This way a single drive error
       will not kill your contest!!.


Have fun with this DEMO.  I hope you like the program.  Would appreciate
any feedback that you have.

Sincerely

Allan Ebert
VE3AXV
6)