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1991-07-13
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M O V I E G U I D E D O C U M E N T A T I O N
T A B L E of C O N T E N T S
Title Section #
Introduction - - - - - - - - - 1.0
Requirements 2.0
Recommended Hardware - - - - - - - 2.1
Installation 3.0
Backups - - - - - - - - - - - 3.1
Floppy Installation 3.2
Hard Drive Installation - - - - - - 3.3
Setting Up The Program 3.4
How To Use The Program - - - - - - 3.5
Operation 4.0
Info - - - - - - - - - - - - 4.1
Data Base 4.2
Reports - - - - - - - - - - - 4.3
Verify 4.4
Exit - - - - - - - - - - - 4.5
License 5.0
Getting the most - - - - - - - - 6.0
Quick-easy start-up 7.0
Movie 2.1 users - - - - - - - - 8.0
Acknowledgments 9.0
Share the word - - - - - - - - - 10.0
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The History of "Movie" started in 1985 as a personal D-BASE (c)
program with all the basics. Time and the advent of greater
computer power contributed to today's program. The roots began
as simply a better way to keep movies. Starting with a handmade
cabinet and a fine understanding of how movies are stored the
drawing board was set. The first version of Movie brought many
suggestions for improvement and enhancement. User support was
tremendous. A new drawing board was constructed and coding began.
Version 2.1 added new data base power and the foundation for today's
program. Today, version 3.0 steps into the multimedia arena.
2.0 REQUIRED HARDWARE
* CPU: IBM PC/XT/AT/PS2/386/486 and true compatibles.
* Memory: 512K
* Operating system: MS-DOS (C) - PC-DOS Version. 3.0 or newer.
* Text: Monochrome
* Graphics: CGA/EGA/VGA
* Disk: 2 360K disks or 1 720K Floppy
* Printer: Any printer
2.1 RECOMMENDED HARDWARE
* 80286 CPU or greater
* 640K Memory
* VGA display
* Hard drive
3.1 INSTALLATION
The following files comprise the movie system:
. MOVIE.EXE - Main program
. MOVIE.DAT - Main data file
. MOVIE.IDX - Main index file
. MOVIE.DOC - Documentation file
. MOVIE.CFG - Set-up file
. MOVIE.NUM - Second data index file
. MOVIE.PIC - Picture file
. ACTOR.DAT - Actor data file
. ACT.IDX - Actor index file
. POINTER.DAT - Actor relational file
. PICTURES.DAT - Picture data file
. PICKEY.IDX - Picture index file
. PICTURE.XXX - Picture relational file
. PICNAME.IDX - Second picture index file
. MERGE21.EXE - Utility to merge 2 movie files into 1
. CON2DB.EXE - Utility to convert to DBASE III format
. README.DOC - Read first documentation file
. VENDOR.DOC - Vendor documentation file
. REGISTER.DOC - Registration form
. WARRANTY.DOC - Warranty information
. README.DOC - Simple explanation of MOVIE GUIDE
. DIGITIZE.DOC - Order form for pictures
. SHR-WAR.DOC - Explanation of Shareware
. SDROL.EXE - Program to play ROL files
. SDPCX.EXE - Program to display PCX files
. AAPLAY.EXE - Program to display FLI and GIF files
. AAPLAY.DOC - Doc file for AAPLAY
* NOTE *
Movie Guide needs to open many files. Please be sure the following
statements are in your CONFIG.SYS file. See your dos manual.
FILES=15
BUFFERS=15
3.1 BACKUPS
The original disks need to be backup up once. All files with
an extension of .DAT should be backed up. Movie Guide can rebuild
and restore your data files from these data files in the case of an
emergency. Multimedia files need to be backed individually.
3.2 PROGRAM INSTALLATION
Copy the program, all the Movie Guide files, from floppy to
your hard disk. After the copy operation is complete the
distribution disks may be put away. Take the time to mull over
the setup option if this is the first time running the program.
3.4 SETTING UP THE PROGRAM
Movie Guide requires very little setup to get up and going.
Type 'MOVIE' to begin the program. Select 'Settings' from main
menu. This is where you will select options such as video type,
Sound On/Off, Autosave On/Off, Printer type and control codes.
Settings are loaded each time the program starts.
3.5 HOW TO USE THE PROGRAM
Movie Guide does not require you to remember special keys in order
use the program. The main keys you will need to use are to
<Enter>-Escape> and the arrow keys. Each screen has help
information on the bottom of the screen. You should read this if
you are unsure of what keys are used to execute an item.
4.0 OPERATION
The main menu has 5 items across the top. From this menu each main
area of the program can be accessed. These pull down menus select
each area of the program. We will go over each menu in more detail.
<Sample of the Main Menu>
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
█ Info Data Base Reports Verify Exit █
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
4.1 INFO
-----------------
Getting Started
Registration Info
Registration Form
Movie Guide Doc
What Is Shareware
Digitizing Service
Program Warranty
Getting Started - This explanation is usefull to new users.
Registration Info - This explains the many benefits you receive
when you register the program. This also explains how to
order thru the mail and, how to order using a major credit card.
Registration Form - This prints out an order form to your printer.
Movie Guide Doc - Display this file.
What Is Shareware - This file describes how Shareware works.
Digitizing Service - Have your pictures in Movie Guide.
Program Warranty - Your assurance of a quality product.
4.2 DATA BASE
----------------
Movie Catalog
Actor Data Base
Multimedia Files
Modify Series
Directory Viewer
Movie Catalog - Add / Edit / Delete all the Movies from here.
15 movies at a time will be displayed. Move thru the file to
find the title of the movie you wish to append. Press <Enter>
to bring up the movie database screen. If you wish to Add any
movies press <Enter> on any movie to begin. The database screen
has menus across the top. Use the left and right arrow keys to
move the menu into the center of the screen and press <Enter> to
execute the item that is highlighted. Use the <PgUp> and <PgDn>
keys to view the next or previous movie. Use the search function
to find a movie. If the search key is active it will be displayed
at the lower left of the screen and only movies that match the key
will be found. To clear the search key highlight Search For
Record and press <Enter> twice. If a picture is available the
program will display "<F3> to view picture". There are two ways to
key in information, typing and toggling. Type the information if
you can see the cursor or use the <Spacebar> to change/toggle the
current selection. Press <Esc> to return to the top menu, to
quit press <Esc>.
Actor Data Base - Browse thru the People and see the number of
movies each occurs in. Highlight the star, using the up and down
arrow keys. The left and right arrow keys move to the next or
previous letter. The <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys move to the next or
previous page. Press <ENTER> to view the movie. If there is a
picture of the actor or director you can choose to view the data
or the picture.
Multimedia Files - Pictures are referenced by the name of the
picture and the subjects starring in the film. Press <INSERT>
to add a new picture. From the picture screen press <F4> to
bring up a directory and select the picture file name. Next
move down the screen to the movie criteria. Press the <F6> key
to find the movie that the picture relates to. A window will
show the movie titles. Pick the movie by pressing <Enter>.
Actors starring in the film can be selected by placing a yes
next to the actor. Press <Escape> to quit.
Modify Series - The series may be changed to reflect your movie
collection. Type in new categories or type over existing
categories to change. The changes are saved automatically and will
take effect throughout the data base including reports. If you
change a series every movie in your database will now have the
change you made.
Directory Viewer - This allows you to browse around your drive
and display multimedia events or list files. Press the
<Spacebar> to show events (such as PCX/GIF/FLI) or list an
Ascii file. Press <Enter> or <Esc> to exit.
4.3 REPORTS
--------------
Create Reports
Create Labels
Full Reports
Title Report
Create Reports - This section will create reports (either to screen
or printer) based on search criteria. You enter the search
information similar to the way you edit movies. Any fields that
you use will narrow the search to movies matching the data you
entered. An example would be to select Adventure and 1988-1991
as the search criteria. This report would find all Adventure
movies between 1988-1991.
Create Labels - Labels are made by choosing the title or tape
number of the label you wish to print. On the bottom of the
screen is a sample of what the label will look like. This
label can be changed or edited at any time.
Full Reports - Full reports are made by starting the full report.
If you wish you can re-print any page or pages. You may also
print the table of contents or the index page once you have created
a full report.
Title Report - This report will print only the title, tape number
and the year of the movie. Each movie in the data base will be
printed.
4.4 UTILITIES
-----------------
Select Data Files
Verify Files
Update Database
Update Multimedia
Multimedia Search
Select Data Files - Movie Guide keeps separate sets of files for
maintaining movies and multimedia events (PCX/GIF/FLI/ROL). Even
though the program treats these files as being related, they are
separate and you must have the proper directory selected for each
set of files. Movie Guide will keep track of the last 10 files
loaded for each set, allowing you to quickly select the files you
are looking for. Sets of files seem to be all related. This is
called a relational database. There are many advantages to
this type of system.
Verify Files - Why and when do I verify? In most cases the program
will tell you to run Verify Files, but if you notice "Garbage"
showing in the fields, Verify is recommended. If you loose some
files or experience a power failure then Verify can be run to
recover good data and remove any data errors. If you have
Movie version 2.1 then run Verify the first time before you
access any records.
Update Database - Use this option after verify files or if the
program asks. Due to the complexity of the actor data base,
this option should be run periodically to ensure integrity.
This section will update or rebuild the relational files.
Update Multimedia - Update multimedia files after verifying the
files and updating the database. An event file index is checked
and fixed if there are any problems. This can also help after
you add a number of events to speed search and sort routines.
Multimedia Search - This allows you to search your drive(s) and
create a record for each multimedia event found. The program will
search for files with extension of PCX/GIF/FLI/ROL. When a match
is found, Movie Guide adds an event record and also adds 2 actors
for each event. The actors added are *Multimedia and *nam where
nam is the extension of the event. ie nam=PCX type file. This is
done to allow easy access to all you events from actor look up.
The first entries in actor look up will start with a * (star),
press enter of one of these and you will see all the multimedia
files on you system sorted alphabetically. This should be run from
time to time to catalog new files you have added to your system.
4.5 EXIT
-------
Quit Program
Settings
Shell To DOS
Quit Program - This exits the program and returns control
back to DOS.
Settings - This is the set-up part of the program. You can
select things like sound, mouse support, Autosave, selecting
a printer and more.
Shell to DOS - This runs Command.com or your shell and leaves
you at the Dos prompt. To return to Movie Guide type "exit".
5.0 LICENSE AND OTHER INFORMATION
Users of MOVIE GUIDE must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"MOVIE GUIDE is supplied as is. The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without
limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness
for any purpose. Please read WARRANYT.DOC for more information.
MOVIE GUIDE is a "Shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends,
but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.
The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal
computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to
provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new
products. If you find this program useful and continue to
use MOVIE GUIDE after a reasonable trial period, you must make
a registration payment of $30.00 to SANDD SOFTWARE. The
$30.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any
one computer at any one time. You must treat this software
like a book. Just as a book cannot be read by two different
persons at the same time, this software cannot be used at
two separate computer locations at the same time. Just as a
book, this software may be used by any number of people and
may be freely moved from one computer location to another.
Commercial users of MOVIE GUIDE must register and pay for
their copies of MOVIE GUIDE within 30 days of first use or
their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may
be made by contacting SANDD SOFTWARE.
Anyone distributing MOVIE GUIDE for any kind of remuneration
must first contact SANDD SOFTWARE at the address below for
authorization. This authorization will be automatically
granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering
to its guidelines for Shareware distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering MOVIE GUIDE immediately
(However SANDD SOFTWARE must still be advised so that the
distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version
of MOVIE GUIDE).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of MOVIE GUIDE along to
your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to regis-
ter their copy if they find that they can use it. All
registered users until receive a copy of the latest version
of the MOVIE GUIDE. SANDD will also send them an information
packet that describes other software available from SANDD
SOFTWARE.
This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve
a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at:
ASP Ombudsman
545 Grover Road
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427
U.S.A.
or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe MAIL to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
6.0 GETTING THE MOST FROM MOVIE
Familiarity and practice leads to Tips, tricks and more. We
hope you will love the different ways to access your data.
Remember to look at the bottom of the screen for information
about which keys do what. Nearly everywhere the <ENTER> and
<ESC> keys start and stop operations. Arrow keys move the
menu and select different fields. Page up and down will
move to the next record.
It is easy to Check for misspellings. When the titles or
actors are displayed all at once a problem almost jumps out
at you. Pictures take a bit more practice. When adding a
picture remember to select the movie and actors.
Browse your data base for any errors before printing. Check
the Set-up options, and maybe add before and after report
control codes to load a special font. To quit press <ALT>-X
from the main menu.
7.0 QUICK AND EASY START-UP
Movie is a very simple program to use. The arrow keys will move
the menu anywhere in the program. The Escape key will always
take you back to where you were previously. The Enter key will
select or start any operation. Copy the program to your hard
drive inside a sub directory. Run Movie and Modify the Set-up
to let the program know the kind of hardware you own. Print the
Movie Registration form and fill it out.
Mundane ? Boring ? Repetitious ? Well that is the way data
entry is. We call this chore "DE". No-one likes it except to
brush up on there typing speed. "STAY THE COURSE" and enter
those movies! The more data you put in the harder MOVIE will
work.
8.0 MOVIE 2.1 USERS
Movie 3.0 is fully compatible with version 2.1 Backup your
data files before attempting conversion. Backups are always a
good idea. Add the path where your movie files are from the
Select Movie Files option. Next execute setup to select your
computer type and printer type. Finally run verify files,
Update Database and Update Multimedia before pulling up any movies.
9.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Borland Turbo Pascal / Turbo C / Turbo Assembler
Turbo Data Base Toolbox
Genus PCX Programmer's Toolkit
AAPLAY Public Domain FLI/GIF viewer from Autodesk Animator
SDROL Adlib programmers development kit (ROL Files)
11.0 SHARE THE WORD
If you like MOVIE GUIDE tell your friends. If you have the
opportunity to write an article in a newsletter or a trade
magazine about MOVIE GUIDE spread the word! We appreciate all
of the help we can get to bring quality software to everyone.
Conclusion
Thanks for registering Movie Guide. The money goes directly to
development of SANDD Software. If you have any questions or
comments call us or leave a message on Compuserve. Look for future
versions to include more sound and picture type support and a more
dynamic print engine. Once again thanks for your registration!
SANDD SOFTWARE
Movie Registration
PO Box 3587
Reston, VA 22090
(703) 444-8655
Compuserve ID. 71160,3331
