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Varin & Associates
Mail Manager
Ver. 1.0
Designed & Created by:
Francis A. Varin
Copyright (c) 1991 Varin & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
LICENSE AGREEMENT
Copyright (c) 1991 Varin & Associates, Text of User's manual and
Computer Program.
Varin & Associates grants you without charge the right to reproduce,
distribute and use copies of this "shareware" version of VARIN &
ASSOCIATES' MAIL MANAGER (VA-MAILMAN) software product (including any
and all electronically stored documentation), on the express condition
that you do not receive any payment, commercial benefit, other
consideration for such reproduction or distribution, or change this
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 Varin
& Associates. This software may not be reverse-engineered or
disassembled.
Varin & Associates' Mail Manager is distributed under the "ShareWare"
concept and as such relies solely on user support. If you decide to
use Varin & Associates' Mail Manager your payment of at least $25.00
would be greatly appreciated. USE OF THE SOFTWARE WITHOUT REGISTRATION
FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN EVALUATION IS A VIOLATION OF THIS LICENSE
AGREEMENT. Your payment should be sent to:
Varin & Associates
31 Carlson Circle
West Warwick, RI 02893
By sending your payment along with your name (company if applicable),
mailing address, phone number, version, and where/how you heard about
Varin & Associates' Mail Manager, we will add you to the list of
registered users. This will allow us to keep you up to date on such
things as new releases and fixes to potential "bugs".
Varin & Associates is an "open" company in that we welcome and
encourage feedback from our user base. We feel that in order to better
serve you we need to know what your needs are. You, the user are the
ones who play a large role in determining the course of any Varin &
Associates Software. Please feel free to write us about any
enhancements, compliments or complaints.
THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS OF PARTICULAR PURPOSE, PERFORMANCE, OR OTHERWISE; ALL
WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED. BY USING THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT, YOU AGREE
THAT NEITHER VARIN & ASSOCIATES OR ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES,
OWNERS OR OTHER RELATED PARTIES WILL BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD
PARTY FOR ANY USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THIS SOFTWARE, OR FOR ANY
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER. IN NO EVENT WILL VARIN & ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR
ANY LOST PROFITS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE ARISING
OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT EVEN IF VARIN & ASSOCIATES HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY; VARIN & ASSOCIATES' LIABILITY TO YOU FOR DAMAGES HEREUNDER
FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER WILL NOT EXCEED THE LICENSE FEE PAID BY YOU
FOR USE OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
---------------------------------
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
General Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Functions:
"Help" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
"File" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
"Setup" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
"Print" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
"Utility" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Appendix A (Editing Keys)
Appendix B (Import/Export Format)
I N T R O D U C T I O N
-----------------------
The Varin & Associates Mail Manager is a versatile tool designed
to manage names, addresses and phone numbers. But, this is not all
that it does. There is enough flexibility engineered into the program
to make it applicable for many different applications while maintaining
an easy to use "friendly" interface. Simply put you can store your
address book and keep a ready reference to phone numbers at the tip of
your fingers. By using the "Id. Code" you can categorize your
"Profiles" into groups. The use of "pop-up windows" and "pull-down
menus" keeps the program simple with all of the available functions at
your fingertips. Comment lines allow you to keep some commentary on a
particular profile. You can even print an address and phone book!
Printing labels is selective. You select the profiles to be printed by
supplying one or more of the numerous selection field options such as;
state, name, and Id. Code. You can even specify the number of labels
to be printed for each category as well! The help system built into
the program is context sensitive, this means that any time you are not
sure of what you are doing you can press the "F1" key and a window
containing information about what you are working on will appear. There
are no commands to memorize or long strings of words to enter to get
the program to function. Virtually everything (except entering your
profile data) is done with minimal keystrokes. You have total freedom
of movement within the program, you the user "drive" the program rather
than having to feel lost in some complex piece of software that will
"drive" you (crazy).
Varin & Associates uses Mail Manager internally to maintain
customer profiles as well as profiles for "prospects". We find that
effective use of the "Id. Code" provides us with a great deal of
flexibility and allows us to, in a manner of speaking, keep multiple
lists in one! Using this code allows you to categorize each profile
quickly and efficiently. You can even import and export data to and
from the Mail Manager with the only restriction being that the data
must be in a pre-determined format and ASCII SDF. But, that's hardly a
restriction when you realize that most word processors as well as other
software packages read and write in ASCII format! The rest of this
manual will talk about the features of Mail Manager but, the fact is
that Mail Manager is so easy to use that the "Help" information will
probably be all you ever need to use the program!
-1-
I N S T A L L A T I O N
-----------------------
Installing Varin & Associates Mail Manager is really very simple.
The Mail Manager will run from a single diskette providing that the
diskette be at least 720K (at least a 3 1/2 DSDD) though, installation
on a hard drive is recommended.
HARD DRIVE INSTALLATION:
1) Create a sub-directory for Mail Manager.
C:> MD\MAILMAN
2) Copy the contents of the diskette into the new directory.
C:> CD\MAILMAN
C:> COPY A:*.* C:
Note: This user's guide will also be copied to your hard drive if
the above commands are executed. If this is not desirable,
issue the following command to erase the file.
C:> ERASE *.DOC
FLOPPY DISK INSTALLATION:
1) Make a working copy of the distribution diskette.
C:> DISKCOPY A: A:
Note: This user's guide will also be copied to your target
(working) diskette. If this is not desirable, issue the
following command (using the working diskette) to erase the
file.
C:> ERASE *.DOC
It is considered good practice to make copies of the distribution
diskette (for backup purposes only) in the event that you need to
reinstall the software at a latter date. It is NEVER advisable to run
the software from the original diskette as this will eliminate the
possibility of having an original backup available.
Once you have successfully completed one of the above installation
procedures, you will issue the command to start the Mail Manager from
this point on.
C:> MAIL
Note: If you are running from a hard drive you must have the
directory containing the Mail Manager appended to your
"PATH" statement or this same directory must be the current
directory.
-2-
G E N E R A L I N F O
-----------------------
When the Varin & Associates Mail Manager is invoked, the top of
the screen will contain a "Menu Bar". This Menu Bar consists of the
names of the particular functions which can be activated. Each
function has a "Function Key" associated with it. To invoke a
particular function simply depress the corresponding "Function Key".
For example, if you wished to view help information you would press
function key number one (F1) because that is the function key that
"Help" is associated with.
If you elect to press function keys 2-5 a "Pull-Down" menu will
appear. This menu will contain selections that relate to the selected
function. When a "Pull-Down" menu is activated you should highlight an
option by using the Up & Down arrow keys and press the "Enter" (or
"Return") key when the desired selection is highlighted, this will
invoke the highlighted selection from the menu. At certain times and
during certain conditions some selections will not be made available to
you on a given "Pull-Down" menu. This will be evidenced by a selection
appearing in bright Blue if you have a color screen or blank if you
have a monochrome screen. Please note, some computers are equipped
with a color graphics card and a plasma display, such is the case with
some portables. In this case the software detects the color graphics
card and will attempt to display the color options. This results in
several shades of Green or Amber depending on the nature of your
display. If there are any additional menus to be displayed while
working within a selection they will appear to the far right of the
menu bar on the top line. The procedure outlined above should be used
to make a selection from these menus as well.
The bottom line of the display contains two things. First, the
copyright statement appears on most of the line. Second, the number of
profiles currently contained in the Mail Database is displayed on the
far right. This number includes those profiles that have been flagged
for deletion and will be updated dynamically by the program as need
arises.
The "ESC" (Escape Key) is used to terminate most of the functions
of the program as well as to allow exiting from the program from off of
the main display screen.
Periodic backup of the Mail Database is a good habit to get into.
The following files should be backed up using the backup utility of
your choice:
MAIL.DBF
MAIL1.NTX
MAIL2.NTX
The minimum hardware requirements are at lease 512k and one
diskette drive (720k). However, a hard drive is recommended.
-3-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" H E L P "
-----------
The "HELP" function is invoked by pressing the "F1" key. The
"HELP" system built into the program will provide help information
based on the topic which you are currently running. This is referred
to as "context sensitive help". The help information is designed to
lessen the dependency on this manual. Once you have become familiar
with the program the help information will probably be all you ever
need to run the program effectively. The help information will be
displayed in the form of a "Pop-Up Window" on the screen. You may take
as much time as necessary to read and absorb the information. Once you
are through, press any key to resume the execution of the program, the
help window will disappear leaving you right where you left off!
-4-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" F I L E "
-----------
The "FILE" function is invoked by pressing the "F2" key. The
"FILE" function is the function which you should use if you wish to
manipulate one or more of your profiles. The "FILE" function includes
such activities as; modifying a profile, viewing an entire profile,
searching the profiles on certain pre-determined criteria. deleting a
profile, adding new profiles.
There are several selections on the "Pull-Down" menu for the
"FILE" function:
BROWSE:
The "BROWSE" selection will display each profile in alphabetical
order by name. If the name is not present then the company name is
substituted for a person's name. You may navigate through "BROWSE" by
using the following keys:
PgUp - Will cause the previous page full of profiles to be
displayed.
PgDn - Will display the next page full of profiles.
Up Arrow - Will move the "Selection Bar" up one line.
Down Arrow - Will move the "Selection Bar" down one line.
ESC - Will display a Sub-Menu for "BROWSE".
To select a profile for further processing from off of the
"BROWSE" display, move the selection bar until it highlights the
desired profile and press the "ESC" key. A menu containing "BROWSE"
options will be displayed at the far right of the menu bar. The
options which appear on that menu are:
Look - Display the profile but don't allow changes.
Modify - Display the profile and allow changes.
Delete - Flag the profile for deletion.
Un-Delete - Re-activate a profile previously flagged for deletion.
Quit - Terminate "BROWSE" processing
Any profile that has been flagged as deleted will be displayed in
Gray on a color monitor (normal on monochrome). For a list of editing
keys please refer to Appendix A.
-5-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" F I L E "
-----------
SEARCH:
The "SEARCH" selection will allow you to build a customized list
of profiles to be displayed using the "BROWSE" format detailed on page
5. Once "SEARCH" has been invoked, a Pull-Down menu will appear at the
far right of the menu bar. The contents of this menu are the different
categories that you may choose to "SEARCH" on. These categories are:
Company - Enter company name as search criteria.
Name - Enter a person's name (First, Last or Both) as the
search criteria.
Id. Code - Enter an Id. Code as the search criteria.
Quit - Terminate "SEARCH" processing.
The profiles which are displayed are done so in the "BROWSE"
format and as such are subject to the same rules as those outlined in
the "BROWSE" section on page 5. Company & Name are not "case
sensitive" but, Id. Code is, so, care must be taken when entering an
Id. Code to insure that it is an exact character for character match.
If you have a large database the search processing may take some time
because of the processing required to find all the profiles that meet
your search criteria.
ADD:
The "ADD" selection will allow you to enter one or more new
profiles. A blank profile screen will be presented when the "ADD"
selection is invoked. The screen should be filled out as completely as
possible. An "ADD" Sub-Menu will be displayed to the far right of the
menu-bar to allow you to "Save" the new profile if you wish. Please
refer to Appendix A for information on standard editing keys.
-6-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" S E T U P "
-------------
The "SETUP" function is invoked by pressing the "F3" key. This
selection is used solely in conjunction with the printing of mailing
labels. "SETUP" allows you to indicate which profiles will be
eligible for printing as well as specifying the quantity of labels to
be printed for each group. The following categories are available to
identify the profiles for printing:
Reset - Disqualify all profiles for label printing.
Company - Qualify all profiles which match a specific company.
Name - Qualify all profiles which match a specific name.
City - Qualify all profiles which match a specific city.
State - Qualify all profiles which match a specific state.
Zip Code - Qualify all profiles which match a specific Zip Code.
Id. Code - Qualify all profiles which match a specific Id. Code.
All - Qualify all profiles.
Quit - Terminate "SETUP" processing.
Each category may be used one or more times and multiple
categories may be selected to build the list of profiles to be eligible
for label printing. Once a list is built, the program "remembers"
which profiles are eligible. Therefore, it is not necessary to rebuild
the same list each time you wish to print labels, unless, you have
added new profiles that would meet the label print criteria. In this
case it would be necessary to add these new profiles via the "SETUP"
function. It is good practice to "Reset" the profiles prior to
attempting to build a whole new list of profiles for label printing.
-7-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" P R I N T "
-------------
The "PRINT" function is invoked by pressing the "F4" key. This
function allows two different types of reporting to be done using your
profile data:
PHONE BOOK:
The phone book is a report consisting of an alphabetized list of
all the profiles contained in your Mail Database. The report contains
the names addresses and phone numbers for each profile. This report
makes a handy reference for looking up companies and people quickly
while providing "hard copy" documentation of your profile data.
LABELS:
The mailing label print function will print all profiles made
eligible for label printing using the "SETUP" function which was
described in detail on page 7. The mailing label stock to be used must
be 31/2 X 15/16, 1 up. Currently that is the only standard mailing
label supported by the program.
-8-
F U N C T I O N S
-----------------
" U T I L I T Y "
-----------------
The "UTILITY" function is invoked by pressing the "F5" key. This
function is used as a vehicle to provide general utility type
functions. These are the selections currently available:
Import - Import an ASCII file into the Mail Database.
Export - Export the Mail Database to an ASCII file.
Reorganize - Reorganize the Mail Database.
IMPORT:
This selection will import an external ASCII SDF file into the
Mail Database. The file to be imported must be in a specific format.
For information regarding the format of the file to be imported refer
to Appendix B. There are two modes to choose from when performing the
import. First, "MERGE", this mode will import the file into the
database by adding the new profiles along with the existing ones. This
mode has the effect of appending the profiles to the Mail Database, the
current profiles remain intact. Second, "CLEAR", this mode will delete
all existing profiles prior to adding the new ones to the database.
Prior to performing an "IMPORT" it is considered good practice to
backup the Mail Database using the backup utility of your choice.
EXPORT:
This selection will export all existing profiles to an external
ASCII SDF file. Please refer to Appendix B. for information regarding
the format of the exported file.
REORGANIZE:
This selection will "clean up" the Mail Database. This selection
should be executed periodically to remove any profiles that have been
flagged for deletion. Executing this selection will save disk space as
well as allow the program to run faster and more efficiently. It is
considered good practice to backup the Mail Database using the utility
of your choice prior to executing this selection.
-9-
A P P E N D I X A.
--------------------
This Appendix outlines the standard editing keys and their functions.
NAVIGATION KEYS:
Left Arrow - Moves cursor left one character
Right Arrow - Moves cursor right one character
Ctrl-Left Arrow - Moves cursor left one word
Ctrl-Right Arrow - Moves cursor right one word
Home - Moves cursor to beginning of field
End - Moves cursor to end of field
Ctrl-Home - Moves cursor to beginning of first field
Ctrl-End - Moves cursor to end of last field
EDITING KEYS:
Del - Deletes character marked by cursor
Backspace - Destructive backspace
Ctrl-T - Deletes word right
Ctrl-Y - Deletes from cursor to end of field
Ctrl-U - Restore old data back in field
TOGGLE KEYS:
Ins - Toggles Insert mode on and off
EXIT KEYS:
PgDn - Exit and save changed data
Enter - Save data, proceed to next field
Esc - Exit and do not save changed data
Up Arrow - Go to previous field
Down Arrow - Go to next field
A P P E N D I X B.
--------------------
This Appendix describes the format for external data files to be used
with the "IMPORT" and "EXPORT" functions:
Field Contents Length
-------------- ------
First Name 15
Last Name 15
Company Name 30
Position 30
Address Line 1 30
Address Line 2 30
City 15
State 2
Zip Code 10
Phone 1 14
Phone 2 14
Comment Line 1 50
Comment Line 2 50
--> Not used <-- 2 (Must be blanks)
--> Not used <-- 2 (Must be numeric zeros)