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an OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) filer
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ { CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records }(tm) ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ (C) Copyright MCMXCIII RCCO Research Associates. ║
║ All Rights Reserved under International Conventions. ║
║ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
{ CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records } Documentation
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ To read this documentation on-line most anywhere in the program, press │
│ the <Alt-M> key combination. │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
{ CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records } is a simple-to-use,
efficient recordkeeping system for individual, professional or institutional
coin collection records; the materials are presented and maintained in an
attractive visually-oriented environment.
Coins are normally maintained in catalog number order, with sort command
options to arrange the collection in order of country, KM number, year,
category, date acquired, or location.
The user may view entries in either of Form View or Table View formats --
editing, deleting or replacing records in the user's own collection.
Additional records may be appended in any number required (theoretical
limit: 1 billion records). Edits or corrections are easy and quick to
make in either Form or Table View.
The information is presented to the user initially in Table View format,
very similar in appearance to that of a speadsheet; data items may be added
or edited in Form View format, via "hot-keys." Mouse support is provided
for scrolling through the data table; however, a mouse is not necessary to
utilize the program.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 2
On-line documentation is available at the touch of a hot-key selection. A
pop-up calculator is also provided, via a hot-key choice.
An automatic report facility provides attractive on-screen and printed
reports and labels. A printer selection utility provides for a wide choice
of available printers.
A Packet Labels printing utility is included for the creation of personal-
ized 1 x 3.5" labels showing informational detail.
The program is simple to use and offers intuitive features commonly found
in RCCO Research OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) filer applications.
The unregistered copy is not in any way limited as to the usefulness,
capacity, or reporting facilities of the program. Registration will remove
the unregistered reminder notices and provide legal authorization for con-
tinued use of the program after a thirty-day trial period.
Introduction
─────────────
After you have had some practice dealing with the data table concept in
{ CoinsNexus }, you will find entry and maintenance of this table quite
familiar and simple. Simply view the initial sample entry to start, add
your own, and delete or edit/overwrite the sample. (The sample entry is
not a complete entry; it exists to demonstrate display format and to provide
material for running sample reports.)
The entries in this table are sorted in any of seven ways; they are then
maintained in sort order no matter how you choose to enter them.
The report output, when selected, includes Cost and Value column fields on
Preview and Printed reports; at the end of reports the totals of the Cost
and Value columns are summarized to give a picture of total investment in
the collection. Only records that have the DATE_SOLD cell blank (ie,
" / / ") will appear in the reports, providing current reports while
maintaining archival records within the collection.
Easy batch file idea
─────────────────────
You may wish to create a batch file for your batch directory:
┌───────────┐
│ COINS.BAT │
└───────────┘
@ECHO OFF
C: (or whatever drive you use)
CD \COINSNX
COINSNX
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 3
Please consult your DOS manual if you are unfamiliar with creating batch
files. The above batch file will make operation of { CoinsNexus:
numismatic collection records } easier for you.
If you have not yet created your batch file and simply want to get right in-
to the program, change to the \COINSNX directory and type:
CoinsNx<enter>
to begin the { CoinsNexus } program.
The main records table
───────────────────────
After the program loads behind the sign-on screen, the user is presented
with a selection of sorting options for the initial presentation of data.
After selecting a sort command option, the primary Table View screen is
shown. In this view, the cells (or fields) are displayed with horizontal
column headers indicating the different cell/field names; a multiple selec-
tion of records (or rows) indicate the different data entries. In Form View
( <Alt-E> or <Alt-N> ), a single data record is shown with the cell struc-
tures available in vertical presentation.
The selection of cells available for data entry in { CoinsNexus } are:
CATALOG_NO
COUNTRY
DENOM
YEAR
KM_NO
TYPE
CATEGORY
CONDITION
REMARK
MINT
MINTAGE
ALLOY
SILVER_WT
GOLD_WT
SILVER_PCT
DATE_ACQ
QTY
COST
VALUE
DATE_SOLD
SALE_AMT
LOCATION
COMMENTS
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 4
The cell for Catalog Number entry is of the type that will accept either
numerical or alphabetic data. A numerical type entry will be maintained
in sort order as long as there are leading zero placeholders (ie, 001,
002, 003, etc.). The alphanumeric format allows one to use any combination
of letters within the Catalog Number entry, up to and including ten
alphanumeric characters. Further delineation within an area or series may
be made with the Category cell.
The DATE_ACQ ("Date Acquired") and COST cells represent the acquisition date,
and price paid, respectively, by the user for the current selection. VALUE
is for recording current market value.
The LOCATION cell is a an alphanumeric entry to indicate the physical
location of the coin(s) in the user's collection. You may use any combin-
ation of letters and numbers, up to and including eight characters.
The COMMENTS cell is of the type that will allow passages of up to 65
characters of comment text to be entered for any record.
The other cells in both Form and Table Views are limited in capacity to
that which is shown on the screen. Their function and content should be
intuitive and easy to use.
Moving around
──────────────
In general, the <Esc> key or <RightMouse> will either advance the program to
the next screen or back up to the previous level; exceptions are noted on
certain screens, but in general <Esc> or <RightMouse> are the exit keys.
<LeftMouse> is the same as the <Enter> key. Scroll with the mouse or arrow
keys up/down the table, menus, on-screen reports, and when reading this
reference material on-line.
When accessing data in 'Table View' (similar to a spreadsheet image), there
are some special key combinations called QuickJumps. QuickJumps allow you
to move around to the four corners of a table instantly, avoiding lengthy
scrolling with arrow keys or the mouse. The QuickJump keys are:
<Ctrl-PgDn> <Ctrl-PgUp> <Ctrl-End> and <Ctrl-Home>.
(Also, <Ctrl-RightArrow> and <Crtl-LeftArrow> may be used
for panning to the right and left.) Once you observe their function, you
will most likely always use them. Pressing <Esc> or <RightMouse> while in
Table View saves any changes that may have been made and advances you to the
next screen.
In Table View, a blinking cursor inside of a cell indicates that you are in
edit mode. To end edit mode of a cell and retain any changes, press <Enter>.
To discard current cell edits, press <Esc> while still in edit mode.
Although you may add and/or edit records (entries) in the Table View format,
two special hot-keys provide Form View editing and appending. <Alt-N> will
bring up a blank "form" containing entry cells for all the information in a
single new record, in easy-to-fill-out format. Similarly, the <Alt-E> key
combination will bring up a form view to Edit the item, or record, that you
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 5
have positioned the cursor on. Make your new entries or editing changes in
Form View, then press <F10> to Save or <Esc> to reject the changes. (You may
note that <Esc> reacts differently in Form View than it does in Table View;
in Table View, pressing <Esc> automatically saves any changes as it exits.)
Pressing the hot-key combination <Alt-K> in most areas of the program will
bring up the OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) Pocket Calculator for quick math chores.
Press <Alt-M> (for "manual") to instantly access this help document.
To enter the cents character ( ¢ ) (not ordinarily found on computer key-
boards) anywhere within a cell, simply press <F4> at that point where the
character is needed. This feature is available in either Table or Form View.
For other currency symbols, press and hold <Alt> key, then type the numbers
below on the numerical key pad (not the top row of the keyboard), then
release <Alt>: Pounds £ <Alt-156>; Yen ¥ <Alt-157>; Francs ƒ <Alt-159>.
The current date may entered in the "Date Acquired" or "Date Sold" fields
simply by pressing a hot-key. In Table View, move to the cell requiring the
date, press <Enter>, release it, and then press <F5>. In Form View, move
the highlight to the date cell and simply press <F5>.
From Table View, pressing the hot-key <F6> calls up the special utility
called "Lockr." With this facility, you may "freeze" or lock a field of
your choice into place in the leftmost column. Then, as you pan to the
right and back, the Lockr field remains in constant view. Several edit
facilities normally available in Table View are accessible in Lockr.
Also available in Table View is the "Searchr" facility, called by pressing
the <F2> key. With Searchr, you may search character-type fields (Catalog
Number, Country, Denomination, Category, Location, etc.) for a word or
combinations of text. For example, if you choose to search the Country
field for "france" (or "FRANCE" or "France") you will find any result yield-
ing finds displayed in a special pop-up table showing the record containing
the search text. After the final match is found, you are returned to the
main Table View with the record highlight on the last match found. If there
are no matches to your text search, the main Table View reappears.
Record deletions in Table View
───────────────────────────────
Please be aware that when you delete (with the <Del> key) a record (or "row,"
if you are used to spreadsheet terms), it is first "marked" for deletion
(you will see a caption, <Deleted> at the top of the screen). The actual
deletion does NOT OCCUR until you EXIT the table view screen. Also note that
the <Del> key is a "toggle;" that is, if you press <Del> a second time on a
record already marked for deletion you will "undelete" the record.
Any undeletes must be performed prior to exiting the table view screen. As
you exit, any records marked for deletion are permanently removed from the
table. Simply exercise caution when performing record deletes on the table,
which is, in essence, a permanent history table of collection records and
any deleted records are irretrievably lost.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 6
Pressing <Esc> or <RightMouse> saves any changes that may have been made and
exits the current screen. When you next again view the table, the records
you "marked" for deletion are gone.
Viewing/Reporting Selection
────────────────────────────
After viewing, adding, or editing data records in the { CoinsNexus }
table, you press <Esc> to exit the Table View screen. You are then presented
a mini-menu offering options to View/Print reports/labels, change printers,
or exit the program.
The View/Print Reports window offers the opportunity to preview on-screen
the appearance of the printed report. Again records may be sorted in any
of five ways, resulting in an attractive ASCII text report. Print output,
when selected, is sent to the default printer.
The report output includes the Cost and Value column fields as entries on
the Preview and Printed report; at the end of the report the totals of the
Cost and Value columns are summarized to give a picture of total investment
in the collection. Only records that have the DATE_SOLD cell blank (ie,
" / / ") will appear in the reports, providing current reports while
maintaining archival records within the collection.
The report/listing is first shown on the screen in wide-access format; that
is, the report is wider than 80 characters and may be scrolled out to the
right in order to view all contained information. Simply use the arrow keys
or mouse. After viewing your data on the screen, you will be presented with
an option to print the report; wide reports are printed in compressed mode on
the default printer on printer port LPT1.
The report shown on the screen will have a resulting text file left in the
current directory; this text file, in standard ASCII format, has the ex-
tension .RPT as report identifier. The prefix part of the file name will
refer briefly to the report selection you had made; this file is overwrit-
ten each time you specify a new version of the report.
The main use of the resulting .RPT files is for users who have desktop
publishing programs and/or Microsoft Windows(tm) who would like to print out
their reports from { CoinsNexus } with the unique font and formatting
capabilities contained in those programs. Simply read or import the .RPT
files as standard ASCII text files. For example, in Microsoft Windows(tm)
Notepad, you may simply open the file by specifying the file name (ie,
"CoinsNx.RPT") and view/prepare your report as desired. In Ventura
Publisher(tm), Windows(tm) Write, or Microsoft Word for Windows(tm), you
would import the file as standard ASCII text and make your printed presen-
tations from within those programs. Refer to those programs' documentation
for information on formatting columnar text or tables.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 7
If you have no use whatsover for the resulting .RPT file left in your cur-
rent directory, you may safely delete it or leave it there, as desired.
It will recur each time you use the Viewing/Reporting facility, and an
existing .RPT file will be overwritten by any new update. You may also
retain a .RPT file by renaming the prefix part of the file name and storing
it in the directory or on diskette.
Label Writer
─────────────
On the utilities menu is a selection for creating informational/ownership
Packet Labels for the collection.
The label printing utility is included for the creation of personalized 1 x
3.5" packet labels showing informational detail and, with program regis-
tration, the user's name.
The Label Writer module allows you to print up to sixteen labels at one time
based upon information you have entered into the main records table. The
labels print with the following layout and information:
3.5"
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ <Catalog No> <Date Acq> <Cost> │
│ <Country> <Year> │
│ <Denomination> <KM No.> │
1" │ From the Collection of: │
│ <Registered user's name> │
│ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If the copy of the program is not yet registered, the line containing the
registered user's name will be blank with sufficient space remaining on the
label to write in by hand the owner's name. Upon registration, the name
entered as the registered user will appear on the last line of the labels.
Labels are printed in compressed print mode. You may wish to manually select
letter-quality mode on your printer before printing labels.
The Label Writer is set up for standard 1" x 3.5" labels, such as the widely
available Avery #4145 adhesive pin-feed printer labels. (Laser and ink jet
printer owners may have to improvise a label carrier to hold a vertical strip
of such labels.) Labels may also be "printed to" (displayed on) the screen.
In the Label Writer module itself, you are presented with empty CATALOG_NO
cells, one at a time up to sixteen in number. You may type directly into
the cell the ID number desired, or better yet, press <Enter> in the empty
cell and choose entries from the pop-up PickList.
After you have chosen and then confirmed with the <Enter> key one or more
entries (16 maximum) for labels you wish to print, simply press <Esc> in the
next empty cell to move on to the actual printing prompt screen. You will
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 8
then have an election to print to the <P>rinter, send to the <S>creen, or
<Q>uit. Make your selection by pressing the appropriate letter key ("P" "S"
or "Q").
If you choose <P>rinter, you will see a prompt asking if the printer is ready
and loaded with 1 x 3.5" labels. Pressing "Y" begins the printing of your
labels. There will be up to five printed lines on each label, provided you
properly entered the information for each entry in the main records table.
The left print margin is 7 characters in compressed mode.
If you choose to "print" to the Screen, you will see the selections shown in
label format on the screen.
Choosing the <Q>uit option will leave the Label Writer utility.
To print more than sixteen labels in one session, you simply re-enter the
Label Writer module from the utilities menu multiple times, as needed.
Printer Support
────────────────
There is printer support for a variety of printers; select a compatible
printer from the "Select a Different Printer" item on the Utilities Menu to
replace the default printer. If your exact brand and model of printer is not
listed, there should be at least one selection that is a compatible emulation
for your printer; check your own printer's manual for emulation guidelines.
You may wish to manually select letter-quality print style on the printer
itself.
If you elect to use the selection for "Generic Printer", please note that
print size codes will not be sent to your printer. You should then select
manually on the printer itself the compressed mode option for the printing
of reports and labels.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 9
Technical Matters
──────────────────
{ CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records }(tm) will run on IBM-
compatible computers with 512k of memory. All display modes are supported;
although the video was designed on and primarily intended for VGA display,
the program was simultaneously tested on, and modified as needed for,
monochrome displays as well as laptop B/W displays in order that contrasts
and prompts be present and visible to all possible users. Special features
that are VGA-only are compensated for in the other displays, with no adverse
effect on program execution.
{ CoinsNexus } must be installed on a hard drive. Do not attempt to install
to, or run the program on, a floppy drive.
DOS 3.1 or higher is required. Mouse support is provided, but a mouse is
not required for use of the program.
A disk cache utility used on your system will provide great benefit to
running { CoinsNexus }, resulting in marked improvement in speed and
efficiency throughout the program.
{ CoinsNexus } will use expanded memory if it is available on the system,
even if it is only present in a small amount. The presence of expanded
memory, particularly on a 386 or greater computer, significantly enhances
the performance and efficiency of this software, especially as the collection
grows in size.
A variety of printers is supported via a selection on the Utilities Menu.
Popular printers and emulations are provided to the best of our knowledge;
if there is difficulty with any of the printer choice settings, kindly send
us a note regarding this and any possible corrections/additions you may have
found, if any. Laser printer support is included. The printer must be
connected to LPT1 or you must use a DOS utility (we suggest something like
PC Magazine's LPTPORT.COM) that will direct LPT1 calls to an alternate
address.
It is possible (but unlikely) that index files (*.IX) can, at some point,
become corrupted and you see an error message referring to index files. This
would likely only occur if you had been working in the program and those
files were being updated when there was a power outage (or an equivalent
occurrence). Simply change to the directory where this occurred, and at the
DOS prompt, type:
DEL *.IX
to delete all the index files; the next time you run the program, the index
files will be rebuilt. Do not take the backup .IX files you may have stored
on your daily backup diskettes; they may or may not match the data tables if
the program was performing updating when the corruption occurred.
If you have data tables (*.DB) that become unusable for any reason, copy them
from your daily backup diskettes. Delete any .IX index files as detailed
above and allow the program to rebuild them (the process is very fast and
usually imperceptible to the user). Also, please be aware that data tables
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 10
(.DB) can appear to be corrupted to some users, but usually the problem is
with indexes (.IX) that no longer match or are not current with the assoc-
iated .DB table. Try deleting the .IX files as described above before
deciding the .DB tables are bad.
Registration Information
─────────────────────────
{ CoinsNexus } is licensed and supplied as is, without any warranty. To
the extent permitted under applicable law, RCCO Research Associates disclaims
all warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to this software
program, its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any
particular purpose.
In particular, this software program is not guaranteed to prevent or detect
damage to your data or programs. In no event shall RCCO Research Associates
be liable for any claims for lost profits or any damage, including, but not
limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damage (including,
without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interrup-
tion, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of
the use of or inability to use this RCCO Research Associates product, even if
RCCO Research Associates has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or conse-
quential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
In no case shall RCCO Research Associates's liability exceed the license fees
paid for the right to use the licensed version of the software. The license
agreement and warranty shall be construed, interpreted and governed by the
laws of the state of Tennessee.
This software program, { CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records }(tm),
is protected under the Copyright Laws of the United States of America and all
applicable International Copyright Conventions. Makers and/or users of
illegal or unauthorized copies of the registered version are subject to
prosecution under these laws.
The names { CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records }(tm) and
OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) are trademarks of RCCO Research Associates.
The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at
any one time.
You are granted a limited trial period of 30 days to determine whether
or not you wish to register your copy of this software. Registration will
eliminate the unregistered reminder notices and grant the user authorized
continued use of the program. After the trial period, if you wish to
continue using this program you may mail a registration fee of U.S. $15.00
+ $1.00 handling ($2.00 handling non-U.S.) to RCCO Research and receive
authorized registration codes for validating your software to registered
status. (After receiving your registration codes, simply use the
Register.exe program which should be found with the copy you now have).
Check or money order only, please. Tennessee clients please include 8.5%
sales tax on the total amount.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 11
Please consider how unusally low the registration price is for a full, legal,
registered copy of software you may use for many years. If one uses the pro-
gram beyond the liberal trial period, or attempts to continue using it with-
out purchasing a registered copy, it must be considered unauthorized use of
proprietary authorship and material.
Please indicate program name and version number on your order; you may use
the Order.frm file provided in this package or simply send a note or letter
with your name, address and remittance. Your comments on our programs are
welcomed.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ *Please* indicate the program name *and* version number on your order; we │
│ *must* have this information in order to send the proper validation codes │
│ for the copy of the software you now have. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Register.exe
─────────────
The separate executable file called Register.exe supplied with this package
is usable only when you have obtained a valid serial number for this program
directly from RCCO Research. This particular version of Register.exe works
*only* with the current version of *this* software program. The Register.exe
supplied herewith will not work with other RCCO Research programs; other RCCO
Research programs will have their own proprietary versions of Register.exe.
When you receive your serial number information with your registration,
simply change to the directory in which this software is installed and
type:
REGISTER<enter>
Carefully follow the prompts and enter the supplied information, as well as
your name (and optional company name) exactly as shown on your registration
invoice received from RCCO Research. If you enter erroneous numerical infor-
mation into Register.exe, there will be no harm done; simply allow the
Register.exe program to reset itself to the default parameters and run it
again.
Please note, for the benefit of our registered users, that the registration
codes purchased will work with all *minor* update versions of this program.
For example, if your current copy of this program is v1.0, your registration
codes will work with any update containing the *major* version number "1"
(the number before the decimal point); ie, 1.2, 1.5, 1.75, etc. In this
manner, your updates, if any, are at no further cost to you other than the
purchase of an update disk you see in a shareware disk catalog or the down-
load from your favorite BBS. Simply use a backup copy of your own main
records table (.DB; delete the index (.IX) file(s) first) with the update
release and use your 1.x codes to initialize the updated version of the
program with Register.exe.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 12
Any *major* version (the number before the decimal point; ie, 2.x etc.)
change, if any, will be offered to registered users directly by RCCO Research
at significant discount (usually about 50%) from the then current cost of
registration. Please note that we do not plan or foresee frequent major
version changes for this particular program.
Additional Information
───────────────────────
If, after registration, you have any comments regarding the program
{ CoinsNexus }, please send them in writing to:
RCCO Research Associates
P. O. Box 196
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Please include your phone (day & evening) and fax (if any) numbers as well
as your mailing address on ALL written communications. Please indicate the
serial number from your copy of the program as well as your CustID number.
Q. I see the file Order.frm [order form] in my \COINSNX directory. How may
I print it out on my printer?
A. To print the registration order form, make sure your printer is on and
ready with at least 2 sheets of paper, change to the \COINSNX directory
and at the DOS prompt, type the following:
COPY ORDER.FRM PRN<enter>
Q. Sometimes I add an entry to the main records table by QuickJumping to the
bottom of the table and pressing <DownArrow> to provide a new, blank
row. After filling in the information for the different cells, I think
the new record should appear in its proper place in normal sort order.
Why does it stay at the bottom? (It is in the correct place after
leaving the table and then returning at a later time.)
A. Although we suggest using <Alt-N> (Form View) to add a new item, you may
add one in Table View as the question describes. However, in Table View,
additions in this manner will require a screen "refresh" to show the new
entry in its proper position. To refresh a Table View screen after you
finish your new entry, try pressing <PgUp> once or twice to rewrite the
screen; the new record should appear in its proper relative position.
CoinsNx.doc { CoinsNexus } Documentation Page 13
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
{ CoinsNexus: numismatic collection records }(tm)
(for DOS)
an OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) filer
(C) Copyright MCMXCIII RCCO Research Associates.
All Rights Reserved under International Conventions.
Product of U.S.A.
RCCO Research Associates
Post Office Box 196
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
37738
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Please consult your favorite shareware source for the availability of current
DOS and Windows versions of programs in the RCCO Research OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm)
series, as well as that of our bestselling flagship program:
{ MONEY & BANKS }(tm), Personal Banking Manager (for DOS).