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Text File | 1992-09-18 | 85KB | 1,964 lines

DiscTrak System - Version 1.705 Copyright (c)1992 Blam Entertainment Group, All Rights Reserved What's New! With the dynamic nature of this program, my inability to stop tinkering, changes are always in the works. Because of these factors, it was necessary to devise a list detailing the differences from version to version. This revised list is complete, going back as far as I can possibly remember or try to reconstruct by looking at old source code. Pick the excuse you like better. Version 1.705 * The flag for Surround Sound Checks in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes was getting lost. This has been corrected. Version 1.704 * There was a problem with program crashes during the editing of LaserDisc and Video Tape records. The problem would manifest itself by saying "PK_IMPLODE out of memory". Pretty self explanitory really. This error is a result of changes in 1.702 and is only experienced on computers with a limited amount of memory, roughly less than 450k FREE RAM. The edit routine has been altered to correct this trouble. * The Scan Records routine, while searching for Songs in the Compact Disc or Record Album/Tape modes could miss valid matches. The same was true if searching the Index of Chapters in the LaserDisc mode. A valid match would be skipped only if there were a large number of chapters/titles on that particular record. A recode of the data decompression routines has cleared the problem. * When changing the Multi-Audio flag in the LaserDisc mode, the screen was not getting updated correctly with the new data. This has been corrected. * In keeping with my inability to leave well enough alone, the jacket selection in the LaserDisc mode has a new choice inside the Special Fields Generator. Jewel Boxes were left out of the selections due to an oversite. We've corrected this. * The Windows icon included with all prevous versions of 1.70x tended to be rather bland and has been redrawn. I hope you like it. * Pressing ESC at any question would put a null value in for the answer to the current question. Now if the ESC key is pressed, the value active at the beginning of the question is maintained. * The PAGE UP key has been enhanced. On screens with multiple questions, pressing PAGE UP will now go backward one question. In the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, PAGE UP will also back up one full screen. For example, from the Special Information screen back to the Stars/Credits screen. * Pressing ESC while answering questions in any mode will skip all remaining questions for that section and proceed to the next screen. If adding a record, ESC will proceed to the next question only. * Some minor documentation changes have been made. Version 1.703 * Oops. Version 1.702 managed to break the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape modes completely. The program would crash any time the EDIT menu was entered or when running reports from inside any mode. In general it was pretty messed up. Everything is okay now, really. * When adding a record in the Compact Disc or Cassette Tape / Album mode, the Time Calculate routine will now run regardless of the setting in the configuration menu. The switch is only valid when editing an existing record. * In the CONFIGURATION MENU, the three toggle switches now show the current state of the option. In previous versions, the menu indicated the state which would be active if the item was selected. This seemed a bit cryptic and this change brings us in line with the rest of our program. Version 1.702 * It was possible for some data to be truncated in the LaserDisc and Video Tape reports in the Category and/or Replication fields. This has been corrected to some extent. This is a problem which dates way back. We've tried to fix this problem without increasing the space in the database. If further modifications are necessary, please let us know. * Internal modifications to the Configuration Switches. * A routine to total up the running times of each track has been added to the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape modes. This routine can be disabled through a switch in the Configuration Menu. Though this does not belong in a bug fix load, it's been included anyway. Version 1.701 * Match Menu was not clearing properly during the Match Report creation. This has been corrected. Version 1.70 * Blam Entertainment Group has moved again, although this time we stayed in the same country. The program and docs have been updated with the new address and phone number. * The four slave databases used by the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes have been combined into one large database. The storage routine for the cast, credits, special information and episode data in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes has been completely reworked to cram as much data into the smallest space possible. This is a further extension of changes made back in version 1.61 to the song storage in the Compact Disc and Record Album modes. The update routine is a partial conversion only. Performing a full conversion in the update would have added incredible amounts of time to the update routine. I decided 15 minutes was far worse than 30 seconds. Editing the records will systematically reformat the data into the new matrix. * As the slave databases are now exclusive to specific modes, the Catalog Number Verification routine now only checks for duplicates in the Master databases which use the same slave. For example, the LaserDisc and VideoTape modes uses Slaves 1 & 2 and the Compact Disc and Record Album modes use Slave 4. These changes will allow for some catalog duplication when entering CD-Video discs to be entered in both the Compact Disc Database and the LaserDisc Database. * Doubles Verification has been moved in the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape mode. Doubles are now checked between the Main screen and the Tracks screen. This is to compensate for possible errors in existing doubles. * New data compression routines have been implemented. Additional storage space may be deleted when editing existing records as the data is formatted into the new matrix. * The LaserDisc and Video Tape modes have had the Edit screens reworked. The top of the screen will no longer show cryptic information for you to decode. The screens will show the same data as the VIEW option. This has made it necessary to rewrite the screens at times to make the new changes show up on the screen. * The questions asking if you would like to edit information have been changed. The questions used to pop up, and if adding a record, would force you to answer YES. Now, the questions are not even asked if you're adding a record. While editing, there are no changes to these questions. * As the world Compact Disc market continues to grow, It has become necessary to modify things slightly. We are now capable of tracking up to 999 titles per disc entry in the Compact Disc and Record Album modes. I realize that there is no such thing as a 999 track CD, but 8 disc box sets do exist. * The ability to track for individual Chapter Index names in the LaserDisc mode has been added. DiscTrak will track up to 999 individual chapter indexes. * With the added ability to track so many chapter indexes, episodes and track titles, it was necessary to install an exit key to keep from having to step through all chapters/tracks/episodes if not necessary. Pressing the "ESC" key will skip the remaining chapters/tracks/episodes and proceed to the next step of the program in the EDIT and VIEW screens. NOTE: If editing a screen of 10 chapters/titles/episodes, and the "ESC" key is pressed, any changes made to that screen of 10 will not be saved. Any previous screens which were changed and any subsequent screens which were not changed will be stored correctly. * The ability to track increased numbers chapter indexes, song titles and episodes has made it necessary to install a backup key. Pressing "PAGE UP" will reverse the screen by one in the Chapter Index, Song Titles and Episode Information screens ONLY. Any changes made to the current screen prior to pressing either the "PAGE UP" or "PAGE DOWN" keys will be saved. * The Scan Records routine has a new option to search for possible matches in the Index of Chapters within the LaserDisc Mode. * The Scan Records routine has a brand new look once the scan has been completed. A new menu is presented which looks much like the edit menu screen which allows you to step forward and backward through all found matches. This menu also adds the ability to generate a report based on all the matches. The report can be created at any point in the menu. Reports will be grouped by catalog number, as this is how the matches sorted. This menu is active until Quit is selected * The Edit Menu is now active until QUIT MENU is selected. After a VIEW, PRINT, EDIT or whatever, the EDIT MENU will return, displaying the current record. * When editing a record in the Compact Disc and Record Album modes, you will now be asked if you want to edit the track information. This question is skipped if you are adding a record. This will keep you from having to step through all the songs unnecessarily. * The catalog numbers field in the Video Tape mode has an enhanced. Originally, this field of 12 characters would strip off the last three for control purposes. This has been changed. All 12 characters are now allowed. * Several discs have appeared which are LaserDisc issues of spectacular motion pictures shot in the IMAX (R) format. The presence of this has been accounted for in the Widescreen format field. * Widescreen definitions have been reworked. Also, the aspect ratio of each is displayed on the VIEW Record option from the EDIT menu. This is valid for the LaserDisc and Video Tapes modes only. * The Video Tape mode now has a field for Date of Purchase. This field has always been available in the LaserDisc mode. We decided there was more code to exclude it from Video tapes than there was to include it. * The Library field in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes has been changed on the Edit screens to show the actual name of the library, rather than a single character identification. The library field in all other modes remains unchanged. * Super Laser, a fairly new and some-what compatible LaserDisc enhancement, is now supported. Super Laser boasts increased video resolution by removing the analog audio and taking up it's space with additional video information. That's right. To play a Super LaserDisc, you must have a player capable of Digital Sound. That means that old Pioneer LD-660 in the closet won't work on these discs. * The EPISODE INFORMATION has been expanded in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. The previous limit to the number of Episodes per entry was 4. This limit is now flexible, in a range from 0 to 99. The entries are paged in the same manner as the Chapter Index in the LaserDisc mode and Track Listings in the Compact Disc mode. NOTE: Any episode information being tracked by previous versions of DiscTrak will be preserved within this new matrix. However, the system will assume there are four (4) episodes regardless of how many are actually being tracked. If desired, the record can be edited, changing the Episodes field to reflect the actual number of episodes on the specified record. Any old space occupied by the vacant records will be deleted. * Due to the expanded screen use in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, the "MORE" message between screens has been moved to the top of the screen. To make it's presence felt, it will also flash annoyingly. * Serial numbers have been expanded. Well, sorta. We've always used 8 digit serial numbers to be installed into the program, but only used 6 of those digits. To avoid some amount of confusion which has been created, we are restoring all serial numbers to their full 8 digits and will now be reported in the Program information screen. In addition, the Automatic Registration Transfer Process will restore your 6 digit serial number to it's original 8 digits. * Serial numbers are now tested upon program loading to detect any possible tampering. If tampering is detected, the program will abort. Contact Blam Entertainment Group for help should this occur. * Way back in version 1.21, we removed all special references to CD-Video discs from the LaserDisc mode. Well, we've added it back in. There is not a dedicated field for CD-Video Discs (or Video Singles as they are know in Japan), but the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR now will ask for DISC TYPE. * The SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR has been given another JACKET TYPE option in the LaserDisc mode. There are several discs floating around packaged in what is being called a Digi-Pak. This is now tracked for. * With the addition of Digi-Pak disc packaging in the LaserDisc mode, the name for Disc Box has been changed to the more suitable name BOX SET. * The SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR has been given an enhancement with regards to JAPANESE SUBTITLES. This flag has been expanded to include ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH and ITALIAN SUBTITLES. If any additional languages are required, let us know and changes will be made. * The UTILITIES MENU has had the following modifications. . Program Information screen access is now through this menu. . Dos Shell access has been moved to this menu. * A new Library Location has been added to the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. This location is called TO BE VIEWED. I use it for titles I have purchased, but haven't viewed yet. Once viewed, the titles should be placed in their proper library. * The REPORT MENU has a new inclusion option for the TO BE VIEWED library location. The report will contain only those titles as being tagged TO BE VIEWED. These titles will also be included in the OWNED category. * The REPORT MENU has been altered slightly to clean up the use of the progression bar during scanning. * Back in version 1.62 when the Catalog Number report was added in the REPORT MENU, the Category option was changed to Type/category. This has been changed back as the Type option conflicted with the Title option in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. This conflict was only noticed when selecting the reports with the key stroke rather than the light bar. * Catalog Number grouping in the REPORT MENU has been changed to NUMBERED CATALOG. A bit cryptic, but unavoidable. This is to correct for the operational goof made when introducing this report grouping in version 1.62. * While I try to keep up to date on all aspects of the markets which this program covers, I have neglected the occurrences of Dolby Surround Sound on Compact Discs and Cassette Tapes. The Compact Disc and Album/Tape catalog has been enhanced to account for this. * If upgrading from a past version, the last active record in each mode will not be remembered, for the first running of this version. This is due to new data storage routines. * The indicator bar at the top of the screen which displays INS when in the insert mode is now turned on any time extended keyboard input is required. * ARJ archive program has been added to the list of supported archive programs. * All configuration switches and options have been moved to the CONFIGURATION MENU off the main menu. As a result, the following changes have been made: . SELECT ARCHIVE allows for ARJ as well as PKZip and LHA. . PRINTER CODES has been renamed INCLUDE CODES. . SETUP PRINTER MENU has been renamed PRINTER SETUP MENU. * Digital sound for the theatre keeps popping up. And there continue to be new digital sound processes to record sound onto motion picture film. The newest of which is Dolby Spectral Recording Digital. The Spectral Recording question in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes has been enhanced to include this new process. * The modification of the title in the LaserDisc and Video tape modes has been revamped. ANY time the title is present, the title is reassembled to it's correct format (ie, "The Hunt for Red October" from "Hunt for Red October, The"). The altered format (with the "THE" at the end) will never be visible and is maintained in the database for sorting reasons. * The number of spaces allowed for production credits has been increased by two to 29 in each field within the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. * The number of spaces allowed for the individual song titles in the Compact Disc and Album/Tape modes has been increased to 60. This should clear up those really long title messes. * In the Video Tape and LaserDisc modes, the episode number field has been increased to 5 characters to help accommodate the very odd episode numbering for programs like "The Simpsons". * The option for 156 character Reports and 132 Character reports has been removed. Instead, the system will now allow you to pick between three reports under the REPORT FORMAT MENU which is under the CONFIGURATION MENU. The three choices are: Small (the old 132 character report), Landscape (the old 156 character report) and Portrait. The Portrait report is exactly the same information as the Landscape report, but allows you to put in a different printer command line to squeeze the report into roughly 20 characters per inch. Reports will be 62 lines per page on the Portrait and Small selection and 47 lines per page on the Landscape selection. * The PRINTER SETUP MENU has been given two additional sections to allow for the new Portrait report. * Under the REPORTS MENU, the line telling which report format is being used (156 column or 132 column) has been changed to state the new report names; Portrait, Landscape or Small. * In the Compact Disc mode, when selecting the REPORTS MENU, you were presented with "All Records" and "Quit Menu" in the first menu. I felt this was a pointless menu, so we now skip directly to the grouping menu. All other modes remain unaffected. * In the Compact Disc and Record Album/Tape modes, the order of the fields being presented has been changed to allow for more logical program flow. * The EDIT and VIEW screens have been reformatted in the Compact Disc and Record Album/Tape modes. This is to make more efficient use of screen space. The most notable change is the moving of CATALOG NUMBER to the middle box. * The ARCHIVE DATA routine now includes the DT.CFG file into the archive. * The ARCHIVE DATA routine now runs maintenance before archiving the databases to insure that no deleted records are stored. * Record locking in the FILE MAINTENANCE routine has been revamped slightly. * The update routine will delete all indexes and rebuild them when upgrading to a new version. This is to correct problems when upgrading from specific versions to find slave information missing. The information wasn't actually missing, the slave simply had a corrupt index file. * The .CFG file from version 1.61 could not be read correctly by version 1.62. This version will configure the .CFG file from version 1.61 properly. * After using the SCAN MENU routines and viewing the default record in the EDIT MENU, the slave data from the last view in the SCAN routine was being displayed. This has been corrected. * In the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, if an empty report was chosen, the active record number would be remembered incorrectly. This has been corrected. * There was a problem with program crashes during the printing of reports directly from inside DiscTrak. This was due to memory restrictions on some computers. The routine has been altered to correct this trouble. The program will drop to DOS momentarily and initiate the printout. * Some printers would eject 2 pages after the completion of a printed report rather than just one. This was because I was putting the final Form Feed after the clear down string rather than before. This has been corrected. * The 156 character report (LANDSCAPE) has been changed to write only 47 lines per page rather than 48. This was to prevent problems with blank pages being included between the pages of the report. * When changing the Stereo Type from anything other than MONO to MONO in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes and the Magnetic Audio field had been previously set in the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR, the default number of tracks was not getting updated correctly. This is a carryover I missed in the modifications made in version 1.62. This has been corrected. * An unnecessary delay in the Automatic Registration Transfer has been removed. * In the Compact Disc and Record Album/Tape modes, if for some reason an entire group of five songs and their run times were left blank (songs 1-5, 6-10, etc.) DiscTrak would cleverly decide that YOU goofed and left those five titles blank by mistake. In reality, DiscTrak was goofing. This situation has been corrected. If you feel the need to have the first 15 songs blank for some reason, we'll maintain the integrity. NOTE: If the data was written incorrectly, this fix will not correct it automatically. You must edit the record again to correct the problem. * If lower case letters were used to change a catalog number while in the Catalog Duplication Check, it was possible to assign two different entries with the same catalog number. This has been corrected. * If a record was set to be deleted in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes was reedited, the default answer would be incorrect for the library location. This has been corrected. * In some very rare circumstances, it was possible for empty slaves to get saved in the Compact Disc and Record/Tape modes. This has been corrected. * While writing reports in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, there were problems with the line wrapping of the second line of the title, if a third line was necessary. This has been corrected. * In the Record Album / Cassette Tape modes, when a report was run, the top letter of the word FILE was missing in the report header. This has been corrected. * While viewing a record, the character of key pressed to step to the next screen was being displayed on the bottom line next to the words "DiscTrak System". This has been corrected. * If in the GROUPING MENU and the QUIT option was selected rather than running a report, the last record would be remembered incorrectly. This has been corrected. * When the loader file was changed from a .COM file to a .EXE file back in version 1.62, the program still requested the .COM file if trying to run DiscTrak without typing DT <ENTER>. This was a simple typographical error in the code, and has been corrected. * A nearly complete restructuring of the code has been done. Version 1.62 * The loader program has been changed from a .COM file to an .EXE file. * Version checks are modified to stop the use of older version .EXE files on newer version database. * Blam Entertainment Group has moved to Canada. The program and docs have been updated with the new address. * Once again, those people in Hollywood have decided to add something else to movies. Q-Sound, which we have been tracking since version 1.50 in the Compact Disc and Album/Tape modes has been spotted on films recently. For this reason, the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR has been given another booster. * When changing the Stereo Type from anything other than MONO to MONO, the Spectral Recording, Surround Sound and Magnetic Audio flags were not getting updated. This has been corrected. * When editing the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR in the LaserDisc mode, if the JACKET TYPE was TRI-FOLD, the default answer was presented as GATE-FOLD incorrectly. This has been fixed. * Due to new compression procedures, the AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION TRANSFERAL and SERIAL NUMBER routines required extensive modifications. * While scanning the Special Features area in the Scan Records routine the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, it was possible to tag invalid records and display them as being valid. This has been corrected. * In the UTILITIES MENU, the option CHARACTERS has been renamed EXTEND CHR to allow for the new CODES flag. It is now accessed through "E". * The Printer Setup has been rewritten. Now the PRINTER MENU allows you to select and modify the codes one at a time. In addition we now allow for all control codes under ASCII 31. This is to accommodate some of the older printer which actually use control codes instead of escape sequences. * The environment variable CLIPPER was being set at the program onset then removed after exiting. However, if you have CLIPPER in your environment, it was removed completely. We now modify any existing CLIPPER variable upon execution of DT.EXE and restore it to it's original value upon program completion. * The Utilities Menu has got a new option CODES. With this option set to on (Default) the printer codes you specify in the PRINTER MENU will be added to the printed reports. If you turn CODES off, they will be omitted from the reports. * Under the REPORT GROUPING MENU there is a new option to group the report based on the Catalog Number. * In the REPORT MENU under GROUPING, the Category option has been changed to TYPE/Category to accommodate the new Catalog Number option. * Report file names have been modified to allow for all the new report options. Refer to the DT-USER.DOC file for the full description of this change. * The REPORT MENU in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes has been given a new report. Reports can now be run based on all titles in the Movie and Non-Movie libraries as well as each library independently. * Reports written from the Video Tape mode, when grouped by the Replication field were being presented incorrectly. This has been corrected. * Screen colors have been properly reset upon program exit. * Users manual has been reworked to clear up some minor errors. * A problem with leaving empty slave records in the Compact Disc and Record Album / Cassette Tape modes has been corrected. * Some minor screen writing corrections in the Record View/Print in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes have been made. * Version numbers were being remembered wrong in specific cases. Not very serious, but potentially troublesome. Version 1.611 * Changes to the various documentation files as shipped. The Installation program is also modified. * If the program were to end unnaturally, but without any errors, the temporary control file wasn't being deleted. This has been corrected. * Cinema Digital Sound has begun popping up on video releases. This flag is available under the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR. Version 1.61 * Membership in the Association of Shareware Professionals has been approved. Their logo is under the Program Information Screen. * Several discs have show up with a Surround Sound Check pattern at the end of the program. As usual, there is now a question about it in the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR of the Video Tape and LaserDisc Modes only. This question will not be asked if there is no Surround Sound on the disc or tape. * DiscTrak now writes DT.CFG which holds important information regarding program operation. Don't delete it. * The exit routine has been sped up if there is no maintenance to be done. * Not that anyone really cares, but those pesky color bars keep popping up at the end of releases on LaserDisc. The SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR now asks if they are present. Again, this is in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes only. * When DiscTrak calculates the default catalog number in all modes, it always generated the same number. To prevent troubles, the default is now the total number of records in the current mode. For the sake of further troubles with Slave/Master linking, try not to use the default catalog number and use what is suggested in the DT-USER.DOC file. * The Environment Variable set by DT.COM is now cleared from memory when the program is finished. * DiscTrak only calculates the report headers once per report, rather than at every page break as with previous versions. * Due the very nature of the UTILITIES MENU, instead of taking you back to the main menu after selecting an operation, the utilities menu stays present, allowing you to select another option automatically. * Back in version 1.60, we increased the database storage space for song titles by 10 bytes per 5 titles. As this was really only a temporary patch, the song storage routine has been completely reworked to cram as much data into the smallest space possible. You now have the ability to track ALL 40 CHARACTERS in EVERY ONE of the 99 song titles without dropping a single character. * DiscTrak now tracks for the run times of each individual song in the Compact Disc and Album/Tape modes. * In the Compact Disc and Album/Tape modes, troubles with song titles going all over the screen due to extremely long title names has been corrected. * We now allow you to send printer codes directly to the printer during the report writing routine. You specify the codes to send in the UTILITIES MENU. * DiscTrak will not load if the .COM cannot set an environment variable. If you get an OUT OF ENVIRONMENT message, you may need to increase your environment size. Check with your DOS manuals to find out how to do this. * In the Record Album / Cassette Tape mode, the words "Noise Reduction" would appear all the time during the edit and view routines. The words are now displayed when appropriate. * In an incomplete attempt to improve coding procedures, we allowed DiscTrak to run amuck with memory. The fault is with program lockups during the indexing within the report writer. We've finished the modifications and cleaned up the memory troubles. This has even picked up some speed in the report writer. * The index generation routine has been trimmed down significantly. * We've added a crash recovery file so that if the program should crash for some reason, the databases might not know who they are when you try to run the program again. The crash recovery file will allow you access to the database again upon the next running of DiscTrak without having to test for updates. * The FIND option under the EDIT MENU has been modified. If an exact match is not found, the system will look for a close possible match the same way it looks for matches in the SCAN Records routine. Version 1.601 * Back in version 1.22b, we increased the Dos Shell environment space to 400 bytes. There are some instances where even this wasn't enough. For this release, the environmental space in the Shell has been increased to 1k. * While editing a LaserDisc, the Multi-Channel question in the SPECIAL FIELDS GENERATOR had been made more intelligent. You will only be presented options for Digital Multi-Channel sound if you select Digital Sound on the initial screen. * There are some cosmetic VIEW changes with regards to Multi- Channel Audio in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. * Some versions of DOS, when calculating the number of seconds elapsed since midnight, begin their count from "0" rather than "00000". With this release, we will always calculate a 5 digit number for individual record printout names. * You'd think that after all this code clean up, I'd have cleared it all out, but no. When you dink with this code as long as I have, you find better ways of doing the same thing. This is what has happened here. Still more code clean up in this release. Version 1.60 * The 35 song title per record limit in the Compact Disc and Record Album modes has been altered. The new limit is 99 titles per record. * When editing an existing record in the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape / Record Album modes, the song titles are not displayed until the program reads the number of tracks entered. This is to prevent problems recording information in titles 6-10 if they don't already exist. * The loader file has been changed from a .BAT file to a .COM file. DiscTrak will not create it for you if it is missing and the program will not load without it. * Due to overwhelming demands, DiscTrak now writes two different length reports. The UTILITIES MENU has an option for 132 Character Reports as well as 156 Character reports. * Report names have been modified to show the format of the report and extended character setting. The program documentation gives full details regarding the names of the reports themselves. Look at the example name below. C:\DISCTRAK\DT-LRTEL.TXT \-/||||| \-/ | ||||| \-- Standard Extension | ||||\----- Report Format | |||\------ Character Setting | ||\------- Report Grouping | |\-------- Report Category | \--------- System Mode \----------- Standard Header * DiscTrak now supports printing a report direct from within the program. After a report is run, you will be asked if you wish to print the report. If yes, the program will tell you how to set your printer before the printing begins. PRINT.COM, provided with your DOS files, must be resident for this functionality. * In the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape / Record Album modes, the 156 column report has been altered. The positions of the Year and Category columns have been reversed. This brings the reports in line with the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. * The light bar menus now wrap. If the bar is on the first option and you select the up arrow, the bar will move to the last option on the list. This is also true in the reverse. * Within the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, the stereo section of the view screens has been trimmed up. Not much visual difference, but it does keep the screen less cluttered. * When selecting a stereo type in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, the option for "Re-Mix" has been changed to "Electronically Re-Mixed". The single key pick has been changed from "R" to "E" as a result. * In the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, changes have been made to the Surround Sound selection menu. * If you pick any of the displayed options under EDIT MENU while in any mode and the database is empty, the ADD RECORD option is the only one which will work. All other options, except for of course the QUIT option, will display an invalid option message. * In the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape / Record Album modes, there have been troubles with every 4th and/or 5th song title getting cut off. This has been cleared somewhat. Songs are stored in groups of 5. Therefore, a series of very long titles tend to take up quite a bit of room and the storage database runs out of space for that group of 5 titles. The storage capacity of the database has been increased to combat this problem. * The structure of Slave 3 has been reduced now that all titles in the Compact Disc and Cassette Tape / Record Album modes have been moved into Slave 4. * In the UTILITY MENU, LHA (formerly LHARC) is now supported in addition to PKZip. This setting works the same as the Character On/Off switch. The option shown is which compression routine will be active if selected. * In the UTILITY MENU, the ZIP database option has been renamed ARCHIVE DATA to allow for the new LHA support. * In the interest of proper grammar, all references in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes to THEATRIC TRAILERS have been changed to THEATRICAL TRAILERS. * A closing message has been added when the program exits. * The Automatic Registration Transferal process required some minor modifications. * Huge chucks of code have been removed due to the new coding of titles the Compact Disc and Record Album modes. * There has been a lot of talk about aspect ratio lately. The big question is "To letterbox or not to letterbox". I've revamped the Widescreen question into a much broader scope. * The update routine has been slightly revamped, again. Version 1.50 * With the release of a disc from Criterion Collection just after Thanksgiving 1990, a new jacket design was introduced. I call it the "Tri-Fold" jacket. This has two fold out sections, each end housing a disk and a third disk in located in the center. This is a really neat jacket as it gives the art department 6 panels to cover. Like they could find something good to put on 6 panels anyway. But I'm not one to stand in the way of progress, so I've changed the GATE FOLD question in the SPECIAL FEATURES GENERATOR in the LaserDisc mode to SELECT JACKET TYPE. You can specify Standard Single sleeves, Gate Fold, Tri-Fold or Disc Box. * There is a new noise reduction system waiting in the wings. Those guys at Dolby Labs have come up with a way to selectively isolate tape hiss. The result is CD quality sound on standard cassette tape. This new system is called DOLBY S and as we are always on the cutting edge here, the Cassette Tape / Record Album mode has been given this new option. * A new audio routine has been introduced allowing those without a surround sound processor to get multi-dimensional sound out of their standard stereo equipment. Q-Sound is the name of this mixing process and has been used on just a few CD and cassette releases as of yet. As this is rumored to be the wave of the future, I've added a flag for this in the Compact Disc and Tape / Album modes. * When using DiscTrak for the first time, all databases are empty and when entering the EDIT MENU, a null record was displayed. This has been changed to state that the database is empty. * The 25 record per mode limitation for unregistered versions of this program has been removed. * In the SCAN RECORDS routine, while in the LaserDisc or Video Tape modes, once a selection had been made, the screen cleared the menu of choices, leaving the "Cast" prompt by mistake. The screen is no longer cleared, displaying the type of search being done. * Running the file maintenance routine from any mode except the LaserDisc mode, if there were records to be deleted and the current record was not to be deleted, the record could be remembered incorrectly. This has been corrected. * During file maintenance, if a record was marked for deletion and then remarked to another selection and no other records were marked for deletion in any mode, indexes would be erased and recreated. This has been corrected. * I've continued to run into problems with record deletion. With this release, I think I've got all the kinks worked out of the system. There were troubles with marking a record for deletion and the program not deleting it as well as marking a record for deletion, remarking it so not to delete it and the slaves being deleted anyway. * Intelligent coding has sped up the record saving routine and cleaned up some other half-assed ways of doing things. * If you select "Zip Database" in the Utilities Menu, the program would zip everything with a ".DBF" extension. With this version, the command line sent to PKZIP will be as follows -- "PKZIP/U DT-D-xxx DT?.DBF" where xxx is the version of DiscTrak. * Back in version 1.40, I changed the routine which puts the "A", "AN", and "THE" at the end of the title in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes to check for upper and lower case. Somehow I forgot to check for lower case "A" option. It's fixed now, really. * There have been very minor alterations to the update routines, again. Version 1.402 * The Scan Records routine has a new option under the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes. You can now also search the special features field for possible matches. * If the ESC key is pressed in the MODE SELECT MENU, DiscTrak would try to select a null mode and a program crash will result. This has been corrected. * If the extended character set was disabled in the Utilities Menu, the program would write a 1 byte file called "DT.CFG". This file is no longer written or used. * The update routine has been completely rewritten to correct for program crashes when upgrading from very old versions or running the program after a crash. * If a report is written during the 10am hour from the REPORT MENU, the "1" would get cut off, resulting in a time that read "0:00am". This has been corrected. * Internal code modifications have been made to increase speed and maintain the small program size. Version 1.401 * The routine for adding additional records has been cleaned up to remove potential internal stack problems. * The update routine has been modified for future expansion. Updates will only be applied if the version number changes from in the tenths decimal position rather than the hundredths decimal. Version 1.401 | ||\-- Bug Fix number --\ No updates are | |\--- Version number --/ required when | | changed | | | \---- Version number --\ Updates are \------ Series Number ---/ required when changed Version 1.40 * ALL NEW!!! All choices are now first letter driven. In addition, a lighted menu bar can cursor from option to option. * DiscTrak System now test for the presence of a color monitor. You know what that means, MONOCHROME is now directly supported. * DiscTrak now tests for a parallel printer during the Record Print routine and the Scan records routine. If the printer is not found, the information is written directly to disk with the following naming structure: C:\DISCTRAK\DT-xxxxx.TXT \-/\---/ \-/ | | \-- Standard Extension | \------- Seconds Elapsed Since Midnight \----------- Standard Header * Indexes keys in all modes have been changed to allow for more accurate linking. * The Video Cassette mode has been renamed Video Tape for simplicity reasons. * All references to Stars in this program have been changed to Cast. * References to Credits has been expanded to Production Credits to remove conflicts with the new "Cast" Designation. * When adding a record in any mode, the system now asks if you would like to enter another record. Answering yes repeats the record add routine. No takes you back to the main menu. * During the VIEW option in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes, if there are no stars or credits in the database for the selected record, the program skips over that screen and goes directly to the Special Features/Episode screen. If that screen is also empty, it is not displayed either. * Operation in the Scan Record routine has changed. Instead of the select output question, you will be shown the valid match and then asked if you want to print it. This is to save paper and sanity. * The Scan Record routine has been given a new option. Under the LaserDisc and Video Tape Modes, you can now search for any information in the episodes information. * Dos Shell, way back in version 1.30 suddenly worked great. It even remembered the directory the program was running in. I neglected to keep track of one thing, the proper drive. This has been added. * In the LaserDisc and Video Tape mode, the default selection for the library classification has been changed from DELETE to AVAILABLE NOW. * In the EDIT MENU, if you select either NEXT RECORD or PREVIOUS RECORD, the system will change that to the default for the next key press. * All references to "EXIT" have been changed to "QUIT" and is now accessed trough "Q" rather than "X". * With the addition of the UTILITY MENU, the following changes have been made: . Archiving the datebases with PKZip has been moved to here. . File Maintenance has been moved to this menu. * The MAIN MENU has incorporated the following changes: . Scan Record routine has been moved from the EDIT MENU. . DOS SHELL and is now accessed through the letter "D". * The EDIT MENU has incorporated the following modifications: . Add Record has been moved to this menu. . Record Print is now accessed with "R". * Under the REPORT MENU, the following changes have been made: . Now Available is now accessed with "N" rather than "A". . All Records is now accessed with "A" rather than "L". . Option to include only the Tapes OR Records in the Tape Mode * Under the GROUPING MENU, which is under the REPORT MENU, the following changes have been made: . MPAA Rating is now accessed with "M" rather than "R". . Replication is now accessed with "R" rather than "P". . Video Label is now accessed with "V" rather than "L". . Record Label is now accessed with "R" rather than "L". * The Album/Tape mode has been renamed the Tape/Album mode. * Under the Tape/Album mode, the option for Dolby HX Pro as a Noise reduction method has been removed. Instead, it is asked as a question in addition to the Noise Reduction setting. * The Tape/Album mode asks a new question. Extended Dynamic Range cassettes are everywhere. I neglected to notice this when building the mode initially. The program references this system by it's trademark call letters XDR. * In the LaserDisc and Video Tape Modes, a selection has been added to the Color Type question. Electronically Colorized movies are out there no matter how much the public hates them. * Extensive source code rewrites to allow for a more user-friendly interface and future expansion. Program speed has also been improved. * Catalog Duplication checks have been modified to increase speed when a duplicate is found. Unfortunately, the speed with which the checks themselves are made can't be sped up any further. * The update routines have been sped up. Messages will flash on the screen very quickly. * The update routine no longer includes updates from specific revisions. The updates listed also refer to any version incorporating a letter designator (ie: 1.17c). Refer to DT-USER.ME for a list of included updates. * During File Maintenance, DiscTrak now remembers the active record for all modes when sorting. Previously only the current mode was remembered. * Catalog numbers in the Video Tape Mode are limited to 9 characters due to the linking of multiple programs on one tape. The field will still display 12 characters, but the trailing 3 will be removed. * Report headers in the Compact Disc and Tape/Album modes have been updated. In addition, the time stamp on the top of each page now calculates for 12 hour time more accurately in all modes. * Reports in the Compact Disc and Tape/Album mode have a new grouping option. You can now group your reports by Library classification. * In the PROGRAM INFORMATION screen, the registration solicitation message no longer appears once your serial number is installed. * Information stored in Slave 4 in the LaserDisc and Video Tape modes has been moved to Slave 3. This allows the same information to be stored in a smaller space on your drive. * When adding a record to the LaserDisc or Video Tape Catalog, the program checks for the presence of "The", "An" and "A" in both UPPER and lower case. * For those of you out there who's printer can't print the extended character set, there is now an option in the Utility Menu to disable the Extended characters on any output to file or printer. * In the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR, if you answer YES to Magnetic Audio Master and you also selected MONO in the Stereo type, you will not be asked the number of tracks. The number will default to 1. * While viewing a record in the Video Tape mode, the top of the screen displayed "LaserDisc Catalog" rather than "Video Tape Catalog". This has been corrected. * In the File Maintenance Routine, the Video Tape database was being sorted incorrectly. The only drawbacks were delays in skipping forward and backward record by record in the EDIT MENU. This has been corrected. * Isolated troubles with the serial number installation have been corrected. * The system would allow you to delete a catalog number and not put anything in it's place. Since this field is the basis for Slave to Master linking, this field will never be blank, no matter what you do to it. * Troubles in the Catalog Duplication Routine while in the Video Tape mode have been corrected. * In any mode, if you marked a record for DELETION and then undelete it by marking it with another option, the program would run the extended maintenance routine when exiting. To correct for anything getting missed, the program will make a final scan of the database in use at the time to verify there are records to be deleted. If not, the extended routine will not be run. * During the FILE MAINTENANCE routine, if a file had deleted records or was sorted, the file was indexed and the progression bar was not cleared from the screen during the next database scan mode. This has been corrected. Version 1.311 * The unprompted option "Z" from the MAIN MENU has been restored and calls up PKZIP to archive all the .DBF Files. It is up to you to have PKZIP somewhere on you hard drive. It must be pathed. * Program crashes during the File Maintenance routine when records have been deleted are fixed. The routine now indexes before exiting. * If a title is viewed in either the LaserDisc or Video Cassette mode and there are no stars or credits listed and there is information in the special field or episode information (next screen), the colors on that screen are wrong. This has been corrected. * The current record is now remembered after running the reports. * Intermittent appearance of the progression bar has been corrected. * If exiting from the program in either the Compact Disc or Album/Tape modes with the "X" option from the MAIN MENU, the last active record number was saved incorrectly. This has been corrected. * If in either the Compact Disc or Album/Tape modes and a FILE SORT is performed, the last active record would be remembered wrong. This has been corrected. * Two new report groupings have been added. RELEASING LABEL has been added to all modes and REPLICATION has been added to the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes. Version 1.31 * Search for Names of Stars and Names in Credits has been added to the LaserDisc and Video Cassette Modes. This is very much the same as the song search for the Compact Disc and Album/Tape modes. * In the Report Menu, the name of the report being written is now displayed on the screen. Remember, all reports are written directly to disk, never to the screen or printer. * The Dos Shell function wrote a 161 byte file called "DT-SHELL.MEM" to disk which was used to maintain specific exit sanity information. This file is no longer written or used. * In the Song/Star/Credit search routine, the record number active when entering the routine is remembered and restored upon returning to the main menu. * Mixed recording formats on discs have continued to grow. Especially where an odd side is in CLV/CAA. I've added an option for this in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. * The DISC MENU has been renamed the EDIT MENU and is now accessed with the letter "E" instead of "D" as with previous versions. * The FIND RECORD option under the EDIT MENU is now also available from the MAIN MENU as well. Press "F", which is unprompted, to find a specific Disc or Tape. * FILE SORT access key has changed from "F" to "L". This is to facilitate the Find option from the main menu. * DiscTrak System now remembers the last active record in all modes. When you change modes from VCR Cassettes to Compact Discs, for instance, the program will automatically go to the last record active in the Compact Disc catalog. * After a FILE SORT, the current record is now remembered, rather than defaulting back to the first record. * The Special Features field on the Episode Information screen in the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes has been renamed. The new name is the Special Information field. Functionally, there is no change. * The Special Field Generator in the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes has been given the proper name. Again, this change is functionally non-existent, but the new name makes more sense. The new name is the Special Feature Fields Generator. * The update routine for v1.30 tended to update when not necessary, especially if the update ran again, after the initial update was applied. This has been corrected. * The program would crash during the Mode Select Screen if a program record had been either added or edited at any time before trying to change the mode. This has been corrected. * The exit routines have been upgraded. There was a problem with records which were marked for deletion, not actually getting deleted. This has been corrected. * Troubles with recording information on Bilingual Discs in the LaserDisc mode has been corrected. * Catalog Duplication checks were not being performed under specific circumstances when adding records. This has been corrected. * During the Song/Star Search routine, the copyright line across the bottom of the screen used the wrong colors. This is fixed. * The Star/Song Search routine would tag a record as invalid for the match incorrectly. There will still be invalid matches, but they are indeed invalid. * After adding a Compact Disc or a Cassette Tape/Album, the program would check catalog duplication at any subsequent editing of any record in that mode. This has been corrected. * During Song Search, the system failed to pause between the first and second matches, provided both were valid, to allow you to exit to the main menu. This has been corrected. * In the view option of the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes, the last two characters of the credits fields would wrap around to the other side of the screen, provided they contained the full 27 characters. This has been corrected. * Spacing on the view option in the LaserDisc field has been corrected on manual CX encoded discs. Version 1.30 * Non Registered users are now restricted to 25 records per mode, due to the now dynamic nature of the program. * Two new modes of operation are available. Albums/Cassettes and Video Cassettes. * With the introduction of v1.30, the program must be invoked with a batch file, called "DT.BAT". This is included within the PKZIP file. In addition, the trouble with EXPANDED MEMORY is now not a problem. EXTENDED MEMORY is shut off for ONLY CLIPPER COMPILED programs until your computers next reboot. * The executable file for DiscTrak System is no longer called "DISCTRAK.EXE". The file is now "DT-xxx.EXE" where xxx is the version number of the program. (i.e. version 1.30 is called "DT-130.EXE") * A new option is available for Compact Disc collectors. The ability to search the entire database for a specific song has been added. The five slaves will be searched and then the appropriate Master will be scanned. You can output the information to the Screen or to the Printer. * Screen changes to the Compact Disc Mode to make things look a little bit cleaner. * In the Compact Disc mode now asks two questions, much like those at the beginning of the LaserDisc edit and add screens. The fields for AAD/ADD/DDD and CD3/CDV/CDG are now questions rather than direct edit fields. * The Compact Disc mode used to step you through all 35 possible tracks during a disc add or edit. The number of fields displayed is now controlled by the number of tracks you specify. You are still allowed only 35 track titles. * DiscTrak now remembers the last active record as well as the active mode. Any time you re-enter DiscTrak System without a command line switch, the program will automatically go to the last record active on the system in the appropriate mode. * Shell to Dos option now removes the program entirely from memory, allowing you to run any application you wish while in the shell. When you return to DiscTrak, the program will remember which mode, record and the proper directory which were active at the point of exit. * Program exits have been significantly sped up. The program now runs very quick maintenance on the files unless you have tagged a record for deletion during the session. * Program crashes when an invalid grouping selection was made in REPORTS MENU has been corrected. If invalid selection is made, the default option is in effect. * Program crashes in the Mode Select option have been corrected. * The number of Stars the program will track per movie in the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes has been increased to 8. * The number of characters allowed in each of the Stars Fields in the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes has been increased to 32. * The number of characters allowed in each of the Credits Fields in the LaserDisc and Video Cassette modes has been increased to 27. * The "More" prompt has been moved to the left side of the screen. * When files were missing, the program said they were listed on the right. They've always been on the left. * There have been several movies, which in their credits specifically reference being recorded in a LucasFilm THX equipped theatre. For these pictures, I have added a flag for this in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. * Additional footage is something that pops up from time to time. You are now asked this question during the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. * The Default answer for the side number for the Short Side CAV question in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR now defaults to the last side specified for the disc being edited. * The Special Field on the Episode Screen in both the LaserDisc and Video Cassette Modes has been increased to 70 characters. * The DISC MENU is now accessed with the letter "D" instead of "C" as with previous versions. * Under the DISC MENU, the option to LOCATE a specific disc has been changed. The option is now "FIND DISC", accessed through the letter "F". * There were problems with the Automatic Registration Transferal. From time to time, the program would appear to work correctly, but upon exiting the program it would be discovered the .EXE file had somehow shrunk to a very compact 69 bytes. With this version, the A.R.T. has been improved and should operate correctly. * In very old discs, the CX Noise Reduction didn't turn on automatically, even on players equipped with automatic CX Switching. There is now a option to tag for this in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR, provided the disc was issued prior to 1986. * In the LaserDisc mode, there are new conditions to being asked two of the questions in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. The "Table of Contents" question is asked only if the Disc Issued Date is after 1988. The "Minute only Encoded" question is only asked if the Disc Issued date is prior to 1986. * The program no longer allows lower case characters in the catalog fields. If you put lowercase characters in the catalog entry, they will be converted to uppercase. Version 1.22b * Progression Bars have changed color again. * Shell to Dos option could loose characters in the prompt due to environmental restrictions in the shell. This is corrected. * Program crashes in the Catalog Verification mode have been corrected. * In the LaserDisc Mode, the "MORE" prompt appeared at every screen pause, rather than only when there was actually more information. Version 1.22 * DiscTrak's executable file is now about half the size due to advanced freeware programs floating around out in the world (especially France). * To switch between Compact Discs and LaserDiscs, there is now a menu which appears. Mode select will allow you to move between LD's and CD's. This is to facilitate future expansion. * The Program information screen now totals the number of discs being tracked by each mode. This is to show you that you're spending too much money on LaserDiscs and Compact Discs. * The Serial number verification routine has been tweaked slightly. * The 5 Slave files are only rewritten when they require it. Originally they were rewritten every time the master records were updated. * The progression bar routine has been rewritten. The empty bar is now a actuated bar rather than a blank bar. * DiscTrak now checks for duplicate Catalog Numbers in all modes of operation to keep the Slave's accurately linked to the Masters. * Due to memory constraints inside the DOS SHELL, the unprompted "Z" option from the MAIN MENU, used to archive the databases, is no longer available. * The pop up menus for Disc and Reports no longer appear on the side of the main menu. Instead, they replace the main menu in the center of the screen. This is also applicable for the File Maintenance Routine. * The Surround Sound modes has a new option. If the Stereo Type is "Ultra" the Surround Mode is "US" for "Ultra Surround". * Automatic Registration Transferal is now implemented. If your version is at least 1.21, Disctrak will read your serial number out of the "DISCTRAK.EXE" file and install it in the new version. * The "Shell to Dos" option now invokes your original prompt, rather than writing it's own. However, the prompt will have the "Type 'EXIT' to Return to DiscTrak" message at the beginning. * Reports were being written at only 72 lines per page rather than 73 as stated in the documentation. With this version, reports are at the correct 73 line length. * In Reports, the line separating the header from the report body was one character too short. * In the LaserDisc mode, the Surround Sound field was being generated when it shouldn't have. To Correct this, you are now asked the surround mode if the STEREO TYPE field is selected as ANALOG or DIGITAL. * In the LaserDisc mode, the Stereo Type field did not display in the View Record section. This has been corrected. * If the update routine spotted a missing file, during the creation, the existing files would be tested for update, even if not necessary. Version 1.21 * The SHELL TO DOS option from the MAIN menu no longer requires the SHEL.BAT file. Feel free to delete it from your drive. * The file DTSET.MEM is no longer used. You can delete it from your drive if you wish. * When editing a LaserDisc record, one the several questions are answered at the beginning, only the answers to those questions are updated, rather than rewriting the entire screen. * There is no longer an update program. The update is built into the code and will test the files for update application the first time you run any new version of DiscTrak. * The questions asked at the beginning and end of the LaserDisc edit screen now only allow the options presented. If an invalid answer is given, the default or previous answer will apply. The questions are now displayed one at a time in the center of the lower half of the screen rather than on a single line, one below the other. Of course the option not to answer the questions is still there. * The program information screen now includes a registration encouragement message, as well as your serial number. * Theatrical Trailers are becoming popular. There is now an option for this in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. * Gate Fold Jackets are increasing in numbers. There is now an option for this feature in the SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR. * There is no longer a specific field for CD-Video Format in the LaserDisc mode of the program. In addition, the CD-Video format name has been removed from existence. Everything is now called LaserDisc, as it should. * I no longer include sample files (SAMPLE.ZIP) as database creation is now built into the program. If any files cannot be located, the system will ask if you wish to create them. * The program now supports verifiable serial numbers. Non- registered users will be limited to 50 LaserDisc's and 50 Compact Discs before being forced to register. See the main documentation on how to register. * The File Maintenance routine has been tweaked, again. It should be cleaner and quicker. * Report names have been modified. The name of the report now incorporates a dash between the standard header and the actual report name. See the example below: C:\DISCTRAK\DT-LLT.TXT \-/||| \-/ | ||| \-- Standard Extension | ||\----- Report Grouping | |\------ Report Category | \------- System Mode \--------- Standard Header * Internal program logic continues to improve the size and speed. * Reports are now written to disk through file logic. * Code duplication has been eliminated by consolidating the LaserDisc and Compact Disc Edit routines. * The SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR has become smarter. Questions will only be asked if they could possibly be valid. For example, you will not be asked if the disc has a Short Side in CAV, if the entire title is in CAV. Version 1.20a * New title screen added at program loading. * Main menu screens have been updated. * Disctrak now creates any index (.NTX) files if they don't exist. * File Decompression routines have been completely rewritten. * Program mode switches have been simplified through a complete rewrite. * Color control has been improved. * Plotting of the Japanese Subtitle information in the View Record screen of the LaserDisc mode, appears where the closed caption prompt appears. This is since both cannot be on the same program. * Hidden option "Z" from the main menu will call up PKZIP to archive all databases. * The Compact Disc database is now file DT7.DBF from DT6.DBF and the LaserDisc database has been renamed DT6.DBF from DT0.DBF. * I've updated the dos switch for Compact Disc Mode. "DISCTRAK C" will still bring up the Compact Disc mode upon program loading, but it isn't necessary for every running of the program. The system will remember which mode the program was in at the last exit point and will return to the same with the next use of DiscTrak. * Report grouping is now available. Reports generated by DiscTrak can be grouped by things such as Title, Category, MPAA Rating and Year of release. Due to this change, the report names now have an additional character. The new names are as follows. C:\DISCTRAK\DTLLT.TXT \|||| \-/ |||| \-- Standard Extension |||\----- Report Grouping ||\------ Report Category |\------- System Mode \-------- Standard Header * DiscTrak no longer searches for "SIDEWAYS.COM" during the report writer. This functionality has been removed since not all users have SIDEWAYS. The system now creates reports in ASCII format 156 x 73. Use the program or printer of your choice capable of these specifications. * In the LaserDisc mode, the CAST/CREDITS screen and the EPISODE INFORMATION screens have been reversed. * There is now a progression bar during File Maintenance and during Index Creation. The bar also updates during report generation. * File Maintenance routines have been rewritten. * The addition of memory arrays has reduce memory requirements dramatically. * Internal system logic has been further modified to decrease program size. Version 1.19 * Report names have changed. Prior versions wrote the reports to file "DISCTRAK.TXT" and erased this file every time a new report was run. Now, the program creates a file with a name related to the report run. C:\DISCTRAK\DTLL.TXT \||| \-/ ||| \--- Standard Extension ||\------ Report Category |\------- System Mode \-------- Standard Header * The program now looks for "SIDEWAYS.COM" only in the default directory during the report writer routine. With previous version, Disctrak also scanned the "\UTIL" directory, for Sideways. Too may people call their drives too may things for this functionality to be incorporated. * There are changes to the "Multi-Channel Audio" field inside the LaserDisc Mode. Any records you have encoded with BILINGUAL soundtracks must be updated manually. The data in your current files can't provide the update routines with enough information to make the proper adjustments. * Slave to Master linking has been rewritten. * The add routine now defaults the catalog number. * As not everyone has the same system processor running at the same speed, all timed screen messages are based exclusively on the system clock, not an internal counter. * The LaserDisc View option has been completely rewritten. * Internal system logic has been improved to speed up program. * The program start-up routine has been changed. * File Decompression has been modified to take less time. Version 1.18b * Number of episodes able to be tracked in the LaserDisc mode has been upgraded to 4. * In the LaserDisc mode, the Add a Disc routine has been automated. * Screen colors have been significantly altered for a much cleaner look. * In the LaserDisc mode, the LIBRARY classifications have been changed. Main Library and Back Library have been changed to Movie and Non-Movie respectively. * The VIEW option under the LaserDisc mode has been restructured to be faster and more accurate with information. * The database for the Compact Discs has been renamed from DT00.DBF to DT6.DBF. * As DISCTRONICS does not use COLD CAST Replications, the tag for them has been removed in the VIEW option of the LaserDisc Mode. * A Program Information screen has been added, displaying version, compile time and date. * Command line switches for each mode have been added. * Report routine is now accessed with "R" rather than "P". * File Decompression routines have been improved. * In the LaserDisc edit routine, only valid library options are allowed. Previously anything you stuck in the field would be allowed, causing all types of dumb problems. * Slave to Master linking has been improved. * General internal code clean-up to speed up the program. Version 1.17c * First issue as shareware. * An exit message has been added. * DiscTrak now scans for missing files while loading. All missing file names are displayed. * All compatibility with dBASE III+ and dBASE IV has been removed, including most of the related code. * Locate Disc option under the DISC MENU is about 1000 times smarter, although this is transparent to the user. * Beginning and End of File bumpers in the Next/Previous routines inside the DISC MENU are improved. * The copyright line is drawn much faster now. * Report headers are now created when writing reports rather than when changing modes. * Internal structure modifications to incorporate more intelligent programming routines. These changes also realize an improvement in execution speed. * References to CD-Video Singles in the LaserDisc mode have been removed to avoid duplication in the Compact Disc Database. * Edit and view screens on the LaserDisc mode now are paged only on the lower half of the screen, displaying the title, audio, video and disc information at all times during the edit and view. * While recording information into the database, a status message is now displayed. * File Maintenance routine has been completely rewritten for greater speed and logic. * Reports now test for an possible empty report before beginning. Version 1.06 * In addition to LaserDisc's, DiscTrak now also tracks Compact Discs in a separate database. The CD mode can track up to 35 individual song titles for each disc and also has tags for CD- Video and CD3 discs. * Rather than one database as used in the past, we now use multiple databases. As a result, DiscTrak now is seven database files. * Multiple reports are now available through the REPORTS MENU that were not available previously. * SHELL to Dos is now available. * The STEPPER MENU has been called the DISC MENU now. * The SELECT DISC has now been called LOCATE DISC in the Disc Menu. * Full functionality implementation between dBASE III+, dBASE IV and Clipper has been introduced. * The copyright line across the bottom of the screen is displayed throughout the program now. The version of the program is now on this line as well. * File Maintenance, while not faster in entire process due to the increase number of databases, is more intelligent and sorts quicker, per database. * The ADD Disc and EDIT DISC options are now referencing the same internal code, rather than calling in completely different routines. * The PRINT RECORD and VIEW RECORD routines have been combined to remove duplication of code. * When adding a disc, rather than relying the user to type in things like "Dolby" under stereo type, there are now several questions which are asked to input the information into the database. These included recording format, widescreen ratios and close captioning. * The addition of the multiple databases has reduced the overall structure of the files stored on disk. Field linking has been implemented, requiring the use of a decompression routine when running the program. * A TAG field has been added to compensate for multiple locations of a disc throughout your collection. This field also marks records for deletion. * The SPECIAL FIELD GENERATOR now includes the Minute Encode, Japanese Subtitles, Table of Contents, Multi-Channel Audio, Digital Video Transfers, Supplemental Material, Magnetic Audio Masters, Sepia Tone Coloring and Short Side CAV rather than dedicating fields to them directly. This data is written into a special hidden field which will not infringe on the Special Features field as with previous versions. * The Multi-Channel audio has been modified to allow for Digital Sound applications as well as Bilingual and Analog Multi- Channel sound. * A non-controllable flag is now present during the LaserDisc View routine stating the replication process used by the pressing facility. Most of the time, this will state INJECTION MOLD. Discs pressed at 3M use COLD CAST MOLD which will be stated as such. In order for this to work, the first four characters of the pressing field must be "3M M" exactly. Discs pressed by DISCTRONICS will also state COLD CAST which was later determined to be incorrect. * We used to use a PRETITLE field for things like THE, AN, A used at the beginning of some movie titles. This was to maintain the proper sorting of the database by the correct title. The PRETITLE field has been removed, putting the above mentioned words back in with the main title. In the ADD routine for the LaserDiscs, you are asked to input the title exactly as spoken, such as "An Officer and a Gentleman" and DiscTrak will alter the title to be "Officer and a Gentleman, An". During the VIEW and PRINT routines for individual records, the title is reassembled into back to the way you typed it originally. When you are editing a disc, however, you will be allowed to change the way DiscTrak has formatted the title. * We've increased the number of Stars the program can track up to 7 from 6. * The number of Episode titles the LaserDisc mode can track has been upgraded from 2 to 3. * The Next/Previous options in the DISC MENU now include end of file and beginning of file bumpers to keep from displaying null records. * Report headers are printed in much greater detail than before, giving date, time, page number, Report name, program version and other handy data. * Reports are now internally written rather than calling in outside .FRM files. * Ah, the grand experiment. Modular programming has made the program infinitely faster and really cleaned up lots of code duplication. Version 0.90 * Well, a stand alone program which looks nothing like the anything done previously. This version can stand alone in a Clipper environment, although I wasn't programming in Clipper just yet. * Everything has been reformatted. All fields are geared toward actual abbreviations rather than an "X" in a block. * The STAR report, which was not really complete is no longer supported. * Key letter access on all menu choices rather than numbered access. * Add, Edit and View screens have been completely reformatted. * Credits now include Writer and Screenplay Authors. * SPECIAL FEATURES FIELD GENERATOR has been added to track things such as Supplemental Material, Short Side CAV, Magnetic Audio masters, Digital Video Transfer and Sepia Tone. The answers for these questions will be displayed in the Special Features Field. * Stepper Menu now gives full interaction to the database, allowing you to see which record you're about to view or edit before you do. Also this will let you step from record to record, forward or backward through the entire database. * All program control is internal to the code now except for the report writer which still requires the .FRM file. * Printing an individual record is now supported. * Screen colors are a nice added touch. * All data, when viewed is displayed in simple english terms rather than the abbreviated codes used to enter the data. This is only possible if you match what I was thinking when I wrote the program. In the STEREO TYPE field, for example, if you enter "DOLBY" rather than "Dolby", things tend to mess up. Version 0.10 * Initial version. What a joke.