Software Vault: The Diamond Collection

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Text File | 1995-01-31 | 16KB | 343 lines

_______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SEARCH-N-STORE 3.5 VERSION DATE : 01/05/1995 (C) 1992-1994 Shawn Anderson PO Box 1481 Milan IL 61264-1481 CompuServe 73362,2377 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── OVERVIEW │ ─────────┘ SEARCH-N-STORE is really much more than just a card file. It is a network ready database with lots of search options and flexibility. SEARCH-N-STORE was written in MicroSoft Visual Basic Pro for DOS. The indexing and networking capabilities are from EllTech Development's E-TREE Plus data management library. If you are a BASIC programmer, EllTech has some great stuff! You can contact EllTech at 800-553-1327. The included files are : SNS.EXE - The program file SNS.DOC - This file EUTIL.EXE - Database manipulation utility for created file SNS.DAT. EUTIL and its documentation are included with permission from EllTech Development. EUTIL.DOC - Documentation for EUTIL.EXE README.TXT - (optional) If present, contains information on the latest release of Search-N-Store that may not be in SNS.DOC or the printed manual (for registered versions). RESISTER.TXT - A registration form for Search-N-Store. 34TO35.BAT - Upgrade batch file for v3.4 users HOW IT WORKS │ ─────────────┘ This manual makes general assumptions that the user has general knowledge of DOS and its commands (copy/del/md/cd, etc). Using SEARCH-N-STORE is straight forward, but here are some points to remember : *INSTALLATION : Either run the INSTALL program, or copy SNS.EXE to a sub-directory on your hard drive, and type SNS. *DATA FILE PATH NAME : This is the DOS PATH of where the data file Page #1 will be created and kept. If you are a single user, this can be anywhere on your hard disk. *NETWORK USERS : There are a couple of ways to use SNS on a network. The most straight forward way is to copy the programs files to the server's hard disk, allowing each workstation to access the program file. When you start SNS the first time, you will be prompted for a 'data path'. This is the location that the data file for SNS will be created and maintained. This path is kept in the file SNSDP.DAT. If everyone on your network is running SNS from the server, the path name should be something like "\data" (omitting a drive specification). You would run SNS by first logging on the network drive (F:, for example) and sub-directory for F: (say, F:\SNS). Your DOS prompt would be F:\SNS. Then type SNS and press enter. You can also copy the SNS.EXE program file to EACH workstation, most likely in a sub-directory (C:\SNS for example). When you are prompted for the data file path name, give the entire path name, including a drive specification, ie: F:\DATA. This can be a unique drive name for each workstation (Drive F: on Bob's machine is Drive G: on Sue's). This will also allow you to keep different databases active, by specifying different drive names; ie : F:\DATA for accounting database H:\DATA for sales database. Only valid paths will be accepted. *USING THE PROGRAM : SEARCH-N-STORE uses one data file (SNS.DAT) with three indices. In other words, the data file is kept sorted four different ways. They are by NAME, CITY, STATE, and NUL, which is the raw order that the data was entered. Indexed data files are very fast and befitting to large lists of information. To move around the screen, you can TAB to the next field, SHIFT-TAB to the previous field, or just click with the mouse. The MEMO field is the large square on the upper right of the screen. It can hold up to 512k of alpha-numeric data. It will scroll down if necessary. To enter a new record, just type in the data fields. The only field that HAS to be filled in is the NAME field. The command buttons are as follows : SAVE : Saves a new record, or updates changes made to an old record. NEXT : (RIGHT ARROW) Moves to the next record in the data base, sorted by the current index. A record must already be showing before you can use this button. PREVIOUS : (LEFT ARROW) Moves to the previous record in the data base, sorted by the current index. A record must already be showing before you can use this button. PRINT : Gives you sort and print range options, allowing you to print as much or as little as you want. SEARCH : Search allows for different sort & search options. Pick the type of sort from the list at the left (Name city, or state). Then, either choose BEGINNING for the first record in the current sort order, END for the last record in the current sort order, or type in search criterion and choose go. For instance, to find the first city that starts with S, choose the CITY index and type S in the input field, then press go. You will get the first city starting with S. You Page #2 may put as criteria much in the search field as you wish. If you pick the STRING SEARCH, SEARCH-N-STORE will compile a list that matches your criteria, and then you may choose from that list. String Search looks at the memo field. pick STRING SEARCH and type FAX in the input field, you will get a listing of all the records that have the word FAX in the memo field. It also works with parts of words. For instance, the search key word AR would get you CAR, BAR, ARK, TELE MARKETING, or anything else with AR in it. STRING SEARCH is case sensitive, the others are not. The KEY FIELD is a user- defined index. Use it the same way you would search a CITY or STATE field, for example. The KEY FIELD can be any category that you wish. For an illustration, imagine you are in the trucking business. You want to distinguish your customers by the type of trailers they have. You could enter HOPPER, VAN, FLAT BED, or REFRIGERATED in the KEY FIELD. Now, search the key field by VAN. All of your VAN customers are now in sorted order, first sorted by VAN and then by name. Keep an eye on the bottom right of the screen. This will tell you the number of records in the database, and how they are currently sorted. LIST : Compiles an alphabetic list of all the records in the database by the NAME field. You then may choose from this list. If you are on A and the name you are looking for starts with F then you can press the F key and you will immediately go to the first name of the list that starts with F. CLEAR : The CLEAR button clears out all the current information displayed, but does not delete any information. DELETE : The DELETE button deletes the currently displayed record for the data file. EXIT : Exits the program. PATH NAME : Used to specify the DOS PATH that SEARCH-N-STORE uses to find the data file. You must exit SEARCH-N-STORE and re-start for this to take effect. DIAL : This option will dial the telephone number listed in the TELEPHONE field. Any non-numeric information in this field will be ignored by Search-N-Store, except for the comma, which is interpreted as a pause. QUICK SEARCH : For a quick name search, just type in one or more letters in the record NAME field, followed by an '*', and press TAB or click on another field. This will bring up the first closest match. For example, SHA* + tab could be used to find a record closest to SHAWN ANDERSON SoftWare! HINTS : A disk-cache will greatly improve the speed performance of SEARCH-N-STORE. Also, a mouse is highly recommended. If erroneous error or unexplained record locks show up, please use EUTIL to rebuild the database (see EUTIL.DOC). Power surges or dips, network problems, or other anomalies can corrupt a database. Also Page #3 remember, on a network, only one person can access a single record at a time. When you bring up a record, it 'locks' all other users from updating or deleting that record. When you save, clear, delete, move to another record, or exit the program, the record is 'unlocked' and anyone else can access it. PROGRAM REGISTRATION │ ─────────────────────┘ This program is being distributed as shareware. Shareware is described below. The registration fee is $50.00 (U.S.). By becoming a registered user, you will get : 1) Free upgrades and tech support for 6 months Tech support through mail, phone or CompuServe E-Mail. 2) A printed manual The registered version is identical to the distributed version. You may register on line via CompuServe (GO SWREG)!!. DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE │ ─────────────────────────┘ Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of SEARCH-N-STORE must accept this disclaimer of warranty: Page #4 "SEARCH-N-STORE is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of SEARCH-N-STORE." SEARCH-N-STORE is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using SEARCH-N-STORE and continue to use SEARCH-N-STORE after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $50.00 to Shawn Anderson. The $50.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of SEARCH-N-STORE must register and pay for their copies of SEARCH-N-STORE within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Shawn Anderson. Anyone distributing SEARCH-N-STORE for any kind of remuneration must first contact Shawn Anderson at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering SEARCH-N-STORE immediately (However Shawn Anderson must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of SEARCH-N-STORE.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of SEARCH-N-STORE along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the SEARCH-N-STORE system. Shawn Anderson is : Shawn Anderson PO BOX 1481 MILAN IL 61264-1481 "This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a Page #5 shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536." Page #6