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PASSLOG.TXT
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You may type INSTALL at anytime in the future to reaccess this document.
You may also use any word processor - this document is file PASSLOG.TXT
***************************************
********** PRESS F2 TO PRINT **********
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PASSLog v2.0a
June 20, 1994
Professional PASS Service Tracking Software
Developed by
Tom H. Emmons Jr.
DisAbility Works, Inc.
(303) 985-3376 V/TDD
(303) 989-6156 BBS
Copyright (c) DisAbility WOrks, Inc. 1993,1994
I. INTRODUCTION - Your PASSLog System and You!
The PASSLog Tracking System is a powerful database system that allows you to
record, modify, track, and generate reports on all of the data associated
with providing services to your PASS contacts and clients. Reports may be
generated, based on user selected database fields.
II. INSTALLATION - How To Get the PASSLog System Up and Running!
The installation routine will create a directory on your C: Drive named
"\PASSLOG" and place the program files in it. The installation procedure
will also create a batch file named PL.BAT in your root directory. You may
run the program by simply typing PL at the DOS Prompt (C:\>) and pressing
Enter.
After getting the system up and running, the first thing you should do is
enter information in the Customer database. This provides information to
the Service Log module of the PASSLog System to be used during the service
tracking process.
III. OVERVIEW - What You See Isn't Necessarily All That You Get!
Upon loading, the most obvious feature of the PASSLog system is the
Main Menu. It provides you access to the databases, reports and
utilities needed to track and document your work. From this and all
menus, you may use either your arrow keys (<- ->) and Enter or the
first letter or number of the highlighted menu item to select a new
module. From this menu you may select
1. Customer
2. Service Log
3. Reports
4. Utilities
5. Exit
IV. A WORD ABOUT DATABASES
Like many other disciplines, working with a database requires an understanding
of a few concepts and terms, to help us all communicate in the same language.
A database is itself a logical collection of information--as in a collection
of recipes, a phone book, or an inventory of merchandise, or, as in PASSLog,
a collection of customer service information. Computerized databases allow
this information to be stored in a specific manner allowing very rapid
manipulation of the information contained within. It allows, among many other
powerful features, instant access to any information contained within.
Another important and powerful feature of a database is its ability to sort
the data and generate reports based on that sorted information. For example,
if you needed to know how many clients you had in a certain ZIP Code, the
database would be able to generate this report for you. To provide the
flexibility to generate these reports, the database stores information into
logical groupings. The following terms describe these groupings:
FILE - A collection of all of the information (or records) contained within
one database. As in the Customer Information records. In PASSLog, the
Customer and Service Log data are contained within separate database files.
RECORD - A database record is a complete, logical grouping of data (or fields)
needed to collate all data for one entity; as in all of the fields of data for
one Customer Information record--one customer's data.
FIELD - Each separate entry within a database record. The more distinct each
field is, the more flexible the database will be during report sorting and
generation. In PASSLog, you use the TAB Key, or the Up or Down Arrow keys,
or the (Enter key, to jump from field to field on the screen.
V. CUSTOMER INFORMATION WINDOW - Your database interface!
Let's start with the Customer database. You must always start by entering the
basic data on new customers before tracking their services. Look at your
"Customer Information" window in the middle of the screen. Along the top of
the screen are several control menus that allow access to all of the various
commands, or features, of PASSLog. As you navigate through the various
options available within the control menus (using the arrow keys) a help line
at the bottom of the screen provides a small reminder about the function of
the currently highlighted item.
The most prominent item on the initial Customer screen is the Customer
Information window. This window is your primary interface, or view-port, into y
our collection of customer data. It is your tool for inserting, editing, and
displaying the customer data within the database. The Customer Information
window is logically divided into several "fields" of information.
1st Contact - Edit/View the date of first contact for this customer.
ID # - Edit/View the ID # for this customer.
First - Edit/View the customer's first name.
Last - Edit/View the customer's last name.
SSN - Edit/View the customer's Social Security Number.
Phone - Edit/View the customer's phone number.
Address - Edit/View the customer's address.
City/S/Zip - Edit/View the customer's City, State and/or Zip Code.
Status - Edit/View the customer's PASS status. Pressing F2 provides a
selection window to chose from various status options.
Notes - Edit/View any notes maintained for this customer. The notepad may
be accessed by pressing the spacebar while in the Customer Information window,
or by selecting NOTES from the File Operations menu.
Since the operation of the Customer Information window is controlled through
the use of the File Operations menu, we will proceed to that section to cover
the details.
VI. FILE OPERATIONS - Creating & Viewing Your Information Database!
As obvious as the Customer Information window, the File Operations menu is
readily poised for action upon program startup as the logical first step in
the PASSLog database system. The commands available in the File Operations
menu operate as follows:
ADD - Selecting this command places you directly into a blank Information
window to add a new record to the database.
EDIT - This command places the cursor in the Information window allowing you
to edit (change) information in an existing record.
BROWSE - This command overlays a window arranged in columns of data from all
records in the database, allowing you to browse or scroll through them.
NEXT - This command will page to the next record in the database.
PREVIOUS - This command will page to the previous record in the database.
FIRST - Selecting this command jumps you to the first record in the database.
LAST - Selecting this command jumps you to the last record in the database.
DEL - This command will flag the current record for deletion. To actually
remove the record from the database file, you must go into the Utility Menu
and select Pack - Re-index to either pack or re-index the database. Any
records flagged for deletion will be deleted at that time.
NOTES - This command opens a Note/Memo Pad window on the screen allowing you
to maintain notes pertaining to the selected database record.
ORDER - This command displays a Set Index window allowing you to select the
BROWSE and/or SEEK orders.
SEEK - This command seeks for the database record based on the previously
designated ORDER command.
FILTER - This command allows the designation of a filter, or parameters, for
the display of specific records. You set the Filter, such as State=CO, to
have the database show only customers' records that fit the condition. The
Filter comes preset with 6 Filters for use with the Report Module.
EXIT - This command displays an exit window allowing you to exit the program,
or, resume database operations.
VII. Service Log Menu!
This is the module you will use to enter your daily documentation of services
you provided. The File Operations menu operates as described in the Customer
Database section. To log a service you provided to a customer listed in the
customer database, you select ADD. A transaction number is automatically
assigned and the cursor is placed in the ID Num field. Press F2 and select
from the listed customers. Once you have selected, the first and last name
are automatically inserted. Enter the date you provided the services and
then with the cursor in the Minutes field - Press F2 to select the amount of
time you provided services. The default settings are for 15 minute segments
up to 1 hour. If you provided more than 1 hour of service, enter additional
transactions for the client. The time settings can be customized for your
agency. Contact DisAbility Works should you need more assistance. With the
cursor in the Service Code field press F2 and select the category or type of
service you provided. Press the Spacebar at the Note field to enter any
notes concerning the services you provided (progress notes). When you have
entered all the data, press F10 to save the information.
VIII. Utilities Menu!
Selecting this choice displays the Utility menu allowing you to use one of
the following powerful utilities:
1. Backup
The backup option allows you to backup the files of your choice to the
destination of your choice. It also allows you to retrieve that data when
necessary. When this option is selected the screen is replaced with the
Backup/Restore Utility screen containing several prompts and commands. Near
the top of the screen are the following three prompts:
Source Path. . . \|PASSLOG\
Source File. . . *.DB?
Target Drive . . . A
The Source Path allows you to specify the subdirectory in which the backup
files will be copied from, the default is \PASSLOG\.
The Source File prompt allows you to specify which files are to be copied
(or backed up), the default is *.DB?, meaning all files having an extension
starting with the letters "DB."
The final prompt allows you to specify the "Target Drive," or, the drive name
which the backup files will be copied to. Preferably to a floppy disk to
protect your data in the event of hard drive failure. To modify these prompts,
select the Edit command at the bottom of the screen.
NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with DOS global parameters and/or subdirectories,
please refer to the appropriate sections of your DOS manual.
Along the bottom of the screen is a menu containing the following commands:
Edit - This command allows you to modify the prompts defined above.
Backup - This command initiates the backup copying procedure after the correct
entries are specified as described above. Ensure that your backup floppy disk
is located in the specified drive prior to initiating this command.
Restore - This command will restore previously saved files (the specified
backup files) from the specified floppy drive to the specified subdirectory.
Ensure that your backup floppy disk is located in the specified drive prior
to initiating this command.
QUIT - This command will exit the BACKUP/RESTORE UTILITY to the main menu
screen.
2. Pack - Re-index
This utility is used to reorganize your database files after a record has been
flagged for deletion or when a different index is specified. Since database
files are strictly formatted, these procedures are contained within separate
utilities in an attempt to make the PASSLog less cumbersome and time consuming
during normal operations. The result is a speedier and more efficient
database program.
When this utility is selected, the File Utility screen is displayed. This
screen displays the available database files, each having an associated file
number and file description. A menu bar containing the following commands is
displayed along the bottom of the screen:
All-Select - This command will select all of the listed files for packing or
re-indexing.
Select-unselect - This command replaces the menu bar with a prompt allowing
the selection or, alternately, unselection of any of the numbered database
files.
PACK - This command executes the Pack procedure on the selected database
files.
RE-INDEX - This command executes the Re-index procedure on the selected
database files.
EXIT - This command Exits the File Utility and returns to the main PASSLog
screen.
3. Database Utilities (DBU)
This utility is very powerful and contains many features for the configuration
of your database files and is intended for technical support use only.
IX. Reports
Selecting this choice displays the Reports menu allowing the selection of one
of the following report types:
1. Individual Activity
Displays on the screen services provided to an individual
2. Monthly Activity
Displays on the screen activity provided to all clients in any specified
period.
3. Progress Notes
Prints out prgress notes for any selected Client.
4. Defaults
Choose Display on Screen, Save to File, or Print to HPIII.
X. EXIT
This option is available on several menus and screens, and each gives the user
another means t return to the previous menu.