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1989-04-27
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STAMPMAN -- The Stamp Collector's Manager
Version 2.0
April, 1989
StampMan was created for the philatelist who wants to organize
his collection but doesn't have the time to enter all the catalog
information himself or use a commercial program with more
features than he may need. The program and the catalog files are
intended to be "User Supported" software that is useful to all.
StampMan uses indexed B-Tree files to help the collector organize
his collection using both a Main and an Alternate Catalog
listing. System requirements are an IBM PC or compatible with a
minimum of 256K and a disk drive. The program is menu driven with
1-2-3 like sub menu options and prompted input to simplify data
entry and minimize user errors.
STARTING STAMPMAN
The program is started by entering "STAMPMAN" at the DOS prompt
along with optional command line parameters.
A> stampman [drive:\directory\datafile]
Optional command line parameters are used to specify the drive,
directory path and data file names desired for use. If no
parameters are specified the following defaults are used:
Drive : default drive
when program was started
Directory : current directory
Data File : "StampFil.DAT"
Entering a drive parameter such as "B:" makes the program look
for the data and index files on the specified drive. Similarly
entering a directory parameter such as "\stampman\" makes the
program look in the directory \stamps for the required data and
index files. A data file name may be entered but it must be
entered without an extension. If a data file name is entered,
StampMan looks for files with the name of the parameter string
and the following extensions:
DataFile : <Parameter String> + ".dat"
Main Index : <Parameter String> + ".in1"
Alternate Index : <Parameter String> + ".in2"
StampMan will ignore any extension entered on the command line.
Any or all the optional parameters may be specified on the
command line.
For Example -
stampman \stamps\ would use default drive
"\stamps" directory
" StampFil.DAT" datafile
stampman B:canada would use drive B:
current path for drive B:
"Canada.DAT" datafile
Note that any directory specification must be preceded by and
followed with a backslash. Otherwise, StampMan considers it a
Data File specification.
Note also that specifying a drive and/or directory also
changes the DOS defaults for the drive and directory path.
If the data files and index files are present, StampMan opens
them for processing and displays the Main Menu. If the files are
not present, StampMan asks if they should be created. Entering
'Y' will create and open the required data and index files for
processing. Entering 'N' will not create the files but will
display the Main Menu. The default drive, directory and/or file
name specification may then be changed using the "Utilities"
option from the Main Menu.
StampMan runs in color by sensing the video mode in effect when
the program is started. If a monochrome mode is detected, the
program will run in monochrome. If a color mode is detected, the
program will run in color. You can force color or mono by
running the auxiliary programs "COLOR.EXE" or "MONO.EXE"
respectively from the command line prior to starting StampMan.
STAMPMAN MAIN MENU
-------- ---- ----
The main body of the program is controlled from the Main Menu.
The Main Menu lists the following options:
1 - VIEW LISTING
2 - ADD TO INVENTORY
3 - MODIFY CATALOG LISTINGS
4 - DELETE FROM INVENTORY
5 - REPORTS
6 - UTILITY
7 - SWITCH CATALOG
8 - DATABASE STATISTICS
9 - EXIT
Selection may be made by either entering the respective number
(1-9) or by moving the highlighted box with the up or down arrows
and pressing <Enter>.
The following describes each of the options of the Main Menu.
1 - VIEW LISTING
- ---- -------
This selection is used to view a single stamp Catalog Listing.
Enter the following inforamation at the prompts:
Prompt Example Entries
Catalog Type A, B, C, CE, J, Q, etc.
Catalog Number 1 - 9999
Catalog Variety a, b, c, *, or <Null>
Pressing the Enter key at the Catalog Type prompt defaults to
type " " (Blank) which is regular issues for all catalogs. If the
Catalog Listing desired does not include a Variety type, simply
press <Enter> at the prompt.
If the Listing entered for display cannot be found in the active
index file, a message is displayed. Pressing <Enter>
returns to the Main Menu.
If the Listing is found in the active index file, the requested
Catalog Listing is displayed. Pressing PageUp will display the
previous stamp Catalog Listing as defined by the active index
file and pressing PageDn will display the next stamp Catalog
Listing similarly. Pressing <Enter> returns to the Main Menu.
StampMan will also return to the Main Menu if PageUp or PageDn
reaches the beginning or the end of the active index file.
2 - ADD NEW LISTING
- --- --- -------
This selection is used to add a new Listing to the Catalog. Do
not use this Main Menu selection to modify an existing Stamp
Catalog Listing. If this Main Menu selection is made immediately
after starting the program, a blank screen is displayed with
prompted input to the highlighted fields. If previous Main Menu
selections have accessed Catalog listings. The last Stamp Catalog
Listing accessed is used as a default buffer for editing of the
fields for the New Listing.
Press <Enter> to accept the buffer
Press Right Arrow to accept a character from the Buffer
Enter a character to replace an Entry character
Press Backspace to delete the character to the left
IMPORTANT:
StampMan accepts from the first character to the character to the
immediate left of the cursor as the Entry.
After the last field of the New Listing has been entered,
StampMan prompts to accept or modify the newly entered data for
the New Listing. Pressing <M> (for Modify) repeats the data input
using the newly entered data as a default buffer. Pressing
<Enter> accepts the newly entered data for the New Listing.
If another New Listing is to be entered, pressing PgDn repeats
the New Listing entry procedure as listed above with the previous
New Listing data used as the default buffer.
Pressing <Enter> returns to the Main Menu.
3 - MODIFY CATALOG LISTINGS
- ------ ------- --------
This selection is used to modify data entries for existing Stamp
Catalog listings. Do not use this Main Menu selection to add a
New Stamp Catalog listing. StampMan prompts for the Catalog Type,
Catalog Number, and Catalog Variety as described for Main Menu
selection "1 - View". If the Stamp Catalog Listing is found in
the active index file the program prompts for the extent of the
modifications. The options available are:
Option Description
Modify Listings Edit All Items
Modify Values Edit Catalog Values Only
Modify Inventory Edit Inventory Numbers Only
Quit Do not Edit - Return to Main Menu
Selection of a Modify option is made by either pressing the first
letter of the option (i.e. <L> for Listings) or by using the left
and right arrow keys to highlight the desired selection and
pressing <Enter>.
Editing of data is simlar to entering new data with the existing
data used as the default buffer.
After the last field has been entered, StampMan prompts to either
accept or re-edit the data. Once the Modified Listing is
accepted, pressing PageDn allows editing of the previous Catalog
Listing and pressing PageUp allows editing of the next Catalog
Listing as defined by the active index file. Pressing <Enter>
returns to the Main Menu.
4 - DELETE FROM INVENTORY
- ------ ---- ---------
This Main Menu Selection is used to delete a stamp Catalog
Listing from the data file and index files. Do not use this
selection to modify inventory. StampMan prompts for the Catalog
Type, Catalog Number, and Catalog Variety of the Catalog Listing
to be deleted from the Catalog file.
If the Catalog Listing entered is not found in the active index
file, a message is displayed. Pressing <Enter> will return to the
Main Menu.
If the Catalog Listing entered is found in the active index file,
the Listing is displayed. Pressing <D> at the prompt will delete
the Catalog Listing while pressing <Enter> will abort the delete
procedure and return to the Main Menu.
Pressing <Enter> after the deletion will return to the Main Menu.
5 - DISPLAY OR PRINT A REPORT
- ------- -- ----- - ------
This selection is used to produce reports from the Catalog data
file. StampMan first prompts for the destination of the report.
Available options are:
Option Description
Screen The DOS con: device(screen)
Printer The DOS prn: device(printer)
File A disk file
Quit Return to Main Menu
If the File option is chosen, StampMan prompts for the file name.
All DOS drive and/or directory specifications are supported.
StampMan then prompts for the Report type. Available Report Types
are as follows:
Catalog Report
General Report
Inventory Report
Cross Reference
Catalog and General Reports report only Catalog information
without inventories. The Inventory report lists and totals stamp
Catalog Listings and Catalog Totals as requested at the next
prompt. Cross Reference reports both Main and Alternate Catalog
numbers sorted on the active index file.
Note that General reports exceed 80 columns. They therefore are
displayed on two lines when sent to the screen. If they are sent
to a dot matrix printer, it is suggested a printer setup utility
be used to set the printer to compressed mode. The DOS 'MODE'
command may also be used.
StampMan will next prompt for the Range of the report. Available
Report Ranges are as follows:
Catalog Entire Catalog file is reported
Partial Partial Catalog is reported
Mint Only Mint listings inventoried are reported
Used Only Used listings inventoried are reported
PB/LP Only PB/LP listings inventoried are reported
FDC Only FDC listings inventoried are reported
If Partial catalog is selected, StampMan requests the starting
and ending Stamp Catalog listing for the report using the active
index file.
Selecting one of the inventory options will report only non zero
inventory listings as requested.
Future versions of StampMan may include Want List Reports and
more customized Reports if user support is requested.
6 - UTILITIES
- ---------
This selection is used for the following options while running
StampMan:
Import Data
Export Data
Rebuild Index Files
Change Default Drive
Change Default Directory
Change Data File Name
File Directory
Import and Export are used to transfer Catalog listings in and
out of the Database. Files can be exported and imported either
as StampMan typed files, according to the file structure listed
in Appendix A, or as pure ASCII system data format (SDF) files,
which can be read by other programs such as dBase and its' clones.
A sample dBase III+ file with the correct structure to match
StampMan's SDF files is provided with the program.
Rebuild Index Files will rebuild both Alternate and Main index
files using all active stamp Catalog Listings. Use this option if
the program cannot seem to find Catalog Listings that are known
to be present in the Stamp Catalog Data File. A corrupted index
file can be fatal to a database. Note that importing a data file
causes an automatic Rebuild of all index files.
Changing Default Drive, Default Directory, or File Name causes
StampMan to close existing open files and switch to the specified
path and/or names to search for data and index files to open.
Note that changing the specified drive and/or active directory
here changes the DOS default drive and path.
File Directory gives a listing of all files and their size from
the specified Drive, Directory, and file mask. The default file
mask is "*.*" for the current default drive and directory.
7 - SWITCH CATALOG
- ------ -------
This Main Menu selection will toggle StampMan between using the
Main and Alternate Catalog Numbers and index files as the active
Catalog and index file.
If the Alternate Catalog is selected to be active,
"ALTERNATE CATALOG "
will be displayed on all screens. The alternate catalog option is
provided to allow the user to use Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Michel,
Minkus, or other catalogs to work with different dealers.
8 - DATABASE STATISTICS
- -------- ----------
This selection displays the default drive, directory and filename and
the number of Active Catalog Listings and total file size for the
active Data File.
9 - EXIT
This selection will close all open files, clear the screen, and
return to the DOS with the to current drive and directory.
APPENDIX A
STRUCTURE OF THE STAMP RECORDS
The database files use the following data structure as created by Turbo Pascal:
StampRec = record
Status : integer; (* 0-Non Deleted*)
Catalog Type : string[2]; { Character: Length 2}
Catalog Number : string[10]; { Character: Length 10}
Catalog Variety : string[1]; { Character: Length 1}
Alternate Type : string[2]; { Character: Length 2}
Alternate Number : string[10]; { Character: Length 10}
Alternate Variety : string[1]; { Character: Length 1}
Issue Date : string[10]; { Character: Length 10}
Denomination : string[10]; { Character: Length 10}
Description : string[30]; { Character: Length 30}
Perforation : string[10]; { Character: Length 10}
Series : string[20]; { Character: Length 20}
Quantity Issued : real; { Numeric : Length 10: Dec 0}
Number in PB/LP : integer; { Numeric : Length 3: Dec 0}
Unused Value : real; { Numeric : Length 8: Dec 2}
Used Value : real; { Numeric : Length 8: Dec 2}
PB/LP Value : real; { Numeric : Length 8: Dec 2}
FDC Value : real; { Numeric : Length 8: Dec 2}
Unused Inventory : integer; { Numeric : Length 3: Dec 0}
Used Inventory : integer; { Numeric : Length 3: Dec 0}
PB/LP Inventory : integer; { Numeric : Length 3: Dec 0}
FDC Inventory : integer; { Numeric : Length 3: Dec 0}
end; (* StampRec *) { SDF File Format }
Note that StampMan will function more efficiently if the number of
buffers present is increased above the default of 2 used by DOS.
The exact number to be used in the 'CONFIG.SYS' file is dependent
upon the amount of system memory present but even a small memory
machine can use eight to ten buffers. Increasing buffers increases
the possibility that a record is in memory and therefore decreases
the number of disk accesses and increases program speed.
Disk caches are another method of speeding file access. StampMan has
been tested on many caching programs and has proven compatible and
reliable with them. As a matter of fact, for pure speed, they can only
be beat by a full RAM disk.
The use of a RAM disk increases program speed and saves wear and tear
on disk drives. A RAM disk driver is provided on the DOS 3.00 and later
disks. Other RAM disk drivers are available in the Public Domain.
Please contact the author if there are any problems and/or questions
regarding use of this program and system configurations.
APPENDIX B
ASSOCIATED FILES
The following files constitute the StampMan system as
distributed:
StampMan.exe Program executable file
Stamp_V2.Doc Program Documnetation
ReadMe.Now Conversion Information File
Convert.exe program file to convert Version 1.0
data and index files for Version 2.0
Convert.doc documentation for Convert
StampFil.dat sample database file with
US Parcel Post stamps and
US Air Mail stamps
StampFil.In1 Index file for above
StampFil.In2 Index file for above
StampFil.dbf dBase III+ file structured for
StampFil.sdf SDF file export/import
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
StampMan has been developed as User Supported software. The
program and related files may be distributed freely but must
include all files listed under Appendix B. Please feel free to
write to the author for further information.
Additional support is available for data transfer to dBaseII,
dBaseIII, Lotus programs, and other database program file
formats. In addition, Catalog files will be available for both
United States and Canada stamps using Scott, Minkus, and the
Canadian Numbering System (Lyman's). Additional catalogs may be
developed if demands justify them. I cannot tell if the demand is
there if the users don't tell me.
Requests for information and additional support should be
directed to:
Ernie Yonkers
1712 Roseland
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073
If you find the program useful, a donation of $10.00 payable to
the author will register you. Registered users may also request
the source files for the program if a Self Stamped Addressed Disk
and Mailer is sent to the author. Please note that Borland
support (Turbo Toolbox) software is copyrighted and as such is
not included in source code.
Questions and suggestions for improvements are always welcome for
registered users. Please remember, however, that he author is a full
time engineer and family man with four beautiful children that like
to eat. Responses will be quicker if accompanied by proper registration
fees. I certainly don't mean to sound crass, but Shareware is not intended
to be free. I will stop short of vexing you with an ancient Bohemian curse
regarding your love life.
Your cooperation in making the User Supported Software concept
work will be appreciated by all Computer users. Thank You.