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GLitch v 4.xx i
GLitch
Global LITerature searCH
GLitch version 4.xx March 1990
GLitch is copyrighted material
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 & 1990
You may however use it and distribute it to others on the
following conditions:
a. No fee shall be charged for copying and distribution.
b. GLitch may not be reverse assembled or modified in any way.
c. All the files must be distributed together.
In short, GLitch is a user supported database program that can be
used for storing, retrieving and printing out (to disk or onto
paper) literature references.
GLitch v 4.xx ii
1
GLitch is user supported software
The user supported software concept (usually referred to as
freeware) is an attempt to provide software at low cost. The cost
of offering a new product by conventional means is staggering,
and hence dissuades many independent authors and small companies
from developing and promoting their ideas. User supported
software is an attempt to develop a new marketing channel, where
products can be introduced at low cost.
If user supported software works, then everyone will benefit. The
user will benefit by receiving quality products at low cost, and
by being able to "test drive" software thoroughly before
purchasing it. The author benefits by being able to enter the
commercial software arena without first needing large sources of
venture capital.
But it can only work with your support. We're not just talking
about GLitch here, but about all user supported software. If you
find that you are still using a program after a couple of weeks,
then it is obviously worth something to you, and you should send
in a contribution.
Contributions ($25.00 recommended) towards GLitch should be sent
to:
D.M. Schultz
31 Rethman Street
New Germany
3610
South Africa
Registered users of previous versions of GLitch can update as
follows:
1.xx $15.00
2.xx $10.00
3.xx $5.00
-------------------------
1
This description of freeware is based on that given in the
documentation of ARC, a freeware product by System Enhancement
Associates, 21 New Street, Wayne, NJ 07470
GLitch v 4.xx iii
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 What is GLitch ? 1
1.2 Why do I need GLitch ? 1
1.3 What is needed to run GLitch ? 1
1.4 What does GLitch store ? 2
1.5 What are the capacities of GLitch ? 2
1.6 How is the GLitch program started ? 2
1.6.1 Creating a BOOT disk 2
1.6.2 Using a floppy drive system 3
1.6.3 Using a hard disk 3
2 Using GLitch. 3
2.1 General 3
2.1.1 Terminology 3
2.1.2 Selecting options 3
2.1.3 Entering information 4
2.1.4 Editing information on-screen. 4
2.1.4.1 Cursor movement 4
2.2 Creating a GLitch reference database 4
2.3 Entering references into GLitch. 7
2.3.1 Entering Author information 7
2.3.2 Entering Title information 8
2.3.3 Entering Keywords 8
2.3.4 Entering Memoranda or Abstract 9
2.3.5 The next reference 9
2.4 Working with a GLitch database 9
2.4.1 Main Menu Overview 10
2.4.2 Adding references (option A from the Main Menu) 12
2.4.3 Tagging references (option T from the Main Menu) 12
2.4.3.1 An overview 13
2.4.3.2 Setting tags (option T from the Tagging menu) 14
2.4.3.2.1 Author selection 15
2.4.3.2.2 Year of publication selection 15
2.4.3.2.3 String 15
2.4.3.2.4 Keyword selection 16
2.4.3.2.5 Phonetic keyword 16
2.4.3.2.6 User sequence numbers 17
2.4.3.2.7 Every reference selection 17
2.4.3.3 Clearing tags (option C on the tagging menu) 17
2.4.3.4 Switching the search domain (option A on the tagging
menu) 17
2.4.3.5 Leaving the tags as they are (option L from tagging
menu) 18
2.4.4 Browsing through references (option B from Main Menu) 19
2.4.4.1 Adding to a reference (option A from Browse) 20
2.4.4.2 Jumping to a reference (option J from Browse) 20
2.4.4.3 Editing a reference (option E from Browse) 21 GLitch v 4.xx iv
2.4.4.3.1 Authors 21
2.4.4.3.2 Title information 21
2.4.4.3.4 Memoranda 22
2.4.4.4 Deleting or Wiping a reference (option W from Browse) 22
2.4.5 Printing (option P from the Main Menu) 22
2.4.6 Dumping references to disk (option D from Main Menu) 24
2.4.6.1 Reference Dump 25
2.4.6.2 Group index dumps 26
2.4.6.2.1 Plain Group Index (option G) 26
2.4.6.2.2 Automatic Author Index (options A and B) 27
2.4.6.2.3 Automatic keyword Index (options K and L) 27
2.4.7 User sequence number allocation (option S from Main Menu)28
2.4.8 Keyword editing (option K from Main Menu) 29
2.4.9 Erasing references (option E from the Main Menu) 30
2.4.10 Refreshing and Packing the database (option R from Main
Menu) 31
2.4.11 Merging with another database (option M from Main Menu) 32
2.4.12 Leaving the Main Menu (option X from Main Menu) 33
2.5 Selecting a file group to work on. 33
2.6 Using a RAM or virtual drive (option R) 35
2.6.1 Introduction 35
2.6.2 Using a RAM drive with GLitch (R option) 35
2.7 Optimising (O option) 37
2.8 Exiting from GLitch (X option) 37
Appendix A. 39
Appendix B. 40
Appendix C. 41
Appendix D. 45
Appendix E. 46
Appendix F. 47
GLitch v 4.xx 1
1 Introduction
1.1 What is GLitch ?
Glitch is a database program that will store and retrieve
literature references. References are entered and stored after
which they can be found rapidly by means of searches for
keywords, authors, dates, titles etcetera. References can be
printed out or sent to a disk file to be incorporated into a
bibliography using your own word processor.
1.2 Why do I need GLitch ?
1.2.1 Suppose you read or see an article, book or paper that you
may want to refer to at some time in the future. By entering the
pertinent information into GLitch you will be able to find the
reference later even if you have forgotten the author(s), title
or journal where you saw it. So long as you know something about
the reference you will be able to locate it in the database,
perhaps by searching by means of a keyword.
1.2.2. If you are writing a paper or working on a thesis, you
could enter all references that you use or read into GLitch.
Later when you come to producing a bibliography, the references
that you select will not have to be re-typed ! GLitch will dump
the references that you need into a disk file which you can then
use with your word processor ! The references will be arranged in
alphabetical author and date order.
1.2.3 You would like to keep track of all known references on a
certain subject and want to know where to be able to get a copy
if you need it. Other workers in your field may also have
compiled a database which you could search through in case they
have found references that escaped your attention.
1.2.4 How do you find all the references on a certain subject in
a manual system (perhaps written on cards), if you want to
exclude a particular author (maybe yourself) and only look at
references that were published within a specific time period ? If
your references were on computer you could do all this (and more)
and then print a list of them too !
1.3 What is needed to run GLitch ?
GLitch will run on an IBM or compatible PC. A printer is
optional. A single disk drive is required and will run on a hard
disk or floppy system. 384K memory is required. GLitch v 4.xx 2
1.4 What does GLitch store ?
Each database has four main sections:
1.4.1 Author(s)
1.4.2 Title information
1.4.3 Memorandum or Abstract (any notes you would like to
make)
1.4.4 Keywords
1.5 What are the capacities of GLitch ?
In practical terms the size of your database is only limited by
the available disk space. Within this limitation each reference
can have:
1.5.1 Author section
32 authors. Each author has a surname of 25 characters and 6
characters for initials,
1.5.2 Title section which is subdivided into:
254 characters for title information,
4 characters for the year of publication and type of date,
254 characters for the source information,
80 characters describing the location of a copy of the reference,
1.5.3 Memo or Abstract section
Up to 32 000 characters of memorandum or abstract.
1.5.4 Keyword section
2048 keywords each 20 characters long.
1.5.5 In addition, each reference has a User Sequence number that
can reallocated.
1.6 How is the GLitch program started ?
1.6.1 Creating a BOOT disk
If your copy if GLitch is not on a bootable system disk FORMAT a
disk with the /S parameter. You must then copy ALL the files that GLitch v 4.xx 3
came with GLitch to this new floppy, including the CONFIG.SYS
files etcetera. This disk is then your GLitch program disk.
1.6.2 Using a floppy drive system
Insert the GLitch program disk into drive A and switch on the
computer.
1.6.3 Using a hard disk
The GINSTALL.BAT batch file will install GLitch on your hard
disk. To run GLitch, change to the GLitch directory and type
GLITCH
2 Using GLitch.
The ensuing pages explain how to use GLitch once it is running on
your PC.
2.1 General
2.1.1 Terminology
The following terms are used in the subsequent documentation and
are defined here for clarification
2.1.1.1 File group
Each reference database consists of a number of disk files which
together are termed a file group. A group name consists of up to
eight characters which can then serve as a `handle' for all the
files that are required or will be created by GLitch.
2.1.1.2 Option
A choice from one of the menus, selected by a single character.
2.1.1.3 User Sequence number
The user sequence numbers that you may allocate to the
references. Their primary use is in creating cross- referenced
bibliographies, references are allocated a user sequence number
that refers back to the main reference entry.
2.1.1.4 Group index
A group index is a cross-reference list of user sequence numbers
that are associated with a particular subset of references. For
example, it may be a list of the sequence numbers for all
references by a particular author. Group indexes are usually used
when compiling cross-referenced bibliographies.
2.1.2 Selecting options
All options in GLitch are selected by a single keystroke. It is
not necessary to press ENTER or RETURN after the option letter. GLitch v 4.xx 4
The option letters have been chosen so as to be as closely
related to the function of the option as possible. Upper or lower
case can be used when selecting any option.
2.1.3 Entering information
Where a file group or other information which may have a variable
length is to be entered, RETURN must be pressed to indicate the
end of the information.
2.1.4 Editing information on-screen.
Information that is to be changed is displayed in inverse video
on the monitor.
2.1.4.1 Cursor movement
The cursor can be moved from one datum to another using the up
and down arrow keys. After pressing return in any field, the
cursor moves to the first character of the next field. Page- down
will terminate all editing on the screen. HOME and END will move
the cursor to the first and last character of the present field
being edited respectively.
2.1.4.2 Insert mode
The INSERT key can be used to toggle the insert or overwrite mode
which is indicated by "Ins" at the top of the screen.
2.1.4.3 Finishing editing
When all the fields displayed in inverse video are as you want
them, press PAGE DOWN or press RETURN whilst in the last field.
The ESC key will abandon any changes made.
2.2 Creating a GLitch reference database
As soon as GLitch starts up a banner proclaiming GLitch is
displayed on the screen. Press any key, and the following screen
will be displayed: GLitch v 4.xx 5
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| GLitch v 4.xx |
| |
| Global LITerature searCH program |
| |
|S. Select a file group |
|C. Create a new file group |
|R. Use RAM disk |
|O. Optimise a file |
|X. eXit GLitch |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Select your choice.. |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
The screen above displays the version of your copy of GLitch and
the options of the file selection menu.
We shall deal with C :- "Create a new file group" first.
In order to create a new database for yourself enter "C"
The screen will then display:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| On which drive must the database be stored ? |
| Note: the drive specified must be formatted |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
At this stage you must enter the drive letter that you want the
database to be stored on. Valid drives are A through to F. Enter
a single character in either upper or lower case. If you are not
using a hard disk it is recommended that you use a separate disk
to the GLitch program disk.
Each database consists of a number of files. All the files for
each database are grouped together as a file group. The file
group name can be up to eight (8) characters long and can consist
of all the alphabetic characters and numbers (standard DOS file GLitch v 4.xx 6
name characters), except the full stop. When creating a database,
GLitch must know what you want to call it so it says:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Enter new group name |
| |
| New Group: |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
Enter the group name for your references and press RETURN
GLitch will then create all the required files for your new
literature database, and display:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Since this database is brand new and does not |
| have any data, we will start off by entering some ! |
| |
| Press any key to continue... |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
You will be prompted to enter the first reference. It is hoped
that it will be the first of very many !
GLitch v 4.xx 7
2.3 Entering references into GLitch.
There are four stages in entering information:
a. Author(s)
b. Title, date, source and location
c. Keywords
d. Memoranda
Only (a) and (b) above are required.
2.3.1 Entering Author information
Each author in entered independently, surname first, then
Initials
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Author's SURNAME |
| Bloggs |
| |
| Initials DJ |
| |
| A blank surname will terminate input|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
The first letter of the author's surname and all initials will be
automatically converted to capital letters. If the authors's
surname does start with a lower case letter, enter it twice and
then you can delete the first letter later. It is recommended
that initials are entered without any spaces or periods,
conforming to modern practice. After entering each author GLitch
will display each author in the order in which they were
entered:-
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Bloggs DJ |
| Shoddyrods TG |
| |
| Author's SURNAME |
| |
| |
| Initials |
| |
| A blank surname will terminate input |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
When all the authors have been entered press PAGE DOWN or enter a
blank surname and GLitch will start soliciting the title
information. GLitch v 4.xx 8
2.3.2 Entering Title information
Enter the title of the article or book, year of publication,
source and location of a copy in the relevant fields as shown
below:
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Title of reference |
| Field guide to the sharks of Central Kalahari |
| |
| |
| |
| Date type 1 normal = 1 |
| Year of publication 1987 In Prep. = P |
| In Press = S |
| circa = C |
| Source |
| Printum Book Co., Upington |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Where is there a copy available ? |
| Marico Town Library |
| |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Note that the year of publication may not be later than the
current year. To this end it must be ensured that the system
clock on your PC has had its date set correctly ! GLitch will
supply the default date type of "1". If the exact date of
publication is not known enter a "C", this will cause "ca." to be
placed in front of the year of publication whenever the reference
is displayed or printed. Select "P" or "S" if the reference is in
press or preparation respectively, causing "in prep" or "in
press" to be appended to the year. The Source field should
contain all the `reference' part of the article that is not part
of the title, such as the journal name, volume number etcetera.
2.3.3 Entering Keywords
You may enter as many keywords as you like, one at a time. All
keywords are converted to upper case to ensure that the keywords
SHARKS and sharks will always match.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Enter keywords one at a time SHARKS |
| |
| Enter a blank keyword to stop |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+ GLitch v 4.xx 9
As each keyword is entered, it is printed above the prompt area
and they will scroll up the screen as they are recorded. Entering
a blank keyword will terminate entry of keywords.
2.3.4 Entering Memoranda or Abstract
Any notes that you would like to have linked to the reference can
be typed in as memoranda. The entire abstract of the paper can be
entered too !
GLitch will ask you if you would like to enter some memoranda.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Memoranda are entered with the XyWrite type editor called XyEd. |
| |
| If you are not familiar with XyWrite then consult Appendix F of the GLitch |
| manual, or a XyWrite manual. |
| |
| It is not difficult, you just have to type in the memoranda and |
| ALT-S will STORE the memoranda and |
| ALT-X will ABORT any editing.. |
| |
| |
| Do you wish to enter Memoranda |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
GLitch uses a XyWrite type editor called XyEd to enter or edit
all memoranda. If you are not familiar with XyWrite, consult
Appendix F. If you choose to enter some memoranda the editor will
be activated. You can always add memoranda to the reference
later.
2.3.5 The next reference
Once the memoranda (if any) have been entered, GLitch will ask if
you intend entering another reference...
+----------------------------+
| Another reference ? |
+----------------------------+
Entering Y will start the next reference and N will take you to
the MAIN MENU of GLitch.
2.4 Working with a GLitch database
This section deals with how and what can be done with a GLitch
reference database. An overview of the Main Menu is given first
and then each option is discussed in more detail. GLitch v 4.xx 10
2.4.1 Main Menu Overview
Once a database has been created, you are in a position to choose
what you want to do with it. Each type of activity is selected by
choosing the relevant option from the GLitch Main Menu. When a
particular activity is complete, you will find yourself back at
the Main Menu again in order that you may choose what you want to
do next.
The complete Main Menu looks like this:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| GLitch Main menu.... |
| |
| File group NODDY on drive B: |
| |
| A DD a ref 2 references exist |
| T AG (or untag) references 2 references tagged |
| B ROWSE references |
| P RINT references, keywords, authors or manual |
| D UMP references to disk |
| U SER sequence number |
| K EYWORD editing on all tagged references |
| N OTES on NODDY |
| |
| |
| Select your choice.._ |
| |
| E RASE references |
| R EFRESH and PACK file |
| M ERGE NODDY with another database |
| X EXIT or change FILE GROUP selection |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
The choices available from the Main Menu are briefly explained
below. For a more detailed description of each option see
subsequent sections. Each option is selected by typing the
leading character (upper or lower case) of the option, for
example type P to print.
The file group name and drive are displayed as a reminder of the
file group with which you are currently working.
The total number of references that have been entered into the
database is shown as: nnn references exist The number of GLitch v 4.xx 11
references that are currently selected to be worked with are
shown as: nnn references tagged. See Option T below.
Brief description of Main Menu options:
Option A will allow you to ADD new references to the database. If
you want to add information to existing references see
option B below.
Option T is the key to efficient use of GLitch. Each reference
can have a TAG or FLAG attached to it which indicates
that that reference is currently selected to be
manipulated, listed or used in any way. Any reference
that is not tagged becomes invisible to yourself and
will not be printed, or mentioned in any way by GLitch.
Such a reference will not be available to be edited and
will even seem to have been deleted. Option T controls
which references have their tags set and which have them
cleared. References start off tagged when entered.
Option B lets you BROWSE through the references that are
currently tagged. When browsing, references can be
edited, added to, deleted, untagged or merely displayed
one at a time on the screen. All references are
presented in alphabetical order of the authors and date
of publication. Keywords can also be Viewed.
Option P prints three types of information pertaining to the
currently tagged references, or an Invoice. The
references, keywords and memoranda, or author or keyword
lists can be printed. You must have a printer attached !
Option D creates and sends certain information pertaining to all
the tagged references to a disk file of your choice. The
file is an ASCII file and is legible to most good word
processors and other software. You are given the choice
of dumping memoranda and or keywords, or group indexes.
Option S allows you to allocate user sequence numbers to the
tagged references. You will be prompted for the first
number and the increment. All untagged references will
have their user sequence numbers set to zero.
Option K makes it possible to add, edit or delete a keyword from
all the tagged references.
Option N is used to attach some notes to the file group, using
the XyEd editor. (See Appendix F.) GLitch v 4.xx 12
Option E will allow you to erase either the tagged or the
untagged references.
Option R does some housekeeping for you by releasing any disk
space that may have become available by your deletion of
information.
Option M merges the file group with another.
Option X is used to stop working with the present file group: You
may want to work with another file group or you might
have finished with GLitch.
If none of the references are tagged, only the Add, Tag, Refresh,
Notes, Merge and eXit options will be available.
Each of the above options will now be described in more detail.
2.4.2 Adding references (option A from the Main Menu)
Adding a reference is done in exactly the same way as entering
the first reference(s) when the file group was initially created.
See section 2.3 above called "Entering references into GLitch".
If you have selected to use a RAM drive please also refer to
section 2.6.
2.4.3 Tagging references (option T from the Main Menu)
As mentioned before this is the key to the effective utilisation
of GLitch. Only children who eat all their dinner will ever see
any pudding, and only references that are tagged will ever be
seen. Imagine a torch procession on a dark night. By
extinguishing a torch, the person carrying it can be made to be
invisible, it does not kill the person. If the torch is re-lit,
the person will reappear. A tagged reference is like a person
with a burning torch. The tagging option will allow you to set or
clear the tags on any subset or all the references that exist.
Selecting the T option from the Main Menu displays the Tagging
menu: GLitch v 4.xx 13
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| tag Main menu.... |
| |
| 85 references are in this file group |
| Searches will be GLOBAL |
| 85 references are currently tagged |
| |
| |
| T ag certain references |
| C lear certain tags |
| A lter search domain to TAGGED references only |
| |
| L eave tags as they are |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Select your choice.. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
The Tag Main menu displays the total number of references and the
number of these that are tagged. Initially it will also say that
searches will be GLOBAL. Up to four tagging options are also
provided.
2.4.3.1 An overview
Option T is used to SET tags. A number of search criteria can be
specified enabling a subset of references to be tagged.
Option C is the reverse of T. Existing tags can be cleared for a
certain subset of references.
Option A governs what is called the search domain which is either
LOCAL or GLOBAL. When searches are GLOBAL, references
that are not tagged are searched for a match in the
search criteria. References that match become tagged,
those that do not match are left as they were. Option A
will switch or toggle the search domain from GLOBAL to
LOCAL and back again. When the domain is LOCAL, then
only those references already tagged are searched, if
they do not match the criteria, then their tags are
cleared. GLitch v 4.xx 14
Option L indicates that you are satisfied with the state of the
tags and wish to return to the Main Menu.
If the situation arises where no references are tagged, options C
and A will not be available since they would be illogical in such
a circumstance. If the search domain is LOCAL and no references
match the criteria specified, then all the tags are cleared and
the domain is then reset to GLOBAL.
The four options are discussed in more detail below.
2.4.3.2 Setting tags (option T from the Tagging menu)
GLitch must know which references are to be tagged and so it will
then ask for search criteria like this:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ADDING TAGS Selection of search criteria |
| |
| 1 references are in this file group |
| Searches will be GLOBAL |
| 1 references are currently tagged |
| |
| |
| |
| A uthor |
| Y ear |
| S tring |
| in Title, Source, Keyword, Housed or Memoranda |
| K eyword |
| U ser sequence Nº |
| P honetic keyword |
| |
| |
| |
| E very reference |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
As can be seen from the menu above, criteria can be specified in
a number of ways. A 'match all' option is provided by the Every
reference option.
Select the type of search criteria you would like to use and
GLitch will then prompt you for more detail. An example of each
type is given below. GLitch v 4.xx 15
2.4.3.2.1 Author selection
GLitch prompts you for an author's surname:
+------------------------------------------+
| |
| Author surname BLOGGS |
| |
+------------------------------------------+
By typing `Bloggs' GLitch will have been informed that we want it
to tag all references that have Bloggs as one of the authors. If
two such references exist, then on returning to the Tagging menu
the screen may look like this:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| tag Main menu.... |
| |
| 85 references are in this file group |
| Searches will be GLOBAL |
| 2 references are currently tagged |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
2.4.3.2.2 Year of publication selection
A range of years can be specified:
+---------------------------------------+
| |
| Earliest year 1960 |
| |
| Latest year 1987 |
+---------------------------------------+
If only a single year is desired, enter it as the earliest year
since the latest year defaults to the earliest year and all you
have to do is press RETURN. Note that GLitch will not accept a
latest year that is before the earliest, nor will it accept a
year that is after the current year ! The calendar in your PC
must therefore be correct.
2.4.3.2.3 String
Any set of characters (a string) can be searched for in the
Title, Source, Memoranda or Keywords. You will be prompted for GLitch v 4.xx 16
the string to search for and you will also be asked which areas
of the database must be searched:
+-------------------------------------------+
| Enter String to look for.. arks |
| |
| Must I look in the TITLE ? y |
| |
| Must I look in the SOURCE ? n |
| |
| Must I look in the HOUSED field ? n |
| |
| Must I look in the MEMORANDA ? y |
| |
| Must I look in the KEYWORDS ? y |
+-------------------------------------------+
2.4.3.2.4 Keyword selection
Specify the keyword that you would like GLitch to search for:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| key word to search KLEPTOMANIA |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
Remember that all keywords are case independent. You will also be
asked if the keywords must be an exact match. If you answer N(o)
then any keyword that STARTS with with your specification will
match. For example VULTURE and VULLY will match VUL.
2.4.3.2.5 Phonetic keyword
This allows you to search the keywords if you do not know how to
spell the keyword. You must enter a word that SOUNDS similar to
the target keyword. GLitch will verify with you that matches
should be accepted each time a new keyword if found:
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Enter a keyword that SOUNDS similar to the target keyword. |
| |
| Note the the first letter must match. |
| |
| Keyword to search KALIHARI |
| |
| |
| Is KALAHARI a match ? |
| |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+ GLitch v 4.xx 17
2.4.3.2.6 User sequence numbers
Specify the lowest number and the highest number to be searched
for:
+----------------------------------+
| First sequence number 1 |
| |
| Last sequence number 9999 |
+----------------------------------+
2.4.3.2.7 Every reference selection
At times one may want to specify that every reference must match
the search criteria. Option E will do this for you in a single
step.
2.4.3.3 Clearing tags (option C on the tagging menu)
The only difference between Tagging and Clearing tags is the
direction. The specification of the search criteria is identical.
See the previous section. As a reminder that you are clearing as
opposed to setting tags, the words CLEARING TAGS are displayed at
the top left of the display.
2.4.3.4 Switching the search domain (option A on the tagging
menu)
Altering the domain allows very complex search criteria to be
built up. When the domain is GLOBAL, any tagging is in addition
to those references already tagged and can be likened to the
boolean operator OR. If references having the keyword "GREEN" are
tagged and then all those with the keyword "RED" are also tagged,
then a reference will be tagged if it has either a keyword
"GREEN" OR "RED" or both.
When the domain is LOCAL, tagging will only take place on
references that are already tagged. Thus tagging can be likened
to the boolean AND. After tagging all references with keyword
"GREEN", switching the domain to LOCAL and then tagging all
references having keyword "RED" would result in only those
references having both "GREEN" AND "RED" keywords would be
tagged. Any reference with a keyword "GREEN" but not having a
keyword "RED" would be UNTAGGED.
When switching the domain from GLOBAL to LOCAL the following
message is displayed: GLitch v 4.xx 18
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| WARNING !! |
| References that match a search in this mode will be the only |
| ones tagged. References that do not meet the criteria |
| will have their tags CLEARED. Only references already |
| tagged will be searched allowing `AND' type conditions. |
| |
| The screen will switch to reverse video until the domain is reset.|
| |
| Press any key to continue... |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
By selectively adding and removing tags within the two domains,
any complex search criteria can be specified.
If no references match the search criteria whilst the search
domain is set to LOCAL, the following will be displayed:
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Since no references match, all tags have been removed and |
| the search domain has been reset to GLOBAL. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
The resetting of the domain is a logical necessity !
2.4.3.5 Leaving the tags as they are (option L from tagging menu)
Selection of this option returns you to the GLitch Main Menu.
GLitch v 4.xx 19
2.4.4 Browsing through references (option B from Main Menu)
All editing and deleting of existing references is done by means
of the Browse option. References are displayed on the screen one
at a time, in alphabetical author and date order. Each reference
can be edited, added to, have its tag cleared or even be deleted.
Selecting the Browse option causes the first reference to be
displayed:
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Bloggs DJ |
| Shoddyrods TG |
| 1987 |
| Field Guide to the Sharks of Central Kalahari |
| Source:Printum Book Co., Upington |
| Sequence Nº 0 |
| Housed: |
| Marico Town Library |
| |
| Memo: |
| not a very big book and easy to read. |
| N ext P rev J ump V iew E dit C lear A dd W ipe X it |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Below the display are ten options:
Option N moves on to the next reference. If the reference
displayed is the last one, you will be returned to the
Main Menu.
Option P goes back to the previous reference. If the reference
displayed is the first one, you will be returned to the
Main Menu.
Option J is used to move through the tagged references quickly,
forwards or backwards
Option V is used to display the keywords belonging to the
displayed reference. Viewing the keywords is much faster
than Editing them.
Option E is for editing any information pertaining to the
currently displayed reference. You will be asked if you
want to edit Authors, Title information, Keywords or
Memoranda.
GLitch v 4.xx 20
Option C will untag the current reference. This is most often
used when one has tagged a whole lot of references and
is now browsing through them. On finding one that will
not be required (perhaps they are to be printed later),
one can clear the tag with this option.
Option A is for adding authors, keywords or memoranda. On
selecting this option you will be asked what type of
information is to be added.
Option W is lethal, it will delete the current reference.
Actually it's not that bad, it marks the reference as
deleted only after checking that you do want to wipe it
out !
Option X returns you straight to the Main Menu.
Options A, J, E and W are described more fully below.
2.4.4.1 Adding to a reference (option A from Browse)
GLitch will prompt you:
+------------------------------------+
| |
| Add: Authors, Keywords or Memo |
| |
+------------------------------------+
Enter A, K or M to add Authors, Keywords or Memoranda
respectively. Entering the new information is done in exactly the
same manner as when first entering references.
Note that by adding an author the position of the current
reference in the sequence of references may change. For example
if there were two references by Bloggs, one in 1967 and the other
in 1982, adding a second author to Bloggs 1967 will force its
position to after Bloggs 1982 ! You must not therefore be
surprised when you come across the same reference again lower
down the pile (one may even think it is a duplicate and Wipe it
out).
2.4.4.2 Jumping to a reference (option J from Browse)
After pressing J to jump, you will be asked if you want to go to
the first or last reference or move in jumps of ten backward or
forward, or to a specific Sequence Number:- GLitch v 4.xx 21
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| N ext P rev J ump V iew E dit C lear A dd W ipe X it j |
| S tart E nd F orward 10 B ack 10 No |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
2.4.4.3 Editing a reference (option E from Browse)
Since GLitch must know which part of the reference is to be
edited, it will prompt:
+-------------------------------------------+
| |
| Edit: Authors, Title, Keywords or Memo |
| |
+-------------------------------------------+
Enter A, T, K or M to edit Authors, Title information, Keywords
or Memoranda respectively. The layout for editing is very similar
to that used when entering data initially. To terminate any type
of edit use the PAGE-DOWN key whilst in any field or the RETURN
key in the last field. An example of each type of edit is given
below:
2.4.4.3.1 Authors
Two authors could look like this:
+------------------------------------------+
| Space to delete - PgDn to end edit |
| Bloggs DJ |
| Shoddyrods TG |
+------------------------------------------+
If you want to delete an author, make the first character of the
surname a space, and it will be excluded when you have finished
editing. Since authors are stored in the order in which they are
entered, their sequence for a particular reference can be changed
by deleting and adding again.
2.4.4.3.2 Title information
The layout for editing title information is identical to that
used when adding the reference initially.
2.4.4.3.3 Keywords
Keywords are listed in columns on the screen. Once you have
changed the keyword(s) that need editing, press PAGE-DOWN. GLitch v 4.xx 22
+------------------------------------------------+
| Pg Dn - end edit. Space - delete. |
| KALAHARI |
| SHARKS |
| URTLES |
+------------------------------------------------+
Placing a space at the beginning of a keyword will erase it when
you press PAGE-DOWN. In the example above, TURTLES will be
deleted.
2.4.4.3.4 Memoranda
Memoranda are edited with XyEd, see Appendix F
2.4.4.4 Deleting or Wiping a reference (option W from Browse)
To remove a reference from your database press the W key whilst
at that reference when Browsing. GLitch will ask if you are sure
that you want to delete the reference. You may then enter a Y to
confirm the deletion or N to keep the reference.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| N ext P rev J ump V iew E dit C lear A dd W ipe X it w |
| Do you really want to delete this reference ? n |
| Ok it will be kept |
| N ext P rev J ump V iew E dit C lear A dd W ipe X it |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
The above four lines of display indicate the sequence of events
of deleting a reference but deciding to keep it at the last
moment !
2.4.5 Printing (option P from the Main Menu)
If you need a hard copy of all or some of the references you can
print them out in alphabetic author and date order. Only those
references that are tagged will be printed out. All the
information for each reference is printed or just an author or
keyword list. If you do not have a printer connected and on-line
then:-
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| You must have a printer connected for this option ! |
| No printer found. Is it plugged in, switched on and on- line ...? |
| Fix it and type C to continue printing, any other key to quit.. |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+ GLitch v 4.xx 23
Once you have a printer connected, press C to continue, any other
key will return you to the Main Menu.
Three different types of data printout are available:-
References, Authors and Keywords. The Reference listing contains
all the information for every tagged reference, and is printed in
author order. The Author and Keyword listings are of every
different author or keyword for the tagged references, listed in
alphabetical order. In addition, an invoice or manual can be
produced. GLitch presents you with the choice of printouts:-
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Select the type of printout you want: |
| R eferences A uthors K eywords I nvoice a |
| Page Length 55 |
+--------------------------------------------------+
GLitch will also ask for the Page Length, being the number of
lines to be printed on, on each page. Note that no special
functions such as underlining or italics are attempted since this
would require a special configuration for each type of printer
being used. The listing produced by the Print option is not meant
to be used for publication quality production. If you want fancy
output you must dump the references out to a disk file and read
that into your word processor or typesetter (see the D option,
section 2.4.6). GLitch is a database program not a word
processor.
Options R,A and K are self explanatory, option I will print an
invoice for GLitch since many organisations cannot effect payment
without an invoice. On selecting to print an invoice, you will be
asked if your printer can handle the IBM box characters, an
invoice will then be printed accordingly.
GLitch v 4.xx 24
2.4.6 Dumping references to disk (option D from Main Menu)
One of the goals of GLitch is that references are typed only
once. When you need to construct a bibliography or some neat list
of references there should be no need to retype all the
references. GLitch gives you the opportunity to extract a subset
or all the references from your database in a machine readable
form. An ASCII file is produced which should be able to be read
by any application program in which you want the data. Probably
the most common use will be to format and print the references
using your own word processor.
There are two main types of file dump that can be made, the first
is a dump of the References, the second is a Group index. GLitch
will ask you which type of dump you require and the file name to
dump to:
+--------------------------------------------+
| R eferences |
| G roup index |
| A uthor group index fast |
| B Author group index slower |
| K eyword group index fast |
| L Keyword group index slower |
| |
| N one return to Main Menu |
| |
| Which dump do you want ? |
+--------------------------------------------+
A default file name of "groupname.REF" (where groupname is your
file group name) will be used by merely pressing RETURN. Thus if
the group name of the database is NODDY, the default dump file
name will be NODDY.REF. Note that the file need not exist
already, in fact if it does already exist, GLitch will confirm
that it must be overwritten.
+------------------------------------------+
| Enter output file name BIB.TXT |
| Whoops ! BIB.TXT already exists !!!! |
| |
| Overwrite it ? n |
| Enter output file name |
+------------------------------------------+
In the example above, the file BIB.TXT already existed so GLitch
asked if it was to be overwritten: N was entered indicating that GLitch v 4.xx 25
it was NOT to be overwritten and so GLitch then prompted the user
for a new file name. To overwrite a file enter Y to the question.
2.4.6.1 Reference Dump
You have the choice of having various types of additional data
dumped to the file as well. After requesting a Dump of the tagged
references you will be asked what you would like to have included
in the dump:-
+-------------------------------------------------+
| Do you want Memoranda to be dumped ? y |
| |
| Do you want Keywords to be dumped ? y |
| |
| Do you want Sequence Numbers to be dumped ? y |
| |
| Do you want the Housed field to be dumped ? y |
+-------------------------------------------------+
Enter Y or N in answer to the questions. One may want to dump all
the information if one intended sending the file somewhere using
a MODEM or transferring it to another computer. If one has a very
large database it is sometimes better to dump all the information
and then print it all out with a word processor.
You will then be prompted to enter character strings to be used
by your word processor for any type of formatting you want to
use. The defaults are suitable for XyWrite.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| String to place at top of file |
| <SSAUTH><SSMEMO><SSKEY,TS=5,30,55><SSREF,ip=0,5><USAUTH> |
| |
| String to start underline/italics <MDUL> |
| String to stop underline/italics <MDNM> |
| |
| String to put at start of Authors <NB><USAUTH> |
| String to put at start of Title <USREF> |
| String to put at start of Memoranda <USMEMO> |
| String to put at start of Keywords <USKEY> |
| Insert TAB before each Keyword ? Y |
| String for end of each reference <BB> |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
GLitch then begins formatting the references. GLitch v 4.xx 26
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| References being written to file BIB.TXT |
| |
| |
| Field guide to the sharks of Central Kalahari |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
As each reference is formatted, its title is displayed. When all
the tagged references have been processed, control is returned to
the Main Menu.
2.4.6.2 Group index dumps
A Group Index is a list of Sequence numbers that refer to some
sub-population of the references. If one was creating a cross-
referenced bibliography, one could tag all the references
pertaining to some subject, then dump a group index to disk.
Three types of Group Index are available from GLitch:
2.4.6.2.1 Plain Group Index (option G)
This creates a single index for all the tagged references. GLitch
will prompt you for the title or description of the group index:
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Enter the title for references currently tagged |
| |
| Papers by Bloggs post 1946 concerning deserts |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
The dump file will contain the one line description and the User
sequence numbers.
If GLitch finds that one of the tagged references does not have a
sequence number it will ask:
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| Following reference does not have a sequence number.. |
| Field Guide to the Sharks of Central Kalahari |
| |
| |
| Shall I abort ? |
+---------------------------------------------------------+ GLitch v 4.xx 27
Type Y or N to abort the dump.
2.4.6.2.2 Automatic Author Index (options A and B)
Will create a separate index for each author of the tagged
references, and place them all in the dump file. Option A is
faster but requires some disk space temporarily.
2.4.6.2.3 Automatic keyword Index (options K and L)
Will create a separate index for each keyword of the tagged
references, and place them all in the dump file. Option K is
faster but requires some disk space temporarily.
GLitch v 4.xx 28
2.4.7 User sequence number allocation (option S from Main Menu)
The User sequence numbers are a set of numbers that you may
allocate to the references in GLitch. Use these numbers to cross-
reference your database by allocating a number to each reference.
GLitch will respond to the 'S' option with:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| This option allows you to define a set of sequence numbers that will be |
| applied to TAGGED references. Once allocated these USER sequence numbers |
| can only be changed by using this option again. Tagging or the clearing of |
| tags will thus have NO effect on the numbers. |
| |
| |
| Do you wish to continue ? y |
| |
| Please enter the first number to use, and the increment |
| |
| Start at 1 |
| |
| Increment 1 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Enter the starting number and the size of the increment between
successive references. All untagged references will have their
User sequence numbers set to zero.
GLitch v 4.xx 29
2.4.8 Keyword editing (option K from Main Menu)
You can add or delete any keyword to or from all the tagged
references. GLitch responds to the 'K' option with:
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Keyword editing..... |
| |
| |
| A DD a keyword to each tagged reference |
| |
| D ELETE a keyword from each tagged reference |
| |
| R EPLACE keywords |
| |
| S TRIP out duplicate keywords (all references) |
| |
| N ONE Return to Main Menu |
| |
| |
| |
| Choose type of edit required.. |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Once you have told GLitch that you want to do, you will be
prompted to enter the keyword to be Added, Deleted or Changed.
GLitch will not add a keyword to a reference if it already has
that keyword.
If you opt to Strip duplicate keywords from the database, GLitch
will also remove duplicates from any references that are not
tagged.
GLitch v 4.xx 30
2.4.9 Erasing references (option E from the Main Menu)
You can erase all the tagged or untagged references with this
Erase option. If all the references are tagged, GLitch will
respond:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| This option will either delete all the tagged OR the untagged references. |
| |
| Since there are no UNTAGGED references, GLitch cannot know which are to |
| be deleted ! If you want to delete every reference, just abandon or |
| delete this entire file group as follows.. |
| |
| ERASE NODDY.* |
| |
| when you have eXited GLitch and are at the DOS prompt. |
| |
| Press any key to continue... |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If there are some untagged references, GLitch will tell you how
many there are and ask which are to be deleted:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| You have:..... |
| |
| 22 references in this file group |
| |
| of which |
| 10 are tagged |
| 12 are NOT tagged |
| |
| |
| Do you want to delete all the Tagged or Untagged references ? (T or U) u |
| |
| OK, just to be sure,... |
| do you want to delete the tagged ones ? |
| |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Note that GLitch will double check to see which set of references
are to be deleted.
GLitch v 4.xx 31
2.4.10 Refreshing and Packing the database (option R from Main
Menu)
When a reference has been deleted using the W option from Browse,
or the E option from the main menu, all the data pertaining to
that reference are merely flagged as deleted. The information
still exists in the files. In order to reclaim that file space
and to make your files smaller and thus faster to use, you must
PACK the files. The R option will PACK the data files and rebuild
the index files used by GLitch. If you suspect that the index
file (having the file extension of .AUT) has become corrupted
(perhaps GLitch is behaving in a strange way) then use this R
option to Refresh the index file, or you may delete the AUT file
and GLitch will regenerate it for you.
GLitch v 4.xx 32
2.4.11 Merging with another database (option M from Main Menu)
You can add the contents of one database with the database that
you have already opened:
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| This option will allow you to merge another database onto the one you |
| are currently using (NODDY) |
| |
| do you wish to continue ? y |
| |
| |
| On which drive does the database reside ? c |
| |
| |
| |
| Please enter the file group you wish to use |
| |
| Group to be added: B-EARS |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
GLitch will then add the new file group.
GLitch v 4.xx 33
2.4.12 Leaving the Main Menu (option X from Main Menu)
If your work on the current file group is complete, the X option
will return you to the file selection menu. There is no need to
save the database, GLitch stores the information on disk as you
enter each reference.
2.5 Selecting a file group to work on.
Once you have created a file group and you would like to return
to work on it, choose the S option from the file selection menu
which is the menu presented to you when first starting GLitch or
after exiting from the Main Menu.
+---------------------------------------------------+
| |
| On which drive does the database reside ? |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------+
GLitch must know where to find the file group so enter the drive
letter for the database. The program must also know which file
group you would like to work on
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Please enter the file group you wish to use |
| |
| |
| Group: |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Enter the file group name and press RETURN. If GLitch finds the
files for the file group it will display the Main Menu and you
may then use the database as you like. If however the file group
that you enter does not exist on the drive specified earlier then
GLitch will say:
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| Group: NODY |
| File group NODY does not exist |
| Enter NUL to stop trying to Select a file group |
| |
| |
| Group: |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
GLitch v 4.xx 34
You may have misspelled the group name, enter the correct name.
If in fact the group name is correct, perhaps you specified the
incorrect drive. If so enter NUL as the group name and you will
be returned to the file selection menu.
If on locating the desired file group the index file is missing,
GLitch will reconstruct it and inform you that it was missing.
GLitch v 4.xx 35
2.6 Using a RAM or virtual drive (option R)
2.6.1 Introduction
A RAM or virtual drive is an emulated disk drive that exists in
the memory of the PC. It is not a physical disk drive. The great
advantage of a RAM drive is its super fast speed. The
disadvantage is that it is volatile and all data will be lost if
the PC is switched off. GLitch gives you the option of using a
RAM drive to temporarily store your databases. GLitch will also
copy all the files automatically to a real (physical) drive when
you have finished working with a file group on a RAM drive.
A RAM drive can be created in two ways:
2.6.1.1 Using a device driver specified in the CONFIG.SYS file
that is available when the PC is booted up, for example MDISK.SYS
or VDISK.SYS which comes with DOS 3.xx. See your DOS manual.
2.6.1.2 Using a purpose made RAM resident program that is run
after booting the PC, for example SUPERDRV by AST Research.
The first method above is that which is recommended. If you are
using floppy disks to store your data, try to create a 360K RAM
disk which is the same size as a standard double sided formatted
floppy. This ensures that one is not likely to create a file
group in RAM that is too large to be stored on a single floppy.
The drive designator is always the next letter of the alphabet
after your highest physical drive. If you have a twin floppy
drive system, the RAM drive will have the drive letter C:, if you
have a hard drive called C: then the RAM drive will be D:.
2.6.2 Using a RAM drive with GLitch (R option)
Note that from version 4 of GLitch onwards, there is not enough
memory for a 360K RAM drive and GLitch on a 640K system. You must
have your RAM drive above 640K and it is thus preferable to have
at least 1 megabyte of RAM. Version 4 is very much faster than
previous versions and thus the need for a RAM drive will not be
as great.
Whilst at the file selection menu, that is before you select or
create a new database, select the R option. The programs'
response will be: GLitch v 4.xx 36
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Which drive is the RAM drive ? c |
| |
| In case of power failure whilst working with the |
| RAM disk, it must be backed up periodically. |
| |
| Enter time in minutes between each backup 20 |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Enter the drive letter of the RAM drive.
You may also enter the time period between backups of the RAM
drive. Press return to accept the default of 20 minutes or enter
the time interval between backups from the RAM drive to the
physical drive on which the file group resides. Whenever you
return to the Main Menu, GLitch will check to see if the
specified time has elapsed since the last backup and if so, it
will ask you if it is to copy the files from the RAM drive to the
home drive.
The drive letter of the RAM drive and the backup period will be
displayed and the R option now reverses its direction, selecting
the R option again will cancel the use of the RAM drive.
Note that it is possible to specify a physical drive letter,
(except A:) and GLitch will be none the wiser, it will dutifully
copy the database there and copy it back again when finished. If
you want to change the RAM drive specification to another RAM
drive, cancel it first and then specify a new letter. You cannot
select or create a file group that exists on the same drive as is
the specified RAM drive since it would be illogical to do so.
If a RAM drive is in use the Main Menu will indicate the RAM
drive letter next to the file group name.
GLitch v 4.xx 37
2.7 Optimising (O option)
The performance of GLitch can be improved by optimising the
database. You will be prompted for the name of the file group to
be optimised. If there is insufficient disk space GLitch will ask
you which drive can be used temporarily. After a file group has
been optimised, the index file will need to be recreated. GLitch
will do this automatically when you next use the database.
2.8 Exiting from GLitch (X option)
To return to DOS from GLitch select the X option from the file
selection menu. You will be presented with the ending screen with
a recommendation to backup your GLitch files, and the author's
name and address.
GLitch v 4.xx 38
GLitch is user supported software
The user supported software concept (usually referred to as
freeware) is an attempt to provide software at low cost. The cost
of offering a new product by conventional means is staggering,
and hence dissuades many independent authors and small companies
from developing and promoting their ideas. User supported
software is an attempt to develop a new marketing channel, where
products can be introduced at low cost.
If user supported software works, then everyone will benefit. The
user will benefit by receiving quality products at low cost, and
by being able to "test drive" software thoroughly before
purchasing it. The author benefits by being able to enter the
commercial software arena without first needing large sources of
venture capital.
But it can only work with your support. We're not just talking
about GLitch here, but about all user supported software. If you
find that you are still using a program after a couple of weeks,
then pretty obviously it is worth something to you, and you
should send in a contribution.
Contributions should be sent to:
D.M. Schultz
31 Rethman Street
New Germany
3610
South Africa
From the end screen, any key depression will leave you at the DOS
prompt.
39
Appendix A.
Configuring your system
GLitch will work best if your CONFIG.SYS file has the following
two lines:
FILES=20
BUFFERS=8
If you do not have a file called CONFIG.SYS then it can be
created with any ASCII text editor, or from the DOS prompt as
follows:
COPY CON CONFIG.SYS
FILES=20
BUFFERS=8
^Z
Where ^Z is the f6 key. DOS should respond with:
1 file(s) copied.
Your DOS manual explains how the CONFIG.SYS file works.
40
Appendix B.
Advanced Usage of GLitch
The following are some useful tips which can lead to a more
efficient use of GLitch.
B-1 When you come to add references to an existing file group,
clear all the existing tags before adding the new information.
This will result in the new references being the only ones tagged
when you have finished adding them, thus making it possible to
print or browse through the new data for checking purposes.
B-2 Since journal entries do not have the title of the paper
underlined or italicized but the journal name instead, problems
could be caused by GLitch when dumping references to disk since
GLitch only inserts the starting and ending strings at the
beginning and end of the title field. By using a consistent
coding scheme, you can control the special attributes for the
titles and journal names by embedding the start and end strings
in the database itself. For example let us say that you decide to
use ## to signify the beginning of an underlined section, and $$
the end. To suppress the underlining of a title field enter $$ at
the start of the title, thus suppressing it as it starts. To
force the underlining of a journal name (within the source area
of the reference), enter ## and $$ at either end to underline the
applicable information. When you come to dump the references to
be used by your word processor, specify the same start and end
strings viz. ## and $$. Once you have called the file up in your
word processor, change all the ##'s to whatever is required to
begin underlining or italics and similarly with the $$. In the
interests of compatibility between users, the author suggests
using ## and $$ as the start and end strings respectively.
B-3 XyWrite users can embed XyWrite formatting commands by
including double less-than and greater-than signs. For example
<<MDUL>> will automatically be converted to the XyWrite
formatting command. See Appendix F also.
41
Appendix C.
Revision History
The following is a history of the changes made to GLitch
1.00 November 1986
GLitch was written in November 1986 for Steven Piper of the
University of Natal, Durban.
1.01 November 1986
Tagging bug fixed.
1.02 December 1986
User input now buffered.
Refreshing and Packing option added to Main Menu
1.03 January 1987
NUL filename available to allow one to escape from selecting
a file group.
New file groups go directly to Add references.
Search domain automatically reset to global if no matches
found.
Main menu tag option now says "Tag (or untag)"
Current file group is displayed on Main Menu
Printing option now checks to see if printer is on line and
"Printing" is displayed on screen during printing.
File name used by the Dump procedure changed from GLOUT.DBF
to GOBLANK.DBF. Disks or directories with file groups
created by earlier versions must have the file renamed using
the DOS rename command.
Any characters can now be used in an author's surname.
Documentation added to later copies.
2.00 March 1987
Date type added and backward compatible too !
Periodic RAM backup facility added.
Memoranda and/or Keywords can optionally be Dumped
Two additional printouts added, Keywords and Authors.
Printouts now paginated and with a header indicating number
of references extant and tagged, date, etc..
Author input terminated by a nul author.
Keywords and Memoranda scroll up the screen as entered.
Jump option added to Browse
Browse display will not scroll off the screen due to many
lines of memoranda but will ask if user wishes to see more
memo lines first. 42
View option added to display Keywords quickly.
Documentation file updated and special box characters
removed.
Installation batch files constructed.
2.01 March 1987
Period is inserted after the date in file dumps.
Files are erased from RAM drive when finished with leaving,
room for another file group to be placed in RAM.
Spurious form feeds between printouts removed.
2.02 April 1987
Bug in creating a file group using a RAM drive fixed.
2.03 May 1987
Invoice and Manual options added to Print option.
Disclaimer added to final screen.
Index added to Manual.
3.01 September 1987
Internal reference numbers displayed in printout and can be
used to Jump to a specific reference whilst Browsing.
User sequence numbers added.
File structure changed to allow a 'header' record to
remember the number of references extant and tagged
resulting in a much faster load time. Old format files are
converted.
Tagging feature speeded up slightly.
Face prompt used throughout.
Author sorting fixed so that surnames starting with lower
case letter are sorted correctly.
Bug in local tagging of title information killed.
Added keyword editing facility.
Added Group index dump feature.
Creation of new file groups now done without any reference
to external blank files.
Backup of RAM drive no longer confined to Adding references
and backup time is displayed at file selection menu.
43
4.01 July 1988
GLitch was rewritten with a new file structure for increased
speed. The new file structure imposed some limitations on
each reference:
32 Authors
2048 Keywords
32K of Memoranda
More memory is required (about 384K)
Group name can now be 8 characters long.
Version 3 files are converted automatically.
Notes can be attached to each File Group.
Full screen editor used for editing Memoranda and Notes
Available disk space is monitored.
Browsing, and Editing of Authors, Keywords and Memoranda
much faster.
Highest drive letter now F:
Bug in sorting of references fixed.
Tagging can be done by Phonetic keyword.
Strings can be searched for in Keywords and Memoranda !
Dump section prompts for stings to be placed throughout the
reference, defaults to XyWrite style sheets.
Dump no longer places brackets around the date and it places
'and' before the last author.
Automatic Group Indexes for Authors and Keywords added.
Internal reference numbers scrapped. One may now Jump to a
User Sequence number.
Print section checks that printer in on-line.
Printouts can be paused or aborted.
The manual must be printed from outside GLitch.
All fields can be optionally dumped.
Keyword editing has been extended, Changes can be made and
duplicated keywords Stripped.
4.02 September 1988
Bug in printing of keywords when printing references fixed.
4.03 September 1988
String can now be searched for in Housed field
4.04 October 1988
Memoranda printing and browsing improved.
4.05 October 1988
Problem in editing more than 24 keywords fixed.
4.06 October 1988
Carriage returns left in dumped memos. Comma removed from
after the title. 44
4.07 November 1988
You can now Add Authors to a reference if there are none.
4.08 November 1988
Bug with soft returns (introduced in 4.06) terminated.
Author sorting fixed when Adding an anuthor.
4.09 Febraury 1989
Cross referenced dumps speeded up dramatically.
4.10 April 1989
File name error in optimisation found and fixed (.dbt =
.bdt) when not enough disk space available.
LAN usage: GLitch checks that file is not already in use.
4.11 October 1989
Incorrect number of references count after merging databases
fixed.
Allowable drives now up to Z:. Again for LAN usage.
Date of creation of database and version is now placed in
the Notes for the database.
'Wait' message displayed when Leaving tagging menu.
4.12 November 1989
Spaces in file names get changed to underscores.
Optimisation is now recommended after erasing references.
4.13 March 1990
.TMP file created during file creation is now erased when
the drive being used is not the default drive.
Leaning on an incorrect option key will no longer hang the
machine.
45
Appendix D.
Trouble
If GLitch runs into trouble, an error diagnostic will appear at
the top of the screen along with the question:
Continue ?
Press N to cancel GLitch and return to DOS, or Y to attempt to
continue.
Errors are only likely to be encountered if you specify a non-
existent drive (DOS error 3) or your disk becomes full etc. Check
for these sorts of mistakes. If there IS a bug in GLitch please
inform the author. Please note all the information displayed at
the top of the screen.
If you suspect that your database is currupted, do the following:
Call up the database and get to the Main Menu. Press ALT-C then N
and you will drop back to DOS. Delete the .AUT file associated
with your database. Run GLitch again and call up the database.
GLitch will regenerate the .AUT file and also physically count
the references, tagged and total.
46
Appendix E.
Conversion of old file formats
GLitch files created with versions 1 or 2 must be converted to
the version 3 format before being converted to version 4 format.
GLitch will convert from 3 to 4 automatically but it needs to
have some spare disk space during the conversion. If there is not
enough space on the default drive, GLitch will ask you to
indicate a drive that has some space that can be used
temporarily. Enter the drive letter to be used, and GLitch will
continue with the conversion.
47
Appendix F.
XyEd editor
GLitch uses a XyWrite-like editor called XyEd for editing
Memoranda and the Notes attached to any file group.
XyEd version 1.00 July 1988
Commands are issued on the first line of the screen called the
Command Line.
f5 will move the cursor to the Command Line and clear it.
f9 will execute a command that is already on the Command Line.
f10 will move to the Command Line without erasing what is
already there.
Alt-f5 will delete the current line.
Alt-f9 will activate HELP, exit with ESC or Alt-f9 again
The following commands are supported:
SA or SAVE will save and allow you to continue editing
ST or STORE will save and exit the editor
AB or ABORT will discard any changes and exit the editor
ME filename will import an ASCII file at the cursor position
DOS will take you to DOS. Return by typing EXIT
QUIT will exit the editor
Any other command will be embedded in the XyWrite format. For
example MD UL will be inserted as <<MDUL>>
If one ABORTs or QUITs and you have made some changes, XyEd will
ask you if you want to abandon the changes or STORE. Press Y to
abandon, N to stay in the editor and S to STORE.
The following keystrokes provide shortcuts:
Alt-S will STORE
Alt-X will Abort
ALT and the horizontal numbers insert the XyWrite formatting
commands for the MD commands.
Any ASCII character can be inserted by holding down ALT and
typing the ASCII number on the numeric keypad. For example 248
will place the degree symbol into the text.
I cannot gain control over the keyboard properly with the result
that the following keys are different: 48
Control <- and -> move a word at a time
Home and End move to beginning and end of the LINE
Control PgUp & PgDn move to beginning and end of the FILE
Control Home & End move to beginning and end of the SCREEN
You cannot leave EXPANDED mode.
Note that the function keys must NOT have been reprogrammed via
the ANSI.SYS screen driver. This does not preclude the use of
ANSI.SYS with XyEd.
XyWrite is an outstanding product by XyQuest Inc. XyEd does not
attempt to compete with XyWrite in any way and has been made to
be compatible in the interests of standardisation. XyWrite is far
more powerful and easier to use than XyEd and thus should not be
judged on observations of XyEd.
49
Index
abstract see Memoranda..........................................9
adding a reference.............................................11
adding references..............................................12
adding to a reference..........................................20
ASCII characters...............................................47
ASCII file creation - see dumping..............................24
author, entering................................................7
Author, printing...............................................23
Authors - entering..............................................7
Authors, editing...............................................21
Authors, Group Index...........................................27
backup, files..................................................37
backup, RAM drive..............................................36
boot disk.......................................................2
browsing...................................................11, 19
clearing - see tagging.........................................13
clearing tags..............................................17, 20
clock...........................................................8
command line...................................................47
CONFIG.SYS.....................................................39
configuring your system........................................39
converting versions............................................46
creating a File Group...........................................5
cursor movement.............................................4, 48
date............................................................8
deleting a reference...........................................22
deleting references............................................30
DOS............................................................47
DOS error......................................................45
drive letter....................................................5
dumping....................................................11, 24
dumping, Group Index...........................................26
dumping, references............................................25
editing.........................................................4
editing a reference............................................21
editing, Authors...............................................21
editing, Keywords..............................................21
editing, memoranda.............................................22
editing, Title.................................................21
editor.........................................................47
erasing references.........................................12, 30
file group......................................................5
file group - definition.........................................3
files...........................................................5
floppy drive....................................................3 50
global - see tagging...........................................13
global searching...............................................17
Group Index - definition........................................3
hard disk.......................................................3
help...........................................................47
index file.....................................................31
insert key......................................................4
invoice........................................................11
invoice, printing..............................................23
italics................................................23, 25, 40
journals.......................................................40
jumping....................................................19, 20
keyword editing................................................11
Keyword, printing..............................................23
keywords - entering.............................................8
Keywords, adding...............................................29
Keywords, deleting.............................................29
Keywords, duplicates...........................................29
Keywords, editing..........................................21, 29
Keywords, Group Index..........................................27
limitation......................................................2
local - see tagging............................................13
local searching................................................17
Main Menu......................................................10
Memoranda - entering............................................9
memoranda, editing.............................................22
memory..........................................................2
merging........................................................12
merging file groups............................................32
moving - see jumping...........................................19
next reference.................................................19
notes..........................................................11
old versions of GLitch.........................................46
optimising a database..........................................37
order of references............................................19
packing........................................................31
Page length....................................................23
previous reference.............................................19
printer....................................................11, 23
printing...................................................11, 22
RAM drive..................................................35, 36
Refreshing a database..........................................31
registration...................................................ii
saving Memoranda...............................................47
searching - see tagging........................................14
selecting a File Group.........................................33
selecting references - see tagging.............................14 51
system requirements.............................................1
tagging........................................................12
tagging references.............................................11
tagging, all references........................................17
tagging, author................................................15
tagging, clearing..............................................13
tagging, clearing tags.........................................17
tagging, keywords..............................................16
tagging, local and global searches.............................13
tagging, phonetic keywords.....................................16
tagging, strings...............................................15
tagging, User Sequence Numbers.................................17
tagging, year..................................................15
Title - entering................................................8
Title, editing.................................................21
underlining............................................23, 25, 40
User Sequence Number - definition...............................3
User Sequence Numbers......................................11, 28
User supported software........................................ii
viewing - see browsing.........................................19
viewing keywords...............................................19
wiping a reference.............................................22
word processor ................................................23
XyEd........................................................9, 47
XyWrite.................................................9, 40, 47
year of publication.............................................8
