Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/database/namebase.zip/README

Text File | 1991-01-18 | 9KB | 166 lines

          VERSION 1 of NAMEBASE from Elk Creek Software

  These instructions are intentionally short in the sincere hope that you
  will read them.  The likelihood of this file getting read is inversely
  proportional to the number of pages it contains.  Therefore, we try to
  convey the operation of this software to you in the clearest, most succinct
  manner possible.  It's only 3 pages long, so it won't take long.

  The first point we want to make is that this software is not free.  An
  early version is provided to you for evaluation purposes only.  If you like
  NAMEBASE enough to use it, please pay for it like you would pay for
  anything else of value.  If you send $25.00 to Elk Creek Software, you will
  receive a new version (available April 1991) which includes many features
  not yet included in the early version you have.  Some of these features
  include:
    - the ability to copy or move people between subfiles.
    - printing of a phone list, address book, and other reports.
    - automatic file optimization features, to eliminate wasted space and
      reduce file access times.
    - printing of envelopes with either home or work address.
    - exporting NAMEBASE files to a comma-delimited file for use by other
      programs.
    - elimination of messages received upon program start-up.
    - the right to purchase future versions of NAMEBASE at a reduced price.

  You will NOT have to re-enter your data once you get the new version.
  The version 2 data file is completely compatible with version 1.

  NAMEBASE is copyrighted, but you may distribute version 1 freely, as
  long as you do not charge for it, other than to cover minor distribution
  expenses not to exceed $5.00.  You must include all 4 files when you
  distribute it: NAME.EXE, NAME.ECS, NAME.DAT, and README.
  The file NAMEZIP.EXE is a self-extracting compressed file which contains
  all 4 of the above files.  If you run NAMEZIP.EXE, it will create these 4
  files.

  NAMEBASE is the result of hundreds of hours of PROFESSIONAL programming
  effort, using Assembler language for many of the important routines.
  Namebase also uses a sophisticated custom file structure which makes use of
  variable length records, variable length keys, and even variable length
  fields.

  Please send $25.00 check or money order to:
                         Elk Creek Software
                         13630 Rampart Dr.
                         Conifer, CO  80433

  If you send a personal check, we will wait until it clears before shipping.
  If you pay by money order or cashier's check, we will ship immediately.
  There is an option on the REPORTS MENU which will print an order form
  if you want to use it.  Don't forget to specify diskette size.
  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST MAIL.

  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST DATA.
  THIS PRODUCT IS SUPPLIED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY.
  USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  You are encouraged to share this version of NAMEBASE with others, as
  long as you also give them a copy of this documentation file.

  You start NAMEBASE simply by typing NAME at the DOS prompt.  Like any other
  program, DOS needs to know where to find the program (called NAME.EXE), so
  you either have to be in the directory which contains this file, or you
  must explicitly tell DOS where the file is by placing the DOS pathname in
  front of the NAME command, or by putting the directory that contains
  NAME.EXE in your DOS PATH command in you AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  Refer to your
  DOS manual if you need further details.

  The other two files that NAMEBASE needs in order to run are called NAME.ECS
  and NAME.DAT.  NAME.DAT contains your data, and the program will create
  this file new if it finds that it does not exist.  You can also have
  NAMEBASE use any other file name for your data by specifying that file name
  after the NAME command, such as:     NAME MYFILE.DAT     This allows you to
  have only one copy of the program, but many data files.

  Certain monochrome monitors, such as those found on old Compaq machines and
  many laptops, emulate a color monitor.  NAMEBASE automatically detects the
  type of monitor you are using and adjusts accordingly, but some of these
  machines can fool it.  If you have a monochrome monitor and have difficulty
  reading the screens, try starting NAMEBASE with the following
  command:
            NAME/B

  NAMEBASE is supplied to you with a sample NAME.DAT file already containing
  some names and addresses.  When you want to start entering your own data,
  you can delete these sample names, or simply delete the entire NAME.DAT
  file and let NAMEBASE create a new, empty one for you the next time you
  start NAMEBASE.

  If you delete the supplied file, the next time you start NAMEBASE you will
  see the heading "Subfile 1 (the default)" on the top line of the first
  screen.  You can change this title to anything you like (up to 25
  characters) by pressing F2 to display the menu, then choosing the "File
  Selection" option.  Simply highlight the line which says "Subfile 1 (the
  default)" and press the Insert key.  Then change the name to "Johns
  friends" or whatever else you want the title for this subfile to be and
  press ENTER.  Then press ENTER again to select this subfile, and the title
  on the top of your screen will be changed.

  While you were changing the title, you probably noticed the option "CREATE
  A NEW SUB-FILE".  You can create up to 200 sub-files, each one containing
  completely separate data.  You might have one which contains your personal
  friends, another for your clients, and another for your co-workers, etc.
  Of course, you could leave everyone in the same sub-file if you like.

  You choose a menu option by highlighting the option you want and pressing
  ENTER, or by typing the first letter of that option.  An alternate way to
  choose a menu option without pressing F2 first, is to hold down the Alt key
  and press the first letter of the menu option.  This only works if you have
  not displayed the menu.  Pressing the ESC key will get rid of the menu if
  you do not want to make a choice.

  One option not on the menu is Alt-D, which takes you to DOS.  You then type
  EXIT to return to NAMEBASE, exactly where you left off.

  To add your first record, just press the INSERT key.  A new screen will be
  displayed to allow you to input your data.  YOU DON'T NEED TO USE THE SHIFT
  KEY!  ALMOST NEVER!  DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!  During testing, many
  people entered tons of data, merrily capitalizing the first letter of each
  name and address, even though the context-sensitive help (available by
  pressing F1) clearly states that the program will do this for you
  automatically.  Likewise, the State abbreviations are automatically
  capitalized.

  The last field on the screen is for any notes you want to include about
  this person.  The length of this field is virtually unlimited.  You can use
  the arrow keys or page-down, page-up keys to scroll through this text.  When
  you reach the end of a line, just keep typing - words will automatically
  wrap around to the next line, just like they do on a word processor.

  READ THE HELP BOX FOR EVERY FIELD ON THE SCREEN!  You do this by moving the
  cursor to each field and pressing F1.

  You move between fields by pressing ENTER or TAB.  You can move directly to
  the last field on the screen (the notes field) by pressing Cntl-End.
  Likewise, Cntl-Home takes you to the first field on the screen (First
  Name).  The END key takes you the end of a field, and HOME to the start of
  the field.  You can also use the arrow keys to move the cursor.

  After entering all your data for this person, press F10 to save it to the
  file.  Continue this process for the rest of your data.

  To quickly locate a person's record in the list, simply type the first few
  letters of that person's name.  Each time you press a letter, the person
  whose name most closely matches what you typed will be found.  Pressing the
  backspace key will erase the last letter you typed and search for the
  closest match of the remaining letters.

  You can also use the arrow keys, Page-up and Page-down, Home, or End keys
  to find a person in the list.  Don't overlook the left and right arrow keys
  - these work in addition to the up and down arrow keys, and are a quick way
  to scroll through the list.

  Once you have located a person in the list, all the information about that
  person is displayed on the bottom half of the screen.  If you want to
  change any of this data, simply press ENTER to go to the edit screen.

  To delete a person, just press the DELETE key.  A box will pop up to ask
  you to verify the delete before proceeding.

  We hope you like NAMEBASE, and look forward to showing you the exciting
  new features in version 2, available in April 1991.

  If you like NAMEBASE version 1, you'll love version 2.  Order it today!
  Elk Creek Software