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License
You are granted a license to evaluate this software on A SINGLE
COMPUTER for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. If, on or
before this time expires, you wish to continue using this software,
you must register by sending the registration fee to the author
"Jonathan Canter" for EACH COPY to be used.
The shareware version of this software may be freely distributed as
long as the following conditions are met:
1) All files are distributed as is and in unmodified form.
2) No more than a $5.00 handling fee can be charged without the
PRIOR written consent of the author "Jonathan Canter".
3) STS may not be distributed with or as a part of any
other product or software package without the prior written
consent of the author "Jonathan Canter".
Registered copies of this software may be used by the REGISTERED
OWNER on a single computer. If you desire to use the software on
more than one computer you must purchase a site license.
Business and government users of STS must register in order to
legally use STS. The 30 day evaluation privilege is only
extended to non-business users.
By using STS you acknowledge that you have read this agreement,
understand it and agree to be bound by it's terms and conditions.
Warranty
With respect to the physical diskette sent to registered owners,
the author warrants the same to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of 60 days from the date of
registration. In the event of notification within the warranty
period of defects in material or workmanship the author will
replace the defective diskette. The remedy for breach of this
warranty shall be limited to replacement and shall not encompass
any other damages, including but not limited to loss of profit, and
special, incidental, consequential, or other similar claims.
The author specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed
or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and the
program license granted herein in particular, and without limiting
operation of the program license with respect to any particular
application, use, or purpose. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE
LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFIT, LOST SAVINGS, COMMERCIAL DAMAGE, OR
OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR
INABILITY TO USE STS EVEN IF THE AUTHOR (Jonathan Canter) OR AN
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF STS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of
Pennsylvannia.
SUSPENSE TRACKING SYSTEM 2.0
INTRODUCTION Page-1
SUSPENSE TRACKING SYSTEM (STS) is a management system for the
logging, tracking, and reporting of suspenses events within
your organization.
STS centralizes work, allowing easy user access to all
records. The list describes program capabilities:
* Add records
* Edit records in a browse type layout
* View records due in 15 days, late, or all records
* Set dates using popup calendar or enter manually
* Automatically deletes closed suspenses upon exiting STS
* Produce printed reports:
_ late suspense report
_ due in 15 days suspenses
_ all suspenses
* Error checks:
_ printer off status
_ diskette or disk drive status
* File maintenance
_ reindex database
* Backup database
PROGRAM LIMITATIONS
Floppy Disk Users:
Only 720K or 1.44M disk and drives are recommended. STS is
designed for hard drive use because of disk space and speed.
Printed Reports:
Epson compatible printers are required to ensure proper
report printouts of STS suspenses (Framed or Box report).
Turning the printer off during print will crash the program!
Hard Drive Users:
Disk space limited only by remaining hard disk space.
RAM Memory:
Conflicts may occur on machines with less than 512k memory
or when dual run programs consume the RAM memory.
INSTALLING STS
Floppy Drive Users:
To gain more space on your floppy drive, remove these files:
* STS.bat --the execute file for hard drive users to
start STS from the C:\root directory.
* Install.bat -- only used for hard drive installation.
You may also store the following on a separate disk. They
are worth keeping so that you can order the latest versions
of this program:
* Manual.bat --batch file prints manual
* Manual.doc --manual
Page-2
Hard Drive Users:
There are two ways to install STS on your hard
drive. Select one of these two methods to install:
OPTION 1
Place your STS software disk in the A drive. At
the A> prompt type "install". The program will copy a file
named "STS.bat" to your C:\ root directory. This allows
you to run STS from your C: prompt. It then
request that you press the return or enter key. Now a
sub-directory will be created on your hard drive named
"STS". Lastly, all the STS files will be copied
to this new directory. The install process ends with your
computer being returned to the A> prompt. You may now run
STS two ways. Type STS at the C:\ prompt and the
file automatically changes to the STS directory and runs
the program. You may also type "STS" within the new
directory to load the program.
OPTION 2
To install on a hard drive other than 'C', use the DOS
copy command to copy all files to the Drive:\directory of
your choice. Example: With STS disk in drive A,
type 'Copy A:*.* D:\STS', where D is the desired drive
and \STS is the directory you've created using the DOS mkdir
commands selected. To run STS, type STS while within this new
directory.
FILES PROVIDED ON SOFTWARE DISK
* STS.exe - the main program
* stsbase.dbf - database which stores suspenses
* Opr_date.ntx - index on OPR and duedate
* STSlogo.mem - STS logo screen during program load
* install.bat - hard drive file installer for C: drive
* manual.bat - sends manual.doc to printer
* manual.doc - the document you're now reading
* STS.bat - allows STS start from root dir C:\
BACKING UP YOUR ORIGINAL SOFTWARE DISK
Backup your software before you install or run this
program. If system errors occur, they may corrupt the files.
A backup is your safe guard against losing the original.
USING STS
Before we begin....
STS is menu driven. Read the following pages on how to
operate STS and to see the many features offered. Print
the document for later reference.
RUNNING STS
Page-3
MENU OPERATION
All menus operate the same way: press enter on the highlighted
word to activate the sub-option choices. Move the cursor to
the function you wish to perform and press enter again to
proceed to the selected function. Pressing the first letter
of the function will also process your keystroke. Example:
Press enter while the word "Modify" is highlighted. A sub-
option list is displayed. You may move the cursor keys so
the word 'Edit"is highlighted and press enter key again to
proceed to the edit screen. A faster method is to press the
letter "E". STS knows you want to "E"dit records and will
take you to the edit screen. You may EXIT any level of menu
or message screen by pressing the ESC key. Continue to press
this key until you are at the prior menu level you desire.
Pressing the ESC key from the main menu quits the STS program
and returns you to DOS, as if you had pressed the word quit.
MAIN MENU.....
From the main menu you may select the MODIFY, REPORT, UTILS,
or QUIT options. IMPORTANT! Always exit STS from the main menu.
All menus are designed to return eventually to the main menu.
File damage may occur if you reset the computer while STS is
still active (open database).
Sub-menus
Modify selection:
This is the primary menu for working with new entries,
or for editing, deleting or displaying records.
Utils selection:
This selection takes you to the utility menu. Here you
may reindex your database or perform backup procedures.
Reindexing simply reconstructs the index file which is
set to display records in OPR+duedate field order.
Backup allows you to make a copy of your suspense database
on a floppy disk.
Reports selection:
Select this option for reports. Select the menu pulldown
choice of report type: Late suspenses, Due in 15 Days, or a
complete report of all database records. Then select if you
desire a framed (boxed) or plain (unboxed) report.
Quit selection:
Press this and answer yes. You'll exit to the operating
system. A shortcut is to repeatedly press ESC key until
the system prompt appears. STS automatically closes and
removes deleted suspenses without further action on your
part.
Page-4
FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS
ADD.....:
Takes you to a blank log for entering new records. Enter
new suspense data for each field. Pressing F5 when the
cursor is in the DUEDATE field will popup a calendar for
easier date selection by the user, or enter date manually.
A new screen appears to add more records. Pressing F8 sets
carry on, which brings the last entry forward to a new blank
form. This allows entry of similar suspenses very easy.
The following fields are available for data input:
Field Name Size Type Restrictions
__________ ____ ____ ____________
TO 6 Character None
FROM 6 Character None
SUBJECT 30 Character None
REMARKS 30 Character None
RECURRING 1 Character Only O,M,Q,S,Y letters
DUEDATE 8 Date Only valid dates >1990
The TO field records the organization who you must provided
the suspensed information. The FROM field is the organization
who is responsible for providing the information. SUBJECT
and REMARKS fields describe the suspense itself and additional
information you may which to record. The recurring field
establishes the frequency of occurrence. Only the letters
O,M,Q,S,Y are allowed. These are described bellow:
O= One time suspense
M= Monthly recurring suspense
Q= Recurring each quarter
S= Semiannual recurring
Y= Annual Recurring (yearly)
The last entry field, DUEDATE, is the date your suspense is
due to the organization (TO). If you entered a recurring
(frequency) character in the frequency field, then the date
also represents the date used to calculate the next month,
quarter, semiannual or yearly duedates. Note the 'beep' sound
upon moving from one entry to another when carry mode is ON.
This is your reminder that you are in carry on mode.
After entring the last field (Duedate), a question box appears
requesting conformation of correct data entry. If you press 'Y'
for yes, or enter, your new record is recorded. If you press 'N'
or highlight the word "Re-enter", you are moved to the beginning
to move through the data and correct errors.
Edit....:
The Edit function is a sophisticated browse/display function
allowing the user to accomplish modify tasks easily. Records
are displayed in columns for easy viewing. To all the data
for each record, you must press the left or right arrow keys
to pan left or right on screen. The record fields out of
Page-5
view, will become viewable. Pressing up/down keys allows
the user to scroll through the records available.
To Edit or change data for a particular record, use the
cursor keys to highlight the record in question AND the
field you wish to modify. Pressing the ENTER key activates
the edit mode. Once completed, you may type new data.
When satisfied of your changes, press ENTER, or any arrow
key to make your changes permanent.
STS automatically converts your inputs to capital letters
if required by the program. Error control prevents
incorrect data from being inserted within the DATE fields
and the Cycle (recurring) fields. Help messages will appear
for the Cycle field describing the allowable keys for this
field.
Special functions may be performed or information displayed
by pressing various function keys as identified on the
EDIT screen:
Press Effect Purpose
____ _______ _______
F1 Status window Display database record info
F2 Filter window Limit type of records displayed
F3 Close window Marks for closing/updating the record
ShiftF3 Erase window Marks highlighted record for deletion
F5 Calendar window Popup for date selection into date
F1...
Window will show number of records in database and how many are
marked for deletion. Press any key to return to Edit screen.
F2...
Window allows the user to select one of three record filters.
Record filters allow only certain records to be viewable when
the database is displayed OR allows printing of only those
records selected. The window displays the following options:
(1) Late Show only suspenses due (duedate <date)
(2) Due in 15 Show only suspenses due in 15 days
(3) All Default; normal screen of all records
Pressing one of these keys activates the filter or resets
the previous filter. The screen returns control to the EDIT
screen. Only those records allowed by the currently set
filter will be displayed. Therefore, only those are
capable of being edited. A message displays the current filter.
Page-6
F3...
This is a toggle switch (like a light switch). Press once
to mark the highlighted record for later deletion. Press
once more to unmark the highlighted record. Note that
records are ONLY MARKED for later deletion upon exiting STS
program. All marked records may be unmarked (except ERASED
records) by toggling the F3 key when the record in question
is highlighted. Note the "Closed" message at the lower right
of the EDIT screen if the record has been marked. The "Closed"
msg disappears when F3 is pressed if the record was previously
marked for deletion.
Shift-F3
This is NOT a TOGGLE. To delete a recurring suspense, press
and hold the Shift key AND press the F3 key. A message box
appears to confirm your desire for permanent deletion of the
highlighted recurring suspense. Use the cursor keys or press
"Y" or "N" to peform the desired actions. The highlighted
record is marked for deletion and the "Closed" msg appears
below the edit screen just as if it were closed using the F3 key.
Immediately the marked record is overwritten with "****" in the
TO and FROM fields and with "********ERASED********" in the Subject
and Remarks fields. Once you delete a record using SF3, it may not
be revived! Once deleted, the user would have to ADD it back again
using the ADD menu function. SF3 is a valuable function since this
is the only way the user can delete a recurring suspense (one no
longer wanted in the STS program). Otherwise, pressing F3 alone
closes a recurring suspense by updating the date field to the next
cycle date.
F5...
The calendar function allows user friendly date searches by
scrolling through a windowed calendar. Once the date you
desire is highlighted, pressing ENTER automatically places
your date selection into the DUEDATE field and displays
your selection within the DUEDATE display of the Edit screen.
The calendar only activates when the DUEDATE field is
highlighted. Using the cursor keys, any date may be
scrolled to for selection.
IMPORTANT DATE NOTE: You may also manually enter a suspense
date by pressing ENTER to activate edit mode while the date
field is highlighted. STS will not allow an incorrectly
formatted date to be entered. STS also will ensure no weekend
or leap year is entered. If STS detects one of these invalid
conditions, it will automatically move the date back 1 or
2 days until a non-weekend or non-leap year date is obtained.
This is valuable feature for a suspense system. Using the
F5 function, dates are also validated this way.
IMPORTANT DATE MESSAGE: Often a recurring suspense which has
come due can not be met. The user may wish change the current
suspense duedate to allow the FROM more time to meet it. STS
Page-7
takes care of your needs. STS detects changes in suspense dates
when the change occurs to a recurring suspense. STS asks if you
are attempting to correct the date, thus establishing a new duedate
for all future recurring dates to be calculated. If so, it changes
the date as requested. However, STS realizes that you may wish to
change a duedate temporarily, leaving future duedates based on the
original recurring cycle. If you request a local duedate change only,
STS will project when the next duedate is, based on the original
duedate, then add this suspense to the database. It then accepts
your temporary duedate change, automatically changing the CYCLE
field to 'O' (Once). This allows you to track the current suspense
and then delete it upon completion. The future suspense cycle
is preserved because STS created the recurring suspense record.
Now, when this suspense is due again, STS will display it due
based on the original duedate cycle.
Reports...:
Upon pressing REPORTS, a submenu appears, allowing the user to
select one of three reports: 1)Late 2)Due in 15 Days or 3)All
records. Another submenu then allows you to select a framed
output (boxed lines arround your printout) or plain.
Printouts are designed to use normal 8 1/2 by 11 computer paper.
Reports are automatically ejected at the end.
Printouts are in Elite font. Epson printer compatible. Any
Epson compatible printer will function correctly.
Printouts take the following example:
STS Report: LATE
11/11/91
__________________________________________________________________
TO SUBJECT FROM REMARKS DUEDATE
xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx/xx/xx
NOTE: Closed records marked for deletion are never printed.
Reindex...:
The database is sorted on the FROM and the DUEDATE fields. This
allows both displayed and printed records to be listed in rank
order based on who must provide information to satisfy the
suspense, and within this order, the date it's due. Reindexing
may be required if STS fails to automatically update your
changes to the database. IF records do not appear that should
be present, INSURE the filter function is set to ALL records.
If this does not help, simply reindex. Time to reindex is 5
seconds.
Page-8
Backup...:
This function will copy the current database of suspenses to
the drive of your choice. It assumes "A" drive, but you may
change this at the backup window prompt. The backup window
displays the current directory and the stsbase.dbf to be
backed up. STS will notify you upon receipt of an error during
attempted backup:
Fix Disk/Drives!
-drive door open
-unformatted disk
-disk upside down
-wrong size disk media
Not Enough Space
-your backup disk in the selected backup drive
is full already.
The user must backup the STS suspense database. STS will not
force an automatic backup. Recommend backing up the disk
weekly or when new recurring suspenses are logged. This
ensures the type and frequency of your organizations suspenses
are recorded.
DEMONSTRATION
OF STS BY EXAMPLE
1. Type STS at the C:\ prompt or from within the STS directory.
2. After the STS Logo screen displays, you are at the main screen.
3. Press Enter while MODIFY is highlighted.
4. Press Enter while ADD is highlighted.
(Blank add screen appears with the cursor ready for entry of
the first field FROM)
5. Enter the following information. You may need to press enter
on inputs that do not exceed the full length of the field.
RSR
GP/RSR
Quarterly Vehicle Inspection
G12-3434 vehicle needs fix
Q
6. Now, enter the date the suspense is due. You may enter it manually
or by pressing the function key labelled "F5". Upon pressing F5, a
calendar appears. Using the calendars instruction, move to the date
you want to begin the quarterly cycle. Press enter. Note the date
was automatically entered into the new record from the calendar.
NOTE: If the duedate you selected, whether manual or calendar, is a
weekend or leap year day, STS automatically adjust the duedate back
1 or 2 days so it falls on a workday.
7. Upon completion, you are once again presented with a blank record for
further additions. For example sake, enter your own information in
this second record. Failing to enter "M,Q,S, or Y" in the Recurring
field causes the cursor to remain in the field until one of the
appropriate responses is entered.
Page-9
Now, PRESS & HOLD the Shift key while PRESSING the F3 key. Note the
bottom screen message line: "F8 -Carry Off" is now "...Carry ON".
Enter your own example suspense. After the datedue field is entered
and you answer "Yes" to the "is data correct" box, your new record
is recorded. You are now presented with a new entry form. DATA
FROM YOUR PREVIOUS ENTRY HAS BEEN CARRIED OVER. Using the cursor keys,
change the remarks field and move to the duedate field. Press F5 and
enter a new future date. Press "Y" to the "is data correct" box.
This suspense is now added.
The screen again displays the entry form with the previous entries
carried over. Continue OR press Shift F3 again, setting carry to
CARRY OFF. After you record this entry, the next screen once again
will be blank.
REMEMBER: Pressing ESC key will exit you from a entry screen and
return you to the main menu. This is true even if some of the
entry forms fields have data. Pressing ESC is desired regardless
of entry screen status when the user wants to end the supsense
adding process.
8. Now you several suspenses recorded. PRESS the ESC key to exit to
the main menu if you have not yet done so.
9. At the main menu, highlight EDIT and press enter. Note that you
may also press the 1st letter of the word as a short cut.
10. The EDIT screen now appears. Note the functions available by
pressing one of the function keys, F1, F2, F3, Shift-F3, F5.
11. Practice moving through the data within each record by using the
cursor arrow keys. Each move results in the highlight moving in
the direction you selected. This is how you navigate through the
fields of each record or through each record in the database.
12. Move the cursor to the FROM field of the first record. Lets edit
it. To edit a field within a record, first highlight it, then
press enter. This activates the EDIT mode, allowing changes to
be made for the highlighted field.
13. Press enter. Type in CSSO for the new FROM. Press enter again.
Note that CSSO is now the FROM. All other fields are changed
basically the same way.
14. Move the cursor left and highlight the CYCLE field (recurring).
Press Enter to allow editing. Note the help message at the
bottom right of the edit screen. It indicates that only those
characters may be entered. Enter an INCORRECT character: "I".
Note it is in lower case. STS beeps! STS will force you to
enter a correct recurring character. IF you press ESC key,
STS returns the original letter.
15. Enter a correct character.
Page-10
16. Highlight the duedate field. Press enter to allow editing.
Manually type in the duedate as follows: 02/29/91.
This is not a leap year! STS will move back to a legal date
without your further effort.
ALTERNATE METHOD: Press ENTER while highlighting the
duedate field. PRESS F5 and a calendar appears. Find the
date you desire and press enter, the date is placed within
the field without further effort. If necessary, STS adjusts
the date to be a working and legal day.
17. Upon changing a duedate for a recurring suspense, a message
window appears stating: "Change temporarily? "YES, NO Fix recur..".
In this example, we intended to adjust the duedate for this
period ONLY, because the FROM did not met the suspense. We still
want the next recurring date to fall properly within the period
we originally selected. PRESS YES. STS now makes a copy of
the original suspense and sets it to the next duedate based on
the recurring cycle you previously set. NOTE THERE IS A NEW
RECORD IN THE DATABASE. TWO APPEAR IDENTICAL EXCEPT one has the
recurring (cycle) changed to "O"; meaning a one time suspense.
The other, retains the original recurring cycle but is now due
in the future. When the "O" suspense is completed, the user
deletes it without concern. When the cycle again comes 'round,
your original cycle is intact and shows due!
18. Press the function key F1. The window appearing displays the
number of records in the database, with 0 closed for deletion.
It also shows the last time the database was updated.
Press any key to remove window.
19. Press F3. STS closes the highlighted record for later
deletion upon STS program exit. Note the bottom right
of the screen. "<Closed>" is displayed. Each time you
move the cursor onto a record marked, this msg appears to
remind you.
NOTE: NO DELETION TAKES PLACE UNTIL YOU EXIT STS. You may
reopen any closed suspense by highlighting the closed suspense
and pressing F3 again. However, erased recurring records can
not be recalled. Once erased, only by adding the supsense back
by using the ADD function, can you get it back!
20. Press F2. A window appears. Select the type of records you
wish to display. After selection, the window is removed.
The EDIT screen now ONLY displays those records you indicated
you wished to be "seen" by STS edit function. STS reminds
you of your FILTERED display by message bottom left screen.
At any time, you may press the F2 key again, and change your
filter. IF necessary PRESS F2 again to select ALL records.
Your edit screen should appear again.
NOTE: THE NUMBER OF RECORDS DISPLAYED DURING YOUR PRACTICE
WILL VARY FROM NONE TO THREE, BASED ON WHAT DATES YOU ENTERED
ON YOUR OWN.
21. Press & Hold the Shift key and then press F3. A confirmation
message appears. Press the highlighted "Yes". The record
is immediately modified, notifying the user that the record
has been irreversibly marked for deletion. Below is an example
of what the record will now look like:
Page-11
TO FROM SUBJECT REMARKS CYCLE DUEDATE
_________________________________________________________
**** **** ***ERASED** **ERASED** X XX/XX/XX
NOTE: When you exit STS at the end of your work, STS will
find this and all other deletions, and remove them automatically
from the suspense database.
22. Press ESC key. You should return to the main menu.
23. Press ENTER while REPORTS is highlighted. A submenu appears
allowing you to select the report desired. Press ALL.
STS automatically will print your two records. Press framed
to get a boxed report. The printer should begin its work.
NOTE: Do this once more with the printer off-line. STS
will catch this error and ask it to be turned on. Do so
and STS automatically begins printing the selected report.
24. At the main menu, Press ENTER while Utils is highlighted.
Press REINDEX. STS automatically will display a message
while it rewrites your index. This may be performed any
time, needed or not, without ill effect. Its purpose
is to ensure the sorting of suspenses is current after
new records or changes to existing records were made. It
IS REQUIRED if a hardware or software error occurs during
STS operation.
25. At the main menu, Press UTILS. Now press BACKUP. A screen
appears requesting you select the floppy drive that will
receive a copy of the STSbase.dbf. You may select another
drive if you wish. Press Enter when ready to make the
backup.
NOTE: STS DETECTS DRIVE, DISK, AND THE SHORTAGE OF AVAILABLE
DISK SPACE DURING BACKUP.
Try to produce a drive error by leaving the drive door open.
Try to use a disk upside down or of the wrong media.
Try to use a disk which has no more space for recording.
ALL THESE WILL BE CAUGHT BY STS.
IF you wish to exit backup before it is started, press ESC key.
IF backup is started, STS will return you to the main menu after
backup is complete.
26. This concludes the tutorial. Press ESC key or move to the Quit
key and press enter to exit STS, returning to your drive prompt.
Page-12
FEEDBACK DATA
All users of STS are encouraged to recommend/suggest changes
to this program.
Errors found or problem encountered during STS use should be
identified to the agency authorizing the use of STS. Corrections
to errors will be made immediately. Suggested will be seriously
addressed for possible incorporation into a newer version of
STS.
Send comments to the author:
Jonathan Canter
8069 Peebles Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0460
