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TimeSaver+
User Manual
Copyright 1986
MicroCon, Inc.
401 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21228
Phone (301) 744-1519
Table of Contents
1 Introduction to TimeSaver+............................ 1
1.1 What is TimeSaver+................................. 1
1.2 What is MultiTimeSaver............................. 2
1.3 Using This Manual ................................. 2
2 Getting Started ...................................... 3
2.1 TimeSaver+ ........................................ 3
3 Moving Around the Calendar ........................... 4
3.1 Accessing Calendar Commands .......................... 4
4 Commands ............................................. 5
4.1 Add ............................................... 5
4.2 Delete ............................................ 5
4.3 Expand (F2) ....................................... 5
4.4 Copy .............................................. 6
4.5 Move .............................................. 6
4.6 Edit .............................................. 7
4.7 Info .............................................. 7
4.9 Print ............................................. 7
4.13 Operating System .................................. 8
Appendix B Information File Editor ...................... 9
Section 1 - Introduction to TimeSaver+
TimeSaver+ and MultiTimeSaver+ were developed to give busy
people efficient scheduling tools. One of the most unique
features is the ability to graphically view all appointments
scheduled for an entire month. Standard IBM block graphics
are used, thus permitting the program to operate with any
type monitor. The program utilizes color, but operates with
no degradation on monochrome systems.
A real calendar, closely resembling a desk-pad monthly
appointment calendar is presented on the screen. A pointer
can be easily moved around the display and, when addressing a
graphics block, will display the time and description of the
event in a window. The initial calendar display is for the
current month. A keystroke will move the display forward or
backward a month at a time. The appointment timeslots are
setup in 1/2 hour increments from 6:30 AM to midnight.
TimeSaver+ is a single user scheduler. MultiTimeSaver+ will
maintain many calendars with added multi-user capabilities.
1.1 What is TimeSaver+
TimeSaver+ provides the traditional add, delete, edit, copy
and move capabilities with easy point-and-select menu-driven
operation. It is generally distributed under the Shareware
concept. This means that you may experiment with the program
without investing any money and may distribute copies of the
package, in its original form, to other users who may be
interested. If you find the program beneficial and plan to
continue using it, you are expected to register its use with
the authors, MicroCon, Inc., and pay a small registration fee
of $39.00, which covers the cost of printing this manual and
other costs of maintaining your registration. As a registered
user, you will be informed of updates and additional features
which may be added in future releases and will receive a
typeset version of the manual.
TimeSaver+ requires no installation. It will only maintain
one calendar which is named TS.CAL. You must not rename or
delete this file or the TS.LOC file or the program will cease
to operate. It will operate on monochrome screens if the
argument "-nc" meaning "no color" is appended to the command
"TS" i.e. "TS -nc". Note the space! TimeSaver+ has no
provision for mass deleting back months' events and may
therefore become very inefficient after an accumulation of
several months worth of data. Registered users will receive a
utilities package which includes a clean-up routine for back
deleting and archiving past events.
TimeSaver+ is a "personal" schedule manager and was not
designed or developed for intensive business or corporate
schedule management. Furthermore, the Shareware concept does
not apply to commercial use and such use is prohibited
without express permission from MicroCon. It is recommended
that interested commercial establishments contact MicroCon
for information about MultiTimeSaver+ which is a more
suitable scheduling package for business environments.
- Page 1 -
1.2 What is MultiTimeSaver+
MultiTimeSaver+ has all the features of TimeSaver+ plus other
multi-user features. It is compatible with most local area
networks including IBM, Novell and 3Com. A LAN is not
required, however, to benefit from MultiTimeSaver. It is also
equally efficient in environments where it is necessary for
one secretary or individual to manage several schedules on
one computer. In the case of MultiTimeSaver the "multi" means
either "multiuser" or "multible calendars". In addition to
the features of TimeSaver+, MultiTimeSaver+ users will be
able to view and in some cases alter other calendars in the
system. Calendars in the Multi version may exist in the form
of individuals or other resources such as conference rooms,
banquet rooms, or any other entity which requires scheduling.
MultiTimeSaver+ provides for "hiding" confidential events
from other users. Meetings may be easily scheduled by the use
of the "search" command which determines the best times for
all tagged users. Available resources can be quickly located
and reserved.
A menu-driven installation program is provided to create the
MultiTimeSaver system with appropriate subdirectories and
calendars for each individual user. A separate calendar is
maintained for each user and is accessed by the user's name.
1.3 Using This Manual
Section 4 provides a detailed discussion of each TimeSaver+
command. It is normally not necessary to refer to this
section because the program provides sufficient prompts and
on-line help to accomplish any task.
- Page 2 -
Section 2 - Getting Started
2.1 TimeSaver+
If you are running TimeSaver+ from a diskette, place the
TimeSaver+ diskette in any floppy disk drive; then type TS
and press the RETURN key. This will start the program. No
user name is required since this is a single user system.
If you want to run TimeSaver+ from a hard drive, including
bernoulli boxes, then you should create a subdirectory on
your hard drive for TimeSaver+. We suggest a subdirectory
named TIMESAVE. To create this subdirectory, use the DOS
command:
MD\TIMESAVE <RETURN>
Then go to that subdirectory with the DOS command:
CD\TIMESAVE <RETURN>
Place the TimeSaver+ diskette in drive A and issue the DOS
command:
COPY A:TS.* <RETURN>
When the COPY is completed, the TimeSaver+ diskette can be
removed and stored in a safe place. To run TimeSaver+, go
to the TIMESAVE subdirectory on your hard disk; then type TS
and press the RETURN key. This will start the program. No
user name is required since this is a single user system.
2.2 Moving Around the Calendar
When the program is started, the current month will be
displayed on the screen in a form very similar to a desk-top
calendar. The number display for the current day will be
highlighted and the pointer will be positioned at 6:30 AM.
The pointer is a block cursor with an arrow that points
either up or down. The pointer is positioned within a day
by pressing the plus (+) or minus (-) keys. It is most
convenient to use the plus and minus keys to the right of
the numeric keypad. As the pointer is positioned within a
day, a window at the bottom right portion of the display
will show the two times associated with the pointer
position. The text for any allocated appointment will also
be displayed in this window.
When appointments have been allocated, graphic blocks will
show at appropriate locations within the day block. Graphics
blocks are displayed as half blocks. That is, a half hour
appointment is equivalent to a half graphic block. There are
36 1/2 hour timeslots allocated to each day. A day square
can have graphic blocks in the upper half and lower half of
the square. The arrow in the block cursor points to the
active row of blocks. The four arrow keys are used to move
the cursor between days. The PgUp and PgDn keys are used to
change the calendar month and can be thought of as flipping
pages. Thus PgUp will flip to the previous month and PgDn
will flip to the next month. The Home key can be pressed
from any month and will return to the current month with the
cursor positioned in the current day.
- Page 3 -
Section 3 - Menu and Command Keys
3.1 Accessing Calendar Commands
When the calendar is started, the bottom line contains four
function key options.
F1 Help. When pressed, a graphic description of the
cursor movement keys will be displayed. Also a help
screen can be displayed for each TimeSaver+ command
by pressing this key after selecting the function.
F2 This key will provide an expanded display of the
day where the cursor is positioned.
F9 Will provide a menu on the bottom of the screen
for accessing calendar commands. This menu is a
dual mode type in that commands may be envoked by
one of two(2) methods. First, the arrow keys may be
used to position the highlighted block to the
desired command then press [Return] to activate the
function. Second, the first letter of the command
may be entered to select and envoke the process.
Novice users will probably prefer the "point and
pick" method, while experienced operators will be
more comfortable with the one-key approach.
F10 Will discontinue program operation and return
to DOS.
- Page 4 -
Section 4 - Commands
All commands are described in the following sections. On-
line help is available for all commands by pressing F1.
4.1 Add
This command allows the scheduling of new events. The user
is first prompted to select the beginning time for the
event. At this time the pointer is in half-step mode and a
secondary pointer appears in the description window to the
left of the time display.
The "+" and "-" keys are used to select the beginning time
for the new event. When the secondary pointer is positioned
to the left of the desired time, press the RETURN key. The
text portion of the description is then highlighted to
indicate that the event text can now be entered. Type any
text, up to 40 characters long, and then press the RETURN
key.
The user is now prompted to select the ending time for the
event. This is accomplished using the same procedure as for
selecting the beginning time above. When the RETURN key has
been pressed, a graphics block will appear in the appropriate
position in the selected day, and the text description will
appear in the description window for all applicable times. A
single event cannot cross a day boundary, nor can it overlap
other events.
4.2 Delete
This command deletes or cancels events. The user is
prompted to position the pointer to the event to be deleted.
At this time the pointer is in half-step mode and a
secondary pointer appears in the description window to the
left of the time display. The "+" and "-" keys are used to
select a time that is anywhere within the event to be
deleted.
Press the RETURN key and the event will be deleted. The
event graphics block will be removed from the screen. The
text description is also removed from the data file, but the
text will remain in the description window until the main
pointer is moved once.
If an information file was associated with the deleted event,
the user is given an option to retain or delete this file.
In MultiTimeSaver+, an information file should only be deleted by
the user who created it.
4.3 Expand (F2)
The expand command is used to provide a full screen
detailed display of all appointments for a single day.
Position the pointer anywhere within the desired day and
press the F2 key to see this display. Successive days
may then be viewed by pressing the [Right] key on the
keypad. Likewise previous days are viewed by pressing
the [Left] key.
- Page 5 -
4.4 Copy
The copy command allows the copying or replication of an
event. An example of a replication could be a meeting that
is held on the first Tuesday of every month.
The user is prompted to select the event to be copied. At
this time the pointer is in half-step mode and a secondary
pointer appears in the description window to the left of the
time display. The "+" and "-" keys are used to select a
time that is anywhere within the event to be copied. When
the desired event is selected, press the RETURN key.
A prompt directs the user to select destinations for the new
event. Use the pointer movement keys to position the
pointer in the day to receive the copied event. Copied
events are automatically placed in the same time period as
the original event, regardless of the pointer position
within the new day. When the pointer is positioned, press
the RETURN key and the event will be copied. This sequence
can be repeated any number of times. When the last copy is
positioned, press the END key instead of the RETURN key and
the copy process will be terminated.
If an extension file is attached to the original event, it
is not copied to the new locations.
4.5 Move
The Move command is used to move an event to any other
location. The new location can be in a different time slot
than the original event. The event at the original location
is deleted.
The user is prompted to select the event to be moved. At
this time the pointer is in half-step mode and a secondary
pointer appears in the description window to the left of the
time display. The "+" and "-" keys are used to select a
time that is anywhere within the event to be moved. When
the desired event is selected, press the RETURN key.
The user is then prompted to select the beginning time for
the new event. At this time the pointer is in half-step
mode and a secondary pointer appears in the description
window to the left of the time display. Use the pointer
movement keys to position the pointer in the desired day and
time slot, then press the RETURN key.
If an extension file is associated with the original event,
it remains connected to the event in the new location. The
Move command does not replicate like the Copy command.
- Page 6 -
4.6 Edit
The Edit command will permit changes to an event's text
description and also the beginning and/or ending times.
The user is prompted to select the event to be edited. At
this time the pointer is in half-step mode and a secondary
pointer appears in the description window to the left of the
time display. The "+" and "-" keys are used to select a
time that is anywhere within the event to be edited. When
the desired event is selected, press the RETURN key.
The text description can now be changed. Press RETURN when
the text is as desired. The user is then prompted to select
beginning and ending time, using the same procedure as for
the Add command.
4.7 Info
The Info command is used to add an "information" text file to
an event, so that additional details, such as the agenda for
a meeting, travel iteneraries, or notes about an appointment,
can be associated with the event. Any event can have an
information file and any number of events can access or
use the same information file.
The user is first prompted to select the event which will be
used for the info file. The pointer is switched to half-step
mode and a secondary pointer appears in the description
window to the left of the time display. The "+" and "-" keys
are used to select a time that is anywhere within the event
to which the info file will refer. When the desired event is
selected, press the RETURN key.
If an info file had been previously defined for the event
selected, the system will automatically load the file and
envoke the built-in editor; otherwise, the user is prompted
for a file name. The file name must follow the rules for DOS
file names. An optional drive may be specified (without a
pathname; i.e. "B:STAFMEET.INF"). In MultiTimeSaver, only the
eight(8) character name may be specified.
The built-in full-screen editor, permits entering or editing
up to 10K characters of information. The keypad arrow keys
are used to position the cursor and the [Insert] key toggles
the insert or overtype modes. Special commands and functions
are envoked by the function keys at the left side of the
keyboard. For a description of these functions and other
features of the editor, see Appendix B.
4.9 Print
The Print command is used to generate a printed copy of
appointments for a single day or a sequence of consecutive
days. The print format is similar to the display of the Day
Expand (F2) command. Each day is printed on a separate page
and includes six blank lines to facilitate writing down
- Page 7 -
The user is prompted to select the beginning day for the
report. Use the arrow keys to position the pointer anywhere
within the desired beginning day and then press RETURN.
Then use the same procedure to select the ending day. The
ending day can be in a month later than the month of the
beginning day.
After the print range has been selected, a prompt will ask
if you have an Epson or other IBM compatible graphics
printer. This answer determines whether your printer can
print the same kind of graphics as displayed on the screen.
If it cannot, then the printout will contain only non-
graphic characters.
4.13 Operating System
The DOS function provides a means to execute DOS commands
while MultiTimeSaver+/TimeSaver+ remains active. This is
accomplished by loading a second COMMAND.COM into your
computers random access memory (RAM). You should be aware
that available RAM will be decreased by the memory used by
MultiTimeSaver+/TimeSaver+ and a second operating system.
It is recommended that you only use this command if you have
512 KB or more of RAM.
- Page 8 -
Appendix B
The Information File Editor
The info file editor is a full-screen type with word wrap and
will edit files up to 10,000 characters in length. Any text
file which complies with this limitation may be imported,
allowing info files to be created with an external editor or
wordprocessor if desired. If this procedure is used, the
filename on the disk must match the filename given when first
envoking the Info command. After the file has been created
or edited, the [F10] key will terminate the editor. The user
may then print the info file, delete it, or exit back to the
TimeSaver calendar screen by pressing the approiate function
key. When the calendar screen reappears, an "X" will be
apparent in the small window to the right of the text,
indicating that an info file exists for this event. The
following function keys are active within the editor:
F1 - Help is disabled while using the Info editor because of
memory limitations.
F2 - Provides a template for meeting location, attendees,
and agenda.
F3 - Positions the cursor five(5) spaces to the left.
F4 - Advances the cursor five(5) spaces to the right.
(Synonomous to typing five(5) spaces)
F5 - Positions the cursor at the 15th space on the next
line. Useful for typing lists of attendees or agenda
items.
F6 - Reformats a paragraph after changes have been made.
F7 - Prints the information file.
F8 - Deletes the information file. In MultiTimesaver, only
the owner should use this function since other calendars
may point to the same info file.
F9 - Used to prepare info files for processing by external
programs. (Not in TimeSaver+)
F10 - When in edit mode, exits editor, otherwise terminates
Info command.
- Page 9 -
Editing Keys
^W or [F10]. . . . . . . Finish editing
Esc. . . . . . . . . . . Abort edit and return original memo
^Y . . . . . . . . . . . Delete current line
^T . . . . . . . . . . . Delete word right
^B or [F6] . . . . . . . Reformat memo in the edit window
Up arrow or ^E . . . . . Up one line
Down arrow or ^C . . . . Down one line
Left arrow or ^S . . . . Left one character
Right arrow or ^D. . . . Right one character
^Left arrow or ^A. . . . Left one word
^Right arrow or ^F . . . Right one word
HOME . . . . . . . . . . Beginning of current line
END. . . . . . . . . . . End of current line
^HOME. . . . . . . . . . Beginning of memo
^END . . . . . . . . . . End of memo
PgUp . . . . . . . . . . Next edit window up
PgDn . . . . . . . . . . Next edit window down
^PgUp. . . . . . . . . . Beginning of current window
^PgDn. . . . . . . . . . End of current window
- Page 10 -