Contents
iSBiSTER International, Inc.

1314 Cardigan Street, Garland TX 75040

       InfoTree v2.0 Help File

Introduction to InfoTree

InfoTree's Three Major Screens

InfoTree's Other Screens

Typical Applications of InfoTree

Creating Folders and Notes

Creating and Linking Keywords/Keyphrases

Using InfoTree's Built-In Text Editor

Fonts

Character Styles ... Bold, Italics, StrikeThru, Underline

Colors

Paragraph Alignment

Copy, Cut and Paste

Find, FindNext and Replace

Searching for Folders and Notes

Text Search

Key Search

Browse

Printing and Other Special Functions

Printing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

Updating Your Folders and Notes

Deleting Your Folders and Notes

Moving Folders and Notes

Reversing Folders and Notes Designations

Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes

Activating Associated Documents

Creating Additional Notes Databases

Opening (Switching To) Other Notes Databases

Implementing Shared (Networked) Access

Backup/Restore Your Database


Introduction
Introduction to InfoTree

InfoTree provides for the storage and retrieval of "freeform" notes.  Notes can be added, updated and/or deleted within one or more Notes Databases.

Each notes record has a title which must be unique within a database.  This title is displayed on the main screen of InfoTree so that you can browse for your records. Records may also be found by searching for text strings within the notes and/or titles. You can also define keywords/keyphrases and associate them with records for later searching and retrieval.  Records can also have document files associated with them.

There are two levels of records ... Folders and Notes ... thus allowing for a structured view of your information.

The remaining topics  will guide you through the features and benefits of InfoTree.


Major Screens
InfoTree's Three Major Screens

InfoTree uses three major screens to provide you with its functionality ...

The Main Screen ...  this is the first screen you see when InfoTree starts. This screen provides you with the structured view of your folders and notes.  From here you add new folders and/or notes.  You can also browse your records and activate them by double clicking on the note title.

The Search Screen ... this screen is used to perform searches in the notes database.  You can perform 'text string' searches, keyword/keyphrase searches and title browses.

The Detail Screen ... this screen is used to enter and/or edit the textual contents of each Folder/Note in the notes database.  This screen also provides the vehicle whereby you tag a record with user defined keywords/keyphrases.  It is from this screen that you associate documents(i.e, files, word processing documents, spreadsheets, etc.) with the record.


Other Screens
InfoTree's Other Screens

InfoTree also uses several minor screens to complete its functionality ...

Text String Search Screen ... initiates text string searches from within

                                                     other InfoTree screens.

Keyword/Keyphrase Search Screen ...  initiates keyvalue searches from

                                                                      within InfoTree's  Search Screen.

Keyword/Keyphrase Creation/Selection Screen ... used to define your

                                                                                        keyvalues and assign

                                                                                        them to specific notes.

Document Association Screen ... used to associate documents and

                                                           their required  processors to specific notes.

Print Parameters Screen ... used to specify pages layout and print ranges.

New Notes Database Screen ... used to define the location and identification

                                                         of a new database.

Open Notes Database Screen ... used to view a list of available Notes

                                                           Databases and select the one to which

                                                           you wish to switch.


Typical Appl
Typical Applications of InfoTree

InfoTree lends itself to many uses ... here are some examples.

Freeform information storage and retrieval ...

Recipes

Home inventory

Projects

Knowledge Base

Frontend to existing documents ...

Document manager for DOS files

Research

Legal Library

Combinations ...

Consulting engagements

Court cases

Software development and support


Creating Folders and Notes

The creation of Folders and Notes is initiated on InfoTree's Main Screen.

After positioning yourself in the structured view, simply click on the appropriate button (Create New Folder or Create New Note) to invoke the creation process.  InfoTree's Detail Screen will then be presented for you to enter the title and text for the new Folder/Note.

While entering the text for the Folder/Note, you can use all of the features of the built-in word processor (i.e., fonts, bold, italic, underline, strikethru, color and paragraph alignment).

You can also immediately define and/or select keywords/keyphrases to be linked to this new Folder/Note.

You may also choose to immediately associate this Folder/Note with existing documents.

While you are in the Detail Screen, creating your note text, you can define keywords and/or keyphrases to be linked to the note record.

InfoTree allows you to define your own keyvalues and use them to tag the note record for later retrieval.  These keywords/keyphrases are automatically stored in a database for you.

The keyvalues to linked to each note record can be created new or selected from the database of previously defined keyvalues.

You can link any number of keyvalues to each note record.

(See the Topic:   Key Search)


Keywords/Keyphrases
Creating and Linking Keywords/Keyphrases

While you are in the Detail Screen, creating your note text, you can define keywords and/or keyphrases to be linked to the note record.

InfoTree allows you to define your own keyvalues and use them to tag the note record for later retrieval.  These keywords/keyphrases are automatically stored in a database for you.

The keyvalues to linked to each note record can be created new or selected from the database of previously defined keyvalues.

You can link any number of keyvalues to each note record.

(See the Topic:   Key Search)


Using the Text Editor
Using InfoTree's Built-In Text Editor

InfoTree has a built-in word processor within its Detail Screen.

You can control the following items relative to the text entered for each note.

Fonts ...	 select font name, style and size from a dialog box.

Bold,Italics,StrikeThru,Underline ...  toggle these character properties

                                                                                  on/off.

Colors ...	 set selected text to one of eight (8) colors.

Paragraph alignment ... align selected paragraph left, right, center

                                                                 and left/right justified.

Copy, Cut, Paste ...   copy selected text to the clipboard,

                                                        cut selected text from the note, and

                                                         paste text from the clipboard to the

                                                         current cursor position.

Find, FindNext, Replace ... finds first/next occurance of a text

                                                                   string and/or replaces the found string

                                                                   with a new string.

You activate these functions by selecting from the Edit Menu.


Fonts

InfoTree allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the fonts provided by your system.

A complete dialog box is displayed so that you can specify the font name, style

 and size.  These font choices are stored with the text and are accurately reflected in printouts.


Styles
Character Styles

InfoTree allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the text highlights    .... Bold,      Italics,     StrikeThru    and    Underline.

These highlights are toggled off/on by using menu selections under the Edit Menu.

These highlights are stored with the text and are accurately reflected in printouts.


Colors

InfoTree provides for the following eight (8) colors.

Black	Blue

Green	Cyan

Red	Magenta

Yellow	Gray


Paragraph Alignment

InfoTree allows you to control the alignment of each individual paragraph of text.

Paragraphs can be alignedLEFT ...

                                                                           Paragraphs can be aligned RIGHT ...

                                      Paragraphs can be  CENTERED

Paragraphs can also be justified on the left and right to provide blocking.

InfoTree also allows you to move your left and right margins in  or out  and you can also increase  or decrease  line spacing within individual paragraphs.


Copy, Cut, Paste
Copy, Cut and Paste

InfoTree allows you to take advantage of the Windows Clipboard.

Copy ...

You can select portions (or all) of your text and then copy it to the windows clipboard.  There are two copy options on the Edit Menu ... Copy places the selected text and the hidden font/highlight/color specifications on the clipboard ... while Copy Text Only places the selected text on the clipboard without the hidden specifications.

Cut ...

In addition to copying the selected text and its specifications to the clipboard, Cut also removes the selected text from your information.

Paste ...

Places clipboard text in your information at the current cursor position.


Find, FindNext, Replace
Find, FindNext and Replace

InfoTree allows you to search for and/or replace text strings within your notes details.

Find searches for the first occurance of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.

Find Next searches for the next occurance of your specified string, starting from the position of the last occurance.

Replace searches for the first occurance of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.  If and when the string is found you are allowed to confirm the replacement of the found string with the replacement string you specified.  You can also choose to skip this occurance.  InfoTree then moves on to the next occurance of the search string and allows you to replace or skip it.  This continues until all occurances are found or until you cancel out of the replace activity.


Searching
Searching for Folders and Notes

InfoTree offer three major ways to search for your Folders and/or Notes records.

Text Search ....

Keyword/Keyphrase Search ...

Browse ...

Each of these topics are covered in detail ... see the appropriate topic !


Text Search

InfoTree allows you to search for text strings within your notes titles and/or details.

The text search capability can be initiated while in InfoTree's Main Screen or while in InfoTree's Detail Screen.

Find searches for the first occurance of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes database.  You can search titles only, text only or both.

If you are in the Detail Screen, InfoTree will display the titles of all note records that satisfy the search.  If you are in the Main Screen, InfoTree will position you, within the structured view, at the title of the first note record that satisfies the search.

Find Next searches for the next occurance of your specified string, starting from the position of the last occurance.  This is available on the Main Screen only.

To view and/or edit the note text simply double click on its title.


Key Search

While you are in the Search Screen, you can initiate a Key Search.

The Keyword/Keyphrase Search Screen will allow you to structure a search of the entire notes database using the keyvalues that were linked to your notes records.

You can build a list of keyvalues that COULD BE linked to notes.  These are handled as follows ... a note record that is linked to ANY of these keyvalues will satisfy the search.

You can build a list of keyvalues that MUST BE linked to notes.  These are handled as follows ... a note record that is linked to ALL of these keyvalues will satisfy the search.

You can also used both lists. In this case, a note record has to satisfy the MUST BE condition before it can be considered for the COULD BE condition.


Browse

InfoTree allows you to browse for text strings within your notes titles.

The text browse capability can be initiated while in InfoTree's Main Screen or while in InfoTree's Search Screen.  Browsing is a manual, eye-sight activity.

On the Main Screen, you can use your mouse and/or keystrokes to navigate the structured view of your note titles.  You can expand/collapse the structured view to expose/hide additional folders and note titles.

On the Search Screen, you click on the Enable Browse button and all note titles are laoded into a list box for your browsing.  This list is sorted by note title.

To view and/or edit the note text simply double click on its title.


Printing and Other Special Functions

InfoTree provides full printing capabilities.

You have control over the page layout and the range of paragraphs to be printed.

InfoTree also provides many Special Functions that allow you to maintain your notes database and its structured view.

Updating Folders and/or Notes ....

Deleting Folders and/or Notes ...

Moving Folders and/or Notes ...

Reversing Folders and/or Notes Designations ...

Associating existing Document files with Folders and/or Notes ...

Activating associated Document files using their native processors ...

Creating additional Notes Databases ...

Opening (switching) to other Notes Databases ...


Printing your Notes
Printing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

InfoTree provides for very flexable printing of your Folders/Notes text.

Printing is initiated from the Detail Screen.  Simply click on the Print Folder/Note Text button or use the File Menu to access the printing functionality.

InfoTree will then display the Printing Parameters Screen so that you can specify your margins and print range.  You have contol over the margins at the top, bottom, left and right of your page.

The page size is always 8.5 " x 11".


Updating Folders and Notes
Updating your Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to update, edit and add-on to the contents of the text associated with any of your Folders and/or Notes.

The text details for Folders and/or Notes can be updated from the Detail Screen.

The title for the record can also be updated while on the Detail Screen.

After the text and/or title have been updated, simply click on the Close button.


Deleting Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to delete any of your Folders and/or Notes.

Folders and/or Notes can be deleted from the Main Screen and from the Detail Screen.

From the Main Screen simply click on the title of the Folder/Note title within the structured view and then use the Edit Menu to gain access to the delete functionality.

From the Detail Screen, simply click on the Delete Folder/Note button or use the File Menu to gain access to the delete functionality.

Folders that contain items (i.e., other Folders and/or Notes) cannot be deleted.  You must first delete the contents of the Folder and then delete the Folder.


Moving Folders and Notes

InfoTree provides a structured view of your Folders and Notes.

From time to time, you may wish to move Folders and/or Notes records within this structured view.

A movement is initiated from the Main Screen.  Select Move Folder/Note from the Edit Menu and InfoTree will display a panel with more instructions.  Now click on the Folder, under which you wish to move the previously selected Folder/Note, and then click on the [ Move ] button.

Only empty Folders may be moved.


Reversing
Reversing Folders and Notes Designations

InfoTree allows you to reverse the designation of Folders and Notes.

Folders can be changed to Notes ... and ... Notes can be changed to Folders.

This function is initiated from within the Main Screen by choosing Reverse under the Edit Menu.

Note: Folders must be empty in order to be reversed.


Associating Documents
Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to associate existing document files with any of your Folders/Notes Records.

This assocation is implemented from within the Detail Screen by choosing Associate A Document from the Documents menu.

InfoTree will then display a screen that allows you to identify the associated document with a string of text and specifiy the exact document file name and location.  You also specify an existing program (document processor) on your system that will be used to activate the document.  You use the Browse feature to locate the document file and its processor.  Each time you choose an existing file and/or processor,  en adds it to a drop-down list for quick access when you associate this same document file with other Folders/Notes.

Documents can be word processor files, spreadsheet files or any other file to be processed.


Activating Documents
Activating Associated Documents

InfoTree allows you to select an associated document and activate its required processor (the program that you use to work on the document).

While you are in the Detail Screen, display the list of associated documents by clicking on the down arrow to the right of the 'Associated Documents' field. Now click on the desired document in the drop-down list.  This places the selected document's identifier in the 'Associated Documents' text field.

Now that the desired document has been selected ... simply press the [Enter] key and the Document Association screen will be presented, filled with the description of the document, the document file name and the name of the required document processor.

When you are satisfied that the infromation is correct, you simply activate the associated document by clicking on the [Activate Document] button.

If desired, you can edit the document file/document processor information before you activate it.  You can also capture the results of your edits by clicking on the [Update The Association] button.

The entire association can be deleted by clicking on the [Delete Association] button.


Creating Notes Databases
Creating Additional Notes Databases

InfoTree allows you to create and maintain any number of Notes Databases!

Each Notes Database resides in a seperate DOS directory.  The introductory information, including this text, is within a Notes Database within the DOS directory in which you installed InfoTree.

You can create additional databases under other DOS directories. Select New Database under the File Menu on the Main Screen.  InfoTree will display the New Notes Database Screen that will coach you through the database creation process.  After the creation of the database, InfoTree will automatically switch you to the newly created (empty) database and you can begin work.


Opening Notes Databases
Opening (Switching to) Other Notes Databases

InfoTree provides an easy vehicle whereby you can switch from your currently open notes database to any of your other notes databases.

Select Open Database under the File Menu on the Main Screen.  InfoTree  will then display the Open Notes Database Screen that will coach you through this activity.


Shared Access
Implementing Shared (Networked) Access

InfoTree provides for the use of passwords to help you implement shared (networked) access to your database(s).

Four levels of access are provided:

       Exclusive Access ... provides private access so that you can perform

         critical functions such as backup/recovery and

                                             password maintenance.

       Modify Access ...     provides access to all of the information creation functions

 	        conurrent with other users at lower levels of access.

       Update Access ...   allows concurrent access to the text of your notes.

       Content may be changed; however, the structure of

                                           the database cannot.

       Read Only Access ... allows concurrent viewing access to the text of

                                               your notes.

You must supply a password for each of these access levels.   While passwords are present, one's access to the database is determined by the password supplied at the time the database is opened.  If no valid password is supplied, access is denied.

To enable shared (networked) access click on Enable under Shared Access under the File Menu.  This enables the Password menu option which allows you to create and/or maintain your access level passwords.


Backup/Restore
Backup and Restore Your Database

InfoTree provides a feature for backing up your database to a floppy diskette and/or another DOS directory on your system disc.

InfoTree also provides a feature that allows you to restore your database from a floppy diskette and/or another DOS directory on your system disc.

These features are initiated by selecting Backup and/or Restore under the File Menu.

These also allow for quick movement of a database to and/or from your system to another system.