Contents
SCIM Users Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO GET STARTED

USING SCIM

THE MAIN MENU BAR

THE FILE MENU BAR - USING A SET

TECHNICAL NOTES, ETC


TECHNICAL NOTES, ETC

File names for all SCIM baseball card files follow the same format.  Each filename consists of eight characters, the last four of which identify the year of the set.  The first four characters identify the brand as follows:

BOWM - Bowman Set 	SCTR - Score Traded Set

DONR - Donruss Set 	TOPP - Topps Set

DORO - Donruss Rookies Set 	TOTR - Topps Traded Set

FLEE - Fleer Set 	UPDE - Upper Deck Set

FLUP - Fleer Update Set 	UDHS - U.D. High # (Baseball)

SCOR - Score Set 	PSET - Pro Set (Football)

File names for football, hockey, and basketball card files follow a different format.  Each name consists of eight characters, the first four of which identify the brand as above.  The next two characters identify the sport:"FB" for football, "HK" for hockey, and "BB" for basketball. The last two characters identify the year of the set.

You should consider the above when naming any additional sets that you may create.


The File Menu Bar - Using a Set
THE FILE MENU BAR

Immediately after a set is selected, the program opens a window that displays data for the first card of that set (The Complete Set card).  You can display information for each card in the set by selecting the single arrow buttons at the bottom of the window.  Select the "<<" and ">>" pushbuttons to skip forward or backward 10 cards.  The remaining buttons display the first and last cards in the set.

As each card is selected, SCIM will show the name and number of the card as well as the values and quantities for each card grade.  The box at the right of the window indicates which of the various flags apply to the card. The check boxes in this area are for display only and cannot be selected.

SCIM uses two special types of cards for your reference and to speed up certain operations.  The first card in each set (Card #0) is always the Complete Set card. The cards numbered 1000 and above are Common Card Value cards.  These cards are used to set the value of common cards.  If you change the value of any of these cards (using the second option of the Edit menu), all cards within the indicated range of cards that are marked "COMMON" will also have their values changed.

At any time after opening a set, you can use the menu bar to search, edit, and create reports for the selected set. You can open and edit as many as 4 sets at once. However, each function will act only on the currently selected set.

THE FILE MENU

THE SEARCH MENU

THE EDIT MENU

THE REPORTS MENU

THE WINDOW MENU

THE HELP MENU


THE WINDOW MENU

Use the options on this menu to arrange windows on the screen and to switch between sets when you have opened more than one set.

1. TILE WINDOWS

This option places the windows next to one another.

2. CASCADE

This option causes the windows to overlap one another, so that the full title bar for each window (or each set) is visible.

As each set is opened, it is added to the Window menu.  You can switch between sets by selecting any of the sets from this menu (you can also switch between sets by simply clicking on any window with your mouse).


THE EDIT MENU

The Edit menu enables you to change the name, quantities, values, and flags for the currently displayed card.  You can also use this menu to begin entering purchase records. The last option allows you to quickly identify cards that meet certain criteria and add them to your collection.

CHANGE CARD NAME

CHANGE CARD VALUE

CHANGE QUANTITY

TOGGLE ROOKIE FLAG

TOGGLE COMMON FLAG

TOGGLE NO-UPDATE FLAG

TOGGLE SPECIAL FLAG

UNMARK SPECIAL CARDS

PURCHASE RECORDS

CARD SELECTOR


THE CARD SELECTOR

This function lets you easily identify any card whose mint value matches or exceeds a specified value, or those marked as rookie or special cards.  There is also an option to actually add these cards to your collection.  After you select this function from the menu, a window is opened where you can enter the following information:  Minimum Value - The program will select all cards with a mint card value equal to or greater than the value entered here.  You should leave this field set at 0.00 if you want to identify only rookie and/or special cards, regardless of value.

Keep Rookie Cards - Select this check box if you want SCIM to identify each rookie card for you.

Keep Special Cards - Select this check box if you want SCIM to identify each special card for you.

Change Quantities - If you select this check box, the "Change Quantity" window is opened whenever a matching card is found so that you can add the card to your collection.

Card Number - After specifying the above criteria, you can enter each card number in this field.

As you enter each card number, the card name and mint value are displayed in the box at the right of the window.  For each matching card, the program displays the message "Keep This Card" unless you have selected the "Change Quantities" check box.  If you have done so, another window is opened so that you can add the card to your collection as described under the "Change Quantity" function.


PURCHASE RECORDS

You can use this option to maintain investment records for any or all of the cards in your collection.

If at least one entry already exists for the current card, the first record is displayed immediately.  Otherwise, you are asked whether you want to create a new purchase record.

  Creating a New Purchase Record

  ------------------------------

If there are no purchase records already on file for the current card, you are first asked whether you want to create a new purchase record.  To create a new record, answer "Yes" and continue to the next window.  Then, enter the amount you paid per card for this transaction (the "Purchase Amount"), the number of cards purchased in this transaction, and the date the purchase took place.  You must also select the grade for the card(s).  If you want the card(s) recorded in this purchase to be added to your inventory (that is, if you want to change the quantities for the main record of the current card), you will also need to check the "Add to Main Record" checkbox.  After you complete the entry, the program opens another window and displays the information for the new purchase record.

SCIM allows you to record up to 2,000 purchases for each set.

  Reviewing Existing Purchase Records

  -----------------------------------

After the first purchase record is displayed, you can select the "Next" and "Previous" pushbuttons to display each purchase for the current card.

To add a new purchase record for the current card, select the "Add" pushbutton and enter the details for the new transaction as described above.

To delete the displayed purchase, simply select the "Delete" pushbutton.

You can also search for purchase records for another card by selecting the "Search" pushbutton.

  Recording a Sale

  ----------------

When you sell the card(s) recorded in the currently displayed record, select the "Sell" pushbutton.  Then, enter the sale price for the entire transaction (that is, the price for all of the cards in this purchase record) and the date of the sale.  The information for this sale is then added to the displayed purchase record.


UNMARK SPECIAL CARDS

Select this item to unmark all "SPECIAL" cards in the current set.


TOGGLE NO-UPDATE FLAG

Cards marked with the "No-Update" flag will not have their values automatically updated by the card value update program.  This function will mark the current card with this flag, or unmark it if it is already marked.  If you use the card value update program, any card not marked with this flag will have its value updated.


TOGGLE SPECIAL FLAG

If the current card is not marked as a special card, this function will mark it.  If this card is already marked, it will be unmarked.  This function will not mark the Complete Set or Common Card Value cards.


TOGGLE COMMON FLAG

If the current card is not marked as a common card, this selection will mark it.  If this card is already marked as a common card, it will be unmarked.  This function will not mark the Complete Set or Common Card Value cards.


TOGGLE ROOKIE FLAG

If the current card is not marked as a rookie card, this function will mark it.  If this card is marked as a rookie card, it will be unmarked.  The function will not mark the Complete Set or Common Card Value cards.


CHANGE QUANTITY

The easiest way to change the quantities for any individual card is to use the spin controls on the currently active window.

You can use this option to change the quantities of any or all grades for any card in the current set or to track any complete sets that you collect.

  Changing Card Quantities

  ------------------------

SCIM allows you to change quantities for the currently displayed card in two ways.  You can enter the new quantity directly or use the spinners to increase or decrease the currently selected quantity.   This function will not change the quantities for the Common Card Value card.

  Tracking Complete Sets

  ----------------------

The Complete Set card (Card #0) is used to store the value of the set when purchased as a whole.  You can change this value by selecting the "Change Card Value" option.

You can also use the Complete Set card to manage full sets.  After selecting this option, you are presented with a window that displays the previously entered complete sets.  Use this window to specify the card grade for the set that you will add or delete and to indicate how the set is to be formed or broken up.  To specify the card grade, simply select the correct radio button.  You can form or break up a set in one of three ways.

Don't Change Quantities:Select this option if you want to add or subtract a complete set without changing quantities for any of the individual cards in the current set.

Add/Subtract from this Grade:When you choose this option and elect to add a set, the quantity of each individual card is decreased for the specified grade only.  When using this option to break up a set, the quantity of each card is increased by one for this grade.

Add/Subtract from all Grades:This option allows you to form a set from cards of different grades.  When you choose this option and elect to add a set, the set will be formed from all cards graded equal to, or higher than, the grade that you specify.  If, for example, you wanted to form a set graded "Excellent," the program will first search through your inventory for a "Mint" card, then for a "Near Mint" card, and finally for an "Excellent" card, subtracting the first card that it finds.  In this way, you can form a complete set from only the most highly graded cards in your collection.  When this option is used to break up a set, the process works in reverse and each card's "Mint" quantity is increased by one.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When reducing the quantities of the individual cards within a set, the program will proceed even if it finds that you have not actually made entries for each card in the set.  Therefore, you are not forced to enter each card individually. However, if you do want to form complete sets only after making an entry for each card, it is advisable to create and check the appropriate reports before you form complete sets.  SCIM also lets you subtract sets whether or not they have been entered.  This allows you to easily increase the quantity of each card in a set.


CHANGE CARD NAME

Select this item to change the name of the currently displayed card.  This function will not change the name of the Complete Set or Common Card Value cards.


CHANGE CARD VALUE

Use this function to enter or change the mint value of the current card.  After you change the mint value, values for the other grades are updated automatically.


THE SEARCH MENU

The Search Menu allows you to find any card quickly.

FIND NEXT ROOKIE

FIND NEXT COMMON

FIND NEXT SPECIAL

SEARCH BY NAME

SEARCH BY NUMBER


FIND NEXT ROOKIE

When you select this option, the program will search for and display the next rookie card in the set.  If no match is found, an error message will display.


FIND NEXT COMMON

When you select this option, the program will search for and display the next common card in the set.  If no match is found, an error message will display.


FIND NEXT SPECIAL

When you select this option the program will search for and display the next "SPECIAL" card in the set. If no match is found, an error message will display.


SEARCH BY NAME

Select this option to search for a particular player or card name.  After selecting this function, you are asked to enter a search string.  When SCIM finds a card containing this string it will display the data for that card.  If a match is not found, an error message will display.  It is not necessary for a precise match to exist - any card containing the search string will be displayed.


SEARCH BY NUMBER

This selection searches in the same manner as the "Search By Name" function. However, you are asked to enter a card number and only an exact match will be displayed.


THE FILE MENU

The File menu allows you to open a new set, and to save and/or exit the currently selected set.  You can also use this menu to alter the settings for your printer.

OPEN A SET

SAVE

SAVE & EXIT

PRINT SETUP

EXIT


SAVE

Select this option to permanently save changes that you have made to quantities, names, flags, and card values for the current set.


EXIT

Select this option to abandon the current set.  Any changes that you have made to quantities, names, flags, purchase records or card values for this set will be lost. You can also close a set by pressing the ESC key.


SAVE & EXIT

Select this option to abandon the current set and save any changes that you have made to quantities, names, flags, and card values.


THE MAIN MENU BAR

The Main menu bar is the primary means of access to all of the program's features.

THE SETS MENU

THE REPORTS MENU

THE UTILITIES MENU

THE HELP MENU


THE UTILITIES MENU

You can use the Utilities menu to assign values to the various card grades and to configure the program for your system.

CHANGE CARD GRADES

CHANGE SETUP


THE HELP MENU

Most of the information in the program manual can be accessed while running the program.  Four options can be selected from this menu.

1. CONTENTS

Select this option to display the table of contents for the help system.  You can then select the help topic of interest.

2. SEARCH FOR HELP ON

This option displays a dialog that you can use to find a topic and search for help on that specific topic.

3. HOW TO USE HELP

You can use this option to review information about how to use the help system.

4. ABOUT SCIM FOR WINDOWS

This option displays a window containing basic information about the program.


CHANGE CARD GRADES

SCIM uses values for up to six card grades.  For any card, however, only the mint card value is of any significance in itself.  Each set assigns a specific percentage of this value to each of the remaining grades.  This option allows you to change any or all of these percentages.

After you select this function, the program displays a window that allows you to select the set that you will change.  Select any set as described in the "Open a Set" function.

After you select a set, the program displays the current percentages in a window and allows you to make changes to any or all card grades.  If you do make changes, all card values for this set (except for that of the mint card) will be determined by the new percentages.


CHANGE SETUP

Select this option to indicate how the program is to be set up to fit your preferences.  You must complete this function at least once when first installing the program. Thereafter, you can use this function as often as needed to change any of the specified information.  Enter the following data:

Data Drive and Path - If your data files are located in a directory other than the SCIM program directory, use this entry field to specify the disk drive and the path to the directory that contains your data files.  This entry must contain a single drive letter and a colon followed by a valid, absolute DOS path.  That is, the path must already exist and must begin and end with a backslash () and cannot be the root directory.  If you have installed the program as described in Section III and program and data files are located in the same directory, you can leave this entry field blank.

Flag <1,2,3> Name:You can use as many as 3 flags to identify cards that are important to you in some way (This is in addition to those cards marked as Rookie, Special, or Common cards).  Use these fields to enter the designations that you will use to identify these cards.  Later, you will be able to create reports listing only those cards marked with these flags.

Select "Save" to exit this function and save the displayed information or "Cancel" to exit without changing anything.


THE REPORTS MENU

The Reports Menu offers options to view or print data from the current set.  Most reports can also be saved on disk (assuming sufficient disk space).  Disk reports are given the same filename as the data file for the current set, but with one of the extensions given below.  Therefore, if you attempt to save the same report on disk more than once, the old file will be overwritten.  Options 2 through 8 allow you to format reports to meet your specifications. The last option can be used to create an ASCII file in the data directory.

1. SET SUMMARY

This option collects various information concerning the current set and displays it on the screen.

2. SPECIAL CARD LIST

This option lists all "SPECIAL" cards in the current set.  The extension ".SPC" is added to the name of disk reports.

3. COMMON CARD LIST

This option lists all "COMMON" cards.  The extension ".CMM" is added to the name of disk reports.

4. ROOKIE CARD LIST

This option lists all "ROOKIE" cards.  The extension ".ROO" is added to the name of disk reports.

5. PREMIUM CARD LIST

This option lists all premium cards.  Any card that is not marked "COMMON" is considered a premium card.  The extension ".PRE" is added to the name of disk reports.

6. COMPLETE CARD LIST

This option lists all cards in the current set.  The extension ".CMP" is added to the name of disk reports.

7. COMPLETE INVENTORY

This option lists all cards in your collection from the current set (i.e., those that you have at least one of).  The extension ".INV" is added to the name of disk reports.

8. CARDS TO COMPLETE SET

This selection lists the cards needed to complete the set.  The extension ".FIN" is added to the name of disk reports.

9. CARD GRADE REPORT

This option lists all cards in your collection matching the grade that you specify.  The extension ".GRD" is added to the name of disk reports.

10. PURCHASE HISTORY

The Purchase History report lists the purchase records for the current set.  A ".HIS" extension is added to the filename of disk reports.

Each time this report is printed, you are given the option of deleting the records just printed.  Select "Yes" to delete these records or "No" to keep all records on file.

11. CREATE ASCII FILE

Select this option to create an ASCII file in your data directory. This file will will have the same name as the data file matching the current set, but with a ".FIL" extension.

See Also:

FORMATTING REPORTS


FORMATTING REPORTS

Options 2 through 10 of the Reports Menu display a window where you can format reports to meet your specifications. Each formatting option is described below:

Range of Cards - Enter a range of card numbers to include in the report.  The second number must be greater than or equal to the first number.

List - For the Card Grade Report, you must also choose a card grade to be covered by the report by selecting the appropriate radio button.  This option is only available for the Card Grade Report.

Minimum Value - For Purchase History reports, this is the minimum purchase amount to display.  For all other reports, any card with a mint card value lower than the value specified here will not appear on the report.  This option does not exist for the Card Grade Report.

Maximum Value - For Purchase History reports, this is the maximum purchase amount to display.  For other reports, any card with a mint value greater than the value specified here will not appear on the report. Leave this field set to $ 0.00 if there is to be no upper limit.  This option does not exist for the Card Grade Report.

Show - By default, all card grades will appear on your reports.  You can use this option to limit a report to only the card grades that you want to show.

Since SCIM allows you to track prices for six grades, this means that a large amount of information can be included in a single report.  On older computers, this may cause some reports for large sets to print more slowly. Restricting your reports to a limited number of card grades may result in inmproved performance.  This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report or Purchase History reports.

Sort By - Most reports may be sorted by card number, name, or value.  Purchase History reports must be sorted by card number, sale date, or purchase date. Indicate how the report is to be sorted by selecting the radio button next to your preference.  You can also sort reports in ascending or descending sequence.

Only <FLAG1,2,3> - SCIM allows you to designate up to 3 flags to meet your own needs.  These check boxes let you create a report that shows only those cards that are marked with any or all of these flags.  If any of the flags are unused, the corresponding check box is dimmed and cannot be selected.

Include - For Purchase History reports, indicate whether you want the report to include sold and/or unsold cards.  You must check at least one of these two boxes.

Show Values - Select this check box if you want the report to show the value of each grade of each card. This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report or Purchase History reports.

Show Quantities - Select this check box if you want the report to show quantities for each card.  This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report or Purchase History reports.

Printer/Screen/Disk - Select the destination for the report.  Disk reports will have the same name as the data file corresponding to the current set, with one of the extensions described above.


The Multiple Set Reports Menu
THE REPORTS MENU

You can use the Reports Menu to create reports that cover several sets.  All report options display a window that allows you to limit them to any combination of card brands.  The first 8 options also display a screen that allows you to format reports according to your specific needs.

The last option creates a printed report.  All others can be directed to the printer or (assuming sufficient disk space) saved on disk.  When saving reports on disk, the program will create a separate report file for each set that you specify.  In all printed reports, data for each set begins on a new page.  SCIM will print a report for each of the sets that you elect to include, regardless of whether or not it contains matching cards. However, any additional custom sets that you may have defined will not be included.  Reports for these sets must be printed separately.  Each option is described below:

(1) Special Card List - This option lists all of the "SPECIAL" cards in each set.  The extension ".SPC" is added to the name of disk reports.

(2) Common Card List - This option lists all "COMMON" cards.  The extension ".CMM" is added to the name of disk reports.

(3) Rookie Card List - This option lists all of your "ROOKIE" cards.  The extension ".ROO" is added to the name of disk reports.

(4) Premium Card List - This option lists all premium cards.  Any card that is not marked with the "COMMON" flag is a premium card.  The extension ".PRE" is added to the name of disk reports.

(5) Complete Card List - This option lists all cards in each set. The extension ".CMP" is added to the name of disk reports.

(6) Complete Inventory - This option lists all cards in your collection for each set.  The extension ".INV" is added to the name of disk reports.

(7) Cards to Complete Set - This selection lists the cards that you need to complete each set.  A ".FIN" extension is added to the name of disk reports.

(8) Card Grade Report - This option lists all cards in your collection matching the grade that you specify. A ".GRD" extension is added to the filename of disk reports.

(9) Cards For A Player - This report shows the year, brand, quantities for each grade, and the total value for each card matching the name that you specify.  You must enter the player, sport(s), and range of years to be included in the report when asked.  To list your complete sets, enter "Complete Set" when asked for the card name.  This report can only be directed to the printer.

See Also:

FORMATTING MULTIPLE SET REPORTS


FORMATTING MULTIPLE SET REPORTS

The first eight options of the Reports Menu display a window that allows you to format each report to meet your specifications.  Each formatting option is described below:

Range of Years - Enter a range of years to include in the report.  The second year must be no earlier than the first year.

Minimum Value - Any card with a mint card value lower than the value specified here will not appear on the report.  This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report.

Maximum Value - Cards with a mint card values greater than the value specified here will not appear on the report.  Leave this field set to $ 0.00 if you want there to be no upper limit.  This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report.

Show - By default, all card grades will appear on your reports.  You can use this option to limit a report to only the card grades that you want to show.

Since SCIM allows you to track prices for six grades, this means that a large amount of information can be included in a single report.  On older computers, this may cause some lengthy reports to print more slowly. Restricting your reports to a limited number of card grades may result in inmproved performance.

Sort By - The cards within each set may be sorted by card number, name, or value.  Indicate how the report is to be sorted by selecting the radio button next to your preference.  You can also sort any report in ascending or descending sequence.

Only <FLAG1,2,3> - SCIM allows you to designate up to 3 flags for your own purposes.  These check boxes let you create a report that shows only the cards that are marked with any or all of these flags.  If any of the flags are unused, the corresponding check box is dimmed and cannot be selected.

Show Values - Select this check box if you want the report to show the value of each grade of each card. This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report.

Show Quantities - Select this check box if you want the report to show quantities for each card.  This option does not appear for the Card Grade Report.

Include - A report can contain any combination of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey cards.  Use these controls to indicate the sports that are to be included in the report by checking the appropriate boxes.

List - For the Card Grade Report, you must also choose a card grade to be covered by the report by selecting the appropriate radio button.  This option is only available for the Card Grade Report.

Printer or Disk - Select the device for the report. Disk reports will have the same name as the data file corresponding to the appropriate set, with one of the extensions described above.

DEFINING BRANDS

After completing this window, a second window appears where you can select the card brands that will appear on the report.  Select each of the brands that you want to include from the list box at the left of the window and select the "Add" button to move it to the list box at the right.   Select the "Remove" button to deselect brands and move them back to the list box at the left.  Select the "Ok" button to continue and print the report.


THE SETS MENU

The Sets menu offers options for selecting, creating, and deleting card sets.  You can also use this menu to exit the program or alter the settings for your printer.

OPEN A SET

LOG A CUSTOM SET

DELETE A SET

PRINT SETUP

EXIT


LOG A CUSTOM SET

You can use this option to automatically add additional custom sets without having to manually enter the card data for each card in the sets.  If, for instance, you wish to use a set that was created by another user, you must first select this option to inform the program of the new set.

After you select this option, the standard file dialog appears.  Use this dialog to select the file that contains the data for the custom set.  Then, click on the "Ok" button.  If the file exists, it is automatically logged into the system.  Note that you can log in a custom set from any directory, but the program will not allow you to actually use the set until it exists in your data directory.


DELETE A SET

Use this selection to delete a custom set.  When you select this function, a window appears asking for the name of a set.  You can type the name of the set to be be deleted directly into the text box or click on the arrow and select a set from the list box.  If you elect to continue, you will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the set.  Select "Yes" to delete or "No" to return to the menu without deleting the set.  Once a set is deleted, all information for that set is lost and cannot be recalled.


PRINT SETUP

This option displays the standard printer dialog.  You can use this dialog to adjust the specific options for your printer(s).  Consult the Microsoft Windows User's Guide and your printer manual for detailed information on how to setup printers.


EXIT

Use this option to exit the program.  It is recommended that you always exit by selecting this option or by selecting "Close" from the Control-menu box.  Exiting in any other way may cause you to lose any changes made during the current session or damage your data files.


OPEN A SET

Use this selection to work with cards from any single set. After you select this option, the program displays a window that allows you to choose the set that you will use.  You can choose the year, brand, and sport for the set by using your mouse to click on a selection from each list box.  Each selection will automatically be placed in the text box immediately above its list box.

Note that as you choose a set only valid years, brands, and sports will be displayed.  Therefore, only sets that currently exist in your database can be selected.

After making your selections, select the "Ok" button to open the set or "Cancel" to close this window without opening a set.

You can maintain sets other than those included with the program by selecting "*** CUSTOM SET ***" from the list box in the center of the window.  Any year and/or sport that you have entered will then be ignored.

You must first create each custom set and then actually select it by using the "Open a Set" function and enter the necessary data.

     Creating a Custom Set

To create a new custom set, you will need to complete four steps:

1. From the "Open a Set" window, Select "*** Custom Set *** as described above.  A second window is then opened.

2. Enter the name of the new set in the text box in the second window.  Another window is then opened.

3. Answer "Yes" when asked if you want to create a new set.  A fourth window will be opened.

4. Enter the file name for the new set and specify the number of cards in the set.  Note that the file name must be a valid DOS file name of exactly eight characters.  File names for each set must be unique.  If you attempt to use the same file name for more than one set, the first file will be overwritten.

Finally, select "Ok" to actually create the set.  SCIM will then proceed to create a file with space for the number of cards that you specified.

     Using a Custom Set

After creating a set as described above, you can select the set for processing by again selecting "*** CUSTOM SET ***" from the list box and entering the name of your custom set when asked for the name of a custom set.  You can also now use the list box in the "Custom Set" window to select the set.  The program will then load your custom set so that you can access it as you would any other.  If you are using this set for the first time, you will need to enter all of the data for each card in the set.  You will also need to enter the percentages assigned to each grade by using the "Change Card Grades" option of the Utilities menu.


USING SCIM

The SCIM interface is designed to allow easy access to all of the program's features.

As you use the program, you will find that the screen consists of two separate areas.  At the top of the screen is the menu bar.  The menu bar enables you to open menu boxes where you can access the various program functions. Just below the menu bar is the SCIM toolbar.  The buttons on the toolbar can be used to activate many of the program's functions.  This is often easier than using the menu bar.  The remainder of the screen is the program window area.  Most interaction with the program will occur in this area.

USING THE MENU BAR

USING THE TOOLBAR

USING PROGRAM WINDOWS AND DIALOGS

GETTING HELP


USING THE MENU BAR

This part of the screen allows you to activate most of the program's functions.  The menu bar operates differently, depending on whether you use a mouse or the keyboard.  To use the menu bar with a mouse:

1. Place the mouse pointer on any menu bar item and CLICK to display the menu box for that item.

2. Place the mouse pointer on the function that you want to activate and CLICK to execute that function.

To use the menu bar with the keyboard:

1. Activate the appropriate menu box by pressing the ALT key in combination with the first letter of a menu bar item.  For example, you would activate the "Reports" menu box by pressing <ALT-R>.

2. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to position the highlight bar over the desired menu item and press ENTER to select that function.  You can also select a function by pressing the menu item's highlighted letter.  Use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to move from one menu box to another.

After making a selection from a menu box, a program window will usually be opened.


USING THE TOOLBAR

The toolbar can be used to activate many of the various program functions.

At any time, this part of the screen displays one of two sets of pushbuttons.  The button at the far left is always used to open a new card set.  You can position the mouse pointer over the remaining buttons and read the status bar (at the bottom of the screen) to see what functions can be accessed by each of the other buttons.


USING PROGRAM WINDOWS AND DIALOGS

The program window area is where most activity will take place.  The exact type of window that is opened here will depend on the function that you have selected, but all contain the same types of controls and function in the same way.  Each type of control is described below:

(1) Text Boxes - These controls require that you enter data directly from the keyboard.

(2) Radio Buttons - These controls enable you to choose from among several options, usually concerning the way a report is to be formatted.  Use the arrow keys to highlight the option that you want to choose from the available options.  If using a mouse, you can simply click on the option that you want to select. A dot appears immediately to the left of the selected option.

(3) Check Boxes - These controls indicate whether an option has been toggled on or off.  Use the arrow keys to highlight a check box and then press the space bar to toggle the option.  If using a mouse, simply click on the box or the associated text.  A check mark appears to the left of an option when toggled on.

(4) Scroll Bars - These are vertical or horizontal bars that can be used with a mouse to scroll a list box.  Position the mouse pointer over the arrows at either end of a scroll bar and click the left mouse button to scroll through the list.  Keep the button depressed to scroll without stopping on each item. You can also use scroll bars to scroll any onscreen report.  You can use the arrow keys to scroll through a list with the keyboard.

(5) List Boxes - List boxes let you scroll through a list of possible choices for an entry field.  As you scroll through the list, the highlighted item will be automatically placed in the appropriate entry field. If using a mouse, you can use the scroll bars to move through the list or simply click on the choice that you want to select.  If using the keyboard, you can use the arrow keys to scroll the list.

(6) Spinners - Spinners allow you to specify a numeric value.  You can enter data directly by clicking in the text area and typing or click on the up or down arrows to increment or decrement the displayed value.

(7) Drop Down Boxes - You can use these controls to enter text directly from the keyboard as you would in a text box.  Or, you can click on the box at the right of the text area to display a list of possible choices and then click on the item that you want to select.

(8) Pushbuttons - Pushbuttons usually appear at the right or bottom of a program window.  These buttons allow you to execute a command or function by selecting the appropriate button.  To select a pushbutton with a mouse, place the pointer over the button and click the left mouse button.  To select a pushbutton using the keyboard, highlight the button by repeatedly pressing the TAB key.  When the correct button is highlighted, press the ENTER key.  You can usually also select a pushbutton by pressing the ALT key in combination with the letter highlighted on the button itself.

The two most important and common pushbuttons are the "Ok" and "Cancel" buttons (these buttons may sometimes be labeled "Yes" and "No").  These two buttons appear in almost all windows.  If you select the "Ok" button, all information shown in the window is accepted and the selected function proceeds.  When you select the "Cancel" button, the active function terminates.  You can also usually press the ESC key to terminate the currently active function or the ENTER key to select "Ok" and proceed.

Moving from one control to another within a window is most easily accomplished with a mouse by simply clicking on any field as described above.  If using the keyboard, you can use the TAB and BACKTAB (Shift-TAB) keys to move from one control to the next.  The arrow keys will move through the various options in a radio button control.


GETTING HELP

Extensive context-sensitive help is available.  When you are uncertain what to do, you can usually press the F1 key to view information about the currently active function. You can also usually select the "Help" option from the menu bar or from the active window.


INTRODUCTION

DESCRIPTION

REGISTERING SCIM


HOW TO GET STARTED

In order to use SCIM, you will need to install (at a minimum) the program files and at least one group of data files.  This section explains how to install the files.

We will assume that you will use Drive A to install the program on Drive C.  Otherwise, you will need to substitute the correct drive letters where necessary.

First, use the Program Manager's FILE menu to access the RUN dialog.  Then, type the pathname to the A:INSTALL.EXE file.

Then click on the "Ok" button.  The installation screen will then appear and you will be asked if you want to begin the installation process.  Click on the "Ok" button to continue or press "Esc" to terminate the installation.

If you elect to continue, the next two dialogs asks you to select a disk drive and directory where the program is to be installed.  This disk drive must have sufficient free space to install the program files and the data files that you select.

Finally, you are asked to specify the sports that are to be installed.  Use your mouse to highlight each sport that you wish to install.  You can install any or all of five groups of sets:

Install Old Baseball: Highlight this group if you want to install baseball sets issued prior to 1980. (These sets require approximately 1 megabyte of free disk space)

Install New Baseball: Highlight this group if you want to install baseball sets issued from 1980 - current year.  (These sets require about 2.5 megabytes of free disk space)

Install Football Sets: Highlight this group to install data for football sets.  (These sets require approximately 1.7 megabytes of free disk space)

Install Basketball Sets: Highlight this group to install data for basketball sets.  (These sets require approximately 500 kilobytes of free disk space)

Install Hockey Sets: Highlight this group to install data for hockey sets.  (These sets require about 1.7 megabytes of free disk space)

Click on "Ok" to begin the installation or press ESC to terminate the installation.  If you elect to continue, the selected files will begin to install immediately.  Follow the prompts to insert each installation disk when requested.

When all files have been installed, click on the "Ok" button to exit the installation.  A new program group will be created automatically.  It is suggested that you begin by selecting the SCIM Readme option to review the included README file.  This may contain up-to-date information about the program not included in this manual.

You can start SCIM by double-clicking on the "SCIM for Windows" program icon.  A title screen then displays briefly, followed by the Main Menu screen.

Note: You can run the installation program more than once, if necessary.  This allows you to install one group of sets in the initial installation and return to the installation program later to install other sets.  Any information that you enter between installations will NOT be overwritten.


DESCRIPTION

SCIM is an inventory management system designed to help you manage and evaluate your sports card collection quickly and easily.  SCIM includes pre-defined sports card data for baseball, football, basketball, and hockey - you merely tell the program how many copies of each card your collection includes.  Or, if you prefer, you can also create additional, customized sets as needed.  As you add new cards, SCIM will help analyze your collection with many flexible reports.

SCIM for Windows requires:

- An IBM PC or 100% compatible

- DOS version 3.3 or above and Windows 3.1 or later

- An 386SX or higher processor and a minimum 4 megabytes of memory


REGISTERING SCIM

If you purchased SCIM from a source other than Silver Hill, you should register your software.  To do so, simply fill out the included registration form.  As a registered user, you receive:

- Priority telephone support

- Notice of updates to the program

- Discounts on new versions of the program

- You can purchase additional data files and card value updates

If you purchased SCIM directly from Silver Hill, you are already a registered user and automatically receive the above benefits.