Copyright: Visual Help Copyright® 1993 Firas Bushnaq


Contents
WinFile 2.0

Positively the most intuitive Windows personal database manager of free-form text information!

Contents

Installation / Quick Start

Description

Searching the Database

Adding / Discarding Database Entries

Telephone Dialing

Printing / Viewing

Settings and Editing

Notices

Developer

Registration Form

Copyright (c) 1994 Roger C. Spaeder


Installation and Quick Start
Installation / Quick Start

Quick Start

     Once you have installed the WinFile files as instructed below, you can start using WinFile by clicking the Quick Start item on the Help menu.  WinFile will assist you by typing "Quick" in the search text box after you click "OK" on the dialog.  Next hit the Enter key, the F12 key, or click on the Find button.  Quick Start will display a group of brief exercises designed to demonstrate many of WinFile's functions.  Maximize WinFile before doing the Quick Start demos.

WinFile 2.0 Files

•	WFILE.EXE - The main executable file for WinFile

•	WFILE.HLP - This help file

•	WFILE.TXT - A text file containing information and installation instructions

•	CMDIALOG.VBX - A required support file used by WinFile's common dialogs

•	CTL3D.DLL - A required dynamic link library used for three-dimensional dialogs and message boxes

•	THREED.VBX - A required support file needed for the 3-D status bar

•	MSCOMM.VBX - A required communications support file

•	EMEDIT.VBX - A required support file used for input and output and searching

•	EMEDIT.LIC - A required license file used by EMEDIT.VBX

Installing WinFile

•	The file CLT3D.DLL should be copied to your Windows system subdirectory.  All other files should be copied to a single directory or subdirectory reserved for WinFile, e.g., C:\WFILE.  Do not leave a copy of CTL3D.DLL in the WinFile directory.  Also, it is essential that EMEDIT.LIC be in the same directory as EMEDIT.VBX.  You must have the Visual Basic 3.0 run-time module, VBRUN300.DLL, in your Windows system subdirectory.  VBRUN300.DLL is available from CompuServe and most BBSs.

•	WinFile is launched by running WFILE.EXE.  After WinFile is loaded, a configuration file WFILE.INI is created in the same directory as WFILE.EXE.  All databases used by WinFile have the extension WNF and must be in the WinFile directory.  When initially loaded, WinFile creates a default database called OMNI.WNF.


Description

Welcome to Winfile

     WinFile is an intuitive personal Windows database manager for storing, retrieving and printing free-form text information.  WinFile remembers the name of its last database, dimensions, font, color scheme, and other settings between sessions.  WinFile's features include random text search, telephone dial, add item, discard item, update item, date stamp, and cursor toggle.  The program displays Windows fonts and prints them if supported by your printer.

•	Each WinFile entry or record can contain up to 2048 characters, and the maximum number of records in a single database can be in the thousands!  WinFile automatically backs up your database at five-minute intervals and names each backup with the extension BK!.

•	Using WinFile's Edit menu with its cut, paste, and copy operations, you can quickly add text to your database without typing each entry.  Below its menu bar, WinFile displays the number of entries in the loaded  database and the date or time.  User information is shown on a status panel at the bottom of the screen.  WinFile can dial phone numbers selected (highlighted) with the mouse.

System Requirements

     WinFile requires an IBM-compatible 386/486 PC 20+ MHz running Windows 3.1 (or WFWG) with a VGA or better color monitor, a hard disk, mouse, and an optional Hayes-compatible modem with a connected telephone.  Without a modem, WinFile will perform all functions except telephone dialing.

Preserving Dimensions

     WinFile saves its screen dimensions upon termination if the screen is normalized.  If you wish to exit the program without saving the screen dimensions, just maximize or minimize the screen before closing.


Searching
Searching the Database

     Use the Tab key or mouse to switch focus from the main display window to the search text box at the bottom of the screen.

Entering Search Text

     Clear the search text box with the left arrow key (full clear) or backspace key (one character) before typing a new search string.  Enter a text string in the search box that you suspect will appear in the record sought.  For example, if you are seeking an entry containing John Wilson's phone number, the entry "wilson" is likely to find the record.  Search text entries are not case sensitive.

Forward Searches

     After entering text in the search text box, you begin a search by pressing the Enter key, the F12 key, clicking on the Find Button, or pressing the Alt-F keys.  Each time the search text is found, it will be highlighted in the displayed entry.  Repeated key presses or mouse clicks continue the search until the paragraph symbol appears in the menu bar, signaling the end of the database.  Continued searching re-cycles through the database.  If the search string is not present in the database, the main window remains blank and the paragraph symbol appears in the menu bar.

Reverse Searches

     To search the database in the reverse direction, depress the Shift key while you press the Enter or F12 keys, the Alt-F keys, or click the Find button.


Adding and Discarding
Adding / Discarding Database Entries

     Use the Tab key or mouse to switch focus from the search text box at the bottom of the WinFile screen to the main display window.

Adding an Entry

     Type (or paste) your entry into the main display window.  The maximum number of charactors for a single entry (or record) is 2048.  Be sure to include key words that will assist you later in searching for and finding the entry.  Edit the entry if necessary and click the Add button or press the Alt-A keys to add the record to the database.  The count in the upper left of the screen will increase by one.

Discarding an Entry

     First display the entry you wish to discard or delete from the database.  Once the entry is displayed in the main window, click the Discard button or press the Alt-D keys to remove the record from the database.  Answer the confirmation prompt with "Yes", and the count in the upper left of the screen will decrease by one.

Updating an Entry

     The Update button is used to edit, modify or change an existing database entry.  Once the desired entry is displayed in the main window, make the necessary changes and click the Update button or press the Alt-U keys to replace the existing entry with the entry in the window.

Creating a Database

     By default, WinFile initially creates a database named OMNI.WNF (OMNI for short) in the WinFile directory.  This database will probably suffice for all your needs considering the large number of records than can be added.  If you wish to create a new database, however, use the Main menu to name the new empty database, which will be created on the WinFile directory.


Telephone Dialing

     WinFile can dial voice phone numbers appearing in the main window and selected (highlighted) with the mouse.

Comm Port Setup

     Use the Comm Port item on the Settings menu to configure WinFile for your modem's communications port (1 to 4).  A telephone must be connected to a Hayes compatible modem or to the wall jack sharing the modem's output.  Entering zero for the comm port number will disable WinFile's dialing function.  Use a 0 for this entry if you lack a modem.

Dialing Telephone Numbers

     When an entry containing a phone number is displayed in the main window, select or highlight the number by double-clicking it with the mouse.  Next, click the Phone button, press the Alt-P keys, or hit the F8 key to dial.  When the dialog appears, ACTIVATE the telephone by taking it off the hook and then respond to the prompt by clicking "OK" or "Yes".  WinFile will dial the selected number and then automatically hang up the modem.  You will be on the line because you already picked up the handset.  When the call is over, hang up the handset to end the connection.  To abort an outgoing call, click the Abort Call item on the File menu.

Using a Dialing Prefix

     On some phone systems, it is necessary to include a prefix (e.g., 9 ) when dialing a call.  WinFile can be configured for a fixed prefix by using the Dialing Prefix item on the Settings menu.  The default prefix is "None".  If you set a prefix, you will be asked before each call whether you want the prefix used on that dialing sequence.


Printing and Viewing
Printing / Viewing

Printing

•	 WinFile uses a generic print routine that is configured for your current font and page size.  Once configured, the settings are valid until the font is changed and a new print request is made.  Configuration occurs when you click the Print item in the File menu after changing the font size.  If supported by your printer, WinFile prints using your Windows fonts.  Your printer's default margins are always used for output.  When printing is sent through Windows Print Manager, configuration is almost instantaneous.

•	Use a 10, 11 or 12 point font for best results when printing.  If the font size is too large for the page, use the Printer Setup item on the Main menu to switch the printer to landscape orientation.  WinFile recognizes only hard carriage returns (returns created by pressing the Enter key) and does not duplicate the soft returns created by the word wrap feature of the main window.  WinFile's Main menu has an option to print selected portions of the displayed entry.

Database Viewing

     WinFile can scan through the entire database, showing one entry after another.  To scan the database, use the mouse to click on one of the two scroll buttons at the top center of the WinFile screen below the menu bar.  The database may be scanned from top to bottom or in reverse direction.  New database entries are always placed at the top of the database, which is reached by a left scan.


Settings and Editing
Settings / Editing

Settings Menu / Highlighting

     In addition to configuring your communications port and dialing prefix, the Settings menu allows you to select your main window font type, size, and color scheme.  The backcolor of the main window must contrast with the forecolor and with the Windows highlight color set by Control Panel.  Otherwise, you will not see the highlighted search text or selected telephone numbers in the main window.

Edit Menu

     The Edit menu offers the usual Windows operations - cut, paste and copy - as well as a current date stamp, cursor toggle (insert or overstrike), clear clipboard, select all, and reset entries (see below).

ReSet Entries

     WinFile maintains a count of the current number of records in each database, which is updated when an entry is added or discarded.  The count is saved in the WFILE.INI file and is displayed on a readout at the top left of the screen.  If you manually edit your database or your INI file, you may need to recount the number of entries to ensure an accurate reading.  The ReSet Entries item in the Edit menu will count, display and save the current number of entries in the loaded database.

Date / Time

     The readout area at the top of the WinFile screen below the menu bar displays the number of database entries (left side) and the current date (right side).  Clicking on the date toggles between date and time readouts.  The Edit menu contains a selection that  automatically prints the current date at the cursor location in the main window.


Notices

Copyrights

•	WinFile was written with Microsoft's Visual Basic 3.0 Professional development system and is protected by Copyright (c) 1994 Roger C. Spaeder, All Rights Reserved.

•	WinFile uses EMEDIT.VBX, a custom control editor developed by Early Morning Software, Copyright (c) 1993 Early Morning Software, All Rights Reserved.

License Rights

•	The unregistered and registered versions of this software are licensed to you "as is" by the developer.  The unregistered version grants you a limited license to use the shareware briefly for evaluation only.  If you use the program for a longer period or for another purpose, your limited license is void and you must register.  All rights and liabilities surrounding this software are governed by the laws of the State of Virginia.

•	Registration grants you a single-user license for the program.  By electing to register, you agree to comply with the terms of  this license and you warrant that, to the best of your knowledge, the program operates properly on your computer.  The registered version license grants you the right to use one copy of this software on a single computer.  You may not copy the software or provide a copy to another person under any circumstances, except that you may archive a personal copy of either version and /or distribute copies of the shareware version to other persons and BBS services without charge.

•	Licensor disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, with respect to the software.

•	Licensor's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at licensor's option, either (a) return of the price paid for the registered version or (b) replacement of the software that does not meet licensor's limited warranty and is returned to licensor with evidence of purchase within 60 days.

•	In no event will licensor be liable for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, lost time, replacement costs, technical assistance, computer hardware or software damage, personal injury, or any other incidental or consequential damages arising from your use or inability to use this software.


Developer

WinFile 2.0

•	Developed by Roger C. Spaeder

•	CompuServe No. 73670,3161

•	7624 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia 22102

•	Copyright (c) 1994 Roger C. Spaeder

Comments and Suggestions

     WinFile is shareware.  Registered users with suggestions for improvements, questions, or bug reports  should contact the developer by mail or CompuServe at the addresses above.  Bug reports are greatly appreciated because they ensure necessary corrections to the program.

Before You Ask...

     Yes, it is possible to remove the Quick Start entry from the OMNI database, even though you will receive a message that prevents you from doing so if you try to discard that record.  If you're sure you don't need the entry any further, highlight all text in the Quick Start entry and hit the Delete key.  Next, type any new entry that you wish to substitute for the previous Quick Start entry, and then click the Update button.


Registration Form

WinFile 2.0 Registration

     Registration licenses your use of WinFile and disables the WinFile startup screen.  If you use the program for more than a brief evaluation period or for a purpose other than evaluation, you must pay $8.00 to register.

     To print this form, click on this help window's Print button. You may also hit Alt-F, P for printing.  You can skip printing and write the requested information on paper if you wish.

YOUR NAME _______________________________________________________

ADDRESS _________________________________________________________

CITY, STATE & ZIP ___________________________________________________

DATE _____________________________________________________________

     Make your check or money order for $8.00 payable to Roger C. Spaeder and mail to:

                                                   Roger C. Spaeder
                                                   7624 Georgetown Pike
                                                   McLean, Virginia 22102
                                                   Attn:  Shareware Order

     If you would like to be notified of your registration code by CompuServe ( at no extra
charge) as well as by U. S. Mail, please provide your CompuServe information below:

COMPUSERVE NAME ________________________________________________

COMPUSERVE ADDRESS ____________________________________________

     Your registration code will appear on the line below when this form is processed and returned to you by mail.  Your last name and this registration code are input to WinFile in response to prompts you receive when you click on the Registration Code item in the WinFile Help menu.

REGISTRATION CODE ________________________________________________