
     A general Overview of DataBox

When DataBox is first loaded, the main DataBox navigation screen will be displayed.

(Databox will attempt to locate the last database you were using automatically. If this is the first time you are running DataBox, a default empty database will be created named "databox.db")

To navigate your database, use the Record Control navigation buttons - similar to those found on a VCR machine. By 'hovering' the mouse pointer over any button or field, DataBox will provide a handy hint describing the function of the button.

To add and delete records, use the '+' and '-' buttons.

When adding a record, a Category should be allocated. You can select the category for each record from the Category 'pull-down' list. By default, when a new (empty) database is specified, a single category, "Category A" will be created for you. 

You may modify the contents of the Category list by Double-Clicking the Category box (you may delete "Category A" as required). These Categories form the basis for classifying each record when publishing your database to the Web.

You can modify the Labels for each field within your database by clicking the label itself and re-keying its contents. All 20 labels can be user configured. Remember, the labels are common across all records and cannot be specified differently for each record.

After making any changes to a record, the 'Tick' or 'Cross' buttons can be clicked to save the record or abort the changes to it. Saving the record does not save to disk. Only clicking the Save button will save the database to disk.

Up to 4 Images may be allocated to each record by clicking the appropriate number in the Image Box. The Image files can be most Industry standard graphic formats.

You can search for a specific record by "double-clicking" on any of the fields and entering a search pattern. DataBox will attempt to locate any record (searching forwards from the current record) containing the data you key in.

You may also Sort your database. By default, all records are sorted within their Categories when you click the Sort button. Additionally, up to 3 other fields may be specified for sorting by entering 1, 2 and 3 in the sort box along side each appropriate field. 1 will be used as the first sort key, 2 the second and 3 the third. If only one field needs to be specified for sorting (in addition to the Category field which is automatically included) then only 1 should be specified against the appropriate field.

When you are satisfied with the content of your database, you can click the 'Publish' button. This will create all the necessary HTML files for your database. You can click the 'View' button to view your database as it would be seen by a Web browser. You will have to identify your browser program the first time you use the View feature.

Once published, you may then click the 'Upload' button for DataBox to upload your database to tour nominated Web Site. (See the Publishing Setup and Publishing Help sections for details on this).

Any changes made to a DataBase are held within DataBox until the Save Button is clicked. If changes have been made and the Exit button is clicked, a confirmation will be required to Save or Ignore any changes made before exiting.

When a new database has been created, the file will be stored with an extension of ".db". A separate configuration file, containing details of the Sort fields, colours, Categories and default directory locations for each database will be stored with the same name as the ".db" file but with an extension of ".cfg".

These two files form a single database. 

DataBox also provides the ability to specify the font, size, style and colour for all published information including the title, field labels, data fields, scroll box data and instruction text.



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For further help, please view the appropriate sections.
If there are any areas not covered sufficiently, or you have comments, please e-mail to documentation@simplewebfx.com.

