Shareware Supreme Volume 6 #1

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TTTTTTTT HH HH EEEEEE TT HH HH EE TT HHHHHHH EEEEE TT HH HH EE TT HH HH EEEEEE CCCCCC OOOO LL LL EEEEEE CCCCCC TTTTTT OOOO RRRRR CC OO OO LL LL EE CC TT OO OO RR RR CC OO OO LL LL EEEEE CC TT OO OO RRRRR CC OO OO LL LL EE CC TT OO OO RR RR CCCCCC OOOO LLLLLL LLLLLL EEEEEE CCCCCC TT OOOO RR RR Version 2.3 (c) Copyright 1992,1993 MyLife Software, - all rights reserved ________ _____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ----|-- | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER CONTENTS Introduction .................................................. 1 What is the Collector? Why use the Collector? System requirements Included Files Getting Started ............................................... 3 Registration card Installation Set up Help Operation ..................................................... 4 Add card Edit card Delete card List card Missing card New database Manage Files .................................................. 8 Backup Duplicates Export Purge Restore Sort Update Reports ...................................................... 10 Create Delete Print Statistics ................................................... 12 Compute all Individual View Configure .................................................... 13 Beeps and bells Colors Drives and directories Invested or Worth Makers of cards Other Options Types of cards Value default Quit Wantlist ..................................................... 18 Add Transfer/Delete Print Quit ......................................................... 19 Technical Support ............................................ 21 Index ........................................................ 23 INTRODUCTION What is the Collector. The Collector is a card collection management tool. Its design and operation is tailored to fit the specific needs of beginning and serious card collectors. Why use it? The Collector will save you time by organizing all cards, wax packs, wax boxes, and sets in your collection. In addition, the Collector monitors the estimated worth of all records in your collection. The Collector, with the optional update service, will maintain the worth of records and provide a statistical analysis of the data. System requirements The following are the minimum requirements for the proper installation and operation of the Collector. a. Harddrive. b. One Floppy Drive. c. 512k of memory. d. MS-DOS or PC-DOS Version 3.0 or above. e. IBM Compatible computer. f. 400k of harddrive free space. Included files The following files are included in the Collector software package; a. COLLECT.EXE Main program b. COLLECT.HLP Collector help file c. COLLECT.ICO ICON for Windows d. COLLECT.PIF PIF file for Windows e. CONFIG.EXE Configures the Collector f. DESCRIBE.DOC Sample descriptions for catalogs, BBSs, etc. g. FILE_ID.DIZ Automatic upload description file for BBSs. h. INSTALL.EXE Program to install these files. i. LICENSE.DOC Important License and Usage Information j. MANUAL.TXT User's manual k. PACKING.LST This text file. l. READ.ME Important last-minute information. m. REGISTER.DOC Registration information and order form. n. REPORT.EXE Report generator for The Collector o. SHR-WARE.DOC Information about Shareware and the ASP. 1 p. SYSOP.DOC Information for Bulletin Board System distribution. q. VENDOR.DOC Information and restrictions for disk vendors, distributors, user groups, and more. r. WARRANTY.DOC Important Warranty Information If any of these files are missing please contact MyLife Software at the Technical Support number and a disk will be sent to you. The above files represent all the files contained in the Shareware version of the Collector. Registered users will only receive required files applicable to the registered version. 2 GETTING STARTED Registration Card We cannot provide a high level of support or ensure you receive notification of upgrades unless we know how to contact you. Please take a moment to fill out the Owner Registration Card and mail it to us. Installation The Collector has its own installation program. To install the Collector do the following: a. Insert the Collector disk into a floppy drive. b. Select the floppy drive that contains the Collector disk. Type either <A>: or <B>: at the DOS prompt. c. Once at the selected drive. Type <INSTALL> at the DOS prompt. d. Once the program has loaded the installation you are asked if the identified drive currently contains the Collector program. If it does press <Y> if not, select <N> and press <ENTER>. The enter the drive containing the Collector diskette. e. Next enter the destination drive and press <ENTER>. If the drive selected is incorrect you will be prompted to provide the correct drive. The installation program will create a directory called '\COLLECT' and copy all required files into that directory. Set up Once you have installed the Collector you will most likely want to start using it. To start the Collector type <COLLECT> from the 'C:\COLLECT' directory. We recommend that you first take a few minutes to select the configuration options that will serve you best. Help Help is always available when using the Collector. To access the Collector's help simply press the <F1> key. The Collector has a context sensitive help system. This means specific information will be provided for the area you are presently working in. 3 OPERATION Cards The cards menu is used to conduct management of records. This includes adding, editing, and deleting individual records. Add card The add card option is used to enter a new record in the database. When you press the <A> key a blank record will appear on the screen in which to enter data. The following information may be entered: Card name: This field is for the name of the player or the title of the card. If the record is a wax pack, box, set, or case you may enter any of those entries. The length is limited to 40 characters. Card Number: The card number field has 4 spaces for entry, the first three spaces are designed to enter the card's physical number. The last space is for an identifier, described later below. If the record is an individual card enter the card number. The below numbers MUST be used if subscribing to the Collector's update service: 999 - Common cards. A common card is one of no premium value. This is based on subject matter, scarcity, demand or an anomaly. 990 - Wax packs. A wax pack is the typical term applied to cards purchased in either a wax or mylar wrapping. 980 - Wax box. A wax box generally contains 36 wax packs. 970 - Complete set. One each of an entire set of cards produced by a manufacturer for an entire year. A factory complete set may have additional cards not issued in the wax packs. The identified or 4th space may be used to enter any special codes. Example codes are described below: E - Error card. H - Hall of fame card. M - Most valuable player card. R - Rookie card. T - Traded card. U - Update card. 4 EXAMPLE: 233R, 999, 213 , or 23 T Year: This entry is the year the record was manufactured. Generally all cards, wax packs, or wax boxes will have the year clearly printed. Quantity: This is the number of like items in the record. If you have 6 wax packs then an entry of 6 is correct. Consider this, if you have 4 individual cards and two are in mint condition and two are in excellent condition consider making two entries to track the two card conditions. Maker: Enter the card manufacturer. If you elect to use the default list press the <F5> key and a list will pop-up. Use the up and down arrow key to move the highlighted bar up or down. Once the selected maker is highlighted press the <ENTER> key. Type: Enter the card type. If you elect to use the default list press the <F5> key and a list will pop-up. Use the up and down arrow key to move the highlighted bar up or down. Once the selected type is highlighted press the <ENTER> key. Purchase Date: Enter the date in which you purchased the item contained in this record. The format is MM/DD/YY. EXAMPLE: 12/12/90 Purchase Price: Enter the price that you paid for the item contained in this record. Last Update: If you subscribe to the Collector's update service the date of the last record update will be entered. If you decide manually to update a record, enter the date you updated the records present value. The format for the entry is MM/DD/YY. EXAMPLE: 12/20/91 Update Value: If you subscribe to the update service the book value of the record will be entered. If you do not subscribe to the service or the record is not contained in the update then enter the present value of the record based on the records near mint condition. Condition: This is the condition of the card. The characteristics that identify a card's condition are defined below. It is possible that a brand new card straight out of a wax pack will not be a mint condition card. MINT - This is a card with no defects. A mint card is characterized by 4 sharp corners, even borders, even gloss across the entire card surface, and does not contain any printers marks. 5 A card in mint condition is valued at approximately 30% higher than the same card in near mint condition. NEAR MINT - A near mint card has very minor rounding of the edges, some loss of the cards gloss, and slight off-center borders. EXCELLENT - An excellent card could have possibly two or three of the following defects: minute rounding of the edges, some loss of the cards gloss, slight off-center borders, or a little off-whiteness of the borders. An excellent card is valued at 60% to 70% of a near mint cards price. VERY GOOD - A very good card is a card that has been handled but is not abused. In addition the following criteria identify a card in very good condition: minor rounding of the corners, scuffing on two or three corners, borders may be uneven, or light crease(s). A card in very good condition is worth about 35% of the same card in near mint condition. GOOD - This is a well handled card. A good card has rounding of the corners, scuffing on the card face, borders are uneven and browning, and some notching on the sides. A card rated in good condition is valued at about 25% of the cards near mint price. FAIR - A fair card has round and layering corners, besides brown or dirty borders. The card also will have medium to heavy creases and possible a cloudy focus on the card's picture. A fair card is valued at approximately 10% of the cards near mint price. POOR - A poor card is an abused card. This is a card with little or no value. The card has possibly a corner ripped off, torn, or cut. A poor card is valued at about 5% of the cards near mint price. Comment: This 40 character field can contain any information you desire. A possible use may be further to explain any information entered previously. Edit card Selecting edit will allow you to edit or change data in a record presently in the database. Once edit is selected a blank record window will appear to select the record you desire to search. Use the <ESC> key to move the cursor between fields. Once all the correct fields are selected press the <F10> key to begin the search for the record(s). Once the selected record appears you are asked if you want to 6 edit the record or quit. If edit is selected you can edit any field desired. Delete card Delete will erase a record from the database. Once Delete is selected a blank record window will appear to enter the record criteria you desire to search. Use the <ESC> key to move the cursor between fields. Once all the correct fields are selected press the <F10> key to begin the search for the record(s). Once the selected record appears you are asked if you want to delete the record or quit. If delete is selected the record will be erased. List The list function provides a listing of upto 100 records in your Collector database. If you have less than 100 records then a window will pop up showing all the records. If more than 100 records are contained in your Collector database you will be asked to select the beginning record number of the 100 records to list. Missing This selection will produce a list of all missing cards in your collection based on your selections. When this selection is made you are asked to provide the following information; Highest card number in which the missing card list will end. The year of the cards you wish to list. The maker of the card. The type of the card. Once this is completed a listing will be printed to your printer. New database The Collector can access upto 50 separate card databases. In order to select a new database use the new database selection. Once selected a window will pop up providing a list of valid databases or the selection 'NEW'. If new is selected you are provided the opportunity to define the new database name. The name must be less than eight(8) characters in length. Quit This option will return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. 7 MANAGE FILES This menu performs the cleanup, data safety, and update functions of the Collector The data and directory locations are defined in the configure portion of the Collector. The following actions can be completed: Backup Copies your data files to a selected backup location. The backup files will contain the .BAK file extension. Duplicates The duplicates area will purge duplicate cards form your database. The fields; card number, card name, card year, card maker, and card condition will be verified prior to purging duplicate records. Export Creates an ASCII file of all records in any of the following database files: data, maker, type, and wantlist. The created files will have the .TXT file extension. The file will be placed in the Collector's export directory. Purge The purge function will compress the database files by eliminating the space occupied by deleted records. Use this to reduce disk space. Restore This will replace the current file with the backup file of the same name. Sort Place all records in your database in ascending number sequence. The number is the card number as entered by you. 8 Update Updates the current value of records in your collection if subscribing to the Collector's update service. If you desire information concerning the update service see the section Updates in the technical support section of this manual. Quit This option will return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. 9 REPORTS This menu allows you to create a report, delete a report or print a report. Select the highlited letter. Create The create option will create a report to be used by the Collector. The below options may be used in creating a report. Header The header option places information of your choosing at the top of the report. Three lines are provided. Page numbers Enter <Y> to have page numbers printed on the report. Valid entries are <Y> or <N>. Top margin Enter the number of blank lines to print at the top of the report. Valid entries are 0-9 blank lines. Blank lines Enter <Y> to have a blank line inserted between records on a printed report. Valid entries are <Y> or <N>. Fields When selecting the fields options, a window will appear with all available fields contained in the database. To select a field use the up and down arrow keys. The very last field option is SPACES. Enter the number of spaces to insert between fields of a report. Valid entries are 0-9 spaces. Quit This option will return you to the report menu to select other print menu options. You are given the option to save the present report, quit without saving, or return. Delete The delete option will erase a created report. Use the up or down arrow keys to select the report to delete. Once you have made the selection press the <ENTER> key to delete the report. 10 Print The Print option will print a previously created report. Use the up or down arrow keys to select the report to print. Once you have made the selection press the <ENTER> key. Once you have selected the report you are given the opportunity to print ALL records or only SOME. If you selected SOME a window will de displayed to allow you to select your search criteria. Quit This option will return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. 11 STATISTICS Computes or displays statistical data on records in your collection. Selections are: Compute all Computes statistical information on all records in your collection. Individual Computes statistical information on selected records in your collection based on your preferences. Once individual is selected a window will de displayed to allow you to select your search criteria. View Displays the information computed in either of the two above selections. The option will display the last selection option and print the information to the screen, disk file, or the printer. The disk file is called STAT.TXT and is placed in the export directory. Quit This option will return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. 12 CONFIGURE This menu is designed to set the various options when using the Collector. The various options are: Beeps and bells This option allows various beeps to come from the computer when using the program. This helps you greatly when using the Collector. Action complete When the response is 'Y'es the program will beep when a major action is completed. Enter either a <Y> or <N>. Errors When the response is 'Y'es the program will beep when a keyboard entry error occurs. Enter either a <Y> or <N>. Key press When the answer is 'Y'es the program will beep when a key is pressed on the keyboard. Enter either a <Y> or <N>. Quit This option will return you to the main configure menu to select other configuration options. Colors This menu allows for changing the colors of the screen. The below color options may be selected: Highlighted letter Selects the foreground and background colors of the highlighted letter on all menus. Help Selects the main foreground and background colors of the help window. 13 Help highlight Selects the highlighted foreground color of the help window. Main Selects the main foreground and background colors. Main highlight Selects the highlighted main foreground color. Status line Selects the foreground and background colors of the status line at the bottom of the screen. Windows Selects the main foreground and background colors of the windows. Windows highlight Selects the highlighted foreground color of the windows. Window invalid If a selection is invalid its color will be determined by this selection. Quit This option will return you to the main configure menu to select other configuration options. Drives and directories Sets the various drives and directories for data, exporting, updates, backups and restoration. Backup drive This is the drive and directory of the backup data location. It is best that a separate drive\directory be used. The file extension '.BAK' will be used as the backup file extension. EXAMPLE: C:\BACKUP Note: DO NOT USE THE BACKSLASH AFTER THE DIRECTORY NAME. 14 Data drive This is the drive\directory of the area that contains all data (DBF) files for the program. EXAMPLE: C:\PROGRAM Note: DO NOT USE THE BACKSLASH AFTER THE DIRECTORY NAME. Export drive This is the drive and directory of the location that will contain the ASCII text files of the various data (DBF) files. EXAMPLE: A: Note: DO NOT USE THE BACKSLASH AFTER THE DIRECTORY NAME. Update drive This is the drive\directory of the area that contains the update file(s). Update files are available monthly, at a nominal fee, and will automatically update the estimated value of records in your collection. Updates are available for Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Hockey. EXAMPLE: A: Note: DO NOT USE THE BACKSLASH AFTER THE DIRECTORY NAME. Quit This option will return you to the main configure menu to select other configuration options. Invested or Worth If you desire to have the estimated worth of your collection placed on the status line ensure the 'W' is highlighted. If you desire to have the amount you have invested ensure the 'I' is highlighted. Makers of cards Enters or deletes card manufacturers of your choosing used in the Collector's environment. 15 Add In order to add a card maker press <ESC> when the list of makers appear. You will be asked if you desire to add a maker or exit. Select the correct response. Delete Select the card manufacturer to delete. Use the up and down arrow key keys to move the highlighted bar up or down. Once the selected maker is highlighted press the <ENTER> key. If you need to add a maker press the <ESC> key and you will be asked if you need to enter a new maker or exit. Other Options The Other Options selection provides an area to modify miscellaneous options. Background Selection The background selection is used to define the background the Collector uses. Five selections are provided. To make a choice pick any number from one(1) to five(5). Once the desired type has been chosen press the <Q> or <ENTER> key. Upon the next starting of the Collector the background will be displayed. Filler Space The filler selection is used to define the input line blank space. Five selections are provided. To make a choice pick any number from one(1) to five(5). Once the desired type has been chosen press the <Q> or <ENTER> key. Upon the next starting of the Collector the new filler choice will be activated. Types of cards Enters or deletes type of cards tracked in the Collector's database. Add In order to add a card type press <ESC> when the list of types appear. You will be asked if you desire to add a type or exit. Select the correct response. 16 Delete Select the card type to delete. Use the up and down arrow key keys to move the highlighted bar up or down. Once the selected type is highlighted press the <ENTER> key. If you need to add a new type press the <ESC> key and you will be asked if you desire to enter a new type or exit. Value Default The value default area accomplishes two purposes; First - Default percentages are setup to determine estimated values of cards. Selections are available for MINT, NEAR MINT, EXCELLENT > $100, EXCELLENT < $100, VERY GOOD, GOOD, FAIR, and POOR. The default settings are considered to be the standard and generally should not be changed. Second - The value default selection will enter a default value in the purchase price field when entering a new record. An example of its use would be; if you primarily purchase wax packs at 1.29 each then an entry of 1.29 would be a time saver. Quit The configure quit option has three selection they are: No save, exit This option will not save configure option made during the session and return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. Return to main This option will return you to the main configure menu to select other configure menu options. Save and exit This option will save configure option made during the session and return you to the main menu to select other main menuoptions. 17 WANTLIST The wantlist is a much needed feature for collectors in helping them remember wanted cards, wax packs, wax boxes, or sets. The wantlist area will place cards, wax packs, or wax boxes or other items wanted by the Collector in a separate database. The below options are available: Add Add a record to your wantlist. The format for data entry is the same as entering a regular item in the Collector database. Transfer/Delete Move the wantlist record to the Collector database. This is useful to reduce typing requirements. You may also delete the wantlist record. Print Print all records contained in the wantlist database. Use this to gather a single list of wanted items before going to the next card shop or show. Quit This option will return you to the main menu to select other main menu options. 18 QUIT Select the main menu quit option will save all open files and return you to the DOS prompt. 19 TECHNICAL SUPPORT Occasionally things can go wrong, you read the manual, you try different methods and things still will not work. If you have problems, please read the manual first. If you still have problems and are a registered user you may contact us by mail or phone. Phone: You may call MyLife Software at (817) 634-3043. Our hours 9:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. Central Time, Monday - Friday. a. If phoning please ensure you have completed and mailed your software registration card. b. You have a phone next to your computer. c. Ensure your computer is on and booted with DOS. Mail: You may write us at: MyLife Software 704 Rim Drive Killeen, TX 76542. Whether calling or writing please have the following information available when calling; a. Write down the exact problem(s). b. Where in the Collector operation the error occurred. c. Error number given, if applicable. d. Computer model and name (IBM PC AT) e. Operating system version. Update ordering information: Updates are available monthly. Presently two updates are available one for baseball, the other for basketball, football, and hockey. Cost for the monthly updates are $12.50 each. The updates are shipped on your choice of 3.5" or 5.25" disks in an archived format. To subscribe to the monthly service payment must be 20 submitted in advance. Once payment is received you will receive the next monthly update. When requesting an update simply note if you desire Baseball or other and 3.5" or 5.25" format. Mail a check or money order, drawn on a U.S. Bank to; MyLife Software Attn.: Collector Updates 704 Rim Drive Killeen, TX 76542. 21 INDEX Introduction What is the Collector .................................... 1 Why use the Collector .................................... 1 System Requirements ...................................... 1 Included files ........................................... 1 Getting Started Registration card ........................................ 3 Installation ............................................. 3 Set up ................................................... 3 Help ..................................................... 3 Cards Add card ................................................. 4 Edit card ................................................ 6 Delete card .............................................. 7 List ..................................................... 7 Missing card ............................................. 7 New database ............................................. 7 Manage Files Backup ................................................... 8 Duplicates ............................................... 8 Export ................................................... 8 Purge .................................................... 8 Restore .................................................. 8 Sort ..................................................... 8 Update ................................................... 9 Reports Create ................................................... 9 Header ................................................... 9 Page numbers ............................................. 9 Top margin ............................................... 9 Blank lines .............................................. 9 Fields .................................................. 10 Delete .................................................. 10 Print ................................................... 11 Statistics Compute all ............................................. 12 Individual .............................................. 12 View .................................................... 12 22 Configure Beeps and bells ......................................... 13 Action complete .................................... 13 Errors ............................................. 13 Key press .......................................... 13 Colors .................................................. 13 Highlighted letter ................................. 13 Help ............................................... 13 Help highlight ..................................... 14 Main ............................................... 14 Main highlight ..................................... 14 Status line ........................................ 14 Window ............................................. 14 Window highlight ................................... 14 Window invalid ..................................... 14 Drives and directories .................................. 14 Backup drive ....................................... 14 Data drive ......................................... 15 Export drive ....................................... 15 Update drive ....................................... 15 Invested or Worth ....................................... 15 Makers of cards ......................................... 15 Add ................................................ 16 Delete ............................................. 16 Other Options Background ......................................... 16 Filler ............................................. 16 Types of cards .......................................... 16 Add ................................................ 16 Delete ............................................. 17 Value Default ........................................... 17 Quit .................................................... 17 No save, exit ...................................... 17 Return to main ..................................... 17 Save and exit ...................................... 17 Wantlist Add ..................................................... 18 Transfer/Delete ......................................... 18 Print ................................................... 18 Quit ....................................................... 19 23 Technical support Phone ................................................... 20 Mail .................................................... 20 Updates ................................................. 20 24