The scrollable Open directory in MiAmiga File II identifies MiAmiga File databases as files that have been named with the ".FLR" extension. If your databases do not have the .FLR extension, they must be renamed before they may be accessed in File II. Use the RENAME feature of CLI to do this. For example, RENAME "My Data" TO "My Data.FLR" issued from CLI will add the .FLR extension to the database named MyData. If this database is on a disk in the external drive, type RENAME "df1:My Data" TO "df1:My Data.FLR". Refer to your AmigaDos User Manual for complete details on how to use this feature.
Creating a Data Disk
You can store more information by keeping databases on a data disk that is accessed from the external drive. If you do not have an external drive, you obviously can not do this. To create a data disk you use the FORMAT feature of CLI. The following steps may be followed to create a data disk. Please refer to your AmigaDos User Manual for complete details.
1. Start system with MiAmiga program disk in internal
drive.
2. Double click on MiAmiga File II disk icon seen in upper
left corner of screen.
3. Double click on SYSTEM drawer icon.
4. Double click on CLI icon found in SYSTEM drawer's
window.
Now you should have a small CLI window on your screen.
5. Insert the disk that is to be the data disk in the
external drive. Make sure this disk is write-enabled
(hole is closed). You will be replacing the contents of
this disk.
6. Type FORMAT drive df1: NAME "Data Disk" and press
RETURN. The computer will then proceed to format your
disk. Respond to any questions given you by the system.
Once this process is complete, you will have an empty, initialized disk on which you can save databases. To store new databases on this disk, save them inside MiAmiga File II by prefixing the database name with df1: when you save it. For example, df1:MyData would be entered as the database name to save the new database MyData.FLR on the disk in the external drive.
You may also copy any databases that you have already saved to a data disk. Once again you use CLI to do this. Use steps 1-4 above to get into CLI. Next use the COPY feature of CLI to duplicate a database on the external drive. For example, COPY "MyData.FLR" TO df1: will copy the database named "MyData.FLR" to the disk in the external drive.
The "Save As" feature of MiAmiga File II may also be used to copy a MiAmiga File database from one disk to another. The database must already have the .FLR extension, however.
MiAmiga File II has a scrollable database directory that may be used to quickly and conveniently open databases. In addition to showing database names, the scrollable directory shows database size in bytes and the date the database was last modified (uses date stored by AmigaDos with the file.) At no time is it necessary to enter anything from the keyboard. All actions are performed via the mouse.
To open a database, click the mouse on its name as seen in the directory's list of file names. To search through a disk directory, first click the mouse on the "DIR" button. The program will respond by showing a list of directories rather than databases. To search through a directory, click the mouse on the name of the directory. When looking through directories and sub-directories MiAmiga File II displays the complete path name at the top of the directory display. You may retreat to a previous directory level by clicking the mouse on the name of the desired directory as it appears at the top of the display.
To search a different drive such as "df1:" or "dh0:", you click the mouse on the "DRIVE" button. The program begins its search with "df0:". When you click on "DRIVE" again, the program switches to "df1:" (if "df1:" is available). When you click on "DRIVE" again, the program switches to "dh0:" (hard drive). If you click on "DRIVE" again, the program returns to df0:.
MiAmiga File II will create an ascii file using the complete data from each field in a list of full or selected records. You have complete control of the sequence of records, the number and placement of columns, and the selection criteria used to create the list. The mail/merge file is created in the format required by Scribble! for mail/merge. Each field's data is separated by a comma. Each record is separated by a carriage return. Although this file is designed to be compatible with Scribble! it may be used with little or no modifications in other programs.
To create a mail/merge file, generate a list by selecting and sorting records in your database. Once the list is as you wish it to be, select Mail/Merge Save from the "File" menu. The program will respond by asking for a name it can use when it saves the Mail/Merge file to disk. By default, MiAmiga File II will provide this file name with a ".DAT" extension. This is to assist you in late identifying this file when in your word processor.
Save As
You may create a copy of your database with the "Save As" feature. Anytime you have an open database simply select "Save As" from the "File" menu to create a copy. The program will ask you for a name it can use when it saves the new database to disk. If a file already exists with the name you provide, the program asks you if you wish to replace it with the new file.
Prefix your new file name with "df1:" to save it to an external drive. If you wish to save it to a sub-directory, prefix the file name with the correct path specification. For example, "df1:Databases/Personal/MyData" saves your file on df1: in the directory "Personal" that is a sub-directory within "Databases". The file is saved with the name "MyData.FLR"
Originally the printing from the form only produced a 5 line mailing label. Now you may specify the maximum width of labels (30, 80, or 132), the number of lines between labels (1, 2, or 3), the number of labels per page vertically (1 or as many as will fit), and the number of lines on a label (5 or as many lines as you have defined field boxes on the data entry form). In addition, you can designate that labels are to be printed, you will get the title of your list and a page number at the top of each page. To define your labels select "Page Setup" from the "Print" menu before printing your labels.
Reports printed to disk may be given a unique name. Select "To Ascii File" from the "Print" menu. The program will ask you for a name it can use when it writes the file to the disk. The default extension used by MiAmiga File II for this file is ".TXT". Later this report file may be read into any word processor that reads ascii files.
The speed at which you can scroll through databases has been increased. This allows you to get from the beginning of your database to the end in less time than before. The scrolling is at least twice as fast as before.
To view the status of the system and an opened database select "File Status" from the "Desk" menu. The program responds by displaying the opened file's name including path specification, the number of records in the file, the average size per record and the approximate number of records that will fit in memory given your average record size and available memory. In addition the program will now display the number of bytes available on your disk, the number of records that will fit on disk given your average record size, and whether or not your opened file will fit on the disk.
Whenever you attempt to save a file and there is not enough space on disk, the program will display a message saying that the disk is full. When this occurs, either "Save As" your file to another drive containing a disk with more room or remove some information from the database.
Unique Mouse Pointers
MiAmiga File uses 3 mouse pointers. One mouse pointer replaces the standard Intuition arrow and is usually active. A second mouse pointer is in the shape of a wrist watch followed by 2 dots. This pointer indicates that the program is doing something and that you should wait until it is finished before clicking the mouse or pressing the keys. The third pointer is a column boundary mover pointer that becomes active whenever you place the mouse over the boundary of a column. The purpose of this pointer is to alert you that you may change the size of the column at the time the pointer appears.
When you save a database for the first time, the program asks you for a name it can use when it writes the file to disk. In order for the program's scrollable open directory to recognize this file, it must have an ".FLR" extension. For example, if the name of your file is to be "MyData", it would have to be "MyData.FLR" for MiAmiga File II to include it in its list of files displayed in its open directory. Rather than having to remember to do this, the program will add the ".FLR" extension automatically to any new database name you enter that does not have it already.
Databases may be deleted from the disk while inside MiAmiga File II. This allows you to remove unwanted databases from your disk without entering CLI. Use this feature with caution. Once a database is deleted, it is permanently removed from your disk. To delete a database, first open it via the "Open" command from the "File" menu. The program will ask you if you are sure you want to delete the database. If you respond, "Yes", the database will be deleted.
The name a database has been saved to disk with may be renamed while inside MiAmiga File II. This allows you to change the name of a database without entering CLI. To rename a database, first open it via the "Open" command from the "File" menu. Next select "Rename" from the "File" menu. The program will then ask you what name you wish to rename the database to. You may cancel or change your mind and not rename the database by clicking on "Cancel".
MiAmiga File II allows you to print all columns on your list. Previously, any data that would not fit within the paper width was truncated. In order to see columns outside the width of your paper you would have to move these columns around to the left side of the list and reprint. Now you have the option of having the program print the entire width of your list. MiAmiga File II accomplishes this by printing multiple sets of your report. Each set will contain as many columns as will fit within the paper width. By placing these sets side by side, you can see the entire width of your list. The Horizontal Overflow option is enabled via the "Page Setup" menu item in the "Print" menu when selected from the list screen.
Repeat Data Entry
When entering information that contains similar data to that already entered in a previous screen of data, you now have the option of having the program retrieve that data and enter it as new information. This is an option that may be enabled and disabled at will from the "Options" menu. When "Repeat Data Entry" is checked, you simply press the RETURN key to repeat data previously entered. If a field is not to be repeated, use TAB instead of RETURN key to advance to the next field.
Calculations
A major new feature of MiAmiga File II is its support of calculated amount fields. With this feature you can define complex formulas containing math functions on AMOUNT field types defined in your database. These formulas may contain nested levels of operation via parenthesis. Math operators that are allowed are: + (addition), -(subtraction), *(multiplication), and /(division). Calculated fields may be stored and searched for just like other fields in your database. To define a calculation, choose "Define Calc" from the "Column" menu. You will be prompted for a name and a calculation formula. The name you enter will be the name of the column containing the calculation. To change a calculation already defined, click the mouse on the column name of the calculation to be changed and then select "Define Calc". The name and formula already entered will be displayed so that you can change it. To delete a calculation, click the mouse on the name of the column to be deleted and select "Delete" from the "Column" menu. MiAmiga File II will ask you if you are sure you want to delete the column before it deletes it.
Import Foreign Database
The "Open Ascii" feature of MiAmiga File II can be used for several purposes. One important use is to convert a database created in another database, or even one from another type of computer, into a MiAmiga File II database. To use this feature you must first have a file on the Amiga disk that contains only ascii (printing) characters. In this file, each field of data must be separated with a comma or tab. Fields containing imbedded commas must be surrounded by quotes ("Santa Barbara, CA"). Each line or record of data must be ended with a return or return/linefeed combination. The name of the file should include a ".DAT" extension. for example, Newdata.DAT. Next you define columns in MiAmiga File II that agree in number and type with the data in your ascii file. Once these columns are defined, you might want to save this MiAmiga File II database to disk. Next choose "Open Ascii" from the "File" menu. MiAmiga File II responds by displaying a scrollable open directory listing the .DAT files. The scrollable open directory is the same one used for opening MiAmiga File II database. The difference is that now you will be selecting .DAT files instead of .FLR files. Next click the mouse on the name of the .DAT file you wish to import. The program will then open the file, and begin to convert data into the columns you have defined. MiAmiga File II ensures the integrity of its database by editing each field read for correct type, syntax, and length. It also ensures that each record contains the same number of fields. When finished with the conversion, MiAmiga File II displays the converted list. You may then save this new database.
Return Key Exit Dialogs
As a convenience to you, most dialog boxes now allow you to press the RETURN key to end the dialog instead of requiring you to click the mouse on the OK button. If return is permissible, the button activated by the return will be drawn in BLUE text instead of the usual BLACK.
Each time MiAmiga File II is started, you have the ability to designate the percent (either 100, 75, or 50) of available RAM (NOTE. Don't confuse this with disk space.) that the program may use to store your data while a database is open. The greater the percent, the greater the number of records that may be stored. If your machine has external memory, you may even designate whether internal or external memory is to be used. The program defaults to using 100 percent. With this feature it is easier to have more than one program RAM resident at the same time. Previously MiAmiga File would grab ALL available memory as soon as it was started.
Print Screen
The "Print One Screen Only" menu item from the "Print" menu may be used to print only the number of records that appear on the screen. For a list screen this is a maximum of 12 lines. For a label screen this is 1 label. The print criteria may be specified as in other reports with the "Page Setup" item under the "Print" menu.
Set System Date/Time
At any time you have the ability to conveniently set the system's date and time. This is done with just clicks of the mouse - no entry is required from the keyboard. Select "System Date/Time" from the "Desk" menu. MiAmiga File II responds by showing a dialog box with a calendar. Click on the current year. Next click on the current month. The program will respond each time by drawing the appropriate calendar. Next click on the current day. To set the time, click the mouse on arrows to set either the hour or minute. As the date or time is changed, the program also displays the complete date and time at the top of the dialog box.
MiAmiga File II "Views" provide a powerful, convenient, and fast way for you to save and retrieve ways in which you commonly look at your database. For example, if you have several different report and label formats which you use to print reports or query information with, you can now save these definitions and recall them whenever desired. Things automatically saved in each view include: Column widths, Column placements, Column show/hide information, date and numeric display formats, column justification, page setup parameters, form definitions, view title, and last but not least, sort sequence.
A scrollable open directory allows you to open any saved view. When the view is opened, the database it is defined for is automatically opened (if not already open). Next, the database is automatically sorted, if necessary. The list and form definition will be exactly as it was when you saved the view. Views may be renamed, deleted, and given a title. Views take up very little space on your disk because no data is stored with the view. Finally, you may Save As a view or resave a modified view at any time.
Dates may now be displayed in a variety of useful formats and include: 1)Month/Day/Year, 2)Year/Month/Day, and 3)Day/Month/Year Months may displayed as: 1)numeric, 2)month abbreviation (ie. Jan), and written month (ie. January). Years may be displayed as either a 2 digit year (87) or 1987. Separator characters include /.,- and space. Even the day of the week may be displayed as either an abbreviation or written in full. MiAmiga File II calculates the day of the week based upon the date you have entered. Therefore, 11/5/86 would result in Wednesday. Because the date formats pertain to one date at a time, you may have a different date format for each date column in your file.
Numeric "Amount" and "Calc" type fields may be displayed in several useful formats. Numeric formats include: "99,999.99", "99.999,99", and "99 999.99". Also the $ currency symbol may be changed to be any one of 15 other international currency symbols. Because the numeric formats pertain to one column at a time, you can have a different display format for each amount or calculation column in your file.
For your convenience the default values for the date and numeric display formats mentioned above may be saved. For example, the default currency symbol may be changed to the British pound instead of the U.S. dollar. Then whenever an amount field is defined, the pound currency symbol will be used as a default. This is also very useful in standard ways of displaying dates.
SoftWood File IIsg displays IFF picture files created in the various painting and digitizing programs available on the Amiga. These pictures may be in any of the screen resolutions and colors supported by the Amiga. Hold and Modify (HAM) pictures allowing up to 4096 colors on the screen at the same time are also supported. Special animation effects in the form of color cycling are also displayed. Up to four different color cycles per picture, each with its own color range and direction is possible!
To store pictures in your database you must first define one or more columns of type "Picture" in which you will later enter picture data. Do this by selecting "Define Data" from the "Column" menu. You may have "Picture" type columns with other types of columns in your database. Up to 32 columns may be defined per database.
Entering pictures in your database is just as simple as entering names or any other type of data. All you do is enter the name of the file on disk that contains an IFF formatted picture. To save memory, the pictures are not stored in the database - only their names. File IIsg will read compressed picture files as well as uncompressed ones. When the program reads a compressed file it will automatically uncompress it before it displays it.
Pictures may be stored in either manual or automatic mode. In manual mode, simply click the mouse on the name of the picture you wish to see from the list on the screen. Automatic mode is initiated via the "Slide Show" menu selection in the "Options" menu and shows each picture in your list. The automatic mode may be stopped at anytime. There are special menus available which allow you to conveniently go forward and backward through columns and rows on your list when showing pictures manually.
Sound:
Sounds digitized by sound digitizers such as Future Sound and Perfect Sound may now be stored and managed as data (other digitizers may be used too as long as they create IFF files). Stereo sound files created by Perfect Sound are also supported. Digitized sounds can take up a lot of room on your disk. Most playback programs only allow you to play sounds that will fit in internal memory. File IIsg, however, has a special buffering scheme that allows you to play any sound that will fit in either internal or external memory.
To store sounds in your database you must first define one or more columns of type "Sound" in which you will later enter sound data. Do this by selecting "Define Data" from the "Column" menu. You may have "Sound" type columns with other types of columns in your database. Up to 32 columns may be defined per database.
Entering sound into your database is just like entering data. All you do is enter the name of the IFF file on disk that contains a digitized sound. Just as with pictures, only the names of the files containing the sounds are stored in your database. The actual sound is only loaded into memory when it is to be played.
Sounds are played in either manual or automatic mode. In manual mode, simply click the mouse on the name of the sound you wish to hear. Automatic mode is initiated via the "Sound Show" menu selection in the "Options" menu and plays each sound in your list. The automatic mode may be stopped at anytime. There are special parameters you may assign to each sound that control how many times it is played and at what volume. You specify these parameters within parenthesis after the name of the sound file. For example, Bugs (c2v8) will play the "Bugs" sound file two times at a volume of level 8. A repeat count of 0 will cause a continuous repeat of the sound until you stop it by clicking the left mouse button.
Slide Show, Sound Show, and Movies are activated from the "Options" menu. A Slide Show shows pictures, a Sound Show plays sounds, and a Movie shows pictures and plays sounds together. Movement is from left to right top to bottom. A typical scenario is as follows: you have your database defined with 5 columns. The first column is a picture, the next two are sounds, the fourth is another picture, and the last is a sound. When movie mode is started, the program begins by showing the picture in the first column. Next, while the picture is showing, it plays the sound in the second column. When it finishes playing the sound, it plays the sound in the third column. When it finishes with this sound, it removes the picture and shows the picture in the fourth column. Next it plays the sound in the last column. Once this sound is finished it goes to the next row which contains 5 more sounds and pictures and processes them. Using the selection and sorting capabilities of the database, only the desired records are included in the movie.
Phone Dialing
Phone numbers entered into these columns defined as type "Phone" may be dialed by the computer. To dial a number, you click the mouse on the number to be dialed while holding the phone receiver up to the speaker on the left side of the monitor. The program will play the correct tones normally generated as the phone's button are pressed. In addition to the tones for digits 0 - 9, the "*" and "#" symbol tones are also produced. Delays starting at 1 second can be specified by including "&" for each 1 second delay desired, and "+" for each 10 second delay. The delays are handy for long distance services in which you must pause between sets of numbers.
Note. In order to use the phone dialer, you must have a touch tone dialing service. The tones generated by File IIsg can only be recognized by phones equipped to process these tones.
Page Setup:
The Page Setup menu item and dialogue window allow you to specify parameters that determine the way a list or label page is to appear. Line values are set one line at a time, character values are set one character at a time. It is possible, for example, to have an 88 line page with left margin of 10 characters, right margin 246, top margin at line 4, bottom margin at 6, print spacing at 8 lines per inch, and printed in Fine pitch. In addition, these settings are made independently for list and label reports, and are saved on disk so you don't have to reset them each time you run the program. Although these settings modify the Workbench preference settings, they only do so temporarily while printing occurs. Once printing is completed, the preference settings are reset to their original values.
Print Options:
The Print options menu item and dialogue window allow you to specify parameters that determine the way a list or label report is to be created. These parameters are specified separately for list and label reports and are saved to disk so that you will not have to reset them each time you run the program.
The program now provides a way of saving the settings that you normally use when running the program. Once set these parameters may be reset or overriden at anytime. The default open directory is beneficial for those of you who store databases on a separate disk or directory than where your program resides. For example, your program may be on df0: and your database on df1:. By setting df1: as a default open directory, whenever you choose "Open" from the "File" menu, the program will immediately list databases found in df1:.
Enhanced Views:
Views now include the items mentioned above in page settings, print options, and default runtime parameters. This allows you to have a completely different operating environment (if desired) for each view or use of a database. Whenever a view is opened, the current page setting, print option, and default runtime parameters are replaced with what is saved in the view.
Keymap Support:
All data entry now supports keymap settings and allows for accented characters. Keymaps are specified by the Workbench tool "SetMap".
Compatibility:
All databases created in earlier versions of the program, namely MiAmiga File and SoftWood File II, may be used in this new version without conversion. If you are upgrading from MiAmiga File, you will have to rename any databases you have created that do not have the ".FLR" suffix appended to the file name. For example, if your file's name on disk is "MyData", it must be renamed to "MyData.FLR" in order for it to be recognized as a database in the new version. SoftWood File II and File IIsg automatically appends this suffix to files when you save them for the first time.
