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MegaDisc 06 (1988)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[m][WB].zip
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MegaDisc 06 (1988)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[m][WB].adf
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REVIEWS
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Microfiche.rvw
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1988-04-09
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4KB
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91 lines
REVIEW OF MICROFICHE FILER
A GRAPHICS DATABASE
by Mark Underwood
What is a microfiche? Ever walk into a library and look
for details of a book in a card catalogue? Imagine photographing those
cards, photographically reducing them and putting the photos on slides.
Index the cards and put the index on microfilm as well. Now use a slide
machine to view the the cards and you have a microfiche! Less bulky than
the original card file, but no more efficient. Then along came Microfiche
Filer.
The program comes on a single disc, stored in the back of
a ring bound binder that also contains the warrantee details and of course
the all important manual.
A word about the warranty. It actually states that the
program will perform as stated in the manual! Protection at last. And,
speaking of protection,... there isn't any. Not even any passwords. If
you send in the registration card you have the option of calling America
for help. Not much good to us Aussies, but I seriously doubt you will need
much help with this program.
The manual is well written and fully indexed for reference
when required. There is a quick tour of the program for those who are
anxious to get right into it. It also explains fully how to boot the
program from either the CLI or the Workbench. It even suggests that a copy
of the program is made and used thereafter, a very sensible idea! The
only drawback of the whole package is in the manual. Even though it walks
you through the entire program, when you actually come to set up your
first database there is something missing. I suggest you modify one of
the sample databases as this is much easier than starting from scratch.
Once you have the hang of this it is very easy to set your own up.
So, on to the program itself. When you actually enter the
program you are presented with three windows, the Fiche window, the
Magnification window and the Form List window.
The Fiche window is a small window with a miniature
representation of the database. It is very accurate and even represents
graphic information in a lot of detail despite its size. In this window
is a rectangle that represents your window onto the database. If you grab
this rectangle with the mouse pointer you can move it about, thereby
giving yourself quick access to data that you 'nearly' know where the
information is. As this rectangle moves the full size data in the
Magnification window moves as well.
The Magnification window scrolls very smoothly and quickly.
Information can be selected in this window by simply clicking on it. Once
selected this data can be manipulated in several ways, such as duplication,
editing, deleting etc. The manipulation can be done in several ways.
The mouse can be used to access windows or the keyboard may be used as
short cuts. So the system is easy for everyone to use, from the complete
novice, to the professional.
The Form List window is the area in which you can define
the forms you wish to use. You design an edit form, a display form, a
print form, etc. All forms can be the same or completely different and
are very easy to define. To define a data input area is as simple as
clicking the mouse. You then are presented with a field window that you
size, scroll and otherwise adjust as much as you like. You then drag
the field to where you want it on the screen and start on the next field,
until you have built up the form you like. The Form List window is also
where you decide how to print the forms, whether titles or totals are
printed as well as the sort forms. This whole area could not be easier
to use.
As stated in the title this is a Graphics database, not
just in it's graphical Intuition user interface, but also in it's ability
to store graphical information in a compressed format. When compressed
you lose some of the colors, but you can just swing over the picture
with the Fiche window, select it by clicking and view the file in all
its original Technicolor glory! This sure beats trying to remember
the file name of the masterpiece you completed yesterday.
Overall I believe that this program is extremely good
for the beginner (myself), and also the pro, who would find it's ease
of use a joy.
Excellent value!
Program purchased from Computerscope (Blacktown).
Price $189.00