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- TurboFiles v2.1
-
- Using TurboFiles
-
-
- "I don't have time to design a database ..."
- I just want to store some information ..."
-
-
- How many times have you made this statement ?
-
-
- - - - - - - - - - - Well, here's a solution - - - - - - - - -
-
-
- Welcome to TurboFiles
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- TurboFiles uses a loose leaf ring binder as a metaphor for viewing freeform
- and fill-in-the-blank information within databases. Tabs along the left
- provide for multiple Topics within each database.
-
- Within each topic a list of record titles is maintained to provide easy
- access to information within the database. This list of titles is displayed
- on the left hand page of the ring binder. By clicking on a title you instruct
- TurboFiles to display that record's information on the right hand page of
- the ring binder.
-
- Each record contains a general notes section, a collection of user definable
- fields for fill-in-the-blank information and a special area where you can
- build a list of information that is appropriate for each record. Each item
- in this list also has two user definable fields.
-
- Text searches help you locate your information within the database. The
- entire database is searched for your specified text and all records containing
- the text are returned for your access.
-
- You can work with many databases, each of which can be tailored to your
- specific information needs. By working with the user definable fields,
- you can set up the desired fill-in-the-blank areas for your information.
-
- Starter-Set database files are provided for Videos, Music, Home Inventory,
- Projects, etc.
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- ╖ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- ╖
- ╖ If you are ready to start using "TurboFiles" without any additional
- reading ...
- ╖
- ╖ * Close this help document,
- ╖ * Create a new database (fashioned after one of the supplied
- ╖ profiles OR use Default),
- ╖ * Define your Topics,
- ╖ * Start entering your records.
- ╖
- ╖ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
-
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- Now for the rest of the story ...
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- You can have many databases ...
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- "TurboFiles" helps you quickly create new databases. Want to store office
- inventory information? Create a new database and fashion it after the
- supplied database profile for home inventory. Once the new database is
- created, you can tailor the fields to best suit your needs for office
- inventory. Labels on the screen for the record title list, the general
- notes and user definable fields can be edited.
-
- Now that you have tailored the fields, you can start defining Topics within
- the database and start entering your information.
-
-
- You can have many Topics ...
-
- You can have many Topics within each database and tabs on the left side of
- the ring binder will appear as you define your topics. If you define more
- than three (3) Topics the tabs will have to be scrolled up and down to be
- seen. The top/bottom most tab will have its left, outside corner turned
- down to indicate that additional tabs exist. You simply click on the
- turned down corner to scroll the tabs and reveal the other Topics. Once
- positioned on these tabs, you can also use your cursor allow keys to
- navigate your Topics.
-
- Clicking a Topic tab is like choosing a section in a book thus revealing a
- list of records within that section. Clicking a record title on the list
- provides instant access to that record's information.
-
-
- Working with records ...
-
- Each record consist of a general notes section, a collection of user
- definable fields and a special list box that can contains desired details.
- Let's review the design intentions for each of these areas.
-
- General Notes: This is a section that allows you to type in whatever you
- want. Paragraph after paragraph can be entered so that you can store as
- much information as you need.
-
- User Definable Fields: Four fill-in-the-blank fields are available for
- predefined information. You can label these fields to represent what
- ever you want.
-
- Special List Box: These use of this list depends on the nature of the
- database. For example, in storing information on Videos this was used to
- list the Stars of the video, in storing information on Music this was used
- to list the individual Songs. You can use this list anyway you wish. Also,
- note that for each item in this list, you can maintain two fill-in-the-blank
- fields. Let's review, in the Music database, each item on the list related
- to an individual song on the album and for each song on the list, the two
- fields indicated the track number and the length of the song respectively.
-
- "TurboFiles" thus provides for extensive information storage for each
- record within the database. And remember that all of this information
- can be searched for text values to help you locate the information you
- need. So if you want to find all your videos in which a particular person
- starred, just search for the name and "TurboFiles" will locate all
- appropriate records within that database.
-
-
- TurboFiles provides menus for full access to its functions ...
-
- Opening and Creating Files,
- Performing Text Searches,
- Working with Topics within a database,
- Working with records within each Topic, and
- Working with the Special List area within each Record.
-
- TurboFiles also supports right mouse clicks to access the menus for Topics,
- Record Titles and Special List Items.
-
-
- Searching for specific text strings ...
-
- "TurboFiles" provides a 'Text Search' feature to help you isolate the
- records that contain the text in which you are interested. Simply choose
- the Text Search option under the File Menu and you will be supplied with
- a panel within which you can specify your search criteria. Your search can
- also be specified as 'Case Sensitive'.
-
- The records that satisfy the search are presented to you as a 'subset' of
- your existing records. Only the Topics containing search results will be
- used to create 'tabs' along the left of the ring binder. As a Topic is
- selected, only the records that satisfied the search will be made available
- for review and/or editing.
-
- To return to your full set of records simply choose the Restore option
- under the File Menu.