PC Plus SuperCD (UK) 1995 September/Image.iso/asksam2/readme.ask

askSam Database | 1995-06-25 | 25.0 KB | 292 lines

askWiS
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Table of Contents
What is askSam
About the Working Model
Example Databases
Questions & Ordering
C:\TEMP\PCPLUS.ASK~
What is askSam
Table of Contents
Table of Contents~
About the Working Model
Table of Contents~
Example Databases
C:\TEMP\PCPLUS.ASK
CompuServe Information
Table of Contents
C:\TEMP\DBASE.ASK
Sample Applications
  askSam Readme File
(Scroll through this Document or double click on the green underlined texts to jump directly to a particular topic.
To Print this document choose FILE -> PRINT and choose the OK button.
 Press CTRL+HOME to return to this menu.)
Welcome to the askSam for Windows Working Model. You can use askSam for a wide variety of
tasks. This document is an askSam Hypertext Document and is the starting point for your
exploration of askSam. Double Click on the green underlined texts to jump to a particular topic.
1. What is askSam?
2. About the askSam Working Model
3. Example Databases and further Documentation
4. Questions? and Ordering Information
 Click here to see a database PC PLUS tips and tricks.
What is askSam?
askSam is a database for information. It manages data in a different way than a traditional
database. Rather than focusing on structured data, askSam accepts the fact that information
comes in various shapes and sizes. It lets you organize information that doesn't fit into traditional
databases. You can include several hundred pages of text, notes, or comments in each record.
askSam lets you import information from a
variety of sources - ASCII texts, Word and
WordPerfect files, DBF files and more. And once the information is in askSam, you have a wide
range of tools for searching and manipulating your data.
Table of Contents
What is askSam
Table of Contents
Questions & Ordering
Table of ContentsC
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About the askSam Working Model
The askSam Working Model gives you access to askSam's features with the following limitations:
- You cannot add or import more than 30 documents into a database (the full version has no
limit on the number of documents which you can add).
- If you open a sample database containing more than 30 documents, you will not be able to
edit it.
- The size of the individual documents in a database is restricted to 500 lines (the full version
allows up to 16,000 lines per document).
- The Spell Checker and import filters for Word for Windows 6.0 and Wordperfect 6.0 have been
removed.
If you have questions about the Working Model or wish to purchase askSam, call Guildsoft Ltd. at
[phone].
(Return To TABLE OF CONTENTS)
Example Databases and Further Documentation
We've included several examples and further documentation with this Working Model:
 Click here to see a database PC PLUS tips and tricks.
  Click here for information on organizing CompuServe E-Mail and Forum Messages with
askSam.
  Click here for a written tutorial on using askSam to manage structured data (such as
names, addresses, and phone numbers.
  Click here for a menu of sample applications included with askSam: Addresses,
About the Working Model
Example Databases
Calenders, Clippings, E
Mail, Faxes, Helpdesk, Internet Archive, Phone Messages, Phone
Directories, Mail Log, Memos, Nexis/Lexis, Notes, Product Catalogs, Questionnaires,
ToDo Files.
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Questions?
This README File contains only a brief description. You can also visit the askSam forum on
CompuServe for further information and examples - GO ASKSAM. You can also contact askSam
Systems via the internet http://www.askSam.com/asksam.htm.
Our fax and phone numbers are below. We'll be happy to help you any way we can.
To Order
Call, fax, or write:
Guildsoft Ltd.
The Software Centre / East Way
Lee Mill Industrial Estate
Ivybridge
Nr. Plymouth, PL21 9PE England
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(Return To TABLE OF CONTENTS)
Questions & Ordering
CompuServe Information
Table of Contents
  Organizing CompuServe Information with askSam
(Return To README FILE)
On-Line systems give you access to huge amounts of information. askSam can help you make use
of this information. Import your E-Mail, turn forum messages into your personal database. With
askSam you can search, sort, and sift through your information with ease.
There are several advantages to organizing your CompuServe information with askSam.
1. Search Capabilities. askSam lets you search for any word or phrase anywhere in your
information. You can also use Boolean and Proximity searches to pinpoint exactly the
information you're looking for.
2. askSam's CompuServe Import Filter.
askSam imports *.ART, *.MSG, *.NWS, *.PLX, *.THD
files. The To, From, Date, and Subject information is placed in fields. In threaded messages,
links are automatically inserted in related messages. You can search, sort, and even create
reports from the imported messages.
3. Hypertext. askSam's Hypertext functions let you create electronic documents which you can
distribute or place on a network for other users to access. You can use Hypertext to setup
easy-to-navigate menus guiding users through regulations, legislative texts, reports, or any other
documents you find on CompuServe.
Using askSam will help you organize and access the information you gather CompuServe.
Importing Messages Into an askSam Database
CompuServe Information
Whether it's E-Mail or messages from a forum, askSam provides a useful repository for your
information. To import your messages:
1. Choose FILE
 OPEN and open the CSERVE.ASK file.
2. Choose FILE
 IMPORT
 The Import Dialog box will appear.
3. In the
FILE TYPE field choose the CompuServe Information Manager filter.
4. Switch to the directory containing your CompuServe files. You can select specific files or choose
the Select All option in import all the files in the directory. When you're ready to import your files,
choose OK.
 (Note: The Working Model is limited to 30 records per database.)
After importing your data, you can search, you can run reports for an overview of the messages, or
you can simply page through your messages using the Video Buttons.
Searching Your Messages
askSam offers a variety of searches - including full-text, Boolean, and proximity. The easiest way to
search is via the Command Line. The Command Line is the line beginning with the Search button
(between the Format Bar and the Ruler). To search from the Command Line:
1. Press the ESC key (or use the mouse to click in the Command Line).
2. Enter the word or words you wish to find and then press ENTER.
 askSam will retrieve the first message containing the word or words you entered. The Retrieval
Menu will appear. Choose the NEXT button to view the next message containing the word or words
you entered. Choose Cancel to stop the search. You can return to the first Document in your file by
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pressing ALT+HOME or by clicking the first Video button.
Note: You can also search your messages by double clicking on the "Search Your Messages"
Hypertext Link and then entering a word or phrase.
The Actions Menu provides more sophisticated search types - Boolean, Proximity, Date, and
Numeric searches. For instructions on using these types of searches, see the Help file.
Moving Through Your Database
To view the other messages in the database:
You can use the video buttons.
You can use the following key combinations:
 ALT+PgDn Moves to the next document.
 ALT+PgUp Moves to the previous document.
 ALT+END Moves to the last document in the file.
 ALT+HOME Moves to the first document in the file.
Running Reports
To make it easy for you to organize your Messages, we have included several reports in this file.
You can modify these reports or create new ones if you wish.
You can run these reports by choosing TOOLS -> RUN REPORT and selecting the report you want
to run. Alternatively, you can run these reports by double
clicking on the appropriate Hypertext Link.
The Date List report displays a list of your messages sorted by Date.
The From List report displays a list of your messages sorted and grouped by the name of the
sender (From Field).
The Search report lets you enter a word or phrase and retrieves the messages containing this word
or phrase.
If a Report opens a second window, you can return to your original File by:
Double Clicking on any line in the Report (you return to the Document containing the information
you clicked on).
Closing the window containing the Report output. (Choose FILE
-> CLOSE or press CTRL+F4.)
Pressing CTRL+TAB to switch back to the previous window.
(Return To README FILE)
Sample Applications
Table of Contents
Address File
C:\TEMP\ADDRESS.ASK
1994 Calander File
C:\TEMP\CAL-1995.ASK
Clippings Database
C:\TEMP\CLIP.ASK
CompuServe Archive
C:\TEMP\CSERVE.ASK
E-Mail Archive
C:\TEMP\E-MAIL.ASK
CompuServe Archive
C:\TEMP\ENS.ASK
E-Mail Archive
C:\TEMP\EUDORA.ASK
Fax File
C:\TEMP\FAX.ASK
CompuServe Archive
C:\TEMP\FORUM.ASK
Helpdesk File
C:\TEMP\HELPDESK.ASK
Internet Archive
C:\TEMP\INTERNET.ASK
Mail Log
C:\TEMP\MAIL-LOG.ASK
    Memo File
C:\TEMP\MEMO.ASK
Lexis/Nexis File
C:\TEMP\NEXIS.ASK
Notes File
C:\TEMP\NOTES.ASK
Phone Directory
C:\TEMP\PHON-DIR.ASK
Phone Directory
C:\TEMP\PHON-DIR.ASK
Phone Messages
C:\TEMP\PHONE.ASK
Product File
C:\TEMP\PRODUCT.ASK
Questionnaire File
C:\TEMP\QUESTION.ASK
    ToDo File
C:\TEMP\TODO.ASK
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  askSam Sample Applications
(Return To README FILE)
askSam for Windows ships with templates for many popular applications. These include:
 ADDRESS For managing Addresses and Contacts.
 CAL-1995 A Calendar for appointments and activities in 1995.
 CLIP For managing information from newspapers, books, journals, and anywhere else.
 CSERVE For archiving and searching CompuServe E-Mail that you've received or written.
 E-MAIL For archiving and searching E-Mail that you've received or written.
 ENS Sift through Electronic News Service stories you download from CompuServe.
 EUDORA For archiving and searching your Eudora E-Mail.
 FAX For writing and archiving faxes.
 FORUM Turn CompuServe Forum messages (incl. Threads) into a database.
 HELPDESK For managing support requests at a Helpdesk.
 INTERNET Organize messages and texts from the Internet or other on-line systems.
 MAIL-LOG To track mail or packages that you or your company receive.
 MEMO For writing and archiving memos (also a great way to communicate in networks).
 NEXIS For managing stories downloaded from LEXIS/NEXIS
 NOTES For organizing notes, thoughts, and ideas.
Sample Applications
 PHON-DIR A directory for names, departments, and phone numbers.
 PHONE For tracking phone messages.
 PRODUCT For tracking and organizing products
 QUESTION Helps create a database from questions and answers. Good for interviews,
research, etc.
 TODO A Todo list for activities, meetings, and projects.
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