Crawly Crypt Collection 1/crawlyvol1.bin/apps/database/tlcbooks/tlc_book.doc

Text File | 1994-03-25 | 43KB | 789 lines

                            ********************
                            * TLC Address Book *
                            *  by Tom Hayslett *
                            ********************

                         Version 5.00, 31 Mar 1994

New additions to 2.0 and higher are marked with *** for easy identification
and changes since 2.01 are summarized at the end of this document. Please
read them as there have been a lot of changes.

     So why another address book? Seems there are multitudes of them already
written to cover just about every preference anyone could have. Well, none
of the existing ones would work exactly the way my wife wanted it to so she
designed this one and commissioned me to program it for her! This one is
different folks, it contains two actual databases of names and addresses,
not one. The first portion is pretty much the standard address book type
offering all the normal (maybe a few more) features found in most of the
others. It's extremely fast in all operations, even if you have all 500
address slots full. Sorting, searching, saving and loading have all been
optimized about as fast as I can get them. So what's the second section?
Well, it's really a 'date reminder' section, hence the name 'Date Minder'.
It stores by month names and addresses of those with birthdays,
anniversaries or other special occasions that occur during the month. My
wife was tired of trying to squeeze all the families childrens names and
dates onto a comment line or two so this section was her specialty.
Printouts will print by month in date sequence with or without addresses and
you can even print mailing labels for all those with special dates for that
month (or all months at once!). Entering data for a family is simple as all
the relevant items need not be entered again, just click on the calendars to
set the dates, change the first name and add a remark if you want.

     Let me move on now to the actual operation of the program, I would
recommend that you load the program to work 'along' with these instructions.

I.   FILES

     The disk should contain the following:

     TLC_BOOK.PRG - the actual program
     TLC_BOOK.DOC - this document file
     TLC_BOOK.DAT - sample address file - OPTIONAL
     TLC_BOOK.CFG - sample printer configuration file - OPTIONAL
     OKIDATA .CFG - sample configuration for lasers   - OPTIONAL

     That's it! The resource file ('.RSC') is embedded within the program. I
hate having many data and support files on a disk so all TLC programs have
the resource file in the program itself. Double click on the program file so
you can view it while reading these instructions. For those of you that
don't read these files, the program is fairly self explanatory, fire away...

II.  OPERATION - TLC ADDRESS BOOK

     While loading, the program first looks for a file named 'TLC_BOOK.CFG'.
This is a printer configuration file that will load as the default anytime
you start the program. It must be in the same directory as the program (this
file is optional, it'll load it if you have it). Then the program looks for
'TLC_BOOK.DAT' as a default data (address) file to load. If you save your
file as this filename and keep it in the same directory (or subdirectory)
with the program, it will automatically be loaded each time you enter the
program again, this is optional). The opening screen is the address book
portion and is a normal GEM dialog box. You have 10 fields of information
you can enter, Last Name (up to 20 characters), First Name (20 chars),
Address 1 (51 chars), Address 2 (51 chars), Address 3 (30 chars), ***Post
Code (10 chars) and ***Phone Number (30 chars). In addition, 3 comment lines
are available with up to 63 characters each. The 'TAB' key will move from
one field to the next or you may just point and click with the mouse to move
the cursor to any field you wish. You may also use the cursor control keys
(up and down arrows) to move between fields. *** Both the TAB key and the up
and down arrow keys will wrap from the top or bottom of a record to the top
or bottom when in the first or last field. Clicking on the 'TLC' icon (***
or pressing Alt T), in the upper left hand corner reveals info about the
program. Editing is via the normal GEM modes, you may move the cursor with
the arrow keys, use backspace or delete to remove characters or press the
escape key to clear the entire line. ***Both the Return and Enter keys will
advance to the next field or if you're in the last field of a record, they
will advance to the next record. ***Clear home will always move to the first
field of a record. Any additions or changes to the address shown will be
kept when you leave this record (record number is displayed under the title
as 'Record 007 of 235'). It is always in 'EDIT' mode to make changing any
data easy.

     A.   OPTIONS

          These are divided into 3 main groups, file options, record options
          and print options.

          1.   File Options

          File options are standard, 'Load' will allow you to load a data
          file of any name by presenting the standard GEM file selector.
          'Save' works the same way, a file selector is presented allowing
          you to choose the name to save your file as. The program checks
          the disk you selected to ensure there's enough free room to save
          the file, if not, an alert will inform you. If the file exists,
          you will be offered 3 choices. You may abort saving, ignore the
          name conflict (which overwrites the original file) or have the
          original renamed with a '.BAK' file extension. This is a safety
          feature so you don't accidentally lose a good file. Remember that
          naming your file 'TLC_BOOK.DAT' makes it a default file that will
          load during program initialization. 'Erase' presents a file
          selector allowing you to choose a disk file to delete. ***You will
          be asked to confirm the deletion only if you have the warnings
          option turned on. 'New' allows deleting all data currently in
          memory so you can start a new file. Again, confirmation is
          requested unless you have warnings turned off.

          2.   Record Options

          Most of these are self explanatory but just in case I'll go over
          them. 'First' takes you to the first (number 1) record in your
          file. 'Last' does just the opposite, it takes you to the last
          record in your file. 'Next' will only be available when there are
          records after the current record your on and it will advance to
          the next record. Likewise, 'Previous' will only be available when
          there are records preceding the current record you're on. 'Add' is
          only available when you have less than the maximum of 500 records
          in your file and it can be chosen from anywhere regardless of the
          record you're currently on. It will automatically go to the last
          record +1 for you to enter new data. 'Delete' deletes the record
          currently shown on screen and resequences the remaining addresses.
          'Sort' offers a dialog box that lets you choose what field you
          want the file sorted on (Last Name, First Name, Address 1, Address
          2, Address 3, Post Code or Phone Number). 'Search' offers a small
          dialog box allowing you to enter ANY search string (you may choose
          whether the search is 'case sensitive' or not by clicking the
          appropriate button). The search begins from the record AFTER the
          one currently displayed on screen and goes through the last
          record. This is done very quickly and you may enter letters or
          numbers to search for. ***The search begins by EITHER pressing
          'RETURN', selecting Alternate S (^S) or clicking on the search
          button. You will be shown the current record being searched.

          3.   Print Options

          There are two options here, Print and Configure. Selecting either
          will take you to another screen that will be explained later.

          4.   Other Options

          Five other options exist, the first being 'Information'. This one
          is easy, selected it shows you how many address records you have
          in memory, how many date records, the amount of memory used by the
          program to store the records you have entered and available RAM.
          ***Next is the 'Warnings' option. If you select this, you will be
          shown alert boxes warning of the consequences before you do
          anything that might destroy your file in memory. With this turned
          off, you are NOT warned (i.e. the 'Undo' key will take you
          directly to the desktop). This caters to both expert and novice
          users. The next option is to 'Enter Dates' which takes you to the
          'Date Minder Data' section (B), another is 'Date Minder' which
          takes you to the "Date Minder' section (C). Both of these options
          let you choose to turn the 'Dates' feature on or off. If you turn
          dates on, you will enter that section and carry the current date
          as set in your STs memory. With the dates turned off, you go to
          the default settings. The last option is 'Desktop' which obviously
          exits the program.
                                      ***** WARNING *****

          Without warnings turned on, clicking on this box or pressing the
          UNDO key will take you directly to the desktop. If in doubt, turn
          warnings on. Be sure you have saved your file if you made any
          changes to it!

III. OPERATION - DATE MINDER DATA (Section B)

     This section can be entered from either the address book or the date
minder. If you select 'Enter dates' from the address book you'll come to
this section with all relevant fields reflecting data from the address
record you were on (i.e. last name, first name, address 1, address 2,
address 3, and post code). ***If you had the dates option turned on, the
date will reflect the current date in your STs memory (day, month, and
year). With the dates option turned off, the date defaults to Jan 01, 1900.
Moving through the name and address fields is the same as with the address
book. If you want to change a field (for example, the first name), tab to
that field (or point and click), press the escape key and enter the
relevant data.

     A.   OPTIONS

          1. Date Record Options

          Three large boxes appear across the top of the form labeled
          "Anniversary", Birthday" and "Other". These are toggle boxes,
          clicking on one (*** or using the appropriate keystroke) deselects
          the others. There are three miniature calendars across the bottom
          left hand side of the screen, the first is for the month. Simply
          click on the relevant month and the date in the upper section will
          change to reflect your choice. Next is the day calendar numbered
          (oddly enough), 1 - 31. Click on the day you want to save with the
          date record. Next is the year box, the first two positions are
          '19' (you're out of luck if you have any friends or relatives born
          in the 1800's), there are two options to complete the year. First
          is the decade (third position of the year) and second is the year
          (fourth position of the year). All clicks will reflect your choice
          in the date in the upper section. The 'Date record' number is also
          shown at the top as well as the total number of date records.
          That's it!

          2. Other Options

          The only three other options at this point are one, 'Add More'
          which goes to the next available record and keeps all the
          information you have on screen except the remarks. This happens
          VERY quickly so watch the record number. This is used to enter
          multiple dates or occasions for certain people (i.e. you may want
          to enter both a Birthday AND Anniversary date for a certain
          someone special, know what I mean Verne?). Second option is
          'Delete' which will delete the entry shown on screen. If it's the
          last entry in the Date record section, the fields will be blanked
          out but if there are date records after it (see section C), all
          records are moved down 1 position. The third option is simply
          'Return'. This will store the info you have on screen and then
          return to either the address book or Date Minder, depending on
          where you entered this section from. At this time, all the date
          data you entered or changed will be stored and sorted in month
          sequence. A dialog box always appears to inform you of the action
          the program is taking.

III. OPERATION - DATE MINDER (Section C)

     When entering this section, all dates you have entered for the month of
January (***or with the 'dates' option selected, the current month as set in
your ST) will be shown listed in day sequence (i.e. 11, 14, 23, etc). Across
the top of the screen the fields being shown are detailed. DD/MM/YY is the
sequence the date is shown in. The title '?' will have an 'A' for
anniversary, 'B' for birthday or 'O' for other. Of course the names are
shown, listed as first name then last name. The remarks field is also shown
after the name. To edit any of the data shown, just point to the record you
want to edit and click on it. You will be taken to section B and all data
pertaining to that record will be shown (i.e. name, addresses, dates, type,
etc.). At the top is the actual date record number you're working on. All
functions here operate just the same, if you change anything it is kept when
you click on 'Return' which returns you to the Date Minder section. If you
delete this record, the record number following it will be shown. If you
change the date, the record will move to the new month as applicable when
you return to the Date Minder section.

     A.   OPTIONS

          1. Date Record Options

          The bottom left hand corner displays a calendar of months, to view
          a different month simply click on the one you want to see. If
          there are more date entries for that month than can be shown on
          one screen, the 'Next page' and 'Back page' buttons will be
          active. The 'New entry' button takes you to the Date Minder Data
          section (B) with all fields blanked out. You may enter Date
          records without having a corresponding address record entry. The
          two sections can be totally separate.

          2. Print Options

          This works just like the print options in the address book
          section. The buttons 'Print' and 'Configure' take you to their
          respective screens for further action.

          3. Other Options

          Two other buttons exist, one to return to the address book and one
          to exit to the desktop. ***Like the main screen, if you have
          warnings activated, a warning exists for exiting the program.


IV.  OPERATION - CONFIGURATION (Printer)

     This screen has 9 text fields, the first is strictly a comment line
that will be displayed after you load the configuration file. For example,
you may have two printers and entering a note here will remind you which the
program is set for. The next 4 fields are for entering printer control
codes. Time to dig out the printer manual and look up the decimal codes for
your printer. They are usually two digits with the first being '27'. Enter
the decimal codes in the spaces provided, separated by a comma with NO
spaces in between. For example, thew standard codes for BOLD print are
27,69. That's exactly how you'd enter them on that line, just as the default
shows. I should mention here that these codes are optional, the program is
set to work with any 'Epson compatible' as a default. Going to this screen
will show you the default codes and allow you to edit them. The next
editable field is the 'Button text' field. You may enter a descriptor for
the special type of text you set (i.e. enter Script) and that text will be
shown in the Style button on the print screen. ***The next field is for
entering the number of lines per page. The default is 60 and is what you
need for 8 1/2 x 11 size paper. You may reset this if you're trying to print
a different page size (i.e. A4, etc.)

     The next 2 fields only apply to mailing labels. Number of spaces allows
you to set the number of blank spaces from the left your printer will leave
when printing labels. The second number is the total number of lines per
label. The standard American size labels should be set for 5, this allows
proper spacing in between. British labels are a different size and 8 prints
them fine. Either of these numbers can be set at any number up to 99 which
allows you to print any size of labels. *** Version 1.52 change

     There are three buttons at the bottom of this page, Load Config File
allows you to load a different configuration file (in case you have multiple
printers or multiple styles) and Save Config File which allows you to save
to disk any modifications you made. The Exit button is just that, it returns
you to the spot you left. Any changes you made will be good for the current
session but you must save them to disk to be able to use them later. In
addition to saving your printers settings, saving a configuration file also
saves your settings for 'Dates' and 'Warnings'. Be sure you have them set to
your preference before saving the configuration file.

V.   OPERATION - PRINT SCREEN

     This screen has many options available, listed below are the different
headings and what the buttons in each group do.


          A.   Print Which?

          This allows you to select printing the addresses, dates or both.

          B.   Style

          Lets you choose Draft, Bold (or whatever style you set bold to in
          your configuration) or condensed.

          C.   Page Size

          Let's you choose from 3 different page sizes, 8" x 10" (normal
          size), 3.5" x 6" (Mini compressed) or 3.75" x 6.75" (Mini
          compressed). ***If you set the number of lines to other than 60,
          use the 8" x 10" setting. The number of lines you set will
          override the page size.

          *** NOTE : The small page sizes are disabled until you set the
          'Style' to condensed.

          D.   Type

          Lets you choose between 'Page' or 'Labels'.

          *** NOTE : Setting the page size has no effect when you elect to
          print labels. They will print in bold or condensed with the number
          of lines set in the configuration file.

          E.   Print

          Select 'All' or 'One'. This pertains to addresses only. Selecting
          'One' will still give you the option of printing the address you
          were on or printing multiple copies of one address (a great way to
          print your own 'RETURN' address labels).

          F.   Duplicate Names?

          Select either 'Don't Stop' or 'Stop'. This one was for Chris.
          Selecting 'Stop' will stop printing when it finds a duplicate
          name. Both the first and last names must match exactly for the
          program to stop. It will stop on the duplicate, show it to you
          and give you 3 options, Abort to abort all printing, Print it to
          print the entry shown or Skip it to continue printing with the
          next address or label.

          *** NOTE : This only works with addresses, NOT with dates. I have
          tons of duplicate entries in my Date Minder section, some for
          birthdays, some for anniversaries, etc. You shouldn't need it to
          stop on duplicates here.

          G.   Date Minder Options

          These only effect the printing of dates. All Months prints
          everything in the Date Minder section from January to December and
          This Month will only print the month you were on when you selected
          'Print' (The current month is displayed just above these options).
          You may also choose to print the date data with or without
          addresses here. Why print pages by month? These are handy to store
          in the front of your address book. You can see at a glance who has
          a birthday, anniversary, etc, coming up. My wife uses these pages
          to carry to the local Hallmark shop when she buys cards for the
          occasions. 'Labels' is easy to understand, mailing labels for that
          months events are printed saving you the effort of hand addressing
          all the cards.a for giving me the idea to add this.

          *** NOTE : If you go to the Print Screen from the address book and
          choose to print dates for 'This Month', the program will print the
          month you were last in (or January) if you haven't gone to the
          Date Minder section yet.

          H.   Other Options

          Load Config allows you to load a different printer configuration
          file right from the print screen. Abort is simple, it leaves the
          printing section without printing anything.

          I.   Print It!

          This will print based on what you set all the options to.

Notes: At the top of the Print Screen, the comment you entered in your
printer configuration file will be shown. If you don't use a config file,
the comment will be Standard 'Epson' compatible codes. When you go to the
print screen, all your options will be as you last left them except for
Print Which?. It will default to addresses if you came from the address book
and dates if you selected Print from the Date Minder section.


VIII. TYPICAL USE

     I hope you've been looking at the screens while reading this, for some
reason things sound more complicated on paper than they really are. The
program is simple to use and most can master it in just a few minutes. The
real 'meat' of this program (i.e. why it's different than most), is the fact
that it stores the date section and address sections independent of one
another. If you have a relative with several children that you send birthday
cards to (I have a LOT of brothers with kids), just enter your relatives
name in the address book and choose 'Enter dates'. You can then edit the
first name of all their kids with the appropriate dates. Later, printing
labels is a snap! You can also enter certain 'card sending' holidays such as
Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Grandparents Day etc. Enter them as the first of
the applicable month but with comments reminding you what they are (please
see the sample data file, go to the months of May and June for an example of
this).

     I also use this program to track contributors. I enter the names and
addresses, dates they contributed and the version number they got. When
updates are ready, I can zip out labels to everyone. It also helps me track
when I deposited checks by entering those dates in the Date Minder section!
Another good use is to enter all the software companies you deal with
(including magazine subscriptions), the way Uncle moves me around I need
this to have all the relevant addresses readily available (and printing
labels too!).

     At Christmas time, my wife prints labels on everyone entered in her
'Date Book' 8-), she never forgets who she's already sent cards to. If she
still has the label, she still needs to send a card. Her address book
doesn't get 'sloppy' after Christmas either with a bunch of penciled in
changes, she sits at the Mega and fixes them up.

     It's also great for keeping track of users groups. You can
enter everyones names, addresses, and the dates their dues are up
for renewal. It makes printing labels for newsletters and such a
snap!

     That should be good enough to give you a few ideas, it sure saves us
time.

IX.       SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

          The program itself only occupies about 100K of your available
memory. It will store up to 500 addresses and up to 500 dates (***more are
available if you request it when contributing), with all information
pertaining to them. The program is written in GFA Basic version 3.5 (ST'e'
compatible) and should run on all versions of TOS. Large address books may
require 512K memory users to disable some desk accessories. There is no
minimum hardware requirement, it runs fine on a system with only one single
sided floppy drive as well as running great from any folder or partition on
a hard drive. It functions perfectly with the hordes of 'enhancements' I've
run it with (i. Turbo ST 1.8, Quick ST 2.1 and loads of AUTO folder
programs). As with all 'TLC' programs, it runs in either high or medium
resolution modes.

X.  SHAREWARE

     You have no idea how few people donate to us 'home brewed' programmers.
It certainly isn't enough to justify all this equipment! (Not to the boss
anyway). With enough support, programs such as this will continue to grow. I
will notify all contributors in the event of any major additions or bug
fixes. A $15 contribution gets you the latest version of not only this
program, but at least 6 other 'TLC' programs all personalized for you.

     I hope you enjoy using this program and look forward to
hearing from you soon...

     MSgt Tom Hayslett
     210 Fairmont Drive
     Hampton, VA  23666
     804-766-3691

                          *** SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

Version 2.02, 23 Dec 91

- Added a default file name to the save option for both data and config
files. The default is the same name you (or the program) loaded.

- Added the 'Wrap around' feature to the search box. If the search reaches
the last record it will 'wrap' to the first record and continue searching if
you have this selected. It defaults to ON.

- Added 2 optional sort fields to the sort box. Now you can choose up to 3
fields to sort on, in any order you like. Select which sort item you want
(1st, 2nd or 3rd) by either pressing F1, F2 or F3 or by clicking the
appropriate button and then click on which field you want sorted in that
position. Selecting 'None' clears that sort field. All changes will be
reflected in the buttons to show you exactly what you've selected.

Version 2.03, 27 Dec 91

- Changed the ^P (Alternate + P) keystroke in the Print Box to a RETURN.
It's a more natural keystroke to press RETURN or ENTER.

- Added a new button to the main dialog called 'Find Date Address ^C'. This
one saves a lot of work. If you change someones address in your address
file, just press Alt C (or click on the button) and the program will search
for any entries in the DateMinder section that have the same last name! If
found, you'll see a new dialog box listing the name and address (and
occasion), found and offering you 4 options:

     1) Change and continue - Click this or press RETURN or ENTER and the
address in the date record will be made to match the address you had up in
the address book. It then continues searching for another matching last
name.

     2) Change and abort - Click or press Alt+C to fix the address and then
return to the address book.

     3) Skip - Click or press Alt+S to skip the date record found but
continue searching for another matching last name.

     4) Abort - Click or press UNDO to abort and return to the address book.

This routine is very quick and displays the number it's searching while
doing it.

- Added CR (Carriage Return) symbols to many of the alerts to help identify
keystrokes.

Version 2.04, 30 Dec 91

- Added a counting routine when printing multiple copies of the same address
label. Now when printing your own return address labels, the program shows
how many it has printed so you can more accurately choose when to press the
HELP key to abort printing.

- Internal changes that are mostly transparent to you but I did free up some
memory (over 3K). The program is getting large enough that I'm starting to
sweat the 512K limit I've tried to stay within. (You wouldn't normally use
anywhere near the 512K UNLESS you filled the program up with all 500
addresses and 500 date records that had every line completely filled.)

Version 2.05, 20 Jan 92

- Added 2 new options to the printing routine for the date records called
'month' and 'page'. This chooses whether your date entries will print a
separate month on each page (as was previously the default) or if you select
page, it will fill the pages even when the month changes. The different
months ARE separated so they're easily spotted.

- The 'Info' box use to show number of addresses and dates as well as memory
used and memory available. These have been changed to a more meaningful set
of statistics (for most people anyway) and look like this:

     Maximum records   : xxxx
     Address records   : xxxx
     Date records      : xxxx
     Current file size : xxxx

- A few people have asked for the maximum record (500) to be increased so I
have added routines that will check available memory and automatically set
the maximum number of records your system will allow (at that time). Of
course, items such as print spoolers, ram disks, etc. that use memory will
change the maximum number. 500 is still the minimum number it will allow but
it increases the number depending on your STs memory. If you save a huge
file (over 500 addresses) and try to load it later when you've used a lot of
memory, it won't let you. It will check the file and warn you if your limit
is smaller than the file size. Just reboot without the extra memory used and
your max is back up there.

- When checking addresses for matching date records, it now shows the date
as well as the occasion.

- Some buttons toggled too fast for 16 Mhz machines. I just received me Mega
STe and the buttons continuously switched on and off when trying to click
on them. This now works properly.

- Fixed a critter in the search box. When using the alt key command to
toggle a button, any entry in the text field after that would keep toggling
the button on and off. Squashed!

- Added a form feed to the printing routines when you press the 'HELP' key
to abort printing.

- Corrected several areas (printing routines) that wouldn't align the names
properly if either a first or last name wasn't entered.

Version 2.06, 24 Mar 92

- Corrected a bug (they're still around???) that wouldn't let you save a
file if: you had warnings turned on and selected 'New' (F4), entered new
names and then tried to save a file. Silly me, I forgot to reset a variable.
It's history...

Version 3.00, 24 May 92

- Changed the 'Erase' button on the main screen to 'Merge'. Now you can
merge multiple address (and date) files (assuming the total number of
addresses is less than the total your system will handle. You may merge as
many files as you like up to the maximum number of records your system will
hold.

- Added a new button in the print box under 'Addresses', 'Dates', and 'Both'
called 'Phone Book'. When you select this, you'll get a simple printout like
this: Name (first & last), phone number. If no phone number is entered for a
particular record, none will print.

- Added another new print option, 'Disk' (Alt + D). Now you can print
anything to disk just as you can to your printer. This is great for creating
files to use with a mail merge program. All the options are the same as
printing to your printer. When you select your options and then select
'Disk', the fileselector will appear allowing you to choose a filename to
create. If the file exists, the program offers a backup or ignore function
as in other file saves. Of course it checks for enough free space and will
warn you if it thinks there isn't enough. CAUTION! You can print multiple
labels to disk just as you can to your printer (return labels) and the
program continues printing until you abort the process by pressing the HELP
key. It does show you the count of how many it has printed but there's no
way to see if your disk has enough room for this since you control the
number it prints. You can fill a disk quickly this way and then you'll get
an error. Why you'd want to print multiples of 1 label to disk is beyond me
but forewarned is fore prepared.

     As always, if you find any problems with these updates, please write to
me and let me know. I don't have any beta testers here so I try to
thoroughly test all revisions myself but you never know what may slip
through.

Version 3.02, 31 July 1992

- Several contributors have written concerning the printing of multiple
labels (return address labels). I had previously added a counter as I
believe the problem is that the program prints labels so quickly, the user
is pressing the 'HELP' key to abort printing but there are plenty still in
the buffer. To remedy this, I have now added another small dialog box that
lets you enter the number you wish to print. Hopefully this will do the job.

Version 3.03, 15 Nov 1992

- I have changed the way the program reads a printer configuration file so
now there are 2 ways to enter the codes for your printer. The old method of
entering decimal codes separated with a comma is still valid. In addition,
you may enter codes in the format most new lasers will read them, i.e.
character strings. The only requirement is that the strings be separated
from decimal codes by enclosing them in the ' symbol. For example, the
decimal codes to make an Okidata Laser 400 (Hewlett Packard Laser Jet II
compatible), switch to condensed modes are as follows: 27,38,107,50,83
the new method allows you to enter: 27,'&k2S'  note that the escape
character must be entered in decimal followed by a comma, then you enclose
the laserjet command string in single quotes and the program will properly
translate them. I have included a configuration file for the Okidata that
will help you figure out this method if you load it and look at it. The
obvious advantage to using the new method is that you may now use the
different internal fonts of your laser printer.

Version 4.00, March 28, 1993

I didn't think there was much more I could add, I was wrong.

- I added an option (new button) to the dialog box that searches for
matching date addresses. The new button allows you to delete that date
record and continue searching.

- I changed the way the title prints on the address book pages. Instead of
printing TLC Address Book it now prints Addresses of and the registered
owners name.

- I put the alert back in that asks if you really want to exit (even with
warnings turned off) if you click on desktop or press UNDO from the Date
Minder section. Several users requested this as they had accidentally
pressed UNDO from that screen and lost some input.

- I added the capability to print labels using the multiple label sheets
(i.e. laser labels). This option is fully configurable to any label sheet
you have. The configuration dialog has been expanded to include number of
labels across (3?), number of labels per page, number of lines down to the
first label (no more misaligned label prints), etc. Look at the
configuration dialog and set it to your choice. I purchased labels from MEI
(# 05160) and they work great! No more switching to the dot matrix printer
to print labels. This also works when you print to disk, it will print
addresses across in multiples.

- Finally, I added a new button to the main dialog called View (alternate +
V). This puts all your addresses in a GEM window that you can scroll
through. To exit, either click on the close window gadget or click on any
name shown in the window. Clicking on a name returns you to the main dialog
with that name and address shown.

- Oops! Bug fix -- if you added a new name and address and then merged
another file, the program didn't retain the name you just added. History.

Version 4.01, 29 Mar 1993 (Yep, the next day...)

Why didn't I just add this to yesterdays work and keep it at 4.00? Well, a
few letters (and checks 8-) had stacked up while I was trying to finish the
new version. I immediately sent out all the packages with 4.00 when it was
done. Anyway, there's a little something I've been wanting to add to the
program but I keep forgetting. Damien reminded me when he added it to
ReNameIt (<- plug for a GREAT program).

- Now you can have the program autoload any data file by dragging it onto
the program filename or icon. It will use that as the default file instead
of only 'TLC_BOOK.DAT'.

- One other small addition (based on a suggestion by Damien Jones), the
'Oops, make sure you've saved any changes' dialog has been made a little
more intelligent. If you load a file and make any changes, the alert appears
asking if you want to save your file before you do anything that may destroy
it (i.e. load a new file, exit, etc.) This will happen whether you have
warnings turned on or not. Likewise, even with warnings on, if you load a
file but don't change anything, the alert won't appear when you exit.

Version 4.02, 11 Apr 93

-  Based on a suggestion, I added an option for you to choose whether you
want to 'View' your names in either First Name Last Name or Last Name First
Name sequence. The box to select this is on the configuration screen. This
setting will be saved in your configuration file.

-  I changed the title of what use to be the Printer Configuration box to
just TLC Config.  I also moved toggle buttons there of ALL settings that are
saved when you save a configuration file (i.e. dates on or off for both
adding dates and going to the Date Minder section, warnings, and now view
preferences.

Version 4.03, 21 May 93

-  Oops, a bug slipped into version 4.02. If you clicked the down arrow in
the view window with less than a full window of addresses, whamo! That's
been fixed. While I was in there, I figured out a way to make the window
scrolling MUCH smoother.

-  Too many requests to switch the way the phone field works so I'm finally
giving in. The dashes are NOT hard coded. That is, there are no dashes built
into the field, you must enter them where you want them. A side effect of
this is that all your current addresses don't have dashes where they use to.
I don't try to make work for you (i.e. loading your address books and
manually entering all the dashes so there's a program in the folder called
'DASH_FIX.PRG'. Run this on a BACKUP copy of your address books and it will
automatically add the dashes in the fourth and eighth positions of all your
phone numbers. Why did folks ask for this? Now they can enter things like
Work - xxx-xxxx, Home - xxx-xxxx.

-  And last, this version is being distributed with version 1.0 of TLC_VIEW.
It's a small program (or accessory, based on the file extension), that
allows you to load an address book (up to 200 names) so that you can view
addresses while in a word processor or any other GEM based program. It's an
early version bit it works. Read the documentation on the program.


Version 5.00, 31 Mar 94

  Many of the registered users have made suggestions - good suggestions, so
here they are.  The one thing I added that wasn't suggested is the 'annoy'
alert box.  This is ONLY in the 'Unregistered Version' and is simply a
reminder for those using the program that they should register.  This box
does NOT appear in the registered version.

-  The century in the date section is now selectable - you're no longer
limited to 19xx.  Click on either 19 or 20 to set the century.  This ensures
the usefulness of this program into the next century (in case I'm not
around to continue updating it 8-)

-  When adding or modifying address records, the 'F10' key will duplicate
the field from the record that was previously displayed on screen.  This
speeds data entry when adding names and addresses from the same city, state,
zip code, etc.  Display the address with the data you want to duplicate and
then select 'Add', press the F10 key and the field is entered for you.

-  A new button has been added to the print screen between 'Print All' and
'Print One', 'Print Some'.  This button takes you to another dialog where
you can specify a range to print.  Handy if you sort by zip code and only
want to print that zip code.  It's smart enough to make sure the numbers you
choose are inside the ranges of available numbers.

-  A new button was added to the Date Minder section, 'View All'.  It allows
you to view all months at once in a view window, similar to View in the main
dialog.  It will display first name, last name or last name, first name
depending on which way you selected in your configuration.  Clicking on a
name will return you to the appropriate month in the date minder section.

-  A new option in the configuration screen was added, 'Auto Save'.
Selecting this brings up a dialog asking you for the auto-save filename and
number of changes/additions to do the auto-save.  The default setting for
the filename is 'TLC_BACK.DAT' and the default number of strokes to count is
20.  Change these to your preferences and save your configuration, it will
save these settings also.  When the auto save takes place (only from the
main dialog), you'll hear 3 quick bells, the Save button will toggle on, the
program checks the file size and available disk space, displays a busy box
showing what it's doing and writes the file to disk.  It uses either your
default path or the last path you loaded or saved a file from.  It does not
offer renaming the previous backup file, it does it's job and exits.  You
keystrokes are buffered so you may continue working.  This should help
prevent lost data from power outages, forgetting to save, system shutdowns,
etc.

  Time to rest...