home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
PsL Monthly 1994 February
/
psl_9403.zip
/
psl_9403
/
DOS
/
HOME
/
STAMPSNX.ZIP
/
__008.EXE
/
STAMPSNX.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-11-07
|
31KB
|
658 lines
an OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) filer
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ { StampsNexus: philatelic collection records }(tm) ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ (C) Copyright MCMXCIV RCCO Research Associates ║
║ All Rights Reserved under International Conventions ║
║ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
{ StampsNexus: philatelic collection records } Documentation
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ To read this documentation on-line most anywhere in the program, press │
│ the <Alt-M> key combination. │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
{ StampsNexus: philatelic collection records } is a simple-to-use,
efficient recordkeeping system for individual, professional or institutional
stamp collection records; the materials are presented and maintained in an
attractive visually-oriented environment.
Stamps are normally maintained in catalog number order, with sort command
options to arrange the collection in order of country, description, year,
category, date acquired, or location.
The user may view entries in either of Form View or Table View formats --
editing, deleting or replacing records in the user's own collection.
Additional records may be appended in any number required (theoretical
limit: 1 billion records). Edits or corrections are easy and quick to
make in either Form or Table View.
The information is presented to the user initially in Table View format,
very similar in appearance to that of a speadsheet; data items may be added
or edited in Form View format, via "hot-keys." Mouse support is provided
for scrolling through the data table; however, a mouse is not necessary to
utilize the program.
StampsNx.DOC { StampsNexus } Documentation Page 2
On-line documentation is available at the touch of a hot-key selection. A
pop-up calculator is also provided, via a hot-key choice.
An automatic report facility provides attractive on-screen and printed
reports and labels. A printer selection utility provides for a wide choice
of available printers.
The program is simple to use and offers intuitive features commonly found
in RCCO Research OBJECTS::NEXUS(tm) filer applications.
The unregistered copy is not in any way limited as to the usefulness,
capacity, or reporting facilities of the program. Registration will remove
the unregistered reminder notices and provide legal authorization for con-
tinued use of the program after a thirty-day trial period.
Introduction
─────────────
After you have had some practice dealing with the data table concept in
{ StampsNexus }, you will find entry and maintenance of this table quite
familiar and simple. Simply view the initial sample entry to start, add
your own, and delete or edit/overwrite the sample.
The entries in this table are sorted in any of seven ways; they are then
maintained in sort order no matter how you choose to enter them.
The cell for Catalog Number entry is of the type that will accept either
numerical or alphabetic data. A numerical type entry will be maintained
in sort order as long as there are leading zero placeholders (ie, 001,
002, 003, etc.). The alphanumeric format allows one to use any combination
of letters within the Catalog Number entry, up to and including ten
alphanumeric characters. Further delineation within an area or library may
be made with the Category cell.
The Comments field is of the type that will allow passages of up to 65
characters of comment text to be entered for any record.
The other cells in both Form and Table Views are limited in capacity to
that which is shown on the screen. Their function and content should be
intuitive and easy to use.
The View/Print Reports window offers the opportunity to preview on-screen
the appearance of the printed report. Again records may be sorted in any
of four ways, resulting in an attractive ASCII text report. Print output,
when selected, is sent to the default printer.
The report output includes the Cost and Value column fields as the far right
entries on the Preview and Printed report; at the end of the report the
totals of the Cost and Value columns are summarized to give a picture of
total investment in the collection. Only records that have the DATE_SOLD
cell blank (ie, " / / ") will appear in the reports, providing current
reports while maintaining archival records within the collection.
StampsNx.DOC { StampsNexus } Documentation Page 3
A Packet Labels printing utility is included for the creation of personal-
ized 1 x 3.5" labels showing informational detail and, with program
registration, the user's name.
Easy batch file idea
─────────────────────
You may wish to create a batch file for your batch directory:
┌────────────┐
│ STAMPS.BAT │
└────────────┘
@ECHO OFF
C: (or whatever drive you use)
CD \STAMPSNX
STAMPSNX
Please consult your DOS manual if you are unfamiliar with creating batch
files. The above batch file will make operation of { StampsNexus:
philatelic collection records } easier for you.
If you have not yet created your batch file and simply want to get right in-
to the program, change to the \STAMPSNX directory and type:
StampsNx<enter>
to begin the { StampsNexus } program.
Moving around
──────────────
In general, the <Esc> key or <RightMouse> will either advance the program to
the next screen or back up to the previous level; exceptions are noted on
certain screens, but in general <Esc> or <RightMouse> are the exit keys.
<LeftMouse> is the same as the <Enter> key. Scroll with the mouse or arrow
keys up/down the table, menus, on-screen reports, and when reading this
reference material on-line.
When accessing data in 'Table View' (similar to a spreadsheet image), there
are some special key combinations called QuickJumps. QuickJumps allow you
to move around to the four corners of a table instantly, avoiding lengthy
scrolling with arrow keys or the mouse. The QuickJump keys are:
<Ctrl-PgDn> <Ctrl-PgUp> <Ctrl-End> and <Ctrl-Home>.
(Also, <Ctrl-RightArrow> and <Crtl-LeftArrow> may be used
for panning to the right and left.) Once you observe their function, you
will most likely always use them. Pressing <Esc> or <RightMouse> while in
Table View saves any changes that may have been made and advances you to the
next screen.
StampsNx.DOC { StampsNexus } Documentation Page 4
In Table View, a blinking cursor inside of a cell indicates that you are in
edit mode. To end edit mode of a cell and retain any changes, press <Enter>.
To discard current cell edits, press <Esc> while still in edit mode.
Although you may add and/or edit records (entries) in the Table View format,
two special hot-keys provide Form View editing and appending. <Alt-N> will
bring up a blank "form" containing entry cells for all the information in a
single new record, in easy-to-fill-out format. Similarly, the <Alt-E> key
combination will bring up a form view to Edit the item, or record, that you
have positioned the cursor on. Make your new entries or editing changes in
Form View, then press <F10> to Save or <Esc> to reject the changes. (You may
note that <Esc> reacts