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________________________ \ \ \ \ Tom \ \ \ Donnelly \ \ \ Computer \ \ \ Software \ \ \_____________________\_\ \_____________________\_\ REMIND Version 3.0 Automated appointment and task reminder REFERENCE MANUAL Tom Donnelly Computer Software P.O. Box 3856 San Dimas, CA 91773 Copyright (C) 1987-1992 by Tom R. Donnelly. All Rights Reserved. Program written by Tom R. Donnelly. Manual and help text by Barry MacDonnell. REMIND MANUAL ...1 ======================================================================== C O N T E N T S LICENSE AGREEMENT........................................ 2 REGISTRATION, PROBLEM REPORTING AND USER SUGGESTIONS..... 3 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION...................................... 4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS...................................... 5 UPGRADING FROM EARLIER VERSIONS.......................... 6 FIRST TIME INSTALLATION.................................. 6 OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM................................. 8 RUNNING REMIND....................................... 10 Main screen........................................ 10 Status and title line.............................. 10 Display area and menu.............................. 11 What you see and what you don't.................... 11 Odds 'n ends....................................... 13 Menu functions..................................... 13 Keypad keys........................................ 14 Function keys and shortcut keys.................... 14 More on categories................................. 15 Other keys......................................... 18 Using a mouse...................................... 19 Adding, editing, or importing many reminders....... 19 ADDING AND UPDATING EVENTS........................... 20 Due Date........................................... 21 Event Type......................................... 22 Sticky flag........................................ 23 Warn days.......................................... 23 Warn in Weekdays flag.............................. 24 Reminder text...................................... 24 Memo fields........................................ 25 Category........................................... 25 End Date........................................... 26 More on other fields............................... 26 Skip fields key.................................... 27 Cloning events..................................... 27 Saving or Quitting................................. 27 SEARCHING FOR EVENTS................................. 28 CONFIGURING REMIND....................................... 31 Start-up options..................................... 31 Examples............................................. 35 Placement of start-up options........................ 36 An example........................................... 37 REMINDER DATA FORMATS.................................... 39 HISTORY FILE FEATURE..................................... 43 ADDING REMINDERS FROM A BATCH FILE....................... 44 HOW REMIND FINDS ITS FILES................................45 MESSAGES................................................. 46 PROGRAM HISTORY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................... 51 INDIVIDUAL AND SITE LICENSE FORM......................... 52 REMIND MANUAL ...2 ======================================================================== LICENSE AGREEMENT ================= This program and the accompanying manual and other documentation are the copyrighted property of Tom R. Donnelly. You are granted a limited license to use, copy and distribute the program and its documentation, provided that the following conditions are met. 1. No fee is charged for the use, copying or distribution of the program and documentation, except a nominal medium charge (not to exceed five dollars). 2. The program is distributed in its original and unmodified state along with the original and unmodified documentation. 3. The program is not distributed, in whole or in part, as part of any commercial product or service without the express written permission of Tom R. Donnelly. THIS LICENSE IS EFFECTIVE UNTIL TERMINATED. YOU MAY TERMINATE THE LICENSE AT ANY TIME BY DESTROYING ALL COPIES OF THE PROGRAM AND ITS DOCUMENTATION. YOU MAY NOT USE, COPY, MODIFY OR DISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM OR DOCUMENTATION OR ANY COPY, MODIFICATION OR PORTION OF THE PROGRAM OR DOCUMENTATION EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS LICENSE. VIOLATION OF ANY LICENSE PROVISION AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATES YOUR LICENSE AND MAY SUBJECT YOU TO CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY. THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE SUITABILITY, QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. IN THE EVENT THAT THE PROGRAM SHOULD PROVE TO BE DEFECTIVE YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR AND/OR CORRECTION. IN NO EVENT WILL TOM R. DONNELLY BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM EVEN IF TOM R. DONNELLY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. REMIND MANUAL ...3 ======================================================================== REGISTRATION, PROBLEM REPORTING AND USER SUGGESTIONS ==================================================== This program is distributed under a concept known as "shareware." Shareware allows you to use the program and determine if it suits your needs before you pay for it. IT IS NOT FREE. Instead of directly advertising this program, which would require that the price of the software be substantially higher, shareware distribution allows me to reduce its costs and price the program accordingly. After you have determined that the program meets your needs, you should register the program. A product registration form is provided at the end of this document. As a registered user, you are entitled to free upgrades and technical support for one year from the date of registration. Registered users also will be notified of new releases and will be entitled to discounts on other products. Your registration fee will make new development possible. Quality software is my number one concern. If this product is broken, I am interested in fixing it, if possible. Registered users may submit problem reports to the address below. For faster problem resolution, you may contact me on CompuServe via Compuserve Mail. Please provide your name and registration number and a description of the problem. You will be assigned an incident number and will be contacted as soon as a correction is available. If you have any suggestions for improvements in this product or ideas for additional features, I am very interested in hearing them. Please jot them down and send them to me at the address below. Tom Donnelly Computer Software P.O. Box 3856 San Dimas, CA 91773 Compuserve Id: 73200,1323 REMIND MANUAL ...4 ======================================================================== PROGRAM DESCRIPTION =================== Whether you use a time management notebook or simply circle dates on a desk calendar, you know that important events or deadlines sometimes approach -- or slip by -- unnoticed. You have to remember to look at the calendar in time to do something, and some events or tasks are far enough in the future that you probably don't have the new calendar or time management refill pages. So, important events just pass by, leaving you apologizing to everyone. REMIND can show your messages, important events, appointments, or tasks for the day or for the next several days. REMIND is a great tool to help meet work deadlines. Whenever you run REMIND, it shows you what you need to know, when you need to know it -- without taking up precious memory as some RAM-resident pop up programs do. (Many users run REMIND from their AUTOEXEC.BAT file every morning; boot-up time may be the best time to be reminded of appointments or the next item on a To-Do list.) REMIND stores your event dates and reminder messages, which you previously entered from a simple screen display, in a standard ASCII text file. When you invoke REMIND it will show you those reminders that are relevant for the day -- either current, coming up, or past due. (Oops! You forgot Aunt Emma's birthday!) You can then quickly print them before you dash out the door. With a keystroke or two (or a mouse click) you can add new reminders, update old ones, reset those you want out of the way until a later date, or delete those you no longer need. Or you can let the program update itself. For example, if the event is a repeating one -- one that happens daily, weekly, yearly, the first business day of the month, etc. -- the program can quietly and automatically reset the event and pop it up again on the next appropriate date. Events, birthdays, schedules, or tasks also can be "flagged" to display continually until you manually reset or delete them. (Some people like to be nagged.) You can keep several data files with different types of reminders, or you can keep them all in one file -- up to 1500 reminders per file. For example, one file could have important work dates, and another could have those private holidays that are so important -- like Beethoven's birthday. Multiple users on a single PC will find this feature handy, too. Reminder data files are exceptionally easy to edit using pop up input screens. You also can edit them with any text editor that can produce plain ASCII text; this allows you to import blocks of data from other programs. Other features include sorting events by user-defined categories, a search function, and a custom configuration file. REMIND is intuitively easy to learn, especially with the context-sensitive help available at the touch of a key. REMIND MANUAL ...5 ======================================================================== SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS =================== REMIND supports the following hardware and software: * IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or 100%-compatible computer. * MDA, CGA, EGA or VGA adaptor and monitor. * 160K of free memory while running the program. More memory is required if you wish to use the DOS shell function. * MS-DOS or PC-DOS, versions 2.1-5.0. REMIND is not a TSR ("terminate-and-stay-resident") program; therefore, it doesn't use any memory when it is not running and won't cause conflicts with other programs. Each event (reminder) requires one line in the text file, REMINDER.DAT; this takes up about 267 bytes of RAM per event. On a 640K PC with only DOS loaded, about 1500 reminders can be loaded from a single data file. Files included (* = New files with version 3.0): README.DOC (this file) REMIND.DOC (REMIND manual) REMIND.EXE (REMIND program) REMINDER.HLP (REMIND online help file) REMUPDAT.EXE (optional program used with batch files) REMIND.REG (REMIND registration form) * REMIND.VER (program version history) * SAMPLE.CAT (sample category list file) * SAMPLE.DAT (sample data file of 12 reminders) * SAMPLE.OPT (sample start up option file for color monitors) * HOLIDAYS.DAT (data file of holidays for the next few years) SAMPLE.CAT: A user-modifiable category list file, REMINDER.CAT, is created (if it doesn't already exist) as new categories are added. However, a sample category file, SAMPLE.CAT, is supplied to help get you started using categories. If you wish to use this sample file, simply rename it to REMINDER.CAT. SAMPLE.DAT: You can load this sample data file instead of the default data file, REMINDER.DAT, from REMIND's main display screen with <Alt-F>. This will help you see what reminders look like, and allow you to try out the program before entering your own reminders into REMINDER.DAT. See "Operation of the Program" below for more information on loading data files. SAMPLE.OPT: This file contains an example of start up options from one user's (color) system. (See "Configuring REMIND - Start-Up Options.") If you wish try SAMPLE.OPT, you can rename it to REMINDER.OPT. Be sure to make a back up of any existing option file first. Or you can simply change your existing option file by including one or more of the options in SAMPLE.OPT. HOLIDAYS.DAT: This data file contains most U.S. holidays and some religious holidays for the next few years. You can load this file separately with <Alt-F> from REMIND's main display screen, or load it via the command line. See "Operation of the Program" below. REMIND MANUAL ...6 ======================================================================== UPGRADING FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS ================================ If you are using REMIND version 2.3 or earlier, be sure to erase any earlier versions of REMIND.EXE from your disk. Then copy the new version of REMIND.EXE, REMINDER.HLP, REMIND.DOC, and REMUPDAT.EXE (if you use it) to the same directory where you kept the old versions. These files are the only ones that you need to upgrade earlier versions; however, you can simply group copy all new files to your REMIND directory, overwriting older versions of all files. Existing data files will be automatically converted. Automatic conversion -------------------- REMINDER.DAT (the default data file), REMINDER.HST (the history file), and other REMIND files work with all versions of REMIND. Therefore you need not re-enter your reminder data. REMIND will read your current REMINDER.DAT file or other data files and convert them to the newer format the first time you load and save them with REMIND. [Note that the data file format for versions 2.5 and later is not downwardly compatible with earlier versions. To use converted data files with earlier versions of REMIND, you must manually edit the data file(s) to remove "+"s and event types not supported by the earlier versions of REMIND. Otherwise, you could lose some newer event types and warning day information in your data file.] FIRST TIME INSTALLATION ======================= An installation program, INSTALL.EXE, is provided with the original distribution disk copy of REMIND. Simply place the distribution disk in your floppy drive and type: A: <Enter> INSTALL <Enter> This assumes your floppy drive is drive "A." If it isn't, substitute the correct drive designation letter above. Follow the simple instructions given by INSTALL. Press <F1> for help anytime during the installation. INSTALL will ask for, and create, a new directory for REMIND, or it will allow you to choose an existing directory on any of your system's drives. It then installs REMIND on the drive and directory you select. (If you choose NOT to use the installation program, you can use DOS to copy REMIND's files to a new or existing directory.) Next, add the new directory (e.g., \REMIND) to the path statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, so it looks something like this: PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL;C:\WP;C:\REMIND REMIND MANUAL ...7 ======================================================================== Necessary files --------------- The only files necessary for proper program operation (without start up options) are: REMIND.EXE (the program) REMINDER.HLP (the help file -- but not strictly needed) REMINDER.DAT (the data file, automatically created) Optionally, you may wish to keep the following files on your REMIND disk or directory (see "Configuring REMIND," "History File Feature," and "Adding Reminders From a Batch File" for more information): REMINDER.CAT (the category list file, automatically created if needed) REMINDER.HST (the history file, automatically created if needed) REMINDER.OPT (a user-created start up options file) REMUPDAT.EXE (used in batch files to update REMIND) Floppy disk users: You should NOT remove the floppy disk when operating REMIND if you use the History File feature. Automatic start --------------- If you want REMIND to automatically prompt you with reminders each time you boot up your computer (probably the best time), you'll need to edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file using a straight ASCII editor such as Kedit, Edlin, Ted, or SideKick Notepad. Many word processing programs may NOT be suitable for this purpose, since they produce text with imbedded formatting codes. (If you use such a program, switch it to "text," "ASCII," or "non-document" mode.) In your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, insert the command line REMIND after your path statement and before any general system menu command you might have. You can add start-up options on the same line, as described in the section, "Configuring REMIND - Start-Up Options" (where examples are given). REMIND MANUAL ...8 ======================================================================== OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM ======================== Loading the program ------------------- To load REMIND, enter its command at the DOS prompt, like this: C:>REMIND <Enter> You may include this command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to have REMIND automatically display your reminders after your machine is booted. (See the previous "Automatic Start" section. Also see the section, "Configuring REMIND," for information on modifying REMIND to your preferences. Modifications are made by adding a "switch" or "parameter" after the REMIND command, or including these start up switches in a separate option file.) Data files ---------- If you do not specify a filename for the reminder data file, REMIND looks for information in the default data file, REMINDER.DAT. (This file is automatically created the first time REMIND is run.) You may specify another data filename with the start-up command. For example, if you have birthday reminders in BIRTHDAY.DAT, you would then enter the following command and filename: C:>REMIND BIRTHDAY.DAT <Enter> Be sure to specify the drive name and/or directory path name if this file is on another drive or in a directory not named in your path statement. Only one data file can be loaded from the command line, but once REMIND is invoked you can change data files with the <Alt-F> key. (You also may use the DOS SET command from the command line, or better, as a line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, to indicate the path and/or filename to be used to locate the default reminder data file you wish to use. For example, if you issue the command SET REMIND=C:\UTIL\REMINDER.DAT then REMIND will immediately load this data file instead of searching your path for the file first. On some computers with lengthy paths, this will load the data file a bit faster.) REMIND MANUAL ...9 ======================================================================== Holiday reminders ----------------- HOLIDAYS.DAT, a data file included on the REMIND distribution disk, contains most U.S. holidays and some religious holidays for the next few years. You can load this file separately with <Alt-F> from REMIND's display screen, or load it via the command line: C:>REMIND HOLIDAYS.DAT <Enter> You also can copy the contents of HOLIDAYS.DAT (with an ASCII text editor) into your existing REMINDER.DAT file, or you can use the DOS copy command to merge it with your existing data file (which should be in the same directory), like this: C:>COPY REMINDER.DAT + HOLIDAYS.DAT REM30.DAT <Enter> C:>DEL REMINDER.DAT <Enter> C:>REN REM30.DAT REMINDER.DAT <Enter> If you decide to merge it, be sure to edit it first (with an ASCII editor) if you want to delete some holidays or add more holidays to the list. It's easier to locate and edit particular holidays before merging data into one large, sorted file. HOLIDAYS.DAT may not contain some holidays (especially those that fall on different days of a given month) beyond the next few years. It is included only as an example of what you can do with the REMIND program, and is not intended to be comprehensive. REMIND MANUAL ..10 ======================================================================== RUNNING REMIND ============== Main screen ----------- When you run the program, the REMIND main screen will appear, and after loading the data file it will look similar to this: ============================ Remind x.x =================================== File: C:\UTIL\REMINDER.DAT Today is: Saturday 2/8/1992 Memory: 9.3% Active Events Events: 95 on file Days All Categories History: No entries C Event Date Left Type Reminder - ------------- ---- ---- ---------------------------------------------- >P We 02/05/1992 3- Y+ Bill's Birthday - born 1960 >* Th 02/06/1992 2- 5BU+ Review receipts (5th business day of month) >P Fr 02/07/1992 1- O+ Send Thank You note to Jim and Sue * >* Sa 02/08/1992 0 D Back up all \LOTUS\*.WKS files >P Sa 02/08/1992 0 O 09:15 Meet with Ms. Ratchett >B Sa 02/08/1992 0 O 10:15 Meet with Mr. Dobbs * B Mo 02/10/1992 2 2MO 19:30 Monthly City Club meeting * Tu 03/03/1992 24 M+ Rent due @ Sa 03/15/1992 36 Y Ides of March Up: Dn: PgUp: PgDn: Home: End: AltF:File AltV:Video AltP:Print F1:Help F2:All/Active F3:Exit&Save F4:Quit F5:Add F6:Update F7:DOS F8:Search F9:Expire AltF9:Delete F10:Re-Sort ^L:LastSrch =========================================================================== Status and title line --------------------- The first three lines below the program title ("Remind x.x") is the status area. This area contains information on the: - data file REMIND has loaded (default=REMINDER.DAT) - amount of conventional RAM memory used (1%-100%) while REMIND is running; this memory is released as soon as you exit - current date - number of events in the data file - number of expired events written to the history file The small block of reverse video in the center of the status area indicates which events are being displayed -- either Active Events or All Events -- and the category of events being used to select (i.e., limit) displayed events. (Categories are explained below.) REMIND MANUAL ..11 ======================================================================== Below the status area is the title line, which describes the five sections of the display area: Days C Event Date Left Type Reminder -- ---------- ---------- --------- ------------- The The actual The number One-time Your text event date of the of calendar or (various) message, cate- event, its days to the repeating schedule, gory "due date" "due date" events "to-do," etc. Display area and menu --------------------- Each event and its associated reminder message takes up a single row of the display area, starting under the title line. Events that are due today, or are overdue, will appear in highlighted (bright) video, and will have an arrowhead flag in column 1. For example, the first six events on the sample screen above will be highlighted. All other events are displayed in normal (dim) video or a different color. (You can set screen colors to your personal preference to differentiate past, current, and future events. This is done with a setting in the REMIND option file. See "Placement of Start-Up Options" for an explanation of the option file.) A movable (reverse video) bar cursor the full width of the screen is placed on the first event, if there is one, when REMIND loads. You can use your cursor movement keys to move this bar cursor to any displayed event, to edit or delete it. (Mouse users can jump to a displayed event by clicking directly on it, or they can "drag" the bar cursor up or down by holding down the left button.) At the bottom of the screen, REMIND displays a three-line menu of keys that control the function of REMIND. To perform the function listed, press the corresponding key or move the mouse-cursor over the function and click the left button. These keys are described in detail in the following pages. What you see and what you don't ------------------------------- It is important to note that REMIND initially shows only those events that are "Active" for the current category of events. Active events are current events (those due today), past due events not yet reset or deleted, and upcoming events for which you have set a specific number of warning ("preview") days. You may have other events in the file that will pop up on a future date; these won't be displayed at this time unless you want to see them now (perhaps to edit them). You only see those that are immediately important to you -- that is, the "active" ones. REMIND MANUAL ..12 ======================================================================== To see all your events stored in the data file, for the currently selected category (the example above has 95 events in the file), press <F2>. Press <F2> again to return to displaying only active events for that category. The <F2> switch acts as a "toggle" -- pressing it repeatedly cycles back and forth between the two display types. The small block in the center of the status area tells you which type -- Active Events or All Events -- is being shown. (The category code you originally assigned to each event is displayed in column 2. See below for more information about using REMIND function keys and categories.) In other words, the <F2> toggle switch controls the selection of events based on their DATE. It either limits them to those that are immediately important to you (a "short list"), or it shows you everything in the file for that category. The selection of a category, on the other hand, controls the selection of events based on their CLASSIFICATION. It is used to separate or divide events according to whatever organizational scheme you devise. For example, several users could share the same data file, and use separate categories for each person's events. (They would also be able to see events in common, if those events were assigned to the category "All Categories" when they were first added or later edited.) Schematically, this is how it works: Cycle with: <Tab> .. <Tab> .. <Tab> .. <Tab> .. <Tab> .. Category: Uncat. AllCat. Cat#3 Cat#4 Cat#5 ... =============================================== ACTIVE Event Event Event Event etc. Events Event Event Event Event Event Event Event Toggle ------------------------------------------- <F2> ALL Event Event Event Event etc. Switch (the Event Event Event Event rest) Event Event Event Event Event Event Event Event Event etc. To see other categories of events (e.g., "Business," if you have defined Business as a category), cycle through the choices with the <Tab> or <Shft-Tab> key, or press <C> or <Alt-F2> and pick from the pop up list. The special category "All Categories" is used to select every event on file. As described above, if you choose this category (or set it as the start up default) you can cycle between Active and All Events with <F2>. REMIND MANUAL ..13 ======================================================================== The default, or start-up, category can be set with a command in REMIND's option file. The default for REMIND when distributed is the special category labelled "Uncategorized"; this is because some people may not want to use the category feature. They may not want events separated by class, or function, or person. Our sample main screen shows the "All Categories" category in use. This means that REMIND is now showing every (Active) event in all categories in the data file. Here, there are three Personal, two Business, and one Uncategorized event. All those that were assigned the special category code "*" when they were last added or updated are also shown. (The "*" code forces the event to display no matter which category is selected on the main display screen.) Users who employ categories may prefer to set ("*") All Categories as the start up default with this setting in the REMIND option file: /DEFCAT:* Categories are further explained in the section on Function keys, below. Odds 'n ends ------------ REMIND automatically computes and displays the day of the week on which the event falls. This is displayed to the left of the event's date. REMIND also computes and displays the number of calendar days until the event is due, or is past due (in which case a minus sign follows the number displayed in the Days Left column). Events that you previously marked with the Sticky flag (+) discussed below, cause overdue events to be continually displayed ("stick" on the screen) until reset or deleted. An asterisk (*), or Memo flag, in screen column 80 indicates the presence of up to three additional lines of Memo text, which can be viewed or edited with <F6> or when the bar cursor is on the event. Menu functions -------------- The following sections are an explanation of the menu of keys shown at the bottom of the main screen, and an elaboration of some of REMIND's features. REMIND MANUAL ..14 ======================================================================== Keypad keys ----------- <UpArrow>/<DownArrow> - Moves the bar cursor in the display area up/down to a selected event. <PgUp>/<PgDn> - Displays the previous/next screen page of displayed events. <Home>/<End> - Positions the bar cursor at the first or last event on the screen. If the bar cursor is already on the first or last event on the screen, then a second press of <Home> or <End> will take you to the first or last event on file. <Tab>/<Shft-Tab> - Cycles through the categories of events displayed on the main screen. (See also <Alt-F2> below.) Function keys and shortcut keys ------------------------------- Note: You can select some features by pressing either a function key or a letter key -- the choice is yours. <F1> - Displays a help screen. Context sensitive help is available from the main screen and all dialog, confirmation, and pop up windows. When you are in a dialog window (see "Adding and Updating Events"), place the cursor on the field you wish to know more about, and press <F1>. Press <Esc>ape (or click on Cancel) to remove this help screen, or press <T> (or click on Topics) for a complete "pick list" of help topics. <F2> - Toggles the display between events ACTIVE for today (i.e., current events, past due or "sticky" events not yet reset, and upcoming events for which you have set a specific number of warning or preview days), if any, and ALL events recorded in REMINDER.DAT or other data file. Use this key to shift back and forth between viewing just active events and all events. The box in the status area will change from "Active Events" to "All Events," and vice versa. <Alt-F2> or <C> - Change event categories by pressing one of these keys or by clicking on the category field, then selecting a category from the pop up list. You also can add/change/delete a category by selecting <<< Add/Edit Category >>> from the pop up category list. REMIND MANUAL ..15 ======================================================================== More on Categories: Categories are used to group events on the main display screen. A category code (and brief description) optionally assigned when you add or update an event, serves to place an event in a user-definable category. Two categories are (internally) part of the REMIND program: Uncategorized and All Categories. These are special categories and cannot be deleted. However, you can redefine them, and add 36 others (which are kept in the disk file, REMINDER.CAT). As mentioned, if you want to see every event in your file, press the <C> or <Tab> key from the main display screen and select "All Categories." Depending on the state of the <F2> key, you will see either every Active Event or All Events in All Categories. Remember that pressing <F2> toggles back and forth between Active Events and All Events for this as well as any other category. Similarly, if you want to see events in another category, select that category with the <C> key or <Tab> through the choices, then toggle the <F2> key to the desired state. If you classified some events with the "*" code (All Categories) when adding or updating them, you will always see these events displayed (if they are Active) with the events in the newly selected category. This demonstrates the usefulness of classifying some important events as "*": they will always display on screen (if Active) no matter which category you choose, or set as the start-up default. If you have little need for separate categories of events you might not want to categorize new or updated events. You might prefer to accept the default display category (i.e., "Uncategorized"). Thus, if you never use categories you will always see all (Active) events when REMIND loads. Or, if you do use categories, you might set the start-up default to "All Categories" in the REMIND option file to ensure you will see all (Active) events in the file as soon as REMIND loads. You can select the default category to assign an event to when adding new events: Just add the command /DEFCAT:x to the REMIND option file (where "x" is the single-character category code of A-Z, 0-9, @, or *). REMIND has two special categories that cannot be deleted, though their descriptions can be changed: "Uncategorized," which is the start-up default (unless you set it to some other default value in the option file), and "All categories" -- which means that an event so designated (when added or updated) will be displayed no matter which other category is selected to display on the main screen. REMIND MANUAL ..16 ======================================================================== Other categories can be added, modified, and deleted anytime from within the program. From the main screen, press the <Alt-F2> key or <C> key (or click on the category field) and choose "<<< Add/Edit Category >>>." Then press <F1> for help in any field of the Edit Categories pop up window for codes, descriptions, etc. Changes to categories are saved in the disk file REMINDER.CAT upon exiting the pop up window. Alternatively, you can edit the disk file, REMINDER.CAT, to add or edit categories. Simply follow these rules: - Use a plain-ASCII editor or word processor - First word must be a 1-character code (A-Z, 0-9) - Second word must be a 1-15 character description - A maximum of 36 user-defined categories is allowed - Save the file as REMINDER.CAT <F3> - Exits REMIND and saves any newly added or updated events. That is, <F3> forces a save of the current data file. ** USE THIS KEY TO SAVE YOUR WORK WHEN EXITING REMIND! ** <Alt-F3> - Saves any newly added or updated events, reloads the current data file, and remains in REMIND. This is a "save and resume" function, and is particularly useful for users who keep REMIND active in a task switcher (DesqView, DOS Sheel, Windows, Software Carousel, etc.) but want to ensure the data has been saved before switching to another window or partition. Mouse users: Clicking on the data filename (in the status area) performs the same function as pressing <Alt-F3>. <F4> - Quits REMIND but doesn't save any events that may have changed. Use this key only if you are sure you don't want to save your work, since no confirmation will be requested. <F5> or <A> or <Insert> - Adds a new event. See "Adding and Updating Events" below. <F6> or - Updates (edits) or views the event under the bar cursor, including Memo fields. See "Adding and Updating Events" below. <F7> - Invokes a DOS Shell, allowing DOS commands to be issued by temporarily exiting REMIND while keeping REMIND in memory. To return to REMIND from DOS, type the word "EXIT" (without quotes) at the DOS prompt. <F8> or <S> - Invokes the Search Criteria dialog box. Locates events by performing a keyword search of the event's Reminder text and/or the event's Due Date. See "Searching for Events" below for more information. REMIND MANUAL ..17 ======================================================================== <F9> or <E> - Resets or "expires" events from the Active Events, All Events, or Show Matches screen display. Either of these keys will reset an event under the bar cursor; that is, they set it to the next relevant date depending on whether the event is Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, etc. [Floating events, described below, roll forward to the next occurrence that qualifies. For example, if you have a 5MO (5th Monday of the month) event in January 1992, when it rolls forward, it will roll to March, since in that year February has only four Mondays.] In effect, <F9> or <E> clears the event from the Active Events screen until the next date the event is due, when it will pop up again when you invoke REMIND. Note that One-time events that are reset in this manner are permanently deleted. (One-time has no "next" due date.) Before resetting events, REMIND can present you with a Yes-No confirmation box to make sure you really intend to reset the event. This confirmation box can be toggled ON with the start-up option /CE. (Using /CE is a good idea for new users.) Note, too, that the <F9> or <E> key also is helpful when you have set REMIND to remind you of an event for several days before the event, and then wish to remove the event from the screen display BEFORE the date of the event arrives. In effect, <F9> or <E> tells REMIND: "OK, I'm aware of this upcoming event. Now, clear the event from the screen until it's due again (if it's a repeating event)." Naturally, if it's a One-time event it will be permanently cleared (i.e., deleted). <Alt-F9> or <D> or <Delete> - Permanently deletes an event under the bar cursor from either the Active Events, All Events, or Show Matches screen display. This is one method of ridding the data file of unwanted events. (Another way is to use a text editor to edit your data file directly, deleting unwanted events.) Before deleting, REMIND will present you with a Yes-No confirmation box to make sure you really intend to delete the event. If you answer YES, the event will be permanently deleted. <F10> or <R> - Forces a re-sort of all displayed events by Due Date, and by Reminder text within identical due dates. REMIND automatically sorts events when it is invoked, and when you add or update events, so this key is rarely needed. REMIND MANUAL ..18 ======================================================================== Other keys ---------- <Esc> - Exits REMIND. If you made changes, the program will ask if you want to save them. <Alt-F> - Selects a new reminder data file. You will be asked if you want to save any changes that may have been made in the current file. You can select from several data files by using wild cards (* and/or ?) in the filename. For example, after pressing <Alt-F>, type *.dat <Enter> to select from a screen list of all data files (ending in .DAT) in the current directory. Or, press <Enter> to have REMIND read the current directory. Use the keypad arrow keys to select a data file from the list, then press <Enter>. <Alt-P> - Displays the Print Events Menu. Select from Today's Events (only), Active Events, Matches from Search (i.e., those selected from a search of events; see "Searching for Events" below), or All Events in the data file. If there are no active events or matches from a search, you can only choose between Today's Events (if any) and All Events. After making a choice of the type of events to print, a Category for Printing list pops up. Choose "All Categories" (the default) to print events in all categories or select another category of events to print. Printing is formatted for 8.5" x 11" paper (for dot, daisy, or laser printers). The event's Date, Days Left, Type, Reminder, and Memo fields (if any) will print. <Alt-V> - Toggles the display between normal 25-line mode and 43/50-line EGA/VGA mode (on EGA/VGA monitors). This has the same effect as the /V start-up option. <Ctrl-L> or <Alt-S> - Last Search key. Finds the next occurrence of the event from the last search entered in the Search Criteria dialog box. See "Searching for Events." REMIND MANUAL ..19 ======================================================================== Using a mouse ------------- You may invoke any of the main screen functions by clicking the left mouse button on the menu's key descriptors or symbols. To jump to a displayed event, you can just left-click on the event to move the bar cursor to it, or "drag" the bar cursor up or down by holding down the left button. To update an event, click on column 1 of the event. In input dialog boxes, you may left-click on a field to move the cursor to that field. Use the right mouse button to "ignore" the input (as though the <Esc> key were pressed). Adding, editing, or importing many reminders -------------------------------------------- Events usually are added to REMIND using the <F5> or <A> or <Insert> key, and edited using the <F6> or key. However, when entering or editing large amounts of data (such as adding or changing multiple reminders in one session, or importing data from other programs), you can edit the reminder data file directly. Use any ASCII text editor that produces unformatted (ASCII) text. Follow the data file format under "Reminder Data Formats" below. Note that imported Reminder text longer than 54 characters will be wrapped into Memo fields 1, 2, and 3. More than 216 characters will be truncated. REMIND MANUAL ..20 ======================================================================== ADDING AND UPDATING EVENTS ========================== You add or change events while REMIND is running using Event Input Screens. Pressing the <F5> or <A> or <Insert> keys from the main screen will let you add a new event, and pressing the <F6> or keys will allow updating an existing event (the one pointed at by the horizontal bar cursor). When either the add or update key is pressed (or the main screen's menu function is clicked with a mouse), an Event Input Screen dialog box, or window, will pop up requesting information to be added or changed. It looks like this: ---Add New Event (or Update Event) --------------------------- | | | Due Date: | | Event Type: | | Sticky: [ ] | | Warn days: [ ] Warn in Week Days | | Reminder: | | Memo 1: | | Memo 2: | | Memo 3: | | Category: | | End Date: | | | | ---- ------ -------- | | | OK | | HELP | | CANCEL | | | ---- ------ -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- If the event is being updated, information is automatically filled in from the existing event. While entering event information use the following keys: <F1> Information about the field. <Enter> Ends each field. <Ctrl-Enter> Ends entry, skips to Replace/Add Event? question. <Backspace> Backup and erase 1 character. <Control-U> Erase current field. <Control-End> Erase from current location to end of field. <DownArrow> or <Tab> Move to next field. <UpArrow> or <ShftTab> Move to prior field. <Arrow Left/Right> Position cursor left or right 1 character. <Delete> Delete character cursor is under. <Insert> Toggle insert/overwrite mode (default). <Home> Position cursor to start of field. <End> Position cursor to end of field. <+> and <-> Increment/decrement date/numeric fields. <=> Pop up calendar from a date field. REMIND MANUAL ..21 ======================================================================== Due Date -------- Event Due Date is the date your event and reminder message are due to be displayed on the main screen (where this date is simply called the "Event Date"). When it actually displays -- and how long it remains displayed -- can be modified by you in other fields of the Event Input Screens. If no Warning Days have been set in the Event Input Screens, this is the date REMIND will display your reminder message on the main screen. If Warning Days have been set, REMIND will display your reminder in advance of the event's Due Date by the number of (calendar or weekday) days you indicated. If the event has been flagged as a Sticky event, REMIND will continue to display your message until you deliberately reset or delete it. You can enter the Due Date in several ways. 1. One way is to use the Select Date calendar window that pops up when you press <Enter> or the <=> key in the Due Date field. Press <Enter> to accept the currently displayed date, or move to a new date with one of the cursor arrow keys and press <Enter>. (You can click on a new day with your mouse, then click on the OK box at the bottom of the calendar). The <Home> and <End> keys move to the first and last day of the displayed month. The <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys change the displayed month; <Ctrl-PgUp> and <Ctrl-PgDn> change the displayed year. Press <Esc> or click the right mouse button to bail out of the calendar window without making a selection. 2. You also can type in the date. When adding or updating Due Dates manually, the current year will be added if not entered (i.e., entering 11/02 produces 11/02/1992, if the current year is 1992). If only a day is entered, the current month and year will be added (entering 2 in the month of November produces 11/02/1992). 3. You can simply enter MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT or SUN in the blank Due Date field and REMIND will calculate the date of the next occurrence of that day. (This works only for the next 7 days.) 4. Pressing the Plus <+> key or Minus <-> key will increment or decrement any date shown in the field. Note that if you add or update an event using a PAST date (a date earlier than the present date), it will be automatically rolled up to the next occurring date. That is, a daily event will be rolled up to today, a weekly event will be rolled up to the next weekly interval on or after today, etc. REMIND MANUAL ..22 ======================================================================== Event Type ---------- Event Type is the frequency of occurrence of an event. If you do not enter anything in this field and press <Enter>, or if you enter a "?," the event's type can be selected from a pop-up list of choices. Otherwise, enter the 1- to 3-character code for the event type, shown below. The Event Date will change to match the Type for some selections. Valid types that can be used are: Value Meaning Updated to ------------------------------------------------------ O One-time (Automatically deleted after the scheduled date has arrived.) D Daily Next day (tomorrow). W Weekly 7 days from scheduled date. B Biweekly 14 days from scheduled date. QW Quad-weekly 28 days from scheduled date. M Monthly Same day next month. BM Bimonthly Same day in two months. Q Quarterly Same day in three months. SA Semiannually Same day in six months. Y Yearly Same month/day next year. BA Biannually Same month/day in two years. LDA Floating Last day of the month. 1,2,3,4,5, or L (plus SU, MO, TU, WE, TH, FR, SA) Floating Next occurrence that qualifies (e.g., 3WE=3rd Wednesday). 1,2,3,4,5, or L (plus BU) Floating Next business day (weekday) that qualifies (e.g., LBU=last business day of the month). You can set events to "float." For example, you can make an event pop up on the 1st Friday (1FR), 2nd Tuesday (2TU), or Last Business day (LBU) of each month. The event's calendar date "floats," or varies, but the event pops up on the same day of each month. Floating monthly events are designated with 3 characters: the first character is a number (1-5) or the letter L (for "Last"). The next two characters are the day of the week (MO, TU, WE, etc.), or DA for day (as in LDA=Last Day of the month), or BU for Business day. The event type can be selected directly, from a pop up window. Note: Floating monthly events roll forward (are reset) to the next occurrence that qualifies. For example, if you have a 5MO (5th Monday of the month) event in January 1992, when it rolls forward, it will roll to March, since March is the next month that has 5 Mondays that year. REMIND MANUAL ..23 ======================================================================== For M, BM, Q, and SA events, the event rolls forward to the same day in the appropriate month. If the new month has fewer days than the prior month, then the event will be placed on the last day of the month. For example, a Monthly event scheduled for 1/30/1993, will roll to 2/28/1993, since there are only 28 days in February that year. This condition also will exist for Y and BA events that roll from 2/29 to a non-leap year. Sticky flag ----------- Setting this flag to "On" will make REMIND continually display the event's reminder message on its main screen after the event Due Date has passed. (Any key pressed while in this field toggles this flag between "On" and "Off.") Sticky events continue to pop up until they are reset with the <F9> or <E> key, or are deleted with the <Alt-F9> or <D> or <Delete> keys. While any event type can be made Sticky, it makes little sense to use it with Daily events, which always display until they are removed. And some events are not worth being nagged about after their Due Date has passed (such as reminders about holidays or vacations): set the Sticky flag off (blank) for these events. You may set the default for this field to "On" by using the /SD option in a REMIND option file. Warn days --------- Enter how many days (0-9999) before the Due Date you would like to be reminded of the event's existence. The default is 0 (zero) warning days (some people call them "preview days"), or the value specified in the REMIND option file. Pressing the Plus <+> key or Minus <-> key will increment or decrement the number of days. Note: The type of warning days can be toggled between calendar days and just weekdays (Monday through Friday) in the next field on the input screen. Press <F1> (Help) when in the "Warning in Weekdays" field for more information on this feature. For example, if you celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21 and need a reminder as early as the first of December, enter 20. A typical number of warning days for One-time events, as well as Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, or other long term events, is 3 calendar days. (You may prefer to be warned in weekdays instead of calendar days; see the next field.) This will account for weekends with Monday holidays, when you might not catch the event if you are not at work and the event pops up only once. Weekly or Daily events will fall on the day of the week you select, and may not require much warning, if any. REMIND MANUAL ..24 ======================================================================== Events may not require as much prior warning as you think, and it may be irritating to see the event displayed dozens of days before the event is due. Use the fewest number of preview days that work for you: too many days of warning can dilute the impact of a REMIND message. Warning in Weekdays flag ------------------------ If you set this flag "On," REMIND will use weekdays instead of calendar days when calculating the earliest Warning (or Preview) Day to display an upcoming Event. Any key pressed while in this field toggles this flag between "On" and "Off." (See also the "Warn days" field above.) Setting this flag "On" may be helpful for students or business people who operate mainly on a Monday-through-Friday schedule. If, for example, you need to be reminded as early as Friday of a meeting the following Wednesday (because you will not be at your computer Saturday or Sunday), you would enter 3 weekday warning days for the Wednesday event so the Reminder will pop up Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. (It will also pop up Saturday and Sunday, if you load REMIND on those days.) A typical number of weekday warning days for One-time events, as well as Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, or other long term events, is 1 to 3 weekdays. Remember to account for weekends with Monday holidays, when you might not catch the event if you are not at work and the event pops up only once. (REMIND doesn't "know" that a Monday holiday isn't a business day: it counts it as a normal weekday.) Remember that Weekly or Daily events will fall on the day of the week you select, and may not require much warning, if any. Finally, you may set the default type of warning days to either calendar warning days or weekday warning days with a setting in the REMIND option file. Reminder text ------------- Reminder text is the text REMIND should display on its main display screen. This is the heart of REMIND -- it's your reminder message, schedule, task for today, important event, etc. This field can contain up to 54 characters per event. Any additional characters you type will be wrapped to Memo field #1, and won't show on the main screen. (Memo fields do not display on the main REMIND screen. A "*" in column 80 of REMIND's main display screen indicates a memo exists for that event. To view memos, place the bar cursor on the event that has memos, and press <F6> or or click on column 1 of the event.) REMIND MANUAL ..25 ======================================================================== The first word of text in this field will be considered as a sort criterion for reminders with the same Due Date. Thus you can use the first word to help you sort reminders for the day in a logical way, such as assigning priorities (A,B,C... etc.). You also can use time as a sort criterion. If an event's Reminder text starts with a time (e.g., 10:30), any events that occur on the same day but at different times will be ordered according to the time placed at the beginning of the text field. This feature can be used to schedule daily appointments. Be sure to include leading zeros for a proper sort. For example, use 09:00 for 9:00 A.M. Also, use 24-hour time by adding 12 to all P.M. times. Three o'clock in the afternoon is entered as 15:00, and 7:30 P.M. is entered as 19:30. Since reminders with the same Due Date are sorted by the first word in ASCII order, numbers precede capital letters, which in turn precede lower case letters. If you use REMIND both as an appointment scheduler and a task manager, your appointments will appear above any tasks for the same date if you follow the HH:MM time scheme. Memo field 1 - 3 ---------------- Enter any extra text REMIND should keep as a memo. This field can contain up to 54 characters. Additional characters will be wrapped to the next Memo field. Memos are printed along with Reminder text when you select the Print Events Menu with <Alt-P>. Category [See also the explanation under <Alt-F2>, above.] -------- When you add or update events, you can assign them to a category -- one of the defaults or some other one you have defined -- so that they may be sorted and viewed on the main display screen separately from all other events. (They also can be Searched using a category to limit the search.) The default category given to an event is "Uncategorized," unless you have set another default in the REMIND option file. To change existing categories, make a selection from the Select Category window. (If the window isn't visible, you can press the <Spacebar> to erase the existing category code in the Category field; the selection window then pops up.) Move the menu bar in the window to the category of your choice (two pre-existing categories are given: Uncategorized and All Categories) and press <Enter> to assign this event to that category. If you want to force REMIND to always display this event no matter what category is selected to display on the main screen, select "* - All Categories." Then you will always see this event displayed, regardless of the category selected. REMIND MANUAL ..26 ======================================================================== If you want to add, change, or delete categories from the category list, select "<<< Add/Edit Category >>>." Then, in the next window, press <F1> in any field for help with category code types, etc. If you never use special categories, you may want to accept the default value set for the Category field by skipping this field with the <Enter> or cursor arrow keys. Remember that the default value is either "@" - "Uncategorized" or a personal default value that you can set in the REMIND option file. End Date -------- Enter the Ending (last) Date you want the event to display on REMIND's main screen. This entry is optional, since you can manually delete any event at any time with the <Alt-F9> or <D> or <Delete> keys. The event automatically will be *PERMANENTLY DELETED* after the End Date passes. This field allows you to limit the display of a Reminder to a given period, starting with the earliest warning day (if any) and ending with the End Date, without having to delete it manually after it is no longer useful. This presumes you know in advance that you will *not* need the Reminder again after the End Date. If you think you may need it, leave this field blank. If you leave the field blank (the default), the event will either automatically delete itself after its Due Date (if it is a One-time event), or automatically reset itself to continually pop up on specific future dates. (In addition, if the event was made Sticky it will remain on screen after popping up, until you manually reset or delete it.) If you toggle the main screen from Active Events to All Events with <F2>, the event will display only until the End Date. You can enter the date in several ways: Pop up the date calendar with the <=> key and make a selection, type it in numerically (e.g., 11/02/92), or type it in by weekday abbreviation (e.g., MON). See "Due Date" under "Adding and Updating Events" for more information. Pressing the Plus <+> key or Minus <-> key will increment or decrement the date shown. More on other fields -------------------- See also the section "Reminder Data Formats" (below) for more information on Due Dates, Event Types, Sticky Events, Warning days, Reminder text, and Memo fields. REMIND MANUAL ..27 ======================================================================== OK - HELP - CANCEL ------------------ To signal the end of data entry, press <Enter> until you are in the OK field. Press <Enter> to accept OK (the default), or press <F1> for Help, or <Esc> to Cancel. If you have a mouse, you can skip to these boxes and click on your choice. Skip fields key --------------- If you wish to skip the Memo, Category, and End Date fields from within the Add New Events screen, or quickly exit after making changes from Update Events or Search Criteria screens, you can use a shortcut key: <Ctrl-Enter> Ends the entry and skips remaining fields, as though you had Tabbed to the OK box and pressed <Enter>. Cloning events -------------- Events can be cloned. That is, you can add a new event using information from an existing event. From the main screen, move the cursor-bar to the event to be cloned and press <F6> or (Update Event). After changing information in the input screen window, press <A> for AddNew (or click your mouse on the AddNew box) in response to the REPLACE EVENT? prompt at the bottom of the window. Saving or Quitting ------------------ Press <F3> to save changes and exit. If you press the <Esc> key after making changes, you will be prompted to save the file: Reply <Y>es to save and exit, <N>o to ignore changes and exit, or press <Esc> again (or click the Cancel box) to abandon the exit choice and remain in REMIND. Press <Alt-F3> to save your work and remain in REMIND (or mouse click on the data filename in the status area). REMIND saves and reloads the current data file. Press <F4> to quit without saving. Note that if you exit REMIND with <F4>, no confirmation will be requested and any changes you may have made will be abandoned. REMIND MANUAL ..28 ======================================================================== SEARCHING FOR EVENTS ==================== To search for an event, press <F8> or <S> (or click on the Search function from the main screen). A Search Criteria dialog box, or window, will display to allow you to enter the search criteria. ---Search Criteria--------------------------------------------- | | | Search Keywords: | | Search From Date: | | Search To Date: | | Category: * | | Ignore case? [ ] | | Phonetic search? [ ] | | Show all matches? [ ] | | Search Memos? [ ] | | Start from first? [ ] | | Search forward? [ ] | | | | ---- ------ -------- | | | OK | | HELP | | CANCEL | | | ---- ------ -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- The meanings of the fields in this window are as follows: Search Keywords --------------- Enter the list of keywords you wish to search on, separated by one or more blanks. These should be words contained in the Reminder text field (i.e., your messages displayed under "Reminder" on the main screen). If more than one keyword is entered, they are considered to be in a logical "AND" condition. For example, if you enter the keywords "FIND IT," then REMIND would look for events containing the words FIND and IT. Events with only one or the other would not match. Search From Date ---------------- If a date is entered in this field, the search will only include dates ON or AFTER the date entered. You can enter the date in several ways: Pop up the date calendar with the <=> key and make a selection, type it in numerically (e.g., 11/02/92), or type it in by weekday abbreviation (e.g., MON). See "Due Date" under "Adding and Updating Events" for more information. REMIND MANUAL ..29 ======================================================================== Pressing the Plus <+> or Minus <-> will increment or decrement the date shown. Search To Date -------------- If a date is entered in this field, the search will only include dates ON or BEFORE the date entered. See "Search From Date" above for entry comments. Category -------- The category to search may be specified. Enter a different category code, if desired, by pressing the <Spacebar> (or <Delete><Enter>) and select from the pop up category list. (The default is "* - All Categories"; i.e., search through all events in the file.) Ignore case? ----------- Toggle "On" (check mark) or "Off" with any key to designate whether upper/lower case should be considered in the search. If case is ignored (flag is "On," the default), then a match will occur for words such as The, the, and THE. Phonetic Search? --------------- Toggle "On" (check mark) or "Off" with any key to designate whether the search should be for a phonetic match on the keywords or on an exact match. Phonetic searches tend to be more relaxed and find more matches. Upper/lower case sensitivity is ignored for phonetic searches. Show all matches? ---------------- If toggled "On" (check mark), REMIND will search the data file and show you all matches that it finds that match your criteria on a separate (Show Matches) display screen. Any event that doesn't match will not be displayed. If "Off" (the default), REMIND will search through the All Events display and stop on the first occurrence of any event that it finds that matches your criteria. Press <Ctrl-L> or <Alt-S> to jump to the next match (if any). During a REMIND session, <Ctrl-L> and <Alt-S> use the last criteria entered in the Search Criteria dialog box. When "Show all matches" is "On," REMIND automatically sets "Search memos," "Start from first," and "Search forward" to "On" for the search. REMIND MANUAL ..30 ======================================================================== Search memos? ------------ Toggle "On" (check mark) with any key if you want REMIND to search Memo fields as well as Reminder text fields for your keyword(s). When "Show all matches" is "On," this field is automatically set "On" for the search. Start from first? ---------------- Toggle "On" (check mark) or "Off" with any key to designate whether the search should start at the first reminder on file or from the reminder pointed to by the bar cursor. "On" is the default. Search forward? -------------- Toggle "On" (check mark) or "Off" with any key to designate whether REMIND should search for matches forward or backward in the file. "On" is the default. This option is meaningful only if "Start from first" is "On." And if you start from the first event and search backward, you aren't going to find many matches! OK - HELP - CANCEL ------------------ Press <Enter> to accept OK (the default), or press <F1> for Help or <Esc> to Cancel. If you have a mouse, click on the desired function. Skip fields key --------------- If you wish to skip fields after entering search criteria, you can use a shortcut key: <Ctrl-Enter> Ends the entry and skips remaining fields, as though you had Tabbed to the OK box and pressed <Enter>. When entering data in search fields, the same editing rules apply as when using the Add/Update Events window. You can press <F2> to go back to the main display of Active Events after searching, if you want to edit other events outside the range of your search criteria. Otherwise, press <F3> to save any changes and exit REMIND, or press <F4> to quit without saving. REMIND MANUAL ..31 ======================================================================== CONFIGURING REMIND ================== Start-up options ---------------- Start-up options may be added to the REMIND command line in any order to configure REMIND to your preferences. The syntax is REMIND [option][option]...[option] These options also may be placed in a separate disk file or in the DOS environment. See the next section, "Placement of Start Up Options," for details. Option Explanation ------ ----------------------------------------------------------- /A Automatically save any internal updates (resetting of events) made by the program that may take place. Using this option will prevent REMIND from asking if you want to save internal updates, if you press <Esc> to exit. Most users will find this option useful. NOTE: If you make changes while in REMIND, you will still be prompted to save whether this option is used or not, if you press <Esc> to exit. The only way to quit without being prompted to save changes is with the <F4> key. See "Running REMIND" for more information. /NA Negates Automatic save mode if previously set. /CE Confirm entries. Indicates whether a confirmation box will display when expiring events with the <F9> or <E> key. /NCE is the default if not otherwise specified. /CE is useful for beginners. /NCE No confirmation. /D:nnn System date verification. Indicates that REMIND should check the computer's system date before processing reminders. The value "nnn" indicates the maximum number of days before or after the previous run of REMIND that is to be considered an error. This can be useful in detecting problems with the system date so REMIND does not prematurely expire events. (Try setting this value to 3, and increase/decrease as desired.) In addition, REMIND will flag an error if the system date is prior to 1/1/84. /ND is the default if not otherwise specified. /ND No date checking is performed (the default). REMIND MANUAL ..32 ======================================================================== /DEFCAT:x Definition of categories. Categories are used to group events on the main display screen or to limit searches, and are user-definable. The value of "x" can be one of 38 codes (A-Z, 0-9, *, or @). This sets the start up default value when adding new events. "@" (Uncategorized) is the default if not otherwise specified. /H History file. Indicates whether the history file, REMINDER.HST or other history file(s), should be maintained. /H is the default if not otherwise specified. A history file is an ASCII file of your expired reminders. See also the "/SH" option and the "History File Feature" section. /NH Negates the use of a history file. /O Display events only Once per day. This option is used when REMIND is run from your AUTOEXEC.BAT, if you frequently reboot your system and only want reminders displayed the first time REMIND is run each day. REMIND will bypass reminding you of today's events if you reboot your computer for any reason during the day. However, you can still run REMIND anytime from the DOS prompt. The /O option is handy if you are debugging programs or doing something that requires frequent warm- or cold-booting on any particular day. To accomplish this, REMIND automatically creates and maintains a file called REMINDER.RUN. This file contains no data (and takes up no disk space, other than the directory entry). Its DOS time stamp is used to determine the last time REMIND was run. See more information on /O below, under "Placement of Start-Up Options." /NO Negates Once-per-day mode if previously set. /Q Operate in Quick mode. In this mode, REMIND will display nothing if there are no active events. This option is only useful with the REMIND command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: REMIND will be bypassed if there are no active events scheduled for the day, and the remainder of your AUTOEXEC.BAT will execute. See more information on /Q below, under "Placement of Start-Up Options." /NQ negates Quick mode if previously set. REMIND MANUAL ..33 ======================================================================== /S Include Sound-prompts (a soft "beep"). No Sound-prompts is the default. This option is useful when REMIND is run from your AUTOEXEC.BAT, to alert you during boot-up that events are displayed. If used, the Sound-prompts option also will cause the program to beep when certain confirmation messages are displayed. /NS Negates Sound-prompts mode if previously set. /SD Sticky dates. Indicates whether the default answer to "Sticky" is "On" (i.e., a check mark is in the field) when entering events in the input screens. /NSD is the default if not otherwise specified (that is, Sticky=Off). Some users may wish to have most events "nag" them until they are physically reset with <F9> or <E>, or deleted with <Alt-F9> or <D> or <Delete>. This is particularly true of users who may not boot their machines every day, and don't want events to be reset or deleted automatically without their confirmation. These users should use /SD, either from the command line (or AUTOEXEC.BAT) or from the option file (see "Placement of Start-Up Options"). By using /SD, they can simply press <Enter> at the Sticky prompt to accept the new default answer of "On." NOTE: If a date is entered in the input screen's End Date field, the event will be automatically (and permanently) deleted after that ending date -- regardless of the value of the Sticky date field. /NSD Sets Sticky=Off (the default) or if previously set On. /SH Maintain separate history files for event data. If used, REMIND will write history information to a file with the same name and directory as the currently loaded data file, using the extension .HST. This option is useful for multiple users with different data files on the same system. /NSH = No separate history files (the default). /V Use VGA/EGA 50/43 line display mode, if available. The <ALT-V> key also will toggle the display between these two modes. This option is ignored if there is no VGA or EGA installed. /NV Negates VGA/EGA mode if previously set. REMIND MANUAL ..34 ======================================================================== /WARN:nnnn Allows a default number of Warning days to be specified. The default is zero (0) warning days when adding new reminders. The type of warning days can be set with /WARNDEF. /WARNDEF:CAL and /WARNDEF:WEEK Warning days definition. Warning days can be based on weekdays (Monday through Friday) as well as calendar days. Weekday warning days will be indicated in the data file with a suffix of "W" after the number of warning days. (No suffix for calendar days.) Example: 0003W = 3 weekdays of advance warning. /WARNDEF:CAL is the default if not otherwise specified. /X Use exploding dialog boxes. Exploding boxes is the default. /NX can be useful on slower video systems, such as older PC/XTs; the dialog box is then displayed immediately (full-size). /NX Negates exploding dialog box feature. /COLOR and /MONO These options force the use of color or monochrome color schemes, and are useful when running REMIND on monochrome screens that emulate color (like LCD screens) or color screens that are not detected properly. /COLOR:fld:fg,bg This option allows various fields to be set to user-designated colors. "fld" names the field to be set. "fg" and "bg" are the foreground and background colors. For example, to set PAST events as yellow on red, /COLOR:PAST:YELLOW,RED should be used. (See below for a table of field values.) These values may be specified either in the environment variable, the option file, or the command line, but the option file is probably better due to space considerations. /COLOR:DEFAULT may be used to override colors in the option file with the default color scheme (note there are no color values with this parameter). REMIND MANUAL ..35 ======================================================================== /COLOR:fld:fg,bg (continued) fld Values Description fg Values bg Values ------ -------------------------------- --------- --------- LEGEND Top line and function key legend. BLACK BLACK FILE "File:" name line. BLUE BLUE MEMORY Memory status line. GREEN GREEN TITLES Column titles. CYAN CYAN PAST Past events. RED RED TODAY Today's events. MAGENTA MAGENTA FUTURE Future events. BROWN BROWN CURSOR Bar cursor. LIGHTGRAY LIGHTGRAY ADDUPD Add/Update dialog box. DARKGRAY SEARCH Search criteria dialog box. LIGHTBLUE CONFIRM Delete/Expire confirm dialog box. LIGHTGREEN DEFAULT Use default color scheme. LIGHTCYAN EXITBOX Message box when exiting REMIND. LIGHTRED BLANK Blank line in display area. LIGHTMAGENTA YELLOW WHITE Examples -------- Some command line examples using start up options: REMIND/Q/O or, REMIND/A/SD/V or, REMIND/O/Q/A/S/CE The last command's options are especially useful if placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: Display reminders Once a day, Quick mode, Automatically saving internal updates, Sound (beep) on boot up or when messages are displayed, and ask for confirmation before resetting events. See the next section for other examples. REMIND MANUAL ..36 ======================================================================== Placement of start-up options ----------------------------- Start-up options may be: * placed in a DOS environment variable via the DOS SET command, or * included in a plain-ASCII configuration file named REMINDER.OPT, or * used on the command line when you invoke REMIND. Thus, REMIND can find start-up options in several ways. However, certain choices of placement supersede others. The order of REMIND's search (from 1 to 3) for start-up options is: 1. DOS environment variable. For example, including the command SET REMIND=[option][option]...[option] with your selection of start-up options in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file will allow REMIND to find these options any time you invoke REMIND. Options in the DOS environment can be overridden by options placed in a disk file (next choice, below) or those entered on the command line (third choice, below). 2. A list of options in a disk file called REMINDER.OPT located in the same directory as REMIND. Options placed in such a disk (configuration) file override options placed in the DOS environment, and can be overridden by options entered on the command line (third choice, below). REMINDER.OPT is a pure ASCII file you create with a text editor; it contains all start-up commands on one or more lines. (Place multiple options on separate lines for clarity, if you wish.) REMIND will read its contents each time you boot up REMIND from the command line or from AUTOEXEC.BAT. Users without a text editor can create REMINDER.OPT from the DOS prompt with the ECHO and redirection (">") command: ECHO [option][option]...[option] >REMINDER.OPT For example, C:>ECHO /A/S/SD/CE >REMINDER.OPT <Enter> REMIND MANUAL ..37 ======================================================================== Important: If you use the REMINDER.OPT file, be aware that the options stored in this file do not permanently configure REMIND.EXE with your choices; they are loaded and used for the current REMIND session only. Also, don't put /Q (Quick mode) or /O (Once per day) options in this file, or you won't be able to run REMIND later from the DOS prompt if there are no active events or if REMIND was already run that day. If this happens, simply delete these two options from REMINDER.OPT. Use /Q and /O only in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. 3. A DOS command-line switch (which will override the previous two placements). For example: C:>REMIND/V/A/S/SD <Enter> You also can enter a REMIND command with several options in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For example: .. (other commands) REMIND/O/Q/A/S/SD/CE (other commands) .. To avoid the possible later inability to invoke REMIND, the options /O and /Q are best placed only in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, and used only at boot up. You can, of course, use other options in addition to these two, as this example shows. But it doesn't make sense to use /Q or /O more than once a day, and using them only in your AUTOEXEC.BAT accomplishes this. After AUTOEXEC.BAT runs, and you later wish to invoke REMIND during the current computer session, start-up options must be added to the REMIND command again if they are to take effect. This is because start-up options do not permanently configure REMIND. And issuing the REMIND command from your AUTOEXEC.BAT is equivalent to issuing the command manually from the DOS prompt (Placement #3, above). A simple solution mentioned above is to place your preferred start-up options in the REMINDER.OPT file (excluding /Q and /O, which you should use only in your AUTOEXEC.BAT). An example ---------- An illustration showing a typical use of start-up options will make their general use easier to understand. For example, one REMIND user prefers this set up with his monochrome system: REMIND MANUAL ..38 ======================================================================== In his REMINDER.OPT file (which he created in the same directory as REMIND.EXE, with his trusty ASCII editor), he placed this command: /A/S/SD/CE which means: - Automatically save internal updates - set Sound-prompts ON - set the Sticky Dates default to Y(es) - Confirm Entries that are expired (reset) by user These options become the global default options whenever REMIND is run. [NOTE: SAMPLE.OPT is a sample option file that is included on the REMIND distribution disk. It contains several start-up options and color settings from one user's system. If you wish try SAMPLE.OPT, you can rename it to REMINDER.OPT. Be sure to make a back up of any existing option file first. Alternatively, you can simply change your existing option file by including one or more of the options in SAMPLE.OPT.] Next, in his AUTOEXEC.BAT file, after his path statement and before his main menu program, he placed the command REMIND/O/Q which means: - run REMIND Once a day (not at every boot up) - set Quick mode ON and use all other options set in REMINDER.OPT. This command was entered in AUTOEXEC.BAT with a plain-ASCII text editor. Whenever he invokes REMIND after booting up in the morning, REMIND will use the start-up options stored in the REMINDER.OPT file. All he needs to type at the DOS prompt is C:>REMIND <Enter> and he will see any reminders he may have. NOTE: Remember that you can always override start-up options set by the SET command or those loaded from REMINDER.OPT by specifying new start-up options on the DOS command line. But once an environment variable or option file is used, and you wish to use new options at the DOS prompt, you do not need to repeat all options already set in the environment or file. Just use only the new ones; if they are "positive" options they will be added to those already set, and if "negative" (those that begin with "/N") they will toggle the related options to their reverse state. REMIND MANUAL ..39 ======================================================================== REMINDER DATA FORMATS ===================== Directly editing REMINDER.DAT (optional) ---------------------------------------- The file, REMINDER.DAT, or any other REMIND data file, is an ordinary text file. It is made up of lines of plain ASCII text ending with a carriage return and line feed (CR/LF). Each line contains fields that must be separated by one or more spaces. As noted, this file is automatically updated whenever you add or edit events from REMIND's display screen. However, you may create, modify or print this file with any text editor: You may use WordStar in non-document mode, or use DOS's Edlin if you must. SideKick's NotePad, QEdit, Ted, Kedit, or similar text editors are ideal. Most other "heavy-duty" word processors are NOT suitable for this task, since they produce text with embedded formatting codes that will confuse REMIND. Set them to their "text," "ASCII," or "non-document" mode first. Data file contents ------------------ Here is a sample portion of a data file's contents. Note that each field is separated by one or more spaces, and each record starts with an event Due Date. 06/17/1992 O+ 0000 Back up hard disk. .Cat:* 06/18/1992 D 0000 Check the Stock Market each day. 06/20/1992 B 0001 Cleaning service comes every other week 06/22/1992 W 0001 Our weekly Trash Day!!! 07/01/1992 M+ 0009 Mortgage payment should be mailed 09/15/1992 Q+ 0010W Mail IRS quarterly tax estimate 10/07/1992 Y+ 0015 Mom's birthday .Cat:P 11/15/1992 3TH 0003W City Club meeting - 7:30 p.m. .To:02/25/1993 Cat:B 06/01/1993 SA+ 0007 Rent on PO box due twice a year 02/28/1994 BA+ 0028 Smog inspection required for registration | | | | | | | Field #4 - Reminder text and memos begin here; | | | maximum of 54 columns each | | | | | Field #3 - Warning days begins here; allow | | 5 columns, including Weekday Warning | | flags if any | | | Field #2 - Event type, with optional "+" sticky | flag, begins here; allow 4 columns | Field #1 - Event due date begins here, in column 1 of the data file; allow 10 columns REMIND MANUAL ..40 ======================================================================== Dot-option data file records ---------------------------- These are called "dot options" because they begin with a dot or period in column 1 of the data file. REMIND automatically inserts these as needed; however, the user can insert them with an ASCII editor, and when importing data from other sources. The dot-option record follows a reminder record -- sort of a 5th "field." It contains control information used by REMIND. All dot-option records apply to the physically preceding reminder record. This record may not exist unless the options controlled by the record are used. There may be more than one dot-option record for each reminder. Each dot-option record begins with a dot or period (.) as the first non-blank character. The reminder consists of a keyword followed by a value, separated by a colon. See the examples above. Valid options for the dot-option record are: To:mm/dd/yyyy (Indicates the "Active To" date) Cat:x (Indicates the reminder is in category "x") Description of data file fields ------------------------------- Whether directly editing REMINDER.DAT or using the built-in event editor in the Event Input Screens, you should understand the formats used by REMIND in each of its data file fields. FIELD 1 - "Event Due Date" Enter the event date as MM/DD/YYYY. For example: 01/02/1992 You can set any date -- past, present, or future. If the date is in the past, it will be reset to the next date appropriate to the frequency of occurrence flag (see FIELD 2, below). REMIND sorts the data file by date each time it starts up. Upon exiting, REMIND resets any expired dates to the next occurrence. As mentioned, when adding events from REMIND's input screens, the current year will be added if not already entered (i.e., entering 11/02 produces 11/02/1992, if the current year is 1992). If only a day is entered, the current month and year will be added (entering 2 produces 11/02/1992). If no date is entered (i.e., the field is left blank), today's date will be inserted. REMIND MANUAL ..41 ======================================================================== If you only enter a 2-digit year with the event editor (e.g., 92), REMIND will add the current century (1992). For compatibility purposes, 2-digit years read from an existing REMINDER.DAT file produced by an earlier version of REMIND will be converted to four-digit years. For the technically-minded, it accomplishes this as follows: If the year is 4 digits, it is accepted as is. If the year is 2 digits, but more than 30 years before the current year, it is assumed to be future data. In this case, the next century is used (ie, 2000 is added to the year). If the year is 2 digits, but NOT more than 30 years before the current date, the current century (1900) is added to the year. FIELD 2 - "Event Type" Enter a frequency of occurrence flag. This is a 1- to 4-character code indicating the frequency at which this event should occur. (When using the Event Input Screens, it is a 1- to 3-character code; the Sticky flag is entered in a separate field in the Input Screen. See "Sticky flag," below.) Valid event types are: Value Meaning Updated to ---------------------------------------------------------------- O One-time (Automatically deleted after the scheduled date has arrived.) D Daily Next day (tomorrow). W Weekly 7 days from scheduled date. B Biweekly 14 days from scheduled date. QW Quad-weekly 28 days from scheduled date. M Monthly Same day next month. BM Bimonthly Same day in two months. Q Quarterly Same day in three months. SA Semiannually Same day in six months. Y Yearly Same month/day next year. BA Biannually Same month/day in two years. LDA Floating Last day of the month. 1,2,3,4,5, or L (plus SU, MO, TU, WE, TH, FR, SA) Floating Next occurrence that qualifies (e.g., 3WE=3rd Wednesday). 1,2,3,4,5, or L (plus BU) Floating Next business day (weekday) that qualifies (e.g., LBU=last business day of the month). + = Sticky flag, optionally entered immediately after any of the above the values, without a space. Examples: O+, BA+, LBU+. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REMIND MANUAL ..42 ======================================================================== Note: When using the event input screens, toggling the "Sticky" field "On" will automatically place the "+" flag after the event type in the data file. The default value for "Sticky" is "Off." This value can be changed to "On" with the start-up option /SD. Sticky events will continue to pop up until reset with the <F9> or <E> keys, or deleted with the <Alt-F9> or <D> or <Delete> keys. See the function keys section under "Running REMIND" above, for an explanation on resetting and permanently removing events. FIELD 3 - "Warning Days" Enter how many days before the event you would like to be reminded of its existence. That is, enter the number of preview days, in 4-digit format with an optional Weekday Warning Days flag. No warning = 0000, 1 day warning = 0001, 10 days = 0010, etc. Weekday Warning Days flag: 0001W - 1 weekday warning, etc. Note that you must use leading zeros when you are directly editing the data file with a text editor, to maintain the 5-column format. FIELD 4 - "Reminder text and memos" Enter the text of the message REMIND should display. This field may contain up to 54 characters. In addition, three Memo fields (not displayed on the main screen, but which can be displayed and modified from the Update Events screen), are available. Column 80 of the main display will show an asterisk (*) if there are any Memo fields active. These fields will print, each on a separate line, when events are printed with the <Alt-P> key. Any events on file with Reminder text longer than 54 characters will be split after column 54, wrapping into Memo fields. More than 54 characters in Memo field #3 will be truncated. When you create memos with REMIND's integrated editor, they are stored in this field using the ASCII 28 (FLDSEP) character as a delimiter. This character is stored between the last non-blank character of the text field and the start of the first memo field and between each of the memo fields. This allows the fields to be separated without requiring trailing spaces. If your editor supports entry of ASCII control characters, you may enter this character by holding down the ALT key and typing "28" on the separate numeric keypad (then releasing the ALT key). When you use REMIND's integrated editor, this will be handled automatically. REMIND MANUAL ..43 ======================================================================== HISTORY FILE FEATURE ==================== The history file feature allows you to automatically save events that have expired in a separate history file, named REMINDER.HST. This file can be used to recover events that have been accidentally expired or if your computer clock goes haywire and puts you into the 21st century, thereby expiring all the important events you had scheduled for the next hundred years. The history file is created automatically the first time REMIND needs to write events to it. Its use also can be controlled by the presence of the /H and /NH start-up options. For example, to enable the history feature if it has been disabled with /NH, include the /H option either in the environment variable, the option file, or on the command line. (See "Placement of Start-up Options.") The format of REMINDER.HST is exactly the same as the data file, REMINDER.DAT. This makes it very easy to restore events from the history file back to the data file, if necessary. The history file also makes a very good log of what you have been doing with your life (or at least what you have been REMINDing yourself to do). Note that only events that have expired -- either automatically or by pressing <F9> or <E> from the ACTIVE event screen -- are added to the history file. Events deleted by pressing <Alt-F9>, <D>, or <Delete> are NOT added to the history file. (Gone is gone.) - To recover certain events (but not all events) from the history file, you need to use a plain ASCII text editor to copy (transfer) these events to your data file(s). See your text editor's instructions about how to do this. - To recover all events from the history file, simply erase REMINDER.DAT and use DOS to copy the history file, renaming it to REMINDER.DAT or whatever name you've given your data file: C:>COPY REMINDER.HST REMINDER.DAT (If you've accidentally set your system clock ahead before loading REMIND, and are trying to recover expired data from your HST file using this DOS COPY method, you should first delete all unwanted repeating events from the end of the HST file. These repeating events may show up in the HST file if you set your clock to a future date.) The history file status -- how many events have been added to the history file during the session -- is displayed on top of the main display screen. Starting with version 2.4, history records are no longer stored temporarily in memory; they are immediately stored on disk as reminders are added to the history file. Floppy disk users are warned NOT to replace the diskette during program operation when using the history file feature, or REMIND will not be able to update the history file. REMIND MANUAL ..44 ======================================================================== ADDING REMINDERS FROM A BATCH FILE ================================== You can use the REMUPDAT program to add reminders to the data file from a batch file or directly from the command line. REMUPDAT is NOT required to run the REMIND program, but may provide additional functionality to those advanced users requiring a batch or command-line interface. The syntax of the REMUPDAT program is: REMUPDAT key-string reminder-string The first string, key-string, is a string of characters that will be used to search the text portion of each record to delete an existing record. If a single asterisk * is specified, NO DELETION will take place. The comparison is made for however many characters are entered on the key-string (upper-/lower-case must match). If the key-string is found in any record in the reminder file, it will be deleted. The key-string must not contain any embedded blanks. A blank is considered the end of the string. If you need to delete a record with a key containing embedded blanks, use the underscore (_) character in each place where a blank should occur. The underscore will be converted to a blank before any comparison is made. The second string, reminder-string, is the exact image of the new reminder record to be added. This string is optional. If it is omitted, no new record will be added (this allows a delete without an add, if you wish). The record to be added must be syntactically correct (see above for format of a reminder record). If there are multiple consecutive blanks, they will be converted to a single blank. Example 1: REMUPDAT * 07/01/1991 M 01 New monthly event Example 2: REMUPDAT New_monthly 07/01/1991 M 01 Another new event Example 3: REMUPDAT Another In the above, Example 1 adds a new monthly event without deleting any events. Example 2 searches for the string "New monthly" and deletes the event, then adds another event on 7/1/1991. Example 3 searches for the string "Another" and deletes the event without adding a new one. Due to DOS command-line restrictions, the length of the entire command may not exceed 127 bytes. REMIND MANUAL ..45 ======================================================================== HOW REMIND FINDS ITS FILES ========================== REMIND will search for its files (REMINDER.xxx) in a certain sequence. In some cases, REMIND will create a file if it doesn't exist. Generally, you will not need to concern yourself with the search approach that REMIND takes, but if you are curious or believe things aren't working properly, here is how REMIND finds its files. REMINDER.RUN: The current directory is searched first, then (for DOS 3.0 or later) the directory containing REMIND.EXE, then the current PATH. If REMINDER.RUN does not exist, it will be created in the directory containing REMIND.EXE (DOS 3.0 or greater) or in the current directory (DOS versions 2.x) when the /O start up option is specified. REMINDER.OPT and REMINDER.CAT: Current directory, then (for DOS 3.0 or later) the directory containing REMIND.EXE, then the current PATH. REMINDER.OPT is an optional plain-ASCII file, and must be created by the user. REMINDER.CAT (also ASCII) will be created automatically if the user adds categories from within REMIND. REMINDER.DAT: Directory named on the command line, or in the option file, or in the SET REMIND=variable command; then the current directory, then (for DOS 3.0 or later) the directory containing REMIND.EXE, then the current PATH. If REMINDER.DAT does not exist, it will be created in the directory containing REMIND.EXE (DOS 3.0 or greater) or in the current directory (DOS versions 2.x) when you enter and save your first reminders. REMINDER.HST: Directory named on the command line, or in the option file, or in the SET REMIND=variable command; then the current directory, then (for DOS 3.0 or later) the directory containing REMIND.EXE, then the current PATH. If REMINDER.HST does not exist, it will be created in the directory containing REMIND.EXE (DOS 3.0 or greater) or in the current directory (DOS versions 2.x) when you expire (reset) your first reminders. REMIND MANUAL ..46 ======================================================================== MESSAGES ======== Message: Add Event? Reason: After completing the Add dialog box, you are asked to confirm that you really want to add this event. Message: Command processor not found Reason: The DOS command processor (usually COMMAND.COM) could not be located. Exit REMIND and issue the SET command to verify that the variable COMSPEC correctly points to the location of your command processor. Message: Data error on line <line #>, contents <entry>. Ignore record and continue loading? Reason: Information was incorrectly entered into the REMIND data file. You may answer Y to have REMIND ignore the record in error, in which case, it will not be loaded or resaved. If you answer N, REMIND will terminate and you must fix the erroneous record before continuing. Message: Do you really want to delete this event? Reason: The <Alt-F9> key was pressed to delete the event. This message confirms that you really do want it deleted. Message: Do you really want to expire this event? Reason: The <F9> key was pressed and the /CE (confirm expire) option was active. This message confirms that you really do want to expire the event. Message: End of run. Reason: REMIND has completed its run normally. Message: Error opening history file <filename> History option disabled. Reason: A disk error occurred while attempting to open the history file. This could be caused by a full disk, a history file that is read-only or a hardware error. History recording is turned off when this occurs. REMIND MANUAL ..47 ======================================================================== Message: Error reading option file <filename>. Reason: A disk error occurred while reading the option file. This is usually a hardware error. Message: Error rewriting reminder file <filename>. Reason: A disk error occurred while attempting to rewrite the updated reminder file. This could be caused by a full disk, a reminder file that is read-only or a hardware error. Message: Events updated to current date. Reason: REMIND has completed updating events to the next occurring interval. Message: File <name> doesn't exist. Do you wish to create a new file with this name? Reason: The file specified in the <Alt-F> dialog box doesn't yet exist in the directory. Type <Y>es if you wish to create a new file with this name. Message: Insufficient memory for shell Reason: There is insufficient free memory to invoke the DOS shell. If you have many reminders, there may not be enough memory left to use this function. Message: Insufficient memory to process all reminders. Truncate file at record <n>? Reason: The number of reminders in your data file exceed the free memory available. Increase the memory of your machine or unload some resident programs before running REMIND. Splitting your reminders into multiple files will also allow more reminders to be processed. This message may also occur if adding an event with the integrated editor and memory is exhausted. If you answer Y to this question, the file will be truncated at the record indicated. If you save the truncated file, you will lose all records following truncated record. Message: Invalid environment Reason: An internal error has occurred. Report this message to the developer. REMIND MANUAL ..48 ======================================================================== Message: Invalid format for EXEC Reason: An internal error has occurred. Report this message to the developer. Message: Invalid or illegal reminder file name: "<filename>" Reason: After selecting the new file option (Alt-F), the file name you entered was not valid. Type a valid file name or blank to display a list of files. Message: Invalid start-up option: "text" in <location> Reason: The command to run REMIND was incorrectly entered. You may specify a data file other than REMINDER.DAT, or you may specify the start-up options /A, /H, /Q, /O, /V, /S, /X, /CE, /SD, /NA, /NQ, /NO, /NV, /NS, /NCE, /NH, /NSD, /NX, /MONO, /COLOR, or /COLOR:fld:fg,bg. The <location> may be either "Environment Variable", "Option File" or "Command-line". Message: Loading reminder file: <filename> - <n> events. Reason: The reminder file is being loaded into memory. This message provides a status indication during the load. Message: No events currently active. Reason: REMIND was run with the /Q (quick) option. With this option, it will exit immediately if no events are active for today. Message: No records matching search criteria Reason: All reminders were searched and no records were found that matched the search parameters you selected. Message: Print in progress - page <n> Reason: A printout was selected from the print menu. This message shows the page currently being printed. Message: Printer not ready Reason: A printout is in progress, but the printer is not ready. Ready the printer and select OK or press ESCAPE (Cancel) to abandon the printout. REMIND MANUAL ..49 ======================================================================== Message: Printing <selection> Reason: A print-out is in progress. The <selection> shows which option and category was selected (ie, All, Active, Today's, etc.). Message: Program has already been run today. Reason: The /O option was specified on the command line, in the REMINDER.OPT file, or in the SET REMIND= command, and this is not the first time REMIND has been run today. The /O option only lets REMIND display reminders Once per day. Message: Program terminated. Reason: An error has been detected that prevents REMIND from continuing. The nature of the error will be displayed prior to this message. Message: Replace Event? Reason: After completing the Update dialog box, you are asked to confirm that you really want to replace this event. Type Y to replace the event or type A (AddNew) to clone the event into a new event. Message: Save updated <filename>? REMIND has automatically updated several events to the current date. Reason: You have exited REMIND with the ESCape key or selected a different reminder file and some changes have been made to the reminder data. You may answer Y to have the changed reminders written to disk or answer N to ignore any changes that have been made. This message may occur as the result of REMIND automatically updating events or the user manually updating events. Message: Search in progress... Reason: The reminders are being search for the criteria you specified. Message: Sorting reminder records - <n>% complete Reason: The reminders in memory are being sorted. This is only an informational message. REMIND MANUAL ..50 ======================================================================== Message: Type EXIT to return to REMIND Reason: You have entered a DOS shell from REMIND. After entering the desired DOS commands, type EXIT to return to REMIND. Message: Updating event <n> to <mm/dd/yyyy> Reason: An event with a date prior to todays date was found and is now being rolled forward to the correct date. Message: Updating reminder file: <filename> - <n> records. Reason: The reminder file on disk is being updated with the changes made while REMIND was running. This message provides a status indication during the save. Message: Warning - Date inconsistency has been detected. System date: mm/dd/yy Last run date: mm/dd/yy Do you wish to continue anyway? Reason: REMIND is being run with the /D:nnn option, and more than "nnn" days have elapsed since the last run. Message: You are currently in a DOS Shell from REMIND. To return to REMIND, type EXIT Reason: While in a DOS shell (entered via <F7>), you attempted to run REMIND again. To return to REMIND, type "EXIT" (without quotes). Message: <n> records added to history file. Reason: The history file feature is active and REMIND is adding expired events to the history file. REMIND MANUAL ..51 ======================================================================== PROGRAM HISTORY =============== Program history notes are contained in the file REMIND.VER. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ================ Thanks go to the following people for their contributions to REMIND: Shannon Donnelly, for her help in documentation during the early versions. Dixie Swanson, for her analysis and design suggestions and for her assistance in testing new versions. Barry MacDonnell, Lake Oswego, Oregon (Compuserve ID 71500,3413), for numerous suggestions for new features, for program testing, and for writing the documentation and online help text. REMIND MANUAL ..52 ======================================================================== INDIVIDUAL AND SITE LICENSE FORM ================================ REMIND Version 3.0 License fee: 1 copy - $20.00 6-25 copies - $100.00 26-50 copies - $200.00 51-100 copies - $400.00 Unlimited copies - $500.00 Date: ____/____/____ (RMND30) Contact Name: ________________________________________ Company Name: ________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ____________________ State: ____ Zip: __________ Telephone: (______) _________________ Ext: _______ Compuserve ID: _____________ Monitor Type: _______ Make of Computer: ___________________ Amount of RAM: _______ Size of Floppy Disk: [ ] 5.25" [ ] 3.5" Number of copies: _____ Amount enclosed: ______ TERMS: No credit cards or CODs, please. Make checks payable to: Tom Donnelly Computer Software Checks drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. funds. International bank or postal money orders in U.S. funds. Purchase orders will be accepted and invoiced. Please attach your check and mail to: Tom Donnelly Computer Software P.O. Box 3856 San Dimas, CA 91773 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SHAREWARE.