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READ.ME
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1992-02-12
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Program Name - Equinox/TDL (To Do List)
Version - 1,1
Dated - February 1992
Author - Steve Higginson
Introduction
Thank you for downloading my To Do List. It is a very simple program
that is my first true (and useful) programming assignment under
Visual Basic of the differences between me and other VB programmers,
is that I've had a quick look at the license agreement for the DLL
file and have discovered that you can freely copy it. Therefore, I've
include it here in the ZIP file.
The program was developed on an Apricot Qi 900. This is a i486 based
system. It had 8Mb RAM and an 80Mb SCSI hard disk. I chose this
system because I find that the screen redraw of VB is a little slow
in the development environment (even on a i486 based system).
I speak about my little(?) computer in the past tense because I no
longer work for the company that owned it. Any further updates to
the program will have to be done on my own 386SX system (Arrgh!).
The program makes use of only 3 files. These are the main database
file itself (TO_LIST.DAT), a work file (~TO_WRK.TMP) which you should
never see (unless the system terminates during a delete & re-org of
the main file, and a parameters file (TO_INI.DAT) that is used to
store the parameters for printing. Unfortunately, because I haven't
included the reports in this version, there's no point in you even
using it (but it's worth a look).
Installation
The program should be copied to your hard disk into the appropriate
directory. The VBRUN100.DLL file shoud be copied to your Windows/3
directory unless the directory TDL is resident in is also in your
search path.
Install the program in your required group by using the 'File New'
option in Program Manager. The system should now be ready to use.
Using the program
When you first load TDL, it will not find the datafile and will ask
you if you want to create a new one. Answering 'Yes' to this
question will create a new file.
You will then be presented with an empty 'To Do List' and with the
Add/Delete/Edit command keys. There are shortcut keys (discussed
later in this document) but these are not functional if there are no
projects to handle.
Adding a Project
This procedure will display the entry form and allow you to enter
the relevant details into the correct fields. A simple line of help
at the bottom of the screen explains what each field is for. If you
wish to add the project to the database, select the OK button. To
disregard the entry, select cancel.
Selecting OK will write the record to the database and include it in
the list box on the main form.
Deleting a project
This procedure will remove a project from the database. It will
first confirm that you really want to remove the selected project.
If you do, it will re-organise the file on completion. The
project will also be removed from the listbox on the main form.
Editing a Project
Selecting this button will simply bring up the currently selected
project and allow you to modify its details. Selecting OK will
re-write the project and update the listbox on the main form.
Shortcut Keys
The following shortcut keys apply to the system providing that there
are entries in the database:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Keyboard ShortCut Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Alt+A Ctrl + Left Mouse Add a new Project.
Alt+E Shift + Right Mouse Edit selected project.
Alt+D Ctrl + Right Mouse Delete Selected project.
- Right Mouse only View Details of selected
project.
Other Editing Information
The entry fields can be reached in a number of ways. Either by using
the TAB key to cycle around the fields, using the mouse and clicking
in the field, or by selecting the Alt key and the underlined letter
in the field description (eg: Alt+C for the Phone Call flag).
The Details field can have multiple lines within it. All the normal
Windows/3 editing facilities apply. To set up tabs in the details
field, use the Ctrl+TAB key instead of the normal TAB key (which
will move the cursor to the next field)
The following is a plan of upgrade for the Equinox/TDL program:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Version Details
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.0 Licensed to my old company.
Version 1.1 (This Version) Shareware release of the
program.
Version 1.2 Inclusion of general reports (Detailed and
summary). Also better error handling & field
validation. I will also include a Windows/3
help file (If I can get hold of the help
development system).
Version 2.0 - ADVANCED VERSION. More detailed information
about the project including client name and
contact fields, assignment fields as well as
history and personnel stats. Also includes
more detailed reporting.
This release of the program would be ideal
for Technical supervisors and managers.
Known problem associated with TDL (or Visual Basic)
I have noticed only one problem in the day to day usage of TDL. This
is when you close the program using either Alt+F4 (or the close
option on the control menu). You should use the File+Exit option to
ensure correct closure of the program. Alt+F4 will 'sometimes' (and
I mean very rarely ) leave the program running although you can't
see the window. This means that the main database file is still
open and assigned exclusively to the rogue TDL program.
This can be annoying if your a Windows addict like me (everything
has to be just so or else!) but shouldn't cause any real problems. I
need to speak to Microsoft (the hold music is nice) to see if it's a
VB bug or something I'm not doing correctly. If the system generates
a file problem then check for other copies of the program by using
the Task Manager (TDL File+Run). You will be able to terminate the
rogue program from Task Manager as well, and then gain access to the
database file.
Other information
I would appreciate any criticisms or suggestions for TDL. It is one
of my first VB programs but I'm suitably proud of it and would like
to see it take off. I don't ask for any royalties or donations for
the use of it - I'm a true tecky and do it for the challenge.
As I'm a player in the Apricot game, you should be able to leave a
message for me on their Technical BBS (Tel: 021 717 0444 if you
don't already know it).
And Finally ...
I'll have to say that the Apricot BBS is one of the BEST in the UK
or the technical staff there will gather together in small groups
and whisper about me.
Regards
Steve Higginson