JCSM Shareware Collection 1996 September/JCSM Shareware Collection (JCS Distribution) (September 1996).ISO/hpother_/fn80031a.zip/F800HELP.DAT

Text File | 1994-06-26 | 23KB | 538 lines

** MS WINDOWS SUPPORT

FONE800(tm) can be run under Windows.  You can set up the "pif" file so it
runs as a DOS program in a window, or let it run as a full-screen display.
The full-screen display looks a little better.
**  DATABASE: SAVING DATA

Add a new entry using the "ADD" selection on the main menu.
The country field will automatically be filled in with "USA".

When entering or modifying data in the ADD, COPY/MODIFY, or MODIFY
screens, the data is saved to the database when you exit the screen by
pressing the ESC key.

However, the MENU ID AND SERVICE NAME field must be non-blank, since this
is the information that will appear on the Toll-Free Service menus.  It is
also used to relate the memo field to the Toll-Free service information.

If this field is blank, the data will not be saved.

Note that "MENU ID and SERVICE NAME" is one field, and you are free to
design your own method for taking advantage of the fact that all entries
are displayed alphabetically in the menus.
** DATABASE: FAST FONE800(tm)

The FAST FONE800(tm) menu is the first screen a registered user will see,
upon entry to the FONE800(tm) program.  This screen allows you, with the
minimum of keystrokes, to rapidly place a call to any of your most
recently called parties.

An entry is automatically added to the FAST FONE800(tm) list, each time
you place a call.  The most recently called entry always appears at the
top of the FAST FONE800(tm) list.
** DATABASE: FONE800(tm) HITLIST

With the FONE800(tm) HITLIST, you can select a full screen (2 columns)
of entries to be rapidly called in sequence, kind of like the
Salesman's Hit List, only in reverse, since this is more like the
Consumer's Hit List.

To CLEAR all entries from the screen, press the F10 key.  This allows you
to start fresh with a new set of entries for the current session.

To ADD entries to the screen, press the F8 key.  You are provided with a
POPULATE menu, so you can rapidly add entries to the hit list.  The most
recently added item always appears at the top of the list.  Once you have
added all the desired entries, press ESC to return to the Hit List screen.

To begin using the Hit List, simply press the single key which corresponds
to the entry which you wish to call, or use the mouse to click on the
button to the left of the entry.

** DATABASE: ENTRY DATE/TIME

When you add a new entry, or modify an existing entry, FONE800(tm) marks it
with the current date and time.

This date/time stamp appears on most of the display screens as a
convenient indication of the currency of the data source.

** DATABASE: COPY / MODIFY

The COPY / MODIFY option is designed to allow you to quickly copy most of
the information from an existing entry into a new entry.

The COPY / MODIFY option will make a copy of an existing Toll-Free service
entry, then blank out the "MENU ID" part of the "MENU ID and SERVICE NAME"
field, and place you in the modify mode for the new entry.

If you just press the Esc key right away, the copied entry will not be
added, since the "MENU ID and SERVICE NAME" field is still blank.  You
must at least fill in that field, and you will probably want to modify
the phone number also.
** DATABASE: MENU FEATURES

While in any database menu, you may use lower-case a-z to select the
corresponding database item.  However, if you use upper case A-Z, the
database menu will quickly move to entries in the database that begin
with that letter.

Also, FONE800(tm) remembers which item you last added or selected, and
starts the next database menu at that item.  This feature is especially
helpful when using the COPY/MODIFY feature to create several new items
which are mostly alike.
** DATABASE: FINDING AN ITEM

The FIND command on the main menu allows a quick search for any entry
which begins with the same characters as the ones you enter in the
FIND screen.

Select FIND on the main menu.  When the FIND screen comes up, enter the
first few characters of the MENU ID for the entry you wish to find.

The FIND command is case-sensitive.  That is, UPPER and lower case make
a difference.  If the entry you are looking for has a MENU ID of "Cars",
then you must look for "C" or "Ca" or "Car" or "Cars".  If you look for
"cars" or "CARS", the program won't find "Cars".

The FIND command remembers the MENU ID of the last item selected.  If
you want to find something else, just type over the characters you see
there, when you bring up the find screen.

Also, see "DATABASE MENU FEATURES" for moving rapidly through the menu.
** DATABASE: PRINTING AN ENTRY

FONE800(tm) will print a report containing all information for a
personal database entry, and call-log.  Select PRINT from the PERSONAL
TOLL-FREE DATABASE menu, then select the personal database entry to be
printed.

FONE800(tm) does not generate any specialized printer graphics, so the
report can be printed on almost any printer.
** DATABASE: BACKUP

It is very important that you backup your Toll-Free service database
periodically.  You have no idea of the number of excuses we and
others have used when soliciting help from the experts in trying
to recover lost data.

The basic rule should be to ask yourself periodically, "How comfortable
am I with losing everything I've done since I last backed up my data?"

If the answer is "Not very comfortable", then it's probably time to
backup your data again.

The simple way is to copy your database to a formatted diskette with
the following DOS commands:

  COPY F800DB.DAT A:
  COPY F800NDX.DAT A:
  COPY F800MEMO.DAT A:

If you own a commercial backup utility, then by all means, use it!
** DATABASE: DELETING AN ENTRY

Choose DELETE from the main menu, then choose the personal database
entry to delete.  FONE800(tm) will surround the MENU ID data with
the characters << and >>, and mark the entry for deletion.

With << in front of the name, the entry will now sort to the last
page of the menu.

The DELETE menu will remain on the screen, allowing you to rapidly
select a series of entries to delete, until you press the ESC key.

Also see: PURGING DELETED ENTRIES, UN-DELETING AN ENTRY

** DATABASE: UN-DELETING AN ENTRY

If you change your mind about a deleted entry, you can un-delete
it by choosing UN-DELETE from the main menu, then selecting the entry
to be restored.

Also see: DELETING AN ENTRY

** DATABASE: PURGING ENTRIES

When you delete a personal database entry, it is not actually removed
from the database, but just marked as deleted.  The contents of the
MENU ID field is modified by surrounding it with special characters,
so that the entry will sort to the bottom of the menu.

Choose PURGE from the main menu, and all personal database entry entries
marked for deletion are purged from the database forever, thereby
compacting the database.

Warning:
Once the database has been purged of deleted entries,
those entries are permanently gone.

** DATABASE: IMPORTING DATA

You can import data from other programs into your FONE800(tm) database!

* The file must be in ASCII text file format, with commas between the
  fields.
* The first line of the file must contain a list of field names, which
  describes the contents of the following lines, much like a mail-merge
  file format.  The field names must correspond to the fields in the
  FONE800(tm) personal database.
* The import file MUST contain, at least, either a CONTACT or MENU field.
  This is the only restriction on the combinations of fields that are
  allowed. If a CONTACT field is provided, but no MENU field, then the
  FONE800(tm) database MENU field content is constructed by appending
  the content of the CONTACT field to the MENU ID "NEW   ".
  For example, if the CONTACT field contained the text "Annabelle Jones",
  then the MENU field would be constructed as "NEW   Annabelle Jones".
* An example (2 lines) of a typical import data file is shown here:

Line 1: MENU, CONTACT, ADDRESS, CITY, ST, ZIP, CTRYCODE, AREACODE, PRE, SUF
Line 2: "PRSNL Smith","J. Smith","123 Main",Mytown,CA,92169,1,800,555,1212

Also see: IMPORT FIELD NAMES for a list of database field names.
** DATABASE: IMPORT FIELD NAMES

The first line of your text import file must contain FONE800(tm) database
field names.  The acceptable field names are listed below.

MENU     - (required) The MENU ID field is the key index field.
           FONE800(tm) uses this field to manipulate the database.
PRE      - Telephone number Prefix
SUF      - Telephone Number Suffix
DESCRIP  - Description of the 800 service
CONTACT  - Contact or Company name
DEPT     - Company/Dept
ADDRESS  - Street address
CITY     - Name of the City
ST       - State abbreviation
ZIP      - Zip or Postal code
COUNTRY  - Name of the Country
NOTES    - Short note


Also see:  IMPORTING DATA for the format of the import data file.

** DATABASE: IMPORT FIELDS (SPECIAL)

Some special IMPORT file field names are listed below.

PHONE    - If present, is split out into prefix and suffix

If the following fields are present, and the CONTACT field is not,
then they are combined into the CONTACT field:

NAMEPRE  - Name prefix, like Mr or Mrs or Dr
FIRST    - First name
MIDDLE   - Middle initial or name
LAST     - Last name
NAMESUF  - Name suffix, like Jr or III or MD

If the MENU field is not present, or the field content is blank,
an attempt is made to generate the MENU field from the LAST/FIRST
data or the CONTACT data.  If it is still blank, the record is not added.

** DATABASE: RE-INDEXING THE DATABASE

The database menu is driven from a sorted database index on the
MENU ID and SERVICE NAME field.  If some sort of anomaly occurs,
and the menu appears to not reflect the data in the database,
you should choose RE-INDEX from the utility menu.

Some things which could cause such an anomaly include:
 - Shutting off the power while in the FONE800(tm) program
 - Re-booting while in the FONE800(tm) program
 - A disk error during execution of the program
** DATABASE: DELETING/UN-DELETING

Choose DELETE from the main menu, then choose the Toll-Free service
entry to delete.  FONE800(tm) will surround the service name with
the characters « and », and mark the entry for deletion.

With « in front of the name, the entry will now sort to the last
page of the menu.  If you decide to change your mind, at this point,
you can still un-delete the entry by choosing UN-DELETE from the
utility menu, then selecting the entry to un-delete.

Once the database has been purged of deleted entries with the
PURGE option on the utility menu, the items are no longer available
for un-deletion.
** DATABASE: PURGING ENTRIES

Choose PURGE from the utility menu, and all Toll-Free service entries
marked for deletion are purged from the database forever, thereby
compacting the database.
** MERGING DATA BASES

When new versions of FONE800(tm) are released, they generally contain
significant updates and additions to the database.  Since you may have
made additions to the database yourself, we have provided a program
which merges the contents of the newly released database into your
existing personal database.  This program is automatically run, when
you run the FONE800(tm) INSTALL procedure.

** CALL SCREEN: PLACING A CALL

Press F4 from the ADD, BROWSE, COPY/MODIFY, or MODIFY screen.
FONE800(tm) will use your modem to dial the number.  Most modems have a
speaker over which you will hear the number being dialed.  When you hear
the dialing complete, then pick up your telephone handset to make the
voice connection, and press any key on the computer keyboard to
disconnect the modem from the circuit.

If you do not pick up your handset BEFORE pressing a key to disconnect
the modem, the connection will be lost! This is how you abort the call,
if you suddenly decide you didn't really want to make it.

You must have a modem attached to your computer, and have specified the
correct port number during the SETUP, to use the automatic dial feature.

If you do not have a modem, you can still use FONE800(tm).  Just place
the call the way you would normally, using the data in your database.
Then enter the memo as a permanent record of your conversation.  (See
ENTERING/EDITING A NOTE PAD MEMO).
** CALL SCREEN: ENTERING A MEMO

From the PLACE CALL screen, you may enter a new memo, or edit a previous
memo in the memo field.  To make an initial entry, just type the text.
FONE800(tm) will automatically add the date and time of your entry to the
memo.  To see previous memo entries, press the F3 key, and your current
memo will be replaced by the previous memo in the NOTE PAD field.  Press
F3 again, and the current memo will re-appear.  The F3 key can be used
to toggle back and forth between the current memo and the previous memos.

The following standard editing keys are supported:
  Cursor Up/Down/Left/Right
  Page Up/Down
  Home/End
  Tab/Shift-Tab
  Insert/Delete/Backspace
  Enter/Return

The following additional keys are also supported:
  Ctrl-Y to delete a line
  Ctrl-N to insert a blank
  Ctrl-Cursor Left/Right to move a word at a time

There IS a limit to the memory which can be allocated to the memo data,
and it will be different for each user, depending upon how the computer
is configured.  We suggest that you limit your total memo entries for
each Toll-Free service to about 60 lines.

As the number of Toll-Free services which also have memos increases, so
will the time to find a particular memo increase.  If you experience
an unacceptable delay between the time you select a service for the
PLACE CALL screen, and the time the screen appears, you can decrease
this time by making hard copies of some of your infrequently-used memos,
then deleting those memos.
** CALL SCREEN: DELETING A MEMO

FONE800(tm) remembers your note pad memo entries and makes them
available on the CALL screen with the use of the F3 key.
If you wish to conserve disk space by deleting old memo entries,
just use the Ctrl-Y (delete line) sequence to delete all lines
in the old memo entry.
** CALL SCREEN: PRINTING A REPORT

FONE800(tm) will print a one-page report containing all information
entered about a toll-free service.  Select PRINT from the main menu,
then select the toll-free service to be printed.

FONE800(tm) does not generate any specialized printer graphics, so the
report can be printed on almost any printer.

You can also print a report for the service displayed on the BROWSE
screen by pressing the F6 key.
** CALLING 800 INFORMATION

Press F9 from the ADD, COPY/MODIFY, PLACE CALL, or MODIFY screen, and
FONE800(tm) will dial the 800 information number (1-800-555-1212).

The call is handled in the same way as described under PLACING A CALL.
** SETUP: INTERNATIONAL USERS

FONE800(tm) is also usable by International users, who are outside the USA.

Enter your international access code on the SETUP screen.

You may also specify a number of seconds to pause, after dialing the
access code, and before dialing the 800 number.

** SETUP: CALLING CARDS

FONE800(tm) supports the use of an international calling card, when
dialing 800 numbers.

Enter your credit card number on the SETUP screen.  The number will
be remembered, and will be used when dialing your international 800
calls.  The number is encrypted, in the disk file, for safety.

You may also specify a number of seconds to pause, after dialing the
800 number, and before dialing the credit card number.

** SETUP: MODEM PORT

FONE800(tm) provides automatic telephone number dialing if you have a
Hayes-compatible modem connected to your computer on a serial port.

If you do not have a modem, you can still use FONE800(tm).  Just place
the call the way you would normally, using the data in your database.
Then use the other features of FONE800(tm) to conveniently record your
personal database entry data.

If you have a modem attached to your computer, you must specify the
serial communications port to which it is connected.

On the SETUP screen
   - Enter "0" if you do not have a modem
   - Enter "1" if the modem is connected to serial port 1
   - Enter "2" if the modem is connected to serial port 2
   - Enter "3" if the modem is connected to serial port 3
   - Enter "4" if the modem is connected to serial port 4

Also see SELECTING PULSE OR DIAL TONE.
** SETUP: PULSE OR TONE DIALING

You may select the method that FONE800(tm) uses for dialing numbers.  On
the setup screen, enter a "Y" after "Tone Dialing" if your modem and
phone line both support tone dialing.  Otherwise enter "N", and
FONE800(tm) will send pulse dialing commands to the modem when dialing.

Just a reminder:  You must have a modem connected to your computer,
and have specified the port to which it is connected, for auto-dialing
to work.

Also see SETTING UP YOUR MODEM.
**  SETUP: SCREEN COLORS

FONE800(tm) supports color monitors with two color modes:

  * SUPER-COLOR mode provides screens with high-visibility colors.
    This is the preferred setting for most people.  To get the
    super-color screens, enter "Y" in the SUPER-COLOR field on the
    SETUP screen.

  * NORMAL COLOR mode provides screens for those who prefer colors
    which are more "toned-down".  Some businesses have expressed a
    preference for the more conservative colors provided on these
    screens.  To get these screens, enter "N" in the SUPER-COLOR field
    on the SETUP screen.

** CALCULATOR: FILE TRANSFER TIME

Use this screen to calculate how long it will take to transfer a file to
or from an on-line telecommunications service.

Since different services support different connection baud rates, and have
different amounts of file transfer overhead, you must fill in the fields
at the bottom of the screen with the usual transfer rates of the services
you usually call.

You can perform a sample calculation at the top of the screen, to calculate
how long it took for a file transfer.  Then take the transfer rate
which is calculated, and enter it in the transfer rate field on the line
corresponding to the service for the file transfer you just timed.

Once these fields are filled in, the information will be remembered.

Then, just enter the size, in kilobytes, of the file to be transferred,
and the time to transfer the file to each of the services listed will
be displayed.
** CALCULATOR: FAX TRANSMIT TIME

Use this screen to calculate how long it will take to transmit a FAX.

Since different FAXes and phone lines may take different amounts of time,
you will need to fill in the fields at the bottom of the screen with the
typical FAX transmission rates of your usual connections.

You can perform a sample calculation at the top of the screen, to calculate
how long it took for a previous FAX.  Then take the transmit rate per page
which is calculated, and enter it in the transmit rate field on the line
corresponding to the connection you just timed.

Once these fields are filled in, the information will be remembered.

Then, just enter the size, in pages, of the document to be FAXed,
and the FAX tranmission time to each of the connections listed will
be displayed.
** CALCULATOR: GENERAL PURPOSE

A general purpose calculator is available from the utility menu, and from
the CALL screen.  This calculator works with the + - / * keys on the numeric
keypad, and will provide a hard copy of the calculator tape to your printer
when you press the F7 key.

To finish a calculation, remember to press the ENTER key.  You can also
press the equals "=" key.

Then, if you wish to perform additional calculations, press the "A" key,
or press the ESC or Q key to quit the calculator screen.

** MISC: ADDRESS LABELS

You can print address labels from FONE800(tm).  Select the LABELS menu
item on the MAIN menu to get to the label control screen.

** MISC: CALENDAR

A general-purpose month calendar is provided on the UTILITY menu.
You can enter a short reminder on any day of any month, and it will
be remembered for display any time in the future.

** MISC: MOUSE SUPPORT

FONE800(tm) now recognizes if you have a mouse driver installed!
You can move the data entry cursor directly to a field by moving
the mouse cursor to the field and clicking with the left mouse button.

In addition, nearly every screen has "buttons" which can be selected
with the mouse, to cause desired actions to occur.  For example, to
select a menu item, you can now just click the mouse on the button
to the left of the item!

** MISC: SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

FONE800(tm) requires a PC-compatible with an 80286 or higher processor,
running DOS 3.3+, 5.0, or 6.x.

The database library which FONE800(tm) uses is not compatible with
DOS 4.0x, or DOS 3.2 or lower.
** USER MANUAL

I have prepared a complete, and well documented Users Manual for
FONE800(tm).  The User Manual is detailed, and was written to serve
as a tutorial/instructional guide for the Novice PC User, or as a handy
reference text for the more experienced PC User. A copy of the manual
is included as a plain text file entitled MANUALF8.DOC.  The file contains
no margins or page feeds so you must align the printer paper carefully.
You can also load the file into your word processor and add line feeds and
page feeds to conform to your tastes and requirements.

To print the manual as a plain text file on your printer, type the
following command after the DOS prompt:

                      COPY MANUALF8.DOC PRN


FOR MORE INFORMATION:      EUGENE L. WOODS, PE/EE
                           P. O. Box 261267
                           San Diego, CA 92196 / USA

                             TELEPHONE (Voice):  1 619 549 4057
** END

FILE ID: F800HELP.DAT

COPYRIGHT (c) 1991, BY EUGENE L. WOODS, PE/EE.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE TITLE/FILENAME, CONTENTS, AND MANNER OF PRESENTATION ARE FULLY
PROTECTED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.  COPYING OR
REPRODUCTION IS FORBIDDEN WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE
AUTHOR/PREPARER.

93-29-01, Reviewed by Gene Woods.
93/02/20, Updated by SK Hushing III.
93/06/23, Updated by Gene Woods.
94/05/04, Updated by Gene Woods.