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Text File | 1994-12-13 | 61KB | 1,017 lines

Note: This abbreviated manual is 132 characters wide so set your printer to print in a compressed font. The width is due to how Word Perfect exports documents into ASCII when using true type fonts in the original manual. ___________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Philatelist v2.0 Abbreviated User's Manual Greg W. Morken PO Box 373190 Satellite Beach, FL 32937 CompuServe ID: 70403,2746 (407) 255-5918 after 5pm EST U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Legal Notices ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ U.S. Philatelist is copyright (c)1994 by Greg W. Morken. All rights are reserved. You are licensed to use the program on the following terms and conditions: a. You may load and use this program on any computer available to you as long as only one program is executing at any given time. b. You may not use a subset of this program or data files with other software application packages or reverse-engineer the object code. . Limited Warranty The program diskette is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 90 days from date of delivery. Just return the disk for a quick replacement. Except for the above warranty, the software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, are expressly disclaimed. You assume all risks as to selection, quality, installation, results, and performance. Greg W. Morken does not warrant that the functions contained in the software will meet your requirements or that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error free. SCOTT numbers are used in U.S. Philatelist under a non-exclusive license from Amos Press.. The marks SCOTT and SCOTT'S are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and are the trademarks of Amos Press, Inc., dba Scott Publishing Company. No use may be made of these marks or of material in this publication which is reprinted from a copyrighted publication of Amos Press, Inc., without the express written permission of Amos Press, Inc., Sidney Ohio. Thanks to: My wife Sharon, for her extraordinary patience as these programs require a lot of time... Table of Contents Page System Requirements ................................................................................................................... 5 Program Installation .................................................................................................................. 5 Common Errors ......................................................................................................................... 6 Technical Support ..................................................................................................................... 6 Starting U.S. Philatelist ............................................................................................................. 7 Market Value Notes .................................................................................................................... 7 Inventory database Modify/View entries ................................................................................................................. 9 Add new entries ..................................................................................................................... 10 Delete entry ........................................................................................................................ 11 Export/Import data .................................................................................................................. 12 Sort entries ........................................................................................................................ 13 Move entries other file.............................................................................................................. 13 Use other data file ................................................................................................................. 13 Display stamp images ................................................................................................................ 14 Compress inventory file.............................................................................................................. 14 Re-Calculate Inventory Values ....................................................................................................... 14 Stamp Values Market Values - United States ....................................................................................................... 15 Market Values - Modify/View.......................................................................................................... 15 Market Values - Add.................................................................................................................. 16 Market Values - Delete............................................................................................................... 16 Market Values - Sort................................................................................................................. 16 U.S. Plate Number Coil Values ....................................................................................................... 17 Reports Wantlist Report...................................................................................................................... 19 Inventory Report .................................................................................................................... 19 Cost Analysis Report ................................................................................................................ 19 Inventory Analysis Report ........................................................................................................... 20 Auction/MailBids Report ............................................................................................................. 20 Stamps to Upgrade Report ............................................................................................................ 20 New Inventory (by date) Report ...................................................................................................... 21 Identifiers By subject/phrase .................................................................................................................. 22 U.S. Washington/Franklin .......................................................................................................... 22 U.S. Regular Issue (1922-29)........................................................................................................ 23 How to Grade a Stamp ............................................................................................................... 23 Table of Contents (cont) Utilities Page Auctions Determine Bids .................................................................................................................. 24 Modify/View Bids ................................................................................................................ 24 Add Bids ........................................................................................................................ 24 Delete Bids ..................................................................................................................... 24 Create Bid Letter ............................................................................................................... 24 View Bid Letter ................................................................................................................. 25 Print Bid Letter ................................................................................................................ 25 Backup Data Files .................................................................................................................. 25 Restore Data Files ................................................................................................................. 25 Printer Options .................................................................................................................... 25 Video Options ...................................................................................................................... 25 Stamp Percentages .................................................................................................................. 26 Modify Name/Address ................................................................................................................ 26 System Information ................................................................................................................. 26 EMS/XMS Options .................................................................................................................... 26 Quit Quit and return to DOS ............................................................................................................ 27 Shell to DOS ...................................................................................................................... 27 U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 System Requirements / Install ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 1. U.S. Philatelist will run on any IBM or 100% compatible computer. Requirements include: 512K free conventional memory, hard drive with 2.8 MB+ free space, and MS-DOS 3.3 through 6.2. A Microsoft or Logitech mouse is optional. 2. Over 205 printers are supported within U.S. Philatelist. All possible printer ports are supported (LPT1-3, COM1-4). PROGRAM INSTALLATION Both the demo and registered versions uses an install program to extract and uncompress the program files onto your hard disk. You can also copy the original program files onto your hard disk and install the program from your hard disk if desired. First you'll enter the subdirectory name where you want to install U.S. Philatelist to. You can accept the default of C:\STAMPS or enter any directory name of your choice. The program will create this subdirectory if necessary. Next you'll be asked if you want to load the optional Washington/Franklin stamp identifier with pictures. You can save 1.2MB of disk space by not installing this item. It can be loaded later by executing _3.exe and _4.exe files that are found on the master disk. After checking for 2.8MB of free hard disk space, it then extracts and uncompresses the various files that make up U.S. Philatelist. The program will then ask the type of printer that you have connected to the system. The program uses this information to send the proper printer codes to have your reports print in compressed or normal font. You can later change the printer type using "printer options" under the UTILITIES main menu. The program also checks to see if you have the DOS command "SHARE" loaded and the number of file handles available. The program will tell you if you need to set up your system differently (if necessary). If you change the FILES setting in your CONFIG.SYS file, be sure to re-boot the computer so your changes will take effect. Lastly, the program will ask you to enter your name and address. It uses this information to add your name/address to the various reports. You can change your name or address at any time by selecting 'Modify Name/Address' option under the 'Utilities' main menu option. If you don't want a name to appear on any report, leave these fields blank. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Errors/Technical Support ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ COMMON ERRORS DOS Error 2 - program tried to open a file that is not found on your disk. Reload the original program files to correct this problem. DOS Error 4 - not enough file handles are available. This is controlled by the statement "FILES=__" line in your CONFIG.SYS file. Increase the files to 65 in your file and re-boot the computer to recognize the change. NTX related errors (including internal error #19)- the index files are corrupted. Delete all *.NTX files and restart the program. Swap file errors - programs written in Clipper use a swap file that is normally deleted when you exit the program. If there is not enough free disk space or the default drive is write-protected, you may encounter a swap file error. Make sure you have at least 200K free on the default drive. Those people with expanded/extended memory enabled can have their swap file in memory. DBCreate error - You have very limited hard disk free space available. Delete some files and start the program again. Also check for lost clusters on your hard disk ("CHKDSK /F" and answer "Y" if this DOS program finds some). Lastly, check your CONFIG.SYS file for a line that says "FILES=xx". Make sure this xx number is at least 65. Will not print reports - make sure your network software is not interfering with this program's printing routine. Also check the printer port you've selected in the program matches the correct port used by your printer. This program supports LPT1-LPT3 and COM1-COM4. See printer options (under the UTILITIES main menu option) to see which port this program is trying to send the reports to. Change this port setting if necessary. System just stops, no error codes - this can happen if you don't have enough free memory OR you have some lost clusters on your hard disk. Make sure you have at least 512k free memory. Also, on a weekly basis, run the DOS command "CHKDSK /F" to fix any lost clusters. Answer "Yes" if the program does find these lost clusters to have them fixed. Share errors - if you must run SHARE.EXE in DOS 5.0 or later, then make WP.EXE file a "read- only" file. This is done with the DOS command "ATTRIB +R WP.EXE". . TECHNICAL SUPPORT When reporting any error, its very important I have all error numbers. It makes troubleshooting so much easier. You can contact me at PO Box 373190, Satellite Beach, FL 32937. The phone number is (407)255-5918 (PLEASE CALL BETWEEN 5PM-10PM EST). My CompuServe ID is 70403,2746 and all e-mail is answered within a few hours as I check for mail at least four times a day. I can also be contacted via Internet using the address 70403.2746@COMPUSERVE.COM. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Starting U.S. Philatelist/Market Value Notes ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ STARTING "U.S. PHILATELIST" You must first change to the directory where U.S. Philatelist is located (by default, it's located at C:\STAMPS). This is done by using the "CD \STAMPS" command. Type "USPRO" to start U.S. Philatelist. When U.S. Philatelist starts, your inventory file, the various market value files and PNC market values are indexed using the Scott catalog number as the index key. After indexing, you'll see the main menu. If you have a mouse you can select a menu option by highlighting the menu option and press the left mouse button. Use the right mouse button to exit a menu to the next higher menu level. For those without a mouse, use the arrow keys to move around the menus. Press the <esc> key to exit out of the current menu to the next higher menu level. The program will normally use the last inventory file that was used in this program. To start U.S. Philatelist using another inventory file, type "US /LOAD=stamps.inv" where stamps.inv can be any valid USPro inventory file. The other option that can be used when starting USPRO is "/NOINDEX". If you DO NOT modify any of your inventory or market value files outside of USPRO, you can speed up the indexing procedure by adding /NOINDEX to the USPRO command line (eg USPRO /NOINDEX ). This will re-use the previous index files left over from your last session. Type USPRO /? to see the syntax and use of these optional startup parameters. MARKET VALUE NOTES The US stamp files also contain most every back-of-book issues such as postage due, stamped envelopes (cut squares), revenues, officials, etc. The stamp numbers you enter are converted to 4 digits with prefix/suffixes added as necessary. For example, "C4a" is converted to "C0004A". The market value databases use only uppercase prefixes/suffixes but the inventory database does allow lowercase letters. There are exceptions to this rule when entering some back-of-book issues such as semi-postals and local stamps where the second and third characters are alphabetic. Those entries are not converted and left as-is. We've received a lot of comments on our use of uppercase suffixes (eg 1075A) in the market values instead of the lowercase letter as designated by SCOTT Publishing Co. We are not aware of any example where the same number with a lowercase suffix conflicts with the same number with an uppercase suffix (eg 1097A and 1097a). We made a decision to convert all Scott numbers to uppercase to help novices who may not be aware of the technical difference between uppercase and lowercase suffixes. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Modify/View Inventory Entries ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ MODIFY/VIEW SINGLE STAMP Selecting this option allows you to modify a single catalog number one at a time. Enter the catalog number where to start from or press <esc> to return to the main menu. If this stamp entry is found, you're prompted whether to modify this entry or skip forward or backwards to the next entry. For help in editing each data field on this screen, look at the "inventory - add individual stamp" section of this manual (page 10). MODIFY/VIEW MULTIPLE STAMPS Select this option to view multiple stamps in your inventory. You can view up to 45 inventory entries on a single screen. Enter a starting catalog number. You control the number of rows on the screen by using the "video options" menu item listed under the "Utilities" main menu option. The fields for each entry exceed the screen width so you'll have to use the right/left arrows to view all columns for a given stamp entry. While viewing these multiple entries, the first column (primary stamp number) will remain frozen on the screen as you move right to view additional fields for this entry. There are several things you can do to customize this display by using the following keys: F1 - display a help screen - also shows current inventory database in use F2 - delete the current column from the view. You can't delete the first column (Scott number). Once you delete a column, you can't restore it until you exit to the main menu and return to this screen. F3 - used to rearraign the columns into any order. Press F3 to cut the current column to the clipboard. Move to the desired new column position and press F3 again to paste the column. You can't cut/paste column one (primary stamp number). F4 - display all fields for the current entry on a single screen. This will look just like the "add inventory" screen. Press any key to return to the multiple stamps view. F5 - move current entry to a new inventory data file (see "move entry", page 13 for more info) F6 - delete the current entry and compress the inventory file Several other keyboard functions are also available and they are listed below: Ins toggle overwrite/insert mode Del delete current character at cursor PgUp page up one screen PgDn page down one screen Ctrl-PgUp go to top of the database Ctrl-PgDn go to the bottom of the database Home go to far left column End go to far right column Ins toggle insert/overwrite Del delete current character Tab pan right Shift-Tab pan left To edit a field, press either the <enter> key or just start typing in the characters to go in that field. Make your desired changes and press <enter> to save it. If you change your mind and want to keep the original contents of the field, press <esc>. Pressing <enter> in the remarks column brings up a remarks editing window. Press F2 to save the comments or <esc> to keep original contents. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Inventory - Add new entries ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ADD INDIVIDUAL STAMPS Selecting this option will bring up a data entry screen with 14 fields to fill in. The data you enter into each of these fields (except the remarks) are carried over to subsequent entries that can save you a lot of time. Pressing the <esc> will back you up to the previous data field. Each of the fields are briefly described below: Catalog Number - enter a SCOTT number. The number you enter will be converted to 4 digits plus any necessary suffix/prefix letters (eg. "C4a" will be converted to C0004a). This ensures the stamp numbers will sort correctly and adds consistency to the market value databases. An entry will NOT be converted if the second or third letter is alphabetic (eg 9N100). Year of Issue - filled in by the computer on the registered version otherwise enter what year the stamp was issued. Description - filled in by the computer on the registered version otherwise enter the stamp description. Type - enter the type of stamp. You are required to use one of the choices as listed in the pop-up menu. Select your choice and press <enter> or press the left mouse button on your choice. Grade - enter the grade (centering) of this stamp. You are required to use one of the choices as listed in the popup menu. Select your choice and press <enter> or press the left mouse button on your choice. Select the bottom option to see how to grade your stamps. Gum - enter the gum condition of this stamp. You are required to use one of the choices as listed in the popup menu. Select your choice and press <enter> or press the left mouse button. Source - enter where you got this stamp from. You are required to use one of the choices as listed in the popup menu. Select your choice and press <enter> or press the left mouse button. Date Acquired - enter the date you purchased/traded for this stamp. This date can be left blank. Multiple - enter how many of these stamp make up the block (if applicable). IMPORTANT: If you are entering an individual sheet of stamps, plate block, or a plate number coil strip, enter a "1" otherwise the market values will be wrong. The market value files take in consideration how many stamps make up a plate block, PNC5 or sheet. Enter 2 or more for multiple copies of this item. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Inventory - Add/Delete entries ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Lock Value - enter "Yes" (T) if you want to lock in the stamp value which prevents the program from ever modifing the value that you've assigned or computer has generated. This is useful when you have an unusual stamp (eg green cancel on 19th century stamp, etc). Scan image - You can display pictures of your stamps if you have a scanner and software that saves these images in .PCX format. Enter the file name containing the PCX scan of this stamp in this field. This field is optional. This program supports the following black and white .PCX picture sizes : a. 640x480x16 b. 640x350x16 c. 320x200x256 Price Paid - enter the price you paid for the stamp Market Value - filled in by the computer for selected countries (if you have the optional market value files for these countries) otherwise enter your best guess of its value. This value is adjusted for grade and gum conditions of this particular stamp. If desired, you can override this computer- generated value with one of your own. Remarks - Enter any comments you want to make about this stamp. This window will allow you up to 64,000 characters (13 typewritten pages) for each stamp entry. You do NOT need to press <enter> at the end of each line as the words will wrap to the next line automatically. Press F2 to save these comments. ADD RANGE OF STAMPS This option allows you to quickly add a whole series of stamps with a minimum of effort. You need to enter starting/ending numbers and all entries between these two numbers will be added. After specifying a start/end stamp number, you'll see a data entry screen just like the one used for entering single numbers. Some items, obviously, are skipped (eg, year of issue, description and market value) but the rest of the data fields are the same as found in the "add individual stamps" section found on the previous page. A market value, country name and year of issue is added to each inventory entry. DELETE SINGLE STAMP FROM INVENTORY Enter the stamp number of the entry to delete. The program will display all matching entries one at a time and will ask you to confirm the deletion. Press <esc> if you want to quit and return to the main menu. DELETE RANGE OF STAMPS FROM INVENTORY Enter the range of stamp numbers to delete. All stamps within this range will be deleted and the inventory database compressed without any additional user interaction. Press <esc> if you want to quit and return to the main menu. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Inventory - Sort Entries/Use Other Data File ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SORT INVENTORY Selecting this option allows you to sort your inventory file in 28 different ways. The field you select as the primary key stays in effect until you quit the program. When you view your inventory or print a report, they will be displayed/printed according to the last sort you've selected. By default, sort by catalog number in ascending order is used when you start-up the program. You can sort on the following fields in either ascending or descending order: 1. Catalog Number (default) 8. Source 9. Date Purchased 2. Centering 10. PNC Number 3. Original Cost 11. PNC Length 4. Stamp Type 12. PCX Scan Name 5. Gum 13. Stamp Description 6. Current Value 14. Year of Issue 7. Multiple MOVE ENTRY TO A DIFFERENT INVENTORY FILE Move any stamp entry in the current inventory file to a different inventory file. As the record is added to the new file, this entry in the current database is deleted. The destination file must exist prior to moving any inventory entries. See the second paragraph below on creating new inventory databases. USE OTHER DATA FILE Selecting this option allows you to have multiple data files. Many users have requested this option so they could have one data file for each of their albums. There is no limit to the number of data files you can have. By default, the last inventory file you used is loaded when the program is started the next time. CREATE NEW DATABASE Selecting this option will create a brand new empty database for you to use. You'll be prompted to enter a valid DOS name without the extension. The file extension ".INV" will be added to the file name you specify. After you select this option, all stamp entries you add during that session will be added to your new file. If you specify an existing file name, the old file will be overwritten with a fresh copy. DISPLAY CURRENT DATABASE INFORMATION Selecting this option will display the current inventory file and how many stamp entries you have. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Inventory - Load/Display/Compress ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ LOAD DIFFERENT FILE A popup menu of all your inventory files will be shown. After you select which file to use, it is then loaded and sorted on the stamp number (in ascending order). Whatever data file was last used before exiting US Philatelist will be the file loaded the NEXT time you start the program. You can override this feature by specifying which file to use when you start the U.S. Philatelist program. At the DOS prompt, type WP /LOAD=xxxx.xxx where xxx.xxx is any valid USPro inventory file name. DISPLAY STAMP IMAGES Selecting this option allows you to display pictures of your inventory on the screen. This option requires a hand scanner and additional software that will output the scan in the popular .PCX format. Three full screen scan sizes are supported; 640x480x16, 640x350x16 and 320x200x256. These scans must be in black and white (color scans are not supported in this version). You must have an EGA or VGA monitor to view these pictures. DISPLAY SCAN BY FILE NAME A pop-up box will appear with all .PCX scan files listed. If you have more stamp scans then what will show in this box, then this box will "scroll" through all matching directory entries. If the file name you select is in one of the 3 supported sizes (listed above), then the screen will clear and the picture shown. Press any key to re-display the main menu. All stamp scans must end with the file extension ".PCX". A sample stamp scan is included in this package for those who don't have a scanner but want to see this program's function. Select the "display by file name option" and enter T1.PCX as the stamp to display. Once the picture is on the screen, press any key to return to the program. DISPLAY SCAN BY STAMP NUMBER Enter a stamp number to display. The program then looks at your inventory entries and displays all graphic scans for inventory entries matching this stamp number (the PCX file name field must be filled in). If the PCX file name is in one of the supported sizes (listed above), the screen clears and the stamp is shown. Press any key to return to the main menu. COMPRESS INVENTORY FILE As you add, delete, or move entries around, the inventory file may grow very large even if it has only a few entries. When you delete a stamp entry, the file size does NOT decrease. The deleted entry space is simply reused at some future point. This option extracts all of the unused areas within the inventory file. RE-CALCULATE INVENTORY VALUES This option is normally only used when the market value files are modified and you want to update the computer generated values for each of your inventory entries. If the lock value option is enabled for this entry, no changes are made. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Market Values - Modify/View Entries ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ MARKET VALUES Market values are currently available for 6600+ United States stamps in the registered version. MODIFY/VIEW MULTIPLE MARKET VALUE ENTRIES Select this option to view multiple stamps in your market value files. You can view up to 45 inventory entries on a single screen. Enter a starting catalog number. If the catalog number is not found then the viewing starts with the first entry. You control the number of rows on the screen by using the "video options" menu item listed under the "Utilities" main menu option. The fields for each entry exceed the screen width so you'll have to use the right/left arrows to view all columns for a given market value entry. While viewing these multiple entries, the first column (Scott number) will remain frozen on the screen as you move right to view additional fields for this market value entry. There are several things you can do to customize this display by using the following keys: F1 - display a help screen F2 - delete the current column from the view. You can't delete the first column (Scott number). Once you delete a column, you can't restore it. Exit to the main menu and return to this screen have all the columns visible again. F3 - used to rearraign the columns into any order. Press F3 to cut the current column to the clipboard. Move to the desired new column position and press F3 again to paste the column. You can't cut/paste column one (primary stamp number). F4 - display all fields for the current entry on a single screen. This will look just like the "add inventory" screen. Press any key to return to the multiple stamps view. F5 - delete the current entry Several other keyboard functions are also available and they are listed below: Ins toggle overwrite/insert mode Del delete current character at cursor PgUp page up one screen PgDn page down one screen Ctrl-PgUp go to top of the database Ctrl-PgDn go to the bottom of the database Home go to far left column End go to far right column Ins toggle insert/overwrite Del delete current character Tab pan right Shift-Tab pan left To edit a field, press either the <enter> key or just start typing in the characters to go in that field. Make your desired changes and press <enter> to save it. If you change your mind and want to keep the original contents of the field, press <esc>. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Market Values - Add/Delete/Sort ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ADD MARKET VALUE ENTRIES Selecting this option will bring up a data entry screen with 10 fields to fill in. Each of the fields are briefly described below: Catalog Number - enter a Scott stamp number Year of Issue - enter the 4 digit year when this stamp was issued. Description - enter up to 40 characters giving face value and subject Stamp Values - enter the market value for this stamp number for the mint, used, plate block, first day cover, sheet, ordinary cover and coil line pair. If a category doesn't apply (eg. Plate Block value for coil stamps), leave this field as 0.00. The acceptable market value range is $0 - $99,999.99. DELETE SINGLE MARKET VALUE ENTRY Enter the stamp number of the entry to delete. The program will display the matching entry and will ask you to confirm the deletion. Then you can enter additional numbers or return to the main menu. If you delete any entries, the market value database will be compressed before going back to the main menu. DELETE RANGE OF MARKET VALUE ENTRIES Enter a range of stamp numbers to delete. All stamps within this range will be deleted and the Market Values database will be compressed prior to returning to the main menu. SORT MARKET VALUE ENTRIES Enter the field you want to sort on and whether it will be in ascending or descending order. You can sort on any of the following fields: 1. Scott Number (default when starting program) 2. Year of Issue 3. Description 4. Value (Mint) 5. Value (Used) 6. Value (Plate Block) 7. Value (First Day Cover) 8. Value (Ordinary Cover) 9. Value (Sheet) 10. Value (Coil Line Pair) U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 PNC - Modify/Add/Delete ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ MODIFY/VIEW MULTIPLE PNC VALUE ENTRIES Selecting this option will bring up a data box asking you for a starting catalog number to modify/view. If you enter a number that is not found in the PNC value database, it will start with the next higher entry that is found. Since the screen width is narrower than the data fields width for a specific stamp, use the right arrow key to view the other data fields for this entry. The stamp number in the first column will not scroll off the screen, this will help you keep track of the entry you're currently viewing/modifying. EGA/VGA users can control the number of stamps shown on screen at one time. This program can utilize the extra screen rows that the EGA (43 lines) or VGA (50 lines) modes provide. To change the number of entries shown at one time, select "video options" under the UTILITIES main menu option. Users with CGA monitors who try to change to 43/50 lines will have their requests ignored. You can change information in any data field for any stamp by highlighting the data field to change and press <enter>. Now you can type in the new data. Note: if you start to edit an entry and change your mind, press <esc> to keep the original information. ADD NEW PLATE NUMBER COIL ENTRIES Selecting this option allows you to add new plate number coil issues to the PNC market value file. Each of the fields are briefly described below: Scott Number - enter the catalog number. PNC plate number - enter the small number found at the bottom of the stamp design. Description - enter up to 40 characters giving face value and subject Stamp Values - enter the market value for each PNC format; mint strip of 5, mint strip of 3, and used single. DELETE SINGLE PNC ENTRY Enter the stamp number of the entry to delete. The program will display the matching entry and will ask you to confirm the deletion. Then you can enter additional numbers or return to the main menu. If you delete any entries, the PNC value database will be compressed before going back to the main menu. DELETE RANGE OF PNC ENTRIES Enter a range of stamp numbers to delete. All stamps within this range will be deleted and the PNC Value database will be compressed prior to returning to the main menu. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 PNC - Sort Entries ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SORT PNC ENTRIES Enter the field you want to sort on and select if the sort will be in ascending or descending order. You can sort on any of the following fields: Stamp Number (default primary sort key) PNC number Description Value (Mint, strip of 5) Value (Mint, strip of 3) Value (Used, single) U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Reports ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ WANTLIST REPORT Select this option when you want to create a report listing the stamps you need for those empty spaces in your album. Since the computer already knows what stamps you've entered into your inventory, its real easy to let the computer generate this report. You also have ability to enter these stamps one at a time manually. The Wantlist option screen is where you tell what information you want included in this report. If you select "Wantlist will be created by computer", the program will later prompt you for the price range and stamp numbers that you want to stay within. Depending on the your use of this report, you can include only catalog numbers (to send to dealers) or have the computer include a description and/or value (for you to use at stamp shows, etc.). One to eight stamp types can be included on the same report. If you try to view/print a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as WANTLIST.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. INVENTORY REPORT Select this option when you want to create a report containing some or ALL of your inventory entries. The sub-menus allow you to select all or a range of catalog numbers, and specialized formats like list all stamps from a specific source or one stamp type. If you try to view/print a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as INVENTRY.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. COST ANALYSIS REPORT Select this option when you want to see how your stamps are doing as an investment, source of your collection or the general condition. Net gains (or losses) are identified as are the number of entries for each source and type. If you try to view/print a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as COSTVAL.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Reports ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ INVENTORY TYPE ANALYSIS REPORT Select this option to create a report showing the different categories of stamps, number of entries you have in each category, original cost and current market value. If you try to view/print a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as INVTYPE.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. AUCTION / MAIL BIDS REPORT Select this option to create a list of all MailBids and auction bids you've entered into the auction database (auction activities are located under the "utilities" main menu option). You can sort (or not sort) ON five different database fields; company, closing date, description, lot number, or bid amount. If you try to view/print a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as MAILBIDS.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. See a sample of this report in the back of this manual. STAMPS TO UPGRADE REPORT Select this option to create a list of all low quality stamps that you have in your collection that you want to upgrade. You enter the highest stamp grade to include and all inventory equal or less then this grade will be listed into a report. You also have the option to include the remarks field for each entry on this report. If you try to view a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as UPGRADE.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Reports ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ NEW INVENTORY (BY DATE) REPORT Select this option to list all stamps and covers purchased after a specific date. Remarks are optional in this report. Enter a date when asked and all stamps bought on or after this date list be sent to a report. If you try to view a report that has not been created yet, the program will create it first and then display it. This report is saved on disk as NEWINV.DOC and can be printed/viewed outside this program, if desired. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Stamp Identifiers ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ IDENTIFY BY PHRASE/SUBJECT This option allows you to enter a subject (eg. Olympics) or a person (eg. Disney) and all market value descriptions are searched for the phrase you've entered. All matching entries are displayed giving the stamp number, year of issue and the complete stamp description. This function uses the market value file found in the registered version. EGA/VGA users can control the number of stamps shown on screen at one time. This program can utilize the extra screen rows that the EGA (43 lines) or VGA (50 lines) modes provide. To change the number of entries shown at one time, select "video options" under the UTILITIES main menu option. Users with CGA monitors who try to change to 43/50 lines will have their requests ignored. IDENTIFY UNITED STATES WASHINGTON/FRANKLIN SERIES This option takes whatever information you know about your unidentified Washington or Franklin stamp and narrows down the possible choices that this stamp could be. As you step through the identifier, use the keyboard or mouse to select your menu choices. After you have entered your information, program will list all the possible stamps that match your input criteria. Each of the data fields are briefly described below: perforation: Select the number of perforations (horizonal side first, followed by vertical side). Use a perforation gauge to measure these. watermark: Place your stamp face down in a shallow black container. Fill with watermark fluid and look for a watermark. If you are not sure of the watermark, select unknown. Be aware that these watermark letters may show up on any given stamp as partial letters so be careful in your examination. printing method: Measure the stamp design and compare to the following methods: Flat Plate : design will measure about 18½-19mm wide and 22mm high Rotary Press : design will measure about 19½-20mm wide and 22½-23 mm high Offset : stamps will have a waxy feel to them and design will be a little fuzzy Select 'unknown' if you are unable to determine the printing method. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Stamp Identifiers ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ portrait on stamp: Your two choices, obviously, are either Washington or Franklin. face value: Enter the face value of the stamp (1 cent to $1.0 ). Two and three cent stamps were printed with plates with slightly different characteristics (1 mark versus 2 marks on ribbons, more dots on the face, etc.). On these stamps a text screen will tell of the differences. If you want to see the differences, select the function key at the beginning of each line to see an EGA/VGA picture. paper type: There are two paper types for those stamps with perforation 12x12. Select your choice by highlighting your choice using the arrow keys and press <enter>. Select 'unknown' if you are unable to determine the stamp paper type EGA/VGA users can control the number of stamps shown on screen at one time. This program can utilize the extra screen rows that the EGA (43 lines) or VGA (50 lines) modes provide. To change the number of entries shown at one time, select "video options" under the UTILITIES main menu option. Users with CGA monitors who try to change to 43/50 lines will have their requests ignored. IDENTIFY UNITED STATES REGULAR SERIES 1922-29 This option takes whatever information you know about your unidentified 1920's stamp and narrows down the possible choices that this stamp could be. As you step through the identifier, use the keyboard or mouse to select your menu choices. After you have entered your information, program will list all the possible stamps that match your input criteria. Each of the data fields are briefly described below: perforation: Select the number of perforations (horizonal side first, followed by vertical side). Use a perforation gauge to measure these. face value: Enter the face value of the stamp (1 cent to $5.00). overprint: If your stamp has a black Nebr or Kans overprint, select that choice here. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Auction/MailBids ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ DETERMINE BIDS This tool helps you make reasonable bids for an auction. It works with any of the market value files. First select Scott number and then type of stamp. The next screen will give the market values for this Scott number in various grades and gum condition. Stamp types where gum is not applicable, only one value is given for each grade. These values are determined by the market value using the percentage multipliers you've defined in the percentages table found in "Stamp Percentages" option under "UTILITIES" on the main menu. MODIFY/VIEW AUCTION BIDS You can view all bids in effect through this option. Since the screen width is narrower than the data fields width for a specific bid, use the right arrow key to view the other data fields for this entry. EGA/VGA users can control the number of bids shown on screen at one time. This program can utilize the extra screen rows that the EGA (43 lines) or VGA (50 lines) modes provide. To change the number of entries shown at one time, select "video options" under the UTILITIES main menu option. Users with CGA monitors who try to change to 43/50 lines will have their requests ignored. You can change information in any data field for any stamp by highlighting the data field to change and press <enter>. Now you can type in the new data. Note: if you start to edit an entry and change your mind, press <esc> to keep the original information. Press F6 to delete an entry on this screen. ADD NEW AUCTION BIDS Select this option to add new auction bids. First, enter a company name. If this name is found in the auction database, the address is filled in for you automatically otherwise enter their address. This information is used when creating the auction/mailbid letter. The auction number and closing date are remembered for subsequent entries. DELETE AUCTION BIDS You can delete old/incorrect bids in any of three ways; company/auction number, auction number/lot number, and delete all entries over x days old. If you can't remember a sale number, for example, view the database first to get the correct information to fill in on this screen. CREATE AUCTION LETTER This option will create a letter for you to mail with all of your entered bids for this auction number. Once a letter is created, it automatically gets viewed on the screen. Press <esc> to return to the main menu. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Utilities-Auctions/Backup/Restore ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ VIEW AUCTION LETTER Use this option to view the last auction letter that you've created. If one doesn't exist, the program will ask you if you want to create one now and then view it. PRINT AUCTION LETTER This option allows you to print the last auction letter that you've created. The printer type and port location can be changed through "printer options" choice under "Utilities" main menu option. If a letter doesn't exist, control goes back to the main menu. BACKUP USER DATA This option will store all of your inventory and auction data files to a safe location. After entering a drive letter where to backup to, the program determines the total amount of space the backup will take up. The backup will span over multiple disks if necessary and all previous data on the backup disk will be overwritten automatically. The backup function senses unformatted disks and will allow you to format them during the backup process. RESTORE USER DATA This option makes it easy to restore data files in cases of system or user malfunctions (accidently deleted subdirectories, corrupted files, etc). After telling the program which floppy disk to restore from, each of the files on the floppy are restored to the current subdirectory. If you want to quit without restoring any disks, press the <esc> key which will return you to the main menu. PRINTER OPTIONS This option allows you to change the current printer settings. The program first displays the settings and asks if you want to change them. If yes, you first need to select which printer port the printer is connected to. Next you need to select a printer family. If your brand of printer is not listed, select "user defined". If you select this user defined option, you'll need to enter a name for your printer (any name is valid) and then enter the control codes that your printer requires for changing the font to compressed or back to normal sized characters. Enter these font codes in decimals, separated by commas. Lastly, you can have an extra wide left margin on these reports for those people who need to three hole punch them for notebooks, etc. Default is 0 extra spaces from the normal left margin. VIDEO OPTIONS This option allows you to utilize the extra screen rows that the EGA (43 lines) or VGA (50 lines) modes provide. This option sets the extended mode when you are viewing the databases in multi- stamp mode or when viewing reports. When enabled, you can view up to 45 entries at once. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Utilities-Percentages/Name-Address/Sys Info ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ MODIFY STAMP PERCENTAGES Rather then having a huge database of values for every possible centering and gum condition that a stamp might have, another method was used. Since most people are more interested in the approximate value of their collection, grade percentages are multiplied by the F/VF value for those really good stamps or space fillers. The default values should be adequate for normal usage. If you modify any of the percentages, it's suggested you recalculate all the inventory values using the "re-calculate inventory values" option listed under the Inventory on the main menu. MODIFY NAME/ADDRESS Use this option to modify the name and address used at the top of the various reports. Up to 4 lines are available to enter your name and address. If you would prefer not to have your name or address listed on a report, leave these 4 lines blank and the program will not include it on any report. SYSTEM INFORMATION This option is more for the author's use when troubleshooting problems but it may also be useful for you. This full screen's worth of information includes the software version, current inventory database in use, and the total number of entries you've entered into the database. It also gives you the DOS version, total conventional memory, free conventional memory, number of file handles that you have. In addition it gives the total disk space on the default drive, how much disk space is still available, and whether any of the program is loaded into extended or expanded memory. If you ever call or write to me for technical support, I'll need this screen of information. EMS/XMS MEMORY CONFIGURATION This program, like all Clipper-developed programs, uses a virtual memory (VM) file to take care of memory management and swap image storage functions. This overhead code to manage the VM file is automatically added to my program code by the Clipper compiler. By default, this overhead code uses extended memory first (if available) and expanded memory second to store this VM file. As future operating systems and Windows based environments are released, there may be possible software conflicts between this program and the yet-to-be developed operating system. This option allows you flexibility to keep this overhead code from using expanded and/or extended memory if necessary. If neither extended nor expanded memory are available, then this VM file will be stored on the hard disk. If you encounter DOS or system errors when running US Philatelist, then set the three options to "N" one at a time to see if the problem goes away. U.S. Philatelist/DOS v2.0 Utilities-Compress DB/Quit ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ QUIT TO DOS Select this option to close all files and return to the DOS prompt (or to Windows if you started this program in Windows). SHELL TO DOS Selecting this option will allow you to temporally exit to DOS. System memory will be reduced by only 8K while you are at the DOS prompt. When you are done with your tasks, type "exit" to return to the program. You do not have to return to the STAMPS directory before entering "exit". The program will do this for you automatically.