TealAuto User's Manual
Program Version 1.00
Last Updated: May 10, 2002
Description
Contents
Installing
Terms
used in this document
Overview
Using
TealAuto
Fueling Logs
Trip Logs
Service and Expense Logs
Reports and Summaries
Configuration
Meter Minder
Fueling
Logs
Fueling Entry Screen
Fueling Types
Data Fields
Fuel Quantity and Price
Notes
Trip
Logs
Trip Entry Screen
Trip Types
Accounts
Notes
Service
and Expense Logs
Scheduled Services Screen
Vehicle Services Screen
Services Entry Screen
Service/Expense Types
Data Items
Notes
Reports
and Summaries
Summary Reports
Text
Memo Pad
Doc File
CSV Formats
Summary Statistics
Comparison Reports
Vehicles
Accounts
Payment Types
Fuel Stations
Service Stations
Fuel Grades
Fuel Brands
Report Types
Bar Charts
Timeline Graphs
Configuration
Vehicles
Fuel Stations
Fuel Brands
Service Locations
Services
Accounts
Payment Types
Meter
Minder
Settings
Units
Services
Meter
Using
Services
Advanced
Reports
Fuel Efficiency
Pump Accuracy
Quality of Gas
Octane Mileage
Expense Summaries
Lease Mileage
Exporting
Data to a Spreadsheet
Format
Example:
Getting it to the Desktop
Importing
Data from a Spreadsheet
File Format
Getting the Data from the Desktop
Selecting the Memo
Setting Options
Selecting Columns
Undoing Changes
Purging
old Records
APPENDIX
A – Registering
APPENDIX
B - Products
APPENDIX
C - Credits
APPENDIX
D - Contact Info
APPENDIX E - Revision History
Disclaimer
Thank you for trying TealAuto, the advanced automobile mileage
and expense-tracking program for PalmOS.
TealAuto can be used to record fill-ups, trip distance, service and expenses
for multiple vehicles. The program is
highly configurable, supporting custom services, gas brands, gas grades,
service stations and billing accounts.
Unmatched reporting capabilities also allow exporting and summarizing of
information in charts, graphs, memos, or documents.
This archive contains the following files:
Program files:
TEALAUTO.PRC The TealAuto program file
TPSETUP.EXE Windows easy-installer program
Document files:
AUTODOC.PDF This document in Adobe Acrobat
(PDF) format
AUTODOC.PDB This document in Palm (TealDoc)
format
AUTODOC.HTM This document in HTML format (sans
images)
REGISTER.HTM TealPoint Registration form in HTML
format
REGISTER.TXT TealPoint Registration form in
text format
Use the Palm Install Tool that comes with
your organizer to install the program file TEALAUTO.PRC. The Palm Install Tool can be
found as an icon along the left hand side inside the Palm Desktop program on
your desktop computer.
Instructions on how to use the PalmOS Install Tool are in the
User Handbook that came with your Palm, Handspring, CLIE, WorkPad, or other
PalmOS handheld.
You may also wish to install the manual file AUTODOC.PDB, which is this document in
handheld-friendly format for reading with our product TealDoc.
On a Windows PC, you can alternatively run the automatic
installer program double-clicking on the TPSETUP.EXE
installer program, and following the on screen prompts.
Hardware Buttons:
The four
physical buttons (typically labeled Date, Address, To Do, and Memo) on the
bottom of the handheld.
Scroll Up/Down Buttons:
The
physical rocker switch or separate buttons at the bottom center of the handheld.
Graffiti:
The
special letter-like symbols you write to enter text with your stylus.
Graffiti Entry Area:
The
rectangular area at the bottom of the display screen where you can write
letters using the graffiti input language.
Silkscreen Buttons:
The four,
printed circular, tap areas (typically labeled Home, Menu, Calculator, and Find)
to the left and right of the graffiti drawing area.
Menus:
The
drop-down menus you get when tapping on the silkscreen Menu button.
TealAuto is a convenient and powerful data collection and analysis system, allowing you to easily enter fueling, service, and trip information while on the road. Powerful summary and analysis tools allow you to track and graph that information as well, all while still on the move. It even features a handy meter minder countdown timer with an alarm to keep those pesky parking tickets at a minimum.
TealAuto is a standard PalmOS application program. While it contains facilities for importing and exporting data to a desktop computer through the Palm Desktop, it does not contain a PC-component, and thus is compatible with PC’s, Macs, and any type desktop computer that can HotSync to the handheld.
Once installed, run TealAuto by tapping
on the “TealAuto” application icon on the PalmOS application launcher screen,
reachable by tapping the “Home” silkscreen button on the handheld.
TealAuto is easy to use, and consists of
six basic interface screens, reachable by six icons in the upper right corner
of each screen. From left to right and
top to bottom, the icons correspond to:
Fueling Entries, Trip Entries, Service and Expense Entries, Reports and
Summaries, Configuration, and Meter Minder.
The Fueling
Logs screen is used to log information about gas station stops, and
records the date, station, odometer readings, notes, billing account, and the
price, quantity, and grade of the fuel purchased.
The Trip Logs screen logs trip, accident, and
memo reports. Trip entries contain a
date, start and stop odometer reading and allow assigning the elapsed mileage
between up to three billing accounts.
Accident and memo reports contain only one odometer reading, and can be
used to store information relating to an event associated with a particular
date or mileage.
Services and Expenses are logged into this screen, which stores the cost, date, vendor, and mileage associated with this event. Services and expenses can be chosen from a configurable list of entries. Services can also be assigned a repeating time or mileage interval, so TealAuto can remind you when regular maintenance is due.
TealAuto features unmatched reporting and graphing capabilities, features accessible from the Reports and Summaries screen. Here, data can be summarized or exported to external formats including the memos, Doc files, and comma separated value (CSV) files. A wealth of analysis tools is available, allowing the break down of data records into text reports, bar charts, or timeline graphs.
TealAuto is extremely configurable. In the Configuration screen, the user can define a virtually unlimited number of vehicles, gas brands, gas stations, gas grades, payment types, billing accounts and service/expense types.
A simple but
useful feature, the Meter Minder
functions as a straightforward countdown timer with an alarm and multiple
retries.
The Fueling
Logs screen displays all fueling log entries for the current vehicle
along with the date and selectable information about each entry, such as the
type, odometer reading, calculated fuel efficiency, gas station, payment
method, etc.
Tap
“Edit” to enter the Fueling Entry
screen to see or modify details for an existing entry or “New Entry” to create
a new entry from scratch.
Use the Fueling
Entry screen to enter details for a stop to the gas station. An on-screen keypad is available for easy
Graffiti-free entry of numerical values.
When the “enter” button is pressed on the keypad, the next empty text
field is automatically activated.
Three
fill-up “types” can be selected: Full, Partial,
and Estimated. While all three accept the same data,
distinguishing between different fueling stops with different types allows for
selective report generation (see “Reports and Summaries”). For instance, it’s possible to generate fuel
efficiency reports that ignore any results calculated using data from
“estimated” fueling log entries.
Through
drop down menus, the gas station (location), gas grade (octane), payment type,
and billing account can be selected for the fueling stop. These selections come from the user-defined
list of available choices.
TealAuto
supports two methods of entering gas quantities. While the amount purchased can be entered as a straightforward
number of gallons (or litres), it can also be entered as a price per
gallon. If so, the gallons purchased
are calculated automatically when the total fuel cost is entered. The latter method is often preferable, as
the fuel price can be entered while gas is being pumped, leaving only one
quantity (the total cost) to be entered after pumping is done.
A
freeform note or memo can be associated with each entry. The first line appears on the fueling entry
screen. To expand the note to full
screen, tap on paper-shaped the “note” icon.
Tap “Edit” to enter the Trip Entry screen to see or modify details
for an existing entry or “New Entry” to create a new entry from scratch.
The Trip
Entry also features an on-screen keypad. As on the Fuel Entry
screen, when the “enter” button is pressed on the keypad, the next empty text
field is automatically activated.
Unlike fueling entries, trip entries
contain a selectable type which affect which data fields are available. “Trip”
entries contain both a start and end odometer reading, and are used to record
events associated with traveling a specified distance. The end odometer reading can be specified as
an actual final value, or as an elapsed distance (trip miles).
“Accident” and “Memo” entries, however,
are used to record notes and events associated with a single location and time,
such as an accident report or notable sighting.
The elapsed mileage for “Trip” events can be divided by up to three
separate billing or tracking accounts.
This allows for, say, a trip to be easily billed as 50% business and 50%
personal without creating two separate trip entries. Enter the miles to assign to the second and/or third account, and
the remaining balance will automatically be calculated and assigned to the
first account.
As with fueling entries, a freeform note
or memo can be associated with each entry.
To expand the note to full screen, tap on paper-shaped the “note” icon.
The Service
and Expense Logs screen displays non-fueling transactions that have
an associated cost. This can include
simple expenses such as parking and tolls, or scheduled maintenance items such
as oil changes and tire rotation.
When
scheduled services exist, the numbers of miles and days until the next
scheduled service are shown under the heading “Services Due”. To view individual scheduled services, tap
on the “Schedule” button to enter the Scheduled
Services screen.
The Scheduled
Services screen shows all services attached to the current vehicle,
along with the next date and/or miles at which the service is scheduled. Services listed only include those that have
been explicitly linked to the current vehicle.
To link or unlink services from the global available list, tap on the
“Edit Services” button.
While
the global list of services is defined in the Configuration
screen, services must be linked to a specific vehicle before they can be
used. This customization process allows
them to have periodic service intervals that vary from one vehicle to the next.
Tap
on the “Add” or “Rem” buttons to link or unlink, services from the available
global list. Tap on the “Edit” button
to modify an unlinked service, or “New” to create a new service.
Once services are linked (“active”), they can be scheduled to issue a reminder after a specified number of weeks and/or miles. When so selected, the date or mileage of the first (next) scheduled service should be set. Future services continue at the specified intervals.
The Services Entry screen is similar to both the Fuel and Trip Entry screens.
Entries
can be designated as “Service”, “Expense”, or “Misc” types. A scrolling list of services and expenses
presents items to be selected for the transaction. When a “Service” or “Expense” type is selected, only
corresponding entries are selectable.
When “Misc” is set, all items are displayed.
Standard
drop down lists and text entry fields allow for entry of odometer readings,
total cost, entry location, payment, and billing account.
As
with fueling entries, a freeform note or memo can be associated with each
entry. To expand the note to full
screen, tap on paper-shaped the “note” icon.
The
Reports and Summaries screen
presents powerful tools to analyze trends and compute statistics from
transaction logs entries.
The
transactions used in the reports are specified by a range of dates, which
default to the full range of entries present in the log when the screen is
first entered. While start and end
dates can be modified individually, on-screen buttons allow the start time to
be easily set to encompass the 1-month, 3-months, or 1-year interval preceding
the current end date.
The first of eight report options, Summary Reports summarize statistics
calculated from selected transactions in the specified date range. If the “Show individual transactions”
checkbox is selected, they can also optionally show details of individual
transactions, or export these transactions to external file formats for
importing into spreadsheets, word processors, or other programs.
Reports can be generated in the following
formats:
Displays
the information in a scrollable window.
The text can be copied or edited, or printed to an attached printer if
the program TealPrint is installed.
Text reports are limited to 32k in size, however; so large reports
should be output to Memo or Doc File format instead.
Exports
the report to one or more Memo Pad memos.
As memos are limited to 4k in size, TealAuto creates new memos as needed
to fit all the text in the report. As
text in memos can be selected and copied from the Palm Desktop software,
exporting to the Memo Pad can be a handy way to export data to the desktop.
Standard
Doc files are a simple text file format supported by most PalmOS document
readers like TealDoc. This option
creates a new uncompressed document with a name of your choosing. If you have a desktop conduit installed as
part of a PalmOS word processor that supports Doc format, this can be an
alternate way to import data to the desktop.
By
default, three data formats above output text in human-readable form. Alternatively, data can be output in
comma-separated-value (CSV) format commonly supported by most desktop
spreadsheet and database programs. See
the “Exporting Data” section of this document for more information on using CSV
files to export data to a spreadsheet program.
Summary
reports calculate some basic statistics about the transactions in the date
range, including:
Days of operation
Days
between first and last transactions in date range
Fueling entries
Number of applicable fueling entries
in date range
Trip log entries
Number of applicable trip entries in
date range
Service/expenses
Number of applicable service and
expense entries in date range
Total fuel purchased
Amount
of gasoline purchased (gallons/litres)
Average fuel purchased
Average
amount of gasoline purchased per fueling transaction (gallons/litres)
Average fuel efficiency
Average
fuel efficiency in time period (mpg/kpl)
Total trip distance
Total distance assigned to trip log
entries in date range (miles/km)
Total distance
Total
distance traveled (miles/km)
Total fuel cost
Total cost of fuel purchased ($)
Average fuel cost
Average
cost of fuel per transaction ($)
Total service and expense cost
Total
spent on service and expense entries ($)
Total operation cost
Total
service, expense, and fuel cost ($)
Average cost per mile
Total
operation cost divided by total distance ($ per mile/km)
Approximate total cost per month
Projected
total cost of operation per month ($ per month)
Projected annual distance
Projected
annual mileage based on date range (miles/km per year)
Adjusted direct expenses
Total
fuel and service expenses, adjusted by each account’s direct rate ($)
Adjusted travel expenses ($)
Total
assigned trip miles, adjusted by each account’s mileage adjustment rate ($)
Adjusted travel miles ($)
Total
miles assigned to accounts (miles/km)
Comparison
reports are designed to track a single statistic relating to a range of
transactions, and analyze how that figure varies over time or in relationship
to a particular variable. For instance,
average fuel efficiency can be calculated for a range of dates, and compared
from vehicle to vehicle. Additional
conditions can be specified for each report, such as only including
transactions from a specified account, for instance. Available choices differ by variable field.
Six
different variable options are supported, each summarizing the following
statistics:
·
Average Fuel
Efficiency
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Elapsed Total Distance
·
Total Trip Distance
·
Projected Annual Distance (mileage)
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Total Trip Distance
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Average Fuel Efficiency for Travel Prior
to Fueling
·
Average Fuel Efficiency for Travel After
Fueling
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Average Fuel Efficiency for Travel After
Fueling
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
·
Average Cost per Transaction
·
Average Fuel Efficiency for Travel After
Fueling
·
Average Fuel Prices
·
Total Fuel Purchased
·
Average Fuel Purchased per Transaction
·
Total Cost
In
addition to the standard text-based reports, comparison reports can be
displayed in graphic bar and line charts for easy judging of trends.
Bar
Charts show the same calculated statistics summarized in a text report, but
displays them as a simple bar chart with one bar for each variable item. The bars are identified with a single
letter, corresponding to an off-screen legend, reachable by tapping on the “Legend”
button.
Timeline
Graphs show the actual data points used to calculate averages and totals found
in the text reports. For a calculated
average such as average fuel efficiency, for instance, a timeline graphs shows
a data point for each transaction with that entry’s calculated fuel
efficiency. For a calculated total such
as elapsed travel distance, however, a data point is shown for the accumulated
mileage up to each data point, so trends can be seen in how fast the miles add
up.
The configuration screen allows for the
creation and customization of database entries used as selections for entries
in fuel, trip, and service logs. This
customization allows for a near unlimited number of vehicles, services,
accounts, etc.
Vehicle Entries support a number of
general purpose utility text fields such as VIN number, license plate, tire
size, oil type and/or quantity, and a general purpose note field. Of particular interest is the “miles” field,
which is used to calculate initial fuel efficiency for the first fueling and
the estimated time and mileage before initial service is due.
Also
present are two buttons used to view currently due services or attach services
to the vehicle.
Fuel stations support a general-purpose
note field, typically used to store the station’s location, address, or phone
number. In addition, it can also be
linked to a gas brand if the station is a member of a chain.
Fuel
Grade
Fuel
Grades are typically used to track the type of gas used in a fueling, such as
“regular”, “premium”, “plus”, or “surpreme”, or the octane rating for fuel.
Fuel
Brands support a note field and typically track the company, chain, or brand
name associated with the gasoline.
Service
Locations include garages and service stations which perform automobile
maintenance, or parking structures and lots that charge itemized expenses.
Services
are expense items that can be charged to a vehicle. Entries in this screen can be designated to appear as a service
or expense item or to appear for both types of service log entries. If neither is checked, the item will not be
selectable. Items can also be set to
require regular scheduled service by mileage and/or elapsed weeks. The schedule settings set on this screen are
only used as initial settings when a service is first applied to a
vehicle. Once added, the service
intervals can be individually adjusted in the vehicle’s separate service
screen.
Account
entries are generally used to track the billing purpose of expenses or trip
mileage, and are thus set to general categories such as “business”, “personal”,
or “commuter”. They can also be used to
assign expenses or travel to specific clients or customers as well.
In
addition to a general-purpose note field, account entries support two rate
fields used in summary reports.
The
first, an “adjusted trip” rate, assigns a cost-per-mile value to mileage
assigned to this account, while the second, an “adjusted direct expense” rate
assigns a percentage to be applied to fueling and expense entries assigned to
this account.
When
generating summary reports, the “adjusted rate” values for corresponding
transactions are calculated and totaled for transactions where an account has
been specified. The precise use of
these fields is not enforced, but they are typically used to expenses
reimbursed by employers at different rates, or estimate tax deductions for
expenses with differing deductibility rates.
Payment
types are typically used to track how an expense was paid for, be it cash,
check, credit card, or more specific selections, such as a particular checking
account or card.
The
meter minder provides a handy countdown timer to warn when your parking meter
is about to expire. The alarm can be
set to sound 1-10 minutes before the timer expires, or to retry a specified
number of times through settings in the program settings screen.
In program settings screen, various global preferences can be set, such as date format, measurement units, currency symbols, and decimal points to display for various quantities.
It’s important to note that changing unit preferences only changes the text labels used throughout the program and does not modify the data or calculations performed. Thus, once measurement units are chosen, data should consistently be entered in the same units from that point onwards.
The services warning period can also be set here. Whenever TealAuto is run, it checks to see if the current mileage and date fall within the warning period for any scheduled service, and will put up a reminder message if that is the case.
The meter minder can be set to resound the alarm if
the initial alarm is not answered. The
duration and retry count can be set on this screen.
In order to use TealAuto to track services and issue reminder when they are due, they must first be created in the global services list and then attached to each vehicle to which they apply. Once done, TealAuto will check for services due every time the program is run, and bring up a reminder if any are required.
When TealAuto is first run, it creates a default list of commonly needed services set to typical services intervals. Services and service intervals vary from vehicle to vehicle, however, so you should adjust these entries according to you vehicle maintenance manual.
Maintenance manuals typically break down service into minimum regular intervals; corresponding to the most frequently needed service--oil changes--which are needed every 3000-7500 miles, depending on the vehicle and severity of use. Other services, such as tire rotation, wheel alignment, and coolant service, occur at less frequent regular intervals, such as every 2, 3, 4, or more oil changes.
When adding a service to a vehicle in TealAuto, the date and/or mileage of the first scheduled service should be set to when the next service is due. With a new vehicle before its first oil change, this is typically the same as the service interval. For instance, if tire rotations are required every 6000 miles, then the first tire rotation is usually done at 6000 miles. Some vehicles require a special service after the initial break-in period, however, so some adjustment may be necessary for the first service interval.
Tracking expenses and mileage would be of little use without reporting tools, and TealAuto’s report generation tools can be used to generate a wide range of reports and summaries.
Fuel efficiency is the most common statistic compiled from the logs. Tracking fuel efficiency gives a good snapshot of the health of a vehicle, as an unexpected drop in efficiency can warn of low tire pressure, improper tuning, or required service. Fuel efficiency can be tracked either as a calculated item in a summary report, or as a graph or chart when plotted by vehicle, fuel, or station. It tracking fuel efficiency, note that one can easily omit the use of estimated or partial fill-ups by un-checking them from the list of acceptable transactions prior to generating the report.
Ever wonder if that gas station down the street really gives you all the gas you’ve paid for? By charting fuel efficiency as a function of fuel station, you can check for sure.
Note that you should track the fuel efficiency for the travel before fueling when evaluating the pumps, and limit the reports to one particular grade of gas for consistent values. Also take into account that some variance can occur between gas stations if you tend to go to them under different circumstances. For instance, a gas station located along a long stretch of highway is likely to report better mileage due to increased highway driving when compared to one located along a route for short errands within city limits.
Gas brands sometimes generate loyalty from their customers. Is justified from a fuel efficiency point of view? By tracking the fuel efficiency after a transaction, you can check when gas from a particular brand or station really gives you better gas mileage. When tracking as a function of gas station, it might let you know if a station is really giving you that Premium gas you’ve paid for.
Most manufacturers recommend you use gasoline with an octane recommended in your owner’s manual. Nevertheless, many of us sometimes like to “treat” our cars with a nice dose of the expensive stuff from time to time. While we can’t really track whether our vehicle particularly enjoys this little treat, we can track the mileage as a function of gas grade to see how many more miles we get per gallon when we use the “good” stuff.
Use expense summaries to total expenditures for a specified date range. Reports can be limited by vehicle or account, or only include specified transaction types. In summary reports, totals are reported both as raw numbers and as values modified by each account’s “adjusted” rates.
To summarize the results for all accounts at once, use the “Account” report button to generate a comparison report of total expenditures as a function of account.
Of particular interest to many people who lease their vehicles is the number of miles they put on their cars annually. This is because most leases charge fees for excessive miles beyond a typical cap of 12000 miles per year.
Both summary and vehicle comparison reports can calculate the projected annual mileage for a vehicle based on the usage to date. To calculate the projected mileage, set the report start date to the beginning of the lease year. When creating a timeline of the annual mileage, the plot will show the estimated mileage as it is calculated using all the accumulated data so far from the start date. Thus, the “projected” miles for the beginning of the term will vary more in the beginning, but will settle to a more stable value as more data points are added to reach a stable value.
Data logs from TealAuto can be exported to desktop programs and spreadsheets using the summary report generation tool. To do so, generate a summary report, making sure “Show individual transactions” is checked and by selecting a CSV export type. You may want to export certain transaction types, depending on what data you find relevant. The most common format to use in exporting data is CSV Memo.
CSV (comma separated value) files are simple text files supported by most desktop database and spreadsheet applications. In CSV files, data in cells in output column by column and row by row, with the data for each cell separated by commas and a line break between rows. Data for each cell is typically enclosed in quotation marks, which is required if a cell contains a comma character inside. Quotation marks in a cell are denoted by two quotation marks (“”) next to each other.
TealAuto exports data in 22 columns, in the following order, preceded by a single line containing the column headers:
1. Vehicle
2. Date
3. Type
4. Beg Miles
5. End Miles
6. Fuel $
7. Expense $
8. Payment
9. Account1
10. Account2
11. Account3
12. Miles1
13. Miles2
14. Miles3
15. Gallons
16. Grade
17. Fuel $
18. M.P.G.
19. Station
20. Expense Loc
21. Services
22. Note
As not all fields apply to all types of log entries;
cells are left blank if they do not apply to a particular transaction type.
Below is a simple example of a
one-transaction CSV entry. Note that
the label line would actually appear as a single very long line, and multiple sequential
commas indicate blank data fields.
"Vehicle","Date","Type","Beg
miles","End miles","Fuel $","Expense
$","Payment",
"Account1","Account2","Account3","Miles1","Miles2","Miles3","Gallons","Grade",
"$/gal","M.P.G.","Station","Exp
Loc","Services","Note"
"Eclipse
Spyder","10/21/98","Service",,"15200",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Oil
Change","Regular Service"
Once a CSV is generated, the trick is then to get that data into a desktop program. When outputting to a CSV Memo, simply HotSync to transfer the data to the Palm Desktop.
In the Palm Desktop, the memo should now appear with the exported CSV data. If the report is large, it might appear split across several memos.
To create the final CSV file, start with a new blank
document in a text editor such as NotePad or WordPad. Copy the text from each of the memos, skipping the initial title
line, which is not part of the CSV data, and paste the text together to
reassemble the file. Then save the
document with a .TXT or .CSV file extention (such as CARDATA.CSV) and you
should then have a file that can be imported into most any spreadsheet
application.
To help transfer records entered externally in a spreadsheet or importing data when upgrading from another program, TealAuto supports a powerful, flexible data import system.
TealAuto accepts data imported from the MemoPad in the same or similar CSV format generated by exporting a summary as a CSV Memo. The import system is flexible, however, allowing for different column orders, missing columns, optional headers, and tab-separated files in addition to comma-separated ones.
Start by making sure the data begins in the top-leftmost cell in the spreadsheet, ideally reserving the first row as labels for each column of data. It is helpful, but not necessary, to set up the columns in the same order as the import headers described in the previous section. If labels are included, name them using the standard TealAuto label names, as this will help TealAuto auto-detect the contents of each column when converting the data.
While most columns are optional, you should define both a “date” and a “type” column for best results, so TealAuto will know which type of log file to create for each entry. Contents of the “type” column should be set to one of the 9 standard log type names:
3. Estimated
When done, save the file in CSV file format (preferably comma separated) to continue.
To import the data into the Palm Desktop, you must first open the CSV file into a text editor so it can be seen as text. To do this, open a text editor like NotePad. Choose the Open menu and load in the CSV file. You may need to change the file types control to show “All files” to see your CSV file. Then select all text and choose Copy from the Edit menu.
Now enter the Palm Desktop and go to the Memo screen. Choose Paste from the Edit menu to create a new memo with the contents of the CSV file. If the CSV is large it will be split across multiple memos.
To begin the import process, start TealAuto and select Import Records from the Program menu. You’ll be presented with a list of available memos.
Select the memo to import, or the first memo of a sequence if the data is split across multiple memos. If there are multiple memos and they appear out of order, go into the MemoPad program and place them in the correct order before continuing.
Once a memo is selected, TealAuto analyzes the file to guess the correct import options. However, you should verify them carefully to insure proper importing:
Default Vehicle
Defines which vehicle to assign to new entries when a vehicle column is not defined.
Number of Memos
The number of sequential memos to import.
Data Columns
The number of data columns in each row.
Skip title line before memo(s)
Check this item if each memo contains a title line which is not part of the CSV. The Palm Desktop automatically adds this sort of title line when pasted data needs to be split across multiple memos.
First line holds column labels
Check this item if the first row of data contains labels and does not hold actual record data.
Column Separator
Set to “comma” or “tab” depending on the CSV file format.
Date Format
Set to the month-day-year order of dates contained in
the imported data.
The last step when importing records is to select the contents of each column. Sample data from the first line of the CSV is presented, along with potential choices for each column. If the first line contains text labels, they will be shown as the sample data. If the labels match standard label names, TealAuto will detect them and preset those entries with the correct definition.
TealAuto backs up the configuration and log entries before starting an import operation. To restore the previous settings after an unsuccessful import, select the Undo Import/Purge menu item from the Program menu.
When old records are no longer needed,
they can be deleted using the “Purge Records” item under the Program menu.
Records
are backed up before deleting, so you can restore purged records from the
backup if you make a mistake by immediately selecting the “Undo Import/Purge”
menu item.
Registering TealAuto entitles you to use
it beyond the 30 day evaluation period and turns off reminder messages.
Currently, you may register by snail mail,
electronically through our website at www.tealpoint.com with
a credit card and a secured server. For the first option, the enclosed registration
form is provided for your convenience. You may use this form or simply send the
following to the address above.
§
Product Name
§
E-Mail Address
§
HotSync User ID (Palm Name Required for
Passkey generation. It can be found in the upper right hand corner of the
HotSync application screen on the handheld or as "Welcome ________"
in older models.
§
Check (drawn off a US Bank) or Money Order
for ($16.95 US) to TealPoint Software.
No international checks or money orders please.
TealPoint Software
TealAuto Registration
454 Las Gallinas Ave #318
San Rafael, CA 94903-3618
Visit us online at http://www.tealpoint.com for our complete
product line, including:
TEALAGENT (http://www.tealpoint.com/softagnt.htm)
A PC-based Palm data converter, installer, and web clipper
which formats local, network, and web-resident data into standard Palm formats.
TEALDOC
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softdoc.htm)
Powerful reader for Palm documents, e-books, and newspapers,
supporting advanced features such as pictures, links, and flash cards.
TEALECHO
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softecho.htm)
Digital ink lets you see what you write, vastly increasing
graffiti writing speed and accuracy. No more writing blind!
TEALGLANCE
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softglnc.htm)
Pop-up utility show time, date, appointments and to-dos, and
other useful information at powerup. See your day at a glance.
TEALINFO
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softinfo.htm)
A system for creating and browsing interactive databases,
reference works, and mini-application folios; a handheld reference library.
TEALLAUNCH
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softlnch.htm)
A pop-up application launcher and mapping utility for
launching apps and special functions from pen taps, graffiti strokes, or button
presses.
TEALLOCK
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softlock.htm)
Secure automatic locking program with optional data
encryption and numerous activation and customization options.
TEALMAGNIFY
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softlens.htm)
An ever-ready magnifying glass that works with most any
program, TealMagnify saves your eyes when looking at tiny text.
TEALMASTER
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softmstr.htm)
A supercharged Hackmaster replacement with
100%-compatibility and enhanced stability, configuration, diagnostic and
activation features.
TEALMEAL
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softmeal.htm)
A personal restaurant database and selection wizard. Keep a
database of your favorites and easily find them by type or category.
TEALMEMBRAIN (http://www.tealpoint.com/softmemb.htm)
Memory monitor and stack manager which helps identify
conflicts and greatly improves stability running multiple hacks and drivers.
TEALMOVER
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softmovr.htm)
File management utility for beaming, deleting, renaming, and
copying files both in memory and on VFS-compatible storage cards.
TEALMOVIE
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softmovi.htm)
High-quality multimedia system with video and synchronized
sound. Includes audio/video player and Windows AVI converter program.
TEALNOTES
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softnote.htm)
Insert freehand graphic Sticky notes into memos, to-do
lists, address book entries--almost anywhere you currently have editable text.
TEALPAINT
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softpnt.htm)
The most powerful paint and sketch app on Palm OS handhelds,
featuring 16 tools, 16 patterns, 12 brushes, color, and desktop image
conversion.
TEALPHONE
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softphon.htm)
A powerful Address Book replacement with superior interface,
display, search, and indexing options.
TEALPRINT
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softprnt.htm)
The all-in-one text and graphic printing solution for Palm
OS, supporting infrared, serial, and HotSync printing to any Windows printer.
TEALSCRIPT (http://www.tealpoint.com/softscrp.htm)
An improved, tuneable, Graffiti text recognition system that
lets you modify the handwriting recognition to suit your handwriting.
TEALTOOLS
(http://www.tealpoint.com/softtool.htm)
Six pop-up desk accessories, including a calculator,
clock/stopwatch, preferences panel, editing panel, memopad, and a file/backup
manager.
Manual by Vince Lee, Sara Houseman, and Tex Tennison.
TealAuto by TealPoint Software
©2002
All Rights Reserved.
TealPoint Software
454 Las Gallinas Ave #318
San Rafael, CA 94903-3618
We look forward to hearing from you.
Please visit us at www.tealpoint.com, or email us at
support@tealpoint.com.
May 10, 2002 Version 1.00
·
Initial Release
We at TealPoint Software are committed to
providing quality, easy-to-use software. However, this product is provided
without warranty and the user accepts full responsibility for any damages,
consequential or otherwise, resulting from its use.
This archive is freely redistributable,
provided it is made available only in its complete, unmodified form with no
additional files and for noncommercial purposes only. Any other use must have
prior written authorization from TealPoint Software.
Unauthorized commercial use includes, but
is not limited to:
§
A product for sale.
§
Accompanying a product for
sale.
§
Accompanying a magazine, book
or other publication for sale.
§
Distribution with Media,
Copying or other incidental costs.
§
Available for download with access
or download fees.
This program may be used on a trial basis
for 30 days. The program will continue to function afterwards. However, if
after this time you wish to continue using it, please register with us for the
nominal fee listed in the program.