Contents
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Contents

DISCLAIMER

Dedication

Credits

Features of The Journal

How to Use The Journal

Registration Info

Developer's Notes

Version History


DISCLAIMER
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE) ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FURTHER, DAVID R. MICHAEL, DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE, OF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU. IF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE YOU, AND NOT DAVID R. MICHAEL OR HIS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES, ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

THE ABOVE IS THE ONLY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT IS MADE BY DAVID R. MICHAEL, ON THIS DAVID R. MICHAEL PRODUCT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY DAVID R. MICHAEL, HIS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

NEITHER DAVID R. MICHAEL NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PRODUCT EVEN IF DAVID R. MICHAEL HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

By using The Journal the user indicates agreement with the above.


Dedication
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Dedication

The Journal is dedicated to my wife, Susan, and son, Davis. Without their incredible tolerance (and support), this project could never have been completed.

Susan was my inspiration for this project and it was designed with her in mind.


Credits
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Credits

The Journal was designed and programmed by David R. Michael (davidrm@busprod.com), using Delphi 2.0 under Windows 95.

Password hashing uses the MD5 algorithm produced by RSA Data Security, Inc. Entry text encryption is accomplished using the Blowfish block cipher, designed by Bruce Schneier.

Many thanks to Steve Kellock (http://www.atcon.com/~skellock), Marty Brown, Andrew Williams, Sylvia Lutnes (http://www.intermid.com/delphi/), Lance Perry, Ken Marineau, and Matej Trampus. Their comments and suggestions were greatly appreciated.

The above-mentioned companies and individuals are in no way associated with David R. Michael, DavidRM Software, or The Journal.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Developer's Notes
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Developer's Notes

I used a commercial word processor to keep my personal journal for three years. In that time I discovered the shortcomings of using a general purpose word processor for that task:

•	Memory & functionality constraints forced the journal to be kept in multiple documents. In my case, one for each month.

•	No convenient method of grouping or categorizing entries.

•	No convenient method of reviewing past entries. Within the current month was easy enough, but June of last year (for example) could prove a problem.

•	Inconvenient security. While passwords can be assigned to documents, this password must be typed in when retrieving each document.

•	Insufficient security. "Cracker" programs for each of the major commercial word processors can be located quickly on the World Wide Web.

The Journal is intended to eliminate these problems.

•	Convenient. All entries are stored in a single database, allowing convenient backups. The user is not required to follow any naming conventions or be concerned in any way with how the entries are stored. Reviewing past entries can be accomplished either by date or by category. In either case, all categories for a reviewed day are loaded, providing the full context for each entry.

•	Configurable. Each user has an individual password which grants her access to her journal entries. In addition, the user can define as many categories as she wishes. Tabs allow her to switch rapidly back and forth between her categories. If desired, the font and background color of each category can be defined to provide "visual cues" to which category is currently active.

•	Secure. Once the user logs into the Journal, she need no longer concern herself with the security of her entries. All entry text is automatically encrypted when it is saved. Using the MD5 hashing algorithm ensures an incredibly high measure of password security. In addition, encrypting the entry text with the Blowfish block cipher prevents casual or malicious perusal of entries using a database browser.

The Journal is constantly evolving, improving existing features and adding new ones.

I welcome  any comments about The Journal, or suggestions for new features and/or improvements you may have. Just send me an email.

David R. Michael

EMail: davidrm@busprod.com

WWW: www.busprod.com/davidrm


Registration Info
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Registration Info

The Journal is Shareware-ish.

The un-registered Journal can be used for as long as you are willing to put up with the nag screens (such as they are) and mildly limited functionality. Should you decide the enhanced functionality is worth the price, you must then register the software with DavidRM Software.

Benefits of Registration

•	No nag screens (the big, red, 3D "Unregistered" will go away)

•	Unlimited user categories (unregistered version is limited to 10 per user)

•	Journal Export format exporting (multiple categories and dates, encryption)

•	Notification of upgrades and bug-fixes

•	Free bug-fix releases

•	Limited (but free!) technical support via email

•	Reduced price on upgrade releases

Cost of Registration

Single Computer license:	    $15 US

Site license:	  $300 US

Worldwide license	$1000 US

The Journal allows multiple users in a single installation. So long as these users all use The Journal from the same physical PC, this is considered a Single Computer license.

How to Register the Journal

Send Registration Payment (check or money order in US dollars from a US bank) to:

David R. Michael

1032 E. 66th Pl. S. #824

Tulsa, OK 74136

Please make payable to David R. Michael, and indicate in your letter that you are registering The Journal (please include full version number). I will send you the Validation Key which will remove all nags and limitations. If you include your email address, you will receive the Validation Key much quicker.

How to Register the Journal - International and Credit Card Users

DavidRM Software has contracted with Kagi (www.kagi.com) to handle international and credit card registrations of The Journal. Using the Register.exe application included with The Journal, enter your payment information. This information will then be faxed, printed and mailed, or emailed to Kagi for processing. When notification of your payment has been received, I will send you the Validation Key which will remove all nags and limitations.

Even if you do not register The Journal, if you are using it regularly please let me know. This will allow me to notify you of bug-fixes and upgrades.


How to Use
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

How to Use The Journal

Welcome to The Journal, the Secure Personal Journal for Windows 95/NT.

The Journal is a word processor specifically designed to help you organize your thoughts and ideas, whether for business or personal use. The Journal is very flexible, allowing many options in creating the perfect Personal Journal for you, while maintaining an unrivaled ease-of-use.

Getting Started

•	Creating a New User

•	Creating User Categories

•	Making Entries in The Journal

•	Reviewing & Editing Past Entries

•	Printing Entries

•	Importing Entries from Other Journal Software

General Topics

•	Editing Categories

•	Setting User Preferences

•	Changing Passwords

•	Searching/Replacing Current and Past Entries

•	Inserting/Deleting Past Entry Dates

•	Importing/Exporting Entries

•	Embedding Objects from Other Applications

•	User Interface Niceties

•	Entry Database Maintenance

•	The Journal Security


Creating a New User
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Creating a New User

Before a person can use The Journal, she must create a user name for herself and specify a password. This is done from the Open Journal dialog that is shown when first starting The Journal or by choosing the File | Open Journal menu item.

•	Enter the desired user name (the person's first name is usually sufficient, but anything can be entered, up to 31 characters).

•	Enter a password (if desired).

•	Click the New User button. This will show the Confirm Password field.

•	Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password field, and press Enter or click the New User button again.

•	The new user will be created and the default category, "Daily Journal," will be shown.

Note that duplicate user names are not allowed. If there are any problems creating the user, the Journal will report them and allow another name to be entered and/or the passwords to be fixed.

A user can be created without a password if both the Password and Confirm Password fields are left blank.


Creating User Categories
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Creating User Categories

The primary feature of The Journal is the categories that the user can create to organize her entries. Every new user is created with a single category: Daily Journal.

Use the User | Edit Categories menu item to create new categories. Example categories are: Complaints, Story Ideas, Character Sketches, Recipes, and so on.

The name of a category is completely up to the user, and can be editted at any time. Additionally, the font and background color of the category can be defined to give a visual cue when entering text into that category.


Categories

The user creates categories to organize her journal entries. Categories can be daily or non-daily(static). Any number of categories can be created in the registered version. Categories are created and editted from the User | Edit Categories menu.


User | Edit Categories
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Edit Categories

This menu item brings up the Edit Categories dialog.

New Category

The New Category button creates a new category with the name "New Category" and with default font and colors (Times New Roman, 12pt, Black text on a White background).

General Page

Category Name

The Category Name can be any sequence of characters (letters, numbers, spaces) up to 31 characters long. The name of the category is displayed on a tab in the Current and Review windows if the category is active.

Sort Order

Use the Sort Order up/down buttons to position the category in the list. The Sort Order determines in what order the category tabs are displayed.

Category Active

If checked, the category is considered active. Deactivate the category by unchecking this field. Only active categories will be provided with entry or review tabs. Inactive categories can be reactivated at any time.

Categories cannot be deleted, only deactivated.

Daily Category

A category is a daily category by default. A daily category begins with a fresh "page" for entry each day, much like a standard diary or written journal. For most categories, this works the best.

A non-daily, or static, category will always present the same page each day. One use of a static category is drafting manuscripts. By creating a specific category for the manuscript, and setting it to be static, the user will be able to use the Journal as a secure word processor. The manuscript will not be tied to a specific date, allowing full access to the manuscript from the Current Entry.

Fonts & Colors Page

Font Name

This is default font that will be used when editting entries in this category. The text in the Sample box will be changed to the chosen Font.

Font Size

This is the default font point size that will be used when editting entries in this category. The font in the Sample box will reflect the chosen Font Size.

Text Colors

Use the left mouse button to change the color of the text. Use the right mouse button to change the background color. The colors in the Sample box will be changed to reflect the choices.

Printing Page

Use WYSIWYG Formatting

If the entries in this category will be regularly printed and/or require an exact match between layout on the screen and the printed page, check this option. This is option is disabled by default.

Use Default Page Width

If checked, the default Page Width (see User | Preferences) inches is used. If unchecked, the user must specify how wide she wants the Page Width to be.

Page Width Inches

If the Use Default Page Width box is unchecked, the user may specify the Page Width she wants here. The Page Width Inches is used for both on-screen formatting and printer formatting.


Making Entries
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Making Entries in The Journal

Making entries in The Journal is as simple as using a word processor.

Once a user logs into The Journal, the current days entries are loaded. Or, if this is a new day, new, blank entries are created for all daily categories. The user then selects the category where she wishes to make an entry and begins typing.

The Journal allows more than just text to be entered. With full OLE container support, almost anything can be placed in an entry: Pictures (GIF, JPG, etc.), spreadsheets, even word processor documents.

Using the Editing Toolbar the current font and formatting settings can be changed easily. Alternatively, you can use the Format menu.

By default, The Journal automatically saves all modified entries every 10 minutes. The frequency of the auto-save feature can be changed with the User | Preferences menu item. Also, all modifications are saved whenever The Journal is closed.


Editing Toolbar Popup


Reviewing Entries
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Reviewing & Editing Past Entries

There are two ways to review past Journal entries: by Date and by Category.

Review by Date retrieves all dates that have entries in any Category. Review by Category only retrieves those dates that have entries in the currently active category. Either way, the user is presented with a Review Date Tree, organized by year, month, and day. Years and months can be expanded to show more detail and collapsed to reduce clutter.

Choosing a particular day will open all category entries for that date. Use the category tabs to review entries.

The Review Date Tree can be hidden and recalled using the [image] button on the review form. The Review Date Tree must be visible to select another date to review.

Past entries can be editted by clicking the [image] button. All normal editing options are available. The user will be prompted when saving to confirm overwriting the original entry. Editing a past entry will increment the Version of the entry and set the Last Modified date to the current date.

To Review by Date, use the Dates | Review  by Date menu item, or right-click on the active category entry.

To Review by Category, use the Dates | Review by Category menu item, or right-click on the active category entry.


Date Tree Popup
Review Date Tree


Review | by Date
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Dates | Review by Date

This menu item opens up a Review by Date form.

In a Review by Date, all dates are loaded which have an entry in any category. The review begins with the day before the current entry.

The user is presented with a Review Date Tree, organized by year, month, and day. Years and months can be expanded to show more detail and collapsed to reduce clutter.

The Review Date Tree can be hidden and recalled using the [image] button on the review form. The Review Date Tree must be visible to select another date to review.

Choosing a particular day will open all category entries for that date. Use the category tabs to review entries.

Past entries can be editted by clicking the [image] button. All normal editing options are available. The user will be prompted when saving to confirm overwriting the original entry. Editing a past entry will increment the Version of the entry and set the Last Modified date to the current date.

All currently active categories will be loaded for review.


Review | by Category
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Dates | Review by Category

This menu item brings up the Review by Category form.The currently active category is the one which will be reviewed.

All dates are selected which include an entry in the active category. With the drop down list box, the user can select a different category to review.

The user is presented with a Review Date Tree, organized by year, month, and day. Years and months can be expanded to show more detail and collapsed to reduce clutter.

The Review Date Tree can be hidden and recalled using the [image] button on the review form. The Review Date Tree must be visible to select another date to review.

Choosing a particular day will open all category entries for that date. Use the category tabs to review entries.All currently active categories will be loaded for review. This helps provide a context for the category under review.

Past entries can be editted by clicking the [image] button. All normal editing options are available. The user will be prompted when saving to confirm overwriting the original entry. Editing a past entry will increment the Version of the entry and set the Last Modified date to the current date.


User | Preferences...
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences...

This menu item brings up the Edit Preferences dialog.

Preferences are set per user, and are divided into pages:

•	Display

•	Editing

•	Category

•	Saving

•	Security


User | Preferences: Display
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences: Display

This page controls the size and position of The Journal on the user's desktop.

Use Default Sizing & Position

The Journal will display in the center of the screen at its designed size.

Maximize

The Journal will maximize to fill the entire screen.

Use Specified Settings

The Journal will use the specified position and size values. Using this option is simpler if the user places and sizes the Journal before bringing up the Edit Preferences dialog.


User | Preferences: Editing
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences: Editing

This page controls the layout of the entry windows.

Date & Time Format

These formats are used by the date/time insertion menu commands (Edit | Insert...). Time can be in either 12-hour AM/PM format or 24-hour (military) format. Dates have many formats to choose from.

•	yyyy - 4 digit year (1996)

•	yy - 2 digit year (96)

•	mmmm - full month name (August)

•	mmm - three-letter abbreviation of month (Aug)

•	mm - 2 digit month (08)

•	dddd - full day name (Friday)

•	ddd - three-letter abbreviation of day (Fri)

•	dd - 2 digit day (09)

•	d - 1-2 digit day (9)

When does Your Day begin?

Also known as the "Night Owl Option" this option lets the user set when tomorrow begins. With this setting, the user designates that before this time, it is still yesterday when determining the Current Entry Date.

This option is primarily useful for those people (including me) who are often writing in The Journal late at night.


User | Preferences: Category
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences: Category

This page controls the defaults for all new categories created by the user.

Default Category Font

The Default Category Font determines the font name and point size that will be given to new categories.

Use WYSIWYG Formatting for Default Printer

If checked, all new categories will be created with this option set. See User | Edit Categories for more information about this option.

Use Default Page Width (6.5")

If checked, the default Page Width of 6.5 inches is used. If unchecked, the user must specify how wide she wants the Page Width to be.

Page Width Inches

If the Use Default Page Width box is unchecked, the user may specify the Page Width she wants here. The Page Width Inches is used for both on-screen formatting and printer formatting. When printing, the left and right margins are established by the desired Page Width.


User | Preferences: Saving
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences: Saving

This Preference page controls the saving options.

Journal Auto-Saving Active

The Journal will automatically save all entries if this option is checked. If unchecked, the entry text will be saved when the user presses the Save Journal button and when closing.

Save Journal Every

If Journal Auto-Saving is active, the user may specify how often she wishes the auto-save to occur.


User | Preferences: Security
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Preferences: Security

This page is used to control the security level of The Journal.

Lock on Minimize

If checked, The Journal will be "locked" when minimized and require entry of the user's password before being restored. This option is disabled by default.

When locked, all entries and entry dates are hidden until the user's password is typed in.


User | Change Password
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User | Change Password...

This menu item brings up the Change Password dialog.

The user will need to enter her current password before The Journal will allow her to change her password.

Blank Password

If no password is desired, leave both the New Password and Confirm New Password fields blank.


Searching & Replacing
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Searching/Replacing in Current & Past Entries

Use Search | Find to look for text in the current entry or when reviewing past entries.

Use Search | Replace to replace one piece of text with another in either the current entry or past entries.

Use Search | Find Again to repeat the last Find or Replace operation.

Special Note on Find

Find functions differently based on the active entry window:

If searching from the Current Entry, only the current category is searched.

If searching a Review by Date or Review by Category, the entire entry date (all categories) will be searched. Once all categories have been searched, the user will be asked if she wishes to continue the search through the rest of the entry dates in the list.


Search | Find...
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Search | Find...

This menu item brings up the Find dialog. The user enters the text she wishes to find in the "Find What" edit field.

Find functions differently based on the active entry window:

If searching from the Current Entry, only the current category is searched.

If searching a Review by Date or Review by Category, the entire entry date (all categories) will be searched. Once all categories have been searched, the user will be asked if she wishes to continue the search through the rest of the entry dates in the list.


Search | Replace...
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Search | Replace...

This menu item brings up the Replace dialog. The user enters the text she wishes to find in the "Find What" edit field, and the text she wishes to replace in the "Replace With" edit.

Replace only operates on the active category entry.


Search | Find Again
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Search | Find Again

This menu item reactivates the Find or Replace dialog with the most recent settings. If the last action was a Find, then the Find dialog will be activated, otherwise the last Replace action will be repeated.


Entry Database Maintenance
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Entry Database Maintenance

The File | Maintenance sub-Menu is provided to allow the user some measure of control over her database. The Journal stores all entry data in Paradox 5+ tables. These tables are normally very stable, but can be corrupted if the Journal is not shut down properly (powerfailure, for instance). Also, as entries accumulate (and they will) it is possible that the database files may no longer be optimally organized. These menu commands are provided to assist with routine maintenance and data recovery.

The File | Maintenance sub-Menu cannot be accessed if a user is logged in. Choose the File | Close Journal to enable the File | Maintenance sub-Menu.

Entry Backups

It is recommended that the user routinely backup the entry database. All the files that need to be backed up are located in the Data sub-directory beneath the directory where The Journal was installed. Assuming the default installation, the directory to back up is:

C:\Program Files\DavidRM Sofware\The Journal\Data

Rebuild Indexes

This command causes all of the indexes to be rebuilt. The indexes are necessary for locating entries by user, date, category, etc. If GPFs or other exceptions occur when trying to Review | by..., this may fix the problem.

Compact Database

This command simply assures that the database of entries is no larger than it needs to be. Compacting the database automatically rebuilds the indexes.


Version History
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Version History

v1.34 - Update Release, Made available December 13, 1996

•	Various aesthetic changes

•	Fixed bug that allowed formatting changes in read only entries

•	Fixed bugs that occurred on Windows Shutdown

•	Clicking tray icon now sets focus properly

•	Entry and Review forms now retain last size and position

•	New dockable toolbar

v1.33 - Update Release. Made available November 25, 1996.

•	Fixed bug when modifying category attributes

•	Improved security of Lock on Minimize feature

•	Removed dockable toolbar feature

•	The Journal now optionally minimizes to the Taskbar Icon Tray

•	Added a spell checker

v1.32 - Update Release. Made available November 15, 1996.

•	Minor aesthetic changes

•	Fixed bug with numeric category names

•	Converted help to Windows 95 format

•	Added OLE container support (inserting pictures is now possible!)

•	Added credit card payment option with Kagi Register

v1.31 - Bug-fix Release. Made available October 14, 1996.

•	Minor aesthetic changes

•	Fixed error when creating new user names

v1.30 - First Shareware Release. Made available October 11, 1996.

•	Various aesthetic changes (lots of these--look for your favorite)

•	Reorganized and expanded the online help

•	Changed entries to load-on-demand to improve initial response time

•	Made WYSIWYG formatting a Category preference

•	Moved Default Font to Category preferences

•	Added Lock on Minimize security option

•	Added Insert/Delete past entry dates

•	Improved the "internationality" and flexibility of date formatting

•	Added printing options: Selection, Active Entry, Entire Date, and These...

•	Reorganized and expanded User | Preferences

•	Added Format menu to duplicate Editing Toolbar

•	Added Font dialog to Editing Toolbar and Format menu

•	Added Import/Export options - Text, Rich Text, and Journal Export

•	Most dialogs now have context semi-sensitive help by pressing F1

•	Added Night Owl Option to designate when the day really begins

•	Added keyboard shortcuts for most formatting options (indent, bulleting, etc.)

•	Improved appearance when using Large Fonts

•	Fixed error in Find/Replace across entry dates

v1.21 - Bug-Fix Release. Made available August 12, 1996.

•	Fixed bug in Compact Databases

•	Fixed Category sorting bug when upgrading from v1.0

•	Added shortcuts for Date & Time insertion menu items

v1.20 - Update Release. Made available August 9, 1996.

•	Various aesthetic changes

•	Improved context menu

•	Added Category sorting

•	Allowed non-passworded users

•	Added drop down list of user names

•	Added Default Font Name/Size to Editing Preferences

•	Added Date & Time Formats to Editing Preferences

•	Added Date & Time insertion menu items

•	Journal entries are now WYSIWYG for the default printer

•	Maintenance sub-Menu off of File Menu - Rebuild Indexes & Compact Database

•	Database tables are now closed between transactions

v1.1 - Update Release. Made available July 8, 1996.

 •	Various aesthetic changes

•	Disallowed deactivating all user categories

•	Added static category type

•	Moved user category & preference data into Windows 95 Registry

•	Improved password security

v1.0 - Initial Release. Made available June 18, 1996.

•	Various aesthetic changes

•	Redesigned current & review entry forms

•	Improved Search functionality

v0.5b - Beta Release. Uploaded to America Online May 18, 1996.


User Interface Niceties
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

User Interface Niceties

Here are features that I wanted to mention, but was unsure where to put them.

Ctrl-B	Toggle Bold On/Off

Ctrl-U	Toggle Underline On/Off

Ctrl-I	Toggle Italics On/Off

Ctrl-M	Indent paragraph

Ctrl-Shift-M	Unindent paragraph

Ctrl-Shift-B	Toggle bulleting

Ctrl-D	Insert Current Date at cursor

Ctrl-T	Insert Current Time at cursor

Right-clicking on the active entry, whether current or review, will bring up a context menu.

Right-clicking on the Date Tree will bring up a context menu.


The Journal Security
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

The Journal Security

One of the design goals of The Journal was to make it as secure as possible, though in a way that minimizes the inconvenience. With that in mind, The Journal uses state of the art algorithms for both password hashing and entry text encryption.

Password Hashing

The MD5 hashing algorithm produced by RSA, Inc., is used to hash user passwords. The plaintext of the user's password is never stored anywhere.

Entry Text Encryption

The Blowfish block cipher designed by Bruce Schneir is used to encrypt all entry text. All entries are encrypted before they are written out to the database.

Run-time Security

 Security is maintained at run-time with the Lock on Minimize feature.


Inserting/Deleting Past Entry Dates
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Inserting/Deleting Past Entry Dates

Inserting New Entry Dates

Use the Dates | Add New Date menu item to specify the date you would like to create. Alternatively you can right-click on the Date Tree and choose New Entry Date. The new date will be inserted into all open review forms (by Date and by Category). If no Review form is opened, a Review by Date form will be opened and positioned on the newly created date. Editing will be enabled.

Obviously, only past dates can be inserted.

Deleting Past Entry Dates

To delete a date, right-click on the Date Tree of a review form and choose Delete Date.

If you delete a date from a Review by Date form, all entries for that date will be deleted. This includes both active and inactive Categories.

If you delete a date from a Review by Category form, only the entry for the active Category (the one selected in the drop-down listbox) will be deleted.


Importing/Exporting Entries
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Importing/Exporting Entries

The Journal supports importing and exporting of the following formats:

•	Rich text (*.RTF) format, which preserves all font and layout characteristics of the entry

•	Text (*.TXT) format, which removes all formatting, leaving only the actual entered text

•	Journal Export (*.JNL) format, which preserves Category name and entry date as well as all font and layout characteristics, and allows multiple Categories and dates in a single export operation. Encryption is also supported. Only registered versions of The Journal can export this format.

Use the Dates | Import... menu to import entries into The Journal. Use the Dates | Export... to export entries.

Synchronizing Multiple Journals, An Example Case

Using the Journal Export format, it is possible to synchronize the entries of two or more separate installations of The Journal. The presented synchronization scheme relies on a Master Journal model.

A user wants to use The Journal both at work and at home, and wants the same entries available in both places. This user considers her home installation as the Master Journal. At the end of her work day she exports (in Journal Export format) all of that day's entries. She either copies the resulting .JNL file to a floppy or emails it as an attachment to her home email address. At home, she launches The Journal and imports the .JNL file from work. All of the entries from work are appended to their corresponding Category entries.

If she wishes to have all of her home entries available at work, she can export (again, in Journal Export format) all the entries she changed at home and transfer the .JNL file to work. At work, instead of appending the import entries, she overwrites the existing entries.


Printing Entries
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Printing Entries

Use the File | Print menu item or right-click on an entry and select Print to bring up the Print dialog.

NOTE: All printouts go to the default printer.

Selection

The selected text in the Active Entry will be printed.

Active Entry

The active category entry of the active form, whether current or either type of review (date or category) will be printed.

Entire Date

The entire date of the active form, whether current or either type of review (date or category), will be printed in category order.

These Categories and/or Dates

The selected categories will be printed for the selected dates. If no category is selected, all categories for the selected dates will be printed. Likewise, if no dates are selected, then all dates for the selected categories will be printed.

The printouts will be sorted either by category or by date. If sorted by category, each category will be printed for each date.


Importing Entries from OJS
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Importing Entries from Other Journal Software

Many people, myself included, have kept their personal journals using other software applications.

There are several ways of importing these previously existing entries. Which method to use depends on the user's exact circumstances: which software was used, how the entries are saved, etc.

Copy-and-Paste Method

This method is probably the best if the existing entries were kept with any Windows 3.x/95/NT software.

•	Launch both the original software and The Journal.

•	In The Journal, open a Dates | Review by Date form. Right-click on the Date Tree, bringing up the context menu, and choose New Entry Date.

•	Enter the date you wish to add (of course, this must be a past date) and select Ok. This will create the past date and automatically position the Review form on the correct date.

•	Use the Windows 95 Taskbar (or Alt-Tab) to bring up the original software.

•	Select the text in the original software that you wish to import into The Journal, and then copy the text to the Windows clipboard (Edit | Copy).

•	Use the Windows 95 Taskbar (or Alt-Tab) to bring up The Journal. Select the Category to receive the imported text and paste the text there (Edit | Paste or Ctrl-V).

•	Repeat until all of the desired entries from the old software have been entered into The Journal.

Text/Rich Text Import Method

This method is considerably more involved than the Copy-and-Paste method above, but may be necessary if existing entries are kept in a non-Windows software package. The original software must be capable of exporting the entries as either text files (*.TXT) or rich text format files (*.RTF).

•	Use the original software to export the desired entries to text or rich text format files. Each entry will need to be in a separate file.

•	Launch The Journal.

•	Open a Dates | Review by Date form. Right-click on the Date Tree, bringing up the context menu, and choose New Entry Date.

•	Enter the date you wish to add (of course, this must be a past date) and select Ok. This will create the past date and automatically position the Review form on the correct date.

•	Select the Category to receive the imported text.

•	Use Dates | Import... to select the file to import. The entry in the file will be inserted into the selected Category.

•	Repeat until all of the desired entries from the old software have been entered into The Journal.


Dates | Import...
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Dates | Import...

The Windows 95 common Open Dialog will allow the user to select a file to import. Files that can be imported are: text (.TXT), rich text (.RTF), and Journal Export (.JNL).

Importing Text and Rich Text Files

The Journal will import text (.TXT) or rich text (.RTF) files into the Active Entry. The imported text will be appended to any existing text already entered.Normal text files will formatted with the default font for the active Category. Rich text files will be imported with all fonts and layout characteristics intact.

Importing Journal Export Files

If the Journal Export file has been encrypted, the user will be prompted to enter the password.

The Journal Export file will be analyzed to determine the included Categories and entry dates. These will be presented to the user. To import the entire file, click the Import All button. Otherwise, the desired Categories and/or entry dates can be selected and imported with the Import button.

If a category name in the imported file does not exactly match the name of an existing category, the user will be prompted for the category to place the imported entries.

Overwrite Existing Entries

With Journal Export files, the user may opt to overwrite any existing entries in the imported Categories/dates by checking the Overwrite Existing Entries checkbox. Care should be taken with this option. Once overwritten, an entry cannot be recovered.

Confirm All Category Names

If checked, all Category names must be confirmed by the user. This allows full control over which Category the imported entries are placed in.


Dates | Export...
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Dates | Export...

Files that can be exported are: text (.TXT), rich text (.RTF), and Journal Export (.JNL).  Only the Active Entry can be exported as text or rich text.

Active Entry

The active category entry of the active form, whether current or either type of review (date or category) will be exported.

Entire Date

The entire date of the active form, whether current or either type of review (date or category), will be exported.

These Categories and/or Dates

The selected categories will be exported for the selected dates. If no category is selected, all categories for the selected dates will be exported. Likewise, if no dates are selected, then all dates for the selected categories will be exported.

Export Format

•	Rich text (*.RTF) format, which preserves all font and layout characteristics of the entry

•	Text (*.TXT) format, which removes all formatting, leaving only the actual entered text

•	Journal Export (*.JNL) format, which preserves Category name and entry date as well as all font and layout characteristics, and allows multiple Categories and dates in a single export operation. Encryption is also supported. Only registered versions of The Journal can export this format.


Active Entry Popup
Active Entry

The Active Entry is the entry of the Current Entry or Review Form that has input focus (the blinking caret). The Active Entry is important when Printing, Importing, and Exporting.


Features of The Journal
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Features of The Journal

These are highlights of The Journal's rich set of features:

User-defined Categories

Perhaps the defining feature of The Journal is support for multiple, user-defined categories . The user determines what categories she desires, and is allowed many options in creating them. These options include being Daily or non-Daily, which TrueType font to use, which colors--both font color and background color--to use, and whether to format the category entries for the default printer. For full descriptions of these options, see the help for Editing Categories.

Once the user has defined her categories, making entries in her Personal Journal is as simple as using a word processor. She simply selects the category to make an entry in, and begins typing.

Powerful Word Processor Capabilities

Though not a general purpose word processor, The Journal allows rich formatting of all text entered. The user can select from all of the TrueType fonts available on her PC, applying such features as bold, italics, underline, and strikeout. Paragraph formatting options include left justify, right justify, center, bullets, and hanging text. There's even a spell checker! All of these are available through the Editing Toolbar or keyboard shortcuts such as those used by Microsoft Word.

With full OLE container support, almost anything can be stored in The Journal: pictures (GIF, JPG, etc.), spreadsheets, or even word processor documents. Whenever possible, these items can be editted from inside The Journal.

Journal entries can also be printed, either one at a time or in user-selected batches. When printing, all text formatting is preserved. On those categories where it has been selected, the printed entry will exactly match the text on the screen in true WYSIWYG fashion.

Automatic Entry Date Tracking

The Journal always knows what day it is and keeps track of all entries made. If a category is Daily, a new, fresh entry will be created each day. The Journal also keeps track of when past entry dates have been modified (using a Version number and a Last Modified date) and printed.

Easy Review of Past Entries

With The Journal's automatic tracking of entry dates, reviewing past entries is incredibly simple. Past entries can be reviewed either by Date or by Category. Past entry dates can be brought up quickly and easily with the Review Date Tree. If desired, past entry dates can be edited or even deleted.

Security

The Journal takes security seriously. All passwords are hashed with RSA, Inc.,'s MD5 hashing scheme, and all entry is text is encrypted with Bruce Scheier's Blowfish block cipher before being written to disk. There is also an option to lock The Journal when the user minimizes the application. For information about The Journal's security measures, see The Journal Security.


Embedding Objects
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

Embedding Objects from Other Applications

The Journal supports embedding objects from  other Windows applications in entries. Such objects include: pictures (.GIF, .JPG, etc.), spreadsheets, word processor documents, and many more.

These objects may be inserted into an entry by any one of several methods: using the Edit | Insert Object... dialog, dragging the object from the other application and dropping it into the active Journal entry, and standard Windows copy-and-paste.

Once inserted, these objects can be edited (from inside The Journal if possible), printed, and otherwise acted on normally. Also, the object is protected by The Journal along with the rest of the entry.

Please Note

Embedded objects can significantly slow the loading and storing of entries. The larger the object, the longer it will take to load and store. This is less of an issue on the newer Pentium and Pentium Pro PCs.

Also, file associations are particularly important. If you intend to insert objects, make sure there is an appropriate application installed on your computer that handles those objects.


File | Minimize to System Tray
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

File | Minimize to System Tray

Use this menu option to have The Journal minimize to the Windows 95 or NT 4 System Icon Tray. The System Icon Tray is the indented area in the taskbar that surrounds the clock. Minimizing to the System Icon Tray allows The Journal to take up significantly less taskbar real estate when not in use.


File | Unlock Journal
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

File | Unlock Journal

This menu option is only available when the Lock on Minimize feature is in effect.

The current user's password must be entered, or The Journal must be exited.


File | Spell Check
The Journal

Copyright © 1996 by David R. Michael.

All Rights Reserved.

File | Spell Check...

This option invokes the Addict Spell Checker to check the entry from the current cursor position. If text is selected first, the selection will be checked.

Only the active entry will be checked.