Copyright: InfoTree32  Copyright 1996 iSBiSTER International
Citation: Copyright 1996 iSBiSTER, help file Created by Steve Jamison and David Donar


Content
InfoTree32 Help Contents

Licensing and Registration

Distribution Points

Previous Versions

Contacting Technical Support

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Typical Applications of InfoTree32

Creating Notes and Note Tablets

Viewing The Contents of Your Notes

Updating Your Notes

Printing The Contents of Notes

Deleting Your Notes and Note Tablets

Moving Notes and Note Tablets

Using Keywords/Keyphrases To Index Your Notes

Searching for Notes

Creating Links

Taking Advantage of Windows 95

Connecting To Cyberspace

Authoring Tools

Document Management

Integrating With Microsoft Word

User Settings

Tools Menu

Additional InfoTree Databases

Transferring Notes Between InfoTree32 Databases

Implementing Multiuser Shared Access


Licensing and Registration

Overview

Content

Prospective customers are licensed to evaluate the fully-functional unregistered version of InfoTree32 for up to 21 days, for the purpose of deciding whether the program suits their needs.  At the end of this 21-day trial period, users must either cease using InfoTree32 or pay a  registration fee of $39.95 to iSBiSTER International Inc., for the right to continue using the program.  Use of an unregistered copy of InfoTree32 for more than 21 days, or use of a registered copy by any person or business other than the licensee, is prohibited and a violation of international copyright law.

Each "user" of InfoTree32 requires a license.  However, each user is entitled to use InfoTree32 on as many machines as he/she likes as long as it is for their use only.

InfoTree32 is Network Ready.  Each InfoTree32 "user" on the network requires their own license.

Registration brings other benefits besides the legal right to continue using InfoTree32.  First, you will receive a Security ID code that you may enter into the program which will eliminate the "registration reminder" screens that begin to appear after an unregistered copy has been used for more than 21 days.  Second, you will be entitled to free upgrades of the major version of  InfoTree32 you register as minor revisions are released.  Third, technical support is available for registered customers.

How to Register Your Copy of InfoTree32

The registration fee for each copy of  InfoTree32 is $39.95 + $5.00 (shipping and handling)

ONLY Residents of Texas must add the 8.25% State Sales Tax.

For network quantities of 11 and up please call 972-495-6724 and ask for Sales.

Payment can be made by mail, by voice phone, FAX, or online.

By mail:  send cash, checks, or international money orders payable in U. S. funds and drawn upon a U. S. bank.

iSBiSTER International, Inc.

1111 Beltline Road, Suite 204

Garland, Texas 75040

USA

Sorry, we do not accept foreign checks drawn on foreign banks.

By phone:  Visa,  MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted:  call 972-495-6724

Online:  there are three ways to register  InfoTree32 online.

CompuServe subscribers can charge their InfoTree32 registration fees to their CompuServe statements.  Log on to CompuServe and GO SWREG.  You will then be able to download the latest version of  InfoTree32.  Your Security ID code will be sent to you via CompuServe mail when we receive notice of your order from CompuServe.  At this time SWREG only allows registration of the product.  If you wish to order optional items feel free to send us CIS mail with the information as specified in Email Orders below.

Internet or Other Email Orders

Please visit our page on the World Wide Web ... http://www.isbister.com

We offer secure credit card ordering directly from our page.

Or send the following information via Email to sales@isbister.com and we will be happy to process your order.

1.  Complete Name and Mailing Address.

2.  What you want to buy (inclusive of all options).

3.  Credit Card Number with Expiration

      (We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover)

4.  Any notes or special instructions you wish to accompany the order.

FAX:  You can fax to us at 972-530-6566 your orderfrm.wri along with your credit card information and we will ship the same day.  We cannot reply back by fax.

Disclaimer of Warranties

iSBiSTER INTERNATIONAL, Inc. does not warrant that  InfoTree32 software will meet your requirements or that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error free.  Nor do we offer any Warranties or Guarantees of any kind.  You are free to use InfoTree32 in any way you see fit,  but AT YOUR OWN RISK!

iSBiSTER INTERNATIONAL, Inc. is not responsible for any problems or damage caused by the software or that may result from using the software; whether licensed or not. This includes, but is not limited to, computer hardware, computer software, operating systems, and any computer or computing accessories. End user agrees to hold iSBiSTER INTERNATIONAL, Inc. and/or any persons associated with the creation of this software harmless for any problems arising from the use of the software.

We regret having to place such a disclaimer in a piece of software.  We  have made every effort to make this software product as efficient and accurate as possible; however, in a world full of frivolous and ridiculous law suits, we have no alternative.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SOFTWARE and we trust that you will find it productive!


Distribution Points

Overview

Content

CompuServe Information Service (CIS)

Go ISBISTER

America On Line (AOL)

Go to the Software Center.  When you Search The Libraries check off All Dates and All Categories and use the Keyword iSBiSTER for your search parameter.

Internet

We have our own page on the World Wide Web with a URL of http://www.isbister.com.


Previous Versions

Overview

Content

If you are replacing a previous 16bit version of InfoTree with InfoTree32 you should be delighted.

InfoTree32 is being offered at no charge for our installed base users, just use the security code you already have.

InfoTree32 will also import your data from older InfoTree databases.  Please refer to the Readme.txt file, installed with InfoTree32, for full details.

Thanks again for continuing to use InfoTree !!


Contacting Technical Support

Overview

iSBiSTER Technical Support is available via the following:

Telephone

We accept calls from 8:30am to 5:00pm CST at  (972) 495-6724.

Compuserve

GO ISBISTER

Internet

http://www.isbister.com

email

support@isbister.com

When contacting Technical Support be sure to have the following information.

1.  Your licensee name and security code number.

2.  The version of InfoTree that you are running.

3.  The version of Microsoft Windows that you are running.

4.  Are you on a network or stand alone?

5.  An exact description of your problem and the events leading up to it.

6.  Is it consistently reproducible?


Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Keys

Searches

Tools Menu

Links

Cyberspace

Document Management

Microsoft Word

Multiuser Access

Freeform Information

InfoTree32 provides for the creation and storage of "Free Form" information.

Tree View

The left side of the screen is used to display, [ in a "Tree" format ], your current notes as they are arranged within Note Tablets.

Text Editor

The right side of the screen is used to type [ create and/or edit ] the contents of your notes.

Outliner Style Storage

You can add new notes at any position within the "Tree" and immediately begin storing your information.  The right side of the screen provides a powerful text editor for the creation of your notes.  Extensive text formatting can be applied using the toolbar buttons and/or menu items.

Searches

Text searches can be used to easily locate information stored within your InfoTree database.

User Defined Keys

Key Words and Key Phrases can be cataloged and used to index the individual notes for very fast retrieval.

Advanced Searches

Special searches are also possible that allow the use of multiple text values in combination with multiple Key Words and Key Phrases

Information Linking

Transferring to other notes within the database can be easily setup by using text within a note to build a link to another one of your notes.

Document Management

References to files accessible to you can be cataloged and used to activate documents produced by Word Processors, Spreadsheet Programs, etc.  Selected text within a note may also be linked to an existing document file accessible to you.

Connecting To Cyberspace

Every InfoTree note can be given one or more Cyberspace address (i.e., eMail addresses, Fax numbers, WEB site URL's, etc).  Then by selecting a menu item, you can instruct InfoTree to take you to your installed Messaging System or you internet browser using any of your stored Cyberspace addresses.  Also, items within your notes can be set up as a link to a web site.  So by selecting linked text InfoTree32 will again bring up your internet browser.

Integrating With Microsoft Word

You can instruct InfoTree to open an existing document and/or create a new document file so that the contents of your notes can be easily transferred.  You can also use Word for spell checking the text within your notes.

Multiple Databases

You can access any InfoTree database available to you just by browsing your system or your network neighborhood.  InfoTree maintains a cache of the last five (5) databases you accessed for quick transferring.

Multiuser, Shared Access

InfoTree provides for shared access to any of its databases while making sure that all users have a consistent tree view of the data.  Password protection (with four levels of access) is also provided.


Tree View

Overview

Moving Notes

InfoTree32 displays the contents of your database as Notes, Note Tablets and Notes within Note Tablets.

Notes within Note Tablets may optionally be sorted by their titles.  This decision can be made independently for each Note Tablet.

This 'Tree' structure is similar to that used by all major Windows file browsers.

You may more easily identify with using the term "Outliner" to describe the tree structure.  This provides an easy-to-browse view of your notes.

Building this "Tree" ("Outliner") structure is quite easy.  Simply click on the existing note below which you wish to add some new information and select the "New Note" menu item.  InfoTree32 will prompt you for a title to be given to this new note and then it will be place on the Tree/Outline.

You can then immediately use the text editor side of the main screen to begin entering your note.

As you position yourself on the tree [ mouse clicks , arrow keys, etc. ] the contents of the selected note will be displayed on the right side of the screen within the text editor.

Movement History

As you position on different notes, InfoTree32 maintains an audit trail of your movements.  Three buttons on the toolbar are used to help you take advantage of this movement history.  There is a green left arrow button, a green right arrow button and a gray bar between the two green arrows.

Clicking on the green arrows (left or right) will instruct InfoTree32 to move you backward or forward within your movement history (i.e., just like web page browsers).  Clicking on the gray bar will instruct InfoTree32 to display your current movement history; thus, allowing you to see where you have been or to possibly (by clicking on an item within the history) switch to a note anywhere within the audit trail.


Text Editor

Overview

Word Processor Integration

Links

InfoTree32 provides a robust text editor for the creation and maintenance of your Notes.

A toolbar is provided for quick access to the text editing and text formatting options.  A complete Editor Menu is also available.

Text may also be transferred from the Windows Clipboard, inserted from any text or RTF file or even placed using drag and drop operations (i.e., drag and drop a TXT file from a Windows 95 Explorer file displayed, etc.)

Selected text within your notes can also be used to create links to other note within the database or to document files outside of InfoTree32.

Microsoft Word can be used to spell check text within your notes.  You can also instruct InfoTree32 to open a Word document file and insert your note text within that document.

Quick Text

InfoTree32 allows you to catalog frequently used words and/or phrases.  With the click of the mouse, you can select one of these cataloged entries and insert it into your note.

Simply highlight desired text and add it to your catalog for future use.

Quick Text is activated with either a menu selection or the [ Cntl + Q ] key combination.

If text was selected prior to activating Quick Text, it will be added to your catalog; otherwise, you will be allowed to select desired text for insertion into your note.

Text entries can also be imported into your Quick Text catalog from any ASCII file.  Each record should contain a single text value bounded by quotes ("").

Text Formatting

•    Fonts

InfoTree32 allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the fonts provided by your system.  A complete dialog box is displayed so that you can specify the font name, style and size,  and color.

•    Character Styles

InfoTree32 allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the text highlights -  Bold, Italics, StrikeThru,  and Underline.  These highlights may also be selected while in the Fonts dialog box.

•    Paragraph Alignment

InfoTree32 allows you to control the alignment (i.e., Left, Right or Center) of each individual paragraph of text.

These formatting properties are stored with the text and are accurately reflected in printouts.

Copy, Cut and Paste

•    Copy

You can select portions (or all) of your text and then copy it to the windows clipboard.

•    Cut

In addition to copying the selected text and its specifications to the clipboard, Cut also removes the selected text from your information.

•    Paste

Places clipboard text in your information at the current cursor position.

Find, FindNext and Replace

•    Find

searches for the first occurrence of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.

•    FindNext

searches for the next occurrence of your specified string, starting from the position of the last occurrence.

•    Replace

searches for the first occurrence of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.  If and when the string is found you are allowed to confirm the replacement of the found string with the replacement string you specified.  You can also choose to skip this occurrence.  InfoTree32 then moves on to the next occurrence of the search string and allows you to replace or skip it.  This continues until all occurrences are found or until you cancel out of the replace activity.

•    Replace All

replaces all occurrences from the current position to the end of the note.

Importing Information

In addition to transferring text into your note from the Windows clipboard, you can import text from any standard ASCII or RTF file.  A menu selection instructs InfoTree to provide a standard file open dialog box for specifying your import file.


Typical Applications of InfoTree32

Overview

InfoTree32 lends itself to many uses ... here are some examples.

Freeform information storage and retrieval ...

Recipes

Home inventory

Projects

Knowledge Base

Authoring System

Front end to existing documents ...

Document manager

Research

Legal Library

Combinations ...

Consulting projects

Court cases

Software Development and Support


Creating Notes and Note Tablets

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Keys

Searches

Links

Cyberspace

Document Management

Microsoft Word

User Settings

After positioning yourself in the Tree (i.e., click on any existing note), simply click the [ New Note ] button on the toolbar to start the process.  InfoTree32 will then allow you to enter the title for the new note.

After entry of the title you will/may be (user preference) positioned in the text editor so that you can immediately enter the text for the new note.

Default Placement

The new note is placed on the tree below and inside of the note tablet that was selected prior to starting this process.  The new note is either placed as the last note within the selected note tablet or in its proper position based on its title in the case where the selected note tablet's "Sorted" property is set on.

When a note is placed inside of an existing note, the parent note is automatically changed to (if not already one) a note tablet.  This new note tablet gets its "Sorted" property from its parent; however, you can change the "Sorted" property of any note tablet at any time.

User Controlled Placement

When it is desired to place a note on the tree as a peer to an existing note (i.e., not inside of a selected note, but just below or just above a selected note) you must combine the clicking of the [ New Note ] button with the use of the [ Shift ] or [ Ctrl ] key.  For example, if you want to create a new note on the tree just below an existing note ... hold down the [ Shift ] key before you click on the [ New Note ] button.  Holding down the [ Ctrl ] key signals that you wish to place the new note just above the existing note.


Viewing The Contents of Your Notes

Overview

Text Editor

Tree View

InfoTree32 inherently displays the contents of notes within the text editor as you access the records within the database.

Notes and/or Note Tablets can be selected by clicking the mouse or by using the Arrow keys, Home key, End key, Page Up key and Page Down key.


Updating Your Notes
Updating The Contents of Your Notes

Overview

Text Editor

Viewing Notes

To change the title of a note, right click on the note title of your choice and choose Rename Note from the context menu.  InfoTree32 will allow you to edit the title of the selected note.

InfoTree32 also allows you to update, edit and add-on to the contents of any selected note.

Single click on the note of your choice to view its current contents.  InfoTree32 places you in the text editor and waits for you to make your desired changes to the contents.

Your changes are automatically saved as soon as you leave the text editor.

If you wish to cancel your changes (prior to leaving the text editor) there is a menu selection for your convenience.

Copy, Cut and Paste

All normal Windows clipboard operations can be used during note updating.

Importing Information

In addition to transferring text into your note from the Windows clipboard, you can import text from any standard ASCII or RTF file.  A menu selection instructs InfoTree32 to provide a standard file open dialog box for specifying your import file.


Printing The Contents of Your Notes

Overview

Text Editor

Viewing Notes

User Settings

InfoTree32 provides for very flexible printing of your notes.

Printing is initiated from by clicking the [ Print ] button on the toolbar or by selecting the proper menu item.

InfoTree32 allows you to specify printing options and page layout parameters using the User Settings option under the File Menu.

Notes and/or Note Tablets ... If the selected note contains additional notes (i.e., a Note Tablet) InfoTree32 will allow you to optionally print all of these notes; thus, allowing you to  easily print an entire section of your database.

InfoTree32 also allows you to print the actual tree structure of your database (i.e., the titles of each of the notes on the tree).  This is initiated using a View menu selection under the Tree menu.


Deleting Your Notes and Note Tablets

Overview

Text Editor

Viewing Notes

InfoTree32 allows you to delete any of your Notes and/or Note Tablets.

Simply click on the title of the desired Note and/or Note Tablet within the Tree and then click the [ Delete ] button on the toolbar or just press the [Delete] key.

You will be asked to confirm you intentions.


Moving Notes and Note Tablets

Overview

Tree View

Extensive operations may be performed on Notes and/or Note Tablets within the 'Tree' view of your database.

Items may be moved within the Tree using Drag and Drop activity.  Simply click on an item and 'Drag' it to the Note or Note Tablet within which you wish to place it.

Default Placement

The note is placed on the tree below and inside of the note tablet on which it is dropped.  The note is either placed as the last note within the selected note tablet or in its proper position based on its title in the case where the selected note tablet's "Sorted" property is set on.

User Controlled Placement

When it is desired to place a note on the tree as a peer to an existing note (i.e., not inside of a selected note, but just below or just above a selected note) you must combine the drag and drop action with the use of the [ Shift ] or [ Ctrl ] key.  For example, if you want to move a note on the tree just below an existing note ... hold down the [ Shift ] key before you start the drag and drop operation.  Holding down the [ Ctrl ] key signals that you wish to place the note just above the existing note.

Much like text within the Editor, Notes and/or Note Tablets, may be Copied, Cut and/or Pasted within the Tree representation of your database.  The default placement and user controlled placement rules outlined above also apply to paste operations.

For movement between different InfoTree32 databases, you can use the Export and Import operations also available for Notes and/or Note Tablets.

Please refer to the Tree Menu.


Using Key Words/Key Phrases To Index Your Notes
Using Key Words and Key Phrases To Index Your Notes

Overview

Searches

InfoTree32 allows you to catalog a large number of Key Words and/or Key Phrases  that can be used to index your Notes for later retrieval.

The Keys selection on the Tree Menu instructs InfoTree32 to display the key Words and/or Key Phrases currently being used to index the chosen note in your database.  If you wish, you can immediately add new values to the overall Keys catalog and then use them to further index this note.

The overall catalog of Keys can be accessed using the Key Words and Phrases on the File Menu.

Each InfoTree32 note can be index using any number of the Keys from the current catalog.

Keys can also be added to the catalog by highlighting desired text within a note and then selecting the Apply Selected Text as Key option under the Editor Menu.  This action automatically adds the Key to the catalog and uses it to index the current note.


Searching for Notes

Overview

Keys

Text Editor

Browsing

InfoTree32, much like Windows Explorer, allows you to browse your notes by clicking on the "Tree" view of the database.

There are also buttons on the toolbar that allow you to fully expand or collapse any given Note Tablet for additional browsing.

As you position yourself on any given note (i.e., click on its title or use the arrow keys, etc.) InfoTree32 will display its contents within the text editor.

Text Searches

InfoTree32 provides a 'simple to use' text search feature for locating notes within  your database.  Simply type in the 'text' that you are looking for and InfoTree32 will search the entire database and mark all of the notes that contain that text.

You can also ask to provide multiple 'text' values to control your search.  InfoTree32 will allow you to build two lists of 'text' values.  One is viewed as a list of 'text' values that "Could Be" somewhere within the note and the other is viewed as a list of 'text' values that "Must Be" somewhere within the note.

Key Searches

In addition to the text search feature, InfoTree32 offers Key Word and Key Phrase searches.  You can select one or more "keys" and InfoTree32 will search the entire database and mark all of the notes that have been indexed with any of those "keys".  When multiple "keys" are used to control a search, you specify whether you want notes that were indexed with "ANY" of the "keys" or that you only want notes that were indexed with "ALL" of the "keys"

Combined Searches

'Text' searches and 'Key' searches can also be combined for those very demanding situations.

The order of testing is as follows ...

1. Single Text Match

2. Multiple Text Matches

Must Be List (ALL Matches)

Could Be List (ANY Match)

3. Single Key Match

4. Multiple Key Matches

Must Be List (ALL Keys)

Could Be List (ANY Key)


Creating Links

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

InfoTree32 allows you to establish links between any selected note and other note(s) elsewhere within the database.  This is quite similar to the concept of hyperlinks used by help file systems and web pages.

Creating a Link

Text within a selected note is highlighted and then used to create a link to another note within your database.  Once you have the selected text highlighted, use a right mouse click to call up the Editor Menu and then choose the Links item.  This will expose a sub menu for you to choose Apply.  InfoTree32 then provides you with an option to link the selected text to another note within the database, to an external document file, or to a Web page.

After choosing to link to a web site, the Cyberspace Target Address screen will appear and you can set the URL of the web site you are wanting to link to.  First choose the address type, then type in the address, then click the add button.  You will then have a link that, when clicked, will bring up your default internet browser.

When you specify that you wish to link to another note, InfoTree32 will provide you with a list of all existing notes on the Tree so you can make your selection.

After you make your selection, InfoTree32 changes the formatting of the selected text to mark it as a link to another note.  The selected text will retain its current font name but will be changed to BOLD, Italic and Underline.  The text will also be made Green.  Thus, Bold, Italic, Underlined, Teal text is set up as a link to another InfoTree32 note.

Activating a Link

Later, as you view a note, double clicking on the specially marked text instructs InfoTree32 to switch you to the targeted note.

Movement History

As you position on different notes, InfoTree32 maintains an audit trail of your movements.  Three buttons on the toolbar are used to help you take advantage of this movement history.  There is a green left arrow button, a green right arrow button and a gray bar between the two green arrows.

Clicking on the green arrows (left or right) will instruct InfoTree32 to move you backward or forward within your movement history (i.e., just like web page browsers).  Clicking on the gray bar will instruct InfoTree32 to display your current movement history; thus, allowing you to see where you have been or to possibly (by clicking on an item within the history) switch to a note anywhere within the audit trail.


Taking Advantage of Windows 95

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Links

Cyberspace

Microsoft Word

Right Mouse Clicks

The use of the right mouse button brings you context sensitive menus for quick selection of various InfoTree32 features.

Drag and Drop

Movement of notes within the Tree View of your database is implemented using normal drag and drop operations.

Connecting to Cyberspace

InfoTree32 provides integration with your installed Messaging System and your installed internet browser to offer out bound eMail and faxing.  Visiting World Wide Web pages is also just a mouse click away.

Taking advantage of Microsoft Word

You can use your installed copy of Word (Windows 95 version) to perform spell checks on the text within your notes.  You can also instruct InfoTree32 to open a Word document and help you insert text directly into that document.


Connecting To Cyberspace

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Creating Cyberspace Addresses

InfoTree32 allows you to store Cyberspace addresses (i.e., Fax numbers, eMail addresses or World Wide Web sites) for each of the notes and/or note tablets on the Tree View of your database and for any links you may have within a note.

You must specify an eMail address type (i.e., Fax, internet, Compuserve, URL, etc.) and an actual eMail address value for each such Cyberspace address.

Examples might be:

http://www.isbister.com

SMTP:sales@isbister.com

Compuserve:12345,123

Fax:+44 (316) 123-4567

InfoTree32 provides you with a screen that makes it very easy to specify these Cyberspace address.  A drop down list of customary eMail Address Types (i.e.,World Wide Web, internet, Compuserve, etc.) are presented to assist you or you can simply type in your appropriate value.  Actual eMail addresses are then type in as required.

Sending eMail

The contents of an InfoTree32 note can be sent as an eMail by simply selecting the desired note and then choosing the Send eMail item from the Cyberspace menu.  If you have notes within a Note Tablet, any of them may be sent as eMail taking advantage of the Cyberspace address set up for the actual Note Tablet itself.

When InfoTree32 is ready to send the eMail you are asked to confirm your intentions.  You can also select from any of the Cyberspace eMail addresses (set up for that note) at this point.

Sending Faxes

Similarly, InfoTree32 notes can be sent as a fax by simply selecting the desired note and then choosing the Send Fax item from the Cyberspace menu.

Visiting WEB Sites

Likewise, you can select an InfoTree32 note that represents the web site you wish to visit (remember that you have stored the URL with that note on the Tree) by choosing the Visit web Site item from the Cyberspace menu.

You can also select a given piece of text and create a link to a web site.  Doing this brings up the Cyberspace Target Address screen and you can set the URL of the web site you are wanting to link to.  First choose the address type, then type in the address, then click the add button.  You will then have a link that, when clicked, will bring up your default internet browser.


Authoring Tools

Overview

Tree View

Text Editor

Microsoft Word

Links

Keys

Searches

InfoTree32 represents a power set of tools for use in authoring new material.  Its outliner (Tree) view of the database allows you to puts your thoughts in order before you begin the task of developing the content.

Notes can be created, edited and spell checked using InfoTree32 and its integration with Microsoft Word.  The Quick Text feature of InfoTree32 is especially handy while you are creating the content of your new document.

Using InfoTree32's ability to link notes to each other helps you develop your cross referencing.

Taking advantage of Keys and Key Searches makes it easy for you to check your work for completeness.

Transferring your work to Microsoft Word

When you have your material ready for final crafting simply instruct InfoTree32 to open a Word document and help you directly insert your notes.


Document Management

Overview

Text Editor

Tree View

Cataloging Document Files

Each Note and/or Note Tablet may have external document files 'Associated' with them.  The association properties provides for your description of the document, for future reference, along with the actual file name and location.  By browsing the Windows 95 Network Neighborhood, you can ensure that even documents on other systems can be associated with your notes.

Selected text within your notes can also be used to create links between the note and one of its associated documents.  If the target document file has not been already placed in the catalog of associated documents, InfoTree32 will help you place it there so you can complete the linkage.

Activating Associated Documents

You may review this cataloged list of associated documents at any time and by simply double clicking on the description of your choice, you can instruct InfoTree32 to 'Open' the associated document.  Windows will choose the appropriate document processor based on the document file's extension.


Integrating With Microsoft Word
Word Processor Integration

Overview

Text Editor

Using OLE Automation, InfoTree32 provides powerful authoring tools by integrating with Microsoft Word for Windows 95.

A Word document of your choice (new or existing) may be opened from within InfoTree32 and then you may insert the contents of Notes or entire Note Tablets at the desired position within the document.

Spell Checking is also available for Note contents by taking advantage of the dictionaries within your implementation of Word.


User Settings

Overview

Printing

Tree View

Text Editor

Preferences

• Basic Preferences

InfoTree32's basic user settings relate to printing notes.

• Page Headers

You can specify whether you want to use note titles as page headers or to use a note's full path designator as the page header.  You can also specify the font (name, size, etc) to be used when printing the headers.

• Page Layout

You can specify the page margins to be used by InfoTree32 when printing notes.  Each note is started on a new page and the actual note text is printed inside of a border.  The border (single line on all sides of the page) printing is controlled by the user specify top, left, right and bottom margins (in inches).

Within the borders, InfoTree32 prints the actual note text using word wrap as required.  You can specify desired indentations (in inches) inside of the border to be used when printing.

• Advanced Preferences

InfoTree32's advanced user settings relate to specific program operational behavior.

• Tree Font Properties

You can specify the properties for the font to be used when displaying the Tree View of your database.

• Program Startup

At program startup, InfoTree32 can be instructed to exercise one of the following database open options:

1. Do not open any database on startup

2. Open the database last closed by InfoTree32

3. Open a specific (user specified) database

• Note Processing

When a new note is added to the Tree View, InfoTree32 will either remain in the Tree View positioned on the newly added note or if you wish InfoTree32 will automatically position the cursor in the text editor so that you can immediately begin entering the note.

To provide additional clarification during multiuser access to an InfoTree32 database, each user can specifiy a prefix for the time stamp provided by InfoTree32.  Simply enter your desired text value.  Here you can also change the format of the time stamp.  Click on Format and a drop down list of several formats will be available to you.

• Database Open Cache

InfoTree32 maintains a database open cache (i.e., the most recently opened databases) so that you can quickly switch from one database to another.  You can specify the number of files to be kept in this cache with five (5) being the default.

Password Protection

 Passwords may be desired to restrict general access to the database or they may be desired to implement multiuser situations.

If you choose to apply passwords, you must supply four (4) different passwords that will be used to determine one's level of shared access to the database.

• The four levels of shared access are:

1) Owner - full authoring abilities plus Administrative options,

2) Author - full ability to create and maintain notes and/or note tablets,

3) Contributor - ability to change the contents of existing notes, and

4) Reader - ability to read the current database's contents.


The Tools Menu
Tools Menu

Overview

The Tools menu can be created by adding shortcuts to the same directory as your infotree32.exe file.  For many users this location is: c:\Program Files\InfoTree32\.

In this directory create a shorcut to any software program you would like to use as a tool.  The next time you run InfoTree32 you will notice the addition of a Tools menu and within that Tools menu, a shortcut to the item you added.


Additional InfoTree Databases

Overview

InfoTree32 allows you to create and access as many databases as you wish.  These databases may reside anywhere on your system and/or LAN that is accessible to you.

Creating a New Database

To start the database creation process simply click the [ New Database ] button on the toolbar or select the New item on the File Menu.  InfoTree32 will then prompt you for a descriptive title for the new database.  Next, you will be provided a standard Windows 95 File Save dialog so that you can fully specify the name and location of the file to contain the new database.  Windows 95 long file names are fully supported.

Accessing Databases

Simply click the [ Open Database ] button on the toolbar or select the Open item on the File Menu to instruct InfoTree32 to help you open a different database.  InfoTree32 maintains a database open cache (i.e., the most recently opened databases) so that you can quickly switch from one database to another.  If the database you wish to access is not presented in the database open cache you can click the browse button and explore your file domain for the desired database file.


Transferring Notes Between InfoTree Databases
Exporting and Importing Notes Between Databases

Overview

Tree View

Exporting Notes and/or Note Tablets

Any selected note and/or note tablet can be exported to a specially formatted flat file for further use by InfoTree32.  This file will have an extension of "ITD" and is designed only for use by InfoTree32.  Choosing the Export To File item under the Tree Menu initiates the exporting process.  InfoTree32 will then prompt you to confirm your intentions and then you will be provided with a standard Windows 95 File Save dialog so that you can fully specify the name and location of the file.  Windows 95 long file names are fully supported.

The export file produced will contain all information about the notes selected in the Tree View.  This includes any key indexes, associated document references and Cyberspace addresses.

Importing Notes and/or Note Tablets

The specially formatted file produced by a previous export operation can be used to append information to an existing InfoTree32 database.

Select an existing Note or Note Tablet within the target database and then choose the Import File item under the Tree Menu.  InfoTree32 will then provide you with a standard Windows 95 File Open dialog so that you can locate the import file.

Default Placement

The information is placed on the tree below and inside of the note tablet selected prior to starting the import process.  The information's parent note is either placed as the last note within the selected note tablet or in its proper position based on its title in the case where the selected note tablet's "Sorted" property is set on.  The remainder of the information is placed on the tree just as it appeared in the source database.

User Controlled Placement

When it is desired to place the information on the tree as a peer to an existing note (i.e., not inside of a selected note, but just below or just above a selected note) you must combine the import operation with the use of the [ Shift ] or [ Ctrl ] key.  For example, if you want to import the information on the tree just below an existing note ... hold down the [ Shift ] key before you start the import operation.  Holding down the [ Ctrl ] key signals that you wish to place the information just above the existing note.


Implementing Multiuser Shared Access

Overview

Tree View

User Settings

InfoTree32 supports multiuser shared access to its databases.  Applying password protection to a database is the first step in implementing its usage in shared access environments.

Password Protection

Passwords may be desired to restrict general access to the database or they may be desired to implement multiuser situations.

If you choose to apply passwords, you must supply four (4) different passwords that will be used to determine one's level of shared access to the database.

The four levels of shared access are:

1) Owner - full authoring abilities plus Administrative options,

2) Author - full ability to create and maintain notes and/or note tablets,

3) Contributor - ability to change the contents of existing notes, and

4) Reader - ability to read the current database's contents.

Database Locking

InfoTree32 implements database locking to ensure the integrity of the Tree View of a database.  As each collaborating user attempts to change the Tree View (i.e., add notes, move notes, etc.) InfoTree32 ensures that the user's view of the database is current.  If the Tree View is not current, InfoTree32 will inform the user and then refresh the user's Tree View so that the Tree View change can be attempted again.