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Text File | 1987-03-13 | 57.0 KB | 1,360 lines |
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- U S E R S' M A N U A L
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- H O M E B A S E V E R S I O N 2 . 0
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- Copyright 1987
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- Brown Bag Software
- 2155 So. Bascom Ave #114
- Campbell Ca 95008
-
- Tel: (408) 559-4545
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
- HOMEBASE 2.0
-
- HomeBase is a complete Desktop Organizer. It has at least one up
- on SideKick. Indeed, PC Magazine went so far as to say: "One way
- to look at it is to say that Borland's product is a first-
- generation organizer, while ... [Homebase] is second or third
- generation. It delivers the most bang for the buck among desktop
- organizers."
-
- HomeBase will run on a 256k machine with two disk drives, but it's
- really designed for computers with hard drives. This makes sense
- in view of its extensive DOS services. It requires only 180k of
- memory when it is resident in memory. HomeBase works with
- virtually every program although you must sometimes take care to
- stack the various elements correctly in the AUTOEXEC.BAT.
-
- Once installed, HomeBase can be called on while just about any
- other program is active and it can perform communication tasks
- quietly in the background while other programs are working.
-
- Primary HomeBase functions include: DOS services, linear database
- services, editor/word processor, calendar/appointment book,
- terminal communications, calculator and cut-and-paste operations.
-
- The key combination <Alt><Shift><H> brings up HomeBase's main
- menu, which lists major options:
-
- Calculator <Alt><Shift><=>
- Calendar <Alt><Shift><C>
- DOS Services <Alt><Shift><D>
- NoteBases <Alt><Shift><N>
- Quickterm <Alt><Shift><Q>
- Cut <Alt><Shift><K>
-
- You can select the required function by using a smart cursor or by
- pressing the indicated key combinations. Helpful messages are
- displayed at all times on the prompt line, and context-sensitive
- help is always available by pressing F1.
-
- CALCULATOR
-
- The "scientific-type" calculator has 26 memory variables, a "tape"
- that can be saved or pasted into other work and a feature that
- enables you to cut a column of figures from any other program
- screen and move them into the processing area. Calculations can
- be done in decimal floating point or hex. Conversions are
- instantaneous.
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- CALENDAR
-
- In this Special Version of HomeBase, two calendars can be
- maintained simultaneously so that an office secretary, for
- example, can keep separate appointment calendars for two people in
- her operation. A query facility enables you to respond to such
- questions as: "When did Joe and Mary have lunch together?" or
- "Give me a list of any time anyone in the office had a meeting
- with Customer Jones." or "Total my expenses for the day and move
- them over to the word processor so that I can write an excuse for
- the boss.".
-
- The "daily" calendar view divides the screen into two sections:
- appointments for the day and to-do today. Appointments can be
- annotated to any length and the to-do list can roll forward to
- tomorrow (or any subsequent day) those items that you just didn't
- quite finish today.
-
- A "weekly" view shows a week's worth of days, each with a column
- of highlighted hours representing appointments. Cursor up, down,
- right and left, PgUp and PgDn are used extensively to zoom in and
- out of various calendar levels.
-
- In fact, all menus are reminiscent of Lotus 1-2-3 or Microsoft's
- Multiplan. A list of possible selections appears at the top of
- the screen with the default selection highlighted. You can move
- across the list, highlighting the selections in turn or you can
- simply hit the first letter of the desired selection.
-
- DOS SERVICES
-
- The DOS Services facility opens up with a single window and a list
- of functions. These enable you to view up to four different
- directories simultaneously and to mark files for copy, erase or
- move operations. Additionally, you can make and remove
- subdirectories, rename files and view files in display or edit
- modes.
-
- Subgroups of files can be selected (sorted) by pattern, name,
- extension or date. Files can be manipulated one at a time or in
- groups. In either case, all operations are visible to you. This
- is the shell that DOS should have had originally.
-
- DATABASE SERVICES
-
- HomeBase's database services are very powerful, enabling you to
- maintain Rolodex-type files, index card records, message records
- or, in fact, any form you wish to create. Included in the full
- HomeBase package is a template maker and report generator for use
- with the system's linear databases. There is no real limit on the
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- number of databases that can be maintained. HomeBase even has a
- query language for instantaneous retrieval of data through field
- comparison.
-
- TERMINAL SERVICES
-
- HomeBase includes a smart terminal package that allows uploading
- and downloading (ASCII or XMODEM) and fully automatic operation.
- It also functions as an autodialer for voice communications,
- through the NameAddress NoteBase.
-
- In the auto-answer mode, HomeBase's terminal emulator can function
- entirely in the background while you are working on something
- else. For example, suppose you are working in 1-2-3 when a call
- comes into the computer - your partner with a file to upload.
- HomeBase will answer the call and notify you (in the 1-2-3 screen)
- that it has done so. Your partner can upload his file while you
- stay in 1-2-3 or you can duck out of the spreadsheet, communicate
- with the caller and then return to the spreadsheet without
- dropping a character.
-
- =================================================================
- THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CONTINUING
- =================================================================
-
- The following conventions are used in this on-disk manual.
-
- [Enter] This is the "Enter" key on your computer.
- When you see this symbol in the command line,
- you should press the "Enter" key. On some
- computer keyboards, the "Enter" key is marked
- as "Return" or with a bent arrow that runs
- down and to the left.
-
- Type: " " Characters surrounded with quotation marks
- should be typed exactly as shown.
-
- <Alt><Shift><H> Keys surrounded with < and > are to be pressed
- simultaneously. The example on the left would
- be interpreted as holding down the "Alt" and
- "Shift" keys with your left hand and pressing
- the "H" with your right hand.
-
- While using HomeBase, just one keypress (F1) brings up a help
- screen appropriate to what you are trying to do. Feel free to
- experiment with HomeBase. Be brave. Try each HomeBase feature.
- Play with the Calculator, the Calendar with alarms, the Notebase,
- Cut and Paste, Quick Terminal with autodialer, and Dos Services.
- There are 100 separate Help Screens which can teach you all you
- need to know about HomeBase.
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- *** PLEASE DO NOT JUST COPY THESE FILES TO YOUR DISK! ***
-
-
- =================================================================
- A QUICK LOOK AND CHECK-OUT OF HomeBase
- =================================================================
-
- If you are new to HomeBase, you can quickly run HomeBase directly
- from the DISK 1 and 2 you have produced from the archives HB20D1
- and HB20D2, respectively. However, we suggest that you use this
- testing and play -- it does not make a permanent installation on
- your disk and will disappear when you turn off your machine. You
- will also need to have booted from a DOS disk with "FILES=20" in
- the CONFIG.SYS file. The CONFIG.SYS file is explained later on in
- this text.
-
- To run quicky, type:
-
- A:QUICKY<RETURN>
-
- Answer the questions and do what QUICKY asks you to do.
-
- =================================================================
- HOW TO INSTALL
- =================================================================
-
- Insert the HomeBase Disk # 1 in floppy disk drive A:
-
- Log onto Drive A: by typing:
-
- A:<RETURN>
-
- Run the install program by typing:
-
- INSTALL<RETURN>
-
- This will run a "batch file" that will install HomeBase for you.
- You will be presented with various questions. If you do not answer
- the questions correctly, you can run the install program as often
- as you'd like. When the HomeBase install program is finished, it
- will configure an AUTOEXEC.BAT file to automatically load HomeBase
- when you power-up your machine. To "bring-up" HomeBase 2.5, press
- the "ALT" key and the "Left Shift" Key at the same time. While
- holding these two keys down, press the "H" key.
-
- Brown Bag Software also provides a computer bulletin board that
- can be dialed with a modem.
-
- In addition to providing a convenient way to test HomeBase's
- QuickTerm with your modem, the Brown Bag Bulletin Board also has
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- files and utilities online for use with Brown Bag Products.
- Technical support for Brown Bag Software is available also. The
- Brown Bag Bulletin Board is provided as a free service to Brown
- Bag customers and non-customers alike. Our software support
- technicians are NOT able to provide support for the Brown Bag
- Bulletin Board.
-
- =================================================================
- SWAPPING
- =================================================================
-
- Swapping is an important feature of HomeBase, but you must
- understand its limitations. Swapping is a great boon since it
- reduces the memory required by HomeBase from approximately 170+K
- to about 80K. Some programs, however, are not compatible with
- swapping.
-
- When you type Alt+Shift+H (or Alt+Shift+Shift), the HomeBase
- kernel (HBKERNEL) program, which is always resident, first saves
- the current executing task and then puts HomeBase in its place.
- When you exit HomeBase the reverse occurs: HomeBase is written
- back to disk and the original program reappears on your screen.
-
- While the kernel is reading and writing to the disk to perform the
- swapping you must "wait". On a hard disk you "wait" about 3 to 5
- seconds. On a RAM disk, like VDISK supplied with DOS, you "wait"
- about 1 second or less. We recommend that you use a RAM disk if
- you have Expanded or Extended memory (such as the ABOVE type
- board). If you do not have expanded or extended memory (i.e.,
- memory that lies outside the normal 640k that DOS uses) then you
- should NOT use a RAM disk for swapping since there is no advantage
- -- either use hard disk swapping or use HomeBase in the non-swap
- resident mode.
-
- =================================================================
- NOTES about SWAPPING
- =================================================================
-
- The 1 to 5 second delay applies only to the entry and exit of
- HomeBase. Once you are inside HomeBase, jumping to the many
- functions of HomeBase takes no time at all. Swapping only occurs
- when you "escape" to the outside by typing Alt+Shift+Esc or
- Alt+Shift+Return. ESC alone works only if there is just one active
- HomeBase task; otherwise ESC jumps you to one of the remaining
- active HomeBase functions.
-
- The HomeBase screens will appear immediately if they have been
- previously activated.
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- HomeBase performs swapping by writing and reading a special
- "hidden" 181K file named HBSWAP$$.HB$. Thus, there must be 181K
- space free on your disk. This file cannot be deleted by DOS. The
- swap file must be in the root directory. For greatest speed, the
- swap file should be contiguous. If you don't know what this means,
- don't worry about it.
-
- If you use a RAM disk, only the swap file need be located there.
- The HomeBase subdirectory can be on the hard disk. INSTALL will
- ask you for the drive letter of the disk where you want the swap
- file to be placed.
-
- To install HomeBase in the swapping mode you can:
-
- 1) Specify it during the INSTALL program.
-
- 2) Specify it in the HBCONFIG.HB$ file.
-
- Use your word processor to make or modify this file (which is
- created by INSTALL). The first line should be:
-
- D: S
-
- where D: is the drive where the swap file should go. To cancel
- swapping change "S" to "-S".
-
- 3) Specify it manually by typing "S" in the right spot on the
- command line, e.g. to specify swap on drive D: type:
-
- HB D: S
-
- The drive letter and "S" or "-S" must precede the other letter
- options permitted by HomeBase (such as I, D, Z, etc.). The colon
- (:) must be typed after the drive letter (as shown above).
-
- =================================================================
- The "DO NOT SWAP" Warning Beep
- =================================================================
-
- HomeBase must never try to swap out a user program that is using
- the asynchronous or timer-tick interrupts. If a modem sent a
- character or a timer tick occurred, the CPU would jump to code
- that no longer exists, i.e. it has been removed (swapped) to
- temporary storage on disk.
-
- HomeBase tries to detect programs that are unswappable, but
- without prior knowledge about the user's program, there is no
- infallible way to prevent errors. Thus, in rare cases, HomeBase
- will try to swap out a program that should not be swapped out.
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- HomeBase places itself as high as possible in memory, so that it
- is unlikely to conflict with all but the largest programs. If you
- have only 256K of memory, however, it is likely that part of the
- main program you are running (like Lotus or a word processor) will
- be swapped out during HomeBase operation.
-
- HomeBase scans all interrupts for possible connections to the
- program that is about to be swapped out and, if a conflict is
- found, will not swap. However, in order to inform you that this
- has occurred and to prevent further confusion, HomeBase plays the
- tune "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Sometimes HomeBase plays this tune but
- still allows swapping because the interrupt number is 50 or
- greater. These interrupts are rarely used when the program is not
- active. In any case, if you find a program that "fools" HomeBase
- or causes a problem, you can put a "safety shield" around it by
- using a batch program that runs the supplied SWAP.COM program.
-
- =================================================================
- SWAP.COM: A Safety Shield for Non-swappable Programs
- =================================================================
-
- The SWAP.COM program prevents swapping until an unswappable user
- program has been terminated. You must create a "batch" file in
- which SWAP OFF appears before the program and SWAP ON appears
- after it. For example, if you find that the program YYY.COM needs
- a safety shield, you would make the following batch file named
- RUNYYY.BAT:
-
- SWAP OFF
- YYY
- SWAP ON
-
- Do not name this program YYY.BAT since when you type YYY, DOS
- first tries to run YYY.COM or YYY.EXE before trying to run
- YYY.BAT. Once this batch program is created (using an editor or
- word processor), you need only type:
-
- RUNYYY <RETURN>
-
- (Make sure the SWAP.COM program has been copied from the HomeBase
- distribution disk to your working disk).
-
- =================================================================
- Types of Programs that are Non-swappable
- =================================================================
-
- You cannot swap out programs that are using the ASYNC interrupts
- or the timer tick interrupts. Terminal emulator programs use the
- ASYNC interrupts, some word processor programs use int 8, 9 and
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- 16, and some spreadsheet programs use the timer tick, int 8 and
- 1C.
-
- Fortunately, if you have 640K of memory, then the non-swappable
- part of your program will not overlap the memory that is swapped
- out and replaced with HomeBase. Thus sometimes even non-compatible
- programs will run perfectly well with HomeBase in the swap mode.
- BUT PLEASE EXPERIMENT FIRST!
-
- =================================================================
- RUNNINGFROM A FLOPPY DISK
-
- =================================================================
-
- Insert the HomeBase Disk # 1 in floppy disk drive A:
-
- Log onto Drive A: by typing:
-
- A:<RETURN>
-
- Then execute HomeBase by typing:
-
- HOMEBASE<RETURN>
-
- If you want the Calendar and NoteBase files stored (*.NBD files)
- on a user defined disk or directory (such as B: or C:\HBNOTES),
- add this line at the beginning of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file that was
- created with the install program. The directory must exist prior
- to using this command. To create a directory, type:
-
- MD \DIRECTORY
-
- Where directory is the name of the directory you have chosen.
-
- Set the HBPATH by typing:
-
- SET HBPATH=C:\HBNOTES<RETURN>
-
- USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE!
-
- Put this line at the beginning of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
-
- Because of the wide variety of user programs that conflict with
- each other, you may find that the Install Program has failed to
- accommodate your particular programs. If this happens, READ ON!
-
- After you have run the Install Program, re-boot your machine by
- pressing: Ctrl+Alt+Del. Press all three keys at the same time.
- When the reboot has finished, HomeBase should be installed and you
- can call up HomeBase as shown on the screen by typing Alt+Shift+H.
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- =================================================================
- STARTING
- =================================================================
-
- Once HomeBase is installed on your disk, you can load it
- automatically at boot-up or call it up
- manually.
-
- Here's How:
-
- Reboot your machine. If the Install Program has properly modified
- your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you will see the following message on the
- screen:
-
- Press Alt+Shift+H for HomeBase.
-
- Press both the ALT key and the left SHIFT key at the same time and
- then press the H with another finger to activate HomeBase.
-
- =================================================================
- MANUAL LOAD
- =================================================================
-
- If you do not want HomeBase to automatically load on power-up or
- the Install Program has failed, you can manually start HomeBase by
- typing:
-
- HomeBase<RETURN>
-
- The batch file called HOMEBASE.BAT will initiate HomeBase and give
- you the same message given by Automatic load (see above).
-
- If HomeBase does not appear on your screen when you type
- Alt+Shift+H please see the "Problems" section.
-
- =================================================================
- FILE MAINTENANCE (HBCLEAN)
- =================================================================
-
- Most databases, HomeBase's NoteBase system included, require
- occasional file maintenance. When a record is deleted from a
- NoteBase, it is only marked for deletion. You must run the HBCLEAN
- utility to actually purge the deleted information and reclaim file
- space. This helps you keep your NoteBases down to the minimum size
- and your system at its maximum efficiency.
-
-
- IMPORTANT NOTE:
- WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU BACK-UP YOUR HOMEBASE FILES
- PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY DOS OR UTILITY FUNCTIONS ON THEM.
-
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- HOMEBASE DATA FILES HAVE THE ".NBD" EXTENSION AND CAN BE
- BACKED UP WITH THE DOS COPY COMMAND.
-
-
- To perform a file maintenance, enter the subdirectory where your
- NoteBases are stored and type:
-
- HBCLEAN *.nbd<RETURN>
-
- The file HBCLEAN.EXE must also be present to perform file
- maintenance. If you use your NoteBases frequently, you should get
- into the habit of running HBCLEAN once a week or so.
-
- =================================================================
- CLEANUP (FOR FLOPPY DISK SYSTEMS ONLY)
- =================================================================
-
- HomeBase uses several files during its installation that are no
- longer needed once the installation is complete. We have provided
- a utility called "CLEANUP" that recognizes and erases these for
- you. It can be used in one of two ways:
-
- If you type:
-
- A:CLEANUP<RETURN>
-
- then all install-related programs will be erased from the working
- copy (not the master) of HomeBase Disk 1.
-
- Optionally, if you type:
-
- A:CLEANUP HB<RETURN>
-
- The lesser used HB utilities will also be erased. This second
- option is for those who want to keep HB utilities on a separate
- disk.
-
- The program is safe. You will be asked if it is ok to cleanup.
- When the program is done, you can erase cleanup and read-me by
- typing:
-
- ERASE CLEANUP.*
- ERASE READ-ME
-
- =================================================================
- IF YOU NEED HELP
- =================================================================
-
- On-Line, context-sensitive help is available at any time by
- pressing the F1 function key.
-
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- The F1 function key is usually located on the left hand, top
- portion of the keyboard. On some computers the Function Keys are
- located on the top of the keyboard.
-
- To exit help, press the Esc key.
-
- In HomeBase, the Esc key exits the current HomeBase application
- window. If you press escape a number of times, you will
- eventually close all of the HomeBase windows and exit to DOS.
-
- =================================================================
- SHORTCUTS TO HOMEBASE MODULES
- =================================================================
-
- The <Alt><Shift><Esc> key is just one of several "hot keys" you
- can use as a short-cut way to enter and use HomeBase. The help
- screen mentioned above lists them. <Alt><Shift><Enter> and
- <Alt><Shift><Spacebar> are particularly helpful for jumping
- quickly between various parts of HomeBase and your original
- program. Here are some more Hotkey combos for quickly entering and
- using the HomeBase module of your choice:
-
- KEY COMBO Result
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- <Alt><Shift><N> Accesses NoteBase
- <Alt><Shift><Q> Accesses QuickTerm Communications Program
- <Alt><Shift><=> Accesses Calculator
- <Alt><Shift><E> Accesses Editor
- <Alt><Shift><D> Accesses DOS Services
- <Alt><Shift><Esc> Leaves HomeBase Module & Returns to What You
- Were Doing
-
- =================================================================
- CHANGING WINDOW SIZES
- =================================================================
-
- The size of many of the windows can be changed by hitting the
- NumLock key and using the arrow keys to "press" the window against
- the side of the screen. Hitting the Home key will return the
- window to its full size.
-
- =================================================================
- HOMEBASE ALARMS
- =================================================================
-
- HomeBase creates and maintains a file called HBALARMS.HB$ which
- contains all the alarms that have been scheduled (for all
- calendars). Each time you boot up your computer and start
- HomeBase, HBKERNEL reads in the alarm file and schedules all
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- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
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- alarms for that day. Alarms from all previous days are deleted,
- but in case you have the date set incorrectly, a backup file
- called HBALARMS.$H$ can be used to undo the accident. (See
- HBALARMS.COM below.)
-
- HomeBase recognizes only the first 12 alarms set on a given day.
- If alarms were originally scheduled with the earliest first, then
- running the HBALARMS.COM program after the first few alarms have
- gone-off will allow the remaining alarms to be set up. Alarms on
- the same day, but previous to the current time, will immediately
- display and thus be immediately flushed out of the system when you
- press <Alt><Shift><End>.
-
- Up to 4 alarms set for the same time (perhaps from separate
- calendars) will show on one alarm screen. If more than 4 are
- pending, the remaining alarms will show when the user gives the
- release signal (<Alt><Shift><End>).
-
- =================================================================
- CALCULATOR
- =================================================================
-
- To select the calculator, press <Alt><Shift><=>.
-
- Try adding or subtracting numbers by typing, for example, 34+4,
- then hit [Enter]. For further information on the calculator, hit
- the F1 key for help.
-
- To exit from the Calculator, press the Esc key by itself, or hit
- <Alt><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.
-
- NOTE: When you exit a feature using <Alt><Shift><Esc>, you'll
- freeze that feature, so that the next time you call it up, you'll
- enter exactly where you left off. When you exit using Esc or a
- series of Esc's, the next time you call up that feature, you'll be
- starting from scratch.
-
- =================================================================
- CALENDAR
- =================================================================
-
- Press <Alt><Shift><C> to bring up the Calendar section of
- HomeBase.
-
- Highlight one of the calendar names using the up or down keys and
- press "D" (for day).
-
- What you'll see is the daily appointment calendar. You can reach
- help from here by hitting the F1 key. You can try inserting some
- information in the appointment slots...and don't worry when you
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- seem to have filled up a slot...just keep typing and you'll notice
- more space opening up as you need it.
-
- * Hit Esc to get back to the main calendar menu.
-
- * Move the highlighting cursor along the menu on the top of
- your screen by using the left and right arrow keys located on
- your numerical keypad. As you highlight a choice, hit the F1
- key for information on each selection.
-
- =================================================================
- THE HOMEBASE CLOCK
- =================================================================
-
- The HomeBase Clock appears in the upper right hand corner of your
- screen. If you prefer not to have this feature present, there are
- two ways to turn it off.
-
- * Temporary (<Alt><Shift><T> then scroll it off). To turn off
- the clock, just hit <Alt><Shift><T> and then press [Enter] a
- few times. When you want the clock to reappear, just press
- <Alt><Shift><T> again.
-
- * Permanent (Change Autoexec.bat file). If you prefer not to
- have the clock at all, then use the HomeBase Editor to change
- the information in the line beginning with: HBKERNEL
-
- At some point in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file you will find the
- combination C12 or C24, sometimes followed by a lone number.
- Just change this to -C0. Then hit <Esc> and "Write" the file
- to disk. Reboot your computer, and the clock will be gone.
-
- =================================================================
- CHANGING TO 24 HOUR CLOCK (Change Autoexec.bat file)
- =================================================================
-
- If you would rather have a twenty-four hour clock onscreen, then
- you can use your Editor to make the change. On the line beginning
- with "HBKERNEL", change the C12 to C24. Hit the <Esc> key,
- "Write" the file to disk and reboot your computer.
-
- =================================================================
- SNAPSHOT TIME AND DATE (<Alt><Shift><Y>)
- =================================================================
-
- To get a date and time displayed once, just type <Alt><Shift><Y>.
- The time will not keep running on this "snapshot" and when you
- scroll the screen, the clock will disappear again.
-
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- =================================================================
- CUT & PASTE
- =================================================================
-
- Cut and Paste allows you to mark and copy anything on your screen
- and paste it in anywhere you like. Cut and Paste can hold this
- copy in its memory while you change software, so that you can
- actually cut something from the screen of one program and paste it
- into the screen of another.
-
- HOW TO CUT
-
- * Hit <Alt><Shift><K>
-
- * You'll notice that the cursor becomes a large, blinking
- block.
-
- * Place the large, blinking, block cursor at the beginning of
- the text to be cut from the screen, using the up, down and
- left and right arrow keys to steer.
-
- * Hit the big Plus key on your numeric keypad.
-
- * You'll notice the cursor will stop blinking.
-
- * Use the arrow keys and the PgUp and PdDn keys to highlight
- the area you wish to copy.
-
- * Hit the [Enter] key and your screen and cursor will return to
- their normal state.
-
- HOW TO PASTE
-
- * Place your normal cursor wherever you wish to paste in
- whatever you've copied from the screen.
-
- * Hit <Alt><Shift><P>
-
- =================================================================
- DE-INSTALL HOMEBASE AND HBKERNEL FROM MEMORY
- =================================================================
-
- The De-install option (located under Options, from the Main Menu
- of HomeBase) now permits you to remove HBKERNEL, HBASYNC, HBVSI,
- as well as the main module HB. Removing the other modules gives
- you about 70 to 80K more memory, but you will lose features such
- as the alarms and background capture. Also, if you de-install the
- kernel, you will lose any programs which were made resident or are
- running after the kernel. Thus, DO NOT DE-INSTALL the kernel if
- you are running any other program. You must be at the DOS prompt
-
- 15
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
- (like C:>) before you call up HomeBase and use the De-install
- option.
-
- =================================================================
- DOS SERVICES
- =================================================================
-
- You can access DOS Services one of two ways...as indeed you can
- any of HomeBase's features. You can either bring up the HomeBase
- main menu and select DOS Services from the index of features that
- appears, or you can hit the three-key combination of
- <Alt><Shift><D> that will take you directly to that feature
- without using the HomeBase main menu.
-
- Either:
-
- * Hit <Alt><Shift><H> to bring up the main menu and then select
- DOS Services.
-
- Or:
-
- * Hit <Alt><Shift><D> to directly select DOS Services.
-
- To view a directory:
-
- * Move the highlighting cursor bar to the drive you wish to
- select in the window on the upper right. Use the up and down
- arrow keys on the numeric keypad.
-
- * Hit S (for Select).
-
- * Move the highlighting cursor bar along the horizontal menu at
- the top of your screen, hitting the F1 key to view Help for
- each option.
-
- * To open another directory window, use the tab key (the one
- with the left arrow at the top and a right arrow on the
- bottom) to make the Volumes Index "active" again. Now, use
- the up or down arrow keys to select the next volume you wish
- to view.
-
- * The tab key moves you between active windows.
-
- * Using the tab key, try making one of your directory windows
- the active window, and then use the up and down arrow keys to
- scroll through the files in that directory.
-
- If either your program or DOS changes or deletes a file, DOS
- Services must update its own directory. Press the Esc key and
- then [Enter] to update.
-
- 16
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
-
- =================================================================
- EDITOR
- =================================================================
-
- * Either select Editor from the main HomeBase menu, or hit
- <Alt><Shift><E>.
-
- * Select "Edit" from the horizontal menu at the top of your
- screen.
-
- * At this point you are in the Editor. For the editor
- commands, hit the F1 key.
-
- * Try typing a few lines.
-
- * Hit Esc to get back to the main Editor menu.
-
- * Select "Write" to save your file. You will be prompted for a
- filename.
-
- * To bring in a file that already exists on your disk, select
- "Read". Then select "Edit" to edit the file.
-
- =================================================================
- NOTEBASE
- =================================================================
-
- Each entry into a NoteBase has a "key", i.e., a word or two that
- is used to find it again or to find it during a search of similar
- entries. "Hughie Programs", "Jason Notes" and "Mike Notes" are
- three examples. You can search for "Notes" to list all notes, or
- just "Hughie" to list all of Hughie's stuff.
-
- =================================================================
- QUICKTERM (COMMUNICATIONS PACKAGE)
- =================================================================
-
- In order to use QuickTerm, you must have a modem installed on your
- computer.
-
- Once you have set up all the information you need for a particular
- host computer you wish to contact, use the "Write" command found
- on the main Autodialer menu to save the configuration. Once you
- have done this, the name of the host computer will appear on your
- autodialer index. When you wish to call a particular host, just
- use the highlighting cursor bar, and the Select command on the
- horizontal menu to automatically select the correct configuration
- and dial for you.
-
-
- 17
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
- Remember to "WRITE" your configuration when you have finished
- setting it. Set the name, number, baud, etc., but then Esc until
- you see the "Write" option.
-
- Press "W". This will WRITE the configuration into the autodialer
- file on disk.
-
- =================================================================
- AUTODIALER
- ================================================================
-
- In order to use AutoDialer, you must have a modem installed on
- your computer.
-
- HomeBase contains a "voice" autodialer. The "Name and Address"
- NoteBase is set up to be utilized this way. Just hit <Alt><D> to
- dial the FIRST NUMBER. To autodial any other number in the Name
- and Address file, move your cursor to that number and hit
- <Alt><D>. Any template NoteBase can now be built to contain
- autodial fields. You'll find a simple option to do this within
- the template maker.
-
- =================================================================
- MOST COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
- ================================================================
-
- IMPORTANT NOTE:
-
- THE FOLLOWING FIXES TO HomeBase MAKE REFERENCES TO THE HBKERNEL
- COMMAND LINE OR HBVSI COMMAND LINE. THESE LINES CAN BE FOUND IN
- THE AUTOFLOP.BAT FILE ON DRIVE A: IF YOU HAVE A FLOPPY DISK SYSTEM,
- OR IN AUTOHARD.BAT IN THE ROOT DIRECTORY OF DRIVE C:
- YOU CAN EDIT THIS FILE WITH ANY ASCII BASED TEXT EDITOR.
-
- =================================================================
- GENERAL FIXIT PROCEDURE FOR ALL PROBLEMS
- ================================================================
-
- For diagnostic purposes, remove all programs, and utilities from
- your AUTOEXEC.BAT file for the time being, and reboot your system
- from a "PLAIN VANILLA" DOS diskette with no AUTOEXEC.BAT FILE.
- Temporarily remove all internal cards (hardware) that are not
- absolutely essential (modems, network cards, etc.). When you get
- HomeBase working, replace the software and hardware one piece at a
- time until you find which one is responsible for the failure.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 18
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
- =================================================================
- MODEMS
- =================================================================
-
- Set the switches of your MODEM so that Ring Detect and Carrier
- Detect are alive and accurately detect the state of the phone
- line. For example, on a HAYES EXTERNAL MODEM, switches 1 and 6
- need to be up. If you have a HAYES 1200B Internal, you need to
- set switches 1 and 2 up and switch 3 down. If your MODEM has no
- switches, (like the Hayes 2400B) you usually must do a "software
- set" by running HomeBase and using the following keystrokes:
-
- KEYSTROKES PURPOSE
- ----------------------------------------------------------
- <Alt><Shift><Q> runs Quickterm
- T start Terminal
- [Enter] skip setting the phone number
- AT &C1 &D2 S0=1 &W attention, CD, DTR, answer on 1 ring, write
- Esc exit terminal
- Esc exit HomeBase
-
- This procedure works with the newer "switchless" Hayes and other
- brand Modems. Once this procedure is done you DO NOT have to
- repeat it. Your modem is permanently changed to the new settings.
-
- =================================================================
- MONO GRAPHIC SCREENS
- =================================================================
-
- Some monographic screens require a modification to the default
- installation. You will know if you need to perform this operation
- if, when you bring HomeBase up, you cannot see the letters
- underneath the highlighted bar or cannot see the highlight at all.
-
-
- Computers with monochrome screens on color emulation display
- boards and computers with LCD or plasma displays will need to have
- the screen colors set in the HBVSI line using one of the following
- sequences:
-
- Monochrome Screens: HBVSI 33k 0 14 6 0 0 0 96 0 0 0 3
- LCD screens: HBVSI 33k 0 6 6 0 0 0 96 0 0 0 15 0 0 255 7
- Gas Plasma screens: HBVSI 33k 0 14 5 F
-
- In order to run HomeBase properly from a batch file it is
- necessary to have a file called CONFIG.SYS in the root directory
- of the boot disk at boot time. This file must contain the
- following line and may contain others:
-
- FILES=20
-
- 19
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
-
- =================================================================
- IF YOU DON'T GET ON-LINE HELP
- =================================================================
-
- Your CONFIG.SYS file, located in the Root Directory of your disk
- must contain the command line:
-
- FILES=20
-
- If you don't have this line or a line with FILES equal to a number
- greater than 20, HomeBase will not be able to access its on-line
- help or data files.
-
- =================================================================
- CLOCK
- =================================================================
-
- Some programs incorrectly take over the clock tick interrupts and
- conflict with HomeBase. Just turn off HomeBase's clock. Change
- the HBKERNEL line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and/or HomeBase.Bat files
- to read:
-
- HBKERNEL -C0
-
- "-C0" shuts off the clock.
-
- You can just type <Alt><Shift><T> to temporarily toggle the clock
- on.
-
- =================================================================
- LOTUS 1-2-3
- =================================================================
-
- With Lotus 1-2-3 revision 2.0, you need to drop the HomeBase
- on-screen clock by removing the "C12 300" in your HBKERNEL command
- line and replacing it with a "-C0".
- =================================================================
- APPLICATIONS WHICH TRAP <Alt><Key> COMBINATIONS
- =================================================================
-
- Superkey, Displaywrite 3 and Deskview, for instance, trap some or
- all <Alt><Key> combinations for their own purposes. The
- <Alt><Shift> combination should, therefore, be changed to
- <Ctrl><Shift>. For example, using the HBKERNEL line parameters:
- P=29 42. 29 and 42 are the keyboard scan codes for Ctrl and Shift
- on the standard IBM keyboard. This may not be correct for other
- makes of keyboards or may not be a valid combination for your
- computer. In this case, you will need to determine correct
- combinations from your computer's user manual.
-
- 20
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
-
- =================================================================
- DOS COMMAND EDITORS
- =================================================================
-
- DOSEDIT and CED should be run after HomeBase has been installed.
-
- =================================================================
- CHANGING WINDOW SIZES
- =================================================================
-
- The size of many of the windows can be changed by hitting the
- NumLock key and using the arrow keys to "press" the window against
- the side of the screen. Hitting the Home key will return the
- window to its full size.
-
- =================================================================
- STEPS TO FIX PROBLEMS
- =================================================================
-
- 1) Eliminate the keyboard speed repeat (e.g., HBKERNEL K=40 0).
- The keyboard speed repeat or speed key speeds-up the repeat
- when you hold down a key, such as underlining.
-
- 2) Eliminate the keyboard buffer (e.g., K=0 0). The keyboard
- buffer is an extension to DOS's 16 key buffer. HomeBase's
- keyboard buffer can be extended to 127 characters for
- extremely fast typists.
-
- 3) Eliminate the clock (e.g., HBKERNEL -C0) HomeBase has an
- on-screen clock in the top right corner of the screen; some
- programs do not like it.
-
- 4) Eliminate the screen interrupt (e.g., HBKERNEL -G=16). By
- eliminating this when the screen saver is activated, it will
- not return when the screen is updated by a program, only when
- the user types a key.
-
- 5) Eliminate all special programs -- start from scratch. Try to
- find out which program is the source of the problem. Often,
- two programs interact so that one alone will work, but both
- do not. If you find one or two programs which do not work,
- try changing the order in which you load them.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 21
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
-
- REGISTRATION FORM
- -----------------
-
-
- You may register your copy by filling out the following form and
- mailing it to the listed address along with your check.
-
- When you register for a fee of $89.95 + $5 shipping, you will
- receive:
- - The latest version of HomeBase on disk.
-
- - The latest Users' Manual.
-
- - Toll-Free Technical Support for 1 year.
-
-
- When you register for a fee of $49.95 + $5 shipping, you will
- receive:
- - The latest Users' Manual.
-
- - Non-Toll-Free Technical Support for 1 year.
-
-
- When you register for a fee of $29.95, you will receive:
-
- - A license to use the copy of HomeBase currently in
- your possession.
-
- - Non-Toll-Free Technical support on a Pay-As-You-Go
- basis.
-
- You MAY NOT give copies away or sell HomeBase in connection with
- any commercial product, service or venture without our written
- permission.
-
- Mail checks to: Brown Bag Software, File #41719,
- P.O. Box 60000, San Francisco,
- Ca 94160-1719.
-
- California residents: Please add 7% tax.
-
- Or call 408-559-4545, 800-523-0764 (800-323-5335 in CA).
- MC/Visa/Amex Accepted
-
- In addition, you will be supporting software distributed under the
- shareware concept and will be contributing to the further
- development of HomeBase and other shareware products.
-
-
-
- 22
-
-
-
-
-
- HomeBase Users' Manual Copyright Brown Bag Software 1987
-
- Mail To:
-
- Brown Bag Software
- File #41719
- Box 60000
- San Francisco, CA 94160-1719
-
-
- NAME _________________________________________
-
- COMPANY ______________________________________
-
- ADDRESS ______________________________________
-
- CITY/STATE ___________________________________
-
- ZIP __________________
-
- Serial # on the Opening Screen_________________
-
-
-
-
- How did you first learn about HomeBase or where
- did you first obtain a copy of HomeBase? If a
- Bulletin Board, please give telephone number.
-
-
- _________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
-
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-
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-
- 23
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