Shareware Grab Bag

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Shareware Grab Bag / Shareware Grab Bag.iso / 005 / hbutdoc.arc / MANUAL.HB < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1987-03-06 | 41.1 KB | 1,005 lines

H O M E B A S E V E R S I O N 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. 1 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 2 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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. 3 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= INSTALLING HOMEBASE SPECIAL VERSION ================================================================= ON A HARD DISK SYSTEM: Edit the file C:\CONFIG.SYS so that it contains the line FILES=20. Reboot. If your computer has a hard disk, create a subdirectory called homebase (md \homebase) and copy all the files into it (copy a:*.* c:\homebase) and use the batch file AUTOHARD.BAT to start up HomeBase. ON A FLOPPY-DISK SYSTEM: Edit the file CONFIG.SYS on your boot disk so that it contains the line FILES=20. Boot up your computer normally then insert the HomeBase disk into the default drive. Use the batch file AUTOFLOP.BAT to start up HomeBase. ================================================================= STARTING HOMEBASE ================================================================= With HomeBase on your floppy or hard disk you can load it automatically at boot-up or call it up manually. Here's How: AUTOMATIC LOAD Modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT file by placing the batch file call at the end, reboot your computer. 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 together and then press the H at the same time to activate HomeBase.) MANUAL LOAD If you do not want HomeBase to automatically load on power-up, you can manually start HomeBase by typing: AUTOHARD [Enter] or AUTOFLOP [Enter]. 4 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 The batch file will initiate HomeBase and give you the same message given by Automatic load (see above.) ================================================================= IF YOU NEED HELP ================================================================= On-Line, context-sensitive help is available at any time by pressing the F1 function key. 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 5 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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 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. 6 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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 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 7 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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. ================================================================= 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> 8 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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 (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 9 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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. ================================================================= 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. 10 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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. 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 templated 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. 11 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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. ================================================================= 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 12 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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 ================================================================= 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". 13 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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. ================================================================= 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. 14 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 ================================================================= 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 extention 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. 15 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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 CANNOT 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. 16 Homebase V2.0 shareware (C) Brown Bag Software 1986, 87 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. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ 17