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MCBase: the Music Collection dataBase system. Version: 1.1 Author: Harry Doldersum Weerselose straat 26 7623 DA BORNE The Netherlands, Europe. Electronic mail adresses: CompuServe : 100270,2132 FidoNet : 2:500/109. InterNet : 100270,2132@compuserve.com Voice : NL (0) 74 66 84 80 Fax : See voice. Standby on request. _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER MCBASE V1.1 is a SHAREWARE application. This documentation is dated: May 5th, 1994. Contents: 0. ASP Ombudsman statement. 1. What is MCBase ? 2. MCBase requirements. 3. MCBase license agreement. 4. MCBase disclaimer. 5. Installing MCBase: Shareware version 6. Installing MCBase: Registered version 7. The Music Collection dataBase system: how does it work? 8. The "location code" and the MCBase system. 9. A short tour through MCBase's main menu. 10. How to use the MCBase selection lists. 11. How to use the MCBase memo editor. 12. Using option "Append to the databases". 12a. Option "Append to the databases - Append new artist". 12b. Option "Append to the databases - Append new album". 12c. Option "Append to the databases - Append new song(s)". 13. Using option "View/edit the databases". 13a. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit artist record". 13b. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit album record". 13c. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit song record". 14. Using option "Allfield editor". 15. Using option "Query on artist". 16. Using option "Query on album". 17. Using option "Query on song". 18. Using option "View albums by artist". 19. Using option "Report on songs". 20. Using option "View tape contents". 21. Using option "Registration info". 22. Using option "Print artist overview". 23. Using option "Print album overview". 24. Using option "Print song overview". 25. Using option "Print tape overview". 26. Using option "Print albums by artist". 27. Using option "Print songs by artist". 28. Using option "Pack all databases". 29. Using option "(Re-)index all databases". 30. Using option "Printer commands". 31. Leaving the MCBase system: option "End of program". 32. The Music Collection dataBase system: Future plans. 33. How to order the MCBase relational database system. 0. ASP Ombudsman statement. Harry Doldersum is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP want to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a share- ware related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muske- gon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. 1. What is MCBase ? MCBase is a relational database system that has been set up to assist in managing large music collections, regardless of the media on which the music is recorded. The primary target that MCBase is aiming at, is to generate alphabetic lists of all material present in the collection. The user can keep these lists near to his stereo, to serve as a handy and quick reference guide to quickly find specific items in his music collection. (This information can also be viewed onscreen, of course). The idea behind MCBase is, that nobody will start his computer system, just to find out where that darn Elvis Presley song is located. He will start a search instead: '... thought it was on the "Moody Blue"-album, but it isn't there. Maybe on the "Almost in Love"-album ?' A list with alphabetic songtitles, sorted on artistname, can be a relief at these times, and MCBase is now here to generate these lists (and many more) for you. All you have to do: Feed the system with the information about your music collection! MCBase has evolved from MBase, a flat file version of the same program, which ran within the dBase-environment. (MBase has been used by myself (and some friends) for a few years and we experienced the concept as very helpful). Perhaps I should point out, that MCBase is NOT an application meant to manage a collection of just a few albums. If I want to see what is on a single album, I might just as well take a look at the albums cover (or at the CD-booklet) to learn of it's contents. The MCBase database system is meant to give an overview of a larger record collection. For instance, my personal collection at this moment is containing some 5.800 songrecords. It's not that large, but large enough to justify a proper database. P.s. : If you have another file in which the information on your collection already is gathered, and you would like to transfer it to the MCBase system, contact me. Perhaps we can work out a conversion-program (registration is required). (I have already written a conversion from the previous flat- file version (MBase) to this new relational set of files (for MCBase), so I probably can do the same for you for a very rea- sonable fee). 2. MCBase requirements: The shareware version of MCBase will run on all XT-compatible computers and up. The registered version can be delivered to you in a version which is tailormade to your hardware. See the "ORDER.MCB" document for more information. You will need a minimum of approx. 512kB free memory and the MS-DOS operating system to run MCBase. The size of the MCBase databases should only be limited by the available free space on your harddrive. At startup, MCBase generates MBPRINT.CFG, a printer-configura- tion file, with the appropriate printer commandset for Epson- compatible printers. If you have a different printer, select option "Z" to edit the printer commandset. (Printer commandset editing is discribed in section 29 of this manual). 3. MCBase license agreement. MCBASE IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE. The commercial, registered version of MCBASE may not be dupli- cated other than for backup purposes. A registered copy of MCBASE must be treated like a book, in that the same registe- red copy of MCBASE may not be used in more than one computer at the same time, just as a book cannot be read by more than one person at the same time. By registering your copy of MCBASE you do NOT become the owner of this software package, but you are granted the fully sup- ported use of the MCBASE database system. The MCBASE software package will remain the total property of the author, Harry Doldersum, under all circumstances. Therefor, a user will never have the right to (re)distribute the registered version of MCBASE. Users are granted a limited license to use the SHAREWARE version of MCBASE for a limited evaluation period of 30 days maximum, in order to determine if the produkt meets their needs. Any other use of MCBASE or use past this period requi- res registration. Alle users are granted a limited license (and are encouraged) to copy the shareware version (NOT the registered version) of MCBASE only for the purpose of allowing others to try it, subject to the above restrictions as well as these: MCBASE must be distributed in absolutely unmodified form, including all program, documentation and other files as found in the original MCBxxx.ARJ (xxx = version number) archive file. If you MUST repack the ARJ-archive then please make sure you include all files as found in the original archive. MCBASE may not be included with any other produkt for any reason whatsoever without a written license from the author: Harry Doldersum. No payment may be charged for MCBASE, other than a fee to cover copying expences. Bulletin Board system operators may post the unregistered User supported trial version of MCBASE on their BBS for downloading by their users WITHOUT written permission of the author (= Harry Doldersum) ONLY if the above mentioned conditions are met, and only if no special fee is necessary to access the MCBASE archive file. Distributors of User Supported Trial software (SHAREWARE) and Public Domain software, MUST obtain written permission from the author (= Harry Doldersum) before distributing MCBASE and must follow the above mentioned conditions. Permission is almost always granted; this requirement is necessary to ensure protection for myself (Harry Doldersum) and MCBASE users from unscrupulous individuals. IMPORTANT NOTE: Distributors, who are an ASP member, do NOT need my written permission for distribution. 4. MCBase Disclaimer The author makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied. In NO event shall the author be liable for ANY dama- ges or loss arising out of the use or inability to use this software, even if the author has been advised about the possi- bility of such damages or loss. By using and/or handling this software, you agree to all terms mentioned in this document. 5. Installing MCBase: Shareware version. IMPORTANT NOTE: this section discribes the installation of MCBase from the original "ARJ"-type archive file. It is very lightly that the various BBS-sysops will convert this original archive file to a format that is standard on their system. Two other common archivers, that you might encounter, are PKZIP (by PKWare, Inc) with the filetype "ZIP" and LHA (by Haruyasu Yoshizaki) with the filetype "LZH". You received the shareware version of MCBase as the archive file MCBxxx.ARJ. If you did NOT receive MCBase as this archive file, then please make sure, you have the following files after extraction of the archive: MCBASE.EXE, MCBASE.DOC, GENMCB.EXE, LICENSE.MCB, ORDER.MCB and REVISION.MCB. (Your copy could be incomplete and you might get the wrong idea about the performance and documentation of the MCBase system). You will need Robert Jung's ARJ.EXE to extract the archive. Use the following command to extract all files: ARJ x MCBxxx.ARJ In case of a ZIP-file format, use: PKUNZIP MCBxxx.ZIP In case of a LZH-file format, use: LHA e MCBxxx.LZH Installing MCBase on your system should not be very difficult, if you follow these steps: - 1) Copy the original MCBxxx.ARJ archive file to a floppy disk and store it in a safe place. - 2) Create a new directory for the MCBase system. - 3) Move all the extracted files to this new directory. - 4) Generate a set of datafiles by running GENMCB.EXE. - 5) DELETE GENMCB.EXE after use! It generates NEW and EMPTY databases, so you wouldn't want to use it after you've been entering data. (You can retrieve another copy from the MCBxxx.ARJ archive file, should you need it). - 6) Run MCBase. The program will now create the neccesary index-files (KEYxMBx.NDX) and the printer configuration file MBPRINT.CFG. - 7) Exit MCBase. - 8) Start your wordprocessor, import this ASCII-document MCBASE.DOC and print it. - 9) If you have a printer which is NOT an Epson-compatible, you should now run MCBase and edit the printer command- set. Check your printermanual for the correct commands and see section 29 for assistance on printer commandset editing. After these steps you'll be ready to run the shareware version of the MCBase Music Collection DataBase system. 6. Installing MCBase: Registered version. You received your registered version of MCBase on a disk on which all neccessary files are present. When updating from the shareware version to the registered version, simply delete the shareware version of MCBASE.EXE and replace it with the registered version. If you ordered a pro- tected mode version, you will also find the additional files DPMI16BI.OVL and RTM.EXE. Copy these to the MCBase-directory as well (or in a directory which is in your "path"-statement). When installing MCBase from scratch, do the following: - 1) Create a new directory for the MCBase system. - 2) Copy all the files to this new directory, then store the original disk in a safe place. - 3) Generate a set of datafiles by running GENMCB.EXE. - 4) DELETE GENMCB.EXE after use! It generates NEW and EMPTY databases, so you wouldn't want to use it after you've been entering data. (You can retrieve another copy from the original disk, should you need it). - 5) Run MCBase. The program will now create the neccesary index-files (KEYxMBx.NDX) and the printer configuration file MBPRINT.CFG. - 6) Exit MCBase. - 7) Start your wordprocessor, import the ASCII-document MCBASE.DOC and print it. - 8) If you have a printer which is NOT an Epson-compatible, you should now run MCBase and edit the printer command- set. Check your printermanual for the correct commands and see section 29 for assistance on printer commandset editing. After these steps you'll be ready to run your personal regis- tered copy of the MCBase Music Collection DataBase system. 7. The Music Collection dataBase system: how does it work? The MCBase system is built on 3 sets of database files (.DBF- files for the actual records and .DBT-files for the memo's belonging to these records), each with a supporting set of indexfiles, by which the information in the databases is accessed. The first set of files are MB1.DBF & MB1.DBT, which hold the following artist-information: - 1) Artist name. - 2) Period in which the artist is (was) active. - 3) Artist ID-code. - 4) Artist information memo ("Group info"), in which specific information about the current artist can be placed. - 5) Artist remarks memo ("Remarks"), in which your own opinion or remarks about the current artist can be placed. The second set of files are MB2.DBF & MB2.DBT, which hold the following album-information: - 1) Album title. - 2) Artist ID-code, which points to the related artist- record in the files MB1.DBF & MB1.DBT. - 3) Period in which the album was released. - 4) Album ID-code. - 5) Album information memo ("Album info"), in which spe- cific information about the current album can be placed. - 6) Album remarks memo ("Remarks"), in which your own opinion or remarks about the current album can be placed. The third set of files are MB3.DBF & MB3.DBT, which hold the following song-information: - 1) Song title. - 2) Album ID-code, which points to the related album- record in the files MB2.DBF & MB2.DBT. - 3) Artist ID-code, which points to the related artist- record in the files MB1.DBF & MB1.DBT. - 4) Location code, that points at the physical location of the song. - 5) Length of the song, expressed in minutes. - 6) Music composer name. - 7) Lyrics writer name. - 8) Producer's name. - 9) Musical catagory, that the song belongs to. -10) Period in which this song was released. -11) Song information memo ("Song info"), in which spe- cific information about the current song can be placed. -12) Song remarks memo ("Remarks"), in which your own opinion or remarks about the current song can be placed. As you will notice from the above, the system is "building" his information on these three sets of files in the following manner: MB3.DBF/DBT (songtitles) /|\ /|\ | | | MB2.DBF/DBT | (albumtitles) | /|\ | | MB1.DBF/DBT (artistnames) Suppose you just bought an album of an artist which is new to your music collection, then you would do the following to add the album to the MCBase database system: - 1) Add the artist to the artist database. When adding this artist a unique ID-code is generated for this artist, which will be used to identify the artist by in the other database-files. - 2) Add the albumtitle to the album database. While doing this, you will have to select the album-artist from a picklist generated from the artist database. This action will copy the selected artists ID-code into the current albumrecord. MCBase will use this ID-code to retrieve the correct artist information from the artist database when needed. The albumrecord will also receive it's unique ID-co- de, by which the system can identify it. - 3) Add the songrecords to the song database. While doing this, you will have to select the actual ar- tist which is performing the current song (multiple artist can appear on one album) and the correct albumtitle. These actions will copy both the correct artist ID-code and the album ID-code into the cur- rent songrecord. MCBase will use these ID-codes to retrieve the correct artist & album information from their respective databases when needed. When adding an entirely new album to the database system, all data entered in the previous record can be "carried" to the new record, with the exception of the actual songtitle and the song's memo-records. After entering the above mentioned data, you will be able to look into this data from the various screens and you can print various sorted lists containing this data. Please note: ALL (unique) artistnames & albumtitles need to be entered to their respective databases only once and are from then on selectable items for the higher database(s)! 8. The "location code" and the MCBase system. To enable the system to place all songs, belonging to the same album (or tape), in the correct order of appearance, the system is depending on a special code that the user enters in the field "Location code" for every songtitle. An example of using the location code is the following: - A) For singles you could use: "SI" for "Single", then a period as a delimiter and then the tracknumber on the single. So that would be: SI.1, SI.2, SI.3, SI.4 (and so on...) - B) For albums you could use: "LP" for "Long Play", then a period as a delimiter, then the sidenumber of the album, another period and the tracknumber of the current album- side. So that would be: LP.1.01, LP.1.02, LP.2.01, LP.2.02 (and so on...). This could be the almost the same for Compact Discs (CD). - C) For tapes you can come up with a tapenumber, sidenumber and the tapecounter value. A location code like the following enables you to use the option "View tape con- tents" to display every song on a specific tape in the exact order of appearance. That would be: 12345.1.1234 Please note: the tapenumber MUST consist out of 5 digits, while a dilimiter (period) is regarded as a valid digit. Perticular for tapes, each song on tape MUST have a unique location code. The above examples are like the ones I am using myself and are higly recommended. You are of course free to come up with your own ideas, but you will have to keep in mind that ONLY the locationcode for the tapes may start with a numeric value! (The option "Print tape overview" starts off at the first locationcode with "0" as first character and ends with the last locationcode with "9" as first character). 9. A short tour through MCBase's main menu. When starting the program, the main menu will appear onscreen. (If you didn't follow the installation procedure, you will get an error message now, stating what you should do now). The main menu is the gateway to all of MCBase's functions, which are: (A discripton of how to go about with the various options will follow later in this document). - 1) Append to the databases: Brings you to a selection window, where you can select an "append" option. - 2) Edit the databases: Brings you to a selection wind- ow, where you can select an "edit" option. - 3) Allfield editor: a flatfile editor, to access ALL fields of a chosen database, the relationcode fields included. - 4) Query on artist: onscreen report of all songs (in- cluded with albumtitle, if so desired) by the selec- ted artist. - 5) Query on album: onscreen report of all songs (inclu- ded with artistname, if so desired) on the selected album. - 6) Query on song: a look at a specific song with all further information, concerning the performing ar- tist and the album it is on, at hand. - 7) View albums by artist: similar to option 5, Query on album, but now you first select the performing ar- tist. The system will then present you a list of albums by this artist, of which you can select from. - 8) Report on songs: onscreen report of all songs in the database system, starting off at a point you speci- fy. You can then walk through the song database page by page, back and forth. - 9) View tape contents: onscreen report of the contents of a specific tape number. The screen output is similar to option 8, Report on songs. - #) Registration info: two screens with information are displayed here, presenting you the conditions under which you may evaluate or use the MCBase system (de- pending on the version you are using, shareware or registered version). - A) Print artist overview: report of all artists listed in the database. - B) Print album overview: report of all albums listed in the database. - C) Print song overview: report of all songs listed in the database. - D) Print tape overview: report of all songs that are recorded on tape, reported per tape number, in order of appearance. - E) Print albums by artist: report of all albums listed in the database, sorted on artistname. - F) Print songs by artist: report of all songs listed in the database, sorted on artistname. - X) Pack all databases: remove all records, which are set "Deleted" from the databases and indexes. - Y) (Re-)index all databases: create new indexes or update the existing ones. This option is automati- cally triggered at startup, if an indexfile (one or more) is reported missing. - 0) End of program: exits MCBase, returning you to the system prompt (or the calling program). 10. How to use the MCBase selection lists. Almost every MCBase option using screen output, is equipped with one or more selection lists, from which you can select the desired item(s). When a selection list appears, as a result from a menu option or a specific field selection, they are to be used as follows: - A) Walk through the list using the cursor movement keys: Cursor up - move one entry up. Cursor down - move one entry down. Page up - move a page of records up. Page down - move a page of records down. Home - move to top of list. End - move to bottom of list (*). * = On all EDIT-options, the END-key will bring you to an additional APPEND-option, which resides at the bottom of the selection list. You can also jump to an entry by pressing the key corres- ponding with the first character of the required entry. You will be brought to the first entry that begins with the selected character. Note: The routine distinguishes lower- from uppercase characters. You will hear a beep is a selected character does not occur in the selection list. - B) If you reached the desired entry, press ENTER to select this highlighted entry from the selection list. - C) Pressing the ESCape-key, while the selection list is active, aborts the selection procedure and returns you to the previous window and/or action. 11. How to use the MCBase memo-editor. The MCBase memo-editor is a basic word processor, without cut & paste options. Simply enter your text, line by line. - Move through your text, using the cursor control keys and the page-up and page-down keys. - The INSert-key toggles the insert- to overwrite-mode. - Press the DELete-key to delete a character or press the Control + Y keys to delete the current line. - Press the Control + End keys to exit and save your text. - Press ESCape to exit without saving. A small "help"-window will pop-up when pressing the F1-key. 12. Using option "Append to the databases". Option # 1, "Append to the databases" is the place to start for all append options. When selecting it, you are presented a small selection window, in wich you are prompted to select the required "Append" option. 12a. Option "Append to the databases - Append new artist". After selecting this option, the system presents you with a data entry screen. You can walk through these fields, using the cursor movement keys. You can also use the page-up key, which will bring you to the top of the entry screen, while the page-down key will bring you to the bottom of the screen, which is the "Editing options" window. These editing options are: - A) F5 = Delete record (Edit mode only) - B) F6 = Undelete record (Edit mode only) - C) F7 = Save record - D) ESC = Exit without saving Pressing a cursor-up or page-up key will remove the "Editing options"-window and bring you back to the data entry screen. Pressing ESCape on any field, will bring you back one screen or action: - Pressing ESCape while editing a memo-record, will take you back to the data entry screen. - Pressing ESCape while in a field in the data entry screen will take you back to the selection list. Field discriptions: Artist: Enter the artistname here. Period: Enter the period that artist is/was active. Group info: Memo record, in which you can place information related to the current artist. Remarks: Memo record, in which you can place your fur- ther (background) information related to the current artist. A short note on accessing the memo-records: When the cursor reaches a memo-field, the field will then carry the following prompt: "EDIT ? N", with the cursor positioned on the charac- ter "N", which stands for "NO". Press "Y" to edit the memo- record. All other keys will take you to the next step in the data entry screen, leaving the memo-record untouched. 12b. Option "Append to the databases - Append new album". This option works almost exactly the same as the previous option, except that the main (*) artist, related to the album, has to be entered, by selecting it from a selection list. The selection list is generated when accessing the field "Artist". Pressing ESCape will cancel the artistname selecti- on, without placing (new) input in the "Artist"-field. * = Also see section 7. Various artists can appear on an album, but the album is then normally carrying an artist- name like "John Doe & guests". Select THIS name for the entry in the album database. The entrys in the song database, related to this album, will then carry the names of the actual performers. All further options are the same as in the previous option "append new artist". 12c. Option "Append to the databases - Append new song(s)". This option works almost exactly the same as the previous options, except for the following: - A) You now must select the name of the artist that is actu- ally performing the current song. This CAN be another artistname than the one related to the albumrecord, where this song is a part of. (See also section 13b). Select the artistname from the selection list, generated when accessing the "Artist"-field. - B) You must also select the album, where this song belongs to, if any. If the song does NOT belong to an album, simply press ESCape. The "Album"-field will then remain empty generating the following prompt: "- unrelated to album -". Please note the following: When selecting the APPEND-function, a window will pop up, asking if you want to add a new album. If so, answer this question with "Y" (for YES). This will cause the data entry screen to carry the contents of the fields to the next entry. (All except the songtitle and the contents of the memo-records, since these will ALWAYS change). All further options are the same as in the previous options. 13. Using option "View/edit the databases". Option # 2, "View/edit to the databases" is the place to start for all edit options, but it can also be used just to view a specific record. When selecting it, you are presented a small selection window, in wich you are prompted to select the required "Edit" option. 13a. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit artist record". When selecting this option, you are presented with a selection list of all entrys in the database. You can select an item to edit from the list, or select the additional APPEND-option to enter a new record. (See also section 10 for a discription of how to use the selection list). After selecting a record to be edited, or the append-option, the system presents you with a data entry screen. You can walk through these fields, using the cursor movement keys. You can also use the page-up key, which will bring you to the top of the entry screen, while the page-down key will bring you to the bottom of the screen, which is the "Editing options" window. These editing options are: - A) F5 = Delete record (Edit mode only) - B) F6 = Undelete record (Edit mode only) - C) F7 = Save record - D) ESC = Exit without saving Pressing a cursor-up or page-up key will remove the "Editing options"-window and bring you back to the data entry screen. Pressing ESCape on any field, will bring you back one screen or action: - Pressing ESCape while editing a memo-record, will take you back to the data entry screen. - Pressing ESCape while in a field in the data entry screen will take you back to the selection list. Field discriptions: Artist: Enter the artistname here. Period: Enter the period that artist is/was active. Group info: Memo record, in which you can place information related to the current artist. Remarks: Memo record, in which you can place your fur- ther (background) information related to the current artist. A short note on accessing the memo-records: When the cursor reaches a memo-field, the field will then carry the following prompt: "EDIT ? N", with the cursor positioned on the charac- ter "N", which stands for "NO". Press "Y" to edit the memo- record. All other keys will take you to the next step in the data entry screen, leaving the memo-record untouched. 13b. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit album record". This option works almost exactly the same as the previous option, except that the main (*) artist, related to the album, has to be entered, by selecting it from a selection list. The selection list is generated when accessing the field "Artist". Pressing ESCape will cancel the artistname selecti- on, without placing (new) input in the "Artist"-field. * = Also see section 7. Various artists can appear on an album, but the album is then normally carrying an artist- name like "John Doe & guests". Select THIS name for the entry in the album database. The entrys in the song database, related to this album, will then carry the names of the actual performers. All further options are the same as in the "View/edit artist database"-option. 13c. Option "View/edit the databases - Edit song record". This option works almost exactly the same as the previous options, except for the following: - A) You now must select the name of the artist that is actu- ally performing the current song. This CAN be another artistname than the one related to the albumrecord, where this song is a part of. (See also section 13b). Select the artistname from the selection list, generated when accessing the "Artist"-field. - B) You must also select the album, where this song belongs to, if any. If the song does NOT belong to an album, simply press ESCape. The "Album"-field will then remain empty (or will be cleared if not empty), generating the following prompt: "- unrelated to album -". Please note the following: When selecting the APPEND-function, a window will pop up, asking if you want to add a new album. If so, answer this question with "Y" (for YES). This will cause the data entry screen to carry the contents of the fields to the next entry. (All except the songtitle and the contents of the memo-records, since these will ALWAYS change). All further options are the same as in the "View/edit artist database"-option. 14. Using option "Allfield editor". Option # "3", "Allfield editor", gives you full access to all database information. The data you can edit here is basically the same as in the previous options, only here you are NOT working with selection lists, based on the systems unique ID- codes, but with the actual unique ID-codes themselves. The "Allfield editor" is a flat-file editor, used to view or edit the entrys in the three files on which the MCBase system is built. While using this option, you are working on the very root of this database system, so be careful when accessing the fields carrying the ID-codes! When selecting this option, you are prompted to select a database file to edit: select the desired file by entering the corresponding number. When you selected the desired file, a selection list is gene- rated carrying the entrys in the file. When you've selected a record from the list, the systems opens a new screen on which you can work on the selected entry. The bottom of the active window shows the record number you are updating & the total number of records: "Update xx/yyyy". Available commands for the "Allfield editor" are: - A) Press the F9-key to toggle the "Delete"-status. - B) Press the F10-key to save the current record. - C) Press ESCape to exit this screen. You are able to move through the fields, using the cursor movement keys. Page-up & -down keys bring you to the top and bottom of the screen, pressing them twice exits this screen. 15. Using option "Query on artist". Option # 4, "Query on artist", reports all songs, by a selec- ted artist, in alphabetic order. When selecting this option, a selection list is generated, carrying all artistnames currently present in the MCBase databases. When you've selected an artistname from the list, the system opens a new screen on which it will report all songs related to the selected artistrecord. The report is brought to your screen page by page and supports following commands: - A) Press any key to advance to the next screen or press page-up to scroll back a page. - B) Press the F3-key to display the contents of the "Artist information"-memo. - C) Press the F4-key to display the contents of the "Artist remarks"-memo. - D) Press ESCape to exit the current screen or window. During the report, the system is checking for albumtitles, which might be related to the reported songs. If such an albumtitle is found, the system will ask you if you would like to see the report with albumtitles included. If so, the report will be restarted, with albumtitles included. 16. Using option "Query on album". Option # 4, "Query on album", reports all songs, appearing on a selected album, in the same order as they appear on the album. When selecting this option, a selection list is generated, carrying all albumtitles currently present in the MCBase databases. When you've selected an albumtitle from the list, the system opens a new screen on which it will report all songs present on the selected album, in order of appearance. The report is brought to your screen page by page and supports following commands: - A) Press any key to advance to the next screen or press page-up to scroll back a page. - B) Press the F1-key to display the contents of the "Album information"-memo. - C) Press the F2-key to display the contents of the "Album remarks"-memo. - D) Press the F3-key to display the contents of the "Artist information"-memo. - E) Press the F4-key to display the contents of the "Artist remarks"-memo. - F) Press ESCape to exit the current screen or window. 17. Using option "Query on song". Option # 6, "Query on song", lets you move through the MCBase databases, alphabetically viewing the songtitles one by one, with all information about the current songtitle at your fingertips. When selecting this option, a selection list is generated, carrying all songtitles currently present in the MCBase data- bases. When you've selected a songtitle from the list, the system opens a new screen on which it displays the selected record. Following commands are available: - A) Press any key to advance to the next record or press page-up to see the previous record. - B) Press the F1-key to display the contents of the "Song information"-memo. - C) Press the F2-key to display the contents of the "Song remarks"-memo. - D) Press the F3-key to display the contents of the "Artist information"-memo. - E) Press the F4-key to display the contents of the "Artist remarks"-memo. - D) Press the F5-key to display the contents of the "Album information"-memo. - E) Press the F6-key to display the contents of the "Album remarks"-memo. - F) Press ESCape to exit this screen. 18. Using option "View albums by artist". Option # 7, "View album by artist", actually is the same option as "Query on album", with the exception that you now first select the artist who's albums you wish to see. Selecting this option generates a selection list, carrying the artistnames currently present in the MCBase system. When you've selected an artist from the list, a new selection list is generated, carrying all the albumtitles found for the selected artist. See section 16, "Query on album" for further information about this option, since they are the same from this point on. 19. Using option "Report on songs". Option # 8, "Report on songs", gives you an alphabetical report of all songs in the MCBase system, starting off at a title or character you specify at first. From there you can walk through the database, page by page, back and forth. Following options are available: - A) Press any key to advance to the next screen or press page-up to scroll back a page. - B) Press the F1-key to display the related albumtitle or the related artistname (on/off-toggle, in combi- nation with the F2-key). - C) Press the F2-key to toggle between displaying the related albumtitle or the related artistname (tog- gle, in combination with the F1-key). - F) Press ESCape to exit the current screen or window. 20. Using option "View tape contents". Option # 9, "View tape contents", gives you a report of the songs recorded on a selected tape. You are prompted to enter the tape-number, after which a new screen is opened, on which the songs on the tape are reported in order of appearance. Now you can walk through the tape contents, page by page, back and forth. See section 19, "Report on songs" for further information about this option, since they are the same from this point on. 21. Using option "Registration info". Option # "#", "Registration info", is providing the conditions under which the MCBase system is presented to you. Selecting this option presents two information screens to you. Their contents is depending on the version you are currently using: In the SHAREWARE VERSION, you will see two screens, presenting you the conditions under which MCBase is being distributed and also some registration information. In the REGISTERED VERSION, you will see two screens, with the following information: - A) "Registration information" screen. This screen contains the MCBase serialnumber, the name under which the current copy is registered and the MCBase compile-options you ordered with your registration. - B) "Registration license" screen. This screen displays the basic agreement between you, the registered user, and me, the author, under which I grant you the use of my software. 22. Using option "Print artist overview". This option generates a printed report of all artists current- ly present in the MCBase system. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry all the artistnames in alpha- betic order, including the number of albumtitles and songtit- les found for each artist. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. Remark: You can cancel (abort) ALL reports by pressing the ESC-key. 23. Using option "Print album overview". This option generates a printed report of all albums currently present in the MCBase system. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry all the albumnames in alpha- betic order, including the related artistname, the number of songtitles found for each album and the location of the first songtitle for this album. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. 24. Using option "Print song overview". This option generates a printed report of all songs currently present in the MCBase system. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry all the songtitles in alpha- betic order, including the related artistname, the related albumtitle and the location of the songtitle. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. 25. Using option "Print tape overview". This option generates a printed report of all songs currently present in the MCBase system, which are recorded on tape. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry the contents of all tapes currently present in the MCBase system, including the locati- oncode, the performing artist, the songtitle and the related albumtitle. The output is sorted on the locationcode, therefor presenting the songs in order of appearance on the tape. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. 26. Using option "Print albums by artist". This option generates a printed report of all albums currently present in the MCBase system, sorted on artistname. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry all the artistnames in alpha- betic order, the albumtitles for these artists, the number of songtitles found for each album and the location of the first songtitle for each album. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. 27. Using option "Print songs by artist". This option generates a printed report of all songtitles currently present in the MCBase system, sorted on artistname. When selecting this option you are prompted to check the printer's paper supply and to make sure it is online. The following report will carry all the artistnames in alpha- betic order, the songtitles for these artists and the location of each songtitle. This report may take some time to complete: the system selects an artistname (in alphabetical order) and then runs through all the songtitles (also in alphabetical order) to find all entrys with a matching artistname. While running this option, a status window will be displayed at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option current- ly is running. 28. Using option "Pack all databases". This option will remove all records in all databases which are set "Deleted". Please note: records which were set "Deleted" CANNOT be retrieved after the "Pack"-operation has been execu- ted! While running this option, two status windows will be display- ed: one at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option currently is running, the other in the center of the screen, informing you of the current status of the operation. When the actual "Pack"-operation has finished, the "Reindex"- operation will be automatically started! 29. Using option "(Re-)index all databases". This option will (re-)index all databases of the system. (Use it if you suspect that the current indexes are corrupted). While running this option, two status windows will be display- ed: one at the bottom of the screen, stating that this option currently is running, the other in the center of the screen, informing you of the current status of the operation. The (Re-)index operation is automatically triggered by the "Pack"-operation, or at the MCBase start-up, if one or more indexfiles appears to be missing. 30. Using option "Printer commands". The MCBase system is configured on an Epson compatible printer as a default. The appropriate printer commands are stored in an (ASCII) configuration file named MBPRINT.CFG, which is automatically created at first startup. You can edit this file using your favorite editor, or you can use option "Z", "Printer commands", to modify the printer command set to suit your taste and/or printer. You should know that EVERY printer action, generated by the MCBase system, is proceeded by the "Set left margin"-command. Therefore, any special printer commands, like font selection commands, can be included in the "Set left margin"-command. (This is also possible with all the other printer commands). Every printer action is terminated by the "Reset to default"- command. Please note: When you edit the printer commands (using the option "Printer commands") the new commands are immediately active, wether you've saved them do the MBPRINT.CFG configura- tion file or not. Therefore, you are capable to use temporary printer control commands, by modifying your standard commands without actually saving them into the configuration file. When selecting this option, the system opens a new window on which it lists the current status of the printer command set. In this stage, following options are available: - A) Press the F1-key to edit the printer command set. - B) Press the F2-key to save the current printer command set to the configuration file MBPRINT.CFG. - C) Press ESCape the exit to the main menu. When selecting the F1-key, you choose to modify the printer command set. A window will pop-up at the bottom of the screen, offering the following options: - A) Press the F1-key to modify "Select smallprint". - B) Press the F2-key to modify "Select 8 lines/inch". - C) Press the F3-key to modify "Left margin". - D) Press the F4-key to modify "Reset to default". - E) Press the F5-key to modify "Page length". - F) Press ESCape to exit to the main menu. Any other key returns the previous menu. Please note: all commands are noted in their decimal values, seperated by comma's, without spaces. Any other notation will generate an error message. 31. Leaving the MCBase system: option "End of program". Selecting this option, you exit from the MCBase system and you will return to the calling (menu)program or the system prompt. Please USE it, and do NOT simply turn off the power. This may damage your databases! 32. The Music Collection dataBase system: Future plans. Please note: Since MCBase actually is a totally new applicati- on, you should feel free to send in your comments and remarks about this application. I'm *very* interested in your opinion. I will be trying to make the following improvements: - A) You will notice that the option "Query on artist" and the options "Report on songs" & "View tape contents" are using different methods to display any additional infor- mation like albumtitles and artistnames. I'm in doubt, which of the two is most user friendly, but I guess I'll be modifying option "Query on artist" to work the same as "Report on songs" & "View tape contents". (Your opinion about this is appriciated!). - B) The last obstacles, for a total rewrite of MCBase in the Turbo Vision environment, are about to be taken. If all goes well, this new approach of the MCBase concept will be ready by the end of 1994. If you have any further suggestions to improve the MCBase system, do not hesitate to contact me. 34. How to order the MCBase system. See the instructions in the ORDER.MCB document and the condi- tions in the LICENSE.MCB document for all information about purchasing (registering) the MCBase relational database sy- stem. --- END of MCBASE.DOC ---