**Only use the ACF Data Merger application if you have added your own area codes, or cities to a previous version of AreaCodeFinder™ **. I have made a few changes to AreaCodeFinder™ data in the last year, so please, if you didn't make any major additions or changes to your version, then please don't use the ACF Data Merger utility, the AreaCodeFinder data file contains a great deal of new area code infomation as well as new postal codes for Canada. Several individuals have informed me that they have done some extensive upgrading, such as including all cities that have a population of 5,000 or more. These people WILL want to use the ACF Data Merger. The best bet here is to run AreaCodeFinder™ to see what new data is included, and then compare that to your version before running the ACF Data Merger utility.
The ACF Data Merger will merge *all data from an older version of AreaCodeFinder™ into the included AreaCodeFinder data file. The AreaCodeFinder data file that I have provided contains new area code information for 1995 and all of the data that was included in the 3.1 version of AreaCodeFinder™ (with many changes and additions). Any data in your file that is not included in the file that I have provided will be added to it, with a few exceptions (*see below), those being the area codes that I have upgraded already, and that you may not be aware of. Otherwise, for example, the Data Merger would be importing (possibly) obsolete data into an already upgraded area code region. Catch 22, but we'll do what we can.
*There were a few options that I had to choose from as to what data should/should'nt be merged. I chose to skip several area codes to merge, those being 205, 206, 303, 334, 360, 520, 201, 609, 908 for several reasons.
Mainly because I have already upgraded them, some by adding cities, some by removing cities. Since the area code regions of some area codes have been reduced, merging old data into the new region would create a data file with obsolete information. If I were to merge your data (assuming it may be old), then that would mess things up in the AreaCodeFinder data file. Another reason is that the new area codes that affected the 205, 206 and 334 area codes are now in use. Any other data for new codes may be merged because that data would be current. (Some of the new area codes won't take effect until May or July of 95).
I'm sure there are a few individuals who have extensively upgraded these new codes way beyond what I have done. If you feel that you have put a great amount of work into adding codes for the new regions, say populations down to 5,000 or so, then please contact me, this data can be retrieved but would require some fancy footwork on my part. (You gotta love shareware!)
Step 1: Make a copy of the older version of AreaCodeFinder™. It must be version 3.0 or 3.1 to function with the ACF Data Merger.
Step 2: Drag the AreaCodeFinder™ copy into the same folder where the ACF Data Merger resides.
Step 3: Make sure the AreaCodeFinder™ data file is also in the same folder as the ACF Data Merger and your copy of AreaCodeFinder™.
Step 4: Launch the ACF Data Merger. You will be presented with a dialog box to select the AreaCodeFinder™ application. No other files will show in the list, only AreaCodeFinder™. Select YOUR copy of AreaCodeFinder™ by double clicking on its name, or by first selecting it in the list then by clicking on the Open button.
Step 5. The rest is automatic, that is, the data will merge from your copy of AreaCodeFinder™ into the AreaCodeFinder data file.
Step 6. A progress bar will show you the progress made, when it's done Click OK.
Step 7. Throw the old copy of AreaCodeFinder™ into the trash, and any other copies that you no longer need.
