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- ║ Collect! Release 2 Ver 1.0 ║
- ║ ║
- ║ Individual's Collection Database ║
- ║ ║
- ║ Copyright (c) 1991 by G.L. Alston ║
- ╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
-
-
- ┌──────────────┐
- │ INTRODUCTION │
- └──────────────┘
-
- Collect! is an advanced specialty database that is used to
- keep track of the things people collect. It can also be
- used by small dealers of items like baseball cards, antiques,
- comic books, video / audio tape, records, fine arts, books and
- magazines. The list of collection types is practically endless.
- It will also serve to keep track of household inventory.
-
- Collect! offers unique features that make this collector's
- database faster and easier to use than any other product:
-
- * Common spelling file
- * Works in RAM memory, not the disk
- * All data on one screen
- * User changeable database templates
- * Mouse Support
- * Financial data
- * Masked printing
- * VGA 3d Graphics Presentation with
- pushable pushbuttons
-
- Collect! is not as cryptic as some database products can be.
- Rather than using the standard menu system (Add, Change,
- Delete, etc.), Collect! uses pop-up windows and a mouse and
- is laid out to be easily understood. The use of 16 color VGA
- graphics makes for an exciting display; it is certainly not
- the same old "tired" TEXT display.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Collect! uses 3 different user interface methods simultaneously:
- Mouse, Light bars, and Highlighted letters. Most functions can
- be operated via the keyboard, but we think that you'll find that
- the mouse is much faster anyway. This product comes fast on the
- heels of Collect! 1.03, the mouse driven TEXT version; it can
- share the same Data files. The many features of Collect! are
- unmatched by ANY collector's package on the market.
-
- Another thing we think is good is that everything you need is
- right on the screen, and all you need to do is "click" it
- with the mouse. There are no arcane FUNCTION KEYs to be forced
- to remember.
-
-
- ┌──────────────┐
- │ QUICKSTART │
- └──────────────┘
-
- To start, type "Collect!" at the DOS prompt. The program will
- load.
-
- 1. Choose "F" for FILE and then choose "O" for OPEN.
- Press 'Enter' to load in a sample data file.
-
- 2. Press "V" and use the arrow keys to scroll through
- the records. Press "Esc" to bring you back to the
- main menu.
-
- 3. To quit Collect!, press "F" to pop up the file
- window, and "Q" to quit.
-
- 4. To print this manual -- at the DOS prompt, type:
-
- type collect!.txt > lpt1
-
- including the word "type." This will use DOS to
- redirect the screen output to the printer.
-
-
-
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-
-
- ┌─────────────┐
- │ DATABASES │
- └─────────────┘
-
- A database uses the concept that information will always
- follow a given format. This format breaks down the individual
- pieces of information into blocks called "fields." Each
- group of FIELDS is called a "Record." As a 'for instance',
- take the case of a mailing list:
-
-
- Name
- Street
- City
- Zip
- Phone
-
-
- The above constitutes a RECORD. Each line of information is
- a FIELD. In the case of a mailing list, the database uses the
- same format for each and every RECORD, although the information
- in each FIELD will change depending on the RECORD viewed. A
- Rolodex (tm) is a database.
-
- Collect! is also a database, but it has twists:
-
- * You can modify the FIELD names for any
- type of collection.
-
- * The financial information can be used
- in a search.
-
- Generally, if you purchase a database, it can be rather
- expensive. The good news is that it will function as a
- mechanism to record your collection information. It will
- not, however, be of any use to you in looking for items
- that increased in value by any percentage. That's where
- Collect! comes in. This database is designed exclusively
- for the collector.
-
-
- RECORD EXAMPLE: (Movies Database)
-
-
- 1) Title : <---- 1 FIELD
- 2) Starring :
- 3) Running Time :
- 4) Movie Type :
- 5) Director : BASIC DATA:
- 6) Year Made :
- 7) Condition : File Value :
- 8) Year Purchased: Paid out :
- 9) Purchase Price: Pct of change :
- 10) Current Value:
- 11) Studio :
- 12) Film Number :
- 13) Any Comments :
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ┌─────────────┐
- │ DATA FILES │
- └─────────────┘
-
-
- Your collection will be contained in a disk file that is
- a group of records. This file is one you OPEN into
- Collect! by a name you give it.
-
- Collect! limits the number of records in any given data
- file to 2000. You may, however, have as many data files as
- you have room for. As data files can be stored on floppy
- disks, the amount of data that could be ultimately stored
- is limitless.
-
- Using multiple data files for your collections also will
- help you organize. Rather than have a master file of all
- of your collections, having one named "China" and another
- named "Dolls" (for instance) helps you categorize.
-
-
- ┌──────────────────┐
- │ RUNNING COLLECT! │
- └──────────────────┘
-
-
- The main system menu appears horizontally as a series of
- pushbuttons at the screen top. Pressing the RED HIGHLIGHTED
- letter key or clicking with the mouse. ( The term "click,"
- which is used liberally throughout this guide, means to
- momentarily depress the LEFT mouse button while the arrow
- cursor points at an item.) When this happens, the pushbutton
- will push in, and in all cases but VIEW/EDIT, a menu will
- appear. Note the small box with a spacebar Icon in the upper
- left corner of menu windows. This is the CLOSE button, which
- will CLOSE the menu and POP UP the pushed in pushbutton.
-
- The Main Menu pushbuttons are very much like the pushbuttons
- in a Car radio -- only one can be pushed in at a time. Therefore,
- if one of these is pressed in, you can click the other buttons
- all day long, but the clicks will be ignored.
-
- MAIN MENU:
-
-
- File View Search Print Utilities
- - - - - -
-
- All menu items within a pop up window, are accessed either
- by pressing the highlighted letter key (shown here as underlined)
- or by moving the highlight bar with the ARROW (cursor) keys
- and pressing ENTER. To PRINT something, for instance, pressing
- either "P" or highlighting 'PRINT' will bring up the "Print"
- pop up window. Of course, you can always click the text.
-
- Once a window has been popped up, you can get back to
- the main menu by pressing the "Esc" (Escape) key or by
- clicking the upper left corner CLOSE BUTTON. You will see
- Some DIALOG windows periodically; these usually have an
- "OK" pushbutton. You must either click the button, or
- press ENTER or ESCAPE to EXIT. The ESCAPE key always takes
- on the meaning EXIT.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ┌───────────────────┐
- │ ON LINE HELP ! │
- └───────────────────┘
-
- At most points in the program, pressing the "?" key or
- clicking the "? = HELP" will bring up a context sensitve
- HELP pop up window. Press the ESCAPE key or click the close
- button to exit the window. The HELP is available in all
- sub-menus as well. The On Line HELP should not be used
- exclusively in place of this manual. HELP is available at
- all menus and screen changes, and can be customized: each
- of the help subjects is contained in a *.HLP disk file. You
- may reword these using an ASCII text editor (no special
- formatting characters, such as in a word processor, can be
- used.) Just follow the existing format - 75 chars x 60 lines
- in each file. In this way, HELP can be customized for your
- (or your employees) special needs.
-
- When in HELP, clicking the arrow buttons will move by 4 lines
- (the display maximum) at a time. Pressing the arrow (Cursor)
- keyboard keys scrolls the display one line at a time.
-
-
-
- ┌───────────────────┐
- │ MENU SELECTIONS │
- └───────────────────┘
-
-
-
- ** = main menu selections
-
-
-
- ** FILE:
-
- used to access, save, and create disk based
- data files; enter DOS; and Quit the program.
-
-
- THE "FILE" MENU:
-
- OPEN
-
- A window showing up to 57 data files is presented. At the
- window bottom are some drive icons and filename / path
- information. You may click a drive icon if data files are
- located in a different drive than the program; the file
- names available will appear in the window. If the program
- does not display any file names, there may be either
- something wrong with the drive (maybe the door is not
- closed, or the disk is not in all the way) or the disk
- does not REALLY have data files on it. If you do click
- the "A:" drive, for instance, Collect! will remember what
- drive is the one for data files. When you SAVE a OPENed
- Data File, Collect! does not ask you to save Where; it
- will attempt to save to the DATA drive. Otherwise, click
- the desired Data File you wish to OPEN.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- You may scroll through the list by using the arrow keys to
- highlight the desired filename; it will appear near the
- screen bottom next to "FILENAME:". Pressing ENTER will
- load the highlighted file into memory, effectively OPENing
- the file for manipulation.
-
- If you attempt to OPEN a file and an EDITed file (already
- OPENed) is in memory, you will be asked to SAVE the older
- Data file before proceeding.
-
- If you change your mind, and do not wish to REALLY OPEN
- a Data File, press ESCAPE or click the close button of
- the OPEN FILE window.
-
- NEW (CREATE)
-
- This starts a new database file. You will need
- enter the name you wish to call it, such as
- "dolls", etc. This action will erase the current
- file in memory. The new name will be tested to see
- if it is the same as an existing filename. If it
- is, Collect! will have you re-enter the name as it
- will NOT let you overwrite existing files.
- Collect! will also not accept an attempt by you to
- put in a DOS extension. Collect! Data Files have
- their own unique extension.
- If you have edited any file you have loaded, Collect!
- will give a warning that you need to SAVE the current
- file before starting a NEW one.
-
- You are next presented with a list of collection
- types to choose from. Click the text of the name
- of the collection type. If you simply click "OK",
- or just press ENTER, the collection type will be
- the one at the TOP of the list.
-
- SAVE
-
- After you edit your database, use this to put the
- new data back on the disk.
-
- SAVE AS
-
- This function allows you to save a Data File under a
- different name than it was OPENed under. You will need
- to type in a Data File name. Make one up; Collect! will
- not allow you to overwrite existing Data Files. It will
- also disallow the addition of a DOS extension, as it
- appends its' own extension to be able to automatically
- find the Data Files later.
-
- QUIT / EXIT
-
- Allows you to quit Collect! and return to DOS.
- Make sure you SAVE any changes you made to a
- database file before you quit.
-
- ABOUT
-
- This window shows the revision information, and any other
- information you may need to know.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ** SEARCH:
- used to search for records that either match or
- fall within a given pattern set or parameters.
-
-
- In the search window, a list of the data fields is
- presented. Also, there are financial data fields.
- Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move the highlight
- bar to the field to search in. Press the "Enter" key
- to activate. Of course, you may also click the text
- of the field name.
- At this time, the CRITERIA window pops up:
-
- * = Match
- * < Less Than
- * > Greater Than
- * - Range
-
- You can again use the Up Down keys to choose the type
- of search to be made in the field you selected rather
- than use the mouse.
- Press "Enter" or click to activate. Note that alphanumeric
- (text) fields are searched as MATCH only. Standard numeric
- fields can be searched in any method. Common Spelling Data
- fields ( #4 and #7 ) are MATCH only. After entry of your
- search criteria, the window pops away and you can then
- select any other remaining (unused) data field to search in.
- Search of any CRITERIA through all possible records takes
- a few milliseconds, NEVER more than 1/2 second. As soon
- as you have entered your SEARCH FOR data, it is ready to
- continue...
-
- This process can continue on ALL fields until "Esc" is
- pressed, OR until the search has narrowed the "found"
- records to less than 3 records. As each search criteria
- gets entered, it will appear in the search window.
-
- You can also stop the search progress by closing the
- search window.
-
- In the bottom of the search window is a display that
- shows the current number of records left to search in.
-
- LEFT: xx OF yy
-
- After the search is done, the search window will pop
- away, leaving the main screen. At the screen bottom,
- an EXIT button and a line of text appears:
-
- Use arrow keys to scroll through XX records.
-
- Where XX is the number of matching records.
-
- The first matching record (if any) is displayed. If there
- were none, the first record in the file is displayed.
-
- The up and down cursor keys will cycle through all of the
- "found" records; you also can click the up and down arrow
- buttons an thescroll bar at the right side of the screen.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- To exit the search function, press the Escape [Esc]
- key, or click the EXIT button.
- The currently shown record will stay on screen. Note
- that the Search 'found' records can be operated on in
- other ways - they can be printed out (See PRINT) or moved
- or copied into other files (see UTILITIES).
-
-
-
- ** VIEW:
- used to VIEW and EDIT the database file.
-
- On the right side of the screen (at the border) is a
- scroll bar. This is a visual aid to help determine
- how far you are in the file:
- <----- Top (end)
- │
- │
- Scroll Bar Marker ------> █ <----- Current Position
- │
- │
- │
- │
- <----- Bottom (1st record)
-
- Near the bottom of the screen, a series of buttons will
- appear. Each has a highlighted letter for those of you
- who prefer the keyboard.
- To Scroll through the records, click the Up and DOWN
- arrows on either end of the scroll bar. Holding the button
- down on an arrow will allow fast cycling. Release it to stop.
- You can also use the keyboard arrow keys to scroll.
-
-
- Up Down ARROW keys to
- cycle through file.
-
- "F" to access the
- FIRST record.
-
- "L" to access the
- LAST record.
-
- "C" to CHOOSE a
- record number.
-
- "D" to DELETE the
- current record.
-
- "E" to EDIT.
-
- As you scroll through entries, the scroll bar marker will
- move up and down to give a quick visual indicator of your
- position in the file. The scroll bar can also be manipulated
- as well: The button can be dragged to a new position. To drag,
- click the scroll button and move the mouse up and down WHILE
- HOLDING THE LEFT BUTTON DOWN. Also, clicking the areas between
- the scroll button and the arrow buttons will cause the records
- to PAGE, I.E. 10% of the file size. Of course, you need to
- have at least 10 records in the file... The supplied Example
- Data File, ANTQUES, has 10 records to demonstrate this feature.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Using The "C" ( CHOOSE ) key is another way to get to a
- certain position in large files, but this is primarily a
- mechanism for those of you who don't care for mice.
-
- EDITING A RECORD:
-
- The up and down keys are used to cycle through the
- data fields in each record. To make a change, cycle
- through the record to the desired data field. The
- selected Data will appear in RED video.
- Of course, you can get there much faster by simply
- clicking the desired data.
- Start typing in the revised information and press
- the "Enter" key. If you access common spelling file
- fields (4th and 7th from the top), a separate window
- will pop up.
-
-
- ┌─────────────────┐
- │ COMMON DATA │
- └─────────────────┘
-
-
- When a common data field is accessed, a window will
- pop up and prompt you for entry. One of these fields
- is CONDITION.
-
-
- ┌───────[ Condition ]───────┐
- │ │
- │ Poor │
- │ Fair │
- │ Good │
- │ Very Good │
- │ Excellent │
- │ │
- │ OK │
- └───────────────────────────┘
-
-
- However, looking at the CONDITION field on screen (in
- your database record), you will see an alpha entry,
- such as "Excellent."
-
- The reason this was done is because we're too lazy to
- type "Excellent" for 70, 120, or more records. We wanted
- a way to enter common data without all that typing. We
- figured you might not relish typing this out either.
-
- One of the problems we've seen in most databases has
- two symptoms, but it's the same problem:
-
- Commonly typed data gets misspelled. Searches
- tend to suffer.
-
- People tend to abbreviate a lot. This winds
- up being confusing for others. Was "P" POOR
- or PREMIUM ?
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- So, considering we were lazy and had a dislike for too
- much abbreviation, we came up with common spelling
- files. They are simply a shortcut to get readable,
- meaningful data on the screen or a printer.
-
- To operate the CONDITION field, click the desired text,
- and click "OK". The current condition is shown in RED
- lettering when the window pops up. Clicking "OK", or
- pressing ENTER or ESCAPE will not change the data.
- In condition, you may alternately use the keyboard arrow
- keys to move the RED lettering to the desired text.
-
- In the Common Spelling File window (Field 4), you MUST
- use the mouse. A second set of scroll arrows is presented
- within this window. You may click these up and down to
- scroll through the list. As in CONDITION, the present
- selection is RED lettered. Simply click the desired text
- to highlight it, and click "OK" or press ENTER. You can
- also click the gray part of the scroll bar to get to the
- top or bottom of the list quickly. The DRAG function of
- the scroll button is disabled for now to maintain a
- semblence of compatibility with the TEXT only version
- (currently 1.03) of Collect! The click of the gray area
- allows movement through all 30 possible choices by
- "paging" 15 at a time. This will be amended on the next
- release of the text version (1.04), which will allow up
- to 100 words / phrases.
-
- To finish editing, press the ESCAPE key, or click the
- EXIT button. You will then return to the view mode.
- Press Escape once more when you wish to quit viewing;
- this will return you to the main menu.
-
-
- ** PRINT:
- Printing out data from Collect! Print will use any
- printer at LPT1, including Lasers. If you have
- only one printer, this is no problem. If your
- printer is serial, you will need to redirect the
- LPT1 output to the Comm port your serial printer
- is connected to. This uses the DOS MODE command:
-
- Mode LPT1 = COMx
-
- where (x) = port number
-
-
- Collect! printouts have the capability of being
- masked. Masking is much like the use of masking
- tape during painting. Masked data fields will
- not be printed. Print, when selected, assumes
- that you want to print a record or group of
- records in their entireity.
-
- Collect! printing will "page" the data (it assumes
- a continuous sheet type printer, such as a dot matrix
- with a tractor feed or LASER with a paper tray) so
- that the page breaks will be skipped. The print function
- is not designed to print to a single feed device such as
- older Daisy Wheel printers.
-
-
-
-
-
- THE PRINT WINDOW:
-
- Print All
-
- Prints the entire Data File in memory.
-
- Print Last Search
-
- Prints all records from last search. If no search was
- ever performed, it prints 0 records.
-
- Print Current Entry
-
- Prints the record currently on screen.
-
- Print Entry Number
-
- Allows you to enter a record number to print.
-
- Print Using Mask
-
- Pops up another print window for further choices
- using the print mask.
-
- Set Up Mask
-
- The mouse MUST be used...
- Masked fields (those that will NOT be printed) will
- show up in blue lettering, and the corresponding check
- box will show up with an "X" in it.
- To Mask a data field, click the check box. Subsequent
- clicks of the check box will TOGGLE the state of the
- masking ON and OFF.
- When you print any records using the mask, the BLUE
- (or checked) fields and the corresponding Data will
- not be printed. Close the window in the usual manner
- and the mask data will be saved to the disk.
-
-
- PRINT USING MASK MENU:
-
- This window has choices 1 - 4 as in normal Print, but the
- mask is used.
-
-
- Why use a mask? If you are a dealer, masking off the "price
- paid" field would enable you to hand a printout directly to
- a customer. Likewise, a trader may not want privy information
- about an item being given out. A printout is much easier to
- generate than a typed or handwritten list, and is more
- convenient than memory alone. In the UTILITIES is another
- use for the mask.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ** UTILITIES:
- used to Change Printout Header or Edit
- Database Fields.
-
-
- THE UTILITIES MENU:
-
-
- Change Printout Name
-
- When Collect! prints records, it starts out by
- first printing a header. The default says
-
- "Collect! ver. 1.XX"
-
- You can change this to anything you prefer, such
- as "Mr. Bill's Baseball Card Emporium / Choklit Shoppe."
-
- When any printouts are made, the header precedes any
- of your collection data. This header comes up only
- once per printout. If you print 1 record, the header
- will be printed first. If you print out 20 records,
- the header will likewise be printed only once, NOT
- once per record.
-
- Auto Backup
-
- Normally, data files loaded by Collect! are not automatically
- backed up upon OPENing. This can cause loading of large files
- to take a long time. The TOGGLE allows enabling of this feature
- for those of you who desire the extra safety factor.
-
- ( WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG?
-
- Collect! Data Files are saved as ASCII text, not as a binary
- form most databases use. The primary reason is that the data
- is easier to reconstruct if something becomes corrupted. You
- can reconstruct binary data if you know the format, but having
- it as ASCII makes it a bit easier. )
-
- By default, it is "OFF" when Collect! starts.
-
- To change the state, bring up the AUTO SAVE TOGGLE window
- and press ENTER. Subsequent presses will toggle the state
- ON and OFF. When it is in the desired state, Press ESCAPE
- to EXIT the window. You may also toggle the state using the
- mouse by clicking the check box, which is checked when ON.
-
- Copy / Cut / Paste
-
- This selection uses data from the LAST SEARCH and brings
- up another menu window. The Last Search data can be moved
- into other files (which erases the records in the current
- file) or copied into other files (which leaves the current
- file intact.)
- If you choose to move or copy data to a new file, you are
- asked for a FileName. Should the filename already exist,
- Collect! will NOT let you overwrite this - you must come
- up with a unique name.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The last option is Modem File. This is simply a mechanism
- to copy search data onto the disk as ASCII text that can
- be viewed, such as using the DOS 'TYPE' command. The data
- is grouped with the appropriate field names and the MASK
- is used. For all practical intents and purposes, this
- selection does the same thing as PRINT Last Search (Using
- Mask) except that the data is routed to the disk instead
- of the printer. The new file (DOS extension ".MOD") can
- then be sent via disk or MODEM to another collector for
- trades, to another dealer for inventory purposes, or to
- other interested parties. The receiving party can then
- use DOS or a word processor to PRINT out the file as if
- Collect! had printed it.
-
-
- Statistics
-
- This choice pops up a menu with 3 choices. The first two
- are graphs, and the third is just BASIC statistics that
- shows how much the items are worth on the average. The
- graphs show you how much you've been spending by year,
- and how much the items are worth vs. the year purchased.
-
-
- ┌────────────────────────────────┐
- │ FILES AND BACKING UP OF DATA │
- └────────────────────────────────┘
-
- Files used by Collect! use a DOS extension of .ADB and
- .BAK. If you have the Auto Backup Toggle turned on,
- the .BAK file is created as soon as the .ADB file
- (your database) is loaded, and it is an image of the
- .ADB file that got loaded. This is done to provide you
- with a last resort way of saving your data. Normally,
- you never see the backups, nor do you see the .ADB DOS
- extension.
-
- If you do lose your primary file and require use of the
- backup, exit Collect! to DOS and rename the backup. For
- instance, if you were somehow to lose your database called
- "DOLLS", what you lost was the file DOLLS.ADB. The backup
- would be called DOLLS.BAK, and you could then use the DOS
- 'RENAME' command as follows:
-
- A:> rename dolls.bak dolls.adb
-
- This will now be loadable by Collect!, and Collect! will
- then create another backup as soon as you Load the
- file name "DOLLS."
- A batch file called "NAME.BAT", provided on the
- distribution floppy, does the same thing; however,
- it is easier to use:
-
- A:> name dolls
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- If possible, you should use 720K or higher capacity
- disks so that all of your database files (and their
- backups) get saved properly. Better yet, place Collect!
- on your hard drive; just remember to make file backups
- and place them in a safety deposit box.
- The batch file "ADB2A.BAT", provided on the distribution
- floppy, will copy all of your .ABD database files to a
- formatted floppy disk in drive A:
-
- C:\Collect!>adb2a
-
- After all, it IS the database files that are important
- to save; this batch file copies them over in a fast way
- so that you do not have to back up the whole drive.
-
- The batch file "COLLINST.BAT" will create a subdirectory
- on your hard disk and install Collect!
-
-
-
- COLLECTION TYPE EDITOR: EDITYPE.EXE
-
- The supplied collection types were originally lifted from
- the text version of Collect!. Since we have found that very
- little time is actually spent adding TYPES, it seemed prudent
- to have this as a Standalone utility. This TEXT mode program
- will allow you to Create or Edit a collection type:
-
- You can customize the data field names for your
- collections, and Create or Edit a Common Spelling
- File unique to your application.
-
-
- Edit Collection Type
-
- The entire main screen window is cleared, and a series of
- letters (A-Z) are shown. Each letter is related to a type
- of collection. Collect! is allowed 26 different collection
- types per disk or directory.
-
- We have provided some startup samples:
-
- c = sports cards
- m = tape (movies) library
- s = stamp collection
- a = antiques / misc.
- t = audio library
- b = book library
-
-
- These samples can be kept as is or modified. Modification
- and creation of wholly new collection types is the purpose
- of the editor. Perhaps you can use one of the supplied
- samples with some modification.
-
- When you create data files that are used by Collect!, each
- is "keyed" to a collection type. This is the mechanism that
- allows you to LOAD the books data file and see the fields
- related to books on screen.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The distribution floppy, for instance, comes with the
- following example data files:
-
- * Movies
- * Audio
- * Stamps
- * Antiques
- * Books
-
- The next step is to decide if you wish to modify an existing
- collection type or create a new one. Press a letter key at
- this point. If you choose an unused letter, you will see a
- default set of field names. If you choose a "used" letter,
- the corresponding fields are shown. If you press 'Esc', you
- will be returned to the main screen.
-
- To the right of these names is the expected entry type. The
- entry type is fixed; be careful not to insert TEXT data in
- a field that would normally expect numeric data.
-
-
- FIELD Entry Types: (1st 13 entries)
-
-
- * TEXT
-
- Alpha Numeric -
- e.g. letters and numbers, such as
- 1622 Wesson Ave. or John Smith.
-
-
- * INTEGER
-
- Numeric -
- Whole numbers in the range
- -32767 to +32767, such as
- 1111 or 1897 or -34.
-
-
- * FLOATING POINT
-
- Numeric -
- entry with a decimal point, such as
- 10.87 or 1298767986.098.
-
- SPECIAL FIELD Entry Types: (Entries 14 - 16)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 14) EDITOR MESSAGE
-
- This is the reminder for pressing F1 key at
- entry #4 in the EDIT mode:
-
- ┌───────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ To Change XXXX or CONDITION, Press F1 │
- └───────────────────────────────────────┘
-
- where XXXXX is what you would like to call
- the field.
-
- This should be filled in when you are also using
- the TEXT version of Collect!. However, the graphics
- version ignores this.
-
- 15) FIELD 4 COMMON DATA FILE WINDOW NAME
-
- During operation of Collect! in the EDIT mode,
- pressing the F1 key at field # 4 pops up the
- common spelling file window. The window is labeled;
- this will change the name of the window.
-
- Same as above. You need to edit this ONLY if you
- will be running the TEXT version.
-
- 16) DATABASE NAME
-
- When Collect! is up and running, the name of the
- database is put on the screen (Upper Left) for you.
-
- This entry allows you to name the database template
- what you wish.
-
- Screen entries are limited in length by the editor (It
- doesn't want you to let the Collect! screen data overlap.)
-
- To EDIT a field name, simply type the corresponding number
- and press 'Enter.' Then, begin typing the new name. Press
- 'Enter' when done.
-
- Press 'Esc' when you are done editing. You will be asked
- whether or not to save the changes. If YES, you proceed to
- editing of the Common Spelling File. If NO, you are returned
- to the main screen.
-
- You may wish to view a couple of included samples prior
- to creating a new collection type.
-
- Editing of the Common Spelling File is the same as above.
- Press 'Esc' when done and you will return to the main screen.
- The common spelling file will be automatically saved.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ┌─────────────┐
- │ SHAREWARE │
- └─────────────┘
-
- As this program is distributed as "shareware", you should
- know a little about the concept. Shareware is not free.
- Basically, if you use this program and you like it, we
- would like to be paid for it. Shareware is a method of
- distribution that allows you, the user, to have obtain
- quality software without going through a middleman. Many
- of today's best known programs either ARE shareware or got
- their start this way.
-
- One of the wonderful things about shareware is the "try
- before you buy" philosophy; you can "test drive" the
- software as much as you like. You also are free to make
- copies and distribute them at your discretion, providing
- that you do not charge a fee for any distribution. Each
- recipient can also try Collect! and register if they can
- use it. Upon registration, we will send you a manual and a
- new registered copy of the program. Also, you will recieve
- free upgrades for one year, including the upcoming Windows
- version.
-
- To register, send a cheque or money order for $ 25.00 to
- the following name and address. Please do not send cash,
- as this is very risky. By sending a cheque, you have a
- perfect record; it is for your protection. Specify the
- media (3.5" or 5.25") if you wish; otherwise we ship 5.25"
- disks by default.
-
- L.J. Alston
- 1320 Standiford Ave, Ste #242
- Modesto CA 95350
- orders: (209) 522 - 8666 6 - 9 PM PST
- or FAX during day
- >>> Attn: Collect! 1.0 VGA <<<
- CIS 76040,2247 or
- GEnie G.ALSTON5
-
- If you do not register, we hope that you can forward a
- copy of the program to someone else. If you use the program
- and do not register, you have no worries other than your
- own conscience. We would really appreciate hearing from
- you regardless. If you do not find the program to be worthy
- enough to register, please drop us a line and tell us why.
- Our registered users may be able to benefit, and we may
- be able to create a product better suiting your requirements.
-
- G.L. Alston JULY, 1991
-
- Collect! is copyrighted material (c) 1991 G.L. Alston
- All rights reserved.
-
- DOS and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.,
- Redmond, Washington.
-
- IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines,
- Armonk, New York.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- REGISTRATION / ORDER FORM
-
-
-
-
-
-
- NAME:________________________________________________________
-
-
- ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________
-
-
- CITY/STATE/ZIP:______________________________________________
-
-
-
- Product: COLLECT! Version: 1.0 VGA
-
-
-
-
- NUMBER of COPIES:____________________________________________
-
-
- x $25.00 / copy: ___$________________________________________
-
-
- TOTAL: ___$________________________________________
-
-
-
- MEDIA TYPE: 3.5" 5.25" (circle one)
-
-
- Make cheques payable to:
-
- L.J. Alston
-
-
-
- Collect! is shipped first class U.S. Mail. Allow up to
- 15 working days for delivery.
-
-