This text file contains information on using !CardEd,the master card editor
for EasiBase. You can print out the instructions by dragging its filer icon
to your printer driver icon.
!CardEd provides an easy means of producing master cards for use with the
EasiBase database. It will be familiar in layout to anyone with experience of
using !FormEd,the window editor produced by Acorn.
A Master Card is the template in which all the information in a database is
displayed on screen, it is therefore very important. !CardEd operates within
the RISC-OS desktop enviroment and provides a flexible means of producing
cards.
When using !CardEd for the first time it is a good idea to load one of the
supplied cards for editing practice. To do this open the Cards directory by
clicking it and then drag the file called Address to the !CardEd icon. A new
window will open containing text and some empty rectangular boxes. A piece
of text is what is called a static focus, static because they don't change
according to data in the database and focus because they are a point
of attention within the card window. A rectangle is a dynamic focus as data
is shown in them and hence they are subject to change.
There are several operations that are common to both type of focus :
MOVING - By placing the pointer over a focus and holding down <Select> until a rotating box appears it is possible to move the focus to any position
within the window by moving the box to the required spot and then releasing
the mouse button.
SIZING - Holding down <Adjust> while over a focus causes another rotating box
to appear. This time however moving the pointer causes the box to change size
and shape. When you have finished altering the focus releasing the button
will set the new shape.
When you press <Menu> a menu selection will appear. The top part of this box
is concerned with foci and the bottom part with the window the foci are in.
Moving down the menu we have:
CREATE FOCUS - Moving over the arrow will pop up a new window inviting you
to make a choice between a dynamic or a static focus. As mentioned above a
static focus does not change so use them for titles such as Hair colour
whereas the dynamic type is used in response to such a question. Use them
where you want data entered in EasiBase to be displayed.
The next three entries will only be selectable if the mouse pointer was over
a focus when <Menu> was clicked.
AMEND FOCUS - The sub-menu asscociated with this will vary upon whether the
focus is static or dynamic.
Dealing with a dynamic focus first,moving over the type arrow will produce a
window with what are called field types in it. At present EasiBase supports
four field types String,Integer,Decimal and Date. A string field will hold lines of text, an integer field will hold whole numbers (both + & -) whereas a decimal field can contain fractional numbers. The date field will hold a date given in the form dd/mm/yy where dd is the day, mm the month and yy the year. If you click <Menu> while over the dynamic focus opposite the static
Surname focus you will see that it has a string field type, suitable for
holding a name. Conversely the dynamic focus opposite Tel No. has an integer
field type which is appropriate for a telephone number. It is important to
chose your field types sensibly. Don't use a string type when all you want tostore are ages, for instance. The other two menu entries should be self
explanatory.
For a static focus the menu is rather more extensive. This is to give you
complete control over the colour, style and general appearance of your card.
A static focus can display either text or a sprite. If a sprite is to be usedmake it available to !CardEd by dragging the file icon containing it to the
!CardEd bar icon. By then entering the sprite's name in the Sprite sub-menu it will appear in the focus. The other options in the menu are self
explanatory and are best learnt by experimentation on the Address card.
COPY FOCUS - This creates an exact copy of the focus the pointer was over
when <Menu> was clicked.
MOVE FOCUS - To allow more precise movement control than that offered by
dragging, a sub-menu to move the currently selected focus in any of the four
directions is provided. Clicking with <Adjust> will keep the menu displayed
while you position the focus.
DELETE FOCUS - This will remove the currently selected focus from the card.
The remaining menu options are concerned with the window the foci appear in.
CARD STYLE - By clicking the sub-menu options the on screen card appearancewill be altered.
CARD COLOURS - It is adviseable to stick with the default colous to maintain the appearance of the DeskTop.
CARD SIZE - You can alter the size of the card in all four directions.
DELETE CARD - Self explanatory.
SAVE CARD - !CardEd follows the normal DeskTop protocol of icon dragging.
Once you have completed your Master Card save it in a new directory with a
name relevant to its purpose e.g. for a card to hold names & addresses call the card Address and save it in a directory called Addresses.
Note to start a card from scratch click <Select> on the !CardEd bar icon.
