BLAQUE BOOK


--current version 1.2 users make sure you read the update
section below regarding version 3.0.

Blaque Book

Tired of rewriting your address book every year or so? The
Blaque Book can save you considerable time and writer's cramp.
As a Database it is limited to Name, Address and Phone number and
as that goes, is surpassed by most database systems I have seen.
Its forte is in the printed output which is formatted in mini,
alphabetized pages which you can assemble into a pocket sized
address book. There is extra room under each letter for
additional entries which you can later enter into your database.
When you are ready for an updated address book, just print one.

I wrote the program because I had a need for the output booklet.
I never could see the value of a name and phone number (only)
database because you usually need the numbers when you are not in
front of the computer. If you are in front of a computer, there
is always SideKick. I also wanted to learn more about Borland's
Turbo Access system which seems to work just great.

System requirements: The current version is for the IBM-PC.
CP/M versions will be available in the future. A printer
capable of output modified to 17 CPI and 9 (or more) lines
per inch.

Instructions:

The program is essentially menu driven. Three or four files
will eventually be on your disk:

Blakbook.COM -- Main Program
Blkbook.DAT -- Database File
Blkbook.IXN -- Name Index File
Blakbook.CFG -- Printer Configuration (optional)

Except for the main program (COM) file, each will be
created by the program as needed.

Creating your database is done by using the U)date / A)dd
options. Enter the data as requested. Duplicate Names are
not allowed. If you accidentally get an error notice, you
must change the name (either first or last) to one that is
not already in the database. If necessary, you can enter a
dummy name that you can delete later. Editing during A)dd
or E)dit is made easy by the use of the arrow keys (or ^S,
^D, ^E, ^X). ^Y will erase entry from the cursor to the
right. DEL, ^G erase character under the cursor and back
arrow deletes character to left of cursor. The added/edited
entry is updated into the database by either using the enter
(carriage return) key while the cursor is in the last field
or by using ^Z at any time.

You may review your data on the screen using the L)ist /


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BLAQUE BOOK


S)creen options.

L)ist / P)rinter will send output to the printer. The
default printer configuration is for an Okidata with Plug 'N
Play. If you have another printer, a menu option is
available to create a configuration file to set-up/select
your printer. This set-up need only be done once.

The printer output is as follows:

< Section Deleted -- update in Section on 3.0 >

After printing all you need to do is get out your scissors
and stapler.

It is very important that you exit the program using the
Q)uit options until you reach DOS level. This enables
proper updating and closing of all files. ^C and Break Keys
have been disabled to help keep your database file and index
intact. Using Ctrl-Alt-Del may irretrievably disrupt them.
Keeping backup copies of your Blkbook.DAT and Blkbook.IXN
files is recommended.



































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Modifications for BLAQUE BOOK Version 2.0



FIRST AND FOREMOST -- The data STRUCTURE HAS BEEN CHANGED.
All is not lost however. You need to run the SQZBB.COM program
on your existing BLKBOOK.DAT file. This compresses your existing
data by about 14% and will make it compatable with version 2.0.
Important--ONLY RUN this program once. Once you convert it, I
recommend you remove SQZBB.COM from your active disk.

The working program BLAKBOOK.COM still runs as described
above. It needs only the BLKBOOK.DAT and BLKBOOK.IXN files to
operate. It will create those files and you may optionally
create a BLKBOOK.CFG file if you need it to configure your
printer for proper output.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have included in
Ver 2.0 some of the more easily implemented ones. I have also
included some information about the file structure for those
interested in playing with the database itself.

When I originally created the program, it started as a
kludge from the BTREE file distributed as a demo from Borland.
The database management is still essentially through Turbo
Toolbox routines. You can find a description of those routines
in Borland's Toolbox package. Many of you requested information
on the file structure so that you might be able to convert to and
from other databases. I have included 2 files (BBTOTXT.PAS and
TXTTOBB.PAS) in which you can see the data structure and the
basic retrieval and storage routines.

BLAKBOOK.COM has been modified to allow the printing of a
label or envelope from the entry/edit form. It is the 'P' option
available after you have found and displayed the desired name.
It will prompt for the number of spaces to the right of the left
margin you want to print the address. The printer output format
is default.

A selection of utilities have been added. They are contained in
BBUTIL.COM which can be either chained to from BLAKBOOK or
executed from DOS. It does not need to be present on your Blaque
Book disk unless you want to chain to it from the main menu (new
option). It requires a copy of BLKBOOK.DAT be present on the
same disk and directory. Functions thus far enabled are:

1. Conversion to and from DBASEII
2. Conversion to and from DBASEIII
3. Conversion to and from PC-FILE
4. Conversion to and from Text files
5. One up mail label printing with Note field keys
6. Fix routine to help retrieve a corrupted index file

The conversion to DBASE (R) requires some knowledge of the use of
DBASE II or III. The conversion routine creates a special text
file which can then be APPENDED to a DBASE (R) file. The
commands to use are demonstrated when the utility conversion
routines are run.


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Modifications for BLAQUE BOOK Version 2.0


Conversion to PC-FILE (R) requires that the PC-FILE (R) file
structure be created in advance. Again, you will be warned of
this and given examples when the utility is run.

Conversions back to the BLAQUE BOOK are done directly from the
DBASE (R) or PC-File (R) files directly. NOTE: ALL conversions
back to BLKBOOK.DAT will CREATE a NEW BLKBOOK.DAT. It is not
appended. I strongly suggest that you keep a backup of your
original data on another disk or directory.

Lastly, though this had been included in some of the version 1.2
distribution, is an installation routine for terminal type.

I hope these additions make the program more useful and flexible.
As I stated above, I didn't want to write an entire database
management program but just create a conveniently updatable
address book.








































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Modificataions added in version 3.0



Due to a bug which went unnoticed in the distribution of version
2.0, the output was completely distorted in blank entry sections.
I sent out a quick fix but don't know if anyone used it. It
would be very discouraging to spend a couple of hours typing in a
database only to find it printed out garbage. Because of a
suggestion sent by Fred Ringwald, I decided to rewrite the output
routine. This new version only prints two pages side by side,
and only 6 entries per minipage. It is nicer, though, because it
is a physically smaller book. All of the blank entries have been
omitted. The pages are printed ascending on the left and
descending on the right. All you need to to is stack them up,
staple them in the middle and fold it in half. Instructions are
printed when you print the booklet.

The printer output is as follows:

.---------------.
. A . Z .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
.---------------.
. B . X .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
---------------

Also due to a number of requests, a second datafile has been
added to accomodate the configuration routines of up to 30
printers. You merely find your printer or add it, make sure it
is the currently selected one and then forget about it. Any
subsequent Blaque Book printouts will be configured for your
printer. You may delete the BLAKBOOK.CFG file as it is no longer
necessary (if you already have it). It has been replaced by the
BLBK30.CFG file for the printer configuration storage noted
above. I have only information available on a couple of
printers. If you are using one not listed and develop a working
configuration protocol, I would appreciate hearing what you used
so I can include them in future distributions of the CFG file.

The standard color format as distributed will be white on black.
I received many comments regarding problems with the previous
colors. These can be changed by selecting the 'C olor' command
in the first menu. Then by use of the 'F oreground', 'B ack-
ground', and 'M essage' toggles you can step through to colors
which you might like. The selected colors will be saved in a
special spot in the printer configuration file (BLBK30.CFG) if it
exists.



5





Modificataions added in version 3.0



Please NOTE-- there is a potential problem with saving the colors
in the configuration file. If some joker changes all of the
colors to the same, you will see only a blank screen (ie. white
on white) after the initial sign on message. If that happens,
use 'C' then 'F', and 'M' in that order. Then you will be able
to see what you are doing.

The only programs needed to run this package are BLAKBOOK.COM and
BBUTIL.COM all data, index and configuration files may be erased
if you are having a hard time getting started.

Though the SQZBB.COM program is still included, it is ONLY for
those using Versions less that 2.0.

One additional comment. Some of you have written that you get
errors in the Find menu selection, some have included a print out
showing a screen with an indiciation of a very high or negative
number of records. What has probably happened is that your
system was turned off or had the power interrupted before you
exited the program using a 'Q' command. The data/index files are
then out of sync or disrupted. There are two potential fixes.
The first is to run BBUTIL.COM and select the option that will
re-create the index file. If that doesn't work, then use the
option that converts Blaque Book to Text files. Remember the
name you select (ie. DUMMY). The extension .TXT will be added.
This routine looks only at valid data and does not use the index
file. Then re-create your entire database and index using the
Text to Blaque Book selection. The input for this routine
requires the entire file name (ie DUMMY.TXT) to be typed in.

Then use the Blaque Book selection or run Blaque Book from DOS.
You will have to check through your database to see what you
might have lost during the power failure but at least most will
be saved.

3.1

Utility routine for label printing enhanced to single or three
up. Additional routine for creating a mailmerge file included in
the utilities.

3.2 -- Mailmerge modified to select on Note Keys.

As is mentioned in the program, considerable effort went into its
development. It is distributed under the user supported concept
and if you feel the program to be of value, a contribution of $7
(the cost of a good address book) would be appreciated.
Obviously, I haven't created this program to get rich. The
program has been greatly enhanced by user comments and I would
appreciate your comments even if you don't think it's worth $7.
In any case, please feel free to share this program with others
and upload it to your favorite bulletin board.

3.31 -- Bug causing abort to DOS after color selection fixed.

Send contributions and/or suggestions for improvement to:

Martin C. Beattie
9190 Rolling Tree Lane
Fair Oaks, CA 95608
(916) 988-9117







Modificataions added in version 3.0



Blaque Book (C) 1985, 1986























































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****************************************************************************
* *
* IMPORTANT NOTE! *
* *
* *
* DO NOT USE SQZBB.COM ON YOUR BLKBOOK.DAT DATABASE IF IT WAS *
* CREATED BY BLAKBOOK.COM VERSION 2.0 OR HIGHER. USE IT ONLY *
* ON DATABASES CREATED ON VERSIONS LESS THAT 2.0 -- AND ONLY *
* RUN THE PROGRAM ONCE! IF YOU USE IT MORE THAN ONCE THE RES- *
* ULTANT DATAFILE WILL BE UNUSABLE. BACKING UP YOUR ORIGINAL *
* DATABASE (BLKBOOK.DAT) ON ANOTHER DISK BEFORE YOU START IS *
* RECOMMENDED. *
* *
* THE ONLY FUNCTION OF SQZBB.COM IS TO CONVERT EARLIER VER- *
* SION DATABASES FOR COMPATIBILITY. ONCE YOU NO LONGER NEED *
* IT YOU SHOULD DELETE IT. *
* *
****************************************************************************