Category : Databases and related files
Archive   : DB505.ZIP
Filename : DB505.TXT

*****************************************************
* *
* D B version 5.05 *
* *
* A Mailing List Database / Telephone Rolodex *
* *
*****************************************************

Copyright (c) 1987 by Steven L. Sanders

(Portions of the executable code are copyright 1984, 1985 by
Digital Research, Inc.)


PUBLIC DOMAIN Note

I am more than a little bothered by all the IBM-DOS freeware
(begware) that I have tried or used that constantly bugs you to
"donate" to the author or suffer guilt feelings for life.

I have collected and contributed to CP/M public domain for years
and was very happy with this form of distribution, so I will
break away from the freeware concept and call this program PUBLIC
DOMAIN. There are NO requested donations to the author, there
are NO special requirements in its distribution, user groups may
charge a reasonable fee for copying and handling not to exceed
$10.00 per program set.

This software was written for my own needs and I figure others
can benefit from it as well. I am using this software as a
vehicle to get others interested in the great wealth of public
domain and freeware programs currently available. Most users do
not know how to sort the "gems" from the "junk" when it comes to
public domain software OR they just don't have time to call all
the boards and download new programs to try.

My group, The Tampa Bay Kaypro Users Group/DataCOM Super
Systems(tm) offers the perfect alternative to this "hunt, find,
and try" problem. We have a state-of-the-art remote multi-user
database with 140mb of the best software money can't buy. The
programs have been pre-tested, ones that don't work or ones that
we feel are of little to no benefit are removed from the system.

I also make sure that there are NO dangerous TROJAN HORSE type
programs online. The end result is a system that stocks only the
best of the best with all files well organized into seperate file
areas that are easily accessible. The NEW files area even has a
special program that can be run by the online user that will list
all of the files plus a brief description of each. Now what can
be easier then that? We want more active (and satisfied) users
to share the wealth of good software we have available.


The DataCOM Super Systems(tm)

2643 Cedarview Court - Clearwater, FL 34621
(813) 796-5627 modem (300/1200/2400 baud)
(813) 791-1938 voice (9a-7p Mon-Sat only)


Annual membership and remote access rights are $40.00


We also offer a VIP membership for $135 a year, this includes
UNLIMITED remote system access plus a monthly disk of new
software sent to you each and every month by US Mail. This is a
great way to stay current with the new programs and not run up a
gigantic telephone bill if calling by long distance. Many user
groups and computer dealers find the VIP service to be of great
service to their members and customers as well as themselves.

YOUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE IS REFUNDABLE ANYTIME IN THE FIRST 30
DAYS IF YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES PROVIDED - NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

{ I'll get off my soapbox now and get on with the DOC file... }

07/15/87 vers 5.05 - Changed format of the .DAT file so that the
last name field precedes the first name field.
This now allows the use of fast sort programs
like Vern Buerg's SORTF220 (included in this
ARC.) I have also built-in the convert program
to update DB v5.04 .DAT files to the newer
format. Use option

to purge database or
convert an old-style one.

02/22/87 vers 5.04 - A bad bug was discovered with DBCONVRT.COM,
I must assume the EXE2COM utility to be the
culprit and therefore will release the new
versions as .EXE files only.

02/13/87 vers 5.03 - Comments field added, fixed record length of
data file is now 180. Executable files have
been changed to .COM for maximum space savings.

07/01/86 vers 5.02 - Maintenance update, no major changes or mods
to program, just cleaned up 2 display probs.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

DB was designed for use on an IBM-PC or clone with 64K or more of
RAM, color graphics adapter, and color monitor. DOS 2.0 or
better is required. The ANSI.SYS console driver must be loaded
at boot-up to handle the video calls used by DB. Most monochrome
monitors working off of the color graphics adapter should have no
problems but due to the number of "cheap" imitation CGA cards, I
can make no guarantees in this respect.


INITIAL SET-UP

DB was written in compiled CBASIC and understands DOS drives but
not directories or sub-directories. You can change the drive
and/or data filename "on the fly" with the option once the
program is loaded into memory but you cannot change sub-dirs.

The best thing to do is create a DB sub-dir on your hard disk and
do all your DB-related work only in this directory.

If you have used DB504 and have existing data files, use the built-in
convert utility (option

) to update the old data files to the new format
required by DB505 and newer. If you use an old file that has not
been updated an error will be generated and the program will abort
with an appropriate message.

DB will create a file called DATE.TXT in the current directory
that holds the date used when the program is running. When first
used, DB will create this file and insert the date 07/01/87, you
will then be prompted if this date is current and whether you
want to change it or not. After you change it, the new date is
written into this file and it only needs to be changed the first
time DB is run on a new date.

There are no other parameters or special installation procedures
required, just place DB.EXE on your disk and run it!


SORTING DATA FILES
------------------
DB has NO INTERNAL SORT ROUTINES, if you require your output to
be alphabetical you will have to run an external sort program on
your datafile first!

We have included Vern Buerg's fantastically fast SORTF220 program
to do the external sorting. It has many different sort options
and this is the one you'll use most often:

SORTF database.dat sorted.dat /+2,3

This means sort the file DATABASE.DAT, write the sorted data back
to disk as SORTED.DAT, start in column 2 and use the first three
letters of the lastname field for the alpha key field.

By skipping to column 2 you will bypass the first quote mark character
in the data file which is only a field seperation character and not
real "data." Column 2 is the first letter of the lastname field and
the "3" means use only the first three characters as a sort parameter.

You may also reverse the sort by adding a /R option on the commandline.


MAILING LABELS

DB is pre-configured to use 2 types of common mailing labels, the
ONE-UP label (15/16" x 3-1/2" one across) and the BIG label (3-
7/8" x 2-7/8") pre-printed commercial label (available from NEBS,
QUILL, and many other suppliers.) You will be prompted for the
label size and required left margin offset before any printing
takes place. You will also be able to print a sample label to
check the copy and offset before beginning a "run."

The ONE-UP label is the most common type of mailing labels used
by home computerists and is readily available at any good office
supply house. I use the AVERY brand which comes in boxes of
5,000 in one-across, continuous form.

The BIG label is available from NEBS (New England Business
Systems, 500 Main St., Groton, MA. 01471) and comes pre-printed
with your name and return address at the top and comes in 6
different designs with several colors to choose from. I use
their product #9365-1 (stars & stripes) which is 3-7/8" x 2-7/8".

I WILL CONSIDER MAKING MODIFIED COPIES OF DB FOR USE WITH OTHER
LABELS BUT WILL DO THIS ONLY IF YOU SUPPLY A SAMPLE OF YOUR
LABELS AND MAKE IT WORTH MY TIME AND TROUBLE ($25 min.).


USING DB

DB was designed as a menu-driven program requiring NO previous
reading of DOC files and as such is VERY EASY TO USE.

Just pick the desired menu option and follow the simple on-screen
prompts and it works, just that easy!

The following is a description of each of the options available
from the Main Menu display:


ADD new member

THE ONLY INTITIAL REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU USE OPTION TO ADD
NEW MEMBER DATA BEFORE USING ANY OTHER OPTIONS - you can't do
anything with a data file that doesn't exist except ADD new data
to it.

All input prompts are designed to show you the maximum allowed
input length for each field. If you exceed this value the prompt
will be re-displayed empty, awaiting re-input of data.



CHANGE member

You can change any field in any record at any time with the
option. You only need enter a first and last name to retrieve
the data record. It is then displayed on the console and you
choose any field by menu number and alter it accordingly. Any
changes made are automatically re-written to disk before you
leave this option.


DELETE member

Option is used to delete any active records desired. You
input a first and last name to search for and then the subsequent
record will be displayed. You are then prompted Y/N to delete
the current record.


Change database FILE

The default filename is DATABASE.DAT and it will be created and
updated in the current directory when DB is run. You can use
option to change the drive and/or filename in use and is
limited only by your imagination or needs. There are 3 filenames
already installed in the sub-menu of options or you can use
option #4 to create your own custom filename.


LIST database members

The option leads you to a sub-menu of 3 different listing
formats. (1) by record#, firstname, and lastname
(2) by firstname, lastname, and mailing address
(3) by name, address, and date entered

All three sub-menu choices also further prompt you to send the
output to the screen or printer for hard copy.


MAIL - generate labels

The option also leads you to a sub-menu where you choose to
use the ne-up labels or ig labels format. You are then
prompted to enter a desired offset for the left margin, enter 0
if none is desired. A sample label can now be printed by
pressing the RETURN key. If the sample isn't right you can now
go back and enter a different offset value before beginning a
print run. Once a print run is started you can enter to
abort at anytime or DB continues to end of file and then returns
you to the Main Menu.

PURGE/Convert database

The

option will purge deleted records from the currently
selected datafile in use. It will first show you how many (if
any) records are deleted and then prompts you to continue with
the purge or return to the Main Menu. The original datafile will
be erased and replaced with the new one after the purge is
completed. Use this option after you have deleted entries in
your data file to keep them as small (and fast) as possible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Choosing the "C"onvert option from the sub-menu will allow you to
convert DB504 data files for use with DB505 which now puts the last
name first in the data files.
-------------------------------------------------------------------


SEARCH for member

The option allows you to quickly scan and retrieve records
from the database by entering only a first and last name. Once
the data record is found and displayed on the console, you can
then print a single mailing label or print the data record to the
list device or return to the Main Menu.


TELEPHONE rolodex

The option is used just like a table-top Rolodex, you are
prompted to enter the first letter of the last name and all
matches will be displayed on the console or you can optionally
send the output to the printer for hard copy. You will see the
member's lastname, firstname and then telephone number.


QUIT

The option exits DB and returns you to DOS. Any time you are
at the main menu - all files are currently closed and you can
quit at any time you want without damaging any data files.


<+> FORMFEED to printer

I hope this option is real obvious. It just sends a formfeed to
the printer to advance the paper one page. Handy for laser and
regular dot-matrix printer users.



I hope you enjoy DB, look for future upgraded versions.

- Steve Sanders 07/15/87