Category : Databases and related files
Archive   : IFI.ZIP
Filename : IFI.DOC

"I FOUND IT" USER'S GUIDE

Version 2.0


copyright 1989 by John Davis

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED






INTRODUCTION

"I Found It" is an easy to use database program written specifically for the
home and small business. It would be very difficult to find a program that is
easier to use. "I Found It" is perfect for Christmas Card lists, Little
League team rosters, Church membership rolls and client lists. The user is
presented with both table and record views of the data. A pre-defined 19
field by 70 character record is used by "I Found It". All the user has to do
is enter the data into the fields and then print it off in either record,
labels or tabular report format. "I Found It" includes also a powerfull search
function, any number of files per disk, the ability to merge two files and
includes many easy to use menus and prompts.


SHAREWARE

"I FOUND IT" is being marketed under a unique scheme known as shareware.
This software is not public domain and is fully protected by all federal
copyright laws. You are encouraged to make copies of "I FOUND IT" and
distribute them to anyone that you wish. The only stipulation for making
copies is that you do not charge for making copies (except for the cost of
copying and distribution) and you copy all files on the disk. If you found "I
FOUND IT" to be usefull and plan to continue using it; it is to your benefit
that you register your copy. By registering your copy of "I FOUND IT" you
let the author know that there is enough interest in the program to make
future enhancements and changes. In addition, as a registered user you will
be entitled to receive future versions for the cost of distribution (currently
$5.00).

To register your copy of "I FOUND IT", send $20.00 along with your name and
address to -

John Davis
1011 Brookgreen Dr.
Cary, N.C. 27511


FILES ON DISK

README - Any last minute changes to the documentation
IFI.DOC - This documentation
IFI.EXE - "I FOUND IT" program module



TO USE "I FOUND IT"

1) Boot DOS,
2) Insert "I FOUND IT" program disk into disk drive,
3) Type "IFI" and "I FOUND IT" will begin execution.
Alternatively type "IFI /Q" to avoid the opening credits screen.



A NOTE ABOUT MENUS

A number of different menus appear within "I FOUND IT". When a menu
appears, to highlight a menu record, simply press the up or down arrow. To
select the highlighted menu record, press the enter key. To exit from the
menu, either select the last menu item or press the escape key.


"I FOUND IT" MAIN MENU

After the program loads and displays a credit's screen you will be presented
with the main menu. From this menu you can load a default file, specify a
file to load, specify the default file or exit "I FOUND IT". It is important
that you always exit "I FOUND IT" by using this option rather than simply
turning off your machine, as "I FOUND IT" rewrites the configuration file
while executing the last option.


"I FOUND IT" FILE STRUCTURE

The file structure used by "I FOUND IT" is very simple. Each record is
predefined to contain 19 fields and each field can be of any length up to 70
characters. The fields initially have the following names - "Name", "Address
1", "Address 2", "Address 3", "Address 4", "Address 5", "Telephone" and
"Comments"; with the rest of the 19 fields have blank names. Within the
Utilities Menu is a function that enables the user to change the names of the
fields to anything desired up to a field name length of nine. When assigning
field names the only important thing to remember is that if you are planning
to print labels, the labels printed contain the first six fields and use
standard six lines per inch type labels. Fields can be either text or numbers
or any combination.


"I FOUND IT" DISPLAY SCREENS

Two different types of displays are used by "I FOUND IT". When the program
begins the record index is displayed; this is basically a table view of the
file, with the first field of the file being displayed in the table. To move
around the index simply use the up and down arrow keys, page up, page down,
home or end. Initially, the index contains one blank record. This blank
record can be deleted after additional records are added (using function key
2).

The second display is presented when the escape key is pressed. This display
presents the entire record for which record was highlighted on the index
display. Likewise the up and down arrow keys, page up, page down, home and end
work here also. To flip back to the index simply press escape again.

Highlighted at the bottom of the screen (regardless of which display is being
presented) is a list of the available function keys. The following is a list
of all function keys that perform certain commands in "I FOUND IT". The
function keys work identically from both record and register displays.

FUNCTION KEY DESCRIPTION
------------ -----------

F1 Displays a help screen.

F2 Enter a new record. A blank record display will appear.
You should then key values followed by the enter key
for each field on the screen. During entry (or
changing) of an record, you can press the up and down arrows
to position you at a field. If the field already
has a value, the cursor will appear at the end of the
value. Press backspace to delete the field and reenter or
change the value as needed. To exit from entry (or change)
mode, press the escape key. The entry (or change)
menu will then appear. From this menu you can choose
to accept the entry as keyed, abort the entry or
to return to entry mode. You are also given the option of
adding the record to the end of the file or inserting
the record after the current record.

F3 Change current record. Works very similar to F2.

F4 Delete current record. If only one record is present in
the file, you can not delete it.

F5 Find a record. Search can be performed on any field in the
record. Values searched for are performed on a partial
string basis and the record is found if the partial string
is found anywhere within the field. The search is case
sensitive. The search is of the "AND" type meaning that if
you have search values entered into two fields both
searches have to be true for the record to be selected.

F6 Print function. Records can be printed either in record,
labels or tabular report format. You are also given the
choice of beginning print at the first record, current
record or you can enter search criteria for the records to
be printed. For tabular reports the columns to be printed
can be selected by placing an "X" next to the field to be
printed. Column width is computed by taking the width of
the widest value in a field. Single spaces separate each
field. Tabular reports also allow you to specify fields
to be totaled by placing a "T" next to the field to be
totaled. When labels are to be printed the user is
prompted to see if test labels are to be printed first for
alignment purposes. Labels printing is performed for only
the first six fields in the file. The labels are assumed
to be of the standard six lines per inch variety. For
either record or tabular format the user is prompted for a
report title that is printed at the top of each page; in
addition the field names are printed over the columns on
the tabular format and beside the fields on record format.

F9 Utilities menu. Will be explained below.

F10 Save checkbook and exit "I FOUND IT". It is very
important that this be the only way you exit "I FOUND IT".
If you simply turn off your computer any new records or
changed made to your file will be lost.


UTILITIES MENU

Function key 9 will display the utilities menu. The various menu
selections appear below.

MENU SELECTION DESCRIPTION
-------------- -----------

Registration Information Displays information on how to register your
copy of "I FOUND IT". (PLEASE READ THIS)


Merge Two Files Loads to the current file all records from
another file.

Display File Menu Displays a file menu that is similar to the
opening main menu. The current file is
saved before any additional actions take place.

Set Screen Colors You can change colors for normal text,
highlighted text and the background. Your
color changes are automatically saved when
the configuration file is written to disk.

Change File Description Allows you to change the description of
the currently loaded file. This does
not change the disk file name only the
name that appears at the top of the
register screen. To change the disk file
name use the DOS rename command. Note though
that all files must end with a ".DAT" suffix.

Change Field Names Allows you to change the names of all the fields
within the file; as previously described.

Display Free Space Displays free space.


FINALLY

I hope you find "I FOUND IT" to be very usefull to you. As far as I know
there is not an easier to use database program on the market. I had alot of
fun programming it and have alot of ideas for enhancements. I would encourage
you to register your copy of "I FOUND IT". The main advantage to registering
is that you will be notified when future versions are available and have the
opportunity to acquire future versions for a small distribution charge
(currently $5.00). I am always willing to listen to suggestions for
enhancements and of course would appreciate prompt notification of any bugs
found in the program.

If you liked "I FOUND IT", you might also be interested in another shareware
product I have on the market. PC-BILL MASTER is a very easy to use checkbook
manager with quite a few advanced functions. It's display look alot like the
displays in "I FOUND IT". PC-BILL MASTER has received excellent reviews from
PC-SIG as well as a number of user groups. It carries a registration fee of
$25.00. If you would like for me to mail you a copy, simply send me $25.00
along with your name and adress.


John Davis
1011 Brookgreen Dr.
Cary, N.C. 27511


STATEMENT OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY

The author makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including
without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a
particular purpose. The author shall not be liable for any damages, whether
direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of this
program to operate in the manner desired by the user. In addition, the
author shall not be liable for any damage to data or property which may be
caused directly or indirectly by use of the program.

IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST
PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY
OTHER PARTY.