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

DOCUMENTATION FOR 'MLT.COM'
===========================





FEATURES :
==========

> 'MLT' is a Mailing Label Generator and Electronic Rolodex system written
in Turbo Pascal with the Database Toolbox.

> Names and Addresses can be searched for by Classification Codes, or
by simply entering part of the last name of the person or entity in
question. The on-screen search routine also presents the telephone
number along with the name, and a "pop-up" window will show the
address when desired.

> Depending on available disk space, up to 32,000 names and addresses can be
maintained by the system. (Around 1500 names and addresses can be
maintained on a single floppy disk.)

> Two separate index files are maintained by the system : One for
alpha-ordered searches, and another for zip code order generation
of mailing address labels.




SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
====================

'MLT' will work on all IBM PC's and compatibles, including the
Tandy 1000/1200/3000 series. It will also work on the Sanyo
MBC-550 series running MS-DOS 2.1 or above. The Sanyo Video RAM
board is NOT required. Tandy 1000 owners are urged to have 256K
RAM; 'MLT' needs only 128K RAM on all other systems. The program
SHOULD run on the Tandy 2000, but it has not been tested on
that machine. The 'POP-UP' windows have been configured
to run on the lowest common denominator : a Sanyo 550 running
MS-DOS 2.1. As everyone knows, this machine DOES NOT have
an IBM-compatible ROM BIOS. An Epson-compatible printer is
recommended (even for printing this document !).






STARTING MLT
=============

Ensure that your config.sys file has the statements
FILES = 10
BUFFERS = 12
If you already have a config.sys file defined for your system and
FILES and BUFFERS have been set to numbers greater than indicated
here, then there is no need to alter them. Unless you are running
a Tandy 1000 with only 128K RAM, 'MLT' doesn't care if
DEVICE = ANSI.SYS is in the config.sys file.

NOTE : If you are running a Tandy 1000, you will need 256K RAM in order
to run "MLT". If you feel that you can not afford to upgrade
your system at this time, you MAY be able to run MLT by
setting FILES = 7 and BUFFERS = 7. In addition, if you
have DEVICE = ANSI.SYS in your config.sys file, you will
have to remove it. (OR, you can purchase a ZUCKERBOARD for
your T1K and upgrade your system to 640K RAM for $149.95 as
of April, 1986. See the current '80 MICRO.)


'MLT.COM' should be started in a separate sub-directory or by itself on
a floppy disk. When invoked for the first time, it will create four
data files :
1. - MLNAMES.DAT - Contains the Names & Addresses
2. - MLNAMES.IXC - The Alpha-ordered Index File
3. - MLZIP.IXC - The Zip Code Index File
4. - MLCONT.DAT - A control file that contains
system information.


Following this, 'MLT' will request the System Date, and ask for the
operator's and/or company's name after which the Main Menu will
be presented :







ÍÍ> THE YOUR NAME MAILING ADDRESS LIST <ÍÍ
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß

< Number of Names in File = 1 >




<1> Enter New Names & Addresses _____________________

<2> Edit Existing Names & Addresses _________________

<3> List / View Names _______________________________

<4> Print Labels / Reports __________________________

<5> Re-Index Files __________________________________

<6> EXIT SYSTEM _____________________________________

ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ


>>> Enter Your Choice Here : (or "H" for HELP)

===> FIG. ONE -- MAIN MENU <===

Entering 'H' at this point will inform you of the System's context-
sensitive help system.




ENTERING NAMES
===============

Invoking Option '1' at this point will present the Operator with the
following display :


ÍÍ> THE YOUR NAME MAILING ADDRESS LIST <ÍÍ
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
< Option : Enter New Names & Addresses >

>>> Last new Name Entered : FIRST NAME
ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ
Title (MR.,MRS, etc. or "H" for HELP) :
Name (LAST NAME, FIRST NAME) :
Address One :
Address Two :
Address Three :
Zip Code :
Telephone :
Remarks (1) :
Remarks (2) :
Classification Code :
ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸
³ ³
³ ³
³ ³
³ ³
³ ³
ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;
< Enter a "Q" and press RETURN for MENU, "H" for HELP >

===> FIG. II - ENTERING NAMES <===

NOTES :
1.) Entering "H" in response to the first query will provide
detailed information about the expected response to each question.
2.) Enter the LAST NAME first then a comma, and then the
FIRST NAME and MIDDLE INITIAL (if desired) in response to the
NAME query. The system will flip the name around when printing
labels, printing the TITLE (if entered) and then the FIRST NAME,
followed by the LAST NAME. If the entity is a company, then enter
the name without commas. (I.E. ACME,INC. would print out
as INC. ACME on the labels. Use ACME-INC or ACME INC instead.)
3.) Enter the ZIP CODE in the field specified ONLY !!! The system
maintains a separate index file for this data. When printing
labels, "MLT" will indicate the Zip Code at the end of
Address Line Two if Line Three is not used, or at the end
of Address line Three if all three address lines are used.
4.) Use the Classification Code to help organize your lists.
For example, use REL for relatives, BUS for business information,
CHR for a christmas card list, ELK for the Elk Club Lodge, etc.
When printing reports and labels you will be provided with the
opportunity to isolate on one code only.
5.) Finally, after all the data is entered, the Label will appear
in the exact way it will print out in the box in the lower
right-hand corner of the screen. The Operator can then choose
to change data as required if the desired result has not been
achieved.



EDITING DATA
============

Option 2 from the Main Menu will allow the operator to Edit names
already on file (or delete names no longer desired). The System
will request an INDEX NUMBER when this option is invoked. If the
INDEX NUMBER is not known, simply enter part or all of the LAST
NAME. The System will display all matches along with the corresponding
Number. After the data has been presented, the question
'Correct (Y/N/D) ?' will appear at the bottom of the screen. The
'D' option will allow for DELETION of the name. (The System will
request verification first).



SEARCHING / LISTING DATA
========================

Option 3 from the Main Menu can be used for searching. Simply enter
part or all of the last name desired. The system will list forward
from that point. At the end of each screen full of data, the
operator may abort the listing by typing an 'A'.


PRINTING REPORTS / LABELS
==========================

Option 4 will present the operator with a REPORT MENU with five
options. The function of these reports should be obvious.
NOTE : The first two reports print in ALPHA ORDER. The three
label reports print in ZIP CODE ORDER.


RE-INDEXING
=============

If a power failure occurs while entering data, or if your floppy or
hard disk runs out of room, one or both of the index
files could become corrupted. This option will rebuild the files
from scratch.






FILE STRUCTURE
===============

The following sections of the source code provides the file structure.
You may use this to write the file out into a sequential listing
for interfacing with WordStar or dBASE :
(The registered version of the software has this option on the
main menu, as well as documentation on the structure of a dBASE II
or III data file.)


CUST = RECORD
STATUS : INTEGER;
TITLE : STRING[15];
NAME : STRING[30];
ADDR1 : STRING[25];
ADDR2 : STRING[25];
ADDR3 : STRING[25];
ZIP : STRING[9];
PHONE : STRING[12];
REMARKS1: STRING[30];
CLASS : STRING[3];
REMARKS2: STRING[30];
END;

FILE LENGTH:
============
OPENFILE(DATF,'MLNAMES.DAT',216);

Compliments of

Joseph D. Bolus
4778 7th Court So.
Birmingham, Al 35222

REGISTRATION :
================
To register, send $5.00 along with a blank disk in a mailer.

===> ENJOY !!!