MY-Rolodex
v1.00 02/10/86
(C) 1986 Bruce R. Childers

Introduction
------------

MY-Rolodex (or MYR) is a program for the IBM PC (and the zillion
clones thereof) which allows you to use your computer as an automated
address book (the so-called Rolodex). The program provides for the
most basic features required in an address book, plus a few features
to put the computer to good use.

What it is & Not
----------------

By now, you are probably thinking, "Hey, I've already got
SideKick*, why do I need this?" Well, SideKick is fine as a memory
resident address and appointment book; however, SideKick is not too
appropriate for an address book with over 500 entries.

This program is NOT a memory resident utility! It could have been
made resident, but it was decided to keep it as a separate application
to be run from command level. There are so many memory resident
programs now, that it is starting to get a bit crazy when you have all
of Borland's wonderful utilities and all of those cute little public
domain programs in memory: it turns into chaos. Besides, an address
book with over fifty entries shouldn't be in memory!

MY-Rolodex was written mainly for my use. I had a need to
maintain an address book with several hundred names and addresses--and
I need to access that information quickly, keying on any field of the
data base. The program has proven to be so useful, I figured others
might have a basic need for such a utility. Use it for what it is
worth.

Installation
------------

No program would be complete without an awkward installation
procedure. Actually, the installation is rather easy. Make a
directory off of your root called "MYR". Once this is done, place the
default definition file MYRDEF.DTA (supplied in this library) in that
directory. You should then place MYROLO.COM in your root directory.

Hard disk:
If you have a hard disk, you will no doubtly be using it as
your main work area. Create the MYR directory on the hard disk, and
place MYROLO.COM in your C:\ directory.

Floppy disk:
When running with floppies, it is a good idea to make up one
disk containing the program and its data files. When you need the
address book, just swap in that disk and execute the program.


The MYR directory will contain all of the data files used by the
program. There are three data files: MYRINDX.DTA, MYRDATA.DTA and
MYRDEF.DTA. The first file is an index to the second file--which
contains the actual data. The first two are created by the program
when it is first run, the third file is supplied with the library--or
created by running MYRINST (see below).

It is possible to place the data files in a directory other than
MYR. If you wish to place them in another directory, include the path
name on the command line when running MYROLO. For instance, if you
have the data files in the path A:\TURBO:

MYROLO A:\TURBO

This will make the program use A:\TURBO as the data directory.
This gives you some flexibility: It is possible to maintain several
different address books. You could place each address book in a
different directory. For example, I have three address books. My
path to each one is:

C:\MYR\ADD1 ;first address book
C:\MYR\ADD2 ;second address book
C:\MYR\ADD3 ;third address book

I then specify which address book I want to use when I run the
program:

MYROLO C:\MYR\ADD1 for the first one. Another idea is to
make up a batch file and place it in your root directory. The batch
file could look like:

CD\MYR
MYROLO C:\MYR\ADD1

for address book 1, and for address book 2:

CD\MYR
MYROLO C:\MYR\ADD2

so forth...name each batch file differently (of
course)...there you have it.

Using MYRINST
-------------

MYRINST allows you to alter the colors and other defaults of the
program. The program was written to make use of the PC's color
graphics and windowing capabilities. MYRINST will let you change the
appearance of the program. I do not have a color monitor, but rather
a amber setup that emulates colors using different hues. I picked the
colors that looked the best to me. The colors might not look so good
on an actual color system, thus, the creation of MYRINST to allow you
to make it appear better.

The installation program also creates a new MYRDEF.DTA, if for

some reason yours becomes screwed up. It also lets you change the
name of the index file and data file, incase you have a file name
conflict (unlikely...but who knows?).

The program is self explanatory. To run, just type in its name.
The default data definition file will be created in the current
directory--so, don't forget to copy it over into the MYR (or which
ever directory is serving to contain your data files) directory.

Operation of MYROLO
-------------------

The program is self explanatory. Just bring it up and play with
it a few times to get used to its features. You can key on any field
of the data base, use exact key matches, or partial matches. The
program makes use of windows for easy operator data entry, and uses
different colors to make the appearance attractive.

MYROLO will come up with a version screen stating which version
it is, and the copyright notice. Press any key to get past this logon
screen. The main menu will come up next. Select which option you
want from the main menu.

Comments
--------

I may be contacted at any one of the following places:

Generation 5 TurboDOS Network, (301) 495-2932. Address mail to
Bruce Childers.

Computer Information Transfer, (703) 281-7907 [this system is not
always up, the above one is]. Address mail to Sysop.

Or by writing:

Bruce Childers
PO Box 3033
Oakton, VA 22124-3033 (am I the only one who uses Zip+4?)

* = SideKick is a trademark of Borland International