MAG RakDb v1.6S UpDate (C)opyright 1991,1992 by SOFTreat ALL RIGHTS RESERVED * * * MAG RakDb WHATSNEW Update Page 1 To enhance and improve the performance of MAG RakDb the following changes and enhancements have been made effective as of 02/92. Data from any previous version of MAG RakDb is compatible with this version without change. Updating from an earlier version.. Copy the contents of this release into the same directory that MAG RakDb currently resides in. CAUTION: This shareware version contains a sample database. If you have previously removed this database from your unit and replaced it with data of your own, then take the necessary precautions to protect it from being overwritten by this version. You will need to backup all of the 'DBF','DBT', and 'IND' files you are currently using. FAILURE to do this will cause loss of your present data! To run MAG RakDb, type MAGRAKDB and press enter. MAG RakDb will determine that the category & magazine database do not exist and will attempt to create and index them, as indicated by the system messages. Once all of the necessary files have been created, you will need to add data to the new database files from the existing. To do this simply go to the Top of the database and select the EDIT function. The first field in the database is the MAGAZINE field and the cursor will be positioned here. The field should contain the name of a magazine that has already been used. Press the enter key and MAG RakDb will find that this item does not exist in the database. Follow the system prompts and add this magazine to the MAGAZINE database. Return to the editing screen and do the same procedure for the category field. Continue this procedure for all of the existing records in the database. CHANGES and ENHANCEMENTS....... 1> The lookup functions activated by keys F1 & F2 during an 'ADD' or 'EDIT' function and have been replaced by an automatic lookup table. By entering the MAGAZINE or CATEGORY fields data, MAG RakDb will now search the new MAGAZINE or CATEGORY database files for a match. If a match is found then the lookup table window will not be invoked, however, by entering data that does not currently reside in the respective database, a lookup table will be presented with the respective data presented in alphabetical order. Moving the menu bar to an item in the list will select that item and insert the data in the respective field. Selecting ESC from the lookup table will present a menu containing pushbuttons for various selections that will enable you to edit/modify/del or print the data in the respective database. 2> The addition of two new databases MAGAZINE.dbf ... Contains the NAME of the magazines currently in use. SOFTreat Rt. 2, Box 67-S Youngsville, NC 27596 BBS (919) 556-0159 MAG RakDb WHATSNEW Update Page 2 CATEGORY.dbf ... Contains the current CATEGORIES in use. 3> The SEARCH & QKSEARCH functions have been enhanced to provide more output capability. Search will now allow the user to 'Collect' the results of the search being preformed into an editable text file that may be printed or saved to a disk file for future use. This is a big help when searching large database files where the number of selections can be large. The user may still elect to search the database record by record as before. When one of the search functions has been selected, MAG RakDb will allow the user to select whether they want to 'collect the search results' or not. Selecting yes, will prompt the user with the choice of including the 'article summary' text in the search summary results. If yes is selected, be prepared for a 'large' summary file to be produced (select your search criteria wisely). Once initiated, MAG RakDb will begin it's search of the records for the desired 'search data' and report to the screen the number of records found that contain the data being searched for. Upon completion, a window will appear containing the record number, MAGAZINE name & Issue date of all the records found to contain the search data. You may now at this point review the list and determine if you wish to retain any or all of the records in the list for inclusion into the 'to be created' search summary text file. To 'include' a record in the list, place the menu bar on the desired item and press the 'SPACE BAR'. An arrow to the left of the item will appear indicating that this item is marked for inclusion in the 'search summary' file. To 'UnMark' an item, simply press the space bar a second time and the ARROW will disappear. Once you have selected all of the records needed for the summary, press the [ENTER] key and MAG RakDb will compile the selected records into an editable text file. The text file, always named 'TEMPTXT.TXT', will be presented for editing and reviewing in a window. Use the F1 key to obtain additional help on how to edit, print, save, etc. the data. 4> Two new menu commands have been added to faciltate the maintanance of the new MAGAZINE and CATEGORY database files. Selecting 'Y' or CATEGORY , or 'Z' or MAGAZINE will enter into the respective database maintanance menus. You may ADD, DELETE, EDIT records in the database as well as get a printed report of the contents of each database. 5> CATEGORY.RPT and MAGAZINE.RPT files have been added to the distribution file. Minor changes have also been implemented to the display screen to hopefully increase readability and enhance it's SOFTreat Rt. 2, Box 67-S Youngsville, NC 27596 BBS (919) 556-0159 MAG RakDb WHATSNEW Update Page 3 appearance. Suggestions and feedback are always welcome. Many thanks to the registered users of MAG RakDb for their support and enthusiasm in our efforts. SOFTreat Rt. 2, Box 67-S Youngsville, NC 27596 BBS (919) 556-0159