MBPRO 1.9x SUPPLEMENT (5/22/96) YOU MUST READ THIS FIRST! All References to Integrated Solutions are incorrect in any of the Support documentation. NetConnX is the Company that now owns and supports MODEMBASE PRO. NetConnX 29926 Corte Tolano Temecula, CA 92591 909-699-2216 Voice 909-699-2212 BBS Supplement Overview (If you read anything is should be this!!) Congratulations on your choice of ModemBase Pro On-Line Database Management System (DBMS). The main Reference Manual provides extensive information about all the features available in ModemBase Pro Release 1.7x. This 1.9x supplemental manual is being provided to you in order to offer additional information on features that have been added since the printing of the 1.7x manual. As you read this, we are hard at work re-writing a new manual from scratch for Release 2.0. We will also take this opportunity to give you an overview of the ModemBase Pro concept and a Quick Start Guide for getting your database on-line with minimal effort. If you require any assistance, please contact us via our technical support BBS at 909-699-2212, voice technical support at 909-699-2216, or internet e-mail at tgetty@netconnx.com or for technical support. Recommended plan for getting up to speed quickly : 1) Read this supplement completely. 2) Make sure you understand the concepts discussed in the Quick Start Tutorial here in this supplement or read the Getting Started Tutorial built in to MBMASTER. 3) Run the DEMO.BAT file for a demo of Modem Base Pro and check out the various features and familiarize yourself with the on-line interface of MBACCESS. 4) Run MBMASTER, create, build, configure a raw database for on-line use. 5) Test your on-line database from within MBMASTER. 6) Editing DOOR.BAT file and linking MBACCESS to your on-line system. 7) Test your database from remote for proper operation. 8) Enjoy your new on-line database! New Release 1.9x ModemBase Pro, here-in referred to as MBPRO, Release 1.9x is an interim release prior to 2.0 with many new features compared to 1.7x and earlier versions. Contact NetConnX for the upgrade plan you qualify for if you are unsure or check to see if you have an auto-update option on your invoice. This Release 1.9x includes enhancements over 1.7x such as new RIP 2.0 full color image support, full memo display support in RIP and ANSI forms, a completely new powerful configuration program called MBMASTER, improved searching and indexing capabilities, security improvements, an integrated database development and testing environment, and much more. If you have not yet seen the RIP 2.0 support within MBPRO, we invite you to call and download the RIPTERM 2.0 product (RTD20003.EXE or later) from Telegrafix from our technical support BBS. Once you install RIPTERM 2.0, call our BBS back and check out [D]oor 1 - ModemBase Pro demo of the airplane database with full color images and complete RIP 2.0 support. This demo will give you a good idea of what MBPRO can do for you and your on-line databases. We are confident that you will enjoy the many additional features this ModemBase Pro Release 1.9x provides. Modem Base Pro Concept and Overview ModemBase Pro consists of two main programs called MBMASTER and MBACCESS. MBMASTER is an enhanced On-Line DataBase Management System (DBMS) program designed for configuring your database to be put on-line via MBACCESS. MBACCESS is the program which provides the on-line interface to your on-line databases and knows how to talk with communication devices, link to existing on-line systems, process and support a wide variety of on-line callers and terminals such as TEXT, ANSI, and RIP graphics. The ModemBase Pro DataBase Management System, herein referred to as MBPRO DBMS or just MBPRO, offers many new powerful features with an easy-to-use interface for both you, the database designer using MBMASTER, and the on-line caller using MBACCESS. The concepts while using MBMASTER are designed to be intuitive. For example, there is a visual dynamic on-screen user interface showing the link configuration for each field in your database design. A scrolling data entry screen while editing a node configuration record provides an easy-to-use professional interface. Creating or editing a raw database structure is no longer a chore using the MBMASTER create/edit structure/data option. You can even manage your data and record structures simultaneously on-screen with on the fly structure/data updating. Once changes are made to your database design, you can quickly test your on-line database without leaving MBMASTER. Within a short time your database is a completed on-line application ready for access on-line by your callers. How do you get your information into ModemBase Pro? Information comes in many forms and types. ModemBase Pro can store information in a commonly used database file format that conforms to dBase III(TM) specifications. This file format allows you to customize a database so that the information stored in the file is specific to your needs, which allows for virtually an unlimited number of database applications. The decision to comply with dBase III file format allows increased flexibility for putting existing databases on-line that may be easily be shared with other applications. There are hundreds of programs that support dBase III file formats. A dBase III file by itself however, does not do much more than simply store information in a specified format. ModemBase Pro will allow you to build your raw database file into a suitable on-line database within just a few minutes. PLEASE NOTE : MBMASTER is more than a configuration program for ModemBase Pro. MBMASTER is a complete Integrated On-Line DataBase Management System (DBMS) designed exclusively for the on-line world. MBMASTER replaces the older MBMANAGE and COMPOSER products previously included with ModemBase Pro. All references to either MBMANAGE or COMPOSER in the 1.7x Reference Manual should now refer to MBMASTER. We have also included a MBMASTER.DOC file with more documentation for using MBMASTER and a Getting Started Tutorial built-in to MBMASTER. These documents supersede any information in the 1.7x Reference Manual that refers to the older MBMANAGE and COMPOSER products. As you read this manual supplement, we are hard at work writing a new manual that will be shipped with release 2.0 of MBPRO. As an auto-update customer you will receive this new update free as part of your auto-update program once it is available. The 1.7x Reference Manual can also be found on disk as MBPRO.DOC for your convenience. MBACCESS provides the on-line interface between your caller and your database. Remember, a database file does nothing more than store your information. MBACCESS provides a system that allows you to gather or display information on-line. MBACCESS utilizes Configuration, Linkage, User Profile, Choice, and Support databases that are built and configured when using MBMASTER. These "Support databases" provide instructions on how to process your "Main database". MBACCESS gives your database intelligence that you can control. It also provides a default interface so that you can put a database on-line in just a few minutes and customize it as your needs progress. MBACCESS is commonly referred to as a "DOOR" that links an on-line system to your database. Using ModemBase Pro you can create customized information databases for many different applications ranging from customer lists to information retrieval systems. It supports most existing on-line systems and BBS's. ModemBase Pro provides complete multi-user access at both the database and communication levels. It also supports multiple hardware platforms ranging from standard communication serial ports, to digiboards, and fossil drivers. ModemBase Pro is a complete professional On-Line DataBase System (DBMS). QUICK START INSTALLATION 1) Put Installation Disk into Floppy Drive. Insert your installation disk in either DRIVE A: OR B: then change to that drive, by typing A: or B: depending on which drive you put the installation disk into. There are at least four (4) files on the installation disk: MBINSTAL.EXE, MBINSTAL.HLP, README.1ST, and MBPRO.DAT. 2) ModemBase Pro Installation. At the DOS PROMPT after changing to drive containing the installation disk as instructed in step 1 above, type MBINSTAL and press . On-Screen instructions will appear to assist you. You will be asked for the directory in which you want to INSTALL ModemBase Pro to as the destination. The source directory should automatically appear with the correct source directory you started the MBINSTAL program. Typically, the destination directory to INSTALL ModemBase Pro to is the C:\MBPRO20 directory. Press the F10 key when ready to begin installation or the ESC key to quit. 3) ModemBase Master (MBMASTER) Once step 2 is complete and MBPRO has been installed, you may setup an existing database for on-line usage by typing MBMASTER. MBMASTER contains context-sensitive help and a built-in Getting Started Tutorial. We encourage you to read through all the items in the Getting Started Tutorial for best results. We know that reading an exhausting manual can be strenuous. Below is a quick start tutorial that you should at least read before trying to use ModemBase Pro. From the Main Menu after loading MBMASTER, go to Create RAW DataBase option and type the name of a database you want to create. You may use a valid path with the filename if you wish. It is usually a good idea to create a directory just for your raw database structures. When MBPRO was installed, a RAWDB subdirectory was created for you below your installed MBPRO directory. For example, if you installed MBPRO into C:\MBPRO20, then C:\MBPRO20\RAWDB is the default raw database directory. Once a valid filename is given, MBMASTER will load the MAKEDB Structure Configuration screen. This interface provides a complete development environment for designing a database. Notice, F4 toggles between editing the database record field structure and the actual database record. F4 will only work, however, if there is at least 1 record in the database. When creating a new database F4 will cause one record to be added to the database and after at least one record exists you may edit the actual database record(s). Use Alt-Next and Alt-Prev to traverse (navigate) between records in a database or use Alt-Jump to jump to a specific record. Other commands not shown on the status line exist also, such as Alt-Clean, Alt-Delete and Alt- Undelete Record, Ctrl-Save Current field structure, Ctrl F6=Insert field after current field, F3=Open new database, Ctrl F3=Create new database. This interface allows you to easily create new raw database structures, or edit and change existing raw database structures, as well as edit actual record data and even convert existing record data from an old record structure to a new one, once the record structure has been modified. When creating or modifying database structures, you may use F2 to pop-up a pick list of Field Types available when editing a field type. Depending on which field type is used, you will notice that fields will automatically be protected and unprotected. A protected field is grayed out and can not be accessed via the cursor, mouse, or highlight bar. Protected fields logically change along with the field type. For example, a Character field type will protect the DECPL (Decimal Place) field. If you change the field type to a Numeric then you will notice theDECPL field will become unprotected and may be edited. Each field has validation and range checking to assure that only proper field names and valid field lengths, and decimal places, if applicable are entered. If you create a memo field, a .DBT memo file will automatically be created for the database and a full word processor memo editor is available for editing your memos. Within the memo editor you may also use Alt-Next and Alt-Prev to navigate memos for a particular field between various database records. Once a RAW database is created, you can then use the Build On-Line DB from RAW DB option from the Main Menu to create the necessary support files for running your database on- line. Build will allow you to specify a destination directory into which to build your on-line database. The On-Line Project Files window will help you understand which type of database you are currently working with. An on-line database will show the names of the Configuration, Link, and User Profile databases. MBMASTER can even be used to edit/create RAW databases that are not intended for on-line use or databases that have been built for on-line use. A quick glance at the Project Statistics will help remind you which type of database you are working with. Once an on-line database is opened, the Node and Link configuration options will become active. There must be at least one node configuration record created and the Test database option on the Main Menu will also become available, which will allow you to test your database without leaving MBMASTER. The Default Node and Node Configuration options provide a scrolling data entry screen with a plethora of options you can configure for each node. You should first edit the default node configuration and the default node data will then be used each time you Alt-Add a new node record. While in the node configuration entry screen you can use navigation commands to go between node records, such as Alt-Next, Alt-Prev, and Alt-Jump. Alt-Add will add a new node configuration record and Alt-Delete and Alt-Undelete will make a node inactive or active. Be sure to pay close attention to the quick help box for information that changes with each field. Also, many fields offer a pop up F2 pick list for available choices. The Field Link Configuration option provides a dynamic on-screen visual link configuration record for each field in your raw database. This is where you define how you want MBACCESS to process each field in your database by selecting from various LINK TYPES, and providing other configuration options for each field. Be sure to pay close attention to the quick help box for information that changes with each field. Also, many fields offer a pop up F2 pick list for available choices. Once your database is configured, use the Test Database option from the main menu to test your on-line database for functionality. Using popular ANSI or RIP editors you may also provide your own menus and record view forms for your callers when they are on-line and customize your on-line interface. These are 3rd party support programs and can be generally found on most generic BBS’s. For editing text, any standard DOS text editor will work fine. For editing ANSI color graphic screens, your BBS software might have an ANSI editor (such as WCDRAW with Wildcat BBS by Mustang Software Inc.) or a popular program called THEDRAW by TheSoft Programming can be found on our Technical Support BBS. If editing RIP graphics files, contact Telegrafix for RIPPAINT software. MBACCESS supports TEXT, ANSI, and RIP graphics files and knows which files to display depending on the type of caller. That means you can design an on-line database system which supports the greatest number of callers. MBPRO will know what type of caller is coming into the system and display the appropriate display files that you create for your on-line database. By default, MBPRO supports TEXT and ANSI callers with default menus when using the Build option. You can then customize or change the default support files for your specific application. Once your database tests O.K. and operates properly, it is ready to go on-line. You need to create your appropriate DOOR.BAT (door batch) file for your type of on-line system. Here is an example door batch file. You must pass MBACCESS the name of your Configuration database file as indicated from the projects menu and the node number. Example DOOR.BAT file : CD \MBPRO20 MBACCESS C:\MBPRO20\ONLINE\EVENT\EVENTC.DBF 1 The above door batch file instructs MBACCESS to load the EVENTC.DBF Configuration database from the C:\MBPRO20\ ONLINE\EVENT directory for Node 1. It is a good idea to keep all of your on-line databases in a subdirectory under a directory called ONLINE or something similar. MBACCESS also supports what is called AUTONODE. Autonode allows on-line systems which have standard comports, digiboards, or fossil drivers to simply create only one node configuration record (Node 1) and then MBACCESS will properly figure out which node to actually run. In order for autonode towork properly, the DOOR.BAT file operates a little different than the above example. When using autonode you DO NOT change directory at all within the batch file. Example DOOR.BAT file for AUTONODE use : C:\MBPRO20\MBACCESS C:\MBPRO20\ONLINE\EVENT\EVENTC.DBF A ================================================================ NEW "AT CODE" CHART ================================================================ Color Code chart for @BF@ color modes : BACKGROUND MODES: B COLOR ATTRIBUTE 0 Black NORMAL 1 Blue NORMAL 2 Green NORMAL 3 Cyan NORMAL 4 Red NORMAL 5 Magenta NORMAL 6 Brown NORMAL 7 White NORMAL 8 Black BLINKS 9 Blue BLINKS A Green BLINKS B Cyan BLINKS C Red BLINKS D Magenta BLINKS E Brown BLINKS F White BLINKS FOREGROUND MODES: F COLOR ATTRIBUTE 0 Black NORMAL 1 Blue NORMAL 2 Green NORMAL 3 Cyan NORMAL 4 Red NORMAL 5 Magenta NORMAL 6 Brown NORMAL 7 White NORMAL 8 Black BRIGHT 9 Blue BRIGHT A Green BRIGHT B Cyan BRIGHT C Red BRIGHT D Magenta BRIGHT E Brown BRIGHT F White BRIGHT ATCODES DESCRIPTION OF DISPLAY @REC@ Current record number @LNM#@ Linkage Field Name for field # @DNM#@ xBase field name for field # @FLD#@ Data for field # for current record @SMD@ ON or OFF for Go Search Mode @TOTALRECR@ Total Table Records (Right Justified) @TOTALRECL@ Total Table Records (Left Justified) @ALLDBRECS@ Total Records in Database @SKY@ Current table search keyword @MNL@ Current load menu level @MXL@ Maximum table level in use @SLV@ Current table search level active @DBN@ Main database filename @DSC@ Short description from Node Config @TBF@ Filename of the current search table MEMOS IN FORMS @MWA=#@ Sets memo word wrap at to # @MLN#@ Sets current memo line number next @MLN+#@ Increments current memo line by # @MLN-#@ Decrements current memo line by # @FML#@ Formats field # memo in memory @FLD#@ Prints current memo line for field # @CML#@ Clears field # memo from memory Note : The above atcodes support Intelligent Form Processing (@IF1@) and will properly display the data and compensate for variable size of data within the form. If Intelligent Form Processing is disabled (@IF1@) then changing data sizes will not be compensated for within the display form and variable size data will push anything to the right of the data. The atcodes in the next column offer control over various modes and functions. Be sure to check out the FORM.BBS and FORM.RIP examples in the \MBPRO20\ONLINE\ AERO directory for some practical uses of atcodes. Intelligent Form Processing allows you to create WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) ANSI and RIP display forms using an ANSI or RIP editor. Call our technical support BBS for editors if needed. ATCODES DESCRIPTION OF DISPLAY @ATON@ Turns on ATCODE processing @ATOFF@ Turns off ATCODE processing @PR1@ Turns Record View PROMPT ON @PR0@ Turns Record View PROMPT OFF @BROWSEON@ Turns on Browse View Record @BROWSEOFF@ Turns off Browse View Record @BROWSETOG@ Toggles Browse View Record @IF1@ Turns ON Intelligent Forms @IF0@ Turns OFF Intelligent Forms @CLS@ Clears LOCAL & REMOTE screens @TAB=#@ Sets TAB size. (DEFAULT=8) @LL=#@ Sets Line Limit for dynamic displays @RLL@ Resets Line Limit to Last Line Limit @DLL@ Resets Line Limit to Default Limit @FN=FILE.EXT@ Displays another FILE (FILE.EXT) @MEMO=#@ Sets # of QUICK VIEW memo lines @PAUSE@ Displays a pause prompt @NWL@ Sends a carriage return/line feed @NWL0@ No Newline sent at end of displays @NWL1@ Newline sent at end of displays @TITLEON@ Turn Title Bar on when adding @TITLEOFF@ Turn Title Bar off when adding @COLORON@ Turn ANSI COLOR on @COLOROFF@ Turn ANSI COLOR off @COLORTOG@ TOGGLES ANSI COLOR @RIPON@ Turn RIP GRAPHICS mode ON @RIPOFF@ Turn RIP GRAPHICS mode OFF @RIPTOG@ TOGGLES RIP GRAPHICS @RF0@ Disables displaying RIP FORM @RF1@ Enables displaying RIP FORM @APPENDON@ Turns on APPEND command @APPENDOFF@ Turns off APPEND command NOTE : When using ANSI editors DO NOT limit the line length or you may have unpredictable results as this tends to put ansi codes in the middle of atcodes embedded in your form design. If this happens MBACCESS can not interpet the atcode properly.