Contents
iSBiSTER International, Inc.

1111 Beltline Road, Suite 204, Garland TX 75040

       InfoTree v2.2 Help File

Introduction to InfoTree

InfoTree's Two Major Screens

InfoTree's Other Screens

Typical Applications of InfoTree

Creating Folders and Notes

Creating and Linking Keywords/Keyphrases

Using InfoTree's Built-In Text Editor

Fonts

Character Styles ... Bold, Italics, StrikeThru, Underline

Paragraph Alignment

Copy, Cut and Paste

Find, FindNext and Replace

Searching for Folders and Notes

Text Search

Key Search

Browse

Printing and Other Special Functions

      Viewing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

      Printing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

      Updating Your Folders and Notes

      Deleting Your Folders and Notes

      Moving Folders and Notes

      Reversing Folders and Notes Designations

      Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes

      Activating Associated Documents

      Configuring InfoTree's Main Screen

      Configuring InfoTree's Text Editor

      Configuring Your Tree-Database Sort Logic

      Creating Additional Notes Databases

      Opening (Switching To) Other Notes Databases

      Exporting and Importing Notes Between InfoTree Databases

      Implementing Shared (Networked) Access

      Backup/Restore Your Database

      Synchronization of YourTree-Database


Introduction
Introduction to InfoTree

InfoTree provides for the storage and retrieval of "freeform" notes.  Notes can be added, updated and/or deleted within one or more Notes Databases.

Each notes record has a title.  This title is displayed on the main screen of InfoTree so that you can browse for your records. Records may also be found by searching for text strings within the notes and/or titles. You can also define keywords/keyphrases and associate them with records for later searching and retrieval.  Records can also have document files associated with them.

There are two levels of records ... Folders and Notes ... thus allowing for a structured view of your information.  This structured view will also be referred to as the 'Tree'.

The remaining topics  will guide you through the features and benefits of InfoTree.


Major Screens
InfoTree's Two Major Screens

InfoTree uses two major screens to provide you with its functionality ...

The Main Screen ...  this is the first screen you see when InfoTree starts. This screen provides you with the structured view of your folders and notes.  From here you add new folders and/or notes.  You can also browse your records and access them by clicking on the folder/note title.  The contents of the accessed record will be displayed in the Editor section of this screen.  You can use all of the Editor's functionality at this point.

The Search Screen ... this screen is used to perform searches in the notes database.  You can perform 'text string' searches, keyword/keyphrase searches and title browses.  The results of your search (folder/note records satisfying the search criteria) are displayed in a list box on the left side of this screen.  The records can be accessed by clicking on the folder/note title.  The contents of the accessed record will be displayed in the Editor section of this screen.  You can use all of the Editor's functionality at this point.


Other Screens
InfoTree's Other Screens

InfoTree also uses several minor screens to complete its functionality ...

Text String Search Screen ... initiates text string searches from within

                                                     other InfoTree screens.

Keyword/Keyphrase Search Screen ...  initiates keyvalue searches from

                                                                      within InfoTree's  Search Screen.

Keyword/Keyphrase Creation/Selection Screen ... used to define your

                                                                                        keyvalues and assign

                                                                                        them to specific notes.

Document Association Screen ... used to associate documents and

                                                           their required  processors to specific notes.

Print Parameters Screen ... used to specify pages layout and print ranges.

New Notes Database Screen ... used to define the location and identification

                                                         of a new database.

Open Notes Database Screen ... used to view a list of available Notes

                                                           Databases and select the one to which

                                                           you wish to switch.


Typical Appl
Typical Applications of InfoTree

InfoTree lends itself to many uses ... here are some examples.

Freeform information storage and retrieval ...

Recipes

Home inventory

Projects

Knowledge Base

Frontend to existing documents ...

Document manager for DOS files

Research

Legal Library

Combinations ...

Consulting engagements

Court cases

Software development and support


Creating Folders and Notes

The creation of Folders and Notes is initiated on InfoTree's Main Screen.

After positioning yourself in the Tree, simply click on the appropriate button (Create New Folder or Create New Note) to invoke the creation process.  InfoTree will then present you with a panel to enter the title of the Folder/Note.  After entry of the title you will be positioned in the Editor so that you can immediately enter the text for the new Folder/Note.

While entering the text for the Folder/Note, you can use all of the features of the Editor (i.e., fonts, bold, italic, underline, strikethru, color and paragraph alignment).

You can also immediately define and/or select keywords/keyphrases to be linked to this new Folder/Note.

InfoTree allows you to define your own keyvalues and use them to tag the note record for later retrieval.  These keywords/keyphrases are automatically stored in a database for you.

The keyvalues to linked to each note record can be created new or selected from the database of previously defined keyvalues.

You can link any number of keyvalues to each note record.

See the Topic:   Key Search

You may also choose to immediately associate this Folder/Note with existing documents.

InfoTree allows you to browse you system/network for existing documents (word processor files, spreedsheets, etc.) and associate them with your note record.  InfoTree also stores the name and location of the document processor required to access the document within its database.  You provide a description for this association that InfoTree uses to allow you to activate the document at a later time.

See the topic Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes .


Keywords/Keyphrases
Creating and Linking Keywords/Keyphrases

InfoTree allows you to define your own keyvalues and use them to tag the note record for later retrieval.  These keywords/keyphrases are automatically stored in a database for you.

The keyvalues to linked to each note record can be created new or selected from the database of previously defined keyvalues.

You can link any number of keyvalues to each note record.

(See the Topic:   Key Search)


Using the Text Editor
Using InfoTree's Built-In Text Editor

InfoTree has a built-in Editor which can be accessed from within its two major screens.

You can control the following items relative to the text entered for each note.

Fonts ...	 select font name, style and size.

Style ...  Bold,Italics,StrikeThru,Underline.

Colors ...	 set selected text to one of sixteen (16) colors.

Paragraph alignment ... align selected paragraph left, right, center

                                                                 and left/right justified.

Copy, Cut, Paste ...   copy selected text to the clipboard,

                                                        cut selected text from the note, and

                                                         paste text from the clipboard to the

                                                         current cursor position.

Find, FindNext, Replace ... finds first/next occurrence of a text

                                                                   string and/or replaces the found string

                                                                   with a new string.

You activate these functions by selecting from the Editor Menu.  You can also activate many of these functions using tabs availabe within the Editor.  The Editor screen must be in its expanded mode to provide access to these tabs.  Double clicking within the Editor text area invokes the expanded mode ... the [F6] key can also be used to expand/collapse the Editor text area.


Fonts

InfoTree allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the fonts provided by your system.

A complete dialog box is displayed so that you can specify the font name, style and size,  and color.  These font choices are stored with the text and are accurately reflected in printouts.


Styles
Character Styles

InfoTree allows you to select any portion of your text and then choose any of the text highlights    .... Bold,      Italics,     StrikeThru    and    Underline.

These highlights are also selected while in the Fonts dialog box.

These highlights are stored with the text and are accurately reflected in printouts.


Colors
Font Colors

InfoTree provides for the following sixteen (16) colors for fonts.

Black	Maroon

Green	Olive

Navy	Purple

Teal	Gray

                  Silver                          Red

                  Lime                            Yellow

                  Blue                             Fuchsia

                  Aqua                            White


Paragraph Alignment

InfoTree allows you to control the alignment of each individual paragraph of text.

Paragraphs can be alignedLEFT ...

                                                                           Paragraphs can be aligned RIGHT ...

                                      Paragraphs can be  CENTERED

Paragraphs can also be justified on the left and right to provide blocking.

InfoTree also allows you to move your left and right margins in  or out  and you can also increase  or decrease  line spacing within individual paragraphs.


Copy, Cut, Paste
Copy, Cut and Paste

InfoTree allows you to take advantage of the Windows Clipboard.

Copy ...

You can select portions (or all) of your text and then copy it to the windows clipboard.

Cut ...

In addition to copying the selected text and its specifications to the clipboard, Cut also removes the selected text from your information.

Paste ...

Places clipboard text in your information at the current cursor position.


Find, FindNext, Replace
Find, FindNext and Replace

InfoTree allows you to search for and/or replace text strings within your notes details.

Find searches for the first occurrence of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.

Find Next searches for the next occurrence of your specified string, starting from the position of the last occurrence.

Replace searches for the first occurrence of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes details.  If and when the string is found you are allowed to confirm the replacement of the found string with the replacement string you specified.  You can also choose to skip this occurrence.  InfoTree then moves on to the next occurrence of the search string and allows you to replace or skip it.  This continues until all occurrences are found or until you cancel out of the replace activity.


Searching
Searching for Folders and Notes

InfoTree offer three major ways to search for your Folders and/or Notes records.

Text Search ....

Keyword/Keyphrase Search ...

Browse ...

Each of these topics are covered in detail ... see the appropriate topic !


Text Search

InfoTree allows you to search for text strings within your notes titles and/or details.

The text search capability can be initiated while in InfoTree's Main Screen or while in InfoTree's Search Screen.

This function searches for occurrences of your specified string, starting from the top of your notes database.  You can search titles only, text only or both.

If you are in the Main Screen, InfoTree will position you, within the Tree, at the title of the first note record that satisfies the search.

If you are in the Search Screen, InfoTree will display the titles of all note records that satisfy the search.


Key Search

While you are in the Search Screen, you can initiate a Key Search.

The Keyword/Keyphrase Search Screen will allow you to structure a search of the entire notes database using the keyvalues that were linked to your notes records.

You can build a list of keyvalues that COULD BE linked to notes.  These are handled as follows ... a note record that is linked to ANY of these keyvalues will satisfy the search.

You can build a list of keyvalues that MUST BE linked to notes.  These are handled as follows ... a note record that is linked to ALL of these keyvalues will satisfy the search.

You can also used both lists. In this case, a note record has to satisfy the MUST BE condition before it can be considered for the COULD BE condition.


Browse

InfoTree allows you to browse your notes titles.

The text browse capability can be initiated while in InfoTree's Main Screen or while in InfoTree's Search Screen.  Browsing is a manual, eye-sight activity.

On the Main Screen, you can use your mouse and/or keystrokes to navigate the structured view of your note titles.  You can expand/collapse the structured view to expose/hide additional folders and note titles.

On the Search Screen, you click on the Enable Browse button and all note titles are laoded into a list box for your browsing.  This list is sorted by note title.

The contents of any selected Folder/Note will be displayed with the Editor section of the screen.


Printing and Other Special Functions

InfoTree provides full printing capabilities.

You have control over the page layout and other print parameters.

InfoTree also provides many Special Functions that allow you to maintain your notes database(s) and its structured view (Tree).

             Viewing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

             Printing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

             Updating Your Folders and Notes

             Deleting Your Folders and Notes

             Moving Folders and Notes

             Reversing Folders and Notes Designations

             Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes

             Activating Associated Documents

             Configuring InfoTree's Main Screen

             Configuring InfoTree's Text Editor

             Configuring Your Tree-Database Sort Logic

             Creating Additional Notes Databases

             Opening (Switching To) Other Notes Databases

             Exporting and Importing Notes Between InfoTree Databases

             Implementing Shared (Networked) Access

             Backup/Restore Your Database

             Synchronization of YourTree-Database


Printing your Notes
Printing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

InfoTree provides for very flexable printing of your Folders/Notes text.

Printing is initiated from either of InfoTree's two major screens.  Simply click on the Print Folder/Note Text button or use the File Menu to access the printing functionality.

InfoTree allows you to specify printing options and page layout parameters.  This is initiated under the File Menu.


Updating Folders and Notes
Updating your Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to update, edit and add-on to the contents of the text associated with any of your Folders and/or Notes.

Single click on the Folder/Note of your choice (in the structured view or in the list resulting from a search) and  InfoTree will then display the contents in the Editor section of the screen.  This allows you to view and/or make extensive changes to the contents. You can also print the contents at this point.  You can also add and/or delete keys to the folder/note. You can also associate existing documents with the folder/note.

After your changes have been made, you should click on the Save Edits button.  This will store your edits in the database.  If you forget to do this, InfoTree will prompt you and ask if you wish to save your edits.


Deleting Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to delete any of your Folders and/or Notes.

Folders and/or Notes can be deleted only from the Main Screen.

Simply click on the title of the Folder/Note within the Tree and then press the [Delete] key.


Moving Folders and Notes

From time to time, you may wish to move Folders and/or Notes records within InfoTree's structured view (Tree).

A movement is initiated from the Main Screen.  Select Move Folder/Note from the Tree Menu and InfoTree will display a panel with more instructions.  Now click on the Folder, under which you wish to move the previously selected Folder/Note, and then click on the [ Move ] button.

A shortcut method is also available.  Click on the item to be moved and then click it again with the [Right] mouse button.  This initiates the move operation.  Now click ( [Left] mouse button ) on the Folder under which you wish to move the selected item.  This combination of [Right] and [Left] mouse buttons provides for a fast, efficient MOVE operation.


Reversing
Reversing Folders and Notes Designations

InfoTree allows you to reverse the designation of Folders and Notes.

Folders can be changed to Notes ... and ... Notes can be changed to Folders.

This function is initiated from within the Main Screen by choosing Reverse under the Tree Menu.

Note: Folders must be empty in order to be reversed.


Associating Documents
Associating Documents With Your Folders and Notes

InfoTree allows you to associate existing document files with any of your Folders/Notes Records.

This assocation is initiated by clicking on the [Associated Docs.] button in either of InfoTree's major screens.  InfoTree then displays a panel within which it lists (if any) the documents that are associated with the selected note.  To add and/or modify an association, click on the appropriate button within this panel.

InfoTree will then display a screen that allows you to identify the associated document with a string of text and specifiy the exact document file name and location.  You also specify an existing program (document processor) on your system that will be used to activate the document.  You can use the Browse [ ... ] feature to locate the document file and its processor.   InfoTree tries to provide you with the appropriate document processor based on the file type.  You can also override this information as you desire.

Documents can be word processor files, spreadsheet files or any other file to be processed.


Activating Documents
Activating Associated Documents

InfoTree allows you to select an associated document and activate its required processor (the program that you use to work on the document).

While you are in either of InfoTree's major screens, simply click on the [Associated Docs.] button.  InfoTree will then display a panel within which it lists (in any) the documents that are associated with the selected note.

Simply double click on the desired document within this list and InfoTree will activate it for you.


Creating Notes Databases
Creating Additional Notes Databases

InfoTree allows you to create and maintain any number of Notes Databases!

Each Notes Database resides in a seperate DOS directory.  The introductory information, including this text, is within a Notes Database within the DOS directory in which you installed InfoTree.

You can create additional databases under other DOS directories. Select New Database under the File Menu on the Main Screen.  InfoTree will display the New Notes Database Screen that will coach you through the database creation process.  After the creation of the database, InfoTree will automatically switch you to the newly created (empty) database and you can begin work.


Opening Notes Databases
Opening (Switching to) Other Notes Databases

InfoTree provides an easy vehicle whereby you can switch from your currently open notes database to any of your other notes databases.

InfoTree creates and maintains tabs (below the Tree/Editor in the main screen) that identify each of the databases you have defined.  Simply click on the tab of your choice to switch to that database.


Shared Access
Implementing Shared (Networked) Access

InfoTree provides for the use of passwords to help you implement shared (networked) access to your database(s).

Four levels of access are provided:

       Exclusive Access ... provides private access so that you can perform

         critical functions such as backup/recovery and

                                             password maintenance.

       Modify Access ...     provides access to all of the information creation functions

 	        conurrent with other users at lower levels of access.

       Update Access ...   allows concurrent access to the text of your notes.

       Content may be changed; however, the structure of

                                           the database cannot.

       Read Only Access ... allows concurrent viewing access to the text of

                                               your notes.

You must supply a password for each of these access levels.   While passwords are present, one's access to the database is determined by the password supplied at the time the database is opened.  If no valid password is supplied, access is denied.

To enable shared (networked) access click on Enable under Shared Access under Options under the File Menu.  This enables the Password menu option which allows you to create and/or maintain your access level passwords.


Backup/Restore
Backup and Restore Your Database

InfoTree provides a feature for backing up your database to a floppy diskette and/or another DOS directory on your system disc.

InfoTree also provides a feature that allows you to restore your database from a floppy diskette and/or another DOS directory on your system disc.

These features are initiated by selecting Backup and/or Restore under the File Menu.

These also allow for quick movement of a database to and/or from your system to another system.


Main Screen Configuration
Configuring Your Main Screen and Structured View

You can configure your structured view of InfoTree Folders and Notes as follows:

* Specify your desired background color.

The background for the structured view can be changed to the color of your choice. Your latest background color choice is saved on your system disc and restored each time InfoTree is started.

* Specify your desired font including the style and size.

The descriptive text in your structured view can be changed to any font presently on your system.  Your latest font specifications are saved on your system disc and restored each time InfoTree is started.

These functions are available under the Options menu under the File Menu on the Main Screen.

You can change the main screen configuration as follows:

* Specify screen size and location.

By using your mouse, you can drag the screen boundaries to create the size screen you desire.  You can also drag the screen's title bar to change the screen's location.  This allows you to best utilize your monitor's image space.  Your latest screen size and location is saved on your system disc and restored each time InfoTree is started.


Viewing Contents
Viewing The Contents of Your Folders and Notes

InfoTree inherently displays the contents of Folders and/or Notes as you access the records within the database.  On each of its two major screens, InfoTree provides an Editor section within which it displays the contents of the selected Folder/Note record.


Quick View Screen
Editor Section of InfoTree's Screens

InfoTree inherently displays the contents of Folders and/or Notes within the Editor section of its two major screens.

The 'Editor Section' is actually a part of the Main Screen and/or Search Results Screen of InfoTree.  This part of the screen can be sized by sliding the "Splitter Bar" left or right.  The "Splitter Bar" is a vertical bar between the Tree and the Editor Section.  Thus, you can balance the use of the screen real estate for use by the Tree and your Editor Section.

You can also configure the Editor Section to best suit you needs.  You can set a default font to be used by the Editor (i.e., name, size, color, style, etc.).  You can also choose a background color for the Editor Section of the screen.  These choices are stored by InfoTree and used when the program is restarted.

These functions are available under the Options menu under the File Menu on the Main Screen.

While you are in the Editor Section, you can make full use of InfoTree's text editor to update the contents of the selected folder/note.


Synchronization
Synchronization of your Structured View and your Notes Database

InfoTree maintains the synchronization of your Tree and your Notes Database. This synchronization is required to ensure that your database can be used to correctly rebuild your structured view.

InfoTree always performs this synchronization when the data base is closed (provided there were structural changes made to the Tree).

In addition, InfoTree will perfrom this synchronization automatically after every 'N' changes to the Tree.  You can set the value of 'N' using the Synchronization option under the File menu.  Setting this value to zero (0) instructs InfoTree to wait until database closure to perform the synchronization.


Export/Import
Exporting and Importing Notes Between InfoTree Databases

InfoTree allows you to export note records from its current database to an intermediate file anywhere on your system and/or network.  This file is specifically formatted by InfoTree and should not be accessed by other software tools.  InfoTree allows you to browse your system/network to specify the location and name of the target file.  If you choose an existing file, it will be overwritten.

You can export any folder and/or note from the current database to this intermediate file.  If your choose a folder that contains other folders and/or notes, InfoTree will ask you to confirm that it should export all of these records.

InfoTree also allows you to import the records from this intermediate file into its current database (switch to the target database).  First, you must click on the Folder under which you wish to add the records and then initiate the import.  InfoTree will allow you to browse your system/network for the file containing the records to be imported.

Export/Import functionality is found under the Tree Menu.


Config Tree-Database
Configuring Your Tree-Database Sort Logic

InfoTree allows you to create and maintain a Tree representation of your notes database.  The Folders/Notes added to this Tree can be maintained in alphabetical order (based on the title of the folder/note) or they can be maintained in the order in which they were added.

To specify the logic of your choice, choose the appropriate option under the Tree Menu.  InfoTree's default logic is to NOT SORT by title.

This decision should be made before records are added to a new database.  If you switch from a non sorted tree logic to SORTED, only the new records will be affected.