Introduction
Introduction to A-Book® by Thomas Burker

A-Book® is a personal address book written for Windows 95.  It combines a full  featured address book complete with many data entry fields, a very fast search engine, automatic birthday and anniversary reminders, comment text enter box with word wrap and more.

Sort your contacts by friends, family or business with point and click quick-lists!

How Do I?

Enter My First Record

Enter a New Record

Edit an Existing Record

Search or Find Records

Give Me Info On:

About A-Book®

A-Book Database Structure

Icons and Other Gadget Functions

General Data Entry

Calendar Gadget

Birthday and Anniversary Reminders

Registration

My Beta Team


Database Structure
A-Book Database Structure

A-Book utilizes a random access file structure which will be created the first time you run the program.  It will be named ABOOK.DAT.  Random access file  structures provide the user with very fast search capabilities, even with a large number of records.  This file is binary!  Attempting to load it into a text editor might cause damage.

A-Book® does not make backups of the ABOOK.DAT file, so it is good practice to make safety backups on a regular basis depending on how much activity you have.  Future versions of A-Book® will have backup options.


Your First Record

A-Book® makes it easy to get started! :

You will notice that all icons are disabled until you enter your first record. After doing this (the minimum requirement is the First and Last Name), the icons will be active and Viewing Record #1 should be visible in the lower right hand corner of the screen.

The save function can also be selected from the pulldown menu under Record.


Entering a New Record
Your New Record

Click on the New Record icon just to the left of the Save icon or select it from the pulldown menu.  You will get a notice in the lower right corner of the main screen that you are viewing an UNSAVED record #.  This now means that you are ready to enter new data.

Remember, you must save this record after you are done to add it to your database.  If you change your mind before saving, click on the first record gadget or select first record from the pulldown menu and it is like nothing ever happened.


Editing an Existing Record
If you need to make changes to an existing record, simply click into the text box and make the necessary changes.  If you hear a "beep" and you cannot seem to enter the data you need, simply place your cursor to the far left and press the DEL key to erase any possible invisible characters.

Remember to select the SAVE button to save the changes or select the save function from the pulldown menu.


Screen Icon Function
Screen Icon and Gadget Functions

Click on [image] to enter a new record.

Click on [image] to save (new/edited) record displayed.

Click on [image] to control database access.

Click on [image] to list all home phone numbers.

Click on [image] to list all fax numbers.

Click on [image] to list all birthday reminders.

Click on [image] to list all anniversaries.

You must select one of these before you save your record!

Use this option gadget to filter records in quick-pick!

Remember, the icons are not active (with the exception of the Save Icon), until you save your first record.


Calendar Function
Calendar Gadget Functions

Select the popup calendar gadget by clicking on the description button left of the birthday and anniversary fields.  A small popup calendar will appear,  allowing you to select a date for that field.

If you change your mind, simply select No Date.

The arrow and scroll gadget is a handy way to move through the calendar.  If you click on the left or right arrow gadget, the calendar will advance or decline one month.  If you click to the left or the right of the drag button, the calendar will advance or decline one year.


Entering Data
Entering Record Data

The cursor is placed into the First Name entry box by default.  It has been stated that you must enter at least the first and last name of the person in order to save the record.

Be reminded that all fields are programmed with fixed lengths.  Each text input gadget will beep if you try to exceed the maximum length.  Here is the length of each field:

First Name - 15

Last Name - 20

Street 1 - 25

Street 2 - 25

City - 25

State - 2

Zip - 10

Home Phone - 14

Work Phone - 26

Cellular Phone - 26

Fax Phone - 14

Birthday - 8

Anniversary - 8

Pager - 26

Comments - 400

After data is entered, you may do one of the following to get to the next data field:

1. Press the TAB key.

2. Press the ENTER key.

3. Click into the next field with your mouse.

The birthday and anniversary text boxes also offer a popup calendar for your convenience.  Launch this calendar by clicking on the description box to the left of the text field.  You may also simply enter the date in the format MM/DD. There is no need to enter the year. If you click on the popup calendar and decide not to use it, simply click on the no change button to exit.


Event Reminders
Using the Reminder Feature

You can easily check to see if you have people in the database with upcoming birthdays, and anniversaries. Click on the appropriate quick-list icon to create a list of events and the respective dates.  If you have a date set for that person and the date is within 7 days, the quick-list will notify you to send a card!

You may also choose these features from the pulldown menu.


Search Procedure
Using the Quick-Pick list for Searching

Once you click on the Quick-Pick list icon or select it from the pulldown menu, you can then scroll through the list of alphabetized names for the record you would like displayed. Clicking on the name of your choice will immediately display the corresponding record.

By using the Quick-Pick option buttons, you can filter your Quick-Pick display.  Select Friend, Family, Business or All.


Registering your software
Registering Your Copy of A-Book®tm

While most of the features of A-Book® are not in any way limited, registration will provide some additional features as well as automatic notification of any future updates.  Base registration is only $10.00.

You can download the registration form for all TomTron® Software directly from my website. or email me for further information.  The program utilizes a registration .KEY file that unlocks all software features and is good for all future releases.

The unregistered version of A-Book® does not expire, nor does it limit the number of records that can be saved.  Your database is limited only by the size of your hard disk!

There are some features disabled in the unregistered version, such as the print functions, so won't you register today?.


http://www.ncweb.com/biz/tomtron


A-Book is written by Thomas Burker Sr.

Specifically for the Windows95 operating environment

Recommended minimum system is:

486 processor

8 MB ram

Hard drive

Laser or inkjet printer


tomtron@ncweb.com


A-Book Beta Test Team
The TomTron® A-Book®tm Beta Test Team

Thomas W. Burker Jr.

Douglas Southworth

Carlos Chian

William Krysiak