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Information about “ABSTRACT (LORAN LOCATOR NOW ON #1542)”
ABSTRACT is designed for cataloging and labeling photographs and other
similar items such as sound recordings, video tapes, motion pictures,
computer disks, paintings, etc. It can also be used for other database
applications such as addresses, suppliers, lists, etc.
Each photo/tape/disk is described in a record that has four sorting
fields and fits on a single line for easy printing and reviewing. The
four fields represent categories of your choice, such as roll number,
item number, frame number, name, description, date, subject matter,
etc. Records can be sorted, edited, searched, viewed, and printed as
reports, as well as labels to fit both slides and prints.
Each database holds 950 entries, but multiple databases can be joined
for searching. Pull-down menus and help screens lead you through every
option. Mouse compatible.
ABSTRACT.DOC
Abstract Documentation - Version 1.1 5/12/89
(c) 1988-89 Richard Lesnick
All rights reserved
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 13. Input
2. Program Distribution 14. Review
3. Disclaimer 15. Arrange
16. Output
4. Quick Start 17. Setup
5. Installation 18. Complete
6. Regular Start
7. Speech Output 19. Customizing
8. Program Overview 20. Program Design
9. Disk Files 21. Acknowledgments
22. Invoice
10. File #'s
11. Section Field
12. Description Fields 23. Index
1. INTRODUCTION
Abstract is for cataloging photographs and other similar
items such as sound recordings, video tapes, motion pictures,
computer disks, paintings, etc. It can also be used for other
database applications such as addresses, suppliers, lists, etc.
It is designed to be quick, easy and flexible. Each record
has four fields and fits on a single line for easy printing &
reviewing. As many lines as desired can be used for each item.
The goal has been to make the program as simple and self-
explanatory as possible while including the necessary features to
make it truly useful.
This is an example set of entries for photographs:
File # Section Description Desc. #
87-5 Plus-X 35mm 36 exp E.I. 64 1
87-5 Nikon F1 2
87-5 D-76 1:3 8 min 68% 3
87-5 5-14,17 Polarizing Filter 2
87-5 7-14 1/15 sec at f8 4
87-5 San Francisco 7
87-5 Early May 8
87-5 1-12 Golden Gate Bridge 6
87-5 8-14,16,19 Boats on the Bay 6
87-5 24-36 Golden Gate Park Arboretum 7
87-5 30,32-36 Paths in the fog 6
87-6 Kodachrome 64 135-36 1
87-6 Nikon F1, 35mm Nikkor 2
87-6 Coast views 6
87-6 5-12 1. The wind was blowing hard and it 9
87-6 5-12 2. sent streamers of spray off the 9
87-6 5-12 3. the top of each breaking wave. 9
In this example, the File # identifies the roll and the
Section refers to the frame number.
The program has special capabilities for handling frame
numbers which are explained below in 11. Section Field. The
technique for printing slide labels is described in 16. Output.
To use this system, each item (roll, disk, person, etc)
needs to have a File #. A name may serve as a File #. In the
case of photographs, this File # would be written on the negative
envelope (or slide) and also on the back of prints along with the
frame number.
Once the data is input it is easy to locate pictures or
groups of pictures. It is also easy and convenient to print all
or part of the file.
Use is essentially a three step process.
1. Data is entered.
2. Data is sorted.
3. Data is output.
2. PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION
The following 14 unmodified files should be included when
Abstract version 1.1 is distributed:
ABSTRACT.DOC - this documentation file
README - introduction
NEW.DOC - new features
ABSTR.EXE - the program
ABSTR.MNU - mouse menu file
ABSTR.DEF - mouse definition file
1_SAMPLE.DAT - sample photo data file
2_SAMPLE.DAT - sample address data file
T_ADDRS.DAT - sample address template file
T_ADDRS.ASC - sample ASCII text file
CRC.COM - CRC67 program
CRC.DOC - CRC documentation
CRCKLIST.CRC - CRC list
A.BAT - batch file for starting
The file ABSTR.INI is created by the program to store any
setup information selected by a user and should not be included
when the program is distributed.
Abstract version 1 is being distributed as Shareware and
only a reasonable distribution fee is permitted. All files
should be in their original unmodified form.
Initially I wrote this program in BASIC for my own use.
Over time I have evolved it and re-implemented it in Modula-2.
At some point along the way I thought it might be of interest to
others and have tried to put it together in a way that makes it
useful for more than just my particular needs.
I would appreciate suggestions and details of interesting
uses as well as feedback about any problems.
The distribution of Abstract is based on the concept of use
in the same way that the price of a photograph used for
commercial purposes is priced based on use.
The same photograph costs much more for use in LIFE magazine
than for the cover of a computer users group's newsletter.
This same approach makes sense to me for computer programs.
Before trying a program it is impossible to tell how useful it's
going to be for one's purposes. Once in use, it's value can vary
significantly.
Use of the program is free of charge to the following:
- Anyone trying it out.
- Anyone who has written programs that have been
released free of charge to the public domain.
Use by an individual: Use by an organization:
$ 15 - Light/Medium $ 25 - Light/Medium
25 - Substantial 50 - Substantial
Those registering will receive notice of new versions and
other useful information. This documentation is available on
audio cassette.
I would rather have people use, enjoy, and share Abstract
version 1 with others than refrain from using it because they
have not sent in a fee.
Custom versions of this program that accommodate different
file numbering systems, hardware, or specific configurations are
available by arrangement.
Please send correspondence to:
Richard Lesnick
P. O. Box 14633
S.F., CA 94114
For those who need an Invoice, one is included at the end of
this document (22. Invoice). Registration is required for any
Organization using this program. Site Licenses are available.
3. DISCLAIMER
Hopefully Abstract will be useful for its intended
purpose and its features will work as described, this however
is not guaranteed and there is no actual or implied warranty.
Luckily, Shareware programs like this can be tried out prior
to use to see if they meet one's needs.
4. QUICK START
Skip this section unless you're an experienced computer user
who wants the minimum amount of documentation.
The program is mostly self-explanatory. The Info/Help
screens contain most key information as well as the basics. They
can be accessed from most sections of the program and paged
through quickly with PgDn & PgUp.
For information on supported file labeling systems, refer
below to 10. FILE #'s.
When entering data, the File # and sometimes the Section
remain the same for a group of entries. For rapid input, Press
F9 to repeat the prior entry field and then F10 to move to the
next field. After editing an entry from Review, that entry
becomes the new prior entry.
Most sections of the program are reachable from the cursor
keypad. DEL is the same as ESC except while editing. Horizontal
menus are selectable with the Down Arrow. Vertical menus can be
exited with the Up Arrow. For (y/n) prompts, ENTER = y, DEL &
ESC = n.
Up to six entries, with !! for their File #, customize the
program for any data file that they are in. A data file with an
entry in it that has the File #: !!a, would automatically use an
ASCII sort when Arranging. Likewise for Standard and Method.
Refer to 15. Arrange.
File #: !! entries with Section fields that begin with
numbers, change the field name prompts (File #, Section, etc.)
when adding entries. The text "1. Last Name" - in the Section
field would replace "File # :" with "Last Name :" on the
screen. Make sure to number all of the File #: !! Section fields
to keep them in order after sorting. The change will only occur
if text follows the numbers.
File #: !! entries with Desc. #'s from 1 up to 6 change the
-= Description Numbers =- prompt. The description fields of
these entries will appear in place of the initial prompt.
All of the above customizing options fit into six entries.
Files that contain only these File #: !! entries make good
template files for starting similar data files. Refer to 19.
Customizing.
5. INSTALLATION
One disk drive, 256K of RAM memory and MS/PC-DOS 2.0 or
greater are needed. No special installation is necessary. The
program will make initial selections based on the hardware of the
computer it is running on. These default options can easily be
changed by choosing Setup at the main menu.
The program CRC version 6.71 is included for verifying that
all of Abstract's distribution files are intact. The README file
and the file CRCKLIST.CRC contain a list of the CRC values for
all of the files. The easiest way to check the files is to type:
A>CRC <press ENTER>
The remainder of this section contains instructions for
copying the program.
The first thing to do is make a copy of the computer disk
that this program came on. Place a write protect tab over the
notch on the disk to prevent accidental erasure. Place a
formatted disk into the B: drive and the original program disk
into the A: drive. To copy all of the files enter:
A>COPY A:*.* B: <Press ENTER>
The disk in the B: drive now contains a copy of the program.
This new disk has enough room on it for both the program and
the entered data. Alternately, this disk containing the program
can be placed in the A: drive and separate formatted data disks
placed in the B: drive. See 9. Disk Files and 17. Setup for ways
to specify B: as the logged drive.
For hard disk users, the recommended technique is to create
a new directory for the program on the hard disk and then copy to
that directory. The following makes the directory ABSTRACT on
the C drive and then copies all the files into it.
C>MD C:\ABSTRACT <Press ENTER>
C>CD C:\ABSTRACT "
C>COPY A:*.* C:\ABSTRACT "
There are other ways to accomplish this. Any directory name
is ok.
6. REGULAR START
This document file (that you are reading) describes how to
use Abstract.
To print this document, place the disk with this file on it
into the A: drive, make sure the printer is on with the paper set
and then from the A> prompt enter:
A>TYPE ABSTRACT.DOC >PRN <Press ENTER>
To start the program, first place a copy of the original
disk into the computer and then type:
A>ABSTR <Press ENTER>
If the program is on a hard disk, first change the directory
to the directory that ABSTR.EXE is in (CD directory_name).
It is ok to rename ABSTR.EXE provided the extension remains
.EXE (A.EXE).
Once the program is loaded into the computer's active
memory, it will prompt for a filename. At this point, do one of
the following:
- Press the ENTER key for a directory of data files
on the disk. Position the bar cursor over the
desired filename with the Arrow Keys or by typing
the first letter of the filename, and then press
ENTER.
- Type any filename of up to 8 characters and then
press the ENTER key. If this file exists on the
disk, it will be opened. If it isn't on the disk,
the program will ask whether or not to start one
with that name. Answer yes by typing the letter y
or by pressing ENTER.
- Type \ and then press ENTER to change the drive and
or directory for the program to look for files in.
To review the contents of a file quickly, select Review. Do
this from the main menu by using the left or right Arrow Keys to
position the block cursor over Review and then press ENTER or the
Down Arrow. Typing R or r also selects Review.
After selecting Review, use the same technique to select a
position within the file. The quickest are: Top, Middle or
Bottom. Then use the cursor keys (including Home, End, PageUp
and PageDown) to move within the file. To return to the main
menu, press ESC twice.
To enter data into the currently opened file, select Input
from the main menu and then select Add entries.
7. SPEECH OUTPUT
When Abstract is used with a speech output device and a
talking program, Full Sound should be turned on. This way,
Abstract beeps when it doesn't recognize a keystroke. Many
screen messages are also routed through DOS for immediate speech
output.
Full Sound is turned on from the main menu by typing the
letter "S" for Setup, followed by "S" for Sounds and then "F" for
Full Sound. The program will then ask at the lower left corner
of the screen: "Use these values (y/n)?" - respond by typing the
letter "y". The next prompt will be: "Write them to disk (y/n)?"
- once again type "y". From now on when Abstract is started it
will be in Full Sound.
The regular screen cursor is only used some of the time.
Some talking programs need to be set to recognize the hardware
cursor.
8. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The seven primary functions on the main menu are:
Input - New entries are added from the keyboard or
read from a disk file. - (13. Input)
Review - A quick way to view and modify the entries
in the current file. - (14. Review)
Arrange - Sort the current file. - (15. Arrange)
Output - Send all or part of one or many files to the
screen, disk or printer. - (16. Output)
Setup - Change the colors and sound or specify where
to find disk files. - (17. Setup)
Help - Information on how to use Abstract.
Complete - Update the disk files, exit the program or
open a new file. - (18. Complete)
Throughout the program:
Help - Help information is available by pressing
F1, or selecting Help, Info, or -=*=- from a
menu. Press ENTER, Page Down or Page Up for
more help.
Menus - Most parts of the program are accessed
through quick menus. Items are selected by:
- Using the cursor keys to highlight the
desired option and then pressing ENTER
(Return).
- Typing the first capitalized letter of an
option.
- Horizontal Menu items are selectable by
pressing the Down Arrow key.
- Vertical Menus can be exited by pressing
the Up Arrow. Exit areas of the program
by pressing ESC.
Yes/No - When prompted "(y/n)?" type:
Y, y or ENTER for yes.
N, n, ESC or DEL for no.
Mouse - The file ABSTR.MNU is included for use with
a mouse. A .MNU file is used with most
mice; please refer to the documentation that
came with the mouse for details. The left
button is ENTER. The right button is ESC.
The menus can be navigated from the cursor keypad. The Up
and Down cursor keys select and exit many of the menus. The
ENTER key is the same as Yes and the DEL (delete) key is the same
as ESC (escape) and No. The best way to get the feel for this is
to try moving around in the program by using the Arrow, DEL, and
ENTER keys.
9. DISK FILES
The program always has an active data file. To open a data
file, enter up to eight characters when prompted for a data file-
name to open. The filename extension will automatically be .DAT.
If the disk file already exists on the disk, it will be opened.
If it doesn't exist the program will prompt on whether to start a
new one.
To get a directory from the file prompt, press ENTER instead
of entering a filename.
A file will be loaded when the program is started if its
name is included on the DOS command line (A>abstr filename). The
extension is not necessary.
If you want to look for files on a different disk drive or
in a different directory, press \ and then ENTER. Now enter the
new drive and/or directory.
Directory - Display up to 60 files in the current directory
that have the specified extension. Items can be
selected by using the cursor keys to highlight
a file and then pressing ENTER.
Path - Specify a new disk drive by entering its
letter. Specify a new directory by entering
its entire path, include the drive if different
from the current one (a:\abstr\dat,
\abstr\dat).
Data files - Files with the extension DAT hold the data used
by the program. One is active at all times.
When the program starts it requests a filename
to start, or find. A .DAT file can also be
loaded when first calling the program by
entering its name after the program name (drive
& path are optional - extension will be .DAT).
Text files - Files with the extension .ASC are used for
importing & exporting data for use with other
programs. They are plain ASCII with 1 space
between each field and Carriage Return/Line
Feed's between records.
Each Data file holds up to 950 entries (58K). When a data
file approaches this size, start another one for new entries. To
divide an existing file, use Output-Some to write part of it to a
text file. Start a new data file and then read in this text file
with Input - Import a File.
Although data files are limited in size, Output's Multi
option accesses multiple data files as if they were one large
file. Refer to 16. Output for details on Multi.
Floppy Disks:
Leave 60K of free space on the data disks for backup files.
If a disk becomes full and the program is unable to write the
data to disk, the program will prompt for another disk. Simply
place a formatted disk with ample room on it into the same data
disk drive and try again.
10. FILE #'s
File Labeling Systems:
Many different File Labeling Systems are supported. The
important thing is to pick a system for each type of application
and then stick with it. There are three different sorting
options: ASCII, Standard & Method. To be effective with this
program a File Labeling System needs to work with one of these
sorting options.
Before selecting a system check the sorting section
(15. Arrange) to find out the other details of these different
systems.
There is no need to figure out all the different possible
systems. Standard is appropriate for sequential listings,
accession numbers and date oriented systems and will accommodate
many variations. Method supports an unconventional minimum size
date. ASCII provides extra flexibility as well as compatibility
with conventional computer sorting.
Standard uses '.' or '-' as a separator and right
justifies following sections to 4 spaces
when sorting. This means that numbers from
0 to 9999 will sort in correct order without
the need for preceding 0's, as long as the
number is preceded by a '.' or '-'.
This works for year-sequential numbers:
87-1 - For the first roll in 1987
87-2 - " " second " " "
87-134 - " " 134 th " " ", etc.
It also works well for subject filing:
P-351 - Portraits roll # 351
SF-25 - San Francisco roll # 25
Method uses a starting # if there are multiple
items on the same day, followed by a letter
code (which may specify the year) and a
month-day number. The month-day number is
designed to be as short as possible. For
January through October it is quite
conventional.
11 - Jan 1st
430 - April 30th
1012 - Oct 12th
November & December are less conventional:
01 for November and 02 for December
011 - Nov 1st
0217 - Dec 17th
Here is a way to use this method:
First select a year to begin with and call
it A. Lets say 1976 is A then:
M412 - would be 4/12/88
When there is more than one item (roll) on a
given day, begin with a number:
3L011 - 3rd roll on 11/1/87
ASCII uses any style desired and sorts in ASCII
order. This is the current way most
computer sorting is done. Sorting is by
position starting from the left. Results do
not always seem to make sense:
10 will come before 7 because in the first
position the 1 is less than the 7.
10
7
For this to come out differently the nine
would have to be preceded by a 0. (09). In
use the user must left pad with enough
zero's to match the maximum number of
expected digits. If 9999 is the highest
expected number then 1 should be written as
0001.
ASCII sorting can also be used for many
diverse applications, here is a quick sample
of an address file:
Last Name First Name Description Desc #
Newman Alfred Alfred E. Newman 0
Newman Alfred c/o Mad Magazine 1
Newman Alfred New York, NY 2
Newman Alfred magazine character 9
See 19. Customizing for how to change the on screen
-= Description Numbers =- and field name prompts to ones better
suited to this file.
The Last and First Names are repeated for each record. This
allows for any number of entries per item. The names only need
to be written out once and can subsequently be entered with F9.
11. SECTION FIELD
The contents of the Section field depends on the type of
data. Refer to 19. Customizing for details on changing the field
headings. Below are examples of possible File #'s and Sections:
File # Section
Photography Roll Frame
Computer Disk Disk Filename
Address Book Last name First Name
Audio Tape Tape Position
Phono Record Album Name Track
Frame #'s:
With the Standard & Method systems, there is a special
feature for frame numbers. For a range of frames, the program
knows that 5-8 includes 6 and 7. This simplifies Input and is
very useful when Outputting labels. To use this feature, observe
the following conventions when entering frame #'s into the
Section field.
To enter Frame #'s (-5 thru 50) into Section: Place a comma
or space between frames (1,2 or 1 2). Non numbers are ok (32A).
For a range of frames use a dash (12-25).
A blank Section field refers to the entire roll.
When Outputting labels the program needs to know the lowest
and highest frame # for a given File #. It will scan all the
entries with the same File # and select the lowest and highest
frame # it finds.
12. DESCRIPTION FIELDS
Enter into the Description Field the data to remember about
the item. The Description # field specifies what is described in
the Description field. Dividing the description into various
types allows for easy retrieval of data. The default description
categories are:
1 - Format 5 - Who
2 - Equipment 6 - What
3 - Processing 7 - Where
4 - Technical 8 - When
0 - File Data 9 - Misc.
These categories are useful for items such as photographs
and recordings. Ways to handle other types of items are
explained in 19. Customizing.
With the above categories, 0-4 pertain to the medium in use
and 5-9 pertain to the subject matter of the photograph
(recording, etc). These categories are designed to be as generic
as possible to allow their use on a wide variety of mediums. To
use other categories, please refer to 19. Customizing.
File Data (0) is intended as something of a miscellaneous
category for filing details. This field might refer to an
extended description of an item in a word processing document.
If the word processed document also included the same File #
along with the extended description, it would be easy to locate
by searching for that File #. File Data (0) could also be used
to note the location of the item being described.
Descriptions - To keep descriptions longer than one line in
order, start them with a sequential number and keep the other 3
fields the same.
87-3 2,5,8 1. Like this... 9
87-3 2,5,8 2. ...to here. 9
13. INPUT
Data is entered either from the keyboard or a text file.
Most of the time entries are input from the keyboard. As with
most word processors, the INS (Insert) key shifts the program
between insert and overwrite mode. To change a field once it is
full, either delete some characters (or spaces) and then add
more, or use overwrite mode.
Use the four Cursor (Arrow) keys and the Home & End keys to
position the cursor. For added convenience, the Tab, ENTER and
F10 keys all move the cursor to the next field. The four
function keys that affect individual fields are:
F7 - deletes the field the cursor is in.
F8 - undeletes the field the cursor is in.
F9 - repeats the same field from the prior entry.
F10 - move to the next field.
F5 - is a short cut key for jumping to Review.
When entering data, the File # and sometimes the Section
remain the same for a group of entries. Press F9 to repeat the
prior entry field and then F10 to move to the next field. After
editing an entry from Review, that entry becomes the new prior
entry.
To change an entry after is has been entered, choose Review
from the main menu. The most recent entries are at the bottom of
the file until it is sorted.
The other way to add entries is by reading in the type of
text file created by Output. This is convenient for making major
changes to a data file with a word processor or for making a
subset of an existing file.
Use Input - Import a file - to import the type of ASCII text
file (.ASC) created by Output back into a data file (.DAT). When
editing the text file, make sure to retain its line lengths and
column widths. An ASCII editor in overwrite mode does this quite
nicely. 20. Program Design has details on ASC files.
14. REVIEW
Review works hand-in-hand with Input. It provides a quick
and simple way to review the current file as well as change or
delete entries.
Start from the Top, Middle or Bottom of the data.
When Adding entries the most recent ones are at the bottom
until after Sorting.
Place - Enter all or part of a File # to go to.
Line - Enter line (record) # to go to. Line #'s are
shown at the second from bottom line on the right.
While Browsing:
Use the Cursor, Home, End, PgUp & PgDn keys for positioning.
F5 - is a short cut key for jumping to Input - Add entries.
For easier use with a mouse, the Left Arrow key is the same
as PgUp and the Right Arrow key is the same as PgDn.
There are markers at the left and right side of the screen
about half way up. These mark the active record (line) for
optional editing or modifying.
F7 - delete the active record
F8 - undelete the active record (prior to any motion)
To Modify the active record press ENTER. The cursor will
appear and the line can then be edited.
While Modifying:
F7 - delete field F8 - undelete field
F9 - repeat field F10 - move to next field
After editing a record, press F4 or press ENTER on the last
field to make the change or press ESC to leave the record
unchanged.
15. ARRANGE
Here is where the sorting takes place. It is recommended
that the data be sorted prior to Output or Exiting the program if
the data has been modified. The program will prompt about
sorting in these instances. If so, select the type of sort
desired for the file. Refer to 10. File #'s for sorting details.
To pre-define the sort to use with a specific data file, add
an entry to the file with a File # of !! followed by the desired
sort. Possible options are:
File # Sort
!!a - ASCII
!!ascii - ASCII
!!Standard - Standard
The -= Description Numbers =- prompt and the field names
prompt are also changed by adding entries with File # !!. If
this is desired, then refer above to 18. Customizing for details;
otherwise, make sure the Desc. # fields for this entry are left
blank.
ASCII
Sorts by File #, Section, Desc. #, then Desc.
Standard & Method
Sort in order by File #, Section, Desc. #, then Desc.
Within a group of File #'s:
Desc. #'s 0 - 4 precede Desc #'s 5 - 9.
16. OUTPUT
The data in a file can be output many ways. By responding
to a series of prompts and menus the specific type of output is
selected.
First choose:
All - The entire current file.
Some - Part of the current file.
Multi - Outputs from selected disk file(s). The
names of up to 60 data files in the current
directory appear on screen. Position the
block cursor over the files to use for the
report in the order desired and press ENTER.
If Some or Multi is selected, the next step is to determine
which records to output. This is done by filling in a series of
sample records with the desired values.
From, To - Limit the range of the report.
Match - Enter values to equal.
And, Or - Enter an additional set to match.
And - both sets of values must match, Or - either set.
From & To values are inclusive.
Case (upper-case or lower-case) is significant in From & To.
With Match & And/Or the program will ask whether or not to
consider the case.
With the Method numbering system a '*' followed by the
month-day as a File # will specify a date range - *5 will be
interpreted as May. Remember that with the Method system 01 is
November and 02 is December.
As the sample records are filled in, the current selections
are shown at the top of the screen. The program remembers prior
selections for ease of entry. When doing more than one report,
make sure that the top of the screen has only the desired values
for the current report.
The following are some sample criteria as they would appear,
along with a description of their effect.
File # Section Description Desc. #
From : 87-3 1
To : 87-8 4
Match :
And/Or :
This would output all records from 87-3 to 87-8 with
Description numbers 1 thru 4.
From :
To :
Match : 87-8 FOG
And/Or :
This would output all records that included 87-8 in
their File # and had the word FOG in their description.
From : 7
To : 9
Match : 87 Montana
And : streams
This one outputs records with Description #'s from 7 to
9, whose File #'s have 87 in them and Descriptions that
contain both Montana and streams.
The And criteria is most useful when entries are
grouped by File # or Section as described next.
The program will prompt for how to group the entries:
Entry - Individual entry lines that meet the
selected criteria are output. There is a
blank line between different File #'s, with
as many lines per screen or page as fit.
File # - All entry lines with the same File # are
regarded as a group. If any combination of
its lines meet the reports criteria then the
entire group is output. One group to a page
or screen.
Section - Entry lines with the same File # & Section
are a group. There are blank lines between
groups, with as many groups per page or
screen as fit.
Label - Similar to Section Output with a label
format and optional Frame # processing of
the Section field.
If Label is selected, the program will ask
if the Sections are Frame #'s. Refer to 11.
Section Field for details on Frame #'s. All
the Frame #'s for a particular File # are
Output together unless specific Frame #'s
are specified with From, To, Match, And/Or.
Labels:
Use pin feed 1 across labels (one column of labels wide).
The default label size is three lines.
For standard address labels of 3 1/2" x 15/16" select a
Label size of 5 lines.
For 35mm photographic slides, use 1 11/16" by 7/16" labels.
Choose Small print. Foil backed archival labels are available in
this size.
Regular commercial 2 3/4" by 7/16" labels are also useful
for slides. They are wider than a 35mm slide mount and need to
be trimmed or wrapped around to fit.
Small Print outputs compressed print at 8 lines to the inch
with standard Dot Matrix printers.
Now pick where to send the report:
Screen - The report is sent to the screen. It's a
good idea to preview reports that are going
to the printer or a file by sending them to
the screen first.
File - Use any filename. This format (with the
extension .ASC) can be read back into the
program with the Input - Import a File menu
option.
Printer - Report will go to the printer. Reports
format differently depending on whether they
are by Entry, File #, Section or Label. See
just above for details.
The following printing options are available:
Header text will print at the top of each page.
Page numbers are centered at the bottom of each page.
The program prompts about single sheet or form feed paper.
Press the Space Bar to pause while printing.
For other formatting options, Output to a File and then
print with any word processor that imports ASCII files.
17. SETUP
No setup is required. The program automatically adjusts to
the computer it is running on. Use Setup to change these initial
values if desired.
After setting new values in Setup, the program will prompt
whether to "Use these values?". Answer yes to try them, they
will be in effect until the program is exited or they are changed
again. Answer no to return to the values that were in effect
prior to selecting Setup.
Upon answering yes to use the values, the program will
prompt "Write them to disk?". Answer yes to have them stored in
the file "ABSTR.INI" and used from then on.
When the program is started it looks for "ABSTR.INI" in the
currently active directory. If it is found, the selected values
are read from the file and used. These options are easily
modified within the program. To return to the initial values,
just Delete the file "ABSTR.INI".
The Setup options are:
Path - Where the program initially looks for Data
files. If a Path is not set, the program
uses the drive and directory that the
program is started from.
Sounds - The options are:
- Silent
- No Beep: The only sound will be a short
one after sorting is finished.
- Full sound: Adds a beep tone. It also
sends certain screen messages through DOS
for speech output devices.
Colors - If the computer in use supports graphics
(either colors or shades of one color) then
these colors or shades can be adjusted.
The colors are adjusted with the cursor keypad. Make sure
that Num Lock is off. The Home key moves between the regular and
reverse group and the Up & Down Arrows move between categories.
The Left Arrow key rotates through the text colors and the Right
Arrow key rotates through the background colors.
The reverse color set is used for contrast.
As options are changed, the colors will change on the
screen. When finished press END or ESC.
Display - A graphics display adapter can be set to
Monochrome or Color. If snow appears on the
screen, select a No Snow option. This only
occurs with CGA adapters.
Other - The -= Description Numbers =- prompt, the
field names prompt, and an automatic sort
are definable for individual data files.
See 19. Customizing and 15. Arrange for
details.
18. COMPLETE
There are four options for updating the data file, exiting
the program or opening a new data file. As entries are added
they are stored in the computers RAM memory. When the power is
turned off they will be gone. It is therefore important to write
them to a disk file on a regular basis. This is done
automatically with all of the below options except "No update
exit". The files will only be written if the data has been added
to or changed.
Update & stay - Writes current data to disk. For periodic
use when adding data.
Exit & update - If data has changed during this session and
has not been sorted, the program will
prompt to sort and then write the data to
disk.
No update exit - Exit program without writing data to disk.
Open another - Open another file.
A backup copy is retained each time data is written to disk.
19. CUSTOMIZING
Certain modifications are possible on a file by file basis.
The text in the -= Description Numbers =- prompt box that appears
on screen when Adding entries, as well as the field name prompts,
can be changed. An auto-sort can also be specified.
When Abstract uses a data file, it looks for up to six
entries whose File #'s are !!. Exclamation points are used
because they sort (Arrange) to the beginning of the files.
If the !! is followed by an A, S or M then Abstract will
automatically Arrange with a ASCII, Standard or Method sort.
15. Arrange has more details on this.
The Section fields of these File #: !! entries control the
field name prompts.
File # Section Description Desc. #
!! 1. Last Name
!! 2. First Name
This example replaces the prompts "File #" with "Last Name"
and "Section" with "First Name" but leaves "Description" and
"Desc. #" unchanged as shown below.
File # : Last Name :
Section : First Name :
Description : Description :
Desc. # : Desc. # :
To change the -= Description Numbers =- prompt, use up to
six entries with the File #: !! and make their Desc. #'s from 1
up to 6. The Description fields of these entries will appear in
place of the initial -= Description Numbers =- prompt.
File # Section Description Desc. #
!!ascii 1. Last Name 0 - Name 5 - Work Phone 1
!!ascii 2. First Name 1 - Address 1 6 - Work Place 2
!!ascii 3. 2 - Address 2 7 - Memo 3
!!ascii 4. 3 - Address 3 4
!!ascii 5. 4 - Home Phone 5
This example sets the sort to ASCII, changes two field name
prompts and replaces the -= Description Numbers =- prompt.
When changing both sets of prompts, make sure to include the
numbers (1., 2., etc.) at the beginnings of all of the Section
fields of the File #: !! entries. As long as the remainder of
the Section field is blank, the screen prompt will remain the
same.
Templates:
Templates are files that contain only File # !! entries as
described just above. Templates make it very easy to start
additional files of the same type. Use DOS to copy the template
to the desired name for the new data file.
A>COPY RECORD.DAT RECORD87.DAT <Press ENTER>
This starts a new file RECORD87.DAT from the template file
RECORD.DAT. Enter data into RECORD87.DAT and retain RECORD.DAT
for starting the next file of it's type.
20. PROGRAM DESIGN
The program has been kept as straight forward as possible.
This makes use of the data very easy. Data & Text files include
only the standard ASCII printing characters (32 - 126 decimal).
There are no special headers, footers or formatting characters.
Data files start with the first record consisting of a 12
character field followed by ones of 14, 35 and then 1. All
unused places are spaces (ASCII 32). There are no field or
record separators. One record follows the next till the end of
the file which is a ^Z (ASCII 26).
Starting with version 1.1 the Data files first record is a
header. It is the same size as a regular record.
1 2 3 4 5 6
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012
{ Abstract }{version 1.1 }{ }}
ASCII text files are one record per 65 character line. Any
editor or word processor that has an ASCII mode (or that can
import & export ASCII) can be used with a Text file. There are
many reasons for doing this. First off, data from this program
can then be easily used in other documents or programs. Another
reason is for convenient substantial editing of a file, which
would then be imported back into the program. Files can be
printed using one's preferred word processor's formats.
Text files are one record per line with a space between each
field and a Carriage Return/Line Feed (ASCII 13/10) between each
record that has the same File # (first 12 characters field) and 2
CR/LF's between records with different File #'s.
1 2 3 4 5 6
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345
87CA-34 12 Park bench 6
87CA-34 2-24 Trees blowing in the wind 6
87SF-75 2,5,10 Street Car Festival 6
21. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to the other members of Modula-2 Users of the Bay
Area (M2UBA). Also to Amey Garber, Gerson Lesnick, Robert
Weinstein, Marty Isserlis, Paul Medina, Tom Karnes & Deena.
22. INVOICE
For those at organizations that need an invoice, the
following one is included. Refer to 2. Program Distribution
above for details.
This Invoice is easily printed by positioning it on the
computer screen and then holding down the Shift key and pressing
Print/Screen with the printer on.
Richard Lesnick INVOICE
P.O. Box 14633
San Francisco, CA 94114
Date: ___________________________
Invoice # (optional):____________
Registered by:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Permission is granted to the above for use of Abstract
version 1.1 on one computer for:
(please circle one)
Light usage within an organization $ 25.00
Substantial usage within an organization $ 50.00
23. INDEX (#'s refer to sections)
! E
!!, 4, 15, 19 Editing, 14
Entry, 16
A Exit & Update, 18
ABSTR.INI, 2, 17, 20
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, 21 F
Active record, 14 Field names, 19
Address, 2 File #, 16
All, 16 FILE #'s, 10
And, 16 File Data - Desc. #, 12
ARRANGE, 15 File Labeling Systems, 10
Arrow keys, 13 File report, 16
ASC files, 9 Filenames, 6, 9
ASCII files - tech., 20 Files, 9
ASCII sorting, 10, 15 Fixed disk, 5
ASCII text files, 9 Floppy disk, 9
Auto sorting, 15 Formatting, 16
Frame #'s, 11
B From, 16
Backup .BAK, 18 Function keys, 13, 14
Beep, 17
Browsing, 14 H
Hard disk, 5
C Hardware, 5
Case sensitive, 16 Header, 16
Categories, 12 Help, 8
Change directory, 9
Color, 17 I
Color display, 17 Import a File, 13
Command line, 9 Info, 8
COMPLETE, 18 INPUT, 13
Compressed print, 16 Insert, 13
Computer, 5 INSTALLATION, 5
Configuration, 17 INTRODUCTION, 1
CONTENTS, 1 INVOICE, 22
Copying, 5
CRC, 5 K
Cursor keys, 13 Keyboard, 13
CUSTOMIZING, 19
L
D Label, 16
DAT files - tech, 20 Labeling systems, 10
Data files, 9 Labels, 11, 16
Data path, 17 Line, 14
Default Desc. #'s, 12
Description #'s, 12, 15 M
DESCRIPTION FIELDS, 12 Match, 16
Directory, 9 Memory, 18
DISCLAIMER, 3 Menus, 8
DISK FILES, 9 Method, 15, 16
Display, 17 Method sorting, 10, 11
Display - tech, 20 Modifying, 14
DISTRIBUTION, 2 Monochrome, 17
Mouse, 8, 14
Multi, 16 U
Update & Stay, 18
N
No Update Exit, 18 W
Word processor, 12, 16
O
Open Another, 18 Y
Or, 16 Yes/No, 8
OUTPUT, 16
P
Page #'s, 16
Path, 9, 17
Place, 14
Printer, 16
PROGRAM DESIGN, 20
Program files, 2
PROGRAM OVERVIEW, 8
Prompts, 19
Q
QUICK START, 4
R
Registration, 2
REGULAR START, 6
Repeat, 13
Reports, 16
Review, 6, 13, 14
S
Saving, 18
Screen colors, 17
Screen prompt, 12
Screen report, 16
Section, 16
SECTION FIELD, 11
SETUP, 17
Sheet feed, 16
Slide labels, 16
Small print, 16
Some, 16
Sorting, 15
Sounds, 17
SPEECH OUTPUT, 7
Standard, 15
Standard sorting, 10, 11
T
Talking Programs, 7
Technical details, 20
Templates, 19
Text files, 9
To, 16 (#'s refer to sections)
FILE1300.TXT
Disk No: 1300
Disk Title: Abstract
PC-SIG Version: S1.3
Program Title: Abstract
Author Version: 1.1
Author Registration: $15.00 to $50.00
Special Requirements: Dot matrix printer.
ABSTRACT is designed for cataloging and labeling photographs and other
similar items such as sound recordings, video tapes, motion pictures,
computer disks, paintings, etc. It can also be used for other database
applications such as addresses, suppliers, lists, etc.
Each photo/tape/disk is described in a record that has four sorting
fields and fits on a single line for easy printing and reviewing. The
four fields represent categories of your choice, such as roll number,
item number, frame number, name, description, date, subject matter,
etc. Records can be sorted, edited, searched, viewed, and printed as
reports, as well as labels to fit both slides and prints.
Each database holds 950 entries, but multiple databases can be joined
for searching. Pull-down menus and help screens lead you through every
option. Mouse compatible.
File Descriptions:
ABSTR DEF Mouse definition file.
ABSTR EXE Main program.
ABSTR MNU Mouse menu file.
ABSTRACT DOC Documentation.
CRC DOC Manual for CRC.EXE.
CRC EXE CYCLIC-REDUNDANCY-CHECK program.
CRCKLIST CRC Text file.
DEFAULTS Default constants.
DETAIL DAT Data file.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale, Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1988,89 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk No 1300 ABSTRACT >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To print the documentation, type: MANUAL (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To run the program ABSTRACT, type: ABSTR (press enter) ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
NEW.DOC
NEW.DOC Abstract version 1.1 5/10/89
Abstract continues to evolve. Most of the changes from earlier
versions are minor and self explanatory, such as alphabetically
sorted directories. There is one area of change worth noting
for users of Abstract prior to version 1.1.
File handling is slightly different. ASCII text files used to
have the extension TXT. They now have the extension ASC. To
use earlier TXT files with version 1.1, simply rename their
extensions to ASC:
C:> RENAME SAMPLE.TXT SAMPLE.ASC
Data files now include a header. If you try to open a file
with the extension DAT that isn't an Abstract data file, the
program will prompt:
The selected file is not a current Abstract file.
Open it anyway (y/n)?
If the file is from an earlier version of Abstract, type y to
open it anyway. At this point, the file will not be changed.
To verify that this is an Abstract data file, use Review.
If the file is modified by adding new entries, editing any
entries or sorting; then when it is written to disk, it will be
in the new data file format. For more details about the
header, please refer to the Program Design section of
ABSTRACT.DOC.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1300
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
1_SAMPLE DAT 1861 5-10-89 2:16p
2_SAMPLE DAT 2171 5-10-89 2:16p
A BAT 8 5-10-89 8:23p
ABSTR DEF 557 12-27-87 9:43p
ABSTR EXE 101019 5-10-89 8:43a
ABSTR MNU 210 12-27-87 9:43p
ABSTRACT DOC 57169 5-12-89 9:19a
FILE1300 TXT 1485 9-28-89 9:35a
GO BAT 38 10-19-87 3:56p
GO TXT 540 9-28-89 9:16a
MANUAL BAT 164 9-21-89 9:38a
NEW DOC 1337 5-10-89 9:02p
README 1191 5-12-89 9:20a
T_ADDRS ASC 336 5-10-89 2:17p
T_ADDRS DAT 373 5-10-89 2:17p
15 file(s) 168459 bytes
144384 bytes free