Help Contents

How To

Viewing The Recording List

Working With Reports

Printing

Loading and Saving Files

Importing and Exporting

Searching For Entries

Changing Options

Release 1.3.0 of help for CDProW


How To

How To Add Entries

How To Change An Entry

How To Delete An Entry

How To View Additional Information

How To Work with Titles


Working With Reports

The Reports option from the main menu allows you to design, load and save custom report definitions.  A custom report is one that you design.  You select the number and order of the columns that will be printed.  Any number of different custom report definitions can be saved and recalled whenever you need to use them.

Follow these steps to use a custom report:

1.  To use an existing report, select Open from the Reports menu.

2.  To design a new report, select Report Designer from the Reports menu.

3.  Select Save or Save As from the Reports menu to save it.

4.  Select Print from the File menu to print your custom report.


Open Report Definition

This option is used to load an existing custom report definition.  You would need to do this whenever you want to print or change a custom report.

After selecting this option, you are presented with a dialog box where you can change the drive and directory to search for the report definition you wish to load.


Save Report Definition

This option is used to save a custom report definition after you have designed a new report or changed an existing one.  Selecting Save Report Definition saves the definition under the current name.  Selecting Save As Report Definition presents you with a dialog box which allows you to change the drive, directory and file name to be saved.


Report Designer

The report designer allows you to define your own custom reports.  Each report definition can be saved to a different file name and used whenever it is needed.

Designing a custom report is as simple as selecting fields to print from a list of available fields.  The fields are then printed on the report in the order they are selected by you.  If you make a mistake, you can delete fields that you have selected.  Each column has a default width based on the size of the field selected.  You can optionally change the width of each column.

The following fields are used during the report design process:

Report Heading

Available Columns

Selected Columns

Add Button

Delete Button

Open Def Button

Save Def Button

Change Column Width Area

After designing a report, select the Save Def button to save your custom report definition.  Use the Close button to return to the primary recording list.  You can then proceed directly to the Print option from the File menu to print your custom report.

The Clear button is used to clear all entries in the selected list and to start designing a new report.


Report Heading

Use this field to enter a heading for your report.  This heading will be saved with the report definition.


Available Columns

This list displays all fields that are available for printing on a custom report.  The field name and default column width is listed for each field.

To place a field on the report, select the field and press the Add button or just double click on the field name.


Selected Columns

This list displays all fields that you have included on the report.  Next to each field name is the column width that will be used for the column.  This width may be the default column width or it may have been changed by you using the Change Column Width area.

The fields are listed in the order that they will be printed on the report.  If you wish to delete a field, select the field name and then press the Delete button.


Add Button

Press this button after selecting a field from the Available Columns list to add it to the report.  This has the same affect as double clicking on the Available columns list.


Delete Button

Use this button to delete a column from the report.  First select a field from the Selected Columns list, then press this button.


Change Column Width Area

This area is used to change the default column width of a field on the report.  To use, follow these steps.

1.  Select the field to change from the Selected Columns list.

2.  Change the Column Width field to the new width

3.  Press the Adjust Width button to save the change


Save Definition Button
Save Def Button

Use this button to save a new or changed report definition.  This button performs the same function as Save from the main Report menu.


Open Definition Button
Open Def Button

Use this button to load an existing report definition.  Any unsaved report definition that you have created will be replaced.  This button performs the same function as Open from the main Report menu.


Printing

Printing of reports involves the following steps:

1.  Perform Printer Setup

2.  Design or load a custom report

3.  Use Search to limit the contents of the report

4.  Start Printing


Printer Setup

Select the Printer Setup option from the File menu to setup the printer.  This must be done prior to any printing.

The Heading and Detail fonts should each be selected using this window.  To change a font, select the Set Heading or Set Detail buttons.  These buttons will display a dialog window that allows you to select a font along with font size and other settings.

After making changes, select Close to return to the primary window.

The printer settings only affect the current session.  If you exit the program without saving the configuration from the options menu, then these settings will be lost.


Print

The Print option from the File menu initiates printing of reports.  There are 2 kinds of reports available:

1.  A standard report

2.  Custom reports

The standard report is always available and is a simple list of recordings in the current file.  Custom reports must first be designed and loaded using the Report designer.  Custom reports allow you to select any number of columns for a report in any order.

The sequence of entries listed on a report is determined by the sort order.

To print a report:

1.  Select the type of report (standard or custom)

2.  Load a custom report using the Report Designer if necessary

3.  Change the report heading if desired

4.  Select Setup if necessary to setup printer fonts

5.  Select the Entries to print (all or search results)

6.  Select Print to start printing


Loading and Saving Files

Starting A New File

Opening A File

Saving A File


Starting A New File

Selecting New from the File menu clears the current set of recordings and starts a new file.  After entering recording information, make sure you select Save As from the File menu in order to save your changes as a named file.

See Also

Opening A File

Saving A File


Opening A File

Select Open from the File menu in order to locate and load an existing file of recordings.  A dialog box is presented that allows you to change the drive and directory in order to locate the file you wish to load.

See Also

Starting A New File

Saving A File


Saving A File

Select Save from the File menu in order to save all changes to an existing file.  If you have not previously saved the file, then your only option is Save As from the File menu.  Selecting this option presents a dialog box which allows you to change the drive and directory and to give your file a name.

See Also

Starting A New File

Opening A File


Searching for Entries

There are 2 methods available to search for specific recordings:

1.  Use the Locate Button from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window

2.  Use the Search window

The Locate button locates a recording based on the title you have entered.  It matches the title you enter to the titles of all other recordings, stopping at the first recording found that matches.

The Search window allows much greater flexibility in searching for specific words, categories, etc.  Also, the Search window provides the ability to find multiple recordings while the Locate button method only finds a single recording.

The Search window is also used to limit the number of recordings that will be printed on a report.


Search Window

This window is used to initiate a search of all recordings.  You may wish to do this when you are looking for a particular recording, want to see a list of all recordings for an artist, see a list of all recordings that are of a particular category, etc.

The results of this window affect the primary recording list.  You may choose to see all recordings listed or just the results of a search.  Report printing may also be affected by the search results.  You have the option to print all recordings or just the results of a search.

Follow these steps to initiate a search:

1.  Select the Search Type

2.  Select the Search Location

3.  Enter the Search Value

4.  Select the Search Button to start the search

When a search is completed, this window will be removed and you will be presented with the primary recording list which will display the results of the search.


Search Type

The search type determines the kind of search that will be performed.  You have the following options:

1.  Text Search

2.  Category Search

3.  Medium Search

A Text Search is allows you to search individual fields within all recordings for a text string that you enter.  If you select Text Search, then you must also enter a Search Location.

A Category Search allows you to view all recordings that have a given category.  You must select the category from the pull down category list for this type of search.

A Medium Search allows you to view all recordings that are on a given medium.  You must select one of the mediums from the option box.


Search Location

The search location identifies the fields that will be inspected during the search.  Any number of fields may be selected for the search.  The Set All button is a convenient way to set all fields on.

Select Case Sensitive Search if you want the case of the search string to matter.  If this is not selected, the case does not matter.  This means that a search string of 'abc' will match a recording of 'abc', 'ABC', 'Abc', etc.

At least one search location must be selected for a Text Search.  Search location has no affect on a Category or Medium search.


Search Value

This is the value that you want to find.  Some type of search value is always required.  The actual value entered depends on the Search Type.

1.  Text Search - Enter the value you want to find in the Text To Find field.

2.  Category Search - Select the category you want to find from the pull down list.

3.  Medium Search - Select the medium you want to find from the listed options.


Search Button

Press this button to initiate the search.  All other search parameters must be selected before starting the search.


How To Add Entries

All new recordings are added from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window.  To get there, select Edit from the main menu, then select Recording Entry / Maintenance.

Most entries on this window are optional.  The only required fields are Title and Artist.  When adding a new recording the combination of Title and Artist must be unique.  If you already have a recording with the exact same title and artist, you will be warned and given the choice to cancel the add operation or to add another entry anyway.

Once the recording has been added you can select the Addl' Info or Titles buttons to enter additional information.

See Also

How To Change Entries

How To Delete Entries

How To View Additional Information

How To Work With Titles


How To Change An Entry

Changes to recordings are made from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window.  To get there, select Edit from the main menu, then select Recording Entry / Maintenance.

Before making any changes you must first locate the recording you wish to change.  You do this by selecting a recording from the primary list or by moving through the recordings one at a time.  You can also select a recording using the Locate button or menu selection.  After making the desired changes, select the Save button or menu selection to apply the changes.  If you leave this window without saving your changes first, all changes will be lost.

From this window, you can optionally select Addl' Info or Titles to make changes to other information or track titles.

See Also

How To Add Entries

How To Delete Entries

How To View Additional Information

How To Work With Titles


How To Delete An Entry

All recordings are deleted from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window.  To get there, select Edit from the main menu, then select Recording Entry / Maintenance.

Before deleting a recording you must first locate the recording you wish to delete.  You do this by selecting a recording from the primary list or by moving through the recordings one at a time.  You can also select a recording using the Locate button or menu selection.  Select the Deletebutton or menu selection to delete the recording.  You will be prompted to confirm the delete.

See Also

How To Add Entries

How To Change Entries

How To View Additional Information

How To Work With Titles


How to View Additional Information

The Additional Information window contains additional fields for a recording.  To get there, select the Addl Info button or menu selection from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window or select Additional Information from the main menu after selecting a recording from the list.

See Also

How To Add Entries

How To Delete Entries

How To Change Entries

How To Work With Titles


How To Work With Titles

The Titles window contains a list of track titles for a recording.  To get there, select the Titles button or menu selection from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window or select Titles from the main menu after selecting a recording from the list.

Before working with titles, it is necessary to set the number of tracks for a recording.  This is done from the Recording Entry / Maintenance window.  From this window, set the Number Of Tracks field to the number of tracks on the recording.

See Also

How To Add Entries

How To Delete Entries

How To Change Entries

How To View Additional Information


Recording Entry / Maintenance

This window is used to add, change, delete and view recordings.  The following fields are available:

Title

Artist

Description

Medium

Label

Catalog Number

Release Year

Number of Disks

Number of Tracks

Total Playing Time

Category

Comments

Collection Number

Collection Location

Using this window you can perform the following actions on a recording:

Clear

Locate

Previous

Next

Add

Save

Delete

Branch To Additional Information

Branch To Titles

Close Window

Clicking the right mouse button on this window will bring up the Edit menu.


Title

The title of the recording is entered here.  When adding a new recording, this is one of the required fields.


Artist

The artist name is entered here.  When adding a new recording, this is one of the required fields that must be entered.  As recordings are added, a list of all artists is created.  The artist field contains a pull down list of all other artists that have been used.  You can use this list to make sure your artist names are consistent.


Recording Description
Description

This is a one line description of the recording.


Medium

This describes the medium used to store the recording.  The possible choices are:

1.  Compact Disk

2.  Cassette

3.  LP Album

4.  DAT

5.  Other


Label

This field stores the recording label that publishes the recording, such as Capitol, RCA, Epic, etc.  It is important to store this information for insurance purposes.


Catalog Number

The catalog number is a unique identifier used by the recording company to identify this recording.  It can usually be found on the back or edge of a recording or somewhere within the liner notes.  It is important to store this information for insurance purposes.


Release Year

This is the year that the recording was originally released.


Misc Keys

This is a set of three key fields that can be used to identify and group recordings.  They can be used for any purpose.


Category

The category describes the type of recording, such as Classical, Rock, Country, etc.  There are several standard categories that are already setup but you can add as many other categories as you need.

By entering a new category in the field, it is then added to this list of available categories and is available to be used for other recordings.


Comments

This is a large area where you can enter additional comments about a recording.


Collection Number

This field can be used to store your own unique number for this recording within your collection.  This is useful if you already have some numbering system for all of your recordings.


Location
Collection Location

This field can be used to identify the location of the recording within your collection.  If you have some numbering system for a very large collection, you may want to keep track of the location by shelf number, row, etc.


Clear

This button or menu selection clears the current window and allows you to enter new information.


Locate

This button or menu selection locates a recording based on the title you have entered.  It matches the title you enter to the titles of all other recordings, stopping at the first recording found that matches.


Next

This button or menu selection will display the next recording.  The recording displayed depends on the sort order selected.  If sorting by title, then the next title in alphabetical sequence is displayed.  If sorting by artist, then the next recording in artist sequence is displayed.


Previous

This button or menu selection will display the pervious recording.  The recording displayed depends on the sort order selected.  If sorting by title, then the previous title in alphabetical sequence is displayed.  If sorting by artist, then the previous recording in artist sequence is displayed.


Add

This button or menu selection adds a new recording.  The only required fields are Title and Artist.  When adding a new recording the combination of Title and Artist must be unique.  If you already have a recording with the exact same title and artist, you will be warned and given the choice to cancel the add operation or to add another entry anyway.

Once the recording has been added you can select the Addl' Info or Titles buttons to enter additional information.


Save

This button or menu selection will store any changes you have made to a recording.  If you do not select this after making changes to a recording, any changes will be lost.


Delete

This button or menu selection will delete the recording that is displayed.  You will be asked to confirm the delete request before the recording is actually deleted.


Close

This button or menu selection will close the current window.  If you have made any changes to a recording and have not selected Save or Add, then your changes will be lost.


Additional Information / Maintenance

This window is used to view or change additional information for a recording.  The following fields are available:

Composer

Conductor

Purchase Date

Purchase Price

Sound Rating

Performance Rating

Awards

Misc Keys

After making any changes, select Save to keep the changes or Cancel to ignore any changes that you made.


Composer

This field stores the composer's name for a classical recording.


Conductor

This field stores the conductor's name for a classical recording.


Purchase Date

This is the date that the recording was purchased.


Purchase Price

This is the original purchase price of the recording.


Number of Disks

This field stores the total number of disks or tapes for the recording.  The scroll bar adjacent to the field can be used to change the value in the field.


Number of Tracks

This field stores the total number of tracks on the recording.  The scroll bar adjacent to the field can be used to change the value in the field.


Total Playing Time

This field stores the total playing time for the recording in whole minutes.  The scroll bar adjacent to the field can be used to change the value in the field.


Sound Rating

This field can be used to track a sound quality rating for the recording.  The scale is 0 to 10.  The scroll bar adjacent to the field can be used to change the value.


Performance Rating

This field can be used to track a performance quality rating for the recording.  The scale is 0 to 10.  The scroll bar adjacent to the field can be used to change the value.


Awards

This large field is used to enter any awards that the recording might have received.


Save

Selecting this button will save any changes made to the recording.


Cancel

Selecting this button will remove any changes that you have made to the recording.


Track Titles

This window is used to view and change the track titles for a recording.  The total number of tracks available to change are controlled by the Number Of Tracks field on the Recording Entry / Maintenance window.  Before working with titles, it is necessary to first set the Number Of Tracks to a value greater than zero.

To enter or change a track, perform the following steps:

1.  Select the track to change from this List Of Tracks.

2.  Change the title name in the Track Title field.

3.  Select the Save Entry button to update the track list.

4.  Select Save to keep all changes.

If you wish to discard your changes, select Cancel.


Track List

This list contains one entry for each track title.  Select an item from the list in order to change or add an entry.


Track Title

This field contains the currently selected track title.  Use this field to make any changes or to enter a new track title.


Save Entry

After making changes to a track title, select this button to update the list with the changes.  This step must be done otherwise your changes will not be kept.


Save

Once all changes have been made to the track titles, select this button to save all changes.


Cancel

If you wish to discard all changes made to track titles for this recording, select this button.


Options

The options menu allows you to perform the following functions:

1.  Select the Sort Options.

2.  To immediately sort the file.

3.  To Save the current settings to a configuration file.


Sort Options

This dialog box allows you to change the current sort options.  The following options are changed:

1.  Sort Mode

2.  Sort Sequence

The Sort Mode can be automatic or manual.  If automatic is selected, then the file is always kept in the proper sequence as determined the by Sort Sequence.  If manual is selected, then you must use the Sort Now menu item to sort the file whenever you wish.

The Sort Sequence can be by Title or Artist.  If Title is selected, then all recordings are sorted in ascending sequence based on the recording title.  If Artist is selected, then the recordings are sorted by the Artist name.


Sort Now

Select this menu item to manually sort the file of recordings whenever you wish.  You must use this option to sort the file if a manual sort mode was selected on the Sort Options window.


Config Save

Select Automatic Config Save to save any configuration changes every time you exit the program.  Turning this option off requires that you select the Save Config Now option whenever you wish to save the current configuration.

The following items are saved as part of the current configuration:

1.  Sort Mode

2.  Sort Sequence

3.  Heading Font

4.  Detail Font

5.  Save Config Settings


Viewing The Recording List

The recording list is the primary window for viewing recordings.  It allows you to easily view a list of all of your recordings or to view the results of a search.  The recordings are listed in sequence by Artist or by Title depending on the Sort Option settings.

The Filter box allows you to select which recordings to view - either all recordings or the results of a search.

You can view more information for a recording by selecting it from the list and then selecting one of the options from the Edit menu.  Optionally, after selecting an item from the list, you can click once with the right mouse button to bring up the edit menu.

Clicking the right mouse button while positioned on the body of the window will bring up the File menu.

The available menu choices from this window are:

File Menu - Opening and Saving file, Printing Files, Exiting the program.

Edit Menu - Going to different edit windows to view or change recording information.

Search Menu - initiates a search for specific recordings.

Reports Menu - Designs, Loads and Saves custom report definitions.

Options Menu - Define Sort options and save options to a configuration file.

Help Menu - Initiates help functions.


Importing and Exporting

Importing and exporting data is started by selecting Import/Export from the main File menu.  You are then presented with the File Import and Export window that allows you to define your import or export file, select the file to import or export and then to start the import or export process.

The steps necessary to import data are:

Design your import file

Create your import file

Select the import action

Define your import file

Select the import file

Start the import process

Review import errors

The steps necessary to export data are:

Design your export file

Select the export action

Define your export file

Select the export file name

Start the export process

See also

Example Import Files


Designing your Import or Export file

Import and export files are comma delimited files.  This means that each field that you want to import or export is separated with a comma.  Optionally, you can change the character that separates each field from a comma to any other character you choose using the Delimiter field.  Each import record must end in a carriage return and line feed character.

Each field that is considered a "string" field must be surrounded by the String Delimiter character.  This character is normally a double quote (").

Track titles have special treatment.  They are considered a single string field, so you must surround the group of all track titles with the string delimiter character.  Within the track string field, you must separate each track with the Track Delimiter field which is normally the semi colon (;).  This track delimiter is used to determine where each track title ends.  When importing track titles, it is not necessary to also specify the Nbr Of Tracks field.  This field will be calculated based on the actual number of track titles imported.

Each field that is imported must be of the correct type and must contain a correct value.  This means that if a field is a number (such as the Purchase Price field), then you can only import a numeric value into this field.  If a field is defined as a date (such as Purchase Date), then you can only import a date value.

The Medium field must be one of the following single character codes:

C	Compact Disk

T	Cassette

R	LP Album

D	DAT

O	Other

When importing data, you only have to specifiy the fields that you want to import.  For example:  If you do not want to import Composer or Conductor, then you do not need to define those fields in the Import definition.  When the records are imported, those fields that you do not specify will be left blank.  There are, however, 2 required fields: Artist and Title.  When importing, both of these fields must be defined.

One of the best ways to see the format that you must use for importing data is to export the demo file that is supplied with CDProW.  Simply select all fields to be exported and then review the export file with a file editor.

Example Import Files


Import/Export Examples
Import / Export Example Files

Example 1:

Fields imported:

Artist

Title

Release Year

Nbr of Disks

"Artist one","Title one",1994,3

"Artist two","Title two",1994,1

Example 2:

Fields imported:

Artist

Title

Purchase Date

Purchase Cost

Track Titles

"Artist one","Title one",03/01/1994,16.95,"Track one;Track two;Track three;"

"Artist two","Title two",12/31/93,17,"Track one;Track two;Track three;"

"Artist three","Title three",,,"Track one;Track two;Track three;Track four;"

In Example 2, track titles are shown with the track delimiter field between each track.  Also, the 3rd record does not contain the Purchase Date and Purchase Cost fields.  Note that commas are left as place holders for these fields.


Creating your Import file

An import file must be created as an ASCII, comma delimited file prior to import.  For small files, the Windows Notepad will allow you to edit a file.  Larger files will likely require a more robust file editor.

Many applications (such as database and spreadsheet applications) allow you to export data in comma delimited file format.  If you currently have your recording collection in one of these applications, it should be a simple task to export the data in the proper format.

See also

Designing your Import or Export file


File Import and Export

This window controls all import and export processing.  It allows you to define the fields that you will import or export, select the file to import or export, and to start the import or export process.  As the import or export is in progress, a message area on the window shows you the progress of the import or export and lists import errors.

Exports are affected by the Filter box on the main recording list.  If All Entries is selected, then all records will be exported.  If Search Results is selected, then only the records resulting from a search will be exported.

The following fields and buttons are available on this window:

File Name

Select File Button

Count

Action

Available Fields

Selected Fields

Add Button

Delete Button

Clear Button

Delimiter

String Delimiter

Track Delimiter

Close Button

Start Import/Export Button

Open Def Button

Save Def Button

Message Area


Import / Export File Name

This is the currently selected name of the file to import from or export to.  If this is an export, then this file will be replaced with the current export data when the export is started.


Import / Export Select File

Use this button to select the import or export file name.


Import / Export Count

This field shows a running total of the records that are being imported or exported.


Import / Export Action

Select Import if you want to load new data into CDProW.  Select Export if you want to extract existing CDProW data into a comma delimited file.


Import / Export Available Fields

This list displays all fields that are available to be imported or exported.  The field name is listed for each field.

To select a field for import or export, select the field and press the Add button or just double click on the field name.


Import / Export Selected Fields

This list displays all fields that you have selected to be imported or exported.  The fields are listed in the order that they will appear in the export file or that they will be expected in the import file.  If you wish to delete a field, select the field name and then press the Delete button.


Import / Export Add Button

Press this button after selecting a field from the Available Fields list to include it in the import or export file.  This has the same affect as double clicking on the Available fields list.


Import / Export Delete Button

Use this button to delete a selected field from the import or export file definition.  First select a field from the Selected Fields list, then press this button.


Import / Export Clear Button

Use this button to clear the current import or export file definition.


Import / Export Delimiter

This field contains the delimiter that will be expected between all fields in the import or export file.  Normally, this field defaults to "," (comma) but you can change it to any character.

See also

Designing your Import or Export file


Import / Export String Delimiter

This field contains the delimiter that is expected to be surrounding all "string" type fields.  String fields are any non-numeric field (such as Title, Artist, etc.).  Normally, this field defaults to " (double quotes) but you can change it to any character.

See also

Designing your Import or Export file


Import / Export Track Delimiter

This field contains the delimiter that will be used to separate all track titles.  Track titles are imported and exported as a single string field.  Within this string field, individual tracks are separated by the character specified here.  Normally, this field defaults to ";" (semi-colon) but you can change it to any character.

Since track titles are treated as a single string field, you must surround the track title field with the String Delimiter.

See also

Designing your Import or Export file


Import / Export Close Button

This button is used to close the File Import and Export window.  During the actual import or export processing, this Close button is changed to a Cancel button.  Pressing this button during the import or export causes the current process to be cancelled.


Import / Export Start Button

This button is used to start the import or export process.  Prior to pressing this button, you must have performed the steps outlined in the Importing and Exporting section.


Import / Export Open Definition Button

This button is used to open and load an Import/Export file definition that was previously saved.


Import / Export Save Definition Button

This button is used to save an Import/Export file definition.


Import / Export Message Area

This message area will display errors and warnings during the import or export process.  During the import, records are added if possible even if they have errors or warnings.