First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read the "Read Me" file. I know that it was a big effort on your part (since I hate to read them myself). In addition, I would like to thank you for downloading The Bat Phone Book. I recently created this database as an attempt to escape from Hypercard, as well as program a nice phone/address book which included decent interface and graphics. And thus it was created.
Features:
The Bat Phone Book contains several different layouts, corresponding to the different features. These include:
1) Main: From which you can access the Address and Phone Directory.
2) Addresses: This layout was designed for storing all the data including names, addresses, phone/fax numbers, internet/e-mail addresses and even a place for notes (including a convenient scroll bar).
3) Directory: Displays a listing of names and phone numbers only, which can be scrooled through quickly.
4) Phone Directory 2: This directory is the same as the previous one, but it was designed specifically for printing. Therefore, it does not have the black background which would have wasted a serious amount of ink/toner.
Note: This directory is accessed from the Addresses menu.
The Buttons:
1) Main: Takes you back to the original screen.
2) Directory: Takes you to the Phone Directory listing.
3) Find: Allows you to do a search for a specific person, company...
4) Find All: Allows you to access all the files within the database after you have conducted a search.
5) Previous: Takes you one record back.
6) Next: Takes you one record forward.
7) New Card: Creates a new record within the database.
8) Delete: Deletes the currently selected record. It WILL give you a warning (and the chance to back out).
9) Print Dir: This button takes you to the phone directory designed for printing.
10) Print: Used to send the Phone directory to the printer, rather than using the File command or Keystrokes. See note above concerning the printing.
11) Sort: This sorts all the files (records) in the database by last name, then first name.
To Start:
When you open the database, a message will appear asking you for the password. Simply leave it blank and you will receive limited access. You will be able to use the Browse Mode as well as all the main features including new cards, editing and deleting records etc... Should you find that you enjoy the Bat Phone Book, simply send away the registration fee of $2, and I will send you the password allowing you full access to the database.
Entering Data:
I have tried to make the data input process as simple as possible. For the first field (Salutation), the first time you create the card it will give you a pop-up menu. Simply double click your choice, and it will fill it into the space provided. If this does not happen, click once on the field and the pop-up menu should then appear. For the other fields, simply click once on the field where you would like to enter the information, and type away. Due to the auto-saving feature of FileMaker Pro, once the information has been typed, it will stay there until removed.
This database is shareware.
Feel free to distribute it to all your friends and neighbours. All I ask is that you keep all the files together though. If you like it, please send the extremely modest fee of $2 to the address listed below. While I realize that there are those out there who find it relatively easy to create their own database, I put a lot of effort into this one to make it stand out. This was done through the use of a nice graphics interface, easy to use/access features and convenient layouts. For those who do register, I will send the password which will allow you access to the source code. With this you can remove the annoying password message and create any alterations to the database that you wish such as new layouts, or the ability to modify existing ones. In addition, the Movie Master database operates with the same password. Therefore, for the extremely modest fee, you receive two databases. Finally, should there be any changes or upgrades, I will notify the registered users and make arrangements to send these upgrades.
These databases were programmed using FileMaker Pro version 2.1v3, but version 2.0v3 seems to be able to recognize them. If you have an earlier version such as 2.0, you may want to get the upgrade from an Info-Mac site. I wrote the databases on a PowerPC 6100/60 using thousands of colors, and has been optimized for a 14' monitor. It does however work with 256, 16 and even 4 colors. They have also been tested on an LC 475 and LC 575. Since I do not have access to any other macs, I am afraid that was the best I could do.
Though I created the databases, I take no responsibility for any problems which may occur through the use of these products. If you have any questions concerning the database, you may contact me at the address listed below, or E-Mail me c/o:
dl_chap@vega.concordia.ca
Finally, I would like to thank Yuval Eldar for his help and suggestions for fine-tuning this database. I would also like to thank Dondi N. Dionisio. It was through his painstaking effort of editing the Batman portrait, that this database took life. Should you wish to download the Batman portrait (as well as others included in the folder) you can find it posted at Info-Mac/grf/batman-portraits.hqx
