






          MCBase: the Music Collection dataBase system.


                    Version:  2.4









          Author:

          Harry Doldersum
          Weerselose straat 26
          7623 DA BORNE
          The Netherlands, Europe.

          Phone:    +31 (0) 74 266 8480
          Fax:      See phone. Standby on request.
          Host:     See phone. Standby on request.


          Electronic mail adresses:

          CompuServe:    100270,2132
          InterNet:      100270,2132@compuserve.com


                   _______
              ____|__     |               (R)
           --|       |    |-------------------
             |   ____|__  |  Association of
             |  |       |_|  Shareware
             |__|   o   |    Professionals
           -----|   |   |---------------------
                |___|___|    MEMBER



               MCBASE V2.x is SHAREWARE.

             Copyright (c) 1993, Harry Doldersum.

          This documentation is dated: March 1997.CONTENTS:

0.   ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.   DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

2.   WHAT IS MCBASE ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

3.   MCBASE REQUIREMENTS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
     MCBase and your system's resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
     What to do when MCBase V2.x is too demanding for your system? . . . .4

4.   ABOUT MCBASE AND REGISTERING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Evaluation period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Evaluation limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Register your copy of MCBASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     What happens if you choose to use MCBase without registering! . . . .6
     MCBase license agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
          Important notes: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
     MCBase disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

6.   INSTALLING MCBASE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
     Installing MCBase from an archive file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
     Installing MCBase from the registered version disk. . . . . . . . . .9
          Important remark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
     Configuring MCBASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
          Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
          Mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
          Select methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
          Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
          Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
          Load configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
          Store configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

7.   THE MUSIC COLLECTION DATABASE SYSTEM: HOW DOES IT WORK? . . . . . . 14
     How are relations used within MCBase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
     Example: Adding a new album to the MCBase system. . . . . . . . . . 17
     The "location code" and the MCBase system.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8.   USING THE MCBASE CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Using a dialog's controls & moving through a dialog . . . . . . . . 19
     Dialogs and modal dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Multiple (edit) dialogs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Using scrollbars / scrolling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Using shortcuts & hotkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Using the memo editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Using a picklist-dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
     Using a find-dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

9.   A TOUR THROUGH MCBASE'S MAIN MENU.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
     Accessing menu items. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
     The "MCBase" pulldown menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
          About... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
          Ascii table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          Configuration settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          Reindex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          DosShell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
          Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
     The "Browse, edit & add" pulldown menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
          general dialog functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Delete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Information memo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Remarks memo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Previous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Next. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Add new . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
               Quit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
          Edit artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
          Edit album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
          Edit author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Composer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
          Edit producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
          Edit category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
          Edit song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
               Select writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
               Select producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
               Select category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
          The "Add..."-dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
          The "Browse..." dialogs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
     The "Print" pulldown menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
          Report all.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
               artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
               authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
               producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               albums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    sorted by album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
          Summary for selected.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
               author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
          Summaries for all... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
               album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
          Page eject / FormFeed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
     The "Editor" pulldown menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
     The "View handling" pulldown menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Cascade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Resize/move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Previous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Close. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
          Close All. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

10.  USING THE EDIT DIALOGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
     While in an edit dialog's "Add new"-mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
     While in an edit dialog's default "Edit"-mode . . . . . . . . . . . 31

11.  USING THE BROWSE DIALOGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
     Browse for... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
          Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
               by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
               by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
               by author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
               by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
               by category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
          Album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
               by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
               by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
               by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

12.  USING THE PRINT OPTIONS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
          Report all.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               albums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                    sorted by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                    sorted by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                    sorted by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
               songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    sorted by title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    sorted by artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    sorted by author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    sorted by producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    sorted by album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
               tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
          Summary for selected.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
               artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
          Summaries for all... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
               author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
               producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
                    album summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
                    song summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
               category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
               album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

13.  USING THE MCBASE TEXTFILE EDITOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
     Available options and features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          New. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Save As. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Cut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
          Paste. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
          Clear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
          Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
          Replace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
          Repeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
          Show clipboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

14.  THE MCBASE UTILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
     GENMCB.EXE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
     MCBCNVRT.EXE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
     MCB_SAVE.BAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

15.  MAKING SAFETY BACKUPS OF YOUR DATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
     Why bother making backups?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
     How to create a standard backup.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
     Restore the database set from the standard backup.. . . . . . . . . 42
     Using an archiver to create an archive file backup. . . . . . . . . 43
     How to create an archive file backup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
     Restore the database set from the archive file backup.. . . . . . . 43

16.  UN-INSTALL MCBASE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

17.  ERROR MESSAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
     Known MCBase error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
     Reporting an error to the author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

18.  INDEX.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48


Please note following:   

-a)  All registration and ordering information may be found in the file
     ORDER.TXT, included with this package.

- b) This document contains proprietary information which is protected by
     copyright. All rights are reserved and remain with the author.

- c) The information contained herein, is subject to change without
     notice.

All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.0.   ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT.

Harry Doldersum is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). ASP want to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If
you are unable to resolve a shareware related problem with an ASP member by
contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman
can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not
provide technical support for members' products. 

Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at:

     ASP Ombudsman, 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA,
     FAX 616-788-2765
     E-mail to: ASP Ombudsman at 70007.3536@compuserve.com


1.   DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying
it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request
registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.
With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using
the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the
copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as
stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like
commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both
cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the
method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific
group. For example, some authors require written permission before a
commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because
you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low
also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use
the product, you don't pay for it.

2.   WHAT IS MCBASE ?

MCBase is a relational database system that has been set up to assist in
managing music collections, regardless of the media on which the music is
recorded. 

MCBase is using 100% dBase III(+) compatible .DBF- & .DBT-files, the
industry's standard, to process your data. This means that your data is
stored in a transparent manner and always transferable to other applica
tions.

The primary target that MCBase is aiming at, is to generate alphabetic
lists of all material present in the collection. The user can keep these
lists near to his stereo, to serve as a handy and quick reference guide to
quickly find specific items in his music collection. (This information can
also be viewed onscreen, of course).

The idea behind MCBase is, that nobody will start his computer system, just
to find out where that darn Elvis Presley song is located. He will start a
search instead: '... thought it was on the "Moody Blue"-album, but it isn't
there. Maybe on the "Almost in Love"-album ?'

A list with alphabetic songtitles, sorted on artistname, can be a relief at
these times, and MCBase is now here to generate these lists (and many more)
for you. All you have to do: Feed the system with the information about
your music collection!

P.s. : If you have another file in which the information on your collec
       tion already is gathered, and you would like to transfer it to the
       MCBase system, contact us. It's very lightly that we can work out
       a conversion-program (note: registration will be required).

3.   MCBASE REQUIREMENTS.

The version of MCBase, distributed as the shareware package, is suitable
for XT-compatible computers and up. With your registration however, you
will receive all the three currently available versions, which are: 

     - XT compatibles         Ment to be used on XT compatible computers.
                              Requires 8086-processor (or higher), about
                              590kb conventional memory and MS-DOS version
                              3.x or later.
     - AT compatibles         Ment to be used on AT compatible computers
                              that have less than 2Mb EMS/XMS memory
                              available. Requires 80286-processor (or
                              higher), about 590kb conventional memory and
                              MS-DOS version 3.x or later.
     - Protected Mode         Ment to be used on AT compatible computers
                              that have at least 2Mb EMS/XMS memory
                              available. Requires 80286-processor (or
                              higher), 2Mb EMS/XMS memory (or more) and MS-
                              DOS version 3.x or later. Your memory manager
                              needs to be FULLY compatible with HIMEM.SYS
                              as delivered with MS-DOS. 

Note:  "Protected Mode" is sometimes also referred to as "DPMI", which
       stands for "Dos Protected Mode Interface".

You will be able to select the version that suits your hardware best.
Expanded Memory Standard (EMS) and Extended Memory Standard (XMS) are both
supported.

VERY IMPORTANT:  YOU WILL NEED TO SET THE FILES-VARIABLE, IN YOUR
                 CONFIG.SYS-FILE, TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM VALUE OF 40, AS
                 IN "FILES=40", OR HIGHER(!). (See your DOS-manual for
                 further instructions on this topic). WINDOWS USERS SHOULD
                 CONSIDER A SETTING OF "FILES=60" OR HIGHER!

The size of the MCBase databases should only be limited by the available
free space on your harddrive (and the available amount of conventional
memory, where non-protected mode systems are concerned).

Remark:   At startup, MCBase checks to see if the configuration file
          MCBASE.CFG is present, with (among other things) the appropriate
          printer commandset. Select menu options "MCBase" - "Configuration"
          - "Printer" to perform printer configuration. (Printer configuring
          is discribed in section "INSTALLING MCBASE" - "Configuring MCBase"
          - "Printer" of this manual).
MCBase and your system's resources.

The performance of MCBase is depending very heavily on your system's
resources. Actually, although the MCBase database system is able to run
succesfully on XT-compatibles, we recommend to use a computer system that
is able to use the protected mode version.

Please also note following:

- A) For non-protected mode systems, conventional memory is ESSENTIAL: the
     more you have available, the better. As the databases grow, the
     application will need more conventional memory to initialize all
     objects, databases and picklist-dialogs. 

- B) Apart from the above, overall processor and harddisk speed should be
     considered essential for MCBase's performance: the faster, the
     better! Some of MCBase's functions use a "filter" to gather the
     information needed from the database system: the performance of these
     "filter"-functions is completely depending on the performance of both
     processor and harddisk.


What to do when MCBase V2.x is too demanding for your system?

While MCBase version 2.x is defenitely able to function on all true
compatible XT and AT systems, you might find that, depending on your
system's hardware & speed, MCBase V2.x is functioning too slow on your
computer system. This is due to both the newer method of programming, used
for MCBase V2.x (which is a concept known as "Event driven"), as to the
increased amount of relations to be handled in V2.x (which results in more
accesses of the harddisk: the slower your disk, the slower MCBase V2.x will
perform).

If you find that MCBase V2.x is working too slow on your system, we would
like to you to know, that the previous MCBase version, V1.x, is quite a bit
less demanding on your system's resources and therefor might be more
interesting for you! If this is the case, please request the shareware copy
at our address, mentioned on the coverpage of this document. We will send
you the latest MCBase V1.x shareware copy, free of charge. Registration
prices for version 1.x can be found in the version 1.x documentation, which
will be included on the disk, as textfiles.
4.   ABOUT MCBASE AND REGISTERING.

(For registration and order information, see the file ORDER.TXT, included
with this package).

The copy of MCBase, marked "SHAREWARE version", it is NOT free software! 

Evaluation period:  You may EVALUATE this copy of the MCBase database
                    system for a period of 30 days (OR until you've
                    reached the EVALUATION LIMIT for a database, which
                    ever comes first), to determine if it meets your
                    needs. After this trial period you must register your
                    copy (by purchasing a registration key) at one of the
                    given addresses (see the MCBase order forms in the
                    file ORDER.TXT) OR STOP using this software. 

Evaluation limit:   While in it's shareware status, MCBase is limiting
                    itself to accomodate (roughly) 30 albums. We are
                    assuming that when you have entered these 30 albums
                    (or whatever database that might be the first to reach
                    it's shareware evaluation limit), you're BEYOND the
                    point of an EVALUATION USAGE.

The shareware status is terminated IMMEDIATELY after adding the
registration key to the MCBase database directory.

==   > SEE SECTION "MCBASE LICENSE AGREEMENT" FOR FURTHER INFO. <==


Register your copy of MCBASE

REGISTERING MCBase (purchasing a registration key) allows you to use the
product after the evaluation period. Apart from that:

- 1) You will receive the mentioned registration key, that will remove the
     shareware evaluation limit on the database system. Also, the
     registration key will enable you to upgrade FOR FREE to any other
     MCBase V2.x update! Just copy any new V2.x MCBASE.EXE-file over the
     old one, that's all. The newly obtained (shareware) version will
     recognize your registration key and will turn itself into a
     REGISTERED MCBase version.

     Further information on the registration key and how to use it, will
     be included with your registration key.

- 2) You will receive the most recent version of MCBase on disk in 3
     versions: XT-, AT- and protected mode versions. A manual is included
     on disk as a textfile. Software for MCBase V1.x database conversion
     will also be included.

- 3) You will also receive notification of major MCBase updates and you
     will be able to obtain those updates with a 25% DISCOUNT off the
     normal registration price. 
     (Payable = Registration price - Upgrade Discount + S & H costs). 

     Minor updates can be obtained for Shipping & Handling costs only or
     for free from the MCBase software download pages on our InterNet
     website at:

     http:\\ourworld.compuserve.com\homepages\Harry_Doldersum\mcbhome.htm

- 4) You have priority when questions might occur. Product support is
     available (through the use of postal mail, e-mail or fax) for an
     unlimited period of time.

- 5) Registered MCBase users know they are helping to keep SHAREWARE "low
     cost / good quality"-software alive.

NOTE:  You can register using one of the orderforms within our ORDER.TXT
       file OR you can use an online registration service. All the required
       information about placing your ORDER can be found in the ORDER.TXT
       file. 


What happens if you choose to use MCBase without registering!

As an unregistered shareware version, MCBase has evaluation limits on the
maximum amount of processable items. As an example: the Album database is
limited to 30 entries (See "evaluation limit"). 

Now, if you do NOT register MCBase and you enter MORE than this maximum
amount of albums, you will be notified that your evaluation period has
expired and that you are requested to register, if you wish to continue
using MCBase.

If you would ignore this request and would continue entering data, the
editing functions (as several others) will soon be disabled. The reason for
doing so is following: This package is SHAREWARE. IT IS NOT FREEWARE!


MCBase license agreement.

                       MCBASE IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE.

The MCBase registration key, is STRICTLY PERSONAL and may not be duplicated
other than for backup purposes on your personal behalf, as it turns the
shareware version of MCBase V2.x into a registered version.

By registering your copy of MCBase you do NOT become the owner of this
software package, but you are granted the fully supported use of the MCBase
database system. The MCBase software package will remain the total property
of the author, Harry Doldersum, under all circumstances.

Users are granted a limited license to use the SHAREWARE version of MCBase
for a limited evaluation period (See "Evaluation period") in order to
determine if the produkt meets their needs. Any other use of MCBase or use
past this period requires registration. (PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTINUED USE
AFTER THE EVALUATION PERIOD WITHOUT VALID REGISTRATION IS A VIOLATION OF
COPYRIGHT LAWS).

All users are granted a limited license (and are encouraged) to copy the
shareware version (NOT the registered version: DO NOT SHARE YOUR
REGISTRATION KEY: SHARING YOUR REGISTRATION KEY IS A VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT
LAWS) of MCBase only for the purpose of allowing others to try it, subject
to the above restrictions as well as these:

     MCBase must be distributed in absolutely unmodified form, including
     all program, documentation and other files as found in the original
     MCBxxx.ZIP (xxx = version number) archive file. If you MUST repack
     the ZIP-archive then please make sure you include all files as found
     in the original archive.

     MCBase may not be included with any other product for any reason
     whatsoever without a written license from the author in person or his
     legal respresentative in these matters.

     No payment may be charged for the shareware version of MCBase, other
     than a fee to cover copying expences.

Bulletin Board system operators may post the unregistered SHAREWARE version
of MCBase on their BBS for downloading by their users WITHOUT written
permission of the author (= Harry Doldersum) ONLY if the above mentioned
conditions are met, and only if no special fee is necessary to access the
MCBase archive file.

Distributors of SHAREWARE and Public Domain software, MUST obtain written
permission from the author (Harry Doldersum) before distributing MCBase and
must follow the above mentioned conditions (EXCLUSIONS: PLEASE SEE
"IMPORTANT NOTES" BELOW). Permission is almost always granted; this
requirement is necessary to ensure protection for ourselves and MCBase
users from unscrupulous individuals. 


Important notes: 

-1)  You may not advertize MCBase as free software, but as SHAREWARE only!
     Please explain the shareware concept to prospective buyers.
-2)  Distributors, who are a member of the "Association of Shareware
     Professionals" (or those who follow the ASP's guidelines), do NOT
     need our written permission for distribution. 
-3)  ALL distributors and/or BBS-systems must seize distributing MCBase
     within one month of written request by the author.

For further information on distribution topics, see the file VENDINFO.DIZ:
ANY distribution satisfying all the distribution requirements expressed in
that data record is hereby authorized.


MCBase disclaimer

The author makes NO warranty of ANY kind, either express or implied. In NO
event shall the author be liable for ANY damages or loss arising out of the
use or inability to use this software, even if the author has been advised
about the possibility of such damages or loss. The above includes (but is
not limited to) ANY legal fees or costs.

Without any limitation to the above: ANY dispute whatsoever (over any topic
whatsoever) will be subject to binding arbitration by a Dutch Court of Law
within the Netherlands.

By using and/or handling this software, you agree to all terms mentioned in
this document.

6.   INSTALLING MCBASE.

There are various ways in which you could have obtained a shareware copy of
MCBase: from a disk vendor, a CDROM, a BBS or a network system. These
shareware versions will be delivered to you mostly in an archive file.

A registered version (with a valid registration key) will always come
directly from us (or from an authorized reseller), on disk.

Therefor, we shall discuss two methods of installation: from an archive
file (= shareware version) and from a disk (= registered version).


Installing MCBase from an archive file.

IMPORTANT NOTE: this section discribes the installation of MCBase from the
original "ZIP"-type archive file. It is very lightly that the various BBS
sysops will convert this original archive file to a format that is standard
on their system. Two other common archivers, that you might encounter, are
ARJ (by Robert K. Jung) with the filetype "ARJ" and LHA (by Haruyasu
Yoshizaki) with the filetype "LZH".

Normally, you will have received the shareware version of MCBase as the
archive file MCBxxx.ZIP (xxx = version number). If you did NOT receive
MCBase as this archive file, then please make sure, you have at least the
following files after extraction of the archive: 

     MCBASE.EXE     -    MCBase executable file, for XT-compatibles and up.
     MCB_MAN.TXT    -    MCBase documentation file (as an ASCII-text file).
     ORDER.TXT      -    MCBase order forms.
     LICENSE.TXT    -    MCBase license agreement.
     REVISION.TXT   -    MCBase revision history.
     GENMCB.EXE     -    Utility to create a new (and empty) set of database
                         files.
     INSTALL.TXT    -    MCBase installation guide, shareware version.
     README.1ST     -    IMPORTANT MESSAGE ON CONFIG.SYS'S "FILES=xx".
     FILE_ID.DIZ    -    Description file. 
     VENDINFO.DIZ   -    Description file, according to VENDINFO standard.

The following files (a demonstration database set) should also be included:

     MCB1.DBF                 MCB2.DBF            MCB3.DBF
     MCB1.DBT                 MCB2.DBT            MCB3.DBT

     MCB4.DBF                 MCB5.DBF            MCB6.DBF
     MCB4.DBT                 MCB5.DBT            MCB6.DBT

(Your copy could be incomplete and you might get the wrong idea about the
performance and documentation of the MCBase system).

You will need PKWare's PKUNZIP.EXE to extract the archive. Use the
following command to extract all files: 

       PKUNZIP MCBxxx.ZIP

In case of an ARJ-file format, use: ARJ x MCBxxx.ARJ
In case of an LZH-file format, use: LHA e MCBxxx.LZH

Installing MCBase on your system should not be very difficult, if you
follow these steps: 

- 1) Copy the original MCBxxx.ZIP archive file to a floppy disk and store
     it in a safe place.

- 2) Note:  Among the extracted files, should be a demonstration database
            set. In case you don't want to use the demonstration database
            (anymore), execute GENMCB.EXE to generate a new set of
            datafiles. DELETE GENMCB.EXE after use! It generates NEW and
            EMPTY databases, so you wouldn't want to use it after you've
            been entering your own data. (You can retrieve another copy of
            GENMCB.EXE from the previously stored copy of the MCBxxx.ZIP
            archive file, should you need it).

- 3) Create a new directory for the MCBase system, place the archive file
     in it and extract all files.

- 4) Start your wordprocessor, import the ASCII-document MCB_MAN.TXT and
     print it.

- 5) Run MCBase. If missing (which they should), the program will now
     create the neccesary index files (MCBxKEYx.NDX) and the configuration
     file MCBASE.CFG.

     Note:  If an MCBASE.CFG configuration file was INCLUDED in the copy of
            the MCBxxx.ZIP archive file that you received, then delete this
            MCBASE.CFG prior to execute MCBASE.EXE. If the contents of this
            particular MCBASE.CFG configuration file does NOT match YOUR
            system's configuration, MCBase may not be able to complete
            initialisation.
            Also, if your copy of the archive INCLUDED the index files
            (MCBxKEYx.NDX), you should execute function "Reindex", in order
            to make sure that these indexes are valid. 
            Again: The MCBASE.CFG file and the index files (MCBxKEYx.NDX)
            should NOT be included in the archive: these precautions, as
            written above, might save you considerable frustration.

- 6) Access the dialog "Printer settings" (using the menu items: "MCBase -
     Configuration - Printer". Consult your printer manual for the correct
     commandset and see section "Configuring MCBase", topic "Printer" for
     assistance on printer configuration.

After these steps you'll be ready to run the shareware version of the
MCBase Music Collection DataBase system.


Installing MCBase from the registered version disk.

You received your registered version of MCBase on a disk on which all
neccessary files are present.

When updating from the shareware version to the registered version, you may
simply add the registration key to your current copy of MCBase. Adding this
key is sufficient to change any shareware version into a fully registered
version of MCBase.

Otherwise, in case you would like to upgrade your current version of
MCBASE.EXE to a newer or more powerful version, or if you are
(re)installing MCBase from scratch, please follow this procedure (consult
your operating system's manual for any additional instructions and/or
information):

- 1) Switch your system to any appropriate disk drive and insert the
     MCBase program disk in this drive.
     (For your information: if you have selected drive "A:", your
     operating system's prompt will now read "A:\>" or similar).

- 2) Start the installation program, by executing the command "INSTALL": 
     A:\>INSTALL [enter]

Please follow the instructions onscreen and continue with the instructions
as found below, from "When the above steps are completed...".

Some background information: what happens, during this installation
procedure, is that you select the appropriate MCBase-version for your
system (MCBase is available for XT, AT and protected mode or higher) and
that the appropriate files are placed in the MCBase-directory.

Important remark:   If your computer system is equipped with a 80286 (or
                    higher) processor and you have 2Mb memory available (or
                    more), you should install the "protected mode" version:
                    this version will give you the maximum performance of
                    both MCBase and your computer's resources!

The files are all stored in archive files (except INSTALL.EXE and LHA.EXE).
The following are the available archives and their contents:

     MCB_XT.LZH  -  MCBase executable for XT-compatibles.
     MCB_AT.LZH  -  MCBase executable for AT-compatibles, that are NOT
                    able  to support protected mode (see "MCBase requirements").
     MCB_X86.LZH -  MCBase executable (and support files) for protected
                    mode systems (see "MCBase requirements"). 
     MCB_UTIL.LZH-  GENMCB.EXE:    Utility to generate new database set.
                    MCBCNVRT.EXE:  Utility to convert MCBase V1.x
                                   databases to MCBase V2.x.
     MCB_DEMO.LZH-  Demonstration database set.
     MCB_DOCS.LZH-  LICENSE.TXT:   License agreement.
                    MCB_MAN.TXT:   Documentation file (ASCII text).
                    ORDER.TXT:     Registration and order information.
                    REVISION.TXT:  MCBase revision history.
     MCB_WP5.LZH -  MCB_MAN.DOC:   Documentation file (WP5 format).
                    ORDER.DOC      Registration and order information (WP5
                                   format).
                    REVISION.DOC:  MCBase revision history. (WP5 format).
                                        
     LHA213E.EXE-   LHA archiver, version 213e. A freeware archiver, by
                    Haruyasu Yoshizaki (Yoshi). 
                    Included for convenience: you will need an archiver to
                    use with your backup-procedures. This is a self-
                    extracting archive: it will extract itself upon
                    execution. (Perhaps you should place this self
                    extracting archive in it's own directory, before
                    executing it). All documentation concerning LHA is
                    included in this archive.

Please note: The contents of the file MCB_WP5.LZH is NOT installed by the
installation program, since the ASCII versions are already installed there.
But if you have the WordPerfect word processor (or a word processor that is
able to import WordPerfect V5 files) you may prefer to print this formatted
versions of the MCBase documentation files. 
Extract the files with the command: lha e mcb_wp5 c:\mcbase\
(Use this command as described in section 15, "Restore...from the archive
file backup").

If you choose NOT to use the INSTALL program, because you PREFER (or NEED)
to install your registered copy of MCBase by hand: 

- A) Copy all archive files you need for your implementation (see below),
     to your MCBase-directory.

     - For XT compatibles, you will need the MCB_XT.LZH archive.
     - For non-protected mode AT compatibles (less then 2Mb memory), you
       will need the MCB_AT.LZH archive.
     - For protected mode AT compatibles (2Mb memory and 80286 processor
       or higher), you will need the MCB_X86.LZH archive.
     - If you WISH to use the demonstration database set, copy the
       MCB_DEMO.LZH archive file now. 
       Note:   MAKE SURE that you do NOT overwrite your existing MCBase
               V2.x database set (if available).
     - Also copy the remaining (so far unmentioned) archives and the
       LHA.EXE executable to your MCBase-directory.

     Now store your registered version disk in a safe place.

- B) Go to the MCBase-directory and extract all archives, using following
     command: LHA e MCB*.LZH. This command will extract all archive files
     at once. (Otherwise, use this command: LHA e [filename.ext]).

- C) Delete the extracted archives from your MCBase-directory, since they
     will not be needed any further.

- D) Rename the MCBase executable of your choice (either MCB_XT.EXE,
     MCB_AT.EXE or MCB_X86.EXE) to MCBASE.EXE.

When the above steps are completed, continue with these: 

- 1) Start your wordprocessor, import the ASCII-document MCB_MAN.TXT and
     print it. If you prefer, you might extract the MCB_WP5.LZH archive
     (using the above mentioned instructions) and print the formatted
     version of our documentation.

- 2) Run MCBase. If missing, the program will now create the neccesary
     index files (MCBxKEYx.NDX) and the configuration file MCBASE.CFG.

- 3) Access the dialog "Printer settings" (using the menu items: "MCBase -
     Configuration - Printer" to install your printer's commandset.
     Consult your printer manual for the correct commandset and see
     section "Configuring MCBase", topic "Printer" for assistance on
     printer configuration.

After these steps you'll be ready to run your registered version of the
MCBase Music Collection dataBase system.


Configuring MCBASE.

After installation, MCBase will be using the standard configuration, as
stored in the MCBASE.CFG configuration file. If a new configuration file
has been generated, please check and add the information needed for your
system and requirements.

Remark:   In case a NEW configuration file is created, make sure you check
          AT LEAST the configuration dialog "Printer", for the printer
          settings. There is a "Defaults"-button available in this dialog:
          pressing it will install the configuration settings for standard
          EPSON printers (and compatibles). Then press the "Use"-button (to
          store the current settings in memory and select "Store
          Configuration" (Shift-F4) to store the current settings to the
          MCBASE.CFG configuration file.

The configuration options can be found under item "Configuration settings"
under the main menu item "MCBase", found on the menu bar. (Please see also
section "USING THE MCBASE CONTROLS" for additional information on how to
use the options and controls in these configuration dialogs) The available
configuration options are following:
                                        
     - Colors       is a dialog in which you can alter the colors, used
                    by the MCBase system. 

       Use: - A) Select a group to modify
            - B) Select an item from the group
            - C) Select your new fore- and background colors (an
                 example, with the result of your selections, is
                 presented in the lower right-corner of this dialog).
            - D) Press the "Ok"-button to accept the new settings or
                 press the "Cancel"-button to discard them.

       In order to make any of the changes you made to the default colors
       permanent, you should select "Store configuration" when you're
       finished.

     - Mouse             is a dialog in which you can alter your mouse's
                         default behaviour.

       Use: - A) You may adjust the desired "double click"-speed with
                 the scrollbar and/or reverse the mouse's button
                 functions by checking the checkbox.
            - B) Press the "Ok"-button to accept the new settings or
                 press the "Cancel"-button to discard them.

       In order to make any of the changes you made to the default
       behaviour permanent, you should select "Store configuration" when
       you're finished.

     - Select methods    is a dialog in which you can set your preferences
                         on the selection methods to be used on the various
                         databases. 

       Use: - A) Check the top checkbox in this dialog, if you would
                 prefer to use uppercase characters only in the
                 picklist dialogs.

            - B) Check the checkboxes under "Normal selection methods"
                 (i.e.: selection methods used wile using the printjobs
                 and editing the databases) for each database where you
                 would prefer to use a find-dialog instead of the
                 standard picklist dialog.

            - C) Check the checkboxes under ""Browse" selection
                 methods" (i.e.: selection methods used for the various
                 "Browse..." options) for each database where you would
                 prefer to use a find-dialog instead of the standard
                 picklist dialog.

            - D) Press the "Use"-button to accept the new settings, the
                 "Defaults"-button to restore the default (= MCBase's
                 standard internal values) settings or press the
                 "Cancel"-button to discard the modified settings and
                 keep the previous settings.

       The selected settings will be valid for the duration of the
       current session only. In order to make any of these preferences
       permanent, you should select "Store configuration" when you're
       finished.

     - Printer      is a dialog in which you can set the required
                    initialisation strings for your type of printer. 

       Use: - A) Enter a "Setup" command (not required) which should be
                 sent to your printer, prior to every printjob.

            - B) Enter the "Left margin" command (required), that will
                 set your printer to the preferred left margin.

            - C) Enter the "Page length" in inches (required). This
                 values format is in decimal inches (as in: ##.#).

            - D) Enter the "Top margin" in inches (required). This
                 values format is in decimal inches (as in: #.#).

            - E) Enter the "Bottom margin" in inches (required). This
                 values format is in decimal inches (as in: #.#).

            - F) Enter the "Condensed" command (required), that will
                 switch your printer to condensed printing.

            - G) Enter the "8 lines/inch" command (not required), that
                 will switch your printer to 8 lines/inch printing
                 mode.

            - H) Enter the "Total reset" command (required), that will
                 switch your printer back to it's default mode. This
                 command is sent to your printer after each printjob.

            - I) check either one (or both) of the checkboxes for
                 formfeed control. The first will send a formfeed to
                 your printer at the end of each page, while the second
                 will send a formfeed at the end of the printjob only.

            - J) Press the "Use"-button to accept the new settings, the
                 "Defaults"-button to restore the default settings (for
                 EPSON and compatibles) or press the "Cancel"-button to
                 discard the modified settings and keep the previous
                 settings.

       When you press the "Use"-button in this dialog, the syntax and
       format of the various entries are validated, to prevent problems.
       Should there be an error, then you will be notified by a
       messagebox.

       Select "Store configuration" to make the current settings perma-
       
       nent. Otherwise, the current settings will be used for the
       duration of the current session only.

     - Video             is a toggle to switch from 25 line to 50 line video
                         mode. 

       This feature requires the EGA/VGA video standards a minimum. If
       your system does not support the EGA or VGA video standard, you
       will not be able to use this function. If you are in doubt if your
       system supports EGA/VGA, simply select the "Video" menu option: if
       EGA/VGA support is not available, you will be notified about it.

       Select "Store configuration" to make the current setting
       permanent. Otherwise, the current setting will be used for the
       duration of the current session only.

     - Load configuration
                    resets MCBase to the configuration settings as most
                    recently stored in the MCBASE.CFG configuration
                    file.

       If you had any windows or non-database dialogs open on the desktop
       when you were storing it, you will find these items open again.
       (Note: The contents of the editor windows can only be restored on
       the desktop, when they were previously stored in a file).

     - Store configuration    
                    stores the current status of the desktop and the
                    configuration settings in the MCBASE.CFG
                    configuration file.

       If you have any windows or non-database dialogs open on the
       desktop when you select this option, then these items also will be
       stored in the configuration file. The very next time you will
       start MCBase (or when you select "Load desktop") you will find
       these items already opened on your desktop. (The contents of the
       editor windows can only be restored, when they were previously
              stored in a file).7.   THE MUSIC COLLECTION DATABASE SYSTEM: HOW DOES IT WORK?

The MCBase system is built on 6 sets of database files (.DBF-files for the
actual records and .DBT-files for the memo's belonging to these records),
each with a supporting set of indexfiles, by which the information in the
databases is accessed.


How are relations used within MCBase.

MCBase is a relational database system. What does that mean?
Well, instead of entering an certain artistname (or whatever other relation
you may need) for a number of times (once for each song, as you would have
to do in a flat-file database system), you will now need to enter such an
artistname ONLY ONCE! After you have entered it ONCE, all you have to do to
relate a songrecord to this artist (or album, author, producer, category)
is following: select the relation you need, by using a Picklist- or Find-
dialog, so that it is inserted (by the system) into the song's database
record. 

Each time that a song's database record is retrieved, all related
information (as artist, album, author(s), producer and category) is
retrieved at the same time, giving you full access to all required
information at once.

The following is a short description of how the database files are
organized and how they all are related to each other.

Remark:   The ID-codes, mentioned in this section, are NOT VISIBLE within
          the MCBase-software. If a relation is selected to be used in a
          certain record, then this record itself, as stored in the
          database, will carry the selected relation's ID-code, but YOU will
          SEE only the DESCRIPTION of the selected relation, as it is stored
          in it's own database.

The first set of files are MCB1.DBF & MCB1.DBT, which hold the following
artist-information:

     - 1) Artist name.

     - 2) Period in which the artist is (was) active.

     - 3) Artist ID-code, to be used as a reference by the related
          databases.

     - 4) Artist information memo ("ARTINFMEM"), in which specific
          information about the current artist can be placed.

     - 5) Artist remarks memo ("ARTREMMEM"), in which your own opinion or
          remarks about the current artist can be placed.

The second set of files are MCB2.DBF & MCB2.DBT, which hold the following
album-information:

     - 1) Album title.

     - 2) Artist ID-code, which points to the related artist-record in
          the files MCB1.DBF & MCB1.DBT. 

     - 3) Producer ID-code, which points to the related producer-record
          in the files MCB4.DBF & MCB4.DBT.

     - 4) Period in which the album was released.

     - 5) Album ID-code, to be used as a reference by the related
          databases.

     - 6) Album information memo ("ALBINFMEM"), in which specific
          information about the current album can be placed.

     - 7) Album remarks memo ("ALBREMMEM"), in which your own opinion or
          remarks about the current album can be placed.

The third set of files are MCB3.DBF & MCB3.DBT, which hold the following
author-information:

     - 1) Author name

     - 2) Period in which the author is (was) active.

     - 3) "Composer" field. If this field contains no value, then this
          author is NOT a composer.

     - 4) "Writer" field. If this field contains no value, then this
          author is NOT a writer.

       These two fields enable you to state (for yourself) if this author
       is (mainly) a composer, a writer or both.

     - 5) Author ID-Code, to be used as a reference by the related
          databases.

     - 6) Author information memo ("AUTINFMEM"), in which specific
          information about the current author can be placed.

     - 7) Author remarks memo ("AUTREMMEM"), in which your own opinion or
          remarks about the current author can be placed.

The fourth set of files are MCB4.DBF & MCB4.DBT, which hold the following
producer-information:

     - 1) Producer name

     - 2) Period in which the producer is (was) active.

     - 3) Producer ID-code, to be used as a reference by the related
          databases.

     - 4) Producer information memo ("PRDINFMEM"), in which specific
          information about the current producer can be placed.

     - 5) Producer remarks memo ("PRDREMMEM"), in which your own opinion
          or remarks about the current producer can be placed.

The fifth set of files are MCB5.DBF & MCB5.DBT, which hold the following
catagory-information:

     - 1) Category name

     - 2) Category ID-code, to be used as a reference by the related
          databases.

     - 3) Category information memo ("CATINFMEM"), in which specific
          information about the current catagory can be placed.

The last set of files are MCB6.DBF & MCB6.DBT, that bundle all information
from the previous files together to a datarecord and also holds the
following song-information:

     - 1) Song title

     - 2) The MCBase Location code: Where, within my collection, can I
          locate this song?

     - 3) Playing time in minutes and seconds.

     - 4) The date on which this song was released.

     - 5) The ID-code of the related album (if any).

     - 6) The ID-code of the related artist.

     - 7) The ID-code of the related composer.

     - 8) The ID-code of the related writer.

     - 9) The ID-code of the related producer.

     -10) The ID-code of the related category

     -11) Song information memo ("SNGINFMEM"), in which certain
          information on the current songtitle can be placed.

     -12) Song remarks memo ("SNGREMMEM"), in which your own opinion and
          remarks on the current songtitle can be placed.

As you will notice from the above, the system is "building" it's
information on these six sets of files in the following manner:

     Level 1 - User interface
     Level 2 - Artist, Author, Producer & Category databases
     Level 3 - Album database
     Level 4 - Song database
Example: Adding a new album to the MCBase system.

Suppose you just bought an album of an artist which is totally NEW to your
music collection, then you would do the following to add the album to the
MCBase database system:

IMPORTANT: please note: ALL (UNIQUE) names & albumtitles need to be entered
to their respective databases ONLY ONCE and are from then on SELECTABLE
ITEMS for use with the higher database(s). See also the following section
"Multiple edit dialogs".

     - 1) Check if the album artist (i.e. the artist who's name is on the
          albumcover) is already in your artist database. If not, then
          add his name. Do the same for the song artist(s) (see below),
          in case they are not the same. 
          When adding an artist, a unique ID-code is generated for this
          artist, which will be used to identify the artist by in the
          other database-files. (This happens unseen, behind the scenes).

Note: The SONG ARTIST is the artist that is performing the song: let's say
it's a name like "John Doe". The ALBUM ARTIST is the artist who's name is
on the cover, which could be something like "Micheal Smith and friends",
where John Doe is one of these friends...

     - 2) Check for the presence of the album's producer in the producers
          database. If not listed, then add his or her name.

     - 3) Add the albumtitle to the album database. While doing this, you
          will have to select the album artist from a picklist generated
          from the artist database. (Press the "select artist"-button in
          the album dialog to invoke this picklist).
          This action will copy the selected artists ID-code into the
          current albumrecord. 
          MCBase will use this ID-code to retrieve the correct artist
          information from the artist database when needed.
          The albumrecord will also receive it's unique ID-code, by which
          the system can identify it.

          Repeat the above for the album's producer.

     - 4) Check for the presence of the various authors in the authors
          database. Add those who are not already listed.

     - 5) Check for the presence of the song producer(s) in the producers
          database. Also add anyone who is not already listed.

     - 6) Check for the presence of the album's song categories in the
          category database. Add any category that is not listed.

     - 7) Finally, add the songrecords to the song database. While doing
          this, you will have to select the actual song artist which is
          performing the current song (multiple song artist can appear on
          one album), the related albumtitle, the related composer, the
          related writer (both from the authors database), the related
          producer and the related category. These actions will copy all
          the correct ID-codes into the various fields, which MCBase then
          will use to retrieve the correct artist, album, composer,
          writer, producer and category information from their respective
          databases when needed.

After entering the above mentioned data, you will be able to look into this
data from the various screens and you can print various sorted lists
containing this data.

(The exact use of each of the dialogs will be discussed in a later stage).


The "location code" and the MCBase system.

To enable the system to place all songs, belonging to the same album (or
tape), in the correct order of appearance (in the printouts), the system is
depending on a special code that the user enters in the field "Location
code" for every songtitle. 

An example of using the location code is the following:

- A) For singles you could use: "SI" for "Single", then a period as a
     delimiter and then the tracknumber on the single. 

     So that would be:   SI.1, SI.2, SI.3, SI.4 (and so on...)

- B) For albums you could use: "LP" for "Long Play", then a period as a
     delimiter, then the sidenumber of the album, another period and the
     tracknumber of the current albumside.

     So that would be: LP.1.01, LP.1.02, LP.2.01, LP.2.02 (and so on...).
     This could be almost the same for Compact Discs (CD).

- C) For tapes, however, you should use A STRICT FORMAT for the location
     code! This format consists out of a tapenumber, sidenumber and the
     tapecounter value. A location code like the following enables you to
     print a list with the EXACT contents of any tape:

     That would be: 12345.1.1234

     For tapes, the tapenumber or -code MUST consist out of 5 digits,
     while a dilimiter (period) is regarded as a valid digit.
     Note:  The first digit MUST be a value from 0 - 9: a dilimiter may not
            be used in this position for a tape location code!!

Perticular for tapes, each song on tape MUST have a unique location code.
The above examples are higly recommended.

You are of course free to come up with your own ideas, but YOU WILL HAVE TO
KEEP FOLLOWING IN MIND: ONLY THE LOCATION CODE FOR THE TAPES MAY (AND MUST)
START WITH A NUMERIC VALUE! (The option "Report all tapes", that generates
an overview list for all tapes, starts off at the first location code with
"0" as first character and ends with the last locationcode with "9" as
first character). 8.   USING THE MCBASE CONTROLS

Before continuing with a discussion on using the various dialogs and report
windows available in MCBase, let's discuss how to use the various controls
in these windows and dialogs:

Using a dialog's controls & moving through a dialog

Think of controls as every item you can access in a dialog box: an
inputline, a checkbox, a button, a scrollbar... Whatever! 

To access these controls, you can use a mouse, select a shortcut (see
"Using shortcuts" for further information) or you can use the tab-key to
reach the control you need: every press on the tab-key takes you a control
further in the dialog, while shift-tab will take you a control back.

When opening a dialog, the LAST control in it has the focus. This is
usually the Cancel- or Quit-button: pressing the enter-key in this stage
will close the dialog. When pressing the tab-key, the focus will be moved
to the FIRST control in the dialog, usually an inputline: enter your data
and press the tab-key to go to the next control.

If this control is a function-button that you wish to execute: press enter
to execute the function represented by the button. (When using a mouse,
just click on it).

If the control is a checkbox: press the spacebar to check or uncheck it
(mouse-users can click on it).

Using the tab- and shift-tab-key sequences you can move around through the
dialogs at will, without the need for a mouse. (Although having a mouse
available would be preferable).


Dialogs and modal dialogs

A "modal dialog" is a special version of the normal dialog (= a window with
entry fields and selection buttons) that MUST be handled before any other
function can be selected. Only few dialogs have a "modal"-status. As an
example, you may have a look at the various configuration dialogs.


Multiple (edit) dialogs.

An important MCBase feature that should be mentioned, is the ability to
work simultaniously in various databases! By opening multiple edit dialogs
you can switch back and forth between all different dialogs at will, by
clicking on them, or by using one of the commands from the "Window"-menu:
Next (press the F6-key) or Previous (use shift-F6).

This enables you to work in all six databases at the same time: if you find
that you need an additional author (for example), just open the appropriate
dialog and add it to it's database on the fly. You will be able to use the
new entry, right after pressing it's dialog's "Save"-button.

Note:  If you are editing an entry, who's data is ALSO displayed in another
       dialog at the same time, then the information PRINTED in that other
       dialog will NOT be updated after saving the edited entry. If you WANT
       to see the updated entry in that dialog, then you should re-select
       that entry (using that dialog's "select"-button).


Using scrollbars / scrolling

A scrollbar is a horizontal or vertical bar, as seen (for instance) on the
bottom and the left of the memo editor dialog frames.

     - To scroll one line at a time, use your mouse to click on the arrow
       at either end. 
       (Keyboard users: press an appropriate arrowkey).

     - To scroll continuously, click on the arrow at either end and keep
       the mouse button pressed. 
       (Keyboard users: keep the arrowkey pressed).

     - To scroll one page at a time, click in the shaded area to either
       side of the scroll box (= the small square slider on the bar,
       between the arrows)
       (Keyboard users: use the page-up or -down key).


Using shortcuts & hotkeys

From the keyboard, you can use a number of shortcuts to access items and
choose commands. You can get to, or activate, main menu items and dialog
commands by pressing the Alt-key and the highlighted letter it the item's
description. While in a submenu, you need to press only the item's
highlighted letter to access or activate it.

Also, some menu items are equipped with a hotkey. These hotkeys are noted
at the rightside of that menu item. You can use a hotkey from anywhere in
MCBase, you don't have to access the actual menu item first, unless a
"modal dialog" is active on the desktop. (See "Dialogs and modal dialogs"
for further information).


Using the memo editors

The memo editor works similar as the textfile editor. Only difference is,
that the edited text isn't stored in an ascii textfile, but in a memorecord
in the currently active database.

The memo editors are only accessible when it's dialog isn't processing a
new entry. The memo's are stored in a record's memofields: if you are
processing a new entry, then these memofields aren't there yet. You're
working beyond the end of file. 

After saving the new entry, the record has it's memofields available for
editing. When saving the text with the memo editor's "Save"-button, it is
immediately stored into the appropriate memofield.

When editing a memofield, all record selection commands are disabled: this
is a requirement, to prevent that the editor looses focus of the currently
edited record. When "Save"-ing or "Quit"-ing the memo editor, these record
selection commands are re-enabled.
Using a picklist-dialog

A picklist-dialog (also called a "listbox") is a selection dialog that lets
you scroll through and select from the entries in a database. When invoking
the picklist, the focus is on the last control in the dialog: the cancel
button.

Mouse users: Use your mouse on the scrollbar to scroll through the
available entries and click on the entry you need, in order to select it.

Keyboard users: Use the tab-key to go to the list of entries. When a focus
bar (or a blinking cursor) appears in the list, use the arrowkeys and/or
the page-up & -down keys to scroll through the entries. Press the spacebar
to select the entry you need.

Note:  A "focus bar" is a bar that highlights the currently focused (= about
       to be selected) item in a picklist dialog.

In case you know what you're looking for, tab to the list (or click on it),
so that the focus bar appears, and then begin typing the first few
characters of the entry you need: the listbox will take you to the first
entry that matches the entered characters. Then press the spacebar to
select the entry you need.

Note:  The picklist is upper- and lowercase sensitive, unless configured
       otherwise in the "Select methods" configuration dialog.


Using a find-dialog

A selection dialog like the Find-dialog can be used instead of a picklist
dialog to approach very large databases, where the system might take too
much time to collect the records for the picklist. See the section
"Configuring MCBase" on further information on setting the preference for
the Find-dialog.

When other dialogs are already open on the desktop, the find-dialog will be
preset to display that record from a database, that was either most
recently focussed or most lightly to be needed. (This is depending on the
instance that invoked the Find dialog).

Access the inputline in the dialog (by either mouse click or tab-key) and
enter the first few characters (or more) of the item you need and press the
"search"-button. The dialog will present you with the first match found,
after which you can continue your search by selecting the "previous"- or
"next"-buttons. Press the "ok"-button when the desired entry is found or
press the "cancel"-button to terminate the search.

When pressing the "search"-button again, after walking through the database
with the "previous"- and "next"-buttons, you will be returned to the first
match that was found.



Note: the find-dialog is NOT case sensitive.
9.   A TOUR THROUGH MCBASE'S MAIN MENU.

Accessing menu items.

MCBase's pulldown menu structure may be accessed by either mouse or
keyboard, in the following manner:

     - 1) You can point & click at a menu item. When clicking on an item
          on the menubar, this will result in a pulldown menu on this
          item, from which you can select the actual item (or another
          pulldown menu) you need, by another mouse click on it. 

     - 2) You can select a menu item by walking through the menu's using
          your cursor keys (activate this mode by pressing the F10
          function key first) and hit the "return"- or "enter"-key when
          you reach the item (or pulldown menu) you need.

     - 3) You can select a menu item by entering it's shortcut or hotkey.
          (See "Using shortcuts and hotkeys" for further information).


All the items on the menubar (as the dialogs) support you with a hint,
describing their function, on the statusline. 

The available pulldown menu's on the menubar are: 

     - 1) MCBase Provides a submenu from where configuration options
                 and system utilities can be accessed.

     - 2) Browse, edit & add  
                 Provides a submenu from where entry's in the databases
                 can be added, edited and/or viewed.

     - 3) Print     Provides a submenu from where various reports of the
                    information in the databases can be printed.

     - 4) Editor Provides a full featured multiple file text editor, to
                 allow you to create and edit any ascii textfile (for
                 maintaining wishlists, for use as a system editor or
                 what ever you can think of).
 
     - 6) View handling
                 Provides a submenu with various manupilation options
                 for the various views (= dialogs and windows)

Let's have a look at the various items in these pulldown menu's, one by
one:


The "MCBase" pulldown menu

The "MCBase" pulldown menu, presents us the configuration options and sytem
utilities (See the previous section "Accessing menu items" also):

     - About...          is an information dialog.
 
       In the shareware version, the "About..." dialog will remind you
       that should register your copy of MCBase, if you wish to continue
       using it after the evaluation period has expired.

       In the registered version, this dialog will display your name (or
       the name of your MCBase supplier, should you have purchased a pre-
       registered version) and the minimal system requirements for which
       this version of MCBase V2.x has been compiled.

     - Ascii table       is a table in which you can find the decimal (and
                         hex) values of any (extended) ascii character. 

       When you select a character you need (by clicking on it), the
       table will display the selected character, it's decimal value and
       it's hex value. To enter such an (extended) Ascii character into
       your text, you should go to the required position in your text and
       hold down the ALT-key while typing the decimal value for the
       required character.

       Example:  To enter the character "", hold down the ALT-key and
                 type this character's decimal value of 137: .
               (Perhaps you should also see your operating system's
               manual for information on entering extended Ascii
               characters).

     - Calendar          is a dialog that supplies you the current date. 

       By clicking on the up- and down arrows in the dialog, you can
       wander up and down the months of this, or any other, year.

     -  Configuration settings
                    is a submenu in which may find the following items
                    (please see "Configuring MCBase" for their
                    descriptions):

                    - Colors
                    - Mouse
                    - Select methods
                    - Printer
                    - Video
                    - Load configuration
                    - Store configuration

     - Pack         checkes all databases on entries that are marked
                    "Deleted" and physically removes these from the
                    databases.

       Please note: Any entry, marked "Deleted", still used to be
       accessible within the "Edit..."-options, to enable you to undo a
       "Deleted"-status. After performing "Pack" on your databases, any
       entry you had marked as "Deleted" is physically removed from the
       databases and therefor cannot be accessed anymore!

     - Reindex      UPDATES all indexes related to the MCBase system.

       Should you, for some reason, require all the indexes to be TOTALLY
       REWRITTEN, then exit MCBase (Alt-X) and simply delete them. Next
       time you start MCBase, the software will notify you the indexes
       are missing and will start creating new ones.

       VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: When deleting these index-files, delete only
       the files who match the following mask: MCB?KEY?.NDX, as the "?"
       wildcard character may represent any valid figure or character. 
       (See your operating system's manual for further information on
       deleting files).

     - DosShell          temporary exit to the system prompt.

       You are positioned at the system prompt, in the MCBase directory,
       from where you can execute DOS-commands. (Make sure that you
       return to MCBase, since all databases will remain opened!). You
       may return from the DosShell, by entering the command EXIT at the
       system prompt. (This option is available in the Protected Mode
       version only).

     - Exit         closes all databases and exits MCBase.

       You are returned to the system prompt (or your menu program from
       where you invoked MCBase).

       Important:   You must ALWAYS use "Exit" to leave MCBase. Otherwise
                    some databuffers might not be able to write their data
                    to the database set, wich will corrupt your data! You
                    should NEVER simply turn of the power, while MCBase is
                    still running!


The "Browse, edit & add" pulldown menu

The "Browse, edit & add" pulldown menu provides us with a series of dialogs
to add new entry's to the databases or to edit or browse through the
existing ones. A discussion of their exact use will follow in a later
stage.

Remark:   The following general dialog functions may appear in the various
          Browse, edit & add dialogs as a minimum:

       -  Delete         is a checkbox, where you can set the current
                         record's "Delete"-status.

       -  Information memo    enables editing of the current record's
                              information memo.

       -  Remarks memo   enables editing of the current record's
                         remarks memo.

       -  Previous            moves you one entry towards the beginning of
                              the current database, in alphabetical order.

       -  Next           moves you one entry towards the end of the
                         current database, in alphabetical order.

       -  Select         enables you to select another record, using
                         either a "picklist"- or a "find"-dialog.
                         (This depends on your settings in the "Select
                         methods"-configuration dialog.

       -  Add new             enables you to add a new entry to the current
                              database. (Puts an Edit-dialog in it's "Add
                              new"-mode).

       -  Save           stores the current status of the edited
                         record to the database.

       -  Quit           closes the active dialog, without saving the
                         data in it.

Here's a short discription of the available editing dialogs:

     - Edit artist       enables you to access an existing record in the
                         artist database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions.

     - Edit album        enables you to access an existing record in the
                         album database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions and has the following functions added:

       Select artist          enables you to relate the currently edited
                              album entry to an artist entry from the
                              artist database.

       Select producer   enables you to relate the currently edited
                         album to a producer entry from the producer
                         database.

     - Edit author       enables you to access an existing record in the
                         author database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions and has the following checkboxes added:

       Composer          Check this box, if the currently edited author is a
                         composer.

       Writer       Check this box, if the currently edited author is a
                    writer.

       Please note: The settings in the "Composer" and "Writer"
       checkboxes are for your personal information only. At the moment,
       the MCBase system is not making further use of it.

     - Edit producer     enables you to access an existing record in the
                         producer database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions.

     - Edit category     enables you to access an existing record in the
                         category database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions.

     - Edit song    enables you to access an existing record in the
                    song database for editing purposes

       Supported record selection functions in this dialog are the
       general dialog functions and it has the following functions added:

       Select artist          enables you to relate the currently edited
                              song entry to an artist entry from the artist
                              database.

       Select album      enables you to relate the currently edited
                         song to an album entry from the album
                         database.

       Select composer   enables you to relate the currently edited
                         song to a composer (author) entry from the
                         author database.

       Select writer          enables you to relate the currently edited
                              song to a writer (author) entry from the
                              author database.

       Select producer   enables you to relate the currently edited
                         song to a producer entry from the producer
                         database.
       Select category   enables you to relate the currently edited
                         song to a category entry from the category
                         database.

The "Add..."-dialogs are equal to the "Edit..."-dialogs, except that they
all start out in the dialog's "Add new"-mode, until the new entry is saved
by selecting the "Save"-button, after which the dialog is set to it's
default "Edit"-mode. While in "Edit"-mode, selecting the "Add new"-button
in a dialog, will bring you (back) to this dialog's "Add new"-mode. At that
moment, after pressing the "Add new"-button, the system will ask you, if
you would like to copy the currently selected relations to the new record
(might be handy, while adding a new album).

While a dialog is in it's "Add new"-mode, all record selection commands
(Previous, Next, Select & Add new) are disabled, since the (currently
edited) record is BEYOND the physical end of file.

The memo editing routines are also unavailable while the dialog is in it's
"Add new"-mode. Store the record by selecting the dialog's "Save"-function
and edit the memo's next.

For further information on "Add new" and other edit dialog usage, see
"USING THE EDIT DIALOGS".

The "Browse..." dialogs, on the other hand, are quite a bit different from
the "Edit" dialogs: the same information is there, but it is not accessible
for editing (except the memo's). 

When a browse option is invoked, a picklist-dialog will be generated,
carrying the selectable items (or you will be presented a find-dialog, to
find the required item. This depends on your settings in the "Select
methods" configuration dialog). 

When making the selection, using either the picklist or the find dialog, a
browse dialog is invoked that presents you with the details about the
selected song (or whatever). (The browse option's picklist (if used) will
remain in the background and can be reselected by simply clicking on it).

For further information on browsing, see "USING THE BROWSE DIALOGS".


The "Print" pulldown menu

The "Print' pulldown menu provides some submenus from where various reports
on the information in the databases can be printed.

Following reports (printjobs) are available:

     - Report all...     Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artists        This option will report all artists found in your
                         collection.

          authors        This option will report all authors found in your
                         collection.

          producers This option will report all producers found in your
                    collection. 

          categories     This option will report all the categories found in
                         your collection. 

          albums -  sorted by title
                    This option will report all albumtitles found in
                    your collection, sorted on albumtitle.

                 -  sorted by artist
                    This option will also report all albumtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the artists name.

                 -  sorted by producer
                    This option will also report all albumtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the producers name. 

          songs     -    sorted by title
                    This option will report all songtitles found in
                    your collection, sorted on songtitle.

                 -  sorted by artist
                    This option will also report all songtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the artists name.

                 -  sorted by author
                    This option will also report all songtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the authors name.

                 -  sorted by producer
                    This option will also report all songtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the producers name.

                 -  sorted by album
                    This option will also report all songtitles found
                    in your collection, but this version is sorted on
                    the related album name. 
     
          tapes          This option will report a list, with all songtitles
                         found in your collection, that are recorded on
                         tape.

     - Summary for selected...
                    Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artist -  album summary
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    albumtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected artist.

                 -  song summary
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected artist.

          author    This option will also report a list, with all song-
                    
                    titles found in your collection, for a pre-selected
                    artist.

          producer  -    album summary
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    albumtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected producer.

                 -  song summary
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected producer.

          category       This option will report a list, with all
                         songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                         selected category.

          album          This option will report a list, with all
                         songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                         selected album. 

     - Summaries for all...
                    Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artist -  album summary
                    This option will report a list for each artist
                    (seperately), with all albumtitles found for this
                    artist in your collection.

                 -  song summary
                    This option will report a list for each artist
                    (separately), with all songtitles found for this
                    artist in your collection. 

          author    This option will report a list for each author
                    (seperately), with all songtitles found for this
                    author in your collection. 

          producer  -    album summary
                    This option will report a list for each producer
                    (seperately), with all albumtitles found for this
                    producer in your collection. 

                 -  song summary
                    This option will report a list for each producer
                    (seperately), with all songtitles found for this
                    producer in your collection. 

          category       This option will report a list for each category
                         (seperately), with all songtitles found for this
                         category in your collection. 

          album          This option will report a list for each album
                         (seperately), with all songtitles found for this
                         album in your collection. 

     - Page eject / FormFeed
                    This option will cause your printer to eject the
                    current page.

For further information on the printjobs and how to use them, please see
section "USING THE PRINT OPTIONS".

The "Editor" pulldown menu

The "Editor" pulldown menu provides a full featured 64Kb multiple file text
editor, to allow you to create and edit ascii textfiles (for maintaining
wishlists, for use as a system editor or what ever you can think of). 

Please refer to section "USING THE MCBASE TEXTFILE EDITOR" for a complete
discussion of the editor and it's use.

The "View handling" pulldown menu

The "View handling" pulldown menu provides a submenu with various window
and dialog (= views) manipulation options:

     - Tile      will tile all windows (NOT the dialogs), currently
                 open on the desktop, from top to bottom.

     - Cascade   will divide the available desktop space between all
                 windows (NOT the dialogs), currently open op the
                 desktop.

     - Resize/move  will enable you, to resize or move the active window
                    (NOT dialogs: these can only be moved). 

       Keyboard: Using only the cursorkeys you will be able to move the
                 window across the desktop. 
                 Using the cursorkeys in combination with the shiftkey,
                 you will be able to resize the window. 
                 Terminate this status by pressing the enter-key.

       Mouse:    Move the active window by clicking op the topline of
                 the window's frame. Hold your left mousebutton pressed
                 down, while you drag the window to the desired
                 position. Then release the mousebutton.
                 Resize the active window by clicking on the lower
                 right corner of the active window. Hold your left
                 mousebutton pressed down, while you resize the window
                 by moving it's lower right corner to the desired
                 position. Then release the mousebutton.

     - Zoom      will zoom the active window (NOT a dialog) to maximum
                 size. Selecting this command a second time, will reset
                 the active window to it's former size.

     - Next      will take you to the next window (or dialog), open on
                 the destop.

     - Previous     will take you to the previous window (or dialog), open
                    on the desktop.

     - Close        will close the currently active window or dialog. Any
                    (edited) data in a dialog is ignored.

     - Close All will close all windows and dialogs currently open on
                 the desktop. Any (edited) data in a dialog is ignored.
10.  USING THE EDIT DIALOGS

Following is a discussion on the use of the various MCBase edit dialogs.
The use of the various controls and function buttons has already been
discribed in an earlier stage: See the sections "A TOUR THROUGH MCBASE'S
MAIN MENU" and "USING THE MCBASE CONTROLS" for further information.


While in an edit dialog's "Add new"-mode

A dialog is switched to "Add new"-mode when selecting an "Add ..."-item
from the main menu, or when selecting an edit dialog's "Add new"-function
button. The dialog is then ready to process a new entry:

     - add data in the inputfields

     - set all relations of the new entry to the other databases, by
       using the various "select ... " function buttons. Select the
       correct relation for your entry from the selection dialog invoked
       by these buttons.

If a relation is not available, just open it's databases "Add ..."-dialog
also and add the relation you need to it's own database. Then switch back
to the previous dialog and select the newly added relation into the new
entry for which you needed it. These things can be done simultaniously!

While a dialog is in it's "Add new"-mode, all record selection commands
(Previous, Next, Select & Add new) are disabled, since the (currently
edited) record is BEYOND the physical end of file: you are not IN the file,
until the record is saved!

For the same reason, the memo editing routines are also unavailable while
the dialog is in it's "Add new"-mode. Store the record by selecting the
dialog's "Save"-function and edit the memo's next.


While in an edit dialog's default "Edit"-mode

The dialog is ready to modify an existing entry:

When selecting the "Edit ..."-dialog from the main menu, a selection dialog
(either the picklist- or the find-dialog) is invoked, from which you can
select the record to be edited:

     - modify the data in the inputfields

     - (re)set any relations of the entry to the other databases, by
       using the various "select ... " function buttons. Select the
       correct relation for your entry from the selection dialog, invoked
       by these buttons.

If a relation is not available, just open it's databases "Add ..."-dialog
also and add the relation you need to it's own database. Then switch back
to the previous dialog and select the newly added relation into the new
entry for which you needed it. These things can be done simultaniously!
11.  USING THE BROWSE DIALOGS

Following is a discussion on the use of the various MCBase browse dialogs.
The use of the various controls and function buttons has already been
discribed in an earlier stage: See the sections "A TOUR THROUGH MCBASE'S
MAIN MENU" and "USING THE MCBASE CONTROLS" for further information.
 
When accessing the main menu option "Browse, edit & add", you will see a
submenu from which the first item reads "Browse for...". Using one of the
options given here, you will be able to browse for any album and/or
songrecord. 

Depending on your "Select methods"-configuration settings, the system will
use either the picklist-dialog(s) or the find-dialog(s).

     - Browse for...     Following options are available for browsing:

          Song   Once you've selected a songrecord for a closer look,
                 it will be presented to you in a dialogbox of it's
                 own, giving you all related information. 

                 In case you would like to modify this song record's
                 information, as displayed in the "Browse a song"
                 dialog, then you should select the dialog's "Song edit
                 mode" button. This button will invoke the "Edit/add a
                 song" dialog, while having that very same song record
                 already retrieved.

                 The information stored in the various memo records,
                 related to this song, may be accessed by pressing the
                 "Select memo dialog"-button, which will invoke a
                 dialogbox from which you may pick ANY of the related
                 memo's. (See "Using the memo editors" for further
                 information on memo's).

                 While using following ...

                 Picklist dialog(s):    Preselection: select filter.
                                   Select songrecord from
                                   additionally generated & filtered
                                   picklist dialog.

                 Find dialog(s):   Preselection (= find dialog's
                                   "1st criterion"): select filter.
                                   Select songrecord (= find
                                   dialog's "2nd criterion"), using
                                   the selected filter. (Find dialog
                                   will be preset to the first match
                                   found by the filter).

                 ... the selection methods are:

                 -  by title
                    This option will enable you to browse the songs,
                    while sorted on title. 

                 -  by artist                                 (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the songs,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific artist only.
                    You will be asked to make a pre-selection on the
                    artist who's songs you wish to see.

                 -  by author                                 (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the songs,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific author only.
                    You will be asked to make a pre-selection on the
                    author who's songs you wish to see.

                 -  by producer                               (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the songs,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific producer
                    only. You will be asked to make a pre-selection on
                    the producer who's songs you wish to see.

                 -  by category                               (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the songs,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific category
                    only. You will be asked to make a pre-selection on
                    the category from which you wish to see the songs.
                              
     - Album        Once you've selected an albumrecord for a closer look,
                    it will be presented to you in a dialogbox of it's
                    own, giving you all information. 

                 In case you would like to modify this album record's
                 information, as displayed in this dialog, then you
                 should select the dialog's "Album edit mode" button.
                 This button will invoke the "Edit/add an album"
                 dialog, while having that very same album record
                 already retrieved.

                 If the system is using the picklist-dialog(s) (which
                 is the standard configuration), the system will
                 include the songs related to this album in that dialog
                 also, as a picklist. In case you would like to take a
                 closer look at any of these songs, then simply click
                 on the selected title. (See previous section "Browse
                 for song" for further information).

                 Otherwise, if the find-dialog(s) are selected in the
                 "select methods"-configuration , you may continue the
                 search for one of this album's songs using another
                 find-dialog (see below).

                 The information stored in the various memo records,
                 related to this album, may be accessed by pressing the
                 "Select memo dialog"-button, which will invoke a
                 dialogbox from which you may pick ANY of the related
                 memo's. (See "Using the memo editors" for further
                 information on memo's).

                 -  by title                                  (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the albums,
                    while sorted on title. 

                    Picklist dialog:    Select albumtitle from list.

                    Find-dialogs:  - 1st criterion: albumtitle.
                                   - 2nd criterion: songtitle from
                                   selected album (optional). (Find
                                   dialog will be preset to the
                                   first song found by the filter).

                 -  by artist                                 (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the albums,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific artist only.
                    You will be asked to make a pre-selection on the
                    artist who's albums you wish to see.

                    Picklist dialogs:   Preselect artist.
                                   Select album from additional
                                   picklist with this artists albums
                                   only.

                    Find dialogs:  - 1st criterion: artistname
                                   - 2nd criterion: albumtitle (Find
                                   dialog will be preset to the
                                   first album found by the filter).
                                   - 3rd criterion: songtitle from
                                   selected album (optional) (Find
                                   dialog will be preset to the
                                   first song found by the filter).

                 -  by producer                               (uses filter)
                    This option will enable you to browse the albums,
                    while sorted on title, for a specific producer
                    only. You will be asked to make a pre-selection on
                    the producer who's albums you wish to see.

                    Picklist dialogs:   Preselect producer.
                                   Select album from additional
                                   picklist with this producers
                                   albums only.

                    Find dialogs:  - 1st criterion: producername.
                                   - 2nd criterion: albumtitle (Find
                                   dialog will be preset to the
                                   first album found by the filter).
                                   - 3rd criterion: songtitle from
                                   selected album (optional).(Find
                                   dialog will be preset to the
                                   first song found by the filter).

12.  USING THE PRINT OPTIONS.

The "Print' pulldown menu provides some submenus from where various reports
on the information in the databases can be printed. All these options
operate in a similar manner:

     - 1) Select the report you need from the menu structure
     - 2) You will be presented with a "Confirm"-dialog, where you are
          required to confirm or cancel this printjob. (Please also make
          sure your printer is online and sufficiently loaded with
          paper).
     - 3) When selecting a printjob from the "Summary for selected..."
          submenu, you will need to make a pre-selection using a
          picklist- or find-dialog. See section "USING THE MCBASE
          CONTROLS" for information on the use of these dialogs.

Remark:   All printjobs can be terminated by pressing the CTRL-BREAK keys
          simultaniously. (Note that this key sequence can only be read and
          serviced during the process of printing a line: when you give a
          CTRL-BREAK key sequence in the middle of a search-sequence, you
          will see no response until the next printable line is located).

  
Following reports (printjobs) are available:

     - Report all...     Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artists        This option will report a list, with all artists
                         found in your collection. The number of albums and
                         songs by each artist is included in the report.

          authors        This option will report a list, with all authors
                         found in your collection. The number of songs
                         written by each author is included in the report.
                         Also included is a remark if the author wrote the
                         music, the lyrics or both.

          producers      This option will report a list, with all producers
                         found in your collection. The number of albums and
                         songs by each producer is included in the report.

          categories     This option will report a list, with all the
                         categories found in your collection. The number of
                         songs in each category is included in the report.

          albums -  sorted by title
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    albumtitles found in your collection, sorted on
                    albumtitle. The related artists and producers, as
                    the number of songs on each album, are included in
                    the report.

                 -  sorted by artist                          (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all
                    albumtitles found in your collection, but this
                    version is sorted on the artists name. The
                    albumtitle, the related artists and producers, as
                    the number of songs on each album, are included in
                    the report.

                 -  sorted by producer                        (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all
                    albumtitles found in your collection, but this
                    version is sorted on the producers name. The
                    albumtitle, the related artists and producers, as
                    the number of songs on each album, are included in
                    the report.

          songs     -    sorted by title
                    This option will report a list, with all songtitles
                    found in your collection, sorted on songtitle.
                    The related artists, albums and location codes are
                    included in the report.

                 -  sorted by artist                          (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all song-
                    
                    titles found in your collection, but this version
                    is sorted on the artists name.
                    The songtitles, the related artists, albums and
                    location codes are included in the report.

                 -  sorted by author                          (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all song-
                    
                    titles found in your collection, but this version
                    is sorted on the authors name.
                    The songtitles, a tag, stating if the author wrote
                    the music, the lyrics or both, the performing (i.e.
                    related) artist and the location codes are included
                    in the report.

                 -  sorted by producer                        (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all song-
                    
                    titles found in your collection, but this version
                    is sorted on the producers name.
                    The songtitles, the related producers, artists and
                    location codes are included in the report.

                 -  sorted by album                           (uses filter)
                    This option will also report a list, with all song-
                    
                    titles found in your collection, but this version
                    is sorted on the related album name. 
                    The songtitles, the related albums, artists and
                    location codes are included in the report, while
                    the songtitles are listed in order of appearance on
                    the album.

          tapes     This option will report a list, with all songtitles
                    found in your collection, that are recorded on
                    tape. (Also see section: The "location code" and
                    the MCBase system)
                    The location code, the songtitles, the related
                    albums and artists are included in the report,
                    while the songtitles are listed in order of
                    appearance on the tape (i.e.: the location code).

     - Summary for selected...
                    Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artist -  album summary                             (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list, with all albumtit-
                    
                    les, found in your collection, for a pre-selected
                    artist. The report will include the selected artist
                    in each pageheader, listing each album found, the
                    number of songs on this album and the location code
                    for this album's first song.
                 -  song summary                              (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected artist. The report will include the
                    selected artist in each pageheader, listing each
                    song found, the related album and the songs
                    location code.

          author    (Uses filter) This option will also report a list,
                    with all songtitles found in your collection, for a
                    pre-selected artist. The report will include the
                    selected author in each pageheader, listing each
                    song found, the related album and a tag, stating if
                    the author wrote the music, the lyrics or both.

          producer  -    album summary                        (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    albumtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected producer. The report will include the
                    selected producer in each pageheader, listing each
                    album found, the number of songs on this album and
                    the location code for this album's first song.

                 -  song summary                              (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list, with all
                    songtitles, found in your collection, for a pre-
                    selected producer. The report will include the
                    selected producer in each pageheader, listing each
                    song found, the related album and the songs
                    location code.

          category       (Uses filter) This option will report a list, with
                         all songtitles, found in your collection, for a
                         pre-selected category. The report will include the
                         selected category in each pageheader, listing each
                         song found, the related artist and the songs
                         location code.

          album          (Uses filter) This option will report a list, with
                         all songtitles, found in your collection, for a
                         pre-selected album. The report will include the
                         selected albumtitle on each pageheader, listing
                         each song found, the related artist and the songs
                         location code.

     - Summaries for all...
                    Provides a submenu with following entries:

          artist -  album summary                             (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list for each artist
                    (seperately), with all albumtitles found for this
                    artist in your collection. These reports will
                    include the selected artist in each pageheader,
                    listing each album found, the number of songs on
                    this album and the location code for this album's
                    first song.

                 -  song summary                              (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list for each artist
                    (separately), with all songtitles found for this
                    artist in your collection. The report will include
                    the selected artist in each pageheader, listing
                    each song found, the related album and the songs
                    location code.

          author    (Uses filter) This option will report a list for
                    each author (seperately), with all songtitles found
                    for this author in your collection. The report will
                    include the selected author in each pageheader,
                    listing each song found, the related album and a
                    tag, stating if the author wrote the music, the
                    lyrics or both.

          producer  -    album summary                        (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list for each producer
                    (seperately), with all albumtitles found for this
                    producer in your collection. The report will
                    include the selected producer in each pageheader,
                    listing each album found, the number of songs on
                    this album and the location code for this album's
                    first song.

                 -  song summary                              (uses filter)
                    This option will report a list for each producer
                    (seperately), with all songtitles found for this
                    producer in your collection. The report will
                    include the selected producer in each pageheader,
                    listing each song found, the related album and the
                    songs location code.

          category       (Uses filter) This option will report a list for
                         each category (seperately), with all songtitles
                         found for this category in your collection. The
                         report will include the selected category in each
                         pageheader, listing each song found, the related
                         artist and the songs location code.

          album          (Uses filter) This option will report a list for
                         each album (seperately), with all songtitles found
                         for this album in your collection. The report will
                         include the selected albumtitle on each pageheader,
                         listing each song found, the related artist and the
                         songs location code.
13.  USING THE MCBASE TEXTFILE EDITOR

The textfile editor, included with MCBase, is a multiple file editor for
textfiles of a max. file size of 64kB each. The number of open files the
editor is able to process simultaniously is totally depending on your
system's resources. The maximum number of files, that you can have open on
the desktop simultaniously, is currently limited to about 20 files.
(On XT-compatible systems, the maximum number of files may be limited to 1
(one) file, due to memory limitations. If the available memory is not
sufficient to open another file, you will be notified about this.


Available options and features

     - New       will open a new, untitled window for text editing
                 purposes.

     - Open         will open an existing (text) file for editing, which
                    you will be able to select from a file selection
                    dialog.

       You are able to move through subdirectory's, by clicking on the
       subdirectory names.

       Note:   Since the symbol ".." stands for "parent directory",
               selecting this symbol will take you to it. Selecting the
               symbol "." will have no effect, since it means "current
               directory". See your operating system's manual for any
               further information, if necessary

     - Save      will save the currently edited window to it's original
                 filename, as mentioned in the window's title bar. If
                 the file is currently untitled, you will be prompted
                 for a filename.

     - Save As   will enable you to save the currently edited window to
                 another filename then it's original. You will be
                 prompted for a filename.

     - Undo      will restore the LAST modification you have made to
                 the text in the currently edited window. UNDO requires
                 that you have made this modification with the CUT,
                 COPY, PASTE or CLEAR block functions.

       All CUT & COPY blocks are (temporary) stored on the clipboard, so
       if you should need the block of text, that you have selected in an
       earlier stage, you will be able to find it here. Please note that
       the clipboard is NOT automatically saved upon MCBase exit! In case
       you wish to store the clipboard, do following:

       -  access the clipboard window, by selecting it from the "Editor"
          submenu

       -  save the contents of the clipboard window by selecting the
          "Save as" option from the "Editor" submenu.

     - Cut       will remove any block of text, previously marked using
                 either mouse or keyboard (using the shift- & cursor-
                 
                 keys) which is then available for use with the Paste-
                 option until another block is marked and Cut (or
                 Copied).

     - Copy      will copy any block of text, previously marked using
                 either mouse or keyboard (using the shift- & cursor-
                 
                 keys) which is then available for use with the Paste-
                 option until another block is marked and Copied (or
                 Cut).

     - Paste        will insert the block of text, previously Cut or
                    Copied.

     - Clear        will remove any block of text, previously marked using
                    either mouse or keyboard (using the shift- & cursor-
                    
                    keys). 

     - Find      will enable you to search for a string.

       Find will start the search from it's current cursor position and
       can be instructed to search case sensitive and/or to search for
       whole words only.

     - Replace   will enable you to replace a string for another.

       Replace will start the search from it's current cursor position
       and can be instructed to search case sensitive and/or for whole
       words only, to prompt you before replacing the strings and/or to
       replace all.

     - Repeat    will enable you to repeat a previous Find or Replace
                 action.

     - Show clipboard    will bring you to the clipboard window. 

       The clipboard window is, in fact, just like any other editing
       window. Consider it an editwindow with a yet untitled file,
       containing the currently selected block of text. If you wish, you
       can select the Editor's "Save as" menu option to store the current
       contents of the clipboard to a file.
14.  THE MCBASE UTILITIES.

Following is a general description of the MCBase utility programs. You will
find detailed instructions on their use during operation, on screen.


GENMCB.EXE     Database generation utility.

Requirements:  See "MCBase requirements".

Purpose:       Create a new and empty database set for use with MCBase
               V2.x. If a complete database set already exists, then you
               will be notified about this and you will be enabled to
               terminate operation. 


MCBCNVRT.EXE   Database convertion utility.

Requirements:  See "MCBase requirements".

Purpose:       Convert the MCBase V1.x database set to the MCBase V2.x
               database set. If a V2.x database set does not exist, create
               one with GENMCB.EXE.
            In order to function, the MCBase V1.x database set must
            reside in the same directory as the V2.x database set. Also
            is the presence of your registration key file (MCxxxxxx.KEY)
            required.


MCB_SAVE.BAT   Batch program.

Requirements:  No special requirements.

Purpose:       Sample batch program, to illustrate how to make backups of
               you MCBase database files, making use of an archive utility
               as LHA.EXE.
15.  MAKING SAFETY BACKUPS OF YOUR DATA.

Why bother making backups?

We suggest that you should create safety backups of your data, to prevent
disaster when your system would suffer a major powerfailure or other
disturbance, that could cause the database set to be damaged or corrupted. 

If you have backups available and such a problem WOULD arise, then you are
able to simply replace the defective database set with the latest backup
version, loosing only the data that was modified (or added) since the
latest backup session.

You should refresh your backups on a regular basis. (And don't forget to
include your configuration file MCBASE.CFG in the backup procedure every
now and then).


How to create a standard backup.

The basic form of a database backup is following:

- A) Take the disk, to store the backup on, and place it in any drive (we
     will assume that you have used the A:-drive).

- B) Go to your MCBase directory

- C) Copy the database set from the MCBase directory to the disk, using
     following command:

       copy *.db? to a:\ This command will copy all .DBT and .DBF
                         files (the database set) to drive A:
                         (Otherwise, see your operating system's manu-
                         
                         al for a similar command).


Restore the database set from the standard backup.

If your original database set should is damaged or corrupted, you are able
to restore it from this backup, as follows:

- A) Insert the disk with the backup files in any drive. (We will assume
     that this will be drive A:).

- B) Go to your MCBase directory.

- C) Copy the backup database set from the drive to the MCBase directory,
     using following command:

       copy a:\*.db?          This command will copy all .DBT and .DBF
                              files (the database set) to the MCBase
                              directory, overwriting the original (and
                              damaged) set.
Using an archiver to create an archive file backup.

As your database set will grow, you will outgrow the possibility to fit
your entire backup onto a single disk. When this occurs, you should switch
to using an archiver program (like, for instance, the freeware LHA archiver
by Haruyasu Yoshizaki (Yoshi), included with the registered version of
MCBase). This excellent archiver program will compress your database set to
a fraction (some 10%) of it's original size.


How to create an archive file backup.

Using the LHA archiver, you may create an archive file backup as follows:

- A) Insert the disk, to store the archive file on, in any drive (we will
     assume you used the drive A:).

- B) Make sure that LHA is either in a directory that is included in your
     path statement or still in your MCBase directory (as originally
     installed). 

- C) Make sure your MCBase directory is activated (we will assume your
     MCBase directory is "C:\MCBASE"). Your system prompt should now read
     "C:\MCBASE>". Compress the database set to the LHA-archive (filetype:
     .LZH), using following command:

     lha a a:mcb_data.lzh *.db?
        |    |            ------- Mask for database set
        |    ----------------------    drive letter & archive file name
        ----------------------------   command switch "a" = add
                              
See the LHA documentation, included in the LHA archive LHA213E.EXE, for
further info on LHA usage.


Restore the database set from the archive file backup.

If your original database set is damaged or corrupted, you are able to
restore it from this backup, as follows:

- A) Insert the disk with the backup files in any drive and note the drive
     letter (for this example, we will assume you placed the disk in drive
     A:).

- B) Make sure that LHA is either in a directory that is included in your
     path statement or still in your MCBase directory (as originally
     installed). 

- C) Make sure your MCBase directory is activated (we will assume your
     MCBase directory is "C:\MCBASE"). Your system prompt should now read
     "C:\MCBASE>". Extract the backup database set from the drive to the
     MCBase directory, using following command :

     
     lha e a:mcb_data.lzh c:\mcbase\
              |          ---------     file extract path (optional)
        |     ----------------------   drive letter & archive file name
        -----------------------------  command switch "e" = extract16.  UN-INSTALL MCBASE.

To un-install MCBase, trace following files and delete them when found (if
available, they should reside in either your MCBase directory or in your
path):

     MCBASE.EXE     -    MCBase executable file.
     DPMI16BI.OVL   -    DOS Protected Mode Interface
     RTM.EXE        -    Run Time Manager, needed for protected mode.
     MCB_MAN.TXT    -    MCBase documentation file.
     ORDER.TXT      -    MCBase order form.
     LICENSE.TXT    -    MCBase license agreement.
     REVISION.TXT   -    MCBase revision history.
     GENMCB.EXE     -    Utility.
     MCBCNVRT.EXE   -    Utility.
     FILE_ID.DIZ    -    Description file. 
     VENDINFO.DIZ   -    Description file.
     MCBASE.CFG     -    Configuration file.

     MCB1.DBF & MCB1.DBT -    Artist database
     MCB2.DBF & MCB2.DBT -    Album database
     MCB3.DBF & MCB3.DBT -    Author database
     MCB4.DBF & MCB4.DBT -    Producer database
     MCB5.DBF & MCB5.DBT -    Category database
     MCB6.DBF & MCB6.DBT -    Song database

     Delete all MCB?KEY?.NDX files, where "?" is a digit within the range
     of 1 - 8. (You could also use a command like DELETE MCB?KEY?.NDX or
     similar: consult your operating system's manual for information).

     If any *.CPL files ([random filename].CPL) exist in your MCBase
     directory, you may delete these also. They are old picklist pages,
     which were not removed after use: this shows that MCBase was once
     terminated improperly? (Think of a powerfailure or similar
     occurance).

When the above files are traced and removed, your MCBase directory should
be empty. If not, then the remaining files are from your own hand: please
judge them on an individual basis, to prevent loosing valuable data! 

You may now complete un-installing, by deleting the MCBase directory.
17.  ERROR MESSAGES.

If you follow the instructions in section "MCBASE REQUIREMENTS", it is very
unlightly that you will experience one (or more) of the error messages
mentioned here. If you SHOULD get one of these error messages, please make
sure ALL requirements mentioned in section "MCBASE REQUIREMENTS" are met.

Known MCBase error messages

Error:         Runtime error 004 at ...
Description:   Too many open files.
               Setting for "FILES=xxx" in CONFIG.SYS to low. See "MCBASE
               REQUIREMENTS" for minimum setting. (If the error persists:
               increase the setting).

Error:         Runtime error 002 at ...
Description:   File not found.
               IF you get THIS error, than it due to the same cause as
               runtime error 004, mentioned above.
               Otherwise you would have received the messagebox: "The
               MCBase database files are incomplete!" or the messagebox:
               "The indexes are reported incomplete..." instead.
               See "Runtime error 004 at ..." for further information.

Error:         Runtime error 103 at ...
Description:   File not open.
               A file could not be opened. IF you get THIS error, you will
               also have had either runtime error 002 or 004, mentioned
               above. See "Runtime error 004 at ..." for further
               information.

Error:         Stub error (2003): Can't find dpmi16bi.ovl.
Description:   The file DPMI16BI.OVL is not where it is expected. Make sure
               it resides in either the MCBase directory or in your path.

Error:         Loader error (0001): Out of memory.
Description:   Memory is occupied by other applications or is not
               sufficiently available.

Error:         DPMI Error (4001): Insufficient memory for initialisation.
Description:   Also out of memory. Memory is occupied by other applications
               or is not sufficiently available.

Error:          Messagebox: "Error reading desktop file".
Description:   An error occurred while the desktop file (= configuration
               file MCBASE.CFG) was read.
               Possibly the file MCBASE.CFG is damaged? Try to read it in
               again (use "Load Configuration"). Otherwise you will need to
               check your configuration settings and restore them, using
               "Store configuration".

Error:         Messagebox: "Error: Invalid desktop file".
Description:   The current version of MCBASE.CFG does not belong to the
               current version of MCBASE.EXE.
               This error will occur if the configuration file's layout has
               been changed between MCBase-versions. (Layout changes will
               be noted in the file REVISION.TXT). You will need to create
               a new configuration file, as shown in section "Configuring
               MCBase".

Error:         Messagebox: "Not enough memory to complete operation".
Description:   Out of memory.
               Memory is occupied by other applications or is not
               sufficiently available. If this error occurs while invoking
               a picklist-dialog, switch to a find-dialog instead. (See
               "MCBASE REQUIREMENTS" for further information).

Error:         Messagebox: "The MCBase configuration file MCBASE.CFG is not
               found?"
Description:   The file MCBASE.CFG is cannot be located.
               If you are doing a new installation, then this is correct:
               MCBASE.CFG is NOT included in the archive, since it MUST
               contain the information of YOUR system ONLY. (See "Configu-
               ring MCBase" for further info). Otherwise, locate your
               MCBASE.CFG or restore it from your most recent backup.

Error:         Messagebox: "The indexes are reported incomplete..."
Description:   The indexes (MCB?KEY?.NDX) are incomplete. 
               If you are doing a new installation, then this is correct:
               the indexes are NOT included in the archive, since they can
               be generated at installation. Otherwise, they have been
               removed or lost. (May occur after a powerfailure during
               MCBase's operation). MCBase will now create a new set of
               indexes.

Error:         Messagebox: "The MCBase database files are incomplete!"
Description:   The database files (MCB?.DBF and MCB?.DBT) are incomplete.
               One or more database files have been removed? Restore them
               from your latest backup. If you do not have a backup, your
               data is lost. MCBase will now terminate. You may create a
               new (and empty) set of databases, using MCBase's GENMCB
               utility.

Error:         Messagebox: "This function will be re-enabled after your
               registration key is installed...".
Description:   For the shareware version, further access to this function
               is disabled: you have reached the evaluation limit. If you
               would like to continue using MCBase, please see section
               "ABOUT MCBASE AND REGISTERING".

Error:         Keyboard functions are behaving improperly.
Description:   Keyboard definition is incorrect. Load the proper keyboard
               definition by adding a line like following to your
               autoexec.bat file:  LOADHIGH KEYB.COM US
               Please refer to your MS-DOS and hardware documention for the
               appropriate setting for your system.

Error:         Statusline message: "Device access error"
Description:   Device cannot be accessed.
               The currently accessed device (probably your printer?) is
               not ready for usage. Correct the problem and press enter to
               retry or ESC to cancel. (If the current function was a
               printjob, you might need to terminate the printjob by giving
               a CTRL-BREAK key sequence).

Error:         Runtime error 029 at ...
Description:   Application has terminated after fatal error.
               A fatal error has occurred: please see below: "Reporting
               errors to the author".


Error:         Runtime error 203 at ...
Description:   Heap overflow error
               Memory is occupied by other applications or is not
               sufficiently available. (See "MCBASE REQUIREMENTS).

Error:         Runtime error 216 at xxxx:yyyy
Description:   General protection fault.
               Fatal error, which defenitely should NOT occur. Should you
               get this error, please do following:

            -  If your system is using another memory manager than
               HIMEM.SYS (as delivered with your copy of MS-DOS) then
               please replace this memory manager with HIMEM.SYS and try
               again (please see your MS-DOS manual for instructions).
               (The QEMM memory manager, for example, is known to have
               these problems (occasionally) with some applications).

            -  The General protection fault can also be caused by
               defective indexes. If you recently switched your system
               off (or suffered a power failure) while MCBase was still
               running, then that may have corrupted the indexes some-
               
               how. If this is the case, then executing MCBase's Reindex
               command will solve the problem. (Otherwise delete all
               indexes (*.NDX) and restart MCBase, so it will create NEW
               indexes from scratch).

            -  If the above suggestions do not solve this error, please
               report the error to the author (see below).

Reporting an error to the author

If the above descriptions and suggestions do NOT solve the problem then
please do following:

- a) Try to duplicate the error and document the actions and events that
     trigger it.
- b) Document the values for "xxxx.yyyy", given in the errormessage.
- c) Report the above *directly* to the author.
18.  INDEX.

     "Add new"-mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 26, 31
     "Add..."-dialogs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
     "Browse..." dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
     "Confirm"-dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
     "Edit..."-dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
     *.CPL files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
     Album artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     Archive file backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
     Ascii table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     ASP Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
     Backup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
       archive file backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
       standard backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
     Browse for... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
       Album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
       Song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
     Building information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
     Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     Checkbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
     Config.sys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
       Files=40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
     Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       checkbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       function-button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       inputline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Copyright laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
     Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       ALBINFMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       ALBREMMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       Album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       ARTINFMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       ARTREMMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       AUTINFMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       AUTREMMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       Category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       CATINFMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       MCB1.DBF & MCB1.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       MCB2.DBF & MCB2.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       MCB3.DBF & MCB3.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       MCB4.DBF & MCB4.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       MCB5.DBF & MCB5.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       MCB6.DBF & MCB6.DBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
       PRDINFMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       PRDREMMEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
       Producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
     Demonstration database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 44
     Disabling commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 26, 31
     Discount
       Discount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     DosShell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     DPMI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
     Edit & Add
       Edit album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Edit artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Edit author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Edit category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Edit producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Edit song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
     Edit album dialog
       Select artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Select producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
     Edit author dialog
       Composer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
     Edit dialog general
       Add new . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Delete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Information memo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Next. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Previous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Quit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Remarks memo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
     Edit song dialog
       Select album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Select artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Select category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       Select composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       Select producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       Select writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
     Editor
       Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       clipboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Find. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       max. file size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       number of open files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Open  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       Repeat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Save As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Show clipboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
       store the clipboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       subdirectory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
       Undo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
     Evaluation limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6
     Evaluation period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6, 22
     Exit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
     Find dialog's criteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 33
     Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20
     Focus bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
     FormFeed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
     Function-button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     GENMCB.EXE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
     Hint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
     Hotkey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22
     ID-code
       Not visible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
     Inputline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     LHA archiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
     Limited license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
     Load configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
     Location code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
       strict format for tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
     MCBase
       About.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Ascii table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       conversion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
       dBase III(+) compatible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
       Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
       DosShell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       Exit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       idea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
       license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6
       MCBase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
       Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       register (buy). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
       Reindex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
       tailormade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
       target. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
       Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
     MCBCNVRT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
     Memo editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Memofield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Memory manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
     Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Browse, edit & add. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Configuration settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       cursor keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       keyboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22
       Load configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
       MCBase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       point & click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       Select methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       Store configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
       View handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
     Modal dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 22
     Not enough memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
     Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     Page eject. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
     Preselection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
     Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
     Printjob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 35
       "Confirm"-dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
       terminate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
     Protected Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
     Recommended hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
     REGISTERED MCBASE USERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Reindex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
     Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 35
     Scroll. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Scroll box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
     Scrollbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Select methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
     Selection dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 31
     Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
     Shareware evaluation limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Shareware status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Shortcut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22
     Song artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     Standard backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
     Store configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
     Unique ID-code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     Upgrade FOR FREE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
     Video mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
     View handling
       Cascade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Close All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Next. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Previous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Resize/move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Tile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       Zoom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
