


 













                                   
                                 VideoBase V1.0

                      (C)1993 Vic Freed All Rights Reserved















































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 1











                                    Contents

                  System Requirements .....................  2

                  Installing & Setup ......................  3

                  Introduction ............................  4

                  Getting Started .........................  5

                  Using the System Information Window .....  6

                  Using the Control Window ................  7

                  Using the File Window ...................  8

                  Using the Video Information Window ......  9

                  Setting the Printer Prefs ............... 10

                  Printing Data ........................... 11
                  
                  Order Information ....................... 12

                  Printing this Manual .................... 13





























VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 2

                              System Requirements

The system requirements will vary depending on the actual number of records you
will have per file.  I would recommend a hard drive and 2 megs of ram if you 
will be creating very large files of data.  VideoBase can easily handle 1000 
records using an Amiga with 512K and only one floppy.

The very minimum requirements are:  Kickstart 1.3 or newer.
                                    512K RAM
                                    1 floppy drive.

Here is the approximate amount of RAM and disk space needed for some average
data files.

   100 records ........    24,532 bytes (disk space)   4,300 bytes (RAM)
 1,000 records ........   245,032 bytes (disk space)  43,000 bytes (RAM)
10,000 records ........ 2,450,032 bytes (disk space) 430,000 bytes (RAM)

For floppy users I suggest you use a program like Power Packer to compress the
VideoBase program.  This would easily give you another 100k of disk space.

Also, the amount of RAM need (listed above) is the extra RAM the program will
allocate for the data files after it is running.  VideoBase will need around 
230K of RAM to run.  (sorry so much, that's the price for lots of graphics)




























 











VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 3

                               Installing & Setup

Installing on a hard drive.
Insert the VideoBase disk in a floppy drive & double click on the disk icon.
From the Workbench, drag the "VideoBaseFiles" drawer to HD window. You can put 
it anywhere you want.  You can rename the drawer also.  All the files created 
will be in the same drawer as the VideoBase program.  You can save files in a 
different locations by using the PATH button to select a new directory.
 
Installing on a floppy drive.
First, format a floppy disk.  WB2.0 users might consider formatting the floppy 
for Fast File System.  (you get about 40K more disk space)
Insert the VideoBase disk in a floppy drive & double click on the disk icon.
Double click on the "VideoBaseFiles" drawer.  Drag the "VideoBase" icon to the 
newly formatted floppy.  All the files created will be in the same drawer as 
the VideoBase program.  You can save files in a different location by using the 
PATH button to select a new directory.

Note: You may want to use a program like Power Packer to compress the VideoBase 
      program to give you extra disk space.  












































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 4

                                  Introduction

VideoBase is a database program specifically designed for keeping track of all
your video cassettes.  VideoBase can sort two different ways and print any or 
all the information you want to generate easy to understand lists.  Once you 
have your video library in a VideoBase file, you will be able to locate
something in seconds instead of minutes.

 























































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 5

                                Getting Started

Here is a quick and simple guideline to getting VideoBase up and running.

 1. Install VideoBase following the instructions in the Installation & Setup 
    section.
 2. Run the program.  From the Workbench, double click on its icon.
                      From the CLI, type:  CD (dir VideoBase is in) <return>
                                           VideoBase <return>
 3. At this point you will want to review the sections on using the various 
    windows in the program.  
 4. Select NEW and type in the name of your new database file. Press return.
 5. Select LOAD.  You will now be able to select your new file from the  
    File Window.
 6. You can now select ADD to start adding records, or PREFS to edit the 
    printing options.  Be sure to review the printing sections before doing 
    anything with the PREFS.  Be sure to select PSAVE so your prefs will be
    saved.

This is a quick run down to get you started.  There are a lot of options you 
will want to experiment with, so you might want to try a couple test database 
files out to get the feel of how the program works.

If you have a tape that has more than one thing on it, make a record for each
item in the database.  You can make a note in one of the "other info" lines for 
program index if you need to locate the beginning of the program on tape. 

Here are a few things to consider before starting to enter all your video data.

1. Decide what categories you want to have.  example: Horror, Comedy, Baby, 
   Vacation, etc.  You can enter anything in the CATEGORY field so be  
   consistent.  This will allow you to use the SEARCH option to allow you to   
   list (for example) only your Horror Movies, or you vacation tapes.
2. Are your video tapes numbered?  If not, consider numbering them all first.
   When you get all your video library in the database you will want to be able 
   to quickly locate the tape you want.  Also everyone knows there numbers, 
   even youngsters. 
3. Do you want to have all the videos in one big file, or have TV stuff in one,
   home movie stuff in another, etc.
 
   























VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 6

                  Using the System Information Window

This window is located in the lower right corner of the screen.  This window 
serves only to give you information about the system and the database file you 
have loaded.  Here is a quick list of the information and descriptions of the 
data in this window.

Name .................. Name of file loaded.
Number of Records ..... Number of records in the file loaded.
Current Record ........ Number of the current record being viewed.
Free Memory ........... Amount of RAM you have free.
Disk Space ............ Amount of disk space free.




















































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 7

                              Using Control Window

This window is located at the bottom of the screen.  It contains 20 buttons and
1 slider gadget that are used to control the program.  The slider can be moved 
back and forth to navigate through the database.

As a rule, only the buttons you can use will be enabled.  
 
Here is the list of buttons and there descriptions.

# Sort .. This Toggles between sorting by tape number and tape title.
About ... Brings up the title screen.
Add ..... This allows you to enter new records to the database.  Press the SAVE 
          button to save the data. Press ADD again to exit and not save data.
Ahead ... This moves you forward through the database.
Back .... This moves you backward through the database.
Close ... This closes data file loaded.  
Delete .. This allows you to delete files you have created.  When selected a 
          list of files will appear in the File window.  Select the file to
          delete.
Done .... Select this when you finish entering data to search for.
Load .... This allows you to select the file you wish to load from the File
          Window.  If this button does not seem to work, there are no files to
          load.  You will need to select NEW to create some files.  If you are
          sure you have files to load, check the PATH button to make sure the
          program is looking in the right place for the files.
New ..... This allows you to create new data files.  When selected you will be 
          able to enter a name for a new file.  You can select NEW again to 
          abort this option.
Path .... Normally all data files will be saved in the same directory as the 
          VideoBase program.  If you wish to save files in a different location 
          enter the path.  By entering no data, or removing all path data, the 
          program will default to the same directory as the VideoBase program.
Prefs ... This option allows you to set the print options.  See "Setting the 
          Printer Prefs" section on how to set and use the preferences.
Print ... This sends data to the printer.  The program will print the fields 
          you specify in the prefs section.  If SEARCH is active PRINT will 
          only print the records that meet the criteria you set for search. 
PLoad ... This loads the previously saved prefs.
PSave ... This saves the prefs.
Remove .. This simply removes the current record.
Reset ... This resets the prefs to the default.  Be sure to select PSAVE if you
          want to save the prefs.
Save .... By selecting this button it saves the data in the record shown.  You
          can click on any of the data in the record and edit it at any time, 
          but you must select SAVE to save the changes.
Search .. This option works in the same manner as ADD also.  You enter the data 
          in the fields you wish to search for.  You can also use the PRINT 
          option while SEARCH is active.  Select SEARCH again to exit the 
          search mode.
Quit .... (you guessed it) This quits the program.













VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 8


                             Using the File Window

This window will appear in the lower right of the screen.  It is used to select 
files to load or delete.

The only other thing in this window is a vertical slider gadget.  This is used 
to scroll up and down through file names.
























































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 9

                       Using the Card Information Window

This is the big window that looks like a video cassette label.  All the record 
information for each video goes in this window.  If a video cassette has more
than one thing on it, you will want to create a record for each.  There are 
also little boxes you can select for stereo, hi-fi, noise reduction, etc.

You can change the data in this window almost any time.  Be sure to select SAVE 
to make the changes permanent.

This window is also used to set the printing prefs.  You will need to enter 
numbers in the fields when in prefs mode. 




















































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 10

                             Setting the Printer Prefs


You can print any or all the fields in each record in any order in columns.

To configure your printing prefs, first select the PREFS button.  You will need
to press this button again when you are ready to get out of the preference 
mode.  When you enter preference mode all the fields will clear and numbers 
will appear in them.  These numbers determine the order of the columns to be 
printed.  If the field is blank the field will not be printed.  You can now 
select fields and change or delete numbers to get the print output you desire.
The last thing to mention is title bar.  The title bar will tell you the 
maximum characters your printer needs to print per line.  Since there are so 
many types of printers, I will leave it up to you to set your printer.  In most
cases you can set the printer by changing the Workbench Printer Prefs.  You 
should set the printer for 66 lines per page too.  

Once you set your prefs, select PSave to save them.  Here is a list of the 
other buttons you can use.

Prefs .... select to enter prefs mode, deselect to exit pref mode
PLoad .... loads previously saved prefs
PSave .... saves prefs
Reset .... resets the prefs to to default








































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 11

                                  Printing Data

The first thing you must do is to set the fields to be printed.  Please review 
the section "Setting the Printer Prefs".

Make sure you set your printer for 66 lines per page and enough characters per 
inch so all the data will fit on one line.

To print a list, select the PRINT button.  To stop printing, deselect the PRINT
button.  If you are using the SEARCH option, only the records that meet the
search criteria will be printed.





















































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 12

                                Order Information

If you would like a registered copy, the cost is $15.00.  This includes 
shipping and other expenses.  Each registered copy will have the registered 
users name on the title screen.  I will also notify all registered users of 
updates and new versions of the program.  I have included an order form that 
can be printed out for your convenience.  If you are considering giving a 
friend a copy of your registered VideoBase program, please have them consider 
buying a registered copy.  The number of people interested in VideoBase that
buy it will determine how much I will improve it.  


                               VideoBase Order Form


Number of Registered Copies ($15 each) _____            total $____________

Address _________________________________________    please send all orders to:

        _________________________________________        Vic Freed
                                                         Rt. 3  Box 348-J
        _________________________________________        Reed City, MI  49677

        _________________________________________

Each registered copy will have the name of the registered user on the title 
screen.  Please write the name of the registered user for each program ordered.

          ____________________________________________________________

          ____________________________________________________________

          ____________________________________________________________































VideoBase version 1.0   (C)1993  Vic Freed  all rights reserved        Page 13

                              Printing this Manual

This manual can be printed out by following these steps.

 1. set you printer or Workbench printer preferences to:
    * 6 Lines Per Inch
    * 10 Characters Per Inch
 2. then use your favorite text viewing or editing program to print it.
    or from the CLI type    COPY <path:>VideoBaseManual PRT:

           Note: "<path:>" is the directory that the manual is in. (df0:,etc.)



















































