GENERAL HELP
~~~~~~~~~~~~

 File Requester info.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some of the functions in PowerBase present you with a file requester.
This file requester has now been updated to the latest Amivision
Software file requester and is far more user friendly than the
standard AMOS requester.
For those who have not come across this requester before , here is
a brief description of its operation:

The device names are displayed in boxes ie DF1: DF0: RAM: . If there is
no disk in a drive then the box for this device will not be shown. To
get a listing of a device simple click the corresponding box when the
disk is not being accessed. Boxes will only appear for the devices you
have connected to your system , so Dh0: will not appear unless you have
a Hard disk drive such as the A590 connected.

To view inside a directory (ie df0:C/) you should double click on the
directory in the list.

The PARENT button takes the directory back to the previous path
(i.e "PowerBase:Files/" then click the PARENT symbol and the directory
will change to "PowerBase:").
The slider bar allows you to view all of the current directory.
A file can be chosen by clicking its name and then either clicking its
name again or clicking the O.K button.

QUIT - cancels the selection of a file.

SET DIR - is equivalent to the CD command in CLI or the DIR$ command in
          AMOS and sets the current directory to the default directory.

That is just a short run down of the file selector and more can be
found out just by using the requester.


If you have the preference option (Record slider bar) set to ON and you
have some records in your database you will see a slider bar above the
V.C.R style panel. This bar allows quick and easy access to your
records.



 Instructions for beginners
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 * Before reading these instructions please make sure you have read the
   setting up a database instructions on the POWERBASE disk.


 * A database or a database file consists of records and each record
   consists of several fields.

   e.g.  You could store the details of your book collection etc.etc.

         Firstly decide what the fields will be ie. Name of the book ,
         author , publisher , price etc.

         Then you enter the records , ie the information.

         Name of the book : Charlie and the chocolate factory
         Author : Roal Dahl
         Publisher : Puffin
         Price : £3.99


 * The best tip for beginners is not to try and use too many of
   PowerBase's features at once. Just use the ones you specifically
   need and then slowly you can learn to use the more poweful
   features.


 * You will notice that there is no add record option this is because
   this is done for you. If you have 10 records in your file all with
   information in them , then record 11 will be blank and has been
   added for you.


 * Save your database quite regularly to ensure you do not lose all of
   the information in event of a power cut or a software failure etc.
 * Use the timed autosave feature.


 * If you do set the passwords please write them down somewhere just
   in case you forget them and get locked out of your own database!


 * Press {HELP} when on the main screen for more information


 * If you have any problems with POWERBASE then don't hesitate to
   write to me enclosing a SAE (Address is on about author option).

