Keyword is an information retrieval program. The information is kept in one or more files administered using a simple text editor. The retrieval process is by searching for user specified keywords.

The default name of the information data file is Data.txt and it contains items of information in the format :-

^1Title
^2keyword1 keyword2 keyword3 keyword4 keyword5 keyword6 keyword7 ...
^3Text for as many lines as needed

Here is an example of an item of information :-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
^1Rotherham Citizens Advice Bureau
^2rotherham advice finance debt benefit
^3Rotherham Citizens Advice Bureau
Centenary Market Buildings
Eastwood Lane
Rotherham S65 1EQ
Tel: 01709 820471

Free confidential and impartial advice, information, guidance and support. We don't charge, we don't tell, we don't judge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that the --------- is unnecessary, but just here to show where the example begins and ends.

The information data file may contain thousands of items in this format, and when the user specifies one or more keywords all items that match the keywords have their titles listed. The user can then select individual items and read their associated text.

The search for matching items can be either for items that contain ALL the user's keywords or for items contain ANY of the user's keywords.

You can use any word processor (eg Wordpad) that can edit a plain ASCII text file to edit Data.txt. Do ensure that you enter no more than 72 characters to the line, and that you use hard newlines (press Enter so that each line ends with CR LF). Do not rely on automatic word wraping features. Tab characters are allowed and Keyword has fixed tab positions 8 characters apart. If you do use Wordpad, be sure to save the file as Text document.

Careful thought in needed to decide a keyword strategy. All information items should have some keywords with the same significance (eg to do with - location, name), and other keywords for general use ( holiday advice insurance - as required). If you use a keyword for location decide if it should be a county or a town, or whether to use two keywords for both county and town. Note that the order of keywords in an information item does not matter, and the order of keywords specified by the user does not matter.

It is strongly recommended that your keyword strategy is written down for all contributors to follow, otherwise your information may end up with many items that a user will never find. To assist users there is a facility to list all of the keywords available begining with a particular letter. This will help the users when their keywords are not locating any suitable information items.

If the Keyword.exe program is executed with parameters

eg Keyword.exe Local.txt National.txt

you can use separate files which appear joined together for keyword searching but enable you to keep separated different sets of data. This does not change how Keyword functions in any way, but it does allow you to, for example, keep National information separated from Local information, so that you could pass National information to another organisation that would not want your Local information.

Keyword works well in a networked environment, with each workstation loading the program and data from the server.

Operation
---------
Keyword is mouse orientated. By moving the mouse over objects (eg buttons) on the screen and waiting, hints are displayed to give the function of the object.

Keyword can also be operated using only the keyboard. You can use the Tab key to move between the common objects (keyword enter and Search all), and other objects (eg the Exit button) can be used by holding the Alt key while pressing E. Note that holding the Alt key while pressing the character underlined on a button has the same effect as clicking the button.

The normal sequence of user operation is to :-

1 Enter 1 or more keywords
2 Click on Search all (or Search any)
3 Read the titles of the items found
4 Click on any title that is required
5 Read the text of the item
6 Click on the For printing button if a printout will be required.
7 Click on Close
go back to 1 noting that you can edit the keywords that you have already entered. Remember that you can click the Keyword button to get a list of keywords starting with a particular letter.

At the end click the Print now button if printouts have been requested (by clicking the For printing button), then click on the Exit button.


Keyword is freeware, and can be distributed freely provided no charge is made for distribution.

The author, Laurie Flack, can be contacted by e-mail at laurief@bigfoot.com and you can visit my internet web site http://www.bigfoot.com/~laurief/
