****************************************************************************** Addresser Future Plans ****************************************************************************** Here's a few ideas I have for the next revision. Unfortunately, most of these features will require that the next version of Addresser be AmigaDOS 2.0 specific (i.e. It won't work with AmigaDOS 1.3 or earlier). If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Note: This is not a list of what will be in the next revision of Addresser, but what may be. If I can implement the feature using a reasonable amount of memory and be relatively fast, it'll be in the next version. - Support of graphics printer modes, you'll be able to use all available AmigaDOS fonts, in whatever size you select, in Bold, Italic, Underline, and (possibly) outline. Wherever you want them, in whatever supported resolution. There will also be more support for built in printer fonts. Once I completely figure out how an AmigaDOS printer driver works, Addresser will be able to fully utilize most (if not all) of your printer's special features. - I'm thinking about making the Notes: field a full notepad that the user can "pop" up, this will let the user type in whatever he/she wants without having to worry about the size of the notes field. This will also allow people to add information like birthdays, fax numbers, etc. Weather or not this feature gets implemented depends on how hard or easy it is to implement, and how much overhead is added to Addresser. Another idea along the same line that I'm seriously considering is having two viewing modes which the user will be able to switch between. One viewing mode will show only a few important fields (i.e. name, address, phone number). And the second viewing mode will display all available entry fields. - Anyone got a good "closest match" search algorithm. It was suggested to me by a user, and it sounds like a really good idea. Imagine typing what you think the person's name is, and even though the name is not in the list, it'll find the closest match to what you typed in for the search. (i.e. Kelley will also match up with Kelly). - Improved sorting system allowing ordering on almost any field. This will allow you to order on telephone numbers, etc. The letter keys will also be able to search on a defined field. - Improved marking/grouping system allowing you to manipulate full groups without marking them first, group records containing a field with a certain text string (similar to search & mark, but it would be search & group for a specified group). If I can implement it, I am also thinking of conditional marking (i.e. mark if state is MI and not in group 1 or group 5). - You asked for it, you'll get it. Multiple Address Books!!!! If I can implement a newer file structure with minimal hassle, the next Addresser revision will definitely be able to handle multiple address books. And since I will try to take full advantage of AmigaDOS's new features, you'll even be able to "Drag and Drop" a new book into Addresser whenever you want. Unfortunately, since this means a new file structure, it'll also mean you'll have to use AdVert (again) to convert the names list (again). (One of the disadvantages of not having foresight when first developing software). - How about a true ASCII text merge feature? That's right, you create a straight ASCII text file using your favorite text editor. Then pass it through Addresser. Voila, mail merging without having to go through the hassle of running a word processor. - Speaking of merging, since I've been getting a lot of requests to add support to a lot of different word processors, I'm thinking of implementing merging as an external function (i.e. merge filters for each word processor are their own little files that are loaded in when they're needed). This will not only make for a smaller merge requestor, but will also make Addresser a little smaller and will let you the user select which word processor merge formats you want, and which ones you don't. (What good is being able to create a Word(im)Perfect merge file when you don't have Word(im)Perfect?) - I hope to be able to create an easier way of putting together an address format (one which you don't have to type so much, and check to be sure you're typing the correct field name.) Most likely, this will be a "Drag and drop" type approach (i.e. you set up the format with the mouse by moving the field names around). If anyone's got a better idea, I'm wide open to suggestions. - How about user defined output types? (what the heck does that mean???) Well, instead of having to deal with the standard printer output Addresser gives you (i.e. Envelopes, mailing labels, phone list, etc.), how about you the user being able to create your own output types (say, for instance, different envelope sizes, different mailing label sizes, etc.). - One of the little things that may make typing names in easier would be automatic formatting of phone numbers and postal/zip codes (i.e. just type in the numbers 17055551212 and the number would automatically become (705)555-1212 after pressing return on the field.) Placing a 1 at the beginning of the number would flag Addresser to make it a long distance call (although it won't show the leading 1 in the field.) Postal/Zip codes would pretty much work the same way (i.e. Zip +4 codes would be detected, and a hyphen would be placed before the last 4 digits. If a Canadian postal code is detected, a space would automatically be inserted before the fourth digit.) Anyone know of any other postal/zip code formats? - In keeping with postal regulations, wouldn't it be interesting to be able to generate a postal bar code? If I can get my hands on the U.S. and Canadian standards for postal bar codes, I just may implement it. The Canadian system is easy, all I have to do is get the spacing correct. It's the U.S. one that's a bit tough. (Again, users in countries other than Canada and the U.S., if you know of your country's system, let me know how it works, and I may implement it.) - Since the next revision of Addresser will be AmigaDOS 2.0 only, I hope to implement 2.0 specific features like an AREXX port, public screen support, and much more (once I figure out what support is needed and how I can implement them). There is a good possibility that the next revision of Addresser will be a commodity with all the features that are inherent with it (i.e. hotkey activation, etc.) - The dialer will probably undergo an overhaul, allowing Addresser to determine the status of the call by watching for modem status messages (i.e. Busy, Voice, Ring, etc.). I also plan on adding a timer/toll counter to the dialer (I may even be able to determine an approximate toll rate based on your area code and the area code you are calling plus or minus a fudge factor, this is getting really ambitious). I hope to also implement calling of all or marked names also (i.e. dial a home number, if it's busy, or there's no answer, move on to the next name.) - I hope to add some new fields to the next revision of Addresser, some that are high on the list are: Salutation, Company position, FAX Number (this field will be extra useful if I can implement an AREXX port. Hopefully, selecting the FAX number in the dialer will run your FAX modem software, and set the modem to send documents, this field could also work as a BBS number using an AREXX compatible terminal program like TERM). - Also high on the list is a user definable field area. This would allow you the user to set up whatever other fields you may want (without me having to go through the experience of re-writing the data structures and re-compiling addresser). - I won't mention names, but I have heard of Addresser users who have placed Addresser on a network. Well, I don't exactly know how it works on one, but I am interested in improving Addresser's network support. Anyone have information on how the Amiga network software handles file and/or record locking? Like I said, this is a list of new features that may or may not be added to the next release of Addresser. If you have any other ideas, please let me know, I am wide open to suggestions. Corporate Amiga Types: If you have a product that supports mail merge or any other function that Addresser may be able to make use of, please let me know, I want to support your product also. If Addresser does not support your product, please contact me (my current address is listed below), and I will add merge file support for the next revision. Jeff Kelly 4455-1 Heritage Ct. SW Grandville, MI 49418-2634 (616)249-9552