PowerBase V2.00 by Steven Rennocks of Amivision Software 1991 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Starting a new database... If this is the first time you have used PowerBase and you are a bit unsure of how to create a new database or you have just forgetten how to do so , then here is a brief description of how to create a new database. 1) Load PowerBase itself and read the message displayed at the bottom of the screen. 2) Decide what fields you are going to need for your new database and what these fields will contain. (i.e Forename , Surname , Postcode etc. etc.) 3) Select {FIELD NAMES} from the [SYSTEM] menu. Now for each field , enter the name of the field into the requester , the type of each field and its length if this is variable. (For more details of field types etc. see the relavent section in the instruction manual provided on this disk.) Make sure you decide on suitable lengths for variable fields and choosing the correct field type for each field will help cut mistakes when entering data as the data will be validated according to the field type selected. Field lengths can only be changed for text and numeric field types. If the field length for these types of fields is already set then they cannot be changed , unless the length is set to 0. Don`t worry if you`ve already entered the field names/types/lengths and you realise you need another field. Just reselect {FIELD NAMES} and add another field. 4) Once you have your fields set up return to the main screen. A heading for your database can be entered by selecting {HEADING} from the [SYSTEM] menu. 5) Once that is done you can start entering your data into the database. 6) If you don`t like the way the field names & data is displayed on the screen whilst editing then select {DESIGN NEW FORM LAYOUT} from the [SYSTEM] menu and drag the fields to the positions you require. 7) For information on the current database select {STATUS REPORT} from the [PROJECT] menu. Remember that with PowerBase to add a new record all you have to do is to move the current record number (with V.C.R panel or slider bar) to a record number that is greater than the number of records. i.e 4 of 3. So current record (4) is greater than the actual number of records (3). Then simply edit the new record and the no. of records will be increased. I hope you have fun using PowerBase and encounter few problems in achieving what you require from the program. If you don`t understand how to use this program then I will be very surprised as this is one of the most user friendly databases I have seen , and I have seen quite a few.