MobileDB and MobileDB Lite Instructions

----------------------------------------------------
                 MobileDB v1.11
             for the Palm Computing(R) Platform
             from Mobile Generation Software
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MobileDB(TM) and MobileDB Lite(TM)
Copyright (C) 1997-1998 Mobile Generation Software
All Rights Reserved

Hot Topics
    MobileDB Overview
    MobileDB System Requirements
    How to install MobileDB and and MobileDB databases
    Differences between MobileDB and MobileDB Lite
    MobileDB Converter for Windows
    MobileDB Converter for Macintosh
    Where to Find Existing MobileDB Databases

MobileDB Instructions
1. MobileDB Overview
        Features
        Limitations
        Known Bugs
        Possible Future Upgrades

2. Usage
        Start Up
        Database List
        Record List
        Record Edit (MobileDB only)
        Record View
        Menu Items
            Application Preferences
            Database Preferences
            Sort Records
            Filter Records
            Find Records
            Top of Database
            Bottom of Database
            Edit Column Widths

3. Version Modifications

Other Information

4. Registration

5. License

6. How to become a MobileDB Content Partner

7. Company Information

Hot Topics

MobileDB System Requirements

To utilize MobileDB, you may use any Palm Computing (R) Platform with Palm OS2.0 or 3.0. This includes the 3Com PalmPilot (TM) Personal or Professional, 3Com Palm III (TM), IBM Workpad (TM), or Symbol Technologies Palm Computing Device. Currently, the PalmOS 1.0 (Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000) is not currently supported with MobileDB, however, MobileDB Lite does support PalmOS v1.0. Mobile Generation Software has not fully tested MobileDB with any 3rd party memory boards, accessories, or operating system altering hacks. Therefore, use these in conjunction with MobileDB at your own risk.

How to Install MobileDB and MobileDB databases

Use the Palm Computing Installation tool to install you mobiledb.prc. Likewise, use your Palm Computing Installation tool to install any of your MobileDB databases (databasename.pdb). For more information on using your Palm Computing Installation tool, consult your Palm Computing Device instructions.

Differences between MobileDB and MobileDB Lite

MobileDB is a full read/write database application that will allow the user to create, view, update, and delete databases on any Palm Computing (R) Platform device. MobileDB Lite is the freeware version of MobileDB which does not allow the user to create or update databases or record records on the Palm Computing Platform device. Therefore, you must utilize the MobileDB converter to create the MobileDB databases or download an existing MobileDB database from the internet (See Where to find MobileDB databases). Note: MobileDB and MobileDB Lite databases are exactly the same - it is the MobileDB Lite application that does not allow the user to modify the information.

MobileDB Converter for Windows

To Complete your MobileDB database application, you can download the MobileDB Converter for Windows from the Mobile Generation Software site at http://www.mobilegeneration.com/mobiledb.htm. Please be aware that this is ~ 2 MB so it will take about 10 minutes to download with a 28.8 kbps modem. We are sorry for the bloated size of this app, but it was developed using Visual Basic 5.0 which requires such a large distribution.

The conversion tool will allow you to create and convert comma separated files to and from MobileDB databases. It can also convert from HTML tables to comma separated files or MobileDB database. This proves to be very convenient when downloading table information off the internet and converting it to MobileDB databases. For more information on the MobileDB converter, point your browser to http://www.mobilegeneration.com.

MobileDB Converter for Macintosh

The MobileDB Converter for Windows was written by Rob Tsuk and is available at: http://www.tsuk/pfc/. Although Rob is not affiliated with Mobile Generation Software, we deeply appreciated his work on the MobileDB converter.

Where to Find Existing MobileDB Databases

There already are a growing number of MobileDB databases available for your use. Before you create a database, check out the Mobile Generation Software archive to see if it may already have been created. The archive is available at http://www.mobilegeneration.com/mobiledbdatabases.htm

Remember - if you have created a database that others may be interested in, please email it to info@mobilegeneration.com in for inclusion into the MobileDB Database Archive. If you plan to create and distribute MobileDB databases, please include the ReadMeDB.txt file available at http://www.mobilegeneration.com/downloads/ReadMeDB.txt. This will help reduce the number of new PalmOS users that download databases and do not know what to do with them.

MobileDB Overview

The MobileDB solution enables users to easily convert table information from an HTML table or comma-separated file using the MobileDB Converter for Windows(tm) and view or modify the information on any Palm Computing Platform device. Users can also create the database in the MobileDB application for further reference and modifications. MGS is dedicated to providing useful and interesting MobileDB databases through partnerships with content providers and contests for the most useful users-submitted databases.

Features

Store up to 20 databases to view or update (update with MobileDB only)
Allows for up to 20 fields for each record
Up to 200 characters per field
Sort, filter, and search commands
Record indicator to show where you are located in the database
Pop-up entry fields to expand each field into a memo pad-like view
Single-handed navigation around the entire database in a single view
Preference to set edit or view mode as default on selection of record
Windows MobileDB converter for HTML tables and comma-separted files
Huge support for MobileDB databases - soon there will be 1000's!

Limitations

Maximum of 200 characters for each data field.
Maximum of 20 fields per database
Maximum of 20 databases
Cannot delete an entire database field

Known Bugs

None

Possible Future Upgrades

Please see the Version Modifications section for further information on the modifications for each release.

Usage

Start up

If you have not registered your version of MobileDB, the application will startup in the registration bug screen. To use the application simply press 'Register Later'. If you have registered your version of MobileDB and have obtained your registration code (Please see Registering MobileDB), then press the 'Register Now' button to enter your registration code.

With the registered version of MobileDB, the application will launch into the database list. If you exited the application while in a database, the same database will be opened automatically on the next startup. This allows you to access the same database repeatedly without requiring the selection of the database.

Database List

The database list view allows the you to select or create a new database. To select a database, simply tap the database name in the database list. This will launch the database and you will see the 'Record List' view with the database name at the top of the window.

To create a new database, tap the 'New' button from the Database List View, enter the desired database name, and tap 'OK'. The 'Field Name Edit' view will popup to enter the field names for the database. Enter each name as you would like them to appear in the database (minus the colon) and leave the rest of the field names blank. Use the hard scroll buttons to page up/down and the soft scroll buttons in the bottom right of the window to scroll a single field name up/down. You may enter up to 20 field names.

You may select the app preferences by tapping the menu button and selecting 'App Preferences.' For more information on the application preferences, see the application preferences section of this document.

Record List

The 'Record List' view allows you to view up to 10 records in the database at any one time. Using the soft key navigation arrows at the bottom right of the window, you can navigate the fields in the second column left and right and scroll the records in the database up and down. Note that these buttons are only showing if there is a possibility for navigation in that direction. You may also use the hard up/down keys to page up and down in the record list. If the 'Use Hard Keys for Scrolling' preference is set in the MobileDB application preferences, you can use the 'Address Book' and 'To Do' hard keys to navigate fields left and right in the second column. This allows for single hand navigation of the entire database.

The number of columns available in the record list view depends on the settings you have set using the 'Options->Column Widths' menu selection. More information is available in the menu options Edit Column Widths section.

You will notice that the bottom of the window contains a current record indicator which is shown as 'x of x'. This will indicates your location in the database by the record number at the top of the screen as the first number and the total number of records in the database as the second number.

To select a record for further viewing, simply tap the record to view. If the database preference 'Edit Record on Selection' is set then the application will bring up the record in the 'Record Edit' view to edit the record, otherwise, it will bring up the record in the 'Record View' mode. This default should be set to the mode which the user will need access to most frequently.

To go back to the 'Database List' view, tap the 'Done' button.

To create a new record, simply tap the 'New' button at the bottom of the window. This will take you to a blank 'Record Edit' view in order to create a new record.

Selecting the field names row will popup the 'Field Names Edit' screen in order to edit the field names. From this view, you will be able to modify, or add database field names.

Record Edit

The 'Record Edit' window allows you to edit the detailed information in each of the fields inside the record. Each field label and field data are displayed in groups of 10 in the database. you have the ability to edit the information in each of the fields by using the graffiti input, keyboard input, or the standard cut, copy, paste, and undo. You may also use the popup entry fields to display the entire field by tapping on the up arrow next to the field. You will then be able to view and edit the entire 200 characters for each field.

If your database contains more than 10 fields, you will be able to scroll the fields up and down by using the soft arrows at the bottom right corner of the form. You make also use the hard scroll buttons to page up or page down the record field lists.

If you chose to delete the record, tap the 'Delete' button and the record will be deleted and the application will return to the 'Record List'. If you have the 'Confirm Record Delete' set in the application preferences you will also be warned that the record will be deleted once the 'Delete' button has been tapped.

If you chose to cancel the changes that were made to the record since you entered the 'Edit Record' screen, tap the 'Cancel" button and the application will return to the 'Record List' with no changes saved.

To save your changes, simply tap the 'Done' button and the application will return to the 'Record List."

Record View

The 'Record View' window allows the user to view the detailed information for the record selected from the record list. For MobileDB users, the database preference, 'Edit Record on Selection' must be unset.

You may use the popup entry fields to display the entire field data by tapping on the up arrow next to the field. You will then be able to view the entire 200 characters for the field.

For MobileDB users, you may tap the 'Edit' button or anywhere on the form to send the record into the 'Record Edit' view.

When completed viewing the record, tap the 'Done' button to go back to the 'Record List' view.

MobileDB Application Preferences

You can access the application preferences as 'MobileDB Preferences' through the 'Options' drop down menu in either the 'Database List' view or the 'Record List' view. Once the 'MobileDB preferences' menu item has been selected, you can set or unset the following options:

'Use Hard Keys For Scrolling' - if set, the 'Address Book' and 'To Do" hard keys at the bottom of the Palm Computing device will act as left and right scroll navigation buttons in the 'Database List' view. This will allow for single-handed navigation of the entire database.

"Confirm Record Delete' - if set, this will cause the application to pop up the 'Are You Sure' dialog after the user selected to delete a record. This may be un selected for quickly deleting records in the database.

"Confirm Database Delete' - if set, this will cause the application to pop up the 'Are You Sure' dialog after the user selected to delete a database. This may be un selected for quickly deleting databases.

Database Preferences

You can access the database preferences as 'DB Preferences' through the 'Options' drop down menu in the 'Record List' view. Once the database preferences has been selected, you can set or unset the following options:

'Backup Database at Hotsync' - if set this will create a backup of the database and place it in your backup directory in your pilot user directory on your PC or Mac. You can then use this backup to convert to a comma separated file for further editing on the PC or Mac.

'On Select, go to Edit View' - this is for MobileDB users only. If this is set, the application will go to the 'Record Edit' view to edit the record when the record is selected in the 'Record List'. If it is unselected, the application will go to the 'Record View' form to view the record when a record is selected. This default should be set to the mode which the user will need access to most frequently.

Sort Records

To sort records, select 'Sort Records' from the 'Tools' menu in the 'Record List' view. This will pop-up the 'Sort Records' form. Select the primary, secondary, and tertiary sort criteria by selecting the field to sort. Select the type of sort either Numeric or Alphabetic using the selection buttons and select the Ascending or Descending selection buttons if you would like that field to be sorted in ascending or descending order. Once the sort criteria has been set, select the 'OK' button to begin the sort.. This may take a few seconds depending on the number of records and complexity of the sort. Press 'Cancel' to cancel the sort form.

Filter Records

Filtering the records will allow you to view only the records that contain a specified set of text. To filter records, select 'Filter Records' from the 'Tools' menu in the 'Record List' view. This will pop-up the 'Filter Records' form. Type in the text and select the field to filter on. You may select up to three seperate filter criteria. Tap the 'OK' button to start the filter and the 'Cancel' button to cancel the filter.

Once the filter has been completed in the 'Record List' form, a small reverse 'F' will appear in the top right of the 'Record List' view to show that a filter is set. To turn off the filter, simply tap the 'f' and the filter will be turned off. You may also select the 'Show all Records' from the 'Tools' menu to turn the filter off and show all the records.

Find Record

To find a record with a specified string of text, use the Find text feature. Select 'Find Record' from the 'Tools' menu in the 'Record List' view to find a record. The 'Find Record' form will pop-up when you can enter the find text and select the field of which to search for the text. Press the 'Ok' button and the application will return to the 'Record List' and highlight the record with the text. To repeat the find, tap the small reverse 'R' at the top right of the screen. The application will continue to search for the text until it reaches the end of the database and it will prompt you to start from the beginning of the database.

Top of Database

To quickly jump ot the top of the database, select the 'Top of Database' in the 'Tools' menu or use the shortcut stroke '/T'.

Bottom of Database

To quickly jump ot the bottom of the database, select the 'Bottom of Database' in the 'Tools' menu or use the shortcut stroke '/B'.

Edit Column Widths

Select the 'Edit Column Widths' in the 'Tools' menu from the Record List view to modify the widths of each column. The default is 80 pixels and the screen width will handle a maximum of 160 pixels. Therefore, it is good to use multiples of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120 for the column widths, but any value is acceptable. This feature is available in MobileDB and MobileDB Lite, however, it is not supported on PalmOS 1.0 devices.

Release Information

Version 1.11

Fixed the 1000 record bug which caused a fatal error with database over 1000 records.
Fixed the 20th field bug which caused a fatal exception on databases with 20 fields
Fixed the expanded field scroll/backspace bug which caused a fatal exception when scrolling then using a backspace.

Version 1.1

These are the frst public releases of the MobileDB and MobileDB Lite registered/unreigstered versions. The software will work as an unregistered, 2 database limited, trial version until the user registers the software and enters the registration code based on the PalmOS user name of the device.

Version 1.0

First public release. This release is a full version of MobileDB, set to expire July 1, 1998. At this time, the 2 database trial versions of MobileDB and MobileDB Lite will be available. Users will also be able to register full versions of MobileDB and MobileDB Lite.

Registration

Mobile Generation Software has release the v1.11 trial version of MobileDB for general distribution. The trial versions allow you to install or create up to 2 databases, however, there is no expiration on the trial versions. Once registered, the application will remove the two database limitation and allow you to create up to 20 databases. The evaluation versions also have a 'bug' screen at each startup to remind you that you are using an evaluation version. If you find you are using MobileDB on a regular basis, please register it. MobileDB can be registered for $14.95 at www.palmpilotgear.com (see 'internet delivery' below).

As always, Mobile Generation Software will supply you with free upgrades to each of the MGS products that you register.

When you register, you will be required to give MGS your Palm Computing Platform User Name or PalmOS User Name. You can retrieve your registration code by pressing the soft hotsync application button and reading the 'Hello, PalmOSUserName' where the PalmOSUserName is your PalmsOS user name. You registration code will be derived from this name and emailed to you. You will then need to enter the code by pressing the 'Register' button at at the MobileDB registration bug screen.

Internet Delivery

Online delivery of registration codes for MobileDB is available for credit card orders placed via the Internet from PalmPilotGear HQ at: http://www2.viaweb.com/pilotgearsw/mobgen.html

You can also register MobileDB or MobileDB Lite through PGHQ at 1-800-741-9070

License

For registration procedure information, see the registration procedures section

License Agreement

You should carefully read the following terms and conditions before using this software. Unless you have a different license agreement signed by Mobile Generation Software, your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this license agreement and warranty.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

Disclaimer of Warranty

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OR MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. Because of the various hardware and software environments in which MobileDB or MobileDB Lite may be utilized, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

Good data processing procedure dictates that any program be thoroughly tested with non-critical data before relying on it. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.

Evaluation and Registration

MobileDB is not free software. Subject to the terms below, you are hereby licensed to use this software for evaluation purposes for 30 days only. If you use this software after the 30 day evaluation period, a registration fee of $14.95 is required. Please see the registration process section for more information on registering MobileDB. When payment is received you will be sent a registration code which should be entered into the MobileDB registration page. This will also remove the 2 database limit on the unregistered versions of MobileDB. Unregistered use of MobileDB after the 30 day evaluation period is in violation of U.S. and international copyright laws.

Distribution

Since MobileDB utilizes registrations codes based on the PalmOS user name, there is no registered version of MobileDB. You are hereby licensed to make as many copies of the this software and documentation as you wish; give exact copies of the original version to anyone; and distribute the software and documentation in its unmodified form via electronic means. All the original documents and files must remain intact and unchanged. There is no charge for any of the above.

You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with other products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written permission.

Registered Version

One registered copy of MobileDB may only be used by a single person on one Palm Computing Platform Device. Since the registration code is derived from the PalmOS user name, a new registration code is required for each Palm Computing Platform device.

Send comments and requests about this information to info@mobilegeneration.com or visit the Mobile Generation Site at: http://www.mobilegeneration.com

How To become a MobileDB Content Partner

Mobile Generation Software is interested in partnering with web content providers or anyone interested in developing and maintaining any MobileDB content databases. Mobile Generation Software will promote the MobileDB databases and the content sites in MobileDB Press Releases and long descriptions. For more information on the MobileDB content partner program, please point your browser to http://www.mobilegeneration.com/mdbpartners.htm.