Computers Database (Computers.MD3) Manual

Computers Database Manual
(Computers.MD3)

PURPOSE

Computers.MD3 is an integrated self-contained Access97 application that facilitates storage and management of information about software and hardware configurations for one or more computers. It also is appropriate for storing information about Internet Service Providers or Network information applying to multiple computers. All source code and table properties (such as allowed field lengths) are viewable and potentially editable.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Open Computers.MD3 in Access97 or later. The Main Menu is the opening screen.
Add at least one computer ("Add New Computer") via the Main Menu. You may also add devices and outside services.
Choose "Show Computers" to view and add to the data stored for this and other computers. If multiple computers are present, you may specify the computer initially displayed with "Set This as Startup Computer".
Use the mouse to point to and view Control Tips for explanations regarding each text box, button, or other control.

FILES REQUIRED

Computersdb_manual.html (this file)
Computers.MD3 (the actual database file)

SCREEN SHOTS

The Main Menu
Computers Database Screen Shot 1: The Main Menu

Representative view of the primary form, showing the 37th of 86 main records for the Dell computer.
The subform shows the first of 2 chronological notes for this main record.
There is no limit to the number of chronological notes per main record.
Computers Database Screen Shot 2: The Primary Form

REVISIONS HISTORY

(These notes are of probably of interest only to the developer)

5/7/98 v. 1.1
Unable to make successful UNION query and form to combine all notes due to bugs in memo handling. Therefore created VB function to combine Notes for a given record.

6/18/98 v. 1.2
Revised method of creating combined notes, now makes temporary table and adds all records to it, then does query on this table. (Union query does not handle memo fields!) .

7/14/98 v. 1.4
Made more generalized by specifying computer names, computer IDs, and startup computer in the table ComputerNames. Tried to remove all user/computer specific code.

7/15/98 v. 1.5
Added GoBack feature

7/15/98 v. 1.6
Improved Combined notes form, added ChronID Revised maximize access window

9/17/98 v. 1.7
Substituted a combo box for option buttons Added New, Clone, Copy, and Paste record Tweaked all

9/18/98 v. 2.0
Added New Computer Added Delete Computer

9/24/98 v. 2.1
Will not attempt to show FPrograms form if no computers present. Can now paste to a non-blank record if user so opts. Fixed setting of newly created Table description. Automated selection of startup computer. Fixed inconsistency naming and setting relationships. Fixed Max = Null, etc. so can delete all computers

12/19/98 v. 2.2
Tweaked prompts when attempting to paste to a nonblank record. Will not paste same data a second time Revised Notes colors for Computer 4.

1/11/1999 v. 2.3
Fixed Delete computer so that remaining computers are renumbered sequentially from 1. Also fixed problem when last computer is deleted

5/19/99 v. 2.4
Minor improvements

8/1/2004 v. 2.4
Converted readme file readme_computersdb.txt to this HTML manual on this website.