Introduction
------------

The Disc Directory is an easy to use but very powerful database program that helps you keep track of your 
records, tapes and compact discs.  It can be fully customized and features an almost unlimited database 
capacity.  As an added bonus, the program contains helpful hints throughout.  

*A NOTE ABOUT SHAREWARE*

The Disc Directory is shareware.  This means that you can evaluate the software for 30 days.  But if you
decide to use the software after the 30 day period, you must register by sending your registration fee
to Data Village.  If you do not send in your registration fee, you will be violating copyright law.  To 
register you software, please see the section "Registration", below.

You may freely distribute the program, as long as you do not disclose the registration code.

*INSTALLATION*

The Disc Directory requires Windows 3.1 or higher.  To install the program simply unzip the archive
file using PKUNZIP or a comparable program, and execute the program "discdir.exe".  

*GETTING STARTED*

The main window contains six buttons: "View"," Search"," File"," Report", "Graph" and "Close".

To start your first database press the "View" button, to display the View window.  From this window you 
can enter new data, or you can view existing data, one record at a time.  

Along the top of this window you will notice a blank field for the album name, and a set of buttons.  You 
can fill in the field name to whatever you like.  You can use the buttons to navigate through your data (see 
the section "The View Window" for more information).

You should also notice three "tab controls" mid-way down the display area.  These controls allow you to 
select the type of information you would like to view or edit: Description and Detail, Song List, and 
Multimedia.  The default display is Description and Detail.  

To start your first database, begin by entering information for the first album you would like to store, by 
filling in the blank fields on the bottom half of the display area.  When you have entered some information 
(don't worry if the record is not complete, you can easily return later), press the "New" button on the top of 
the screen.  You will be provided with another blank record, that you can fill in for your next album.  
Continue adding new records until you have created about five records.   Then press the "Close" on the top 
of the Window.  You should not be back on the main  window.

Now press the "File Button".  A Pop-up menu appears.  Select "Save As" form the menu.  You will be 
provided with a file save box, where you can enter a new filename for your database.  Press "OK" after you 
have entered the name, and the database will be saved.  

Congratulations !  You have just created your first database.  You can read the rest of this manual at your 
own leisure, to learn more about the Disc Directory. 

Loading and Saving Files
------------------------

You can load and save multiple database files.  

To load a file, Press the "File" button on the main window.  A Pop-up menu will appear.  From this menu 
select "Load".  You will be provided with a file box, where you can select the name of the file you want to 
load.  To save a file, press "Save" on the Pop-up menu, and the file will be saved.  If you would like to 
specify a filename for your database, press "Save As".  A file save box will appear, where you can enter a 
filename and save your file.

The View Window
----------------

The View Window is where you can view existing records, add new records or edit existing records.  You 
can also customize the Disc Directory to suit your specific requirements by pressing the "Custom" button on 
the top of the display area.  

*VIEWING RECORDS*

You can use the panel on the top of the screen to navigate through the database.  The left arrow takes you to 
the previous record in the database.  The right arrow takes you to the next record in the database.  If you 
have information on the Search List (please see the section titled "The Search Window" for more 
information on the search list), you can move to the previous record on the search list using the up arrow, or 
the next item on the search list using the down arrow.  If you would like to change the record order in the 
database, press the "Sort" button.  A pop-up menu will appear asking you what criteria you would like to 
sort by.  After you make a selection, the database will be resorted to reflect your choice.

*EDITING RECORDS*

Editing records is easy.  Simply navigate to the record you would like to change.  Then make the required 
changes on the bottom part of the screen, where the record information is displayed.  When you next save 
the database, any changes that you have made will also be saved.  You can also cut, copy, paste and insert 
records using the buttons on the top part of the window.

*ADDING NEW RECORDS*

To add a new record, simply press the "New" button on the top panel.  A blank record will be created and 
attached to the end of the Database.  You will also be automatically transferred to this new record.  You can 
then enter the new record's information on the bottom part of the screen, where the record information is 
displayed.

*ADVANCED FEATURES*

The Disc Directory also features multimedia capabilities.  You may attach sound and picture files to 
individual records, and scan information directly from music CD's.

The picture file function allows you to attach a standard windows .bmp file to an individual record, and 
display it in the picture display area.  You can use the picture to display digitized album covers, artist 
pictures or anything else you like.

The sound file function allows you to attach a .wav sound file to an individual record.  You may use this 
function to attach sample music from a CD, or your own voice annotation.  You can also make the sound 
file automatically play each time you view a record by checking the "play sound" check box.

You can scan in CD information directly in the Song List section by inserting a standard music CD into 
your disc player, and pressing "Scan CD".  The Song List will be automatically filled in with CD track and 
length information.  You will still need to fill in the Song Titles and Artist Names yourself.

The best way to learn these features is to use them, so don't be afraid to experiment !

The Search Window
------------------

The Search Window allows you to search for information in your database, using a virtually unlimited range 
of search criteria.  You may search by "Description", "Detail" and "Song List".  To select a type of search, 
simply press the corresponding tab on the left side of the screen.  

The right panel will display a list of records that match your search, in the search list.  You can clear the 
search list by pressing "Clear".  You can view a specific record on the search list, in the view window, by 
double-clicking on it.  You can also save the searched records into a separate file by pressing the "extract" 
button.  The information on the search list is also used by the report and graph functions, to restrict the 
information displayed.  Please see the Report and Graph sections for more details.

*SEARCH BY "Description"*

This feature allows you to search by any combination of data found in the pull-down menu's.  Simply select 
what you are looking for, and press "Search".  Records matching your search criteria will appear on the 
search list on the right panel.

*SEARCH BY "Detail"*

This feature allows you to search for specific information in any record fields.  Simply type in the 
information you want to find, and select the field you would like to search using the check boxes.  Then 
press "Search". ".  Records matching your search criteria will appear on the search list on the right panel.

*SEARCH BY "Song List"*

This feature allows you to search for specific information on the song list.  You may search for artist names 
or song names.   Type in the information you would like to find, and check the appropriate check box.  
Then press "Search".  Records matching your search criteria will appear on the search list on the right 
panel.

The Report Window
-----------------

The Report Window allows you to generate and print reports based on your data.  It also allows you to 
import and export files to comma delimited format.  Please note: The print function is only available to 
registered users.

Creating a report is easy.  First press "Add".  A pop-up menu will appear with a list of items that can be 
added to the report.  Select the item you would like to add.  It should appear on the list on the left.  Repeat 
the process until you have added all of the items that you require in your report.  The items will appear on 
the report in the order that you add them.  If you make a mistake, simply press "Remove", and the last item 
you have added will be removed.  

A report may be generated using all of the information in the database, or just the information on the search 
list.  To toggle between modes, press the "mode" button.  To display the report, press "Preview".  A 
preview screen will appear where your report will be displayed. You can also change some general report 
features, by using the check-boxes.  For example, if you want a report title to appear, make sure that the 
report title check box is checked.  If you are a registered software user you will be able to print your report 
by pressing "print".

The Graph Window
----------------

The Graph Window allows you to create bar graphs based on your data.  You can use the graph function to 
determine how your collection breaks down, based on the information in the pull-down menus.  You can 
generate graphs based on all the information in your database, or just the records on the search list.  To 
toggle between these two modes, press the "mode" button.  To select a type of graph, press the "Select" 
button.  A Pop-up menu will appear with a list of available graphs.  Select the graph you would like to 
generate, and the graph will appear.

Once the graph appears, you may change its appearance by using the buttons on the top of the window.  
You can change the font, color, and fill style of the graph bars.  You can also select a graph title.  If you are 
a registered user, you will be able to print your graph by pressing the "print" button.

Contacting Data Village
-----------------------

You can contact Data Village at the following address:

Data Village
#234, 5149 Country Hills Blvd. N.W.
Suite #103
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 5K8

Or you can visit our web site at:

http://www.cadvision.com/DataVillage/

Please visit this site to get our latest telephone number and email address, if you would like to speak to
someone directly.

Registration
------------

Your support is necessary ! 

To register your copy of the Disc Directory please send a check or money order for $20 (US Funds) or 
$25(Canadian Funds) to:

Data Village
#234, 5149 Country Hills Blvd. N.W.
Suite #103
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 5K8

Please include your mailing address and email address (if you have one).  In about 3-6 weeks you should 
receive your registration code, either through regular mail or electronic mail.

Once you receive your registration code, you will need to enter it into the program.  You only need to enter 
the registration code once.  To enter the code press the "File" button, and select "Enter Registration Code" 
from the pull-down menu.  An edit window will appear where you can enter the code.  Type in the code 
exactly as it appears in your registration information, and press "OK".  Your software will now be fully 
registered.  

For more great software, be sure to visit http://www.cadvision.com/DataVillage/

Thank You !
