program: Custom Addressbook
version: 0.7.2 beta

Created by
Henk Hagedoorn
HJH Software
Amsterdam, 1998
software@freebyte.com
http://www.freebyte.com


Files included in this package
readme.txt (this file)
first.dat (initial data file)
AddressBook.exe (the program)


What is Custom Addressbook?
It is a very flexible small program to store and edit address, phone and other data related to business relationships, family and acquaintances. 


Why is it 'Custom'?
The program can be totally adapted to suit your needs. You can easily define new address fields and categories. You can also order and delete them.


Supported platforms:
The program runs on Windows 95, 98 and Windows NT 4.0. It is not tested on NT 3.5, but should run on it also.


Installation
Copy the three files into one directory, and start Addressbook.exe by double-clicking on it.
It will run directly from CD-Rom or a write protected floppy but you can't save anything when the media is write-protected.
It will run directly from a write enabled floppy and you can save your data to it.


Using Custom Addressbook (Main Window)
* Adding a new address item: 'menu/item/new', 'popup menu/new' or the insert key when the focus is in the left pane (white items list).
* Deleting an address item: 'menu/item/delete selected items', 'popup menu/delete selected items' or the delete key when the focus is in the left pane (white items list).
* Moving an address item to another category can be done with 'popup menu/move selected items to/'
* Printing one address item: 'menu/item/print'
* Printing all address items in one category: 'menu/items/print all items in category'
* Printing selected address items: 'menu/items/print selected items'
* Resizing the left and right panes can be done by dragging the separator line between the two panes.
* Saving the data can be done with 'menu/data/save'
* Double clicking on multi-line (attribute) editboxes will enable the user to edit the contents in a large notepad like editor.
* Pressing F2 in a multi-line attribute editbox will show the large notepad like editor also, pressing F2 in the editor will close the editor, in the same manner as pressing 'OK' with the mouse.
* The size, position and split of Custom Addressbook windows will be stored automatically, so that the next time you start up Custom Addressbook its windows will have remembered their previous status.
* Shortcut keys in the left attribute edit area: 
    ctrl-home: go to first edit box
    ctrl-end: go to the last edit box
    ctrl-down: go to the next edit box
    ctrl-up: go to the previous edit box
    down: go to the next edit box if the current one is single-line
    up: go to the previous edit box if the current one is single-line
    enter: go to the next edit box if the current one is single-line
    shift-enter: go to the previous edit box
    ctrl-L: go to the listbox on the left


Making a backup
The file address.dat contains the actual address data. Back-up this file regularily. 

Customizing Custom Addressbook (Settings Window)
With the settings screen (menu/options/settings) you can customize many aspects of Custom Addressbook.
* To customize the tile, edit 'filetitle' in the first tab
* You can add and remove categories (like office, home)
* You can add and remove attributes (like first name, last name, address)
* You can make attributes and categories visible or invisible
* You can adjust the vertical size of each attribute edit box (property 'lines').
* You can change the order in which categories and attributes appear in the main screen by dragging the items with your mouse in the lists in the settings screen.


The Data files
When the program is run first, the address data used by the program is taken from the file first.dat which has been created by me and contains some example data. 
After the user has changed or added some data, all the data is saved in a new file called address.dat. After that, because address.dat exists, first.dat will be ignored and is no longer of use.
The use of first.dat is to prevent users overwriting address.dat (and consequently deleting their own data) when they are installing an update.



Future Additions (in order of importancy):
* import/export to CSV files
* Backup options
* Autodial of phone and fax numbers
* Adjustable fonts for Asian and other non-western use.
* search option
* sort options
* Option for more then one user, each user using his/her own address.dat database file
* tray-icon
* Auto-email
* Auto-URL (automatic opening of homepage address on click)



Updates

To receive automatic notification on updates of this and other HJH Software programs, you can join the software mail newsletter for free at http://www.freebyte.com/service


Conditions of use

You can use this program free of charge in any commercial or non-commercial setting. You can only distribute this program if you don't charge any money for the program itself. You only can distribute it if you do not change the files. For other arrangements, mail the author. 

