
         The Music Database System v4.4 - Professional DJ Edition
 
                      (c) Stallion Software Systems

                             Darryl M. Minsky
                         Stallion Software Systems
                          5227 Viceroy Drive N.W.
                         Calgary, Alberta, Canada
                                  T3A 0V2

                          Phone (403) 286-9711

                    Internet: minskyd@cadvision.com
                    Fidonet: Darryl Minsky 1:134/17
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PLEASE NOTE: If you only have a copy of this README file and NOT the
actual shareware program and tables, and would like a copy without the
expense of a CompuServe or GEnie download (or from whatever "pay per
download" system), please send $5 (to cover diskette and mailing costs)
to the above address and we will send you one.
Please specify diskette format required.

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Welcome to the Music Database System - Professional DJ Edition (MDB)!

It is continually evolving, so be on the lookout for the most recent
version. It is intended for DJs and individuals that have large music
collections, and want to keep accurate records of it.

There is also a Standard version that exists. This Windows
and DOS based system is described later on.

I won't waste valuable disk space on detailed documentation on how the
system works. It is best for you to experiment and try it for yourself.
In a nutshell, there are 3 main tables: Artist, Albums, and Tracks. A
fourth table is Category, so each artist, album, and track can have its
own category. This enables a rock artist to produce a classical album,
that may have folk and blues tracks on it. Get the picture? Each artist
can have any number of albums, and each album can have any number of
tracks associated with it. Please note that unregistered versions of 
the MDB are limited to 25 artists, 25 albums, and 100 tracks. Only 
one artist can be associated with an album, UNLESS it is flagged as a
compilation album. Compilation albums can have an unlimited number of
artists associated with it. This is great for DJ tapes, or for theme
recordings. Each album and track will have a media type that it is
recorded on. At least one type must be selected. These are CD, Cassette,
Record, VHS hi-fi tape, Digital Compact Cassette, Mini-Disc, DAT,
and Reel to Reel. If you have your recordings numbered, this too can be saved.
Each table also have a spot for misc notes.
This notes field is a xbase style memo field, and has an unlimited size.
If your text exceeds the space on the screen, scroll bars appear and can
be used to navigate through the notes. When you browse through the
individual databases and you see the word "Memo" or "memo"
(note the case difference), this is where your notes are stored.
If you have no notes, the word will appear as 'memo'; if you do have
notes, the first letter will be capitalized, ie "Memo".
To see what is in you notes when browsing, simply double-click on the field.

Track data includes BPM (Beats/Minute), dancestyle, dance rating,
song length, intro/endtro times, popularity, associated dance, and
side/song number.

All data can be reported by selecting the appropriate report option.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ENTER A NEW ALBUM:
First, go into the Artist screen and add the artists data.
Then leave that screen and go into the Albums screen.
Press the ADD button, enter the artist name. If you wish, you may only
enter part of the artist name, or nothing at all.
A window will pop up will the closest match. Choose your artist by pressing
Enter. Next, enter the album name and the media it is on (CD, tape etc).
Save your data, and leave that screen. Go into the Tracks screen,
and click the ADD button. You may only enter part of the Artist or
Album name, and a window will pop up with the closest match.
Then enter the rest of the track data. Save it, and your cursor will
then go to the artist field where you will start all over again.
Keep looping through until you have all the tracks entered.
You now have your album entered!

FAST DATA ENTRY:
There is also a way to enter all your Artist, Album, and Track data from
only the Track screen. You will notice the Artist, Album, and Track screens
each have a CONFIG button. This leads to another screen that will set your
"defaults" when you do fast data entry from either the Albums or Tracks
screen. You can set new artists to have certain categories when you add them.
The same is true for Albums and Tracks with even more default data.
When you are in the Album screen and you enter a Artist name that doesn't
exist in the system, you will be prompted to enter the new artist into the
system, or to browse through the artists already on file. If you choose
to ADD the artist it will insert him into the Artists table with the default
for artists from the "fast data entry" screen. In the Tracks screen, when you
enter a Artist name that doesn't exist the same happens as in the Albums
screen. The same will also happen for Albums; you will again have the choice
of adding a new album for that artist, or browsing through that artist's
albums already on file.

COMPILATION ALBUMS: How do I add my compilation albums to the system?
Easy. First, go into the Artist screen and add all the artists that
appear on that album. Then leave that screen and go into the Albums
screen. Press the ADD button, enter a artist name such as "COMPILATION"
or "ASSORTED", album name, category etc,
but FLAG THE ALBUM AS BEING A COMPILATION. Save your data,
and leave that screen. Go into the Tracks screen, and click the button
that says "Add Tracks to Compilation Album". This is very similar to
to the normal add routine, but when your cursor comes into the Album
field, you can only enter albums that were flagged as being Compilation.
As in a normal add, you may only enter part of the album name, and a
window will pop up with all the compilation albums in the system.
Choose the album name, and then enter the rest of the track data.
Save it, and your cursor will then go to the artist field where you will
start all over again. Keep looping through until you have all the
tracks entered and Voila!. You now have a compilation album entered!

SONG SUGGESTER: Enter the current song playing and it will suggest
20 similar songs to play, based on the category, dance style, and BPM.
The Song Suggester report prints out your songs, sorted also by 
category, dance style, and BPM.

PLAYLIST REPORT: A sample listing of songs that you can give your
clients. The songs included in this report are the ones that are flagged
as "include in playlist" in the Track screen.

A powerful querying option allows you to see exactly what is on a 
particular media number, so you can tell what albums were recorded on
those tapes that you loaned to your friend. You also can query on text
within ANY part of your database, including artist and album names, song
titles, and all Notes fields. Think of the possibilities!

REPORTS:
All reports are designed for 8 Lines/inch and 10 characters
per inch pitch, so set your printer accordingly. All reports can be
viewed to the screen before you decide if you would like to print them
off.

A Reindex option is also included should your hard disk decide to screw up.
It is a good idea to Reindex occasionally so as to reorganize/optimize
FoxPro's index (.CDX) files.

REMEMBER TO BACK UP YOUR VALUABLE DATA OFTEN!!!!

It's not a matter of IF your PC will screw up, but WHEN it will screw up.

The files you should be backing up are:
*.dbf, *.fpt, and *.cdx. While you may backup the entire directory, these
are the databases that you are constantly updating.

Also included are a calculator, calendar/diary, and a puzzle.
These are built in features of FoxPro, so I just included them anyways.

A FoxPro Settings option tells you of how FoxPro is using your
available memory, hard disk space etc.

This version of the MDB-Professional will NOT run on your LAN
(Local Area Network). If you require to do this, please enquire
about the MDB/LAN version or about the MDB-Professional LAN version.

This version of the MDB that you are running requires at least
8 MB of RAM and at least a 386 computer. Careful tweaking of your
memory configurations and Windows MIGHT get the MDB working if you
do not meet these requirements.

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Also available is the Windows version of MDB - Professional DJ Edition,
and the MDB Standard version.

If you cannot find them on your favorite BBS, contact us for more information.
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NAVIGATING THROUGH MDB:

Navigating through MDB is simple. If you have a mouse (highly recommended)
you simply click on the corresponding field in a window, or on to a 
different window. The Record Positioning window controls navigation through the database.

MDB is designed for use with a mouse or a standard keyboard.  With a keyboard, you use the arrow keys and keystroke combinations to select and choose objects and controls in the interface.  With the click of a button, a mouse can accomplish the equivalent of a single keystroke or many keystrokes on the keyboard.

ķ
      Using the Keyboard         
Ľ

When an item from a menu is selected, it is highlighted and can subsequently be activated.  To choose an item means to activate the selection. The following methods can be used to select an item from a menu or a dialog by means of the keyboard:

               Move from item to item using the arrow keys or Tab and
                Shift+Tab

		Type the first few distinguishing letters of an item.

To choose an item by means of the keyboard:

               Press the spacebar or Enter while the desired item is
                highlighted

		Press the hot key for a menu or dialog option

		Press Ctrl+Enter to choose the default option in a dialog 

ķ
         Using the Mouse         
Ľ
To select an item with the mouse:

		Move the mouse pointer over the desired item

               Click the left mouse button on the desired item in a
                scrollable list

To choose an item with the mouse:

               Click the left mouse button when the mouse pointer is over
                the desired item

ķ
           Using Menus           
Ľ

To access the menu bar via the keyboard, press the Alt key.  Press the
right and left arrow keys to move from menu pad to menu pad.

ķ
       Copying and Pasting       
Ľ

Text can be reorganized within windows and moved among windows using
Copy and Paste from the Edit menu.

Copy	Duplicates selected text for use in another location.

Paste	Places cut or copied text into a file at the cursor location.

ķ
    Special Window Features      
Ľ

Navigating in a Locate Window


You can move from record to record with the Up and Down Arrow keys, or
move forward or backward through a group of records with Page Up or Page Down.
To move to the next or previous field, press Tab or Shift+Tab.
You can also navigate by clicking on the  or , or by clicking and dragging on the  character.

The Locate window has these special features:

Size Field

    By clicking and dragging on the lines in between the field names at
    the top of the browse window, you can change their display size.

Move Field

        Select a field by clicking on its name at the top of the browse window.
        Then drag it to it's new location.

Resize Partitions (  )

        Clicking on this character in the bottom left of the browse window will
        activate the window splitter so you can partition a window or change
        size of existing partitions.

Closing the Locate window (  )

        The small box in the top left of the window will close the window and
        choose the highlighted tenant to be displayed.

Minimizing / Maximizing (  )

        The  lined box at the top right of the window will minimize or
	maximize the browse window.

Floating windows

	By clicking on the top of the window, you can drag it to any location
        you desire, aiding in viewing the information behind it. This can also be done to the CALCULATOR, CALENDAR, and PUZZLE windows.
	
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SPECIAL FEATURES OF MDB:

ķ
           Calculator            
Ľ
This option displays the Calculator desk accessory.

Calculator keyboard equivalents:

Keystroke		Equivalent

	Q				
	R				MR
	N				
	A				M+
	Z				MC
	S				M-

C       Press once to erase current value, twice to erase current calculated
        value and operator.

MC	Clears stored number from memory.

MR	Restores number from memory.

M+	Stores a number in memory or adds to number in memory.
	
M-	Subtracts from number in memory.

ķ
         Calendar/Diary          
Ľ
This option displays Calendar/Diary desk accessory.

This dialog contains these options:

<  M >
< M  >
	Changes month backward and forward.

<  Y >
< Y  >
	Changes year backward and forward.

< Today >
	Selects today's date. Make sure you computer's date is set correctly.

Diary panel is a text region -- use standard text editing techniques.

Delete menu option
	Displays Delete Diary dialog to clear entries.
	
ķ
             Puzzle              
Ľ
Choose the Shuffle push button to scramble the numbers, then click on one
number at a time to move it to the adjacent empty square. You're a winner
when the numbers are in order.

To cheat, press Ctrl+End.  The puzzle is solved.
	
ķ
      Printer Driver Setup       
Ľ
From this dialog you can create a printer driver setup, modify an existing
setup, delete a setup, specify a default setup, load a setup and clear
the current setup.

The Printer Driver Setup dialog contains the following options:

Printer Driver Setups: (List)
        Displays all available printer driver setups.  To unload the
        current printer driver setup, choose <None>.  To modify an
        existing printer driver setup, choose the setup from this list.

< Edit >
        To modify an existing printer setup, choose the name of the printer
        setup to modify from the Printer Driver Setups list, then choose
        the Edit push button.  The Setup Editing dialog appears.

< New >
        To create a new printer driver setup, choose the New push button.
        The Printer Setup Editing dialog appears.

< Delete >
        To delete a printer setup, choose the name of the printer setup
        to delete from the Printer Driver Setups list, then choose the
        Delete push button.

< Set Default >
        A default printer setup can be automatically loaded
        when MDB is started.  To specify a default printer setup,
        choose the name of the printer setup from the Printer Driver
        Setups list, then choose the Set Default push button.
        The system message "Default was set" is displayed.

< Cancel >
	Exits this dialog.

 Set 
        To load a printer setup, choose the name of the printer setup
        to load from the Printer Driver Setups list, then choose the Set
        push button.


ķ
      Printer Setup Editing      
Ľ
In this dialog you can specify print parameters for a printer setup.

The Printer Setup Editing dialog contains the following options:

Printers: (List)
        The Printers list contains a list of supported printers.
        When creating or modifying a printer setup, choose the
        appropriate printer from this list.

Setup Name:

        When you create a new printer setup, enter a name for
        the printer setup in this text box.

Orientation:

()	Portrait
	Specifies portrait page orientation.
	
( )	Landscape
	Specifies landscape page orientation.

Stroke:

()	Medium
	Specifies normal type face for the entire document.
	
( )	Bold
	Specifies bold type face for the entire document.

Style:

()	Upright
	Specifies normal type for the entire document.
	
( )	Italic
	Specifies italic type style for the entire document.

ķ
 Courier    
ͼ
        Specifies the font for the entire document when a Postscript
        or HP LaserJet III printer is chosen.

Size:  pts
        Specifies the type point size (1 pt  1/72 inch) for the entire
        document when a Postscript or HP LaserJet III printer is chosen.
	
Leading:  pts
        Specifies the leading (space between lines) for the entire document
        when a Postscript or HPIIIsi HP LaserJet III is chosen.

Page Size

()	8.5 X 11
        Specifies U.S. letter paper size (8.5 X 11 inches) when a
        Postscript or HP LaserJet III printer is chosen.

( )	Legal
        Specifies U.S. legal paper size (8.5 X 14 inches) when a Postscript
        or HP LaserJet III printer is chosen.

( )	A4
        Specifies metric A4 paper size (210 X 297 mm) when a Postscript
        or HP LaserJet III printer is chosen.

Lines per inch:

( )	6   
        Specifies 6 lines per vertical inch when a printer other
        than Postscript is chosen.
	
()	8 (RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!)
        Specifies 8 lines per vertical inch when a printer other
        than Postscript is chosen.

Chars per inch:

()	10
        Specifies 10 characters per horizontal inch when a printer
        other than Postscript is chosen.
	
( )	12   (RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!)
        Specifies 12 characters per horizontal inch when a printer
        other than Postscript is chosen.
	
( )	16.7
        Specifies 16.7 characters per horizontal inch when a printer
        other than Postscript is chosen.
	
Margins (lines):

Top: 
	Specifies the top margin in lines.
	
Left: 
	Specifies the left margin when a Postscript printer is chosen.

< Cancel >
        Exits this dialog without saving the print parameters you
        specify in this dialog.

 OK 
        To save the print parameters you specify in this dialog, choose
        the OK push button.  The message "Setup Saved" is displayed.

 __________________________________________________________________________

ķ
D I S C L A I M E R     
ͼ

Although Stallion Software Systems has taken every precaution to prevent
abnormal behavior of the MDB System, Stallion Software Systems will not
guarantee total satisfaction. Stallion Software Systems will not be
responsible for any damages or mishaps to your system. Should the program
be defective in any way, YOU (not Stallion Software Systems) assume full
responsibility for any damage which may result.

STALLION SOFTWARE SYSTEMS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE WARRANTIES OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY.

ķ
C O P Y R I G H T S  &  T R A D E M A R K S    
ͼ

The MDB System software and its documentation are copyrighted materials.
Stallion Software Systems reserves all rights to these materials.
No part of this material may be reproduced or modified in any way without
the prior express written permission of Stallion Software Systems.

ķ
 L I C E N S E   A G R E E M E N T        
ͼ

Any use of the product at all constitutes acceptance of these terms and
conditions. Stallion Software Systems reserves all rights which are not
expressly granted or necessarily implied by those rights which are
expressly granted.

The MDB System is copyrighted and is not in the public domain, nor is it
"Free Ware". It is distributed under the concept of software distribution
known as "shareware" which allows users to try a program package to see
if it meets their needs before paying for it. Continued use requires payment
of the registration fee.

Stallion Software Systems grants an unlimited license to make and distribute
unregistered copies of MDB versions which have been released by
Stallion Software Systems, but no modification at all may be made to the
program or documentation files. The only permitted modification is a change
in the method of archiving.  No fee may be charged by anyone other than
Stallion Software Systems for copies of MDB beyond the actual cost of
providing such copies without the express written permission of
Stallion Software Systems.

Stallion Software Systems grants a limited license to use this product
for an evaluation period of fourteen (14) days. Use of this product for
more than 14 days requires payment of the registration fee.
Stallion Software Systems grants to registered users an "unlimited"
license to use this product, subject to the following:

 1) Registration is FOR ONE COMPUTER ONLY, and is not refundable or
    transferable. The exception is the LAN version.

 2) Copies of registered MDB program files may not be distributed.

 3) Original copyrights must be maintained and not altered.

 4) Unofficial software patches must not be not applied.

 5) The software executable files must not be tampered with in any way.

 6) Registration shall be automatically VOIDED without notice by any
    act which is inconsistent with the rights of Stallion Software Systems
    with respect to the product.

ķ
 R E G I S T R A T I O N   I N F O R M A T I O N        
ͼ

Registration gives you an unlimited license to use the MDB system
ON ONE COMPUTER ONLY, as stated in the documentation. Please call or write
for SITE LICENSING INFORMATION. Include the name that you want to appear
as "REGISTERED TO".

Please send your payment of:

Single User: $75  US or $99  CDN
Network:     $150 US or $200 CDN

Darryl M. Minsky
Stallion Software Systems
5227 Viceroy Drive N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 0V2

If you have access to CompuServe, you may register the MDB using their
Shareware Registration forum. GO SWREG and follow the prompts.
The registration ID for the MDB Professional DJ Edition for DOS is 8374.

We welcome all comments, whether good or bad. Send some Email!
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