MCBase software:
General links:
the Music Collection dataBase system
Website contents: copyright © 1993-2008, Harry Doldersum.
Product Features summary
| Database type | Dbase (III+) industry database standard, approx. capacity = 1 billion records. |
| Database setup | Fully relational. All items (artist, album, songtitle, author, producer and catagory) are accessed within their own database and are therefor unique, editable and selectable. (Click here for a graphic representation). |
| Multiple database sets | Supported. Place the different database sets in their own directory and execute MCBase from within that directory ("MCBase for DOS/Win3" does NOT require to present in that directory, but can be executed by including it's path). |
| Data accessability | Data can be accessed through all fields (artist, album, songtitle, author, producer and catagory). |
| Data searchability | Searching is possible by browsing or by searching on the first characters of the required item. |
| Data entry | Very fast data entry, because of the fully relational setup. After you have entered one songtitle and go to the next, the input dialog will inquire if you would want to carry all previously set relations (artist, album, writer, composer, producer and category) to the new entry. This results in you only having to enter the actual songtitle, playing time and location (only if you wish). |
| Data selection methods | For all items (artists, albums, authors , producers, categories and songs) a preferred data selection method (either a convenient listbox or a very fast search dialog) can be set, for both data editing and data browsing modes. |
| Data browsing | "MCBase for DOS/Win3" will allow you to browse the information on artists, albums, authors (writer and composer), producers, categories and songs. This includes information & remarks memo's, song playing time and storage locations (coded). You can browse all data at any time - simultaniously. Dynamic switching from browse to edit mode is supported. |
| Editable items | "MCBase for DOS/Win3" will handle information on artists, albums, authors (writer and composer), producers, categories and songs. This includes song playing time and storage locations (coded). You can add, delete or modify all data at any time - simultaniously. |
| Available text memo's | Text memo's are available for all artists, albums, authors , producers, categories and songs. Categories have 1 information memo each, while all other items have 2 memo's each (information memo and remarks memo). |
| Text memo editing | Standard memo editor built in, limited to 64Kb per memo. All standard editor functionality (cut, copy & paste as well as a clipboard facility) are included. If preferred, the configuration settings allow the user to select another external (Ascii) editor to handle the memo's. (This setting defaults to MS-DOS's standard EDIT.COM editor). Please note, that the memo text size itself is limited only by the capabilities of the editor. |
| Multi media memo's | Not implemented. See "MCBase for Windows". |
| Special character support | All valid DOS Ascii characters are supported. For user's convenience, an Ascii table component is built in. |
| Database repair facilities | Built in. |
| Backup facilities | A simple backup system is provided through the website. (Please note that backup software is not within MCBase's scope, since there is wide variety of excellent backup solutions available). |
| Network support | "MCBase for DOS/Win3" is capable of working in a network environment, although it is not designed to take full use of all network facilities. (MCBase will only print to the default system printer, for example). |
| Color adjustments | Built in. The colors of all screen elements can be altered, to facilitate use on LCD screens or use under special lighting conditions. |
| Font adjustments | Not implemented as such. "MCBase for DOS/Win3" does offer a screen switch mode, however, to switch from a 24 lines screen mode to a 50 lines screen mode. |
| Mouse adjustments | Built in. |
| Print jobs | A vast array of standard print jobs has been built in. Please refer to the "MCBase for DOS/Win3 manual for a full listing. (If not in your posession, you may find a downloadable copy here). |
| Customizable printjobs | Not implemented. See "MCBase for Windows". |
| Printer preference settings | Built in. Users are able to set configuration strings that will be sent to the printer before and after the printjob. |
| Text file editor | The 64Kb memo editor is also able to handle external Ascii text files. You may use it to maintain wishlists or to allow you to work on any other Ascii text file from within MCBase. The maximum number of files that the editor can handle simultaniously, is currently limited to about 20 files, depending on your system's memory. |
| Documentation | A 59 page manual is provided as a diskfile, in various formats. You may want to select the Ascii version to be used as on online resource on your system. (If not in your posession, you may find a downloadable copy here). |
