MCBase software:
General links:
the Music Collection dataBase system
Website contents: copyright © 1993-99, Harry Doldersum.
MCBase for Windows is targeted at the Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 and XP operating systems.
Product Features summary
| Database type | Paradox (version 7) industry database standard, approx. capacity = 2 billion records (per database). |
| Database setup | Fully relational. All items (artist, album, songtitle, author, producer, catagory, media and media types) are accessed within their own database and are therefor unique, editable and selectable. (Click here for a graphic representation). |
| Multiple database sets | Supported. The database to be used can be selected using "BDE Administrator", included with "MCBase for Windows". (Don't hesitate to contact us, should you require additional instructions). |
| Data accessability | Data can be accessed through basically all fields (artist, album, songtitle, author, producer, catagory, media and media types). |
| Data searchability | Searching is possible by browsing or by searching on the first characters of the required item. Full and very extensive search capabilities are made available through the use of the built in Structured Query Language (SQL). You may find a set of these (fully customizable) SQL search reports included with the standard installation setup. |
| 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, category and media) to the new entry. This results in you only having to enter the actual songtitle, playing time and location (only if you wish). |
| Data import | Import functionality is available for data from dBaseIV and Ascii files, as well as all previous versions of MCBase. (Note: The import routine will also be able to handle a dBaseIII database). |
| Data export | Export functionality is available for data to dBaseIV and Ascii files, as well as all previous versions of MCBase. |
| Data selection methods | Throughout "MCBase for Windows" a variety of listboxes and comboboxes are used, to provide you with a fast selection method to set all possible relations. |
| Data browsing | "MCBase for Windows" will allow you to browse the information on artists, albums, authors (writer and composer), producers, categories, songs and media. This includes information & remarks memo's, song playing time and storage locations (coded). You can browse all data at any time - simultaniously. Dynamic switching between browse and edit modes is supported. |
| Editable items | "MCBase for Windows" will handle information on artists, albums, authors (writer and composer), producers, categories, songs, media and media types. This includes song playing time and storage locations (coded). You can add, delete or modify all data at any time - simultaniously. Dynamic switching between browse and edit modes is supported. |
| Available text memo's | (Rich) Text memo's are available for all artists, albums, authors, producers, categories, songs, media and media types. Categories, media and media types have 1 information memo each, while all other items have 2 memo's each (information memo and remarks memo). |
| Text memo editing | Standard rich text memo editor built in. All standard editor functionality (cut, copy & paste as well as a clipboard facility) are included. |
| Multi media memo's | Supported. Multi media memo's (both sound and video) are available for all artists, authors, producers and songs. For playing, MCBase will use the sound- or video capabilities of your computer's multi media system to play the multi media clip. This process will ensure, that you can play ANY multi media clip supported on your computer system directly from within "MCBase for Windows". (In order to make the clip available to other applications, export functionality has also been implemented). |
| Special character support | All special characters, supported by your Windows operating system, can be used within "MCBase for Windows". (A link to Microsoft's CHARMAP.EXE is provided, for convenient insertion of these special characters. In case this utility is not installed on your system, you add it from your Windows installation CD). |
| Database repair facilities | A dedicated database repair program is available, as a part of the "MCBaseUtilities" utility collection, included in the standard installation setup. |
| 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 Windows" is suitable for working in a network environment. |
| Color adjustments | Implemented to follow the Windows operating system settings. The colors of all screen elements can be altered, to facilitate use on LCD screens or use under special lighting conditions. |
| Font adjustments | Implemented to follow the Windows operating system settings. (Font settings for the MCBase User Report Designer printjobs are fully adjustable). |
| Mouse adjustments | Implemented to follow the Windows operating system settings. |
| Print jobs | A vast array of standard print jobs has been built in. Please refer to the "MCBase for Windows" online helpfile for a full listing. Apart from that, a User Report Designer has been implemented, which will allow you to create your own reports as you would want them. The use of the User Repor Designer is fully documented in it's own online helpfile, included with MCBase. (An additional small tutorial is available on this website). |
| Customizable printjobs | Fully implemented. A User Report Designer has been implemented, which will allow you to create your own reports as you would want them. The use of the User Report Designer is fully documented in it's own online helpfile, included with MCBase. (An additional small tutorial is available on this website). |
| Printer preference settings | Implemented to follow the Windows operating system and printer driver settings. (When required, the printer driver settings can be altered from within a printjob). |
| Documentation | Implemented as online helpfile(s). 2 online helpfiles are provided with MCBase: one documents the MCBase software, the other documents the MCBase User Report Designer. |
| Add-on products | A variety of add-on products (utility programs, pre-defined - but 100% customizable - SQL queries) are available through our support website's download pages. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all of these add-on products are free to MCBase users. |
| Text file editor | An additional text file editor to work on external text files (for wishlists and such) is not implemented, since these are already included with the Windows operating system. (For clarity: a link to maintain such a "Collection Notes" document IS available in MCBase - but it is using an existing editor of your choice). |
| CD player | An additional CD player is not implemented, since there is a simple (but good) player already included with the Windows operating system. Other good CD player implementations usually come for free with your CD player hardware. |
