PictureBook
software:
General links:
Your Personal Graphics database
Website contents: copyright © 1993-2000, Harry Doldersum.
PictureBook 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. |
| Database setup | Single database set. All images and their related texts are stored in one database set (pbdata.db, -.mb, -.px and -.val). |
| Multiple database sets | Supported. The database to be used can be selected using "BDE Administrator", included with PictureBook. Apart from this, it is possible to switch only temporarily to an alternative database, using the appropriate PictureBook toolbar function. (This alternative database might even be located on a CD, be it in such a case accessible for reading only. See the PictureBook toolbar for further information). |
| Data accessability | Data can be accessed through the date, title and identifier fields. |
| Data searchability | Searching is possible by browsing or by searching on the first characters of the required item. Also a full data search (or filter) function is included, allowing the user to make a (pre-)selection from the dataset using dates and/or keywords. Alternatively, it is possible to search the database set through the use of the Structured Query Language (SQL) available in the built in User Report Designer (URD). You may find a an example of a search report within the distribution archive. |
| Data entry Data import Data export | Images can be imported and exported when available in a BMP, JPG, JPEG, WMF or EMF format (see below). All images from other formats can be entered also without any problem, but these require the use of the copy and paste functions. Text can also be inserted using copy and paste functions. An image batch import tool is included as a seperate add-on utility in the PictureBook Toolkit. The supported image formats are:
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| Data selection methods | For data processing, both listboxes and comboboxes are used, to provide you with a fast and easy data selection method. |
| Data browsing | PictureBook will enable you to browse the information and images, while you also have the possibility to browse using SQL queries. Dynamic switching between browse and edit modes is supported. Also included now is a slideshow option, which will allow you to sit back and let the program browse for you. The slideshow will follow the search filter settings, when activated. |
| Editable items | PictureBook will handle information on date, title, image and memo text. You can add, delete or modify all data at any time. Dynamic switching between browse and edit modes is supported. |
| Available text memo's | (Rich) Text memo's are available for all images. |
| 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. |
| Special character support | All special characters, supported by your Windows operating system, can be used within PictureBook. (A link to Microsoft's standard Windows utility CHARMAP.EXE is provided, for convenient insertion of these special characters). |
| Database repair facilities | A dedicated database repair program is available, as a part of the "PBToolkit" utility collection. For the most recent version of PBToolkit, you may visit the PictureBook download facility. |
| Backup facilities | Please note that backup software is not within PictureBook's scope, since there is wide variety of excellent backup solutions available. (In this particular case, we recommend that you investigate the use of a hardware solution as a CD burner or a ZIP drive: the advantage that these hardware solutions offer, is the fact that any databases stored on these media can be read directly from within PictureBook - see the PictureBook toolbar for further information). |
| Network support | PictureBook 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 PictureBook User Report Designer printjobs are fully adjustable). |
| Mouse adjustments | Implemented to follow the Windows operating system settings. |
| Print jobs Exporting data to textfile(s) | Two standard print jobs has been built in: one to print the active image and one to print all images. Apart from that, a User Report Designer (URD) has been implemented, which will allow you to create your own reports as you would want them to (some predefined URD printjobs can be found at the download facility). The use of this User Report Designer is fully documented in it's own online helpfile, included with PictureBook. (An additional small tutorial is available on this website). All printjobs are able to print their data to a textfile, by utilizing the Windows operating system's printer driver "Print to textfile". |
| Customizable printjobs Exporting data to textfile(s) | Fully implemented. A User Report Designer (URD) 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 PictureBook. (An additional small tutorial is available on this website). All printjobs are able to print their data to a textfile, by utilizing the Windows operating system's printer driver "Print to textfile". |
| 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 PictureBook: one documents the PictureBook software, the other documents the PictureBook User Report Designer. |
| Add-on products | A variety of add-on products (utility programs, pre-defined - but 100% customizable - SQL queries) are available and included in the PictureBook distribution archive. Updates to these utilities will be made available through the PictureBook download facility. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all of these add-on products are free to PictureBook users. |