                               
                                MiniBase 
                               

     MiniBase V1.1

     A tiny command line database. (C)1996, Dale J. Hubbard.

     Overview:

     MB,  as I will now abbreviate it, is a small database utility that can
     be called from the DOS command prompt.  Instead of having to load up a
     large, memory-hogging and slow-to-load database package just to find a
     telephone  number or a birthday;  or for programmers,  an  op-code  or
     addressing  mode; MB does the job with just a  couple  of  keystrokes.
     What's  more, when  it  exits,  you're  back  at  the  command  prompt
     instantly.  Anyone from a HP200LX to a Pentium Pro user  can  find  MB
     useful. MB can support data files as large as your disk capacity!

     It's  also possible to edit MB's data file MINIBASE.DAT in  your  text
     editor and make additions and adjustments to it.  MB requires that all
     data  items (lines)  are terminated with a CR/LF sequence.   If you're
     editing  the file using a PC and DOS you can comfortably  forget  that
     last statement.   Unix and Macintosh users who create MB data files on
     their  platforms and use MB on a DOS machine may wish to give it  some
     consideration  :) MB supports files of unlimited magnitude,  but  once
     you're  using a data file of more than,  say, 15 gigabytes,  I  should
     forget  MB and load your data into another program ]:)  No! I jest  of
     course!

     I  don't profess MB to be a particularly powerful program;  it's  just
     quite convenient.  There's very little else to say about it apart from
     suggesting that, of course, you TRY it.  Here's a little detail of how
     to install it to best advantage.   If you don't want to bother reading
     further,  just type mb[enter] at the DOS prompt,  with mb.exe  in  the
     current path or directory.  You'll see help information on the screen.

     Proper Installation:

     1.   The executable file  MB.EXE  needs  to  be  added  to  your  PATH
     statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.   This will ensure that MB can be
     called from wherever you are on your system.

     2.   To make it really neat, you can set a DOS environment variable to
     tell  MB where to look for,  and save its data file,  each  time  it's
     called.  If you don't set this up,  then MB's data  file  MINIBASE.DAT
     will be created in the root directory of the drive you are working on.
     This can be particularly confusing to MB when you work with more  than
     one drive :)

     Installation Instructions: (Substitute drive:\path where you like.)

     HP100/200LX USERS ONLY: Install SORT.EXE in a directory in your path
     statement!

     1. Create a directory C:\MINIBASE

     2. Copy all the files in this archive to that directory thus:

     copy *.* c:\minibase

     3.   Use your favourite (yes,  sorry, Britspeke)  editor and open  the
     AUTOEXEC.BAT  file on your boot drive (usually C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT).   You
     need to do two things:

     a)  Look for the line which starts with 'PATH='. It will probably look
     something like this, but probably contains more entries:

     PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS\C:\UTILS

     To  add MB to your PATH statement,  move the cursor to the end of  the
     line and type:

     ;C:\MINIBASE

     In the above example, after editing, the line should look like this:

     PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\UTILS;C:\MINIBASE

     b)  Now let's set up the DOS environment variable so MB knows to  look
     in a special place for its data, and will always find it there:

     Add a NEW line at the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file thus:

     SET MINIBASE=C:\MINIBASE

     Substitute  the C:\MINIBASE if you wish  to  tailor  the  installation
     differently.   If you don't understand that last statement,  then  set
     the  program up as I have indicated.   Whatever, DON'T put a  trailing
     "\"  on the end of the line!  Reboot the computer after  making  these
     changes.

     Many  program authors are prepared to  manipulate  AUTOEXEC.BAT  files
     transparently  to the user.   I am not one of them.  It's an important
     file. Remember to BACK IT UP before YOU edit it!!!

     PALMTOP HP100/200LX USERS - *IMPORTANT*

     You  MUST install the file SORT.EXE in a directory in your  DOS  path.
     Unfortunately, the MSDOS 5 version on the palmtop did not include this
     utility.  If you run MB on  a  palmtop  and  attempt  a  sort  without
     SORT.EXE in your path, your data file will be LOST!!!

     Non-palmtop users can ignore this and delete the file SORT.EXE, as
     long as their DOS version includes SORT.EXE. Check your DOS directory
     for this file, or forget it if you're running Windows.

     Possible problems:

     1.   If you are low on DOS conventional memory,  and you have  a  HUGE
     MINIBASE.DAT  file, then the sort command may complain.  Free up  more
     memory and try again.

     2.   You're sure you entered some particular data and cannot  find  it
     again.  Remember, all data parameters passed to MB are CASE SENSITIVE,
     so typing:

     mb ?Fred

     will NOT find data with 'FRED' included.

     OK,  now to the actual command syntax, exactly as you would type it on
     the command line:-

     To ADD a record, e.g. "This is a new item of data" to the file:

     mb +This is a new item of data

     To  DELETE all records with "Automobile" contained  within,  and  be
     prompted for each deletion (mandatory for all deletions):

     mb -Automobile

     To FIND records that contain "birthday":

     mb ?birthday

     To  DISPLAY all records in the file,  use  the  ?  command  with  no
     parameter:

     mb ?

     To SORT all records alpha-ascending:

     mb s

     That's it!

            ----====Mundane, Unassuming Shareware Notice====----

     MiniBase  is not free software,  and although in some  respects  quite
     trivial,  it is not "crippled" software and represents quite a lot  of
     time and effort.  If you think that effort's worth US$10, then do feel
     free to send me a personal cheque or money order in that amount to the
     address  at the end of this file.  A UK cheque for UKL7.00  will  work
     also.

     Although  I travel extensively throughout Asia,  the USA and  the  UK,
     (NOT  on MiniBase proceeds,  I might add)  I can always be reached  by
     email (checked every day) at the addresses at the end of this text.

     If you send me the ten bucks (or the seven quid)  for MiniBase, then I
     will offer you:-

     a) Unlimited support on this program via email.

     b) Updates as and when they become available.

     c)  Notification of all new software that I write,  like  the  program
     you're using to read this - AutoText - see below :)

     AND:

     d) A version which works with multiple data files!

     My other programs:

                               
                                AutoText 
                               

     AutoText is a software tool that will enable you to build  stand-alone
     textfiles  like this one:  letters, electronic mail, software manuals,
     help  files, etc.   that may be simply viewed by the end user, without
     the need for you to provide a viewing utility with your file.   By use
     of the "MAKEAUTO" facility, your text file is converted into a single,
     executable  ".EXE" file.   Many file viewing utilities, such as Vernon
     Buerg's  "LIST.COM"  allow  for  "private,  non-business  use   only".
     Despite  this caveat,  his program is widely and illegally distributed
     by thousands of corporate and private entities in furtherance of their
     business interests.

     AutoText  will allow you to distribute text files without your  having
     to  worry about:  (a) whether the recipient has the knowledge or tools
     to  view them,  or indeed (b),  your legal entitlement  to  include  a
     viewing utility.  Besides this, it's all so much EASIER and ATTRACTIVE
     with  AutoText, especially with you  or  your  company's  personalised
     cover  page (opening screen).   Try out the test drive version from my
     WWW site below.

     The registered version has many important, extra features:

        o Colour embedding (like this one)

        o Save and load of cover pages and parameters

        o Index saved with document = instant loading

        o Personalisation of every copy (cover page) to order

        o Option to PKZIP output file transparently

        o  Option  to  password-protect  output   ZIP   file   (essentially
           unhackable)

        o Search function

        o Print function

        o Up to 32,766 lines of 80 characters each = appx. 2.5Mb

     Price: US$39.95 plus $3.00 air mail shipping or transmission by email.
     You  can send payment by cash,  blood  (high-count  leucocytes  only),
     money  order or personal/business cheque.   US$ funds,  or  UK  pounds
     equivalent  only,  please.  I  won't  haggle   over   minor   exchange
     differences.

     Your registered copy will be personalised, so please indicate the text
     that  you require.   The space available is 5 lines of  18  characters
     each. Personalisation is *mandatory* - at least a name or company name
     is required to be incorporated.

     I  can e-mail the registered program to you over the internet,  or you
     can  ftp the shareware version from my WWW site - details  at  end  of
     this document.

     I undertake custom programming to order.   References are available on
     request.

                              
                               E-Gleaner 
                              

     Targeted primarily at direct marketers on the Internet, 'E-Gleaner' is
     a  software program that will extract as  many  email  addresses  from
     UseNet on the Internet that you may care to, at any time.  This is its
     primary function,  but is has another 'by-product' that may also be of
     interest to you.   Once you have created your file of email addresses,
     you  can  scan  through  it  and  find  out  where  friends,   family,
     acquaintances,  colleagues,  competitors  etc.  are  posting,  and  by
     subscribing  to those  groups  with  your  newsreader,  you  can  also
     discover what they're posting!

     I'll  give you an example:  On my last run of 'E-Gleaner', I found out
     that somebody who works in a friend of mine's office is an anarchistic
     skinhead!  I also discovered that my son  had  just  purchased  a  new
     computer,  after complaining to me he was broke.   (He's in the UK and
     I'm here in Malaysia).   Anyway, that's the part of 'E-Gleaner' that I
     find the most fun, but I digress.

     Before  I go any further,  here's the basic requirements to be able to
     use 'E-Gleaner':

     IBM PC or compatible running Windows AND 'Forte Free Agent' or  'Forte
     Agent'  newsreader software.  Windows 95,  3.1, or Workgroups versions
     are fine.

     That's  it. If you're unsure about 'Forte Agent',  it's  probably  the
     best  newsreader available for Windows,  and is freeware for  personal
     use. Here's the current URL:

                      http://www.webpress.net/forte/

     The operation of 'E-Gleaner' has been made extremely simple.   All the
     complex interactions with files produced by 'Forte Agent' are  handled
     completely  invisibly to the  user.   It's  just  a  case  of  placing
     'E-Gleaner' in your 'Forte Agent' directory, and typing 'eglean'!

     Here's how it works:

     Important: If you're currently using 'Forte Agent' as your newsreader,
     it's recommended that you install a SEPARATE version of 'Forte  Agent'
     in  another directory for use with 'E-Gleaner'.   You  won't  want  to
     interfere with your normal usenet files and newsgroups, etc.

     Start 'Forte Agent',  and select as many groups as you wish to extract
     email addresses from.   You can press CTRL-A with the highlight on the
     newsgroups  list and  that  will  select  ALL  groups  to  which  your
     newsserver  has access.   When running 'E-Gleaner' for the first time,
     and  selecting "Retrieve all headers  from  selected  groups"  in  the
     'Forte  Agent' menu,  and with all available newsgroups selected,  you
     will  have to be prepared to be online for a few hours,  depending  on
     your modem access speed.

     Of  course, you can be  selective  about  which  groups  you  download
     headers  from, and thus narrow down your list of  email  addresses  to
     just  those groups that interest you.   The beauty of  'E-Gleaner'  is
     that  you DON'T have to download all the associated article  bodies  -
     JUST the headers.   'E-Gleaner' stores not only the email address, but
     also  the corresponding newsgroup in which it was found  -  ideal  for
     selective prospect targeting.

     There is a user option in 'Forte Agent' under the 'Default  Properties
     for  All Groups - Retrieving' which allows you to change  the  maximum
     number  of new headers to download for each group.  Set this to 1,000,
     or  if you don't want too many at one time,  then you can  knock  this
     back  to 500,  or 250,  or whatever.  If you want gazillions of names,
     make it 5,000 :)

     When  you're done with this,  quit 'Forte Agent' and go to  the  MSDOS
     prompt.  If you look in the 'Forte Agent'  directory,  you  will  find
     maybe 1,000's of files that start with "00" and end in ".DAT".   These
     are  the files that the program works on.  Also  present,  must  be  a
     "GROUPS.DAT"  file, and a "GROUPS.IDX" file.   These files are created
     automatically by 'Forte Agent'.

     Now  run 'E-Gleaner'.   You will see newsgroups,  email addresses  and
     associated handles flying past your screen as they are assembled in  a
     temporary  file for de-duping;  i.e. removing all duplicates. This has
     to be done,  as there are some gregarious posters who might post up to
     20 or 30 messages at a time.  'E-Gleaner' strips out all the dupes.

     Example ouput to a sequential text file:

         "alt.fax","hubbard@pc.jaring.my (Dale J. Hubbard)"

             |             |                     |

           Group   email address        real name or 'handle'

     This is a comma-separated sequential file format,  which means you can
     load  the data into virtually ANY database program and do  your  final
     manipulations  from within your database.   Also supplied is a routine
     which  will selectively pull out just the email adresses and put  them
     into  a  continuous,  comma-separated  variable  file,   without   the
     newsgroups--in the format used by the Cc (copy to)  or Bcc (blind copy
     to) fields in Forte Agent, or the Mail List feature in Pegasus, or the
     "<" redirector in Unix command line email.

     The current price for the registered version of 'E-Gleaner' is US$200.
     There is a crippled "test drive" version available from my WWW site.

        
         Programming for the Absolute, Complete & Utter Novice 
        

     This  is a series of fifteen lessons on how to program in  QBasic--the
     programming language that you already own as it is included with  DOS,
     Windows  3.x and Windows95.   I will  show  you  step-by-step  how  to
     develop  useful code,  and I assume that you know  absolutely  NOTHING
     about  programming in the first lessons.   For a  peek  at  the  first
     lesson,  you can download it for free at my WWW  site  (below).   This
     series of programming lessons was published and received great acclaim
     in Malaysia's national newspaper--"The Star" in the "InTech" computing
     supplement.   I also show you how to write a version  of  MiniBase  in
     this series,  although it doesn't work quite like the version you have
     now.   Price for this series of fifteen lessons including  all  source
     code and .PCX illustraions: US$29.95.

                          ͻ
                           My Contact Details 
                          ͼ

     Address to send all payments for registered versions:

     Dale Hubbard
     15 Holmes Court
     Darien
     CT 06820
     USA

     My email address:

     dale@hubbard.demon.co.uk

     My WWW site:

     http://www.demon.co.uk/hubbard/

     Lots of good stuff there. Hope to see you!

     Cheers,
     Dale Hubbard
     April, 1996
