

                        The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM

               Addendum One - Additions for Version 6.1

              Tender Lovin' Care for your Cars and Trucks

        INTRODUCTION
        
        Many new features were added to Version 6 to create this new
        version. There are many, many small changes to make entries easier
        or more accurate. Some of the MAJOR additions are: 
        
           1.  In adding repair and fuel information, you no longer need
        enter the unit number AND the division. The division is obtained
        from your description for the unit.

           2.  In adding fuel entries, there is a selection for a regular
        fuel entry and a selection for a Fuel Card entry. 

           3.  In adding repair entries, there are several carry-over
        fields that you may find useful for entering multiple repairs for
        the same unit. 
        
           4.  You can scan inventory parts from within the parts entry
        screen when you are completing a work order. 
        
           5.  In the periodic inspection routines, you can now print a
        list of "what to do" for each of the A, B, C or D inspections.
        These lists are plain-text files that you can modify for your own
        customization.  You can use any word processor or editor that will
        read and write plain-text ASCII files.  

           6.  In doing several of the printed reports for many units, or
        for several states, you can choose to print on separate pages or
        just continue until each page is filled. 
        
           7.  Combined fuel and repair reports can now print even if the
        data are not complete - your selection. 
        
           8.  If you have a newer computer (such as a 286, 386, etc) with 
        EXTENDED memory, Version 6.1 will run in that memory.  Older 
        computers can still use Version 6.1 since it can also run in
        conventional memory by swaping parts of the program from your
        hard drive as needed. (Computers with extended memory will, of
        course, operate faster.)   
        
           9.  On the Housekeeping menu, there is a new selection for a 
        SECURITY BACKUP.  This much needed backup routine will make it 
        VERY easy and convenient to back up or restore the vehicle data
        files to diskettes - without leaving The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM - do
        it right from the housekeeping menu. 
        
          10.  Valid dates for data and reports can now be between the 
        years 1950 and 2050 to accommodate the upcoming change of century.  
        A date of 01/01/00 will now represent January 1, 2000 rather than 
        January 1, 1900 as before. 







        
          11.  In the Deluxe and Network versions, the Work Order number 
        is recorded in a special data file.  You can modify the number
        that is stored in that file if you need to change the numbering
        sequence. 
        
          12.  You will find provisions for handling odometer or hubmeter 
        changes.  This will track the total distance on a unit by tracking 
        instrument changes - even multiple changes during the life of a
        unit. There are provisions in the Toolset section for entering
        these change records or for making corrections. 

          13.  Also in the Toolset section, you will find additional
        choices to remove old records from your files.  In particular,
        you can now remove old repair and fuel records. 

        ADDITIONAL FILES

        Files added to Version 6.1 are:

        A new database file, ODOM.DBF, and index file, ODOM.NTX, use to 
        record changes in odometer or hub meter instruments.

        A new database file, ORD_NUMB.DBF is used for work order numbers.

        BACKUP ROUTINE 

        We have constantly admonished users to back up data files. Now,
        it is so convenient there can be no excuse for not doing it. We
        have added a fast and very easy backup routine to the truck program. 
                
        The Housekeeping menu now includes a selection for a Security Backup 
        of your files.  This routine will make a backup copy of all of your
        data files (those with a .DBF extension.)  You can choose to Backup
        your files or to Restore them to your computer. 

        BACKING UP YOUR FILES. 

        You can back up your files to either floppy drive A: or B:.  Before
        you start the backup, you should have a quantity of formatted disk-
        ettes for the drive you will use for the backup. 

        At the Housekeeping menu, choose the S)ecurity BACKUP item.  The 
        screen will show the path to the location of your records.  This is
        the location you set into the configuration part of the program. 
        The default is to backup all of the .DBF files ( *.DBF ) and you
        can choose to back them up to either floppy diskette drive A: or B:. 

        When you have selected the drive to receive the backup and press 
        <ENTER>, you will see a window showing the files to be included.
        It will also show the approximate time required to do the backup
        and the approximate number of diskettes that will be needed. 

        Insert a formatted diskette into the selected floppy drive and press 
        <ENTER> to start the backup.  If additional diskettes are needed, you 
        will see a prompt to insert the next diskette at the proper time.  A 
        message will indicate when the backup has been completed.  Press 
        <ENTER> to return to the Housekeeping menu. 

        If you quit the truck program and, at the DOS prompt, read the 
        directory of the backup diskette you will see two files listed: 

           The FIRST file is "19950330.001"    This is a compressed file 
           containing the data.  The file name is the date of the backup.  The 



           extension ".001" is the diskette number.  If there are others, they 
           will be numbered in sequence (.001, .002, .003, etc) 

           The SECOND file is "PVBACKUP.001"  This is a control file for the 
           backup file. 

        Place a label on each diskette so that you will know what it is and
        when it was made.

        UNFORMATTED DISKETTES

        You should always use a formatted diskette for the backup. If you
        use a new unformatted diskette, the program will format it as the
        data files are written.  However, it will only format the cylinders
        that are needed for the backup.  If you later try to use a
        partially filled backup diskette for something else, you must bulk
        erase it to allow conventional formatting. You can, of course reuse
        it for later backups in The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM backup routine. 

        RESTORE ROUTINE

        If you should ever need to restore the data from the backup
        diskette(s) into your installation, simply choose the S)ecurity
        BACKUP selection and the "R)estore your data" choice and press
        <ENTER>.  The default path to your installation will be displayed.
        Indicate which floppy drive contains your backup diskette(s)
        and press <ENTER>. 

        The instruction says insert the first diskette.  As each file is
        read from the diskette, you will have a choice to overwrite your
        existing file with the backup or not - answer Yes or No at the
        prompts. When the restore is complete, press <ENTER> to return to
        the Housekeeping menu. If you have restored older data, be sure
        to Reindex your files to set the indices in proper order. 

        ODOMETER OR HUB METER INSTRUMENT CHANGES
        
        To enter a record of instrument change, select X)tra file work
        at the Main Menu.  At the TOOLSET menu, choose C)hange odometer.
        You will see an entry screen to record the data. 
        
        Enter the vehicle number and the date that the instrument was 
        changed.  
        
        Enter the INITIAL reading on the NEW instrument.  This may be zero 
        but do enter whatever it reads at the time it is installed.  This
        will be the beginning reading for the new instrument. 
        
        Enter the total distance on the VEHICLE at the time of the change.  
        This is the actual total accumulated miles or km on the vehicle -
        such as is shown in the Current Odometer field in the description
        record. Review your information.  If all is correct, press <ENTER>
        to return to the TOOLSET menu. 
        
        Don't forget to make a repair entry to show that this work is done. 
                
        Later, when entering fuel and repair data, you will enter the
        odometer (or hub meter) reading for a vehicle - the actual figure
        shown on the instrument.  The program will adjust that amount to
        the actual total - based on the information in the Odometer Change
        record.  That actual total is the figure that will be entered
        into your data record.




        You can make corrections to the Odometer Change record at the
        Toolset menu just as you do with other data records. 

        If you want to see a CRT screen report of odometer changes for a
        unit, use the O)dometer change selection on the G)enerate special
        reports menu. 
        
        REVISING THE USER-DEFINED FORMS
        
        You can revise several of the CRT screens and Printed forms by
        editing the file that produces the form.  Those files are in the
        same directory as your data files and have a .FRM filename exten-
        sion.   The files  A_INSP.FRM,   B_INSP.FRM,   C_INSP.FRM 
        and D_INSP.FRM produce a printed form listing the work that you
        want done in carrying out the A,B,C and D inspections. 
        
        The file PARTS.FRM is the HELP screen that shows your three 
        character codes for the vehicle parts lists. 
        
        The file REP_CODE.FRM is the HELP screen that shows your repair 
        codes used when entering repair and work order information. 
        
        The TIRE_POS.FRM file is the HELP screen that shows positions for 
        tire installation on your vehicles. 

        All of these .FRM files can be modified to customize them for use
        in your record system.  Keep in mind that these forms are designed
        to fit on your screen or on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.  If you exceed
        the existing size of the .FRMs, they will no longer fit in the space
        that is available. 
        
        USING THE DOS EDIT COMMAND
        
        You can change these forms with any text editor that will read and
        write plain ASCII text files.  If you are using DOS version 5 or 6,
        you can use the EDIT command from DOS (see your DOS user manual) 
        
        DO NOT CHANGE THE FILENAME.  The program expects the filenames and
        the .FRM extension.  DO NOT CHANGE THE FILENAME OR THE EXTENSION. 
        
        WORK ORDER NUMBERS 
 
        If you are using the program to create and process Work Orders, there
        is a change in the way the work order number is determined.  Version
        6.1 now uses a data file, ORD_NUMB.DBF to store the last order number 
        that was used.  You can set the number at the TOOLSET menu A)djust 
        WO number selection.  Set it to the number of the last used work
        order. The next work order will be this number - plus one. 
                
        Be sure you do not set the order number so that the sequence will
        reuse a work order number that has already been used in your
        records. EVERY WORK ORDER NUMBER MUST BE A UNIQUE NUMBER. 

        FUEL CARD ENTRIES

        Fuel information from automated fuel systems can be added to your
        fuel records in The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM.  On the fuel entry sub-menu, 
        you will see a selection for PREPARE and for MOVE fuel card data.
        The Move selection is fully functional.  Before fuel data can be
        moved into your records, that foreign data must be made compatible
        with your TRUCK fuel records.  That is the purpose of the Prepare
        function...to make your foreign fuel records fit into your TRUCK
        fuel records. 



        We can provide you with a program addition to modify your foreign
        data so that it will work with the truck program.  There is a charge
        for this modification.  Please contact TLC about adapting your files.

        You can also process your foreign fuel data outside the truck program 
        using programs like dBase or any program that will process dBase data 
        files.  You must be sure your file includes the correct vehicle number, 
        division, date, price, quantity, etc. before you try to move it into
        your records.  All of the data fields must match the truck program
        for data type, field size and field name. 

        Do not move the new data in more than one time.  Remember, the 
        records are ADDED to your fuel record.  Move them in again and you 
        will have duplicate entries of the fuel card system data. 
        
        UNINSTALL The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM 

        If you change computers or, for any reason, need to remove
        The TRUCK DATA SYSTEM from your computer, it is easy to uninstall.
        The program and the files are usually installed in the same direct-
        ory. The default directory name is VEHICLES.  You may have used
        another directory.  The file names are listed in your User Manual
        - in the Technical Information section.  Simply erase all of those
        files, including the programs, TRUCKS.EXE and TRUCKS1.OVL, using
        the command ERASE *.* ( Be VERY sure you are in the VEHICLES
        directory - you don't want to erase everything on your hard drive. ).
        If the program is in another directory, find that directory and
        erase DRIVE.DBF, TRUCKS1.OVL and TRUCKS.EXE and remove both of
        those directories.  If you used the startup batch file, it will be
        in the root directory of your drive C: with a TLC.BAT filename.
        Erase that file.  That's all there is to it. 

        ERRATA

        Several errors were found and a few changes are needed in the User 
        Manual since it was printed. 

        On page 2, and other places, references to the program file 
        TRUCKS.EXE should now be "TRUCKS.EXE and TRUCKS1.OVL" 
        since the overlay file that was imbedded within TRUCKS.EXE is
        now a separate overlay file. 
                
        On page 7, the INSTALLATION section for 5 1/4" diskettes now
        includes two diskettes. 5 1/4" diskette users must start with
        diskette number one and will be prompted to change diskettes at
        the proper times. 

        On page 9, referrence to installation on a floppy diskette system
        should be ignored. The program size is over 1 megabyte and is
        just no longer practical to run without a hard drive. Hard drive
        prices now start at considerably less than the cost of a floppy
        drive just a few years ago. That is the only practical way to
        use the program. A hard drive is REQUIRED. 

        On page 78, the index file "PARTDESC" does not go with the 
        "UNITPART" data file but should be listed on page 76 with the 
        data file "INVENTO".

        On pages 78 and 91, referrences to making BACKUPS now relate, in 
        particular, to our new backup routine built into the TRUCK program.  
        For backups, see above in Addendum 1, Page 3 "BACKUP ROUTINE". 

        COPYRIGHT NOTICE The revisions to version 6 that result in
        version 6.1 are Copyright 1995 by TLC Software.
                      

