Introduction to Softfile |
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What Softfile DoesSoftfile stores information you type into the computer. It automatically indexes the words, dates, and numbers you enter, so you can retrieve that information when you need it. Everything you enter goes into one big memory bank, so you never have to worry about where an entry belongs.With Softfile, you can enter notes to yourself, names and addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, reminders, lists - whatever you want to remember.
RecordsThe basic unit of storage in Softfile is the record, which corresponds to 20 screen lines of text. You may enter any information you wish, anywhere on those 20 lines. If you fill up a record and need more room, you can attach another record to it. That record can, in turn, be attached to another one, and so on. There is no limit to how many records can be chained together in this way.
FormsWhen you enter new information, you can start with a blank screen, or Softfile can put a form on the screen with places for you to enter specific information. You may rearrange the form or its contents at any time, without affecting records which were entered previously. You can have many different forms, each for a different purpose: a calendar form, a customer or client form, a problem report form, a phone memo form, a name-and-address form, and so on.
LinksA very useful feature of Softfile is the ability to link records together. Any Softfile record can be linked to as many as 9 other records. You can get a linked record on the screen in one keystroke. Links let you connect records which contain related information. You can also use links to make menu screens, with up to 9 choices per menu. Each menu can be linked to other menus, to any depth desired.
HypertextSoftfile's links lets you create hypertext: text which is not presented in a strictly linear sequence. A hypertext document lets you choose among alternate paths through the text, depending on your interests, rather than being forced to follow a single path from beginning to end.Most hypertext systems separate the text into screen-size chunks, like Softfile's records. Unlike many hypertext systems, however, Softfile does not use graphics or a mouse. You can think of Softfile as a hypertext system optimized for a character-oriented display and a standard keyboard. Also, many hypertext systems link words or phrases on a screen to other screens. Softfile's links are associated with the entire screen, not particular words on the screen. The screen's text must describe the links and when to use them. Of course, since Softfile automatically indexes each screen, you can find all occurrences of any word or phrase without the need for links. Softfile allows both the standard, linear presentation of text and arbitrary hypertext links between screens. Records attached together in chains provide the linear organization. You press Enter to see the next screen or . (the period key) to go back to the previous screen. But you can also create arbitrary links from any screen to any other screen. You need only press a number between 1 and 9 to follow a link and display the linked screen.
No Mouse?Softfile does not use the mouse at all. However, you can cut and paste text using the capabilities of the Windows DOS box.To copy text from Softfile, click the icon at the left side of the DOS box and choose Edit, Mark to select text. Drag the mouse over the rectangular region you wish to copy, then choose Edit, Copy from the same menu. To paste text into a Softfile screen, put the Softfile cursor where you want the text to go. Then click the icon at the left side of the DOS box and choose Edit, Paste from the menu.
Softfile CommandsEach Softfile command begins with a single keystroke, usually the first letter of a command word. After you press the command letter, Softfile displays the entire command word followed by a comma and waits for further input. The list of commands is replaced by new choices.In other words, Softfile guides you by displaying your choices at each moment. For example, if you press N for New, the screen will show this:
Press form number (1 to 9), L for list, RETURN for blank form
If you press Enter, which is the same as RETURN, you will get a blank screen on which you can enter new information. If you have created forms, you can put one on the screen by typing its number. If you don't remember which number corresponds to which form, you can press L to see a list of your forms and then press the number.
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