Collector Copyright 1991 by Mark C. Hand What is Collector? ================== Collector is a database program for cataloging sports cards. It can store and retrieve information on any number of "sets" of cards. A "set" is a particular year, brand, and sport, ie. 1991 Topps Baseball. The data in each set is fully editable. Reports from one or more sets may be generated to the screen or printed. All data is stored in one datafile, "Collector.DAT" which much be kept in the same subdirectory as Collector. A default datafile will be generated the first time the program is run. Main Screen =========== Add Set ======= Selecting this gadget brings up a requester to identify the characteristics of a new set. You may abort the set by clicking on the close gadget for the "Create a New Set" window. Type Set ======== You may choose between regular, traded, and extended sets by clicking on the first cycle gadget. By choosing traded or extended, a "T" or "E" respectively is added to each number of each card in that set. Also "-T" and "-E" is added to the Brand to disinguish it from the regular set for that year. Sport ===== Cycle among Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Racing, and Other. Year ==== Enter the 4 digit number of the year. Brand ===== Enter Topps, UpperDeck, Donruss, etc. Total Number ============ Enter the total number of cards in that set. This information may be gotten from sport card magazines or price guides. Common Value ============ Enter the value of the common cards from that set. This may also be obtained from a magazine or price guide. This value will be the default value for any card added to set whose value is not specified. After entering the common value, a new requester will ask for data on individual cards. Please see "Add Card" under Edit Screen for details. Load Set ======== Choose a set to edit. You may select a set by double-clicking a set in the requester, or you may highlight a set with the mouse or up/down arrow keys and then press . You will then enter edit mode. See Edit Screen. Delete Set ========== Delete an entire set from the datafile. Select a set to delete by double-clicking or by highlighting and selecting the OK button. You will be asked if you really want to delete the set. Selecting "YES" deletes the set forever. Exit this mode by clicking on "Cancel" or by clicking the close gadget. Report ====== Selecting this gadget takes you to the Report Screen. About ===== Displays a short shareware message. Continue by clicking the close gadget or by clicking in the main window. Quit ==== Self-Explanatory Edit Screen =========== Add Card ======== Click here to add a card to the set. You will see a requester asking for the following information: Number ====== The card number appearing on the back of the card. Entering a number that is already in the database will produce a requester asking if the card is a duplicate. If you select "Yes", the number of "copies" of that card will be incremented by one. Selecting "No" simply aborts that card and returns to allow you to enter the next card. If you have erroneously entered a previous card (ie. #150 is Johnny Unitas, but you have already entered #150 erroneously as Joe Namath) you must delete the erroneous card before entering the correct one. To quit adding cards, press without entering any number. Name ==== Enter first name, then last name, separated by a space. Collector will not accept a single name, nor will it accept three names. Type1 and Type2 =============== Enter information such as RC for Rookie Card, CY for Cy Young winner, etc. If nothing is entered in the field for Type1, the Type2 field is skipped. Value ===== Enter the card's value. If the card is a common card, you may simply press without entering any value, and the common value for that set will be assigned. Delete Card =========== Choosing this option will delete the card highlighted in the card list after asking if you really want to delete it. List Card ========= Displays all information about the card highlighted in the card list. Clicking the arrows cycles through the records. You may also use the left and right cursor keys on the keyboard. Holding these keys down rapidly cycles the records. You may also list a card by double-clicking on its name in the card list. Edit Card ========= Changes the data on the selected card. Changes will subsequently be reflected in the card list and by selecting "List Card"; however, to make the changes permanent, you must exit the Edit Screen with "Exit/Save". Exit/Save ========= Returns to the Main Screen and saves all changes made while at the Edit Screen. Quit To Main ============ Returns to the Main Screen, but aborts ALL changes made at the Edit Screen. Report Screen ============= This is the real meat of the program. Use this screen to get information on any combination of cards and sets. List Cards ========== Produces a requester for selecting which sets should be included in the report. You must DOUBLE-CLICK a set in the upper window. This picks the set for inclusion. It will then appear in the lower window. To remove a set from the lower window, simply double-click on its name in that window. Selecting the "All" gadget will place all sets in the lower window. Selecting "OK" begins the listing. Depending on how many cards will be listed, this may take several seconds. A busy pointer will be displayed while the report is generated. Card Number, Last Name, Year ============================ These gadgets select how the report is sorted. You may select before or after generating the report. If a report is already displayed, it will be resorted accordingly. All/Rookie ========== This is a cycle gadget which allows you to select whether all cards in a set, or only the rookies from that set, will be displayed. List Sets ========= Displays a synopsis of all sets in a given sport that are contained in the database. Simply select which sports are to be included by clicking on the box next to the desired sport. Print List ========== Clicking here will dump the contents of the report window to your printer. Quit To Main ============ Returns you to the Main Screen.