                  USING THE LAND PATENT DATABASE READER

   The program has two basic modes - Menu Functions and View Records.

   MENU FUNCTIONS:
 
        Menu functions are selectable when the menu bar (located on
        the first line of the screen) is active either by using the 
        Right/Left arrow keys to highlight the function you wish to 
        select and pressing [Enter] -or- by pressing the key 
        corresponding to the first letter of the option.

        Menu options are selectable from the View Mode by pressing
        [Alt]+ the key corresponding to the first letter of the option.
        Options selectable from the View Mode are highlighted.

        To activate the menu bar from the View Mode, press [Alt]+[M]
        or [Esc]. 

        The bottom line of the screen will give a brief description
        of the highlighted function when the menu bar is active.


        1. OpenData:

           Selecting this option allows you to select a database to
           view from a list of databases present in the current
           directory. To open a database, use the Up/Down arrow keys
           to highlight the database to view and press [Enter]. 
           After opening a database you are automatically put in the
           View Records mode. 

           << NOTE >> This program will only read databases created
                      from, or matching the structure of, a dBase
                      file created from the BLM GLO Land Patent CDs.
                      The file extention MUST be .DBF or the 2 letter
                      state abbreviation supported by this program,
                      ie, .AR, .FL, .LA  

           Press [Esc] to exit the menu without opening a database.
           A database must be open before any other options can be
           accessed.

           If you have selected a "Default Sort Order" in the Config
           option the database will be automatically sorted in the
           order you have selected.


        2. ListNames:

           Selecting this option allows you to select a record to
           view from a list of patentee names in the currently open
           database. The first record in the list will be the record
           currently displayed in View Mode.

           The following keys are active in the LiseNames mode:

              Right/Left arrow keys - move 1 field right or left
              Up/Down arrow keys    - move Up/Down 1 record
              [Ctrl]+[Home]         - go to first field
              [Ctrl]+[End]          - go to last field
              [Ctrl]+[PageUp]       - go to first record
              [Ctrl]+[PageDn]       - go to last record

           Press [Enter] to select the currently highlighted record for
           viewing. Press [Esc] to exit without changing the currently 
           viewed record.


        3. Browse:

           Selecting this option allows you to scan through all fields
           as they are stored in the database. The first record in the
           list will be the record currently displayed in View Mode.

           The following keys are active in the Browse mode:

              Right/Left arrow keys - move 1 field right or left
              Up/Down arrow keys    - move Up/Down 1 record
              [Ctrl]+[Home]         - go to first field
              [Ctrl]+[End]          - go to last field
              [Ctrl]+[PageUp]       - go to first record
              [Ctrl]+[PageDn]       - go to last record
              [Ctrl]+[Right arrow]  - scroll display right 1 column
              [Ctrl]+[Left arrow]   - scroll display left 1 column

           << NOTE >> Each time you enter Browse mode the browser will
                      return you to the field that was highlighted the
                      last time you exited Browse.

           Press [Enter] to select the currently highlighted record for
           viewing. Press [Esc] to exit without changing the currently 
           viewed record.


        4. Print:

           Selecting this option allows you print the record as it is
           currently displayed on the screen, a list of database field
           names and the data as it is stored in the database, or
           generate a request for a copy of the original document to
           mail to the BLM GLO. If you have multiple records marked
           you are given the option for printing only the presently
           viewed record ot all tagged records. Any of these options
           may be either printed or written to a file. If you select
           to send the report to a file and the file name already
           exists you are given the choice of either overwriting the
           file or appending the new data. Use the Up/Down arrow keys
           to highlight you choices and press [Enter] to select, or
           press the [Esc] key from any menu to exit the print routine.


        5. Export:

           Selecting this option allows you export the data in the
           currently selected database to either another dBase file,
           or to an ASCII file which can read read into another
           program in either SDF (fixed length record) or Comma 
           Delimeted format. The default is to send all records in
           the database to the file but if you have any records
           marked you are given the choice between exporting all the
           data or only the marked records to the file.

           If you select to write the data to a file that already
           exists you are given the choice of either overwriting the
           file or appending the new data. Use the Up/Down arrow keys
           to highlight you choices and press [Enter] to select, or
           press the [Esc] key from any menu to exit the export routine.
           

        6. View:

           Selecting this option allows you return to the View Mode
           after activating the menu bar.


        7. Sort:

           Selecting this option allows you change the order in which
           the records are displayed. This sort order will remain in
           affect until you open another database.

                1. No Sort: 
                   Records are displayed in their normal order as
                   created by the BLM GLO CD. This is normally in
                   Accession Number order.

                2. Name Order:
                   Records are displayed in name order.

                3. Date+Name Order:
                   Records are displayed in name order by date.

           
        8. Config:

           Th option allows you to enter your name, address and phone
           number which must be included on the request for documents
           form.

           The program assumes all reports are going to LPT1. If you
           have your printer set to LPT2 or LPT3 you can change this
           here.

           Data output from the Land Patent CDs is in Accession Number
           order. The "Default Sort Order" option allows you to
           select how you wish to view the records each time you open
           a new database. See "7. Sort:" above for an explanation of
           the sort orders.


        9. Quit:
           
           This option closes all currently open files and terminates
           the program. 


   VIEW RECORDS:

        When in the View Mode the bottom line of the screen displays
        the record number you are currently viewing, the total number
        of records and the name of the database. If you are viewing
        the records in Accession Number order this indicates where
        you are in the database. If you are viewing in Name order
        the record number will jump around a bit - you will be
        notified by a beep if you try to move past the top or bottom
        of the database.

        TO MOVE FORWARD: 
        Press the Down arrow, Right arrow or PageDown key. 
        Pressing the [End] key will take you to the last record.

        TO MOVE BACKWARD:
        Press the Up arrow, Left arrow or PageUp key. 
        Pressing the [Home] key will take you to the first record.

        TAGGING RECORDS:
        Tagging records allows you to print all of the selected
        records at one time, or limit exported records to just the
        ones selected.

        To TAG a record   : Press the [+] key.
        To UNTAG a record : Press the [-] key.
        To remove ALL tags: Select the OpenDatabase option, then
                            press [Esc] at the database selection 
                            menu.


        SELECTING MENU OPTIONS FROM VIEW MODE:

        You can select any highlighted option from the menu bar 
        without activating the menu by pressing [Alt] + the key
        corresponding to the first letter of the option. After the 
        function is completed you will be automatically returned to
        the View Mode.

        To activate the menu bar from the View Mode, press [Alt]+[M]
        or [Esc].


* End of : USING THE LAND PATENT DATABASE READER
