                     INSTRUCTION MANUAL             1 Sep 1995   



DESCRIPTION                                          



	This program is used to print inventory control forms in
accordance with TM 4700-15/1G.  It was written using BASIC
Professional Development System 7.1.  The program standardizes 
inventory formats and is a useful tool for the accountability of 
valuable Marine Corps equipment.  The main focus while developing
the program was to keep it as simple to use as possible.  Please
send all feedback, recommendations and criticisms to:     

		GySgt David W. Koepke (pronounced Kep-Key)
                Marine Corps Detachment
                D Co., 1/81 Armor
                Fort Knox, KY 40121-5200
                (502)624-1565/3411 DSN 464-1565/3411
                e-mail: gunnyk@kol.com


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

	IBM Compatable computer
	DOS Version 3.0 or better

STARTING THE PROGRAM

	1.  Copy the file MCSLIC.EXE into it's own directory.

	2.  Copy all files with an extension of .SLI into the same
directory, a new directory, or onto a disk you plan to use to
store your data.  The files with a .SLI extension are data files.

	3.  From the DOS prompt change to the directory where
MCSLIC.EXE is in and type in <MCSLIC> and press <Enter>.  The
program should now be running.


USING THE PROGRAM

	NOTE:  At any time while using the program you can press the   
         escape key to cancel any operation you are in. The     
         "<>" symbols in front of and behind characters in      
         this manual indicate that the keyboard key between     
         them is to be pressed.  For example: <I> means press   
         the "I" or "i" button on the keyboard.

	When the program first starts the MAIN MENU will appear.  Use
the arrow keys to highlight the different selections and the
<Enter> key to select the highlighted selection. 

	The first thing you will want to do is to go to SETUP and set
your DEFAULT DATA PATH.  Press <Enter> when this is highlighted.
You will be prompted to enter the DOS path where your data
(.SLI files) will reside.  Enter the path and press <Enter>.  It
must be a proper and existing DOS path name or you will get an
error message. This will default to the current directory.

	Once that is done, from the MAIN MENU highlight SETUP/DEFAULT
PRINTER and press <Enter>.  Initially the program will support
two kinds of printers; a line/dot matrix printer and a
lazer/deskjet printer.  Highlight the printer you will be using
and press <Enter>.  If you have a printer that isn't listed
press the <Esc> key, get your printer's user manual, and from
the MAIN MENU highlight SETUP/PRINTER CODES and press <Enter>. 
Press <F10> to add a new printer.  Using the manual and the
keyboard enter the requested codes and press <Esc> when you are
finished.  From the MAIN MENU highlight SETUP/DEFAULT PRINTER
and press <Enter>.  Highlight the printer you've just added and
press <Enter>.

	If you mess up the printer codes initially supplied with the
program here they are:

Printer Name              Code 1  Code 2  Code 3  Code 4  Code 5

Line/Dot Matrix             R1      P       M       2       @
Lazer/Deskjet              (10U   (sp10H   (sp12H  &16D     E   
 
	NOTE:  The codes are context sensitive meaning that if the     
        letter is capital it needs to be entered as a capital   
        letter: If it is small it needs to be a small letter.  
        Using the Lazer printer may require manually setting 
        the font on the printer itself.

	If you really mess the codes up you can start from the
beginning by deleting the file MCSLIC.PRN from the directory
that the main program (MCSLIC.EXE) is located and restarting the
program.

	With that done you should be ready to go on to making
inventories.

OPENING FILES

	From the MAIN MENU  highlight FILE/OPEN and press <Enter>.  A
scrolling list will appear.  It lists the data file's name, the
TAM number of the tool kit, the Tool Kit Title (nomenclature),
the SL number and the number of items currently in the file.  If
there are more files in the data directory than can be listed at
one time a bar with arrows at the top and bottom will also
appear on the right side of the list.  

	You have the option of highlighting the file you want to work
with or you can "tag" the highlighted file and choose multiple
files to work with by pressing the space bar.  A diamond will
appear next to the file name of the "tagged" files.  To untag a
file highlight it and press the spacebar again.  Press <Enter>
when finished.

	The next screen that appears is called the "List" screen.  It
lists all the information about a file.  The box marked
"Inventory Information" is a scrolling list (see the bottom
portion of the list screen) of all the information that will be
printed on an inventory.  The right two columns, under
"Additional Info", lists the part number and the record number,
NOT THE ITEM NUMBER, of the highlighted item.  The record number
is used when renumbering items  Along the very bottom is the
path and file name of the currently listed file.

	Aside from the scrolling keys the following keys are also
supported:

	<Enter>-  Lets you edit the highlighted item and any other     
                  item in the file.

	<Esc>  -  Takes you back to the MAIN MENU

	<F2>   -  If you tagged files it will cycle to the next        
                  tagged file.

 	<F3>   -  Prompts you for a path and file name to save the    
                  file as.

	<F4>   -  Inserts blank items below the highlighted item.

	<F5>   -  Deletes the highlighted item.  

	<F6>   -  Inserts a "NOTE" line.  

	<F7>   -  Allows you to automatically number the inventory.

EDITING A FILE

	From the MAIN MENU highlight FILE/OPEN and press <Enter>. 
Highlight or tag the file(s) you want to edit and press <Enter>.
Scroll through the items on the list screen and highlight the
item you want to edit and press <Enter>.  The screen that
appears next is the "Edit" screen.

	On the left side of the edit screen is the name of the file
being edited.  In the center of the screen is the editing box. 
The top part of the box is the item information and the bottom
has the SL/Kit information.

	The item information is as follows:

	ITEM>  -  The item number.

	NSN >  -  The NSN of the item.

	NOM >  -  The nomenclature of the item.  

	PART>  -  The part number of the item. 

	QTY >  -  The quantity of the item.

	UOI >  -  The unit of issue of the item.

	REM >  -  Whatever you put here will print in the remark       
           column on the inventory.  Recommended leaving        
           blank.


	The SL/KIT information is as follows:

	TITL>  -  The nomenclature of the kit or the SL long title.

	NUMB>  -  The number or short title of the SL or reference     
                  all the item information was obtained from.

	DATE>  -  The date of the SL or reference.

	TAM#>  -  The TAM number of the kit supported by the           
                  inventory.

	ID# >  -  The ID number of the kit supported by the            
                  inventory.

	NSN >  -  The NSN of the kit supported by the inventory.


	The following word formatting rules are incorporated into the
program while editing a file:

	Editing of the Nomenclatures and Title

	1.  The first letter following a space or a "-" will be
capitalized unless shift is pressed.

	2.  All letters after the first letter will be small unless
shift is pressed.

	3.  Caps Lock On will capitalize all letters.

	Editing of the Part Number, Quantity, Unit of Issue, and       
 SL/Kit Number

	1.  Only letters and numbers are accepted.  All letters will
be capitalized.  This is done to simplify the searching feature
of the program.  

	2.  The Unit of Issue will default to "EA" when the file is
Autonumbered (explained later).

	3.  The Quantity will default to "1" after Autonumbered.


	On the right side of the screen is a box that lists "Quick
Keys" that are very helpful during editing.  They are:

	NOTE:  The ^ next to each letter indicates that the control    
        key and the letter next to the ^ are pressed at the     
        same time.  The letter does not have to be              
        capitalized.  Editing can be done when the field next   
        to the ">" is highlighted in the Edit Box.

	<^I> or <Ins>-  When the ITEM, NSN, NOM, PART, or REM are      
                 highlighted pressing this will automatically   
                 insert the letters or numbers printed at the  
                 top of the center box into the highlighted   
                 field.  

	<^J> or <Home>- Highlights the first field of the next item.

	<^U> or <PgDn>- Highlights the current field of the next       
                 item.

	<^M> or <PgUp>- Highlights the current field of the previous   
                  item.

	<^O> or <Uparrow>-Highlights the previous field.

	<^L> or <Downarrow> or <<Enter>>-Highlights the next field.    
                  When <Enter> is pressed on the last field     
                  (REM >) then the next item first field is     
                  highlighted.

	<^H> or <Backspace>-Deletes the last letter or number typed.

	<F3> - Saves the file.  This does an automatic save.    
                It does not ask you for a path or file name.    
                Use <F3> from the list screen if you want to    
                be prompted for this information.  SAVE OFTEN!

	<F7> - Autonumbering.  Autonumbering is useful when     
               you first start a new inventory or need to       
               renumber an inventory.  It will automatically    
               number the item field sequentially and fill in   
               the QTY field with a "1" and the UOI field      
               with an "EA". See "Starting a New File" sec-    
               tion for more detail.

	<TAB> - Switches from editing the item information to    
                editing the SL/KIT information and back again.

	<Esc> - Takes you back to the list screen.


STARTING A NEW FILE

	From the MAIN MENU highlight FILE/NEW and press <Enter>.  Type
in the name of the file you want to start.  The ID number of the
kit is suggested.  Press <Enter>.  A box will appear giving you
three options; Press <A> to add items (See "Editing a file" for
more details), <C> to continue on to the list screen, or <Esc>
to go back to the MAIN MENU.

	If the name of the file you entered already exists you will be
told so and taken back to the MAIN MENU.  A new file has to be
just that. New. 

	Pressing <A> will take you to the "Edit" screen.  Go to the
SL/Kit Information box and type in the requested information
then press the <TAB> key.  The ITEM> field will be highlighted. 
Find out how many items are in the SL and press <F7>
(Autonumbering).  You will be prompted with two choices; <I>
-Initially number and <O> - Turn Autonumbering on.  The <O>
option is used when Autonumbering is turned off after an initial
Autonumbering of the file.  Press <I>.

	You will be prompted for the beginning item number and the
ending item number.  Type in the beginning item number, this
will default to "1", and press <Enter>.  Type in the ending
number, this defaults to the number of items in the file, and
press <Enter>.  The program will begin Autonumbering and the
words "AUTO NUMBERED" will appear to the right side of the item
number in the Item Information box on the Edit screen.  Editing
of the item number can not be done when these words are present.
 
	To edit the item number when Autonumbering is turned on press
<F7>.  You will be warned that the file is currently
autonumbered and have three options; 

	<R> - Lets you renumber the file (not suggested).  

	<O> - Turns Autonumbering off which will allow you to         
              edit the item number field.  (Pressing <F7> again       
              will give you the option to turning Autonumbering      
              back on.)  

	<Esc> - Will take you back to where you were before you       
                pressed <F7>.

	Now that the SL/KIT Information is filled in and the items are
numbered the item data can be filled in. 


SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING A NEW INVENTORY  

	After the file is autonumbered the NSN field of the first item
will be highlighted.  Type in all the item's NSN's using the
number keypad on your keyboard and the <PgUp> key.

	Next do the same for the nomenclatures of each item.  Put a "-"
in front of sub items in sets and kits to indicate that they are
a part of the preceding set or kit.

	Next do the same for all the item's part numbers.

	Next change all the item's quantity (QTY) field on items that
have a quantity greater than one.  (This field was defaulted to
"1" when the file was initially Autonumbered.)

	Next change all the item's unit of issue (UOI) field on items
that have a unit of issue other than "EA".  (This field was
defaulted to "EA" when the file was initially Autonumbered.)

	When done with all this press <Esc> and the list screen will
appear.  Use <F6> to insert lines that can be used to interject
comments or extracts, etc..  The phrase ">>>NOTE>>>" will fill
in the NSN field and you will be prompted for a comment to fill
the NOMENCLATURE field.  For example:  Item 15 is a kit that is
part of the kit you just typed in but also has it's own SL.  To
indicate that this is an extract of another SL highlight item 16
and press <F6>.  A prompt box will appear.  Type in "EXTRACT OF
SL-3-00000A" or whatever reference was used.  Press <Enter>,
press <F4>. Another prompt box will ask you how many items you
want to insert.  Type in the number of items and press <Enter>. 
You will then be asked if you want to Autonumber the new items. 
If you choose yes you will again be prompted for the starting
and ending numbers.  The starting number will default to "1" and
the ending number will default to however many items you just
inserted.

	NOTE:  Pressing <^I><^J> consecutively will increment the      
        item numbers and fill in the item number field when     
        the item number field is blank or Autonumbering is      
        turned off.

        An additional comment line should be added at the end
        of an extract to indicate the continuation of the main
        SL.  If you leave the item number field blank or put 
        a "NR" (Not Required) in the QTY field the inventory
        check columns will be blocked out on the printed 
        inventory.

		  MAKE SURE YOU SAVE...<F3>...OFTEN !

DELETING FILES

	From the MAIN MENU highlight FILE/DELETE and press <Enter>. 
Highlight or tag the file(s) you want to delete on the scrolling
list and press <Enter>.  You will be prompted and asked if you
are sure you want to delete each file you tagged or highlighted.
Press <Y> for yes or <N> for no.

PRINTING AN INVENTORY

	From the MAIN MENU highlight PRINT/INVENTORY and press <Enter>.
 Highlight or tag the file(s) you want to print and press
<Enter>.  

	You will be asked if you want to send the file (Direct Output)
to the printer or to a file.  Press <P> for printer or <F> for
file.  An inventory sent to a file will go into the default data
directory and will have an ".INV" file extension.

	After you've decided where you want the inventory to go you
will be asked if you want to add a serial number to the header
information at the beginning of each page.  Press <Y> for yes or
<N> for no.  If you press <Y> you will be prompted for the
serial number of each file you tagged or highlighted.  Press
<Enter> when done.  You then have the option of pressing any key
on the keyboard to begin printing or pressing <Esc> to go back
to the MAIN MENU.

	NOTE:  Printing to a file is useful for editing the            
        inventory with word processors.  The file is printed    
        in ASCII format and is 96 characters wide.  Setting     
        the left, right, and bottom borders to 1/4 inch and     
        the top border to 1/2 inch is recommended if printing   
        inventories this way.

SUGGESTIONS FOR USING AN INVENTORY AFTER IT IS PRINTED

	If you look at the inventory after it is printed you will
notice that each page has a header which consists of the tool
kit information and a column description.  Look at the boxes
between the UI column and the Remark column.  There are twelve
boxes with a corresponding column beneith them.  The top part of
the box is for the month the inventory was done and the bottom
part of the box is for the year.  Or however you decide to
manage them.  

	If there is no serial number in the appropriate place in the
header you need to write it in.

	If you go to the last page of the inventory you will notice an
inventory control log was printed.

	Looking at the bottom of the columns you will notice a legend
is provided.

PRINTING A LISTING

	A listing is useful for searching a kit for a particular NSN or
part number when you don't have a computer readily available.

	From the MAIN MENU highlight PRINT/LISTING and press <Enter>. 
Highlight or tag the files you want to print and press <Enter>. 
Indicate whether you want the listing sent to the printer <P> or
to a file <F> and press any key to begin printing or <Esc> to go
back to the MAIN MENU.  A list of all the information held in a
file will be printed.

TEST PRINTING

	From the MAIN MENU select PRINT/TEST PRINTING and press
<Enter>.  A test inventory will be sent to the printer to ensure
that it is printing correctly.  If it does not print correctly
make adjustments to either the printer codes by going to the
MAIN MENU and highlighting SETUP/PRINTER CODES or make
adjustments to your printer.

PRINTING A BLANK INVENTORY

	From the MAIN MENU highlight PRINT/BLANK and press <Enter>.
A blank inventory form will be printed for you to use as you
please.

SEARCHING

	From the MAIN MENU highlight SEARCH/MATCH and press <Enter>. 
Highlight or tag the file(s) you want to search and press enter.
 You will be prompted for a search criteria you want the program
to look for.  Type it in and press <Enter>.  If a match was
found a screen similar to the edit screen will come up with the
file and item where the search criteria was found.  You have
four options; 

	<N> - To find the next match.

	<S> - Will prompt you for a new search criteria.

	<E> - Will let you edit the file and item that is             
        currently showing.

	<Esc> - Will take you back to the MAIN MENU.  

	If you choose to edit (<E>) the item, pressing <Esc> will take
you back to the item where the last search criteria was found.

USING DOS

	From the MAIN MENU highlight QUIT/DOS and press <Enter>.  You
can now use the DOS command prompt.  To return back to the
program type in <E><X><I><T> <Exit> and press <Enter> at the
command prompt. 

QUITTING THE PROGRAM

	From the MAIN MENU highlight QUIT/QUIT and press <Enter>.  Then
press any key to end the program.

PARTING NOTES

	This program was created out of a need to satisfy the
information required by TM 4700-15/1G.  Believe it or not the
inventory control form included with just about every SL does
not meet these requirements.  There was also a need to formalize
and standardize the inventory recording process.

	The program is the result of three years of field testing and
rewriting at various units.  Some improvements need to be
incorporated however, and this is where you come in.  Please
feel free to call or write me at the above address (Please leave
a message, I will get back to you).  Also include your name and
unit address so, if you have a good suggested improvement and it
was incorporated, I can send you an updated version.



     				SEMPER FI

