When running Pilot-DB for the first time, you should have a rather bare screen if no databases were installed. The "Chooser" or Database Manager will appear.
If, on the other hand, you did load a database, it will appear in that window.
One of the first things you should do is select your preferences.
After that comes the main use of Pilot-DB with the creation of a database, then its use.
The Chooser icon has quite a few other uses, the most important being the manipulation of entire databases.
Rescanning the databases. If it seems that a database is missing or one is there that ought not to be, you may ask Pilot-DB to search for all the readable databases on your machine. You would do that by selecting the DB/Rescan databases menu item.
Create a database category. You can organize your databases by categories that you created with the Edit Categories ... command from the All menu found in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
The commands applying to a particular database are located in the menu for that database. This menu is invoked by tapping on the icon
to the left of the database.
Database Commands
- Read/Edit Mode
Open the database in normal (or Read/Edit) mode. To edit a record, you need to enter into ‘edit’ mode for that record.
- Read/Write Mode
Open the database in Read/Write mode. Records can be accessed for immediate editing. Boolean fields may be edited in the record list and editing of a record does not require entering “edit” mode.
- Read-Only Mode
Open the database in Read-Only mode. Records may no longer be edited.
- Info
This item enables the user to obtain certain types of information about a database such as the type (or driver) (cf. Plugin) used and to change the database category.
- Exchange
Most users are aware that the PalmOS allows you to "beam" records to another machine running the same operating system. The "Exchange" command may be used to beam records by infrared but since the release of PalmOS 4.0 this command may also be used to exchange records by means of Bluetooth or SMS.
Consequently, it is possible to transfer a database to another machine running the PalmOS.
- Delete
As the name indicates, this command removes the database concerned from your machine's memory.
- Rename
Opens a dialogue window that requests a new name to be given to the database.
- Duplicate
Build a database from the one that is subject to the command.
You may copy a database with all its records or just the database structure.
You may also decide to change the database type (or driver); this would allow you to transform a Mobile DB or other type that you have the plugin for (cf. .Plugins ).
- Create Using ...
This command acts similarly to Duplicate. It allows you to create another database with the same structure as the current one, the difference being that you work directly with the database structure upon exiting this command.