Chapter 13
(continued)
Importing & Exporting Information
Importing askSam 4 Files
You can import data from one askSam database into another askSam database.
To import an askSam 4 file:
1. Choose FILE -> IMPORT.
The Import Dialog Box will appear.
2. Choose the File Type option and select “askSam 4 (*.ask)”.
3. Go to the directory containing your askSam files (*.ask) and select the file or files you with to import.
4. Choose the IMPORT button.
All the Documents from the askSam file (or files) you select are imported. The Documents retain their formatting.
Importing Email Files
askSam is a great way to archive email. With askSam, it's easy to turn email messages into a full-text searchable database. When you import email messages, each message becomes a Document in the askSam database. You can use the words such as To:, From:, Date:, and Subject: as fields. askSam comes with filters for two popular email packages: Eudora and Microsoft Outlook. In addition, askSam can also import information from other email packages that save their data as HTML or text files. See the Knowledgebase on our Web site for details about using askSam with other email applications.
Eudora is a popular Internet email package from Qualcomm Inc. To import Eudora mailboxes into askSam:
1. Choose FILE -> IMPORT.
The Import Dialog Box will appear.
2. Choose the File Type option and select Eudora.
3. Go to the directory containing your Eudora mailbox files (*.mbx) and select the mailbox or mailboxes you wish to import.
4. Choose the IMPORT button.
All the messages in the mailbox are imported into your askSam file. Each message is stored in a separate Document in your database. Words followed by colons (such as From: or Subject:) can be used as fields see Automatic Field Recognition in the chapter on Customization and Tools for details.
To import Microsoft Outlook folders into askSam:
1. Choose FILE -> IMPORT.
The Import Dialog Box will appear.
2. Choose the File Type option and select Outlook Folder.
askSam will detect where your Outlook folders are located, and display a list of the folders in the Import Dialog (in order to do this, askSam must access functions from Outlook, so this could take a couple of seconds).
3. Check the folders you wish to import.
4. Choose the IMPORT button.
All the messages in the selected folders are imported into your askSam file. Each message is stored in a separate Document in your database. The Documents contain the following fields:
FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION
Folder_Path Contains the path and name of the folder from which the message was imported.
From Contains the name/email address of the person who sent the message.
To Contains the name/email address of message recipient.
Subject Contains the subject of the message.
Date Contains the date/time that the message was sent.
Message Contains the text from the email message.
NOTE: The field names are inserted using the default field character from your file. So by default they will be followed by a square bracket (To[, From[, Date[, etc.). If you would rather have the field name followed by a colon, choose FILE -> PROPERTIES and set the field character to a colon ( : ).
Doing this will result in fields like To:. From:, Date:, etc.
Importing HTML Files
Much of the information you gather on the Internet will be in HTML format. askSam is the perfect way to turn this downloaded information into a searchable database.
To import a downloaded HTML file:
1. In your Web Browser (for example Internet Explorer or Netscape), go to a page you wish to save.
2. Choose FILE -> SAVE in your Browser and enter a name for the Web Page you wish to save. You
can save multiple pages and later import all of these pages into askSam.
3. After you've saved the Web pages, go to askSam and create a new file or open an existing file.
4. Choose FILE -> IMPORT.
The IMPORT Dialog Box will appear.
5. Choose the File Type option and select HTML.
6. Choose the file or files you wish to import and choose IMPORT.
The HTML file or files are imported into askSam.
NOTES:
1. SurfSaver, another product by askSam Systems, allows you to save Web pages along with all frames and graphics into searchable askSam databases. You can save and search this information directly from your Web browser using SurfSaver. With askSam you can open and search SurfSaver folders. There is a free version of SurfSaver available on our Web site. See ¸ÉlEqPj ¸ÉlEqPjhttp://www.SurfSaver.com
2. For more information on importing HTML files, see the HTML-ARC.ASK template. This template file is setup to archive HTML documents.
3. askSam imports the text and most formats in HTML files. Graphics and tables are not supported.
4. askSam retains the Hypertext Links in HTML Documents you import. If the link is in the current Document, clicking on the link will move you to the appropriate place in your Document. If the link is to another Document or Internet Site, askSam will open your browser and try to access the site.
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