Chapter 14
continued
Organizing Information With Hypertext
Returning to a Previous Link (Back and Forward)
When you navigate through files with Hypertext, there are times when you will want to return to a previous Hypertext Link. The Back and Forward commands were designed for this purpose. The Back command returns you to the previously viewed Document. The Forward command lets you move forward after using the Back command.
To Display the Previously Viewed Document (Back command):
1. Choose VIEW -> HISTORY -> BACK (or press ALT+LEFT ARROW)
You will return the previous Document.
To Move Forward (Forward command):
1. VIEW -> HISTORY -> FORWARD (or press ALT+RIGHT ARROW)
NOTE: The History command displays a list of Documents you've accessed during your current session in askSam. From the History List, you can return to any of these Documents. See the chapter on Working With Documents for more information.
Modifying the Appearance of Hypertext Links
You can set the format (font, font size, and color) in which Hypertext Links are displayed by modifying the Hypertext Link style. The appearance of Hypertext Links is set for an entire askSam database. If you wish to modify the appearance of all Hypertext Links in all new databases, modify the Hypertext Link style in the NORMAL.ASK template (in the templates directory).
To Modify the Hypertext Link Style:
1. Choose FORMAT -> STYLE
The Style Dialog Box will appear.
2. Select the Hypertext Link style and choose the MODIFY button.
The Modify Style Dialog Box will appear.
3. Change the formatting and choose OK.
The changes you made will be reflected in all Hypertext Links in your askSam file. Details on editing styles can be found in the chapter on the askSam Word Processor.
Creating Hypertext Menus
Hypertext Menus can significantly reduce the number of mouse clicks and keystrokes you need to work with askSam. It's quick and easy to create a Hypertext Menu that lets you open your files, add information, and execute reports with a click of the mouse.
Creating a Hypertext Menu File:
1. Create a new file. This will be your Master Hypertext Menu. Type in the names of your frequently used files and choose DOCUMENT -> SET HYPERTEXT LINK to set Links to
these files.
You can define other Hypertext Links in your Master Hypertext Menu - a Link to the FILE ->
EXIT command, a Link to run a report in another file, whatever you think will save you time.
2. If you want to keep this Document from being edited, you can set it to Read-Only. Choose DOCUMENT -> PROPERTIES, select the SETTINGS tab, and set the “Read Only” option to
YES.
3. After saving your Menu, click to execute a Hypertext Link.
4. It can also be useful to set up Hypertext menus in the first Documents of your databases. You can have links to useful functions like: adding data, running reports, packing the file, and more.
NOTE: You can easily paste graphics into your Hypertext menus and use them as buttons.
Example of a Hypertext Menu
NOTE: You can automatically load a Hypertext Menu when you start askSam. Right click on the askSam 4 Icon on the Windows desktop, and choose FILE -> PROPERTIES. After
“ASKSAM.EXE” in the Command Line field, enter a space and then the path and name of the askSam menu file, for example: c:\askSam4\askSam.exe c:\asksam4\menu.ask
Properties Dialog from Windows Desktop
Creating Hypertext Documents
Using askSam's Hypertext features you can create full-text searchable Hypertext documents that can be easily distributed and published government regulations, corporate policy manuals, catalogs, sales and marketing information. Hypertext Links can guide users through your information. These Hypertext documents can be published on a network, a CD ROM (using the askSam Electronic Publisher), or a Web server (using the askSam Web Publisher).
There are several decisions you must make before you begin setting Hypertext Links.
· Do you want your information in a single file, or do you want it divided into multiple askSam files? Your information will often dictate which approach is better. It depends on the size of your data and what you plan to do with the information.
If you want to create a single report from all of your information, or if you always want to search through all Documents, you will want your information in a single file.
If your searches are normally restricted to certain areas, it may be better to separate these areas into different files. Small files are searched more quickly than large files.
· How will you divide your information into Documents? If your file is a database file, the answer to this question is simple. The Records in the database correspond to Documents in an askSam file. If you are turning a manual, book, or other document into a Hypertext Document, this question becomes more complicated. You could place each chapter in its own Document or it may be appropriate to divide the information according to topic or section.
· Directory structure you can create a Hypertext Menu that accesses files in different directories. But if you plan to distribute information, we recommend placing all of your files in a single directory. Otherwise the person receiving your information must have a directory structure identical to the one where the Hypertext Links were set.
· What types of Hypertext Links will you include and how will these Links be organized? You can include Links that go to different Documents, switch to different files, run reports, execute askSam Menu Commands, or point to Web pages on the Internet. You can organize your Hypertext Links like a Table of Contents or alphabetically in an index. Try and choose a structure that makes sense for your information.
Once you've decided how you want to organize your information, setting the Hypertext Links is a simple process (see the description earlier in this chapter). If you have questions about designing and distributing Hypertext Documents, contact our Technical Support Department. They'll be happy to offer advice.
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