Network Documentation

Welcome to the askSam for Windows Network Version. With askSam it's easy to share information in a network environment. No programming, no understanding data structures, askSam makes using a database as easy as using a word processor. We hope you will find askSam a valuable tool. Please contact us if you have any questions or require any assistance.

The network version of askSam functions similarly to the single user version. The differences between the versions will be described in this document.

System Requirements

The askSam for Windows Network version requires:

     Ÿ an IBM or 100% compatible computer with at least a 386 processor

     Ÿ 4 MB of RAM

     Ÿ 4 MB of free disk space

     Ÿ Windows 3.1 and DOS 3.1 (or higher).

Supported Network Operating Systems

askSam for Windows has run successfully on all network operating systems which we have tested. Because askSam does not use any functions specific to a particular network operating system, you will be able to run askSam for Windows on any  network operating system which runs Windows.

Installing the askSam Network Version

To Install askSam on a Network Drive:

1.  Start Windows.

2.  Insert the askSam Network Version disk into drive A:.

3.  Choose FILE -> RUN in the Windows Program Manager.

4.  Type: a:setup and then press ENTER

5.  Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. When you are prompted for the drive where you want to install askSam, enter the drive and path. For example: F:\PROGRAMS\AS_WIN.

NOTES:

1. When installing askSam on a network drive, you must have rights to create directories and files on the network drive.     

2. If you wish to install on the local drives of your network stations, you can copy the contents of the askSam diskettes to the network and run the setup program from the network drive.

IMPORTANT - BEFORE STARTING ASKSAM FOR WINDOWS:

The Network version of askSam for Windows requires you to load the DOS program SHARE on each workstation before Windows and the askSam Network version are started.

Files Included with the askSam Network Version

The files included with the askSam Network version are the same as those included with the single user version. (See page 5 of the Getting Started manual for a list of files included with askSam).  During installation all files are copied into your askSam directory.

When you install askSam, the ASKSAM.ORI file is copied to your askSam directory. This file contains default information which will become the basis for the ASKSAM.INI file for each of your network users. By default, the ASKSAM.INI file will be created in the Windows directory of each user. To modify this setting, use a text editor to change the INI DIRECTORY setting in the ASKSAM.ORI file from its default value of "0" to the drive and/or path where you want the INI files for your users

When a user starts askSam for Windows, askSam looks at the ASKSAM.ORI file for the INI DIRECTORY setting. It then looks for the ASKSAM.INI file in this location. If the ASKSAM.INI file is not found, askSam for Windows automatically creates one.

NOTE:

1. The INI DIRECTORY setting also determine the directory where each user's exception dictionary for the askSam spell checker is stored.

Using the askSam Network Version

Using the Network version of askSam is the same as using the single user askSam version. The only difference is that the Network version allows multiple users to search, edit, and add to a database simultaneously.

Opening Files

When you open a file in askSam, you can choose to open the file in a Shareable or Exclusive mode.

As a default, files are Shareable when opened.

SHAREABLE - When a file is opened in the Shareable mode, multiple users can simultaneously search, edit, and add information. When a user edits a document (an askSam document is similar to a record in a traditional database), that document is locked, preventing other users from editing that document at the same time. See the description of Document Locking below.

EXCLUSIVE - When a file is opened exclusively,  only one user is permitted to access the file. Other users are denied access until the user who opened the file in the Exclusive mode closes the file. To execute certain functions, you require Exclusive access. These functions include:

     Ÿ Packing a file

     Ÿ Creating or editing reports

     Ÿ Editing an Entry Form

     Ÿ Save As

     Ÿ Executing a Global Replace

     Ÿ Deleting a Selected Group of Documents

     Ÿ Defining a Password

If you attempt to execute one of these functions while another user is accessing the same file, a message will appear. You must wait until all other users exit the file, before you can use the functions listed above.  If no other user is accessing the file, you will be able to execute the above functions even if you accessed the file in Shareable mode. askSam automatically switches to Exclusive mode, executes the function, and then switches back to Shareable mode.

NOTES:

1. You can define a "File Edit" Password to protect a file. This would only allow users with the password to edit the file. Other users would only be able to access the file in a "read-only" mode. You can set a password by choosing OPTIONS -> PASSWORD/ENCRYPT.

2. If you normally work with files that are not shared, askSam can default to the Exclusive mode instead of the Shareable mode in the FILE OPEN dialog. To set this option, see the OPTIONS -> GLOBAL PREFERENCES menu.

3. In addition to the Exclusive and Shareable settings, there is also a Read-Only check box. When you open a file in Read-Only mode, you can view the contents of  the file, but you cannot make any modifications.  The Read-Only check box is selected in addition to the Exclusive / Shareable setting.

4. You can create Icons in the Windows Program Manager that start askSam and open a specified askSam file. You do this by creating a New Program Item in the Windows Program Manager. In the Command Line field you enter the path and name of the askSam executable followed by the path and name of the file you wish to open. For example:

     C:\AS_WIN\ASKSAM.EXE MENU.ASK

     You can also use the following modifiers to determine how the file is opened:

          R - read only

          S - shareable (default)

          E - exclusive

          RE - read only exclusive

          RS - read only shareable

     For example: C:\AS_WIN\ASKSAM.EXE MENU.ASK R

Tip: When working with files that others will not be accessing,  use the "Exclusive" access option.  In Exclusive mode, askSam is faster.

Document Locking

When you attempt to edit a document, askSam automatically checks if any other user is currently editing that document. If another user is editing, you will be prevented from modifying the document until the other user exits that document. This is known as "Document Locking". It prevents two users from editing the same document at the same time.

If you attempt to edit a document which is locked by another user, the following message will appear:

You can cancel the message or leave it on the screen. The message is automatically removed when the other user exits the document. You are then able to edit the document.

NOTE: Even when a document is locked, you can still copy information to paste into another document, file, or application.

IMPORTANT - EXITING ASKSAM:

It is important to exit askSam properly - by choosing FILE -> CLOSE. If you have a document locked and turn off your computer without first exiting askSam, that document will remain locked the next time you access the file. To remove any incorrectly locked documents, choose FILE -> PACK and pack the file.

Packing Files

It is important to occasionally PACK a file. When a file is packed, askSam permanently removes deleted documents and reclaims fragmented space (which makes the file smaller). It is only possible to PACK a file when you have Exclusive access to that file. To pack choose FILE -> PACK.

Working with askSam's DOS version

The .ASK files used in the DOS and Windows versions of askSam are similar, but they are not identical. To accommodate the new word processing features (such as the ability to display fonts and graphics) we had to modify the ASK file format for the Windows version. askSam's DOS version cannot edit files created in askSam for Windows.

askSam for Windows can read and search files from the DOS version. If you wish to edit these files, you must convert them into the askSam for Windows format.