MicroBase

Supplied by SD Microsystems - £14.95

Supplied with the '16 is a whole suite of applications, making the machine a mini-office, but one thing that's missing is a decent database. A simple system can be created using the spreadsheet and address-book (see here), but it's very limited. Fortunately, SD Microsystems has delivered MicroBase, a fully-fledged database program to run on the CP/M emulator. It's the first release from SD Micro created specifically for the '16, instead of a classic-PCW conversion, and requires Mallard BASIC to run.

If you've never used a database before, it's a method of storing data, whether it is contacts, collections or anything else. The standard PcW 16 Address Book program acts as a database, but it's only set-up for using addresses and similar details.

The package

MicroBase is supplied on a single floppy disk, which also includes a few example databases (CD collection, club members etc.) to get started. As usual for an SD Micro product, a detailed manual is included, which progresses through running the program in CP/M to describing each of the functions of the software. There are also sections on backing up and file structure. The manual is clear and well written, and has a section on coping with errors should the worst happen.

Starting up

When MicroBase is first started, you can set a password in order to protect any data files you create. Following this the main menu appears, which is graphical and similar to many of SD Micro's other programs. This menu is a real strong point for the package - it's fast and simple, but also offers easy access to some of the more complicated functions.

Most of the menu options are self-explanatory, but some of the advanced features aren't so obvious. The standard choices are to load/save files, and browse through the data you've created. The more advanced options are for creating reports and automatic searching, discussed later.

Using MicroBase

Data is represented as 'cards', giving a physical view to the information you're working with. For example, if you are working with a database of club members, each member would have a card containing his/her name, age, sex, and so on. The flexibility of the system is achieved through the ability to rename these categories - you could change 'name' to 'title', and 'age' to 'date' if you were making a CD collection database, for instance. Each category, or 'field' as they're commonly known, can contain numbers and letters, so a vast amount of uses for the program exist. MicroBase also makes use of 'key fields', as seen in databases for other machines, which can help to speedily search or order a file.

Data entry

Entering data in MicroBase is satisfyingly easy, thanks to its graphical method of input. A pictorial representation of each card (more often known as a 'record') is shown, so you can enter your data into the appropriate places. It's a pity that only a maximum of 9 fields are allowed, but this should be sufficient for most users.

The standard way of looking through the current database is using the 'browse' function. This again shows a graphical view of each card, stating the data in each field and the number of the card currently being displayed. In this mode there is also the option to delete cards, mark them for specific reports, and search for particular information in the whole database.

Data can be sorted to make it easier to work with. The main menu features an option to sort the file alphabetically, based on the data stored in the key field, and this is fairly rapid. Information can even be imported from MailMan, SD Micro's address-manager and printing software.

Advanced functions

MicroBase has a selection of special features which will be useful for professional users. One of these is 'Auto Search and Select', and performs a standard search, marking any cards that contain the data you were looking for. Then the marked cards can be picked-out and used specifically in reports, so irrelevant data is ignored. A powerful feature, particularly where large files are concerned.

Another is the 'Reports Module' function. This is essentially the printing routine of the program, and gives an excellent variety of layout and ordering options. These include printing as a plain list, or a set of labels, and can be ordered numerically (in the order they were entered) or alphabetically. It's also possible to choose a range of cards to be printed, such as cards 23 to 45, and the output can be shown on the screen before printing (to make sure it all looks correct). Even the font used in printing can be altered.

Other powerful features include a 'Totalise' option, which could be used to produce a valuation of an entire collection or household inventory, for example. Then there is a special 'Auto-repeat' function which allows you to paste information already typed into a previous card into the new card you are creating, just by pressing the PAGE-DOWN key.

Comment

Without a doubt, MicroBase is one of the most significant PcW 16 releases since the machine's launch. It fills the gap in the '16's office software, helping it further on the road to becoming a complete all-round computer. MicroBase is fast and user-friendly, so that anyone can utilise its many features, yet the advanced options make it a great product for those with larger demands. Extra functions like the passwords and printing options make the software really shine, and I've yet to come across a single bug or glitch in the program. MicroBase is a must-have for anyone who needs to organise information on their '16.

Rating: 9/10