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In addition to the Help file on the Cardbox Client, here is additional information about using the Bibliography database.
The basic or native format of the ‘index cards’ has been designed by me. The card is divided into fields. Some items in the fields will be highlighted - these are items which have been indexed to allow fast retrieval.
The initial commands which you can use at any stage are listed in the menu-bar at the top of the screen, and invalid commands are intercepted. No obscure computer codes are used in your dialogue with Cardbox.
Although it is simple to use, do not ignore this reference guide. You may otherwise follow only simple and slow routines while faster, but not immediately obvious, routines are available. In particular, read Section 5, which describes the indexing methods which Cardbox uses for fast retrieval and the corresponding selection commands.
Note that, although you may print records or export them to a file, you may not edit the database or its formats, or add to the database.
RECORDS - Each record is in the form of a ‘card'. Each card is divided into fields. The cards in the database has nine fields.
INDEXING - Some words, numbers or dates will be displayed highlighted on the screen, and such highlighting indicates indexed items. In addition to being stored on the cards, these items are recorded in the index to the database, with references to the cards in which they occur.
RETRIEVAL - Referring to indexed keywords, you can perform fast and complex searches of the databases.
SORTING - You can sort the records in your database into almost any sequence you require, both for display and output.
DISPLAY - Although you cannot modify the contents of the records, you can display and output them in the alternative formats provided, in which some fields are left out and the presentation of the remaining ones is rearranged. Using suitable alternative formats, you can easily scan a multi-card summary of records, and have any chosen one available for inspection in full.
OUTPUT - You can output any selection of records both to a printer and to a disk file.
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