FilePad Technology
The portable technology that inspired beaming, tapping and handwritten input now sheds new light on mobile information management. FilePad is the first general-purpose flat-file database for the Newton Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). It lets you create customized databases that work with your personal computer to help you manage everything from business inventory to personal finances. Filepad is compatible with the newest Newton 2.0 operating system.
Create Databases
FilePad provides the tools you need to build portable, customized databases on your Newton-compatible PDA. To create your own "electronic file cabinet," simply tap on the FilePad tool bar and then on the Newton "canvas" to add text-entry fields, paragraph fields, digital ink fields, poplists, radio buttons, check boxes and borders.
Each database you create can have up to nine different screens. Just drag the different information fields where you want them, and write in your own custom prompts with the Newton stylus.
Assign formulas to many of the fields for calculating numbers, graphing information and accessing field data from other cabinets. You can even designate fields to accept input from a bar-code reader. In just a few simple steps, you can create customized inventory systems, order entry forms, survey questionnaires, prospect files, and many other "cabinets" of information that can be transferred to and from a personal computer.
Access Information
Once a FilePad database is created, it appears in the Cabinet View as a file cabinet icon. To enter information into an existing database, simply double-tap on the icon of your choice to display the Data Entry View.
New records can be added to a database by tapping the "New" button and following the prompts. Tap on the check boxes, poplists, and radio buttons for quick and easy data entry. Jot specific information into text and paragraph fields with the Newton stylus. And, with the swipe of a TPS bar-cods reader, enter additional information into your database.
FilePad also has a built-in browsing feature that allows you to look up particular fields and to identify records based on field input. Other features include a Calc button that re-calculates formulas and a Graph button. To graph information, simply select fields for the X and Y axis and choose a line, scatter, or combination plot. With FilePad, access to information on the go or in the field is just a point and tap away.
Transfer Information
FilePad provides a whole new level of mobile information management with the import and export capabilities of FilePad Link (included with FilePad). FilePad Link is a program that runs on your Macintosh or Windows-based personal computer that allows you to transfer information in and out of FilePad cabinets. With Macintosh systems, take advantage of AppleEvents to exchange cabinet data directly between FilePad and the many other applications that support AppleEvents. With the Windows system, you can upload and download information into Lotus 1-2-3®, Excel®, DBase®, and other information management systems.
FilePad Runtime
A RunTime version of FilePad is also available. Minus the database building capabilities of the fully featured software, the RunTime version allows users to access existing FilePad databases. Perfect for data-entry only, the RunTime version is the terrific low-cost alternative for distributed data entry.
System Requirements
- Newton-compatible hardware with PCMCIA card slot and Newton Operating System 1.3 or higher.
- Macintosh SE/30 computer or later with 4MB or RAM, system software version 7.0 or later, Apple SuperDrive floppy disk drive, and Newton Connection Kit/Newton Backup Utility for Macintosh.
or
80386-based PC-compatible computer or later with 2MB of RAM, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 3.5-inch high density floppy disk drive, and Newton Connection Kit/Newton Backup Utility for Windows.
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