|
MobileDB™
and MobileDB Lite™ Tip #1 - Visit our MobileDB database archive to choose from hundreds of pre-made MobileDB databases! Tip
#2
- If you like MobileDB, beam it to your Palm-using friend! Then
use MobileDB to beam your favorite MobileDB databases! Hot Topics
2. Screen
Instructions 3. How do I... 6. License MobileDB Lite OverviewMobileDB Lite for the Palm OS is the freeware, lite version of MobileDB, the award-winning database application for the Palm OS device. MobileDB Lite was designed for the Palm user that needs read-only access to any table or spreadsheet information. With the release of MobileDB Lite v3.0, Handmark has added more flexible filters and sorting functionality as well as drag-and-drop column widths. Using one of the many MobileDB tools such as MobileDB-PC, MobileDB-Mac, MobileDB-Excel or MobileDB-FileMaker, users can easily create MobileDB databases from comma separated file or nearly any aother data source. If you need to create and edit databases on a Palm OS device, please try MobileDB, available at http://www.handmark.com/products/mobiledb. Features- View up to 10 MobileDB databases on any Palm OS device.- Beam databases to other MobileDB and MobileDB Lite users. - Extensive sort, filter and search operations. - "Lock" a database to hide it from the view of others using your device. - View databases with up to 20 fields and 1000 characters per field. - Optionally include databases to be searched in the Palm global "find". - Single-handed navigation around the entire database using hard keys. - Compatible with MobileDB-PC, MobileDB-Excel and MobileDB-FileMaker - Huge support for MobileDB databases - hundreds available for download! Limitations
No Known bugs in MobileDB Lite at this time.
How to Install MobileDB databasesUse the Palm Computing Installation tool to install the mobiledb .prc file. Likewise, use your Palm Computing Installation tool to install any MobileDB databases (databasename.pdb). For more information on using the Palm Computing Installation tool, consult your Palm device instructions or see the software installation wizard at www.nearlymobile.com.
|
|
MobileDB
Lite
|
MobileDB
|
|
| View Databases |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Edit Databases |
No
|
Yes
|
| Create Databases |
No
|
Yes
|
| Clone Databases |
No
|
Yes
|
| Rename Databases |
No
|
Yes
|
| Categorize Databases |
No
|
Yes
|
| Supports Database Printing with PrintBoy |
No
|
Yes
|
| Export to Date Book |
No
|
Yes
|
| Beam Database |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Sort, Filter and Find Records |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Modfiy Column Widths |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Modify Field Definitions |
No
|
Yes
|
| # of Simultaneously Installed Databases |
10
|
Unlimited
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| Compatible with all MobileDB desktop tools |
Yes
|
Yes
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MobileDB Lite
users must utilize a MobileDB converter
to create MobileDB databases or download
existing MobileDB databases from the Internet. There is
no difference between MobileDB Lite and MobileDB databases.
MobileDB Tools and Converters
There are many MobileDB tools and converters available for both PC and Macintosh. The most popular and most useful converters, are Handmark's own MobileDB-PC, MobileDB-Mac, MobileDB-Excel, and MobileDB-FileMaker. These tools allow you to create MobileDB databases on your PC or Mac then install them on your Palm OS device. Most of these tools also allow you to open the backup MobileDB databases from your Palm OS device (in your c:\palm\<username>\backups directory) to edit or export as a comma separated file.
You can find a list of all MobileDB tools at and detailed descriptions at http://www.handmark.com/products/mobiledb.html
Where
to Find Existing MobileDB Databases
Remember - if
you have created a database that other MobileDB users may be interested
in, please send it to us so we can make it available for other users.
The database submission instructions are available at http://www.handmark.com/databases.
Usage
Start up
To
begin using Handmark MobileDB Lite, simply tap the appropriate icon
on your application screen. When
first installed, the MobileDB application will launch into the database
list view. If you previously exited the application while
in a database, the same database will be opened automatically on
the next start up. This allows you to access the same database
repeatedly without having to reselect the database.
Database List View
The database list view allows you to select an action to perform, a database on which to perform the action, create a new database, or view the status (locked, database size, and so on) of each databases. You can only access 10 MobileDB databases utilizing MobileDB Lite. You will receive a warning each time you enter this screen with more than 10 databases.
To open a database for viewing or editing, tap Open, then tap the database name in the database list. The database appears and you will see the 'Record List' view with the database name at the top of the window.
To view the database information, tap Info, then tap the database you want to categorize. Tap the Category box and select an existing category or create a new category.
To beam a database, tap Beam, then tap the database name that you want to beam. The application searches for another PalmOS device, then beams the database and the other unit, asking the recipient if they would like to "Accept" the database. Once the database has been beamed, the action selection will returns to the default, "Open." Keep in mind, that the "receiving" device must have MobileDB or MobileDB Lite already installed in order to access the MobileDB database. If necessary, you can beam the other user MobileDB or MobileDB Lite through the "Beam" menu option available on the Palm OS applications menu.
To delete a database, tap Delete, then tap the database you want to remove. If you have the MobileDB Application Preference, "Confirm Database Delete" checked then a confirmation dialog box appears. If you do not have the "Confirm Database Delete" checked then the database is automatically deleted with no confirmation. We suggest that you keep the "Confirm Database Delete" checked unless you need to quickly delete a lot of databases.
To view the database sizes, on the Display DB Size drop-down list at the top of the database list view tap By # Records to display the number of records in each database or By Kbytes to display the space (in kilobytes) that each database takes up on your Palm OS device. Due to the overhead required to determine the sizes each time the database list view refreshes, we suggest that you keep the selection at Don't Display until you need to display the size of the databases.
To view the lock status of all databases make sure the MobileDB Lite Application Preference, "Show Lock Icons" is checked. This displays a lock icon for each database in the database list view. If the database is locked (requires a password to access) then the lock icon is "closed" or "locked." Otherwise, the lock icon is "open". Keep in mind, that a locked database only hides the data from view on the Palm OS device. The database is not encrypted and the data can be accessed with any MobileDB tool, converter, or even a generic ASCII text viewer (like Memo Pad). You should not store any highly sensitive information in a locked MobileDB database. For more information see Locking MobileDB Databases.
You can also
select the MobileDB Lite Application Preferences by tapping the
menu button and selecting 'MobileDB Lite Preferences.' For
more information on the application preferences, see MobileDB
Lite Application Preferences.
Record List View
Scrolling Up or Down Records - The record list view allows you to display up to 10 records in the database at any one time. Use the scroll bar to navigate up and down the records in the database. Note: the record number indicator at the bottom of the screen (example: 735 of 890) displays the record number at the top of the screen. Since the application will not scroll past the last record location at the bottom of the screen, you will never see "890 of 890". You can scroll up or down a single record by tapping the up and down arrows at the top or bottom of the scroll bar. To page up or down either tap the scroll bar above or below the indicator or use the hard up or down keys on your Palm OS device.
Scrolling Left or Right - If there are more than two fields in each record of your database then you can use the left or right arrows at the bottom-right of the screen to scroll through the "fields" or "columns" of the database. The first field of the record remains static and will not move while the other fields scroll left and right. It is extremely important to create an optimal field width setting in order to keep the field widths small enough so the left and right scroll works correctly. See Modifying Field Width for more information.
Also, keep in mind that if the Use Hard Keys for Scrolling preference is set in the MobileDB Lite application preferences, you can use the Address Book and To Do hard keys on your Palm OS device to scroll the fields left and right in the second column. This allows for single handed navigation of the entire database.
Selecting a Record - To select a record, simply tap the record and the record is highlighted, then navigate to the screen displaying the details of the record. MobileDB Lite displays the record details in read-only format.
Modifying the Column Widths - To modify the widths of each column, drag the column width bar (line between each column name) to the new location.
Exit - To return to the database list view, tap Done.
Menu Functions
Database
- Delete Database - Delete the currently selected database (more
info)
- Beam Database - Beam the currently selected database to another
Palm (more info)
- Change Password - Modify the password of your database (more
info)
- Database Info - Modify the database category and info text
- Database Options - Modify the database preferences (more
info)
Record
- Sort Records - Sort the records based on a specified criteria
(more info)
- Filter Records - Filter the records to only see ones that match
a specified criteria (more info)
- Show All Records - Remove the filter from the database, thus displaying
all the records
- Find Record - Find a specific record that meets a specified criteria
(more info)
- Repeat Find - Use the predefined "find" criteria and
find the next record that matched that criteria
- Top of Database
- Move to the top record of the database in the record view
- Bottom of Database - Move to the last record of the database in
the record view
Options
- MobileDB Lite Preferences - Modify the MobileDB application preferences
(more info)
- About MobileDB
- Find out more about MobileDB and Handmark
Record Details View
When selecting a record, MobileDB Lite displays the details of the record in read-only format. To edit the record on your Palm OS device you will need to utilize MobileDB.
Record View
- The record view screen allows the user to view the
detailed information of the record selected from the record list.
If the
record details do not fit on a single screen then the user can use
the up/down arrows at the bottom of the screen or the hard up/down
buttons on the palm to navigate up or down the record details. Once
the end of the record is reached, the use of those same buttons
will "jump" to the top of the next record (up or down)
in the record list.
In order to edit the record, simply tap somewhere on the record
details or tap the "Edit" button. This will show the same
information in an editable format. To
return to the record list press the "Done" button.
MobileDB Lite Application Preferences
You can easily access application preferences from either the database list view or the record list view. Simply tap MobileDB Preferences on the Options menu in either the database list view or the record list view. These preferences are for the entire application and are not dependent on the database selected.Use Hard Keys For Scrolling - if checked, the Address Book and To Do hard keys on your Palm OS device will act as left and right scroll navigation buttons in the database list view. This allows for single-handed navigation of the entire database. The up and down buttons always work in the record list and record view and edit screens, regardless of this setting.
Confirm Record Delete - if checked, this will cause the application to pop up the 'Are You Sure' dialog after the user requests to delete a record. This may be unchecked if the user needs to quickly delete a lot of records in the database, however, we strongly suggest that the user keep this option checked during normal operation.
Confirm Database Delete - if checked, you will be prompted to confirm a database removal before it is permanently deleted. This can be unchecked if you need to quickly delete several databases, however, we strongly suggest you keep this option checked during normal operation.
Show Lock Icons - If checked, lock icons are displayed on the database list indicating whether or not each database is locked. If you do not use database locking, then we suggest that this remain unchecked for a "clean" database list interface.
Left Hand Mode - If checked, the scroll bar will be moved to the left side of the screen.
Database Options
You can easily access the database preferences in the record list view. Simply tap Database Preferences on the Database menu. Note that these preferences only effect the currently selected database, so you will need to set individual preferences for each database.Backup Database at Hotsync - if this is checked then a backup is automatically created during the Hot Sync application, placing it in the backup directory of your Palm user directory on your PC or Mac. On the PC, it is generally the c:\palm\<username>\backup directory. You can then use this backup to convert to a comma separated file for further editing on the PC or Mac.
NOTE: Unless there is some reason why you do not want the database backed up to your machine, this should always be selected. It does not create a new backup each time you use the Hot Sync application, only if changes have been made to the database since the last backup was created.
Search on Global Find - If this is checked then the database is searched when the you perform a Palm OS "Find". Large databases may slow the Palm OS find feature, so we suggest that this only be checked on databases that you would like to search when performing a PalmOS find.
Display Dates
in Long Format - If this is checked then the dates in utilizing
the date field types will be displayed as MMM DD, YYYY instead of
the default view MM/DD/YY
Sorting
Records
You
can sort records in the record list view. Simply tap Sort
Records on the Record menu and the Sort Records screen appears.
Select the primary, secondary, and tertiary sort criteria
by selecting the field to sort. Select the Ascending or Descending
selection buttons if you would like that field to be sorted in ascending
or descending order. Once the sort criteria has been set, tap OK
to begin the sort.. This may take a few seconds depending
on the number of records and complexity of the sort. Tap Cancel
to cancel the sort. The sort is based on the
field types selected. Therefore, if you want to sort chronologically
then the field you are sorting on must be a date field type.
Filter Records
Filtering the records allows you
to view only the records that contain specific text. To filter
records, tap Filter Records on the Record menu in the record
list view. The filter options are based on the field data
type you have selected. For text fields you can choose to filter
text equal to (is) or continaing (contains) the text you enter.
For number field types you can filter a record that 'is', 'is not',
'is greater than', or 'is less than' the number entered. Checkbox
is filtered as 'is' or 'is not' checked or unchecked and a list
is filtered as 'is' or 'is not' one of the list items. The date
and time fields are filtered based on 'is', 'is not', 'is before'
or 'is after' the selected date or time.
You can also choose to combine multiple filters as an 'and' requiring a match on all the filters or 'or' which just requires a match on one filter. If you already a filter on the current database then you'll have the option to apply the filter over the current filter (filtered rec's) or all the records in the database.
Once you have
entered your filter criteria, tap OK to start the filter, and Cancel
to cancel the filter.
When the filter has been completed in the record list view,
a small reverse 'F' appears at the top-right of the record list
view. To remove the the filter, simply tap the 'F' and
the filter is removed, displaying all records. You can also
tap Show all Records on the Record menu to remove the filter off
and display all records.
Find
Records
To
find a record that contains a specific string of text, use the Find
Record feature. Tap Find Record on the Record menu.
The record list view appears, then you can enter the find
text and select the field on which to search for the text.
Press OK and the Record List appears with the record highlighted
with the the text. To repeat the find, tap the small reverse
'R' at the top-right of the screen. The application will continue
to search for the text until it reaches the end of the database
and it will prompt you to start from the beginning of the database.
Modify
Column Widths
To modify
the widths of each column, drag the column width bar (line between
each column name) to the new location.
MobileDB
Database Locking
To
lock a MobileDB database, select the database and then tap Change
Password on the Database menu. Leave the "Old Password"
field blank (since there is no password set) and enter your password
in the "New Password" and "Retype New" fields.
The next time a that database is selected, you will be prompted
to enter a password before viewing or editing the database.
NOTE: This "lock" simply hides the database from view in the MobileDB application. If someone is interested enough in this information, they can simply hotsync your palm and view the database on the PC using an ASCII viewer or any MobileDB converter. DO NOT PLACE ANY SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THIS APPLICATION WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT "LOCKING" IT WILL SECURE THE INFORMATION. You should use an encrypted database application (like our Mobile Account Manager) in order to secure sensitive information.
Database
Information
The
database information screen is intented to display information about
the database as well as allow users to set the database category.
Enter the information about the database if you plan on sharing
it with other users. If you want to keep users from editing the
database information then press the ""Lock Text"
button, enter the password, and press ok. Users will be able to
view the database information but they will be required to enter
that password before they can edit the database info text.
Version Information
Version 3.0
- Fixed an issue
with filtering on large numeric fields
Version 3.0
- Drag and drop
column widths
- Filter and sort based on the field types
- Compatible with MobileDB-PC,
MobileDB-Excel and MobileDB-FileMaker
- Added a 10 database limitation
Version 2.1
First release
of MobileDB Lite from Handmark, Inc.
Version
2.01 - 2.06
Fixed minor bugs
seen in Palm OS v2.0
Fixed bugs with the scroll bar in very large databases
Locked out PalmPilot
Personal users as they cannot handle the memory requirements of
MobileDB.
Version 2.0
Increased the max number of databases from 20 to 60
Increased the max characters per field to 1000
Added the ability to lockand beam a database
Added the ability to view database size by # records or KBytes
Added the ability to scroll through the records from the record
details views
Added font selected in the record details view
Added
some great UI enhancements including scroll bars, actions on database
list view, etc
Version 1.3
Increased the speed of the find, filter, and sort by 70%-90%
Version
1.11
Fixed
the 1000 record bug which caused a fatal error with database over
1000 records.
Fixed the 20th field bug which caused a fatal exception on databases
with 20 fields
Fixed the expanded field scroll/backspace bug which caused a fatal
exception when scrolling then using a backspace.
Version
1.1
These
are the first public releases of the MobileDB and MobileDB Lite
registered/unregistered versions. The software will work as
an unregistered, 2 database limited, trial version until the user
registers the software and enters the registration code based on
the PalmOS user name of the device.
Version 1.0
First
public release. This release is a full version of MobileDB, set
to expire July 1, 1998. At this time, the 2 database trial
versions of MobileDB and MobileDB Lite will be available.
Users will also be able to register full versions of MobileDB and
MobileDB Lite.
MobileDB Lite is freeware and requires no payment or registration for personal use. Please visit the Handmark web site for a list of all our great Palm OS products.
Handmark Company Information
Handmark
develops consumer software for the exploding handheld computer market.
Handmark was created to meet an untapped opportunity for professionally
packaged and supported Palm OS® software in the retail channel.
The company is led by an experienced management team that has successfully
developed and marketed numerous best-selling consumer PC software
titles worldwide. Handmark software is compatible with the popular
Palm® and Handspring® handheld computers as well as other licensees
of the Palm OS including new devices from Sony®. The desktop component
of Palmspring applications is compatible with both Apple® Macintosh®
and Microsoft® Windows® personal computers. Please
see the Handmark web site
for more information.
Check
out these great Palm OS titles from Handmark at the Handmark
web site.
Mobile Account Manager
- Safely and securely store all your passwords, pin numbers, login
ID's, checking accounts, credit card numbers with the original security
application.
MobileDB - View and edit any small database, table, or spreadsheet data on your Palm. MobileDB also includes a free PC version of the software to create and access MobileDB databases on your PC.
Student Assistant - Give this great Student Assistant CD as a gift to any Palm-using student. This CD contains the full version of Four.Zero
PLEASE READ THIS LICENSE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING HANDMARK SOFTWARE. BY USING THE HANDMARK SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO BECOME BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE, DO NOT USE THE HANDMARK SOFTWARE.
The Handmark software ("Software") provided along with this License, is licensed, not sold, to you by Handmark Software Incorporated ("Handmark") for use only under the terms of this License, and Handmark reserves any rights not expressly granted to you. You own the media on which the Software is recorded, but Handmark and its licensors retain ownership of the Software itself.
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(a) Use one
copy of the Software on a single computer at a time To "use" the
Software means that the Software is either loaded in the temporary
memory of a computer or installed on the permanent memory of a computer.
You may install the Software on a common storage device which is
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have access to the common storage device than the number of licensed
copies of the Software, you must have some software mechanism which
locks-out any concurrent users in excess of the number of licensed
copies of the Software and additional license is not needed for
the one copy of Software installed on the common storage device
accessed by multiple computers)
(b) Make one copy of the Software in machine readable form solely
for backup purposes. Additionally, only so long as the Software
is installed only on the permanent memory of a single desktop computer
which is not accessible by multiple computers and that single desktop
computer is used by one user for at least 80% of the time the computer
is in use, that same user may also make a copy of the Software to
use on a portable or home computer which is primarily used by such
user As an express condition of this License, you must reproduce
on each copy any copyright notice or other proprietary notice that
is on the original copy supplied by Handmark
(c) Permanently transfer all your rights under this License to another
party by providing to such party all copies of the Software licensed
under this License together with a copy of this License and the
accompanying written materials, provided that the other party reads
and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of this License
2. Restrictions. The Software contains trade secrets in its human perceivable form and, to protect them, you may not REVERSE ENGINEER, DECOMPILE, DISASSEMBLE OR OTHERWISE REDUCE THE SOFTWARE TO ANY HUMAN PERCEIVABLE FORM YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, ADAPT, TRANSLATE, RENT, LEASE, LOAN OR CREATE DERIVATIVE WORKS BASED UPON THE SOFTWARE OR ANY PART THEREOF
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You are hereby licensed to make as many copies of the this software
and documentation as you wish; give exact copies of the original
evaluation version to anyone; and distribute the evaluation version
of the software and documentation in its unmodified form via electronic
means. There is no charge for any of the above. You are specifically
prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such
copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or
documentation with other products (commercial or otherwise) without
prior written permission.
Send comments and requests about this information to info@handmark.com or visit the Handmarkweb site at: http://www.handmark.com/