DES Journal

Version History

Program Features

Quick journal record and entry creation. When the user taps on New, the program will either create a new record for today if it doesn't exist or create a new entry for today, add the entry prefix text and place the cursor such that the program is ready for the new entry.
Customizable record names. You don't have to name your journal records "Daily Journal" if you don't want to.
Customizable entry prefix with optional time or date stamp. Each journal entry is prefixed with the text you choose and an optional macro.
Integrated shortcut support, allowing the setup and use of up to five shortcuts that may be inserted into a journal entry at any time.
Macro support. The current time and date may be added to any shortcut as well as the entry prefix. Other macros will be added in the future.
The number of journal records is limited only by available memory.
Privacy support & quick privacy toggle.
Customizable main form. The user can show/hide buttons that allow quick shortcut entry or record deletion.
Basic Palm font support.
Basic Palm find support.
Clie jogdial support.
The ability to hide/show the main record list. This allows for more space when editing the current day.
Date browser control for ease in moving to the next/previous day.

in the latest beta, the following features are supported:

Support for PalmOS 3.1 and above.
Icon support for the shortcut buttons.

Program Download

Click here to download the latest non-beta version (1.02) of DES Journal.

The latest beta version (1.03b3) may be found here.

Discussion Forum

To ask questions of other DES Journal users or to discuss related topics, we have created a discussion forum at:

http//www.dragonseye.com/discus/messages/10/10.html?1039488753

General Notes

The current feature wishlist, some from users and in no particular order, is:

Add display of characters in the field so that the user has a visual indication of how much space is used/available for the current entry.
Support for foreign languages? Are there any non-English speakers that would like a native version of the program?
Add more extensive font support (if customers request).
Support in the prefs for date filters that would allow the user to limit the record view to records falling within specific dates was part of the original design for DES Journal. We've found in our own use that due to the speed of the program we have no desire/need for that feature. If you would find that feature useful please drop us a line at the email address below.
Add support for entry encryption. The one big drawback is that this would make DES Journal incompatible with the built-in datebook application.

Program Registration

None is required, DES Journal is Freeware..

System Requirements

DES Journal requires 30K of free memory and Palm OS version 3.1 or greater.

Installation

Beginning with version 1.03, there are two icon databases included with DESJournal. These include some simple color or B&W icons (depending on the database) that you can use for the shortcut buttons.

You should install only one database if you don't already have an icon database installed. If you already have a program such as Agendus or Datebk4/5 installed, there's no need to install the included icon databases, you'll only be wasting space on your handheld.

Install:

o IconsCol-DESJ.prc - if you have a color-enabled device.
o IconsBW-DESJ.prc - if you have a non-color device.

o journal.prc - always.

Program Documentation

DES Journal is a small PalmOS application that is designed to aid in keeping a journal. It works with the built-in Datebook application and is as small and focused as possible. It does one thing and is designed to do that one thing well.

Main Form

The main form is primarily composed of a list of journal records, filtered based on the program preferences (see below), and a field for editing the selected record. New and Delete buttons allow the creation of new records or entries and the deletion of records.

The Toggle List button allows you to switch between list/field view and field-only view (the current setting is saved in the preferences).

When the New button is selected the program checks the current date and if there's no record for today it creates one and adds an entry. If a record already exists, a new entry is created at the end of the record.

When Delete is selected, a Delete Entry confirmation dialog appears where you may choose to archive the deleted record and confirm the deletion.

Menus

Most of the menu items are self-explanatory. The Shortcut menu allows the quick addition of keywords and may be customized from Options | Settings or Options | Preferences.

Preferences

The main view in Preferences provides for several customization options:

Journal Name is the name of each journal record as it appears in the Datebook. When a new log is created, it is given this name as an untimed entry. The program also uses this name to identify journal records in the Datebook database.
Journal Prefix is the text added at the beginning of each new entry in a journal record. When the New button is selected, this text is added to the end of the current day's record. This prefix may contain up to 10 characters including the built-in macro "$t" and "$d". The $t macro causes the current time to be inserted along with the prefix text and $d inserts the current date.
New Records Private, when checked, causes all newly created records to be marked as private.

Show Shortcut Buttons will cause the delete button to disappear and be replaced by five numbered buttons that can be used to trigger the predefined shortcuts. This is especially useful for keyboard users.
The font selector allows the user to choose among three font styles for the field on the main form.
Use Icons will allow the display of bitmap icons on the main form when an icon database is available. The icon used for a particular shortcut button may be selected from the Settings section of the preferences.

The Shortcuts section of the Preferences form allows for the entry of up to five text shortcuts. These may be added to a journal entry by using the shortcut stroke followed by 1-5 or by using the shortcut buttons (if enabled).

The button to the right of the shortcut (if no button is visible that means there are no icon databases installed) may be tapped to bring up the icon selection form.

Tapping an icon followed by OK will change the icon for the current shortcut.

Program Design Document

For those people interested in the evolution of DES Journal, click here to download a copy of the design document that was created before programming began. Note that the document is in Microsoft Word format.

Program Disclaimer

While DES Journal has been heavily tested (and is in daily use by the author) you use this software at your own risk. Dragon's Eye Software takes no responsibility for data loss caused by the use of this program.

Dragon's Eye Software
3112 Mason Dr.
Plano, TX 75025-4582
support@dragonseye.com