This
is a copy of the help entries that have been added to LINKZ. To access these
entries using LINKZ, select the ‘Filter’ button, click the ‘type’ tick box,
enter ‘?’ as the type and then press the ‘OK’ button.
LINKZ is
a versatile new data manager for the Sharp Zaurus. Select a help topic from the
list below by double-clicking with the stylus, or use the arrow buttons to move
then press either the centre button or the 'OK' key to select.
LINKZ
uses two types of data: items (the data itself) and links between two data
items. If a data item is active, it is shown in the top half of the screen,
with any links (to or from) this item shown in the bottom half of the screen.
If no item is active, the bottom half of the screen shows a list of data items.
These are items of a given type, or items that match the current filter
conditions.
The
'New' button opens a new screen to let you add a new data item, together with
an optional link. If you are already displaying a data item when you select
'New', then LINKZ will automatically set a link from the new item back to the
old item. and default the new item to be the same type as the old item.
If you do not want this link, un-select the tick box beside the link field.
If you do not want the new item to be the same type as the old, change the type
value and press enter while the cursor is still in the field.
If a fast key was used immediately prior to selecting 'New', then the new item
will default to the same type as the fast key items.
Each of the fields in a new data item are discussed here.
To add the new item, you must select the 'Add item' box at the top of the
screen then press the 'OK' button.
If you press the 'OK' buton while 'No action' is selected, then any entries
made will be discarded.
The
'Edit' button will re-display the
current data item in a new screen where you can change the content of any
fields.
To save the changes, select the 'Edit item' button at the top of the screen,
then select the 'OK' button to leave the screen.
To discard the changes, select the 'OK' button while the 'No action' button is
selected.
A data item can be fully deleted (together with any links to or from the item)
by selecting the 'Delete item' button then the 'OK' button to exit this screen.
Note that when you edit an item, some checks are performed before the data is
updated. If an error occurs, an error message will be displayed at the top of
the screen and you will remain in the edit screen so you can correct the error.
LINKZ
uses links to connect data items. A link simply stores the codes for the data
items to be linked. All links are bi-directional: it does not matter whether
you link 'A to B' or 'B to A'.
The item codes are used for linking. When you are currently in an item screen
and select the 'Link' button, the current item will be automatically set as one
end of the link. This code will be displayed at the top of the screen.
To create a new link, enter the code for the other end of the link into the
data field, select the 'Add link' button, then the 'OK' button to leave the
screen.
To discard any changes to links, select the 'OK' button to leave the screen
while the 'No action' button is still selected.
To delete a link, highlight the link on the list in the bottom half of a data
item screen. When you then select the 'Link' button, the link will already be
set (one code at the top of the screen, the other in the data field). Select
the 'Delete link' button then the 'OK' button to perform this deletion and
leave the screen.
The
'Filter' button at the top of the screen allows you to apply a filter to the
LINKZ database. Items that match the filter parameters wil be displayed in the
bottom half of the screen.
The '**FILTER**' item displayed in the linked item list will take you back to
the list of items that match the current filter settings.
The three types of filter parameters are described here.
Each filter type will only be applied if the checkbox beside the type is
checked. It is not necessary to clear the filter parameters themselves, just
un-check the checkbox if you do not want them to apply. This makes it easier to
switch between filters of the different types.
This fast
key will display a list of all data items where the date field matches the
current date, including anniversary dates that do not specify a year value.
If you want to specify a range of dates or a single date other than the current
date, use the 'Filter' option instead.
LINKZ
provides four fast keys that will each display items with a particular data
type. The data type is displayed as the fast key label. Use the LINKZ setup
program to assign the data types to the fast keys.
The 'Filter' option can also be used to display items of a particular type.
A
separate program, linkzsu.py, is used to setup the LINKZ database. This program
allows you to define the data types to be used and the parameters that apply to
each data type. These parameters are discussed here.
LINKZ does
not contain any backup, import/export or synchronisation features. This is by
design, not neglect.
All the LINKZ data is contained within the single sqlite database file
'linkz.db'. This file should be regularly backed up to either another computer
system or to other media (CF or SD card) that can be stored separately.
Note that as the LINKZ application is written in the Python language, uses the
Anygui graphical user interface and the sqlite database, it will in run on any
platform that has this software combination.
The
LINKZ application, including its overall design, is copyright (C)2003 by Stephen Wilbourne.
Permission is granted for use by individuals of LINKZ on the Sharp Zaurus linux
PDA platform. LINKZ may not be resold or distributed for any monetary payment.
If you are a developer interested in modifying LINKZ or rewriting LINKZ in a
language other than Python, please contact me at: linkz@lantanasystems.com.au.
I would also welcome general comments about the LINKZ application. Enjoy.
Stephen Wilbourne, October 2003.
linkz@lantanasystems.com.au
www.lantanasystems.com.au/linkz