BRL102@psuvm.psu.edu (Ben Liblit) (10/18/90)
I've got a task I need to do and I'd some advice on the best software for the
job. Here's the deal:
I need to set up a fill-in-the-blank type of form. Two pages long, with many
many field names and blanks to fill in. I'd like a user to be able to load in
the blank form, fill everything in on screen, and print it out.
I've thought about using Ready, Set, Go!, but I don't like the fact that I
can't lock the text in fields (only lock the fields' locations). Or has this
been changed in version 4.5? HyperCard or some random database would be really
good, but HyperCard's printing capabilities are too primitive, and I haven't
found a database yet that would let me lay out a two page output form with
everything exactly where I want it.
So, does anyone know of software that has the features I need? [Does PageMaker
let you lock text fields? If so, we could have our winner....] Mac is prefer-
red, but not required. Please mail replies directly to me -- if there's enough
interest, I'll post a summary. Thanks,
Ben Liblit
BRL102 @ psuvm.bitnet -- BRL102 @ psuvm.psu.edu
"Fais que tes reves soient plus longs que la nuit."BRL102@psuvm.psu.edu (Ben Liblit) (10/18/90)
I've got a task I need to do and I'd some advice on the best software for the
job. Here's the deal:
I need to set up a fill-in-the-blank type of form. Two pages long, with many
many field names and blanks to fill in. I'd like a user to be able to load in
the blank form, fill everything in on screen, and print it out. I would also
like to be able to perform some very elementary calculations and place the
results into fields.
I've thought about using Ready, Set, Go!, but I don't like the fact that I
can't lock the text in fields (only lock the fields' locations). Or has this
been changed in version 4.5? HyperCard or some random database would be really
good, but HyperCard's printing capabilities are too primitive, and I haven't
found a database yet that would let me lay out a two page output form with
everything exactly where I want it.
So, does anyone know of software that has the features I need? [Does PageMaker
let you lock text fields? If so, we could have our winner....] Mac is prefer-
red, but not required. Please mail replies directly to me -- if there's enough
interest, I'll post a summary. Thanks,
Ben Liblit
BRL102 @ psuvm.bitnet -- BRL102 @ psuvm.psu.edu
"Fais que tes reves soient plus longs que la nuit."BRL102@psuvm.psu.edu (Ben Liblit) (10/18/90)
Sorry I didn't mention this in the first posting: I am *poor*. I am a lowly
undergrad with *no money*. Claris SmartForm sounds really nifty-keen, but this
is, as near as I can anticipate, the only time I will need to use this sort of
software. I can't afford Claris. Anything in the public domain / shareware
range, or am I beyond the realm of possibility?
Ben Liblit
BRL102 @ psuvm.bitnet -- BRL102 @ psuvm.psu.edu
"Fais que tes reves soient plus longs que la nuit."HDK@psuvm.psu.edu (H. D. Knoble) (10/22/90)
What you want is WATFILE/PLUS, a very nice flat-file database report writer package that is site-licensed to all PSU staff and students at University Park Pa; so it won't cost you anything but a diskette or two. This is a very nice and powerful package for applications like you mention. Take a couple of 360K diskettes (one 720K will do) to Room 12 Willard. Pick up a IBM/PC manual at the PSU bookstore. This same package exists on PSUVM also; issue Help WATFILE to display the Help menu. Watfile/Plus Data Manipulation System is available for MS-DOS and CMS, but NOT for the MAC or available for use at the PSU Commonwealth Campuses. Once you get the manual, read and study it and take the tutorials, if you have any questions on this package feel free to contact SOS for a referral to a staff consultant who knows this subsystem.
RCW101@psuvm.psu.edu (The Fiend) (11/08/90)
If you want to work on a Mac, I'd suggest FileMaker. I'm not sure how much it
costs, though. I haven't checked in a while. I believe it is cheaper than
Smartforms, though.
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