Invoke NET by either clicking on the program within the windows explorer. The program will prompt you to open a database file. To create a new database simply enter the new name of the database with the extension ".dbf" You will be given a choice of a two database types. The database sets differ in the number and types of fields that will be stored.
Normal:
PREFIX, AREA, SUFFIX, NAME, NETNBR, LOGDATA, FNAME, LNAME ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP, PHONE, BIRTHDATE, SPOUSE, SP_BIRTH
Extended: adds the following fields:
NBRLOGINS, STATUS, JOINED, COMMENT1 , COMMENT2, EMAIL, PREVDATE
You
can alter the desktop launcher for net by adding the full pathname of
the database file to the "Target" entry. Doing so will cause the
program to open that database and bypass the open dialog.
All database files have the extension ".dbf" which may optionally be added to the filename. Either way, the program will always open or create a file with that extensiion. These are xbase files which are compatible with the old DOS dbase-IV file definition.
Operations is identical to Windows, except the user will select the file to execute using either a terminal command line program or a gui browser associated with the windowing system being employed. Under Linux it is easy to place a shortcut on the desktop and associate that with the database to be opened.
The main window is divided into three sections.
The Call In List to the left contains all of the net members
callsigns, nicknames and time of login, who have been entered for
this session. The data in this window can be scrolled using the
UP and DWN arrow keys. The callsign contained within the
confines of the two dark arrows (WB1HKJ above) is the active call.
That will be the person who is presently acknowledged by the
control operator. It is significant for another reason. The
function keys F1, F2, F3 and F4 when pressed with change the color of
that entry to BLACK, BLUE, GREEN or RED respectively. The color
coding can be used by the net control operator in any way that he or
she chooses. One use might choose to designate
Logged in to the net BLACK
Acknowledged #1 BLUE
Acknowledged #2 GREEN
Logged out RED
The colors are selected from the configuration
dialog.
The right most column is a FLAG that specifies some
special characteristic about that callsign. For example: this
call might be from a mobile operator, or from a QRP station, or a DX
station that requires special or early recognition by the net
operator. Up to three special flags may be assigned (see the
configuration infomation).
Entering a callsign into the "Call In List" is quite simple. Key in the letters associated with the suffix of the call being entered. In the screen above the S has been entered (case independent). As each letter in entered the calls which match that sequence will be shown in the pick list just below the Suffix box.
While the various display elements may look like entry fields, scrolling browsers, etc. THEY ARE NOT! All of the things shown on the screen are simple labels that are being manipulated from the keyboard and under program control. Standard GUI controls would have the habit of wanting to control what happens when given keyboard or mouse focus. That would destroy the quick response mechanism associated with the net functionality. You can click your mouse on these controls all day long and nothing will happen. You don't need the mouse for the net control function.
If the desired call is singular in the list or at the top of the list as is NK2G in the example screen you can select it by pressing the ENTER key. The call will be transfered to the end of the Call In List along with the nick name of that member and the time of logging. If the call is in the list but not at the top, then press the DOWN (or UP) arrow key. Control now passes to the pick list below the Suffix box and the 2nd call in the list will be highlighted RED. You can move between entried using the UP and DOWN arrow keys until the desired call is highlighted. Press ENTER to select the highlighted call.
The newly transfered call may or may not be immediately shown in the Call In List box depending on whether the box is presently filled with calls. Do not be concered. It is at the end of the list. To convince yourself of this, press the END key after making the selection. The last call entered in the Call In List will be moved to the current call position. Pressing HOME will put the first call entered in the current call position. (see Function Key definitions).
Aborting the selection process: The operator can abort the selection process at any time by simply pressing the ESC key.
No calls appear in the pick list: This is
because no callsign with that suffix is contained in the database.
You may have a new log-in to your net. Press the TAB key
to move to the Prefix box. Enter the prefix and then TAB again
to move to the Area box. Enter the number for the area and then
press ENTER to transfer that new call to the Call In List. You
can abort this operation at any time by pressing the ESC key.
The
fields displayed in the lower part of the window are the values
associated with the Call In List current value. These will
change as you move between log-in entries.
You close the program by selecting the menu File / Exit. The program will update the database if appropriate and create a daily log if the Call In List contains values. The log is an appended file for each day of operation. The name of the log file is databasenameYYYYMMDD.log. Where the YYYYMMDD is the current days value. If you open the net multiple times during the day, the data for each session is appended to the previous for the day. A blank line will appear between each session. The data in this file is identical to the Call In List values.
You may close the current database and open a different (or create a new one) by selecting the menu button Files / Open. All of the current information will be saved as when the program is closed down above.