IMPACT! Release Notes.
=====================

To check if this is the latest version, please contact Circle Software.
Registered discs may be upgraded free of charge, by enclosing return
postage.

Version 1.05  (25 Sept 92)  Initial Release version.
==========================

As described in manual, first edition.


Version 1.06  (25 Oct 92)
=========================

1.  Using the 'Find' menu now switches off 'Entry Mode' in Edit DataBase box.

2.  Index selection facility added to 'Edit Database' dialogue box.

3.  Creating a database now creates an empty Documents directory
    in the appropriate database directory.

4.  The ImpulseII module is now loaded by Impression, not by IMPACT!
    and is no longer supplied on the IMPACT! disc. This is to ensure that
    the correct version of the module is used, as supplied with Impression.
    (Impression is loaded automatically when a document is selected in 
    the Merge dialogue box, or the document is dragged into the 'document 
    box' as described in the manual.)

5.  Database menus are now formed from the user definable path variable
    Impact$Path, defined in the !Run obey file. This may include several
    directories containing IMPACT! databases, comma separated. Each
    path must end in a dot '.'

    e.g. set Impact$Path <Impact$Dir>.DataFiles.,adfs::4.$.Moredata.

6.  The Export dialogue box now has the facility to export as 'text'
    or CVS file types, by dragging the appropriate icon. This only affects
    the file type, not it's contents. Using the 'Text' icon when dragging
    to a printer will prevent the printer querying the file type.

7.  The export dialogue box now also offers a choice of un-quoted text 
    fields and tab field separators. These are useful for exporting 
    to Impression tables, or into other text handling applications, and
    allows tabulated columns to be produced. The Export box is set to the
    Acorn CSV standard when first displayed, and should not normally need
    adjustment.

Version 1.07  (2 Nov 92)
========================

1.  A new database may now be created using an existing database as a
    'template'. Simply click Menu over the database box in the Create
    window, and select the database to be used. A data card will be
    displayed having all the attributes of the existing database, which
    may then be edited as required.

    The feature will be found useful where an existing database requires
    modification. First export data from the existing database to a CSV
    disc file, excluding any fields to be removed. Then use the above 
    facility to create a new database, modified as required, and import 
    the saved data to this. Any additional fields should have higher 
    numbers, and will be left blank.

2.  Where a file is indexed on a text field, the facility to restrict the 
    number of characters used for sorting has been added. This may speed
    up the indexing operation, but more importantly may greatly reduce
    the space taken by the index, both on disc and in memory, and will
    further improve loading time for large databases.

3.  Where an index had been created for a file already largely in sorted 
    order, the loading time for the index was rather slow. This has now 
    been greatly improved, but this improvement will not be obtained until 
    the offending database hase been loaded and re-saved once. There may 
    be some delay while the index is optimised during the first re-save.

4.  Hourglass display added during export.

5.  A database delete option has been added to the Edit Database window.
    A warning is given before any action is taken, but note that this
    will delete the entire database, and this action cannot be undone!

Version 1.08  (16 Nov 92)
=========================

1.  An extension to the Impulse 'fetch' command has been added, allowing
    blank fields to be skipped during mail merge operations. This will be
    found useful when there are blank address lines in the middle of an
    address, say, where the Post Code must follow the last used address
    line without leaving blank lines.

    The 'fetch' command now has the following syntax:-

    :IMPACT[.<database>] fetch <field number> | ( next [<last field>] )

    i.e. The field number may be replaced by the word 'next', optionally
         followed by the number of the last field to be used.

    e.g. :IMPACT.letter fetch next 4

    This command will fetch the next non-blank field after the last one
    fetched, provided this is not greater than field 4. The maximum field
    is required to prevent non-address fields which may follow from
    being inserted into the document. Any fetches after the last field
    has been used will return a blank.

2.  The merge command menu in Edit Document has been modified to allow 
    the above command extension to be selected. To do this, select the
    fetch option, then the 'next' option at the head of the field list.
    This will lead to a further sub-menu allowing selection of the last
    field.

3.  The Lab-LPL03 Impression document has been modified to use this
    new facility, and may be examined as an example.

4.  The above menu has been improved a little, by making the 'Find data'
    entry a sub-menu of the 'Fields' menu, rather than the other way about.
    The use of this should be self evident.

5.  Date fields may now be left blank without IMPACT! complaining about
    bad months, etc.  The data in a date field will now only be checked 
    if it is not blank.


Version 1.09 5th Jan 1993
=========================

1.  Minor bug fixes.


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