Directory

by Matt Browne

Directory is a useful UK dialling code directory. It was originally published in 1995, and has been fully updated for this issue.

Using Directory
Directory is very easy to use. Just load the application, click on its icon on the icon bar, and select in the main window Dialling codes or Dialling areas, depending on whether you want to search for a dialling code (like 01727) or a dialling area (such as St Albans).

Type in the text that you want to be found in the writable icon and click on Search or press Return. A list is shown inside the window of any matched entries that were found in the directory.

Note that the search performed is case insensitive, and the text can be found anywhere in the Directory, including inside entries. So, if you try to find 'POT', Directory will come up with a list including Potters Bar and Upottery, because 'POT' is inside both entries. It would also match 'pOt', 'pot', 'pOT', etc.

Click with Menu anywhere in the main window to show the main Directory menu. This allows you to save the list of matched entries as a text file, for printing out or exporting into a DTP package or word processor. The Clear entry removes all items in the list and the writable icon, making the window exactly as it was when the program was first loaded.

Altering the dialling code directory
Feel free to edit the dialling code directory that Directory uses, although please send any major updates to RISC User!

To get at the directory, hold down Shift and double-click on the !Directory icon. You will find a text file called Directory that can be loaded into Edit, DeskEdit, StrongED, Zap or any other text editor for altering. Note that the file must follow a rigid pattern!

Each entry should have a dialling area, a space, and then its relevant dialling code. For example, Potters Bar 01707. It is best if you keep the file in strict alphabetical order, although it is not essential.

Comments may be added to the file. Any line starting with '#' is taken to be a comment by Directory, and totally ignored whenever searching takes place.

Copyright  RISC User magazine 1998