DB2K_TUT

updated

DB2000V3 Tutorial

(based on release version 3.6.0)

Introduction and Downloading

Welcome to the DB2000 tutorial. It is my intention to write a tutorial which will cover all levels of computer users. For the hotshot users, bear with me as I bring new users up to speed. There are plenty of tricks and tips for all levels of users. Send tutorial comments or corrections to Dave Schuppert

If you would prefer to have a copy of this tutorial loaded on you computer so that you will not have to maintain an internet conncetion, click here

If you are viewing this page, I assume that you already know this, but DB2000 is the USPS database system for keeping records of United States Power Squadron members

The tutorial is broken into several sections:
Downloading	Installing	Setup	Data Entry	Uploading	Exporting	Reports

DB2000 is a program (or application). It contains no data about squadron members. You need to request a copy of your squadrons roster data from National. In order to receive a copy of the data you must be authorized to receive the data. You must get the authorization and password from your Squadron Commander or Secretary. Also, you must be able to receive and send e-mail

Please click here to read the Roster request policy page. Once you have the proper authorization you can request the roster data file be e-mailed to you by filling out a form. An image of the form is shown below. You might also be able to Import a copy of the roster from within the DB2000 program. (This will be explained in more detail later.) The image below is only to show you the information you will need.

If you are new to DB2000 or installing DB2000 for the first time on a computer, you need to download the full version of the program. The file is named DB2000R3.EXE

The following link brings you to a page from which you can download the full version (best choice) or upgrade portions of the program (for advances users).

For your Information

Please note that we will be working with 3 similarly named files. Don't get confused.
DB2000R3.exe is a compressed file. Think of it as a package holding several smaller parts.
DB2000V3.zip which is also a compressed file holding only the essential and upgraded parts of the package.
DB2000v3.exe which is the uncompressed file located in the DB2000v3 folder that you will run after installing the program.

This tutorial is designed so that you can open the download page without closing the tutorial.

Clicking on the Taskbar buttons allows switching between the download page and this tutorial without loosing your place on the page.

After clicking on the Download or the graphic, scroll down the screen until you see an area on the right side of the screen which resembles the graphic. Place your cursor over the text which reads "Download Full Distribution" and click your left mouse button. This is a large file and can take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection.

DWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD DB2000R3.EXE full download- 10 MB

For advanced users, or those who have downloaded the program before, ensure that you are working with the latest release version of the program. If you download the DB2000v3.zip file, it must be placed in the same folder that you previously placed and extracted DB2000v3.exe

This is the first of a series of pop-up screen you will have to work with as you go through the download process.

Click the Save button. Next you will be prompted for a location to save the download.

Click on the downward pointing triangle button next to the
Save in drop-down box and select [C:]
You may have to hold the left mouse button down until the [C:] is highlighted to prevent the list from collapsing.
saveas2
Your Save In: box should look like this.
Note: You won't have the hand under the drive icon unless your hard-drive is shared on a network.
saveas4

Next, click on the icon shown to create a new storage folder. Advanced users will already have a DB2000V3 folder and can double-click on the folder name to open the folder. The folder may already contain a file with the same name as the file your are downloading and you will be prompted to replace it. Click YES.

Be very careful in this next step. This is where most new users have problems
DON'T MOVE OR CLICK YOUR MOUSE AFTER CLICKING ON THE "CREATE NEW FOLDER" ICON.
The screen changes to allow you to create and name a New Folder. Use your keyboard and type DB2000V3 and press ENTER. Before you press ENTER you will note that the caption on the Save button changed to OPEN. When you press ENTER, you have directed the computer to create a new storage location (called a folder) and open that location.

saveas5

Press ENTER again or use the mouse to click on OPEN

savas7

Now the caption on the OPEN button returns to SAVE.
Verify that DB2000V3 appears in the Save in: box.
Press ENTER again or click on Save and the file (DB2000R3.EXE or DB2000v3.zip) is saved in the folder DB2000v3

The screen changes and the download dialog screen appears.

saveas6

If you have a check in the box "Close this dialog box when download completes", This dialog box will disappear when the download is complete and you will see the DB2000 download page

If you have authorization to request the members data file, do it now. Sometimes it takes a while to receive the download. Although the response to this request has gotten faster recently, it might take until regular work hours before the request is sent.

The hard part is now over and you have completed the Download.

Next you will need to prepare the program to run on your computer.
This is called the Installation process

You will need to return to the DB2000 web page periodically to get updates.

If you need to e-mail John Bradley be sure you have all the latest updates installed. He only wants to respond to problems with users of the current version. In his defense I should say that getting the updates often cures the problem.

You can verify your version:

You will need to click on the "Floppy Disk" to close the help screen.

If for any reason you need to uninstall DB2000 use the Add/Remove program in Windows Control Panel.
Uninstall will leave your squadron files in the DB2000 folder and unaffected.

To remove all traces of the DB2000 files, you will need to remove the DB2000 folder after following the step above. It you accepted all the defaults when you loaded DB2000, the folder will be:
C:\Program Files\DB2000V3

Proceed to the next step - INSTALLATION.