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There are two releases of ShipMaster v. 1.3, the standard program and the RT version. The standard program runs from Access 97. The RT program is a standalone program and does not require Access 97. Both are identical in function. If you have Access 97, you will have a little more flexibility with the standard version--you could create custom forms and reports for example.

To use ShipMaster1.3 (standard program), simply double click on the file. Access 97 will start and the file will automatically load. Alternatively, open Access 97 from the Windows Start Programs menu, then use the Access File command to open the ShipMaster file. Use the Menu bar across the top of your screen to setup the database for your ship, enter data, and print out reports. The most common menu selections you will use are: Members, Advancement, Reports, Labels, and Setup.

Please do not change or enter data directly into the tables! In order to assure upgradeability, enter data into the forms only (they put data into the tables). If you create anything really good like a new form or report or have a special need, please contact the author by email.

To install ShipMaster1.3RT, simply run the setup program by double clicking on Setup.exe. You can also run it using the RUN command from the Start menu of Windows. Follow the prompts within the setup program. The setup program will automatically place ShipMaster in your Windows Start Programs menu. To use ShipMaster, just run it like any other program from the Start Programs menu. Use the Menu bar across the top of your screen to set up the database for your ship, enter data, and print out reports. The most common menu selections you will use are: Members, Advancement, Reports, and Setup.

Select Database Utilities from the Tools menu. Here you may compact or repair the database if desired. Compacting will eliminate wasted space and make your database smaller and more efficient.

Upgrading is a matter of copying data from the old main table into the new main table and updating any customizations from the old into the new. At this point, the easiest way to accomplish all this is to send your old database file (.mdb file only) to the author via email. He'll transfer your data into the new version and send it back. If you have the RT program, send just the .mdb file to the author. Upgrading from previous standard releases version 1, 1.1, and 1.2 to version 1.3:

If you want to try it on your own, the procedure is not too difficult. First, make a copy of your old data and put it in a safe place. Hopefully, you won't need it but it's better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that the new version is set up to receive your old data by editing the new version Setup page to match what you have in your old version: group names, leadership positions, and rank names. The numbers don't have to match but the text must match exactly. Next, verify that your database is empty. If for some reason you have records in the new version, delete them. You want to start with a new empty database.

You want to open both old and new files in separate windows. We're going to copy data from the old to the new.

In the old version, close out any open forms so that you see the big folders labeled Tables, Queries, Forms, etc. Click on the tables tab. Double click on Main. Look at the first 2 columns. If they do not contain "ID" and "Youth or Adult" then these two columns are hidden. Right click on the blue bar at the top of the table (You may have to change the size of the table from Maximize to see the blue bar). Choose unhide columns. Make sure all boxes are checked and then press Close. Press Ctrl+A to select all records. Press Ctrl+C to copy selected records.

In the new version, close out any open forms, so that you see the big folders labeled Tables, Queries, Forms, etc. Click on the tables tab. Double click on Main. Choose Edit, Paste Append. Close everything on both old and new versions. Your old data is now in the new version.

If you have trouble, don't waste a lot of effort and risk corrupting your data. Send me your .mdb file and I can do it for you pretty quickly.

This database took hundreds of hours to construct. If you find it useful, please support it's development by sending a contribution to the author's ship. With your support, ShipMaster will continue to be improved for the benefit of all Sea Scout units.