myBase Desktop 6.x User's Manual

myBase Desktop 6.x comes up with two types of setup package available to download from our website. One is the .exe self-extracting program that will run and install myBase on the system with a few clicks; Another one is the portable .zip package, simply extract it to a new folder whereby you can double-click the 'nyfedit.exe' to launch myBase.

• .Exe self-extracting

  Double click on the downloaded .exe self-extracting setup program to launch it, and follow the instructions, you'll need to select the target directory and program group name. then you can double click the application icon to launch the software.

• .Zip package

  For the .zip package, simply extract it into a new folder by using a zip utility (e.g. WinZip/WinRAR), then you can double click the 'nyfedit.exe' file to launch the program. You'd want to create a shortcut to the 'nyfedit.exe' file on the Windows Desktop or the task bar, so you have the convenience of double-clicking the shortcut icon to launch it.

Before uninstalling myBase Desktop, you'd need to first create backup for your .nyf databases.

• .Exe self-extracting

  Open Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. Click "myBase Desktop", and then click Add/Remove. Click "Yes" to remove it.

• .Zip package

  Simply remove the folder where the .zip package was extracted.

To build up a database, you'd need to create a new .nyf database at first by selecting the [File - New database] menu item, then you can add info items within the outline view, input text in the RTF editor, insert files into info items as attachments, and selectively make info items linked with some other info items or the calendar, apply labels/tags, make hyperlinks, and assign custom icons to individual info items. See below for detailed instructions.

1. Creating databases

   Before you can input your data within myBase, you'll need to create a new database (.nyf file) at first, whereby you can input your data and organize them in the tree outline form. In order to create a new database, please select the [File - New database] menu item, the 'Create new database' dialog box pops up, whereby you can determine the target .nyf file path and a few other options.

   From v6.3 on, myBase adds the 64-bit storage library (SSG-5) which supports large files (>2GiB); It's recommended to select the new storage architecture to create a new database. For technical details about SSG-5, please refer to Wjjsoft Structured Storage Library.

2. Adding info items

   The new database is automatically open when created. Now you can insert some new info items in the outline tree view by selecting the [Outline - New child item] or [New sibling...] menu items. Each info item accepts a RTF text as default note. Clicking on an info item within the outline view, its default text note will open in the RTF editor, whereby you can edit or format the text;

3. Adding attachments/shortcuts

   Each info item accepts a collection of files as attachments. The attached files can be either a real file inserted and stored in the database, or a shortcut linking to an original file on disk or URL (web resource). To insert files as attachments, please select the [Attachments - Add attachments] menu item; To insert file shortcuts, please select the [Attachments - Add shortcuts] menu item.

4. Adding label items

   Labels (or tags) can be used to categorize info items. myBase implements a label tree which accepts unlimited hierarchical labels in the tree structure. Clicking the [Labels] Tab on the left hand side, you can add labels and sub labels by selecting the [Labels - Add child items] or [Add sibling ...] menu items.

5. Adding bookmarks

   myBase accepts entries of bookmarks as well, and has a separate view for listing all bookmarks user-defined. Double-clicking a bookmark entry, it triggers the target info item and jump to the position bookmarked within the RTF text. To bookmark the current caret position in the RTF editor, please select the [Bookmark - Add to bookmarks] menu item, and specify a name for the bookmark entry being defined. Since bookmarks contain the exact position of caret in RTF text, bookmarks can also be inserted into the RTF text as hyperlinks within other info items, clicking on the hyperlinks jumps to the bookmarked items.

Basically, you can organize info items in the tree outline form, myBase implements additional organizing methods, such as item links, symbolic links, linking with calendar, bookmarks etc.

1. Moving info items

   Info items can be moved up/down or left/right with ease, by selecting the [Outline - Move item ...] menu items; and can be moved to another info item, by using the [drag-and-drop] and [copy-cut-paste] utilties.

2. Item linking

   Each info item can have a list of related info items, which will be listed out for reference when the item opens. Double-clicking on a related item will jump and open it up. To have an item linked with another one, please select the [Outline - Link info item] menu item, the [Browse outline] window appears whereby you can select a target item to make an item link.

   The item links can also be inserted into RTF notes as hyperlinks, so one can click on the hyperlinks to open the target items. In order to insert an item link into RTF notes, you can try either of the following methods;

   • Right-click on a highlighted text within an RTF note, select the 'Edit hyperlink ...' menu item, then press 'Info Item' button so you select a target info item to link;
   • Or, drag the target info item and drop into the RTF note, the item link is inserted;
   • Or, copy the target info item and paste in the RTF note, the item link is inserted.

3. Symbolic linking

   Symbolic links are a special kind of info items which can be inserted into the outline tree. Symbolic links behave more likely shortcuts to real info items. There're several synonyms that may describe the concept, such as virtual-node, shortcut, clone-node, transclusion, reference etc. One can create a symlink just containing a reference to another real item. Comparing to the real item, the symlink doesn't save its own data. When clicking on a symlink, it simply displays content of the referenced item instead of its own. If the referenced item is also a symlink item, it goes forward on the chain till the real item is reached, or an endless loop has been detected. Within myBase, you can create as many symlinks as you see fit. The drawback is that when you copy/export a branch contains symlinks, they're ignored. To insert a symbolic link, please select the [Outline - Symbolic link] menu item.

4. Linking with calendar

   Each info items can be linked with a calendar date by selecting the [Outline - Link calendar] menu item. By default, the associated calendar date will be displayed in front of item titles in the outline tree. The calendar date attributes can be combined into queries when searching databases.

5. Linking to bookmarks

   This allows you to make hyperlinks from a text note to a bookmarked position in another text note. To do so, please be sure to precedingly define bookmarks in destination text notes, then go back to the info items whereby you can make selected text into hyperlinks to the bookmarks.

6. Labeling info items

   Addition to the basic tree structured outline, the label tree implements second method for categorizing info items. To label an info item, please select the [Outline - Label info item] menu item, the [Browse label tree] window pops up, wherby you can select and check one or more appropriate labels to label the info item. The label tree can be precedingly created within the label tree view, and you may also add labels while applying labels.

7. Using custom icons

   Each .nyf database can store a collection of .bmp files (16*16) as custom icons, which can be applied to info items and label items. The custom icons are displayed in front of the title text of associated items within the tree view. Before assigning icons to items, you'd need to first insert some 16*16 .bmp files into the database as custom icons, and then the icons can be applied to info items or label items. To insert .bmp files as icons, please select the [Outline - Custom icons] menu item, the [Custom icons] window pops up, wherby you can press the [Add] button to insert icons; To apply icons, double click a desired icon, or select an icon and press the [Apply] button.

8. Sorting items

   Info items or label items can be sorted by title text or date modified in ascending/descending order. The sorting utility rearranges child items under an item or in the whole sub branch. To sort child info items, please select the [Outline - Sort child items] menu item. To sort sub labels, please select the [Labels - Sort child items] menu item.

In addition to individually add info items while building a database, myBase provides a set of utilities which help batch import data from within various data sources (e.g. from files, directories, MS-Office and webpages etc.). See below for detailed instructions. Most of import/export specific utilities are written in Javascript, and you have the convenience of customizing the script code or writting your own plugins for particular data manipulations.

1. Importing directory tree

   This utility imports a disk directory tree (including sub trees and files) into the current .nyf database as a sub branch, each folder creates an info item in the outline tree, and files are inserted as attachments (or hyperlinks). Note that .rtf documents are inserted as default text notes under its own info items. To import files as attachments, please select the [Capture - Import directory tree - as attachments] menu item, then choose a directory tree to import. Note that importing files as attachments copies all files into .nyf databases, that may bloat the database file size. If you'd want to keep databases smaller, please try the [Capture - Import directory tree - as hyperlinks] menu item, which only imports the directory tree structure, but with files inserted as hyperlinks, instead of copy content into the database; It also imports file info including path, size and date modified into RTF text area. Clicking on the hyperlinks launches the original files so long as they're associated within Window Explorer.

2. Importing .nyf database

   This utility imports info items from within existing .nyf databases into the current database as sub branches. To import data from an existing .nyf database, please select the [Capture - Import branch from .nyf database] menu item, then select an existing .nyf file, the [Browse outline] dialog box appears, whereby you can select an info item (branch) to import. All info items in the selected branch will be copied into the current database as a sub branch.

3. Importing files as child items

   This utility imports files as child info items, each file creates an info item under the current item, text files are inserted as items' default notes, and other files as attachments. When importing local HTML documents, accompanying images if available will be smartly imported as well. By default, the text files are supposed having the '.rtf;.txt' extension names, while HTML documents having the '.html;.htm' extension names; To import files as child items, please select the [Capture - Import files as child items] menu item, then select one or more files to import.

4. Importing MS-Word documents

   This utility imports MS-Word documents into the current database as child info items. Unlike the [Capture - Import files as child items], this utility converts .doc documents into RTF documents and save as default RTF note of info items, it requires MS-Word to be properly installed on the system for the RTF conversion. To import MS-Word documents, please select the [Capture - Import MS-Word documents] menu item, then select one or more .doc files to import.

5. Importing MS-Word outline

   This utility imports MS-Word documents as well with outline items stored as child info items. Each MS-Word outline item creates an info item with the original hierarchical outline levels preserved, and text content are saved as default note of the info items respectively. This utility requires MS-Word to be properly installed on the system for the conversion. To import MS-Word outline, please select the [Capture - Import MS-Word outline] menu item, then select a .doc files to import.

6. Importing MS-Outlook items

   This utility imports MS-Outlook items into the current database as child info items. To import MS-Outlook items, you'll need to first launch MS-Outlook whereby you can select one or more items being imported, then switch back to myBase and select the [Capture - Import MS-Outlook items] menu item, the selected items will be imported with content saved as default text note within each new info items.

7. Importing MindMap items

   This utility imports mindmap items from within a .mmap document into the current database as child info items. To import MindMap items, please select the [Capture - Import MindMap items] menu item, then select a .mmap file to import.

8. Importing OPML items

   This utility imports OPML items from within a .opml document into the current database as child info items. To import OPML items, please select the [Capture - Import OPML items] menu item, then select a .opml file to import.

9. Capturing webpages/snippets

   myBase accepts any type of files as attachments. For existing HTML documents that are locally saved in the hard disk, you can simply insert them as attachments of info items, by selecting the [Capture - Import files as child items] menu item. This way, each HTML document creates a child info item, clicking on the info item, the webpage appears immediately.

   If you'd want to capture and save webpages (or snippets) directly from within the web browser while surfing on the web, please try the Webcollect addon program, which does this and works with the familiar web browser such as Firefox/Chrome/IE. While surfing on the web with the Webcollect addon properly installed, you can simply right-click on a webpage and select the [Save with myBase] menu item to capture and save the whole webpage or snippets including accompanying images into your myBase databases.

   We suggest that you first launch myBase and have the target database open, then instruct WebCollect to transfer the captured webpage/snippet to the currently running instance of myBase. This works faster and more smoothly than loading databases every time when using the Webcollect addon.

   See DEMO for WebCollect addon.

10. Importing web file by URL

    This utility helps download and import a file from on the web by URL, without having to manually save as local files at first and then inserting as attachments. If the given URL is available, it's downloaded and inserted into the current info item as attachment.

11. Importing text by delimiter

    This utility helps import text content as child items, from within a text file having text lines separated by a text delimiter, like this,

    • Some text lines A
    • ----------
    • Some text lines B
    • ----------
    • Some text lines C
    • ----------
    • Some text lines D

    Where the '----------' is the text delimiter. To import the text file as child items, please select the [Capture - Import text by delimiter] menu item, then select the text file name, and determine the text delimiter which is used to split the text lines. If you'd want to import a text file with each text line saved as a child item, simply supply the '\n' as the delimiter.

12. Importing text from template

    If you've precedingly had some text saved as template files, you'll have the convenience of inserting the quick text. To make text as template, please select a portion of text within the RTF editor and select the [Share - Export text as template] menu item; To insert a text template, please select the [Capture - Import text from template] menu item, then you can choose a template to insert quickly.

13. Importing data from other programs

    If you'd like to import data from other programs, please try to first export data in one of the formats (e.g. .txt/.rtf/.doc) that myBase accepts, or simply map as a disk directory tree, so that myBase can import them by selecting one of the [Capture - Import ...] menu item.

    myBase also provides a few data file converter for importing data from existing *.knt, *.ao, *.htj files, and the file converters can be freely downloaded from on the website.

14. Clipboard Monitor

    myBase implements the clipboard utility which helps capture info from other programs by monitoring the system clipboard. Once the clipboard monitor is activated, any changes on the clipboard would trigger a popup menu, whereby you can select to save the content on the clipboard to myBase with one click. To start the clipboard monitor, please select the 'Capture - Clipboard monitor' menu item, or press F8. Selecting the menu item again stops the clipboard monitor.

1. Exporting HTML documents

   This utility exports text notes under a branch and save as a .HTML document. RTF notes are converted into HTML format inclucing fonts, colors, links and images, and all text notes are concatenated and saved in a single .html document. To export all notes in a branch as a .HTML document, please select the [Share - Export html document...] menu item, then determine a filename to save the HTML content.

2. Exporting MS Word outline

   This utility exports outline items and text notes to MSWord within the outline view by utilizing OLE-Automation. It's very useful for writters/researchers to export content and keep the hierarchical outline within MSWord. To export content to MSWord outline, please select the [Share - Export MSWord outline...] menu item, then select the content/range being exported to MSWord, and the filename to save the content. Note that it's OLE-Automation based, so you'd have to first have MSWord properly installed on the system for this utility to function normally.

3. Exporting Spider Diagram

   This utility exports the tree items in the current branch as a siper-like diagram. To export a spider diagram, please select the [Share - Export spider diagram...] menu item, then determine an image file name to save the spider diagram in either of the PNG/JPG/BMP formats.

4. Exporting directory tree

   This utility simply maps the outline items as a directory tree on the file system, each info item creates a sub directory (or folder), text notes are exported as .RTF files (named with defnote.rtf) under their own sub directories, and all attachments (webpages, images, documents, etc.) are exported as files under their own sub directories. To map content as directory trees, please select the [Share - Export directory tree...] menu item, then choose a folder location to create the directory tree.

5. Exporting HTML tree

   This utility exports content as a collection of webpages indexed within an HTML tree. RTF notes are converted into XHTML format inclucing fonts, colors, links and images. The webpage layout are splitted into two panes, the left pane gives the outline tree, and the right pane displays content associated with the outline item on clicked.

6. Exporting ePub digital book

   This utility helps export contents in the current branch and generate ePub digital books, which can be then transferred to iOS/Android devices (e.g. iPhone/iPad/Samsung) for viewing. Each info item in the branch creates a chapter in the .ePub e-book.

   Like the HtmlTree maker, the default RTF notes will be converted into XHTML format inclucing fonts, colors, links and images; If an info item doesn't contain the default RTF note, the first html document it contained will be chosen as the content of the chapter; If in the case there're only a list of images stored in the info item, myBase tries to make all the images available in the final .ePub e-book; Otherwise, for empty info items, a simple list of child items will be displayed.

   Note that we've put some efforts into validating HTML documents stored in .nyf databases and making them conform to W3C XHTML 1.1 Specs. However, for those random HTML documents with malformed formatting, the conversion may fail, if in this case, you'd need to remedy the HTML formatting before making .ePub e-books, or you may simply select the option to ignore if any formatting tags.

   How to view ePub e-books on Apple iPhone/iPod/iPad?

   There're several e-Book reader applications available for iPhone/iPod/iPad in the AppStore, (e.g. iBooks, Stanza ) If you use iBooks, just drag the ePub files into your iTunes Library (or select Add to Library from the iTunes File menu), then sync your iPhone/iPod/iPad with your computer. The ePub books will appear on your shelf in iBooks right alongside the ones you get through iBookstore. For Stanza, please select your device in iTunes, click the 'Apps' tab, then scroll the window down to the 'File sharing' section and select the 'Stanza' item whereby you can drag your ePub files into the 'Stanza Documents' list on the right, and the ePub ebooks will shortly appear on your shelf in Stanza.

   This plugin utility converts myBase into an easy-to-use ePub e-book maker.

7. Exporting current branch to a .nyf file

   This utility exports a sub outline tree (including all its contents) to a specified .nyf database. To export branch to .nyf file, please select the [Share - Export branch to .nyf file] menu item. When you specify an existing .nyf database file, you'll be prompted to select a destination item to save the contents. When specifying a new .nyf file, it creates the .nyf file to save the sub tree and all its contents.

8. Exporting selected attachments to a folder

   This utility exports the currently selected attachments to a specified folder in the local file system.

9. Exporting all files to a folder

   This utility exports all text notes and attachments in the current branch into a folder, and save as separate files. The item's default RTF text are saved in a .rtf file named with its item title, while other attachments are saved as original.

10. Exporting .exe standalone databases

    This utility converts the current branch or a whole .nyf database into a standalone .exe database, that runs on any Windows XP+ systems without any precedingly setup.

    Note that, this utility requires myBase vewier program to be installed on your system, you'd need to first download the viewer program and extract it to a folder by using a Zip utility, so you can specify the file path to the viewer program (nyfview.exe) on the 'Make .exe database' dialog window.

11. Exporting data records to MS Excel

    This utility searches the RTF notes in the current branch for field names you specified, and save results (records) in a .xls spreadsheet file that will open within MSExcel. When you specify field names like this: field1|field2|field3|field4..., it finds records in RTF notes having text like this,

    
    field1 = ...
    field2 = ...
    field3 = ...
    field4 = ...

12. Exporting CHM project

    This utility exports content in the currently working database as HTML content and generate the CHM project files, which can then be compiled into CHM ebooks, by utilizing Microsoft HTML Help Workshop.

    You can select to export content in either the current branch or the whole database, and select a temporary destination folder where the CHM project files will be stored. Once the CHM project files are successfully generated, you can double click the generated .hhp file in the destination folder, HTML Help Workshop will automatically start, whereby you can select the 'File - Compile ...' menu item to make the CHM ebook.

    Note that myBase doesn't include the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop in its package, you'll need to download it separately from Microsoft Download Site and have it installed on your system before compiling the CHM projects.

    If you have Microsoft HTML Help Workshop installed in its default folder (i.e C:/Program Files (x86)/HTML Help Workshop/, or C:/Program Files/HTML Help Workshop/ on Windows XP), myBase will try to launch the CHM compiler to compile the CHM project, and generate the .chm document, and then clear the temporary folder, this way, you don't need to compile it manually.

13. Exporting Email addresses

    This utility searches the RTF notes in the current branch for email addresses, and save results (email addresses) in a .txt file you specified.

1. Setting password for databases/branches

   From v6.3 on, myBase has integrated two versions of wjjsoft structured storage libraries (SSG-3 and SSG-5). The password protection feature has been implemented in both versions, but works in the different ways.

   • For SSG-3 based databases

     To set a password for the currently working database, please select the [File - Maintenance - Set database password] menu item, or [Set branch password] for the currently selected info item (i.e. branch), then you can type in your password within the popup window. If you leave the password fields blank, it simply removes password (if any) from within the database/branch.

   • For SSG-5 based databases

     From v6.3 on, myBase adds the SSG-5 storage support. It's recommended to set a password as soon as the SSG-5 based databases are newly created, and the database password is unchangeable once it's been set. If in the case that you'd have to change a database password, please consider to replicate the entire database into a new database instead, by selecting the 'File - Maintenance - Replicate database ...' menu item, that allows you to set a different password for the new database.

     Note that the SSG-5 library does no longer support the branch password, you'd want to set a database password to protect all information stored in your .nyf databases.

2. Undeleting info items and files

   Modifying a text note trashes the previous revision into the recycle bin, and sets the new one as current; And deleting an info item (branch) also trashes it into the recycle bin. Therefore we have a chance to undelete and retrieve them when needed. To undelete trashed entries, please select the [File - Maintenance - Undelete items] menu item, a popup window appears, whereby you can select trashed entries to undelete.

3. Optimizing for size

   myBase by default stores all outdated revisions and trashed entities within the database. This may waste some disk space and may bloat the .nyf database file, an inbuilt zip utility automatically compresses every entities though. If you'd want to optimize database for size, you can first select the [File - Maintenance - Empty recyle bin] menu item to wipe off the trashed entities, and then select the [File - Maintenance - Optimize for size] menu item to eliminate fragments from within the .nyf database file. After this operation, all trashed entries are wiped off permanently.

4. Backup Database

   It's highly recommended to create backup for every important databases. In general, you can simply press [Yes] button when opening a database and you're asked whether you want to create backup, then a new backup is automatically created and stored in the same folder or the custom folder your specified in the [View - Options - Backup] window. myBase implements some more options for smarter backup process, which are accessible in the [View - Options - Backup] window. In addition to the inbuilt backup options, you can create backups manually by copying the .nyf files in the file system.

5. Replicate Database

   The [File - Maintenance - Replicate database...] utility helps replicate whole content of a database to a new one that can be initialized with different parameters, for example, when you want to change password, or want to change the storage architecture. Notably, after a database is successfully replicated, the new database is automactically optimized for size. So it is useful as well when you want to eliminate space fragmentation from a database and make the file size compact.

myBase provides the [Find as you type], [Advanced search] and the [Search with RegExp] facilities. The first two facilities are based on index data for fast find with the boolean search capability; while the [Search with RegExp] facility is scanning-based and capable of handling regular expressions, of course, it also searches for any words or partial words you input.

1. Indexing databases

   Both the Fast-find and Advanced search facilities are based on index data, so you'll need to built/update index data before you search a database using them. To build/update index, please select the [File - Maintenance - Update indexes] menu item.

2. Find as you type

   Searching with the [Find as you type] facility is very simple and handy. You can type a word or a boolean phrase in the edit box located in the toolbar, results (if any) will be listed out instantly. Pressing F3 moves input focus into the edit box whereby you can type in a search phrase.

   Note that it's index-based, please be sure to first build or update index data before searching with this facility.

3. Advanced search

   Within the advanced search, myBase implements some more options running queries, such as by labels, calendar date, date modified, occurrence, scope, etc. To run the Advanced search, please select the [Search - Advanced search] menu item. The search scope can be extended to all databases that are currently open, or limited to the current branch.

   Note that it's index-based, please be sure to first build or update index data before searching with this facility.

4. Boolean search

   Both [Find as you type] and [Advanced search] support the boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) in search phrases. You can type a search phrase like this: w1 AND w2 OR w3 OR w4 NOT w5. For the boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), they can be abbreviated with the equivalent charaters (+, |, -) or (&, |, !). Therefore, you can also type the search phrase like this: w1 + w2 | w3 | w4 - w5. Note that a blank space must be added after each boolean operators, otherwise the operators are skiped.

5. Search with RegExp (Search for words or partial words)

   myBase also provides the scanning-based [Search with RegExp] facility, which matches by words or by regular expressions. Select the [Search - Search with RegExp] menu item, enter words or a regular expression, and select the scope to search, then results if any will be listed in the query window. For a regular expression, it must be enclosed with a pair of slashes ( like this: /pattern/i ), one of the match options (g,i,m) can be specified at the end of the expression; If you input a text string without a pair of slashs enclosed, it simply searches for the text.

   The 'Search with RegExp' facility does not only search with regular expressions, it also searches for partial words, the search scope can be one of these options:

   • Scan info items in the current branch
   • Scan item titles in the outline
   • Scan the whole database
   • Scan items listed in the last query results

   Note that this facility doesn't require index data, it simply scans content of the database in the scope.

6. Find in text

   This utility looks into the current note text for words, it behaves like the 'Find' command in Windows Notepad, select the 'Edit - Find in Text ...' menu item, then type in a word and press the 'Find Next' button, the next match occurrence will be highlighted.

7. Search with custom icons

   This utility scans the whole outline tree or current branch for those info items having a specified custom icon. You can select the [Search - Search with custom icons ...] menu item, then select an icon label text from within the dropdown list to search with.

   Note that this utility doesn't require index data, it traverses the outline tree and looks at the custom icon of each info items.

8. List all related info items

   This utility scans the item links table iteratively for all info items that are linked with the current info item directly or indirectly. For example, item A is linked with item B only, while item B is linked with item C and D, when you select the [Search - List all related items ...] menu item on item A, all of them (A, B, C and D) are listed out.

   Note that this utility doesn't require index data, it looks into the item links table.

9. List recently modified entries

   This utility scans the whole database for the entries (info items, notes, attachments and shortcuts) modified within a specified date period, e.g. today, this week, last week, this month, etc... To list recently modified entries, please select the [Search - List recently modified entries ...] menu item, then select a date period from within the dropdown list to search with.

   Note that this utility doesn't require index data, it traverses the outline tree and looks at timestamps.

10. Search local file system

    This utility scans the specified disk directory tree for sepcified words or by Regular Expressions. You can select to search file names only, or file content, or both. When you select to search file content, it attempts to parse documents by utilizing the corresponding IFilters installed on Windows system. As it takes too much time to parse all the documents in each queries, this plugin maintains an internal .nyf database to cache the file content, so lately searching the documents may get faster. The cache database is located in the 'My Documents' under your profile folder.

    Note that the [Search local file system] utility doesn't maintain an index database internally, it may take quite a while to go through a whole file system, so it's recommended to restrict the search range to the folder as near as possible to the target.

1. Text/RTF templates

   Within the RTF editor, you can either type in any text info, or import quick text from templates. By default setup, myBase doesn't provide any pre-defined text template, but you can define your own if needed.

   To define a text template, please try to first input your template text and then select all the template text in the RTF editor, so you can select the [Share - Export text as template...] menu item, and determine a file name to save the text template. By default, all text template files are saved in the ./templates folder under the program install folder, [ i.e. C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\wjjsoft\nyfedit6\templates ]

   To quickly insert a template text into the RTF editor from within the defined template files, please select the [Capture - Import text from template ...] menu item, and then select an appropriate one to import.

2. Outline tree templates

   Like the text templates described above, you can also define a collection of tree templates for outline items. You'll need to first make a template tree branch within the outline view, so you can select the [Share - Export branch to .nyf file] menu item, and determine a file name to save the tree items.

   In order to import the template tree branch, please selec the [Capture - Import data from .nyf file ...] menu item, then select one of the defined template files to import.

   It's recommended to save your own .nyf template files within the ./templates sub folder as well.

3. Text stylesheet

   A text stylesheet contains text fromatting data (text and/or paragraph attributes). You can define a stylesheet from the currently selected text, and then apply the stylesheet to other text notes within the RTF editor.

   To define a stylesheet, please try to first make a sample text formatted appropriately within the RTF editor, then select the formatted sample text, and select the [Stylesheet - Defined stylesheet ...] menu item, then specify a stylesheet name to save it, so you can apply it to some other text.

   To apply the defined stylesheet to the selected text in other notes, please select the [Stylesheet - your style names...] menu items.

   Note that a stylesheet item can save both text and paragraph attributes, but you can select to include one or both of them.

4. Word counting

   Select the [Plugins - Word count...] menu item, to display word counting statistics for either current note or branch or whole database;

5. Unwanted spaces/returns removal

   Select the [Edit - Eliminate spaces...] menu item, then choose what kind of spaces you'd want to eliminate from the currently selected text within the RTF editor.

6. Keyboard shortcuts customization

   In order to customize the keyboard shortcuts, please select the [Plugins - Edit keyboard shortcuts] menu item, then confirm to load the keyboard_shortcuts.ini file within Windows Notepad, whereby you can change the keyboard shortcuts.

   Note that you'd need to restart myBase to let the changes to take effects.

7. Items for today (or next week)

   Select the [Search - Items for today (or next week)] menu item, the info items associated within the calenar date range will be listed out in the query results window.

   Note that this utility looks at the calendar date assocated with info items, instead of date-modified attributes of info items. In order to associate an info item with a calendar date, please select the [Organize - Link - Calendar ...] menu item.

8. Batch replace text

   The [Edit - Batch replact text...] utility helps find and replace text within all child text notes under the current branch.

   Select the [Edit - Batch replact text...] menu item, then give both text to find and text to replace with...

   Note that this batch operation doesn't support 'undo', well, you still have the change to revert to previous versions of mis-replaced text notes by using the [File - Maintenance - Undelete...] utility.

9. batch format text

   The [Edit - Batch format text...] utility helps format all child text notes under the current branch.

   Select the [Edit - Batch format text...] menu item, then determine the formatting settings for text notes... You can select to apply one or more text attributes by checking the relevant options.

   Note that this batch operation doesn't support 'undo', well, you still have the change to revert to previous versions of mis-formatted text notes by using the [File - Maintenance - Undelete...] utility.

10. Multi-selecting info items to copy/move/trash

    The outline tree doesn't support the multi-selecting option. Although, you can add info items into a Query Results window, whereby you can then multi-select items to move/copy by dragging-and-dropping, or to trash. To select info items into a Query Results window, please try dragging info items and dropping to the query results window, or right-click an info item and select the 'Add to found list' menu item.

11. Sorting text lines by alphabet

    Select the [Edit - Sort text lines...] menu item to sort the currently selected text within the RTF editor. You can select to sort text lines by alphabet in ascending or descending order, with or without case-sensitivity.

12. Calculating math expressions

    myBase provides the [Edit - Calculate expression] utility, which helps calculate simple math expressions like this: 1+2+3*4-5/6; It also evaluates several math functions, such as sin(pi/6), cos(pi/6), etc...; Below is a list of supported functions;

    • time(); returns a value of Unix time;
    • int(x); converts the value of 'x' parameter into an integer; e.g. int(3.5) returns 3;
    • sqrt(x); returns the square root of x;
    • abs(x); returns the absolute value of x;
    • ln(x); returns the natural logarithm of x;
    • log(b, x); returns the base-b logarithm of x;
    • log10(x); returns the base-10 logarithm of x;
    • exp(x); returns the base-e exponential function of x, which is e raised to the power x: e^x;
    • ceil(x); rounds x upward, returns the smallest integral value that is not less than x;
    • floor(x); rounds x downward, returns the largest integral value that is not greater than x;
    • pow(b, x); returns base raised to the power exponent: b^x;
    • sin(x); returns the sine of an angle of x radians;
    • cos(x); returns the cosine of an angle of x radians;
    • tan(x); returns the tangent of an angle of x radians;
    • asin(x); returns the principal value of the arc sine of x, expressed in radians;
    • acos(x); returns the principal value of the arc cosine of x, expressed in radians;
    • atan(x); returns the principal value of the arc tangent of x, expressed in radians;
    • max(x, y); returns the max value of x and y;
    • min(x, y); returns the min value of x and y;
    • if(x, a, b); returns a if the criteria x gives true, otherwise returns b;
    • Logical operators: && || used with Boolean (logical) values.

    In order to evaluate an expression, please be sure to first highlight the expression text, then select the [Edit - Calculate expression] menu item, the result will be inserted after the expression text.

13. Evaluating javascript code

    myBase supports writting plugins in the javascript language; You can write your own js script and save as a .js file under the ./plugins sub folder under myBase install folder. You'd want to refer to the javascript API for details.

    In addition to writting .js script files, you can also write your js scripts in the RTF editor, and run it directly from within the RTF editor without having to saving .js files.

    To run js code from in the RTF editor, please select the [Plugins - Evaluate script code] menu item; If you'd like to evaluate a part of your script code in the RTF editor, please just select the desired part.

14. Creating labels by custom icons

    This utility helps create labels and apply labels by custom icons. This is the scenario, you have a .nyf database including a number of info items with custom icons applied, now you'd like to have the equivalent of icons categories in the label list view, you can utilize the [Create labels by custom icons] menu item.

    Note that you'll need to set a different hint text for each custom icons, so the labels can be properly created from the custom icons list.

15. Link calendar by parsing datestamp

    The [Link calendar by parsing date] utility goes through the current outline tree branch, and looks at each items' title text to see if it contains a datestamp like this: [yyyy-mm-dd TITLE-TEXT]. If the datestamp is parsed, a calendar link is automatically created with the info item; The data stamp is assumed in the format: yyyy-mm-dd, or mm-dd-yyyy, or dd-mm-yyyy, and the separator character can be one of [-_./]; Note that: As the associated calendar date will be added and shown on the item title once the calendar link is created, the original datestamp text will be cleared from within the item title text.

16. Rearranging MDI child windows

    myBase is able to open multiple child windows for each items at a time. This way, you can view multiple notes for reference. To open multiple windows, please right-click on an info item and select 'Open in new window' menu item.

    If you have multiple child windows open in the workspace of myBase, you may want to arrange them by selecting the [Window - Tile vertically/horizontally] menu item to tile the child windows, so you can view them with ease.

17. Right-clicking to open items in new windows

    The [Open in new window] is a menu item which appears on the context menus when you right-click on an info item; It simply creates a new child MID window to open the item clicked.

18. Syntax highlight

    The [Syntax highlight] plugin helps make programming source code highlight by syntax. It only highlights source code from within the RTF editor. If you have a source code file saved as attachment, and would like to make it highlight by syntax, please try to first open it within the RTF editor.

    Note that the resulting text need to save in the RTF format, so if you open a source file with a different extension name other than .RTF, the formatting data will not be saved. In order to keep the highlighting results, please copy the source code into the info item's default RTF note area.

19. Display statistics

    This utility looks into the current outline branch and report file size statistics for entries in the branch, including attachments, item links, shortcuts, etc.

20. Batch redirect shortcuts

    This utility helps to batch replace target file path of shortcuts with a specified folder path. When you moved some files or folders which have been linked from within myBase via Shortcuts, you can batch replace the shortcut target with the new folder path, without having to recreate all the existing shortcuts.

21. Add to found list

    The [Add to found list] utility simply adds the currently selected info item to the Query Result window, whereby the info items can be multi-selected to copy/move/delete/link/drag-drop.

22. Set for today

    The [Set for today] utility simply makes a link between the currently selected info item and the current calendar date.

23. Compare folders

    The [Compare folder] utility looks into any two disk folders specified, and attempts to detect difference between the two folders. It only checkes filenames and attributes (size, date modified) of the files existing in the two folders, and then report difference if any.

24. .

1. C++ API

   myBase C++ API is complicated and obsolete. For now, Javascript API is recommended for third-party developers to write plugins.

2. Javascript API

   myBase provides a set of API intended for users and third-party developers to make particular plugins and manipulate data in their own way. If you have interests in writting plugins, please read the Javascript API Reference.

1. How do I get started with myBase Desktop?

   First of all, you'll need to download a copy of myBase Desktop, and run the downloaded setup program, have myBase properly installed on your system. If you choose to download the .zip package, simply extract it into a clean folder by using a zip utility. Then you can double click the installed program icon (nyfedit.exe) to start myBase.

   Using myBase is simple. Before you can input your own information, you'll need to first create a new .nyf database, then insert info items into the tree outline in the left-side pane; Each info items accept RTF text and attachments in the right-side pane. All information will be compressed and saved in the .nyf database file. Below is a simple list of essential instructions using myBase.

   • To create a new .nyf db, please select 'File - New database' menu item,
   • To insert info items in the tree outline, please select 'Organize - New item ...' menu items, which inserts new info items as either sibling or child items as you see fit.
   • To insert files as attachments or shortcuts, please select 'Attachment - Add attachments/shortcuts' menu item.
   • To save changes, select 'File - Save' menu item, or press 'Ctrl+S'.
   • To import materials from other sources, select the 'Capture - Import...' menu items.
   • To export info items, select the 'Share - export ...' menu items.
   • In order to capture webpages directly from within the IE/Firefox/Chrome web browser, please be sure to first install the WebCollect add-on, so that you can select 'Save with myBase' menu item from within the web browser.
   • For advanced users, you'd want to write your own plugins by using the Javascript API.

   For demonstration, myBase Desktop includes a sample .nyf database which can be loaded by select the 'Help - Sample database' menu item.

2. Does myBase load a whole database into computer Memory?

   No. myBase is based on Wjjsoft Sturctured Storage Library that supports the 'Load on Access' feature. So it only loads the visible items into RAM, but with almost all content stay in the storage, except that the currently visible content must be loaded into RAM for viewing or editing.

3. Does myBase use a lot of hard disk space?

   We've made myBase file size incredibly small even if all add-ons/plug-ins are packed in. The new release 6.x gets even smaller, the downloaded package is only approx. 4MB in file size; Although you'll need enough disk space to store your own database files. myBase provides a set of utilities for database maintenance, such as the integrated zip utility, 'Empty Recycle Bin' and 'Optimize for file size' etc. All these efforts help make databases compact and save disk space.

4. Does myBase lock users data? Once data saved in myBase are they always myBased?

   No. myBase doesn't lock any users data on it, you have the convenience of exporting your data in various ways at any time. A set of export specific facilities are provided, for example, export to webpages, text files, html tree, exe database, and even map as a disk directory tree. All the export specific facilities can be found in the 'Share' menu.

5. What is an appropriate size for an individual database (.nyf files)?

   If you selected the new 64-bit storage library (SSG-5) to initialize your .nyf database, it supports 'Load on Access' feature and the database size can be extended up to 8EiB, so you don't need to care about the database size.

   If your .nyf database is initialized with the old storage library (SSG-3), in order to help the database run safely and smoothly, it's recommended to keep it smaller than 300MB, where the '300MB' limit applies to the .nyf database file itself, but not to any linked documents saved in external folders. In order to organize a larger number of documents, it's not recommended to insert all of them as attachments, but you can choose to have the documents saved in external folders and insert as shortcuts or hyperlinks by utilizing the 'relative path' feature.

6. Is it possible to run myBase Desktop on a USB stick?

   Basically myBase Desktop works from within any accessible folders on the file system, including folders on removable disk drives (e.g. USB sticks), so you can put myBase program files on the USB sticks; And you may also put .nyf databases on a removable disk and open them with myBase Desktop. However, for safety and stability considerations, it's not recommended to open .nyf databases for editing from within a removable disk drive, in case of any potential USB I/O problems with the removable disk that may cause damage to the working databases. If you have to do so, please be sure to preserve backups of your important databases.

7. How do I register (unlock, activate) my copies of myBase with my license keys?

   To register the program with your license key, please follow this;

   • Select the "Help/Register..." menu item;
   • Enter your registration name in the 'User Name' field;
   • Enter your license key codes (2-line) in the 'License Key' field;
   • Press 'OK' button to save the license key;

   In case of typos, we suggest that you copy/paste license key codes from the licensing message, instead of manually typing them.

8. Does myBase automatically create backups?

   Yes. myBase provide several backup specific options that will help manage backup files, and you can adjust the settings from on the 'View - Options - Backup' dialog box.

9. Is there a way to edit stored webpages inside myBase?

   To edit stored webpages inside myBase, please try either of this,

   • Press F2 on a webpage displaying inside myBase, or select the 'Edit - Toggle edit mode' menu item, the webpage goes into the edit mode, so you can edit the webpage within the WYSIWYG interface.
   • Right click on the HTML file within the Attachment pane, and select the 'Open with integrated RTF editor' menu item, the HTML source is displaying in the text area for editing. In order to edit the HTML docement with a third-party editor, please select the 'Open with specified program' menu item, so you can specify a HTML editor to open the HTML document.

10. How do I replicate a same tree structure for different projects/databases?

    There're several methods to replicate existing tree structures (branches), and copy a branch into another .nyf database (project). Please try one of these:

    • Make a copy of the original .nyf database file within Windows Explorer, the the new .nyf file obtains all the info items and contents.
    • Select the 'Share - Export branch to .nyf file' menu item, which exports the current branch into a new .nyf file, or inserts the branch to an existing .nyf database.
    • Have both source and destination .nyf databases open within myBase Desktop, then drag a branch and drop onto the destination database, the branch will be copied.
    • Drag a branch and drop into a Window Folder, it makes the branch into a .nyf file within the folder, then you can import or drag the .nyf file into other .nyf databases. With this feature, you can maintain a collection of .nyf template files within a Window folder.
    • The most convenient way to replicate a branch is 'Copy-and-Paste'. Just press 'Ctrl+C' on a branch and press 'Ctrl+V' within destination databases.

11. What type of files/documens will be indexed and searchable?

    myBase attempts to parse documents according to the extension names by utilizing Windows IFilters installed on the system. The IFilters for MS-Office and HTML documents are integrated within Windows 2000+; The IFilters for RTF/TEXT documents are integrated within myBase; For other type of documents (e.g. .pdf) to be searchable, you'd need to install the corresponding IFilters provided by the manufactories. When new IFilters are installed, you'd need to clear and rebuild the index data for the relevant documents to be re-indexed and searchable. For example, to make .PDF contents searchable, you'd need to install Acrobat Reader or any of PDF IFilters before indexing the documents.

12. .

    .

1. How to run myBase with WINE on Linux?

   Before running myBase with WINE, please be sure to copy the 'mfc42u.dll' and 'MSVCP60.DLL' files shipped with WindowsXP to the '~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32' directory on Linux. If for any reason you'd want to change the UI font, the font settings are located in the Nyfedit.ini file at this line: App.UI.Font.lfFaceName=Tahoma

2. How to translate myBase user inteface?

   Within the setup folder, you can find the 'enu.ini' file in the './lang' sub folder, that is the template language file, and can be translated into your language by using a plain text editor (e.g. notepad). Before translating, you'd need to first make a copy of the enu.ini template file and rename it to an abbreviation of your language. For example, swe.ini for Swedish, fre.ini for French; When you've translated and made changes to your language .ini file, it's recommended to save it in UTF-8 encoding.

3. How to save disk space with myBase databases?

   All information is compressed by the integrated zip utility and saved in myBase .nyf databases. In most of cases, you don't need to care about the disk space usage. Although, there're still a few tips that may help save disk space, and make databases run safely and smoothly.

   • When you delete an info item or an attachment, it's only marked as removed (junk), so that you have the chance of recovering them in the case that you'd want them back later. That's to say, deleting info items or attachments doesn't free up any disk space, and the .nyf database file size does not shrink. If you'd like to purge the junk, and make the .nyf databases compact and save disk space, please try using the 'File - Maintenance - Empty recycle bin, Optimize for size' utilities.
   • Images inserted into the RTF text will be encoded in text formats, this may significantly bloat the text size, so it's not recommended to directly insert big images into RTF. We suggest that you try to insert images as attachments or shortcuts.
   • In order to organize a large number of documents within the SSG-3 based databases, it's recommended to insert the documents as shortcuts or hyperlinks, instead of save as attachments. myBase provides the 'Relatve path' feature, which will help manage the shortcuts/hyperlinks to local files. For those SSG-5 based databases, you may insert as many documents as you see fit.

4. How to apply relative file paths to shortcuts/hyperlinks?

   myBase implemented the 'Relatve path' feature, which helps create links to local files with relative paths. To do so, you'll need to first put documents into the folder where the current .nyf database file resides, and then insert the documents into myBase as hyperlinks or shortcuts, the 'relative path' is automatically applied. When triggering the hyperlinks/shortcuts, the relative path is evaluated. The 'Relative path' feature helps maintain the consistency between the .nyf database and the linked documents, and keep the link functional even after they're moved together to elsewhere.

5. How to rename an info item?

   To rename an info item, please press F2 or click twice on the info item, or select the 'Edit - Toggle edit mode' menu item, then the item title goes into the edit mode, whereby you can type in another title text. In addition, you can also copy the currently selected text from within the content to the item title. To do so, please first select a text in the text content, then select the 'Edit - Copy text to title' menu item.

6. How to make Email addresses highlighted in RTF notes?

   Simply add the 'mailto:' protocol scheme prior to email addresses, like this: mailto:support@wjjsoft.com, then it will be automatically highlighted, and then you have the convenience of sending emails with one click.

7. How to make a hyperlink in RTF to a paragraph inside another note?

   Linking to bookmarks does this. You'll need to first add bookmarks within target text notes, and then within other text notes, you can make selected text into hyperlinks pointing to the bookmarks. To add a bookmark within text note, select the 'Bookmarks - Add to bookmarks' menu item; To make text into hyperlinks, select the 'Edit - Edit Hyperlinks' menu item.

8. How to customize the date/time picture?

   myBase formats date/time strings with pictures defined in Windows Control Panel. In order to change the format, please go to Windows Control Panel, and open the 'Region and Language' item, whereby you can change the date/time formats as you see fit.

9. How to change the default formats for RTF notes

   When adding new info items, the item notes will be initialized with the default RTF formats (font/color/spacing...). In order to customize the default RTF formats, please select the 'View - Options' menu item, the 'options' dialog box pops up, whereby you can change the default RTF format under the 'Edit' tab.

   Note that the default RTF formats only apply to info items (RTF notes) newly added thereafter, but will not affect any existing RTF notes.

10. How to multi-select info items to move/copy/trash?

    The outline tree doesn't support the multi-selecting option. Although, you can add info items into a Query Results window, whereby you can then multi-select items to move/copy by dragging-and-dropping, or to trash. To select info items into a Query Results window, please try dragging info items and dropping to the results window, or right-click an info item and select the 'Add to found list' menu item.

11. How to view AcitiveX documents (.pdf/.doc/.xls/etc.) inside myBase?

    myBase has the MSIE web browser embedded, which is able to view ActiveX documents, such as .pdf/.doc/.xls files, so long as the corresponding applications have properly been installed on your system. For .pdf files, you'd need to install Acrobat Reader 4.0+, and have its 'Web browser integration' option checked; For .doc/.xls documents, you'll need to install an appropriate version of MSOffice Suite.

12. How to customize the keyboard shortcuts?

    To customize keyboard shortcuts for the menu items, please edit the keyboard_shortcuts.ini file by using a plain text editor (e.g. notepad), save changes to the .ini file and then re-launch myBase to let it take effects. In addition, to customize shortcuts for plugin menu items, you'll need to edit the corresponding .js files, which by default are located in the ./plugins sub folder.

13. How to define keyboard shortcuts for stylesheets/bookmarks?

    In order to define keyboard shortcuts for stylesheets/bookmarks, please edit the keyboard_shortcuts.ini file by using a plain text editor (e.g. notepad) on the lines like this:

    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_0 =Ctrl+Alt+0
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_1 =Ctrl+Alt+1
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_2 =Ctrl+Alt+2
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_3 =Ctrl+Alt+3
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_4 =Ctrl+Alt+4
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_5 =Ctrl+Alt+5
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_6 =Ctrl+Alt+6
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_7 =Ctrl+Alt+7
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_8 =Ctrl+Alt+8
    • Menu.Stylesheet.Item_9 =Ctrl+Alt+9

    Then save the changes and then re-launch myBase to let it take effects.

14. How to undelete attachments or info items?

    Please select the 'File - Maintenance - Undelete Items' menu item, the 'Undelete items' window pops up, whereby all info items including recycled items are displayed in a tree view, then you can choose to undelete the info items or attachments with ease.

15. How to label info items from within the Query Results window?

    To label info items from within the Query Results window, please try to first select one or multiple info items from within the results list, and select the 'Results - Label info items ...' menu item, or right-click on the items and select the 'Label info items ...' menu item, then check the labels to be applied.

    Note that the 'Organize - Link - Label info items' menu item doesn't apply to the query results, it only applies to the currently selected info item within the outline view.

    Tip: when you need apply a label to several individual info items, please try to first add them into the Query Results window by selecting the 'Organize - Add to found list' menu item, so you can label the items in one go.

16. .

    .

1. Creating links between info items by dragging-and-dropping

   Besides using the 'Organize - Link - Link info item ...' utility, you can also utilize the 'Drag-and-drop' operation to make item links. For example, drag a source info item within the tree outline, and drop onto a target item with the SHIFT key hold down, it makes an item link between the two info items. And more, no matter in which pane the source info items are listed, you can select and drag the source info items, and drop onto a target info item with the SHIFT key hold down, or drop onto its 'Related items' pane, it also makes item links. For example, select and drag info items from within the Query Results window, and drop onto a target info item with the SHIFT key hold down, or simply drop onto its 'Related items' pane.

2. Exporting attachments by dragging-and-dropping

   In addition to selecting the 'Attachments - Export attachments ...' menu item, you can also drag the selected attachments and drop onto any disk folder within Windows Explorer (e.g. Windows Desktop).

3. Exporting current branch and produce a new .nyf database file

   You can select the 'Share - Export branch to .nyf file' menu item, or simply drag the source info item (branch) and drop onto a destination folder within Windows Explorer.

4. An easy way to open the recently used databases as Readonly

   When you select a database from on the 'Recently used databases' menu, with the [Ctrl] key hold down, the database will open as Readonly. In fact, the [Ctrl] key simply toggles the Readonly flag on loading a database.

5. Listing info items contained within a sub branch of the label tree?

   When you click a label item within the label tree view, it lists out all info items associated with the label. If you click the label and have the [Ctrl] key hold down at the same time, it runs a query with the label including all its sub labels, and lists out all related info items under the label branch.

6. A way to locate the next match occurrence within a matched info item.

   When you open an info item from within the Query Results window, it's triggered with the first match occurrence highlighted in the text area. Due to the limitation of the RTF control, it won't highlight multiple occurrences at a time. In order to locate next occurrence in the same item, please press Ctrl+F or select the 'Edit - Find in Text' menu item, then press the 'Next' button to locate and highlight the next match occurrence.

7. A shortcut key for moving the cursor (input focus) into the RTF editor.

   Pressing the Tab key moves the cursor (input focus) into the RTF editor (if it's the current MDI child window).

8. Dragging-and-dropping

   Within myBase, you have the convenience of dragging-and-dropping entries (info items, labels and attachments) to move/copy/link/label/import/export/etc. Like that you do within Windows Explorer, some keyboard modifiers (Ctrl, Shift, Alt) can be used while dragging-and-dropping. For example:

   • Drag/drop without key modifiers indicates to Move;
   • Ctrl+Drag/drop indicates to Copy;
   • Shift+Drag/drop indicates to Make item links;
   • Alt+Drag/drop indicates to Make symbolic links;

   myBase also implemented some more dragging-dropping operations that might help.

   • Drag an info item and drop into a Windows Folder to export the branch as a .nyf file;
   • Drag an info item and drop into the 'Label Tree' pane to label the info item;
   • Drag an info item and drop into the 'Query Results' window to add the info item onto the list;
   • Drag an info item and drop into the RTF text editor to insert a hyperlink;
   • Drag an info item and drop into the 'Item links' pane to add an item link;
   • Drag an attachment and drop into a Windows Folder to export the attachment file;
   • Drag a file from within a Windows Folder and drop into the 'Outline' or 'Attachments' pane to insert it as attachment, while Alt-drag to insert it as shortcut;
   • Drag an info item from within the 'Query Results' window and drop into the 'Outline' pane to move, Ctrl-Drag to copy, Shift-drag to make item links, while Alt-drag to make symbolic links;

9. Any suggestions on safely running myBase Database?

   The significant progress on data safety and stability has been made within the version 7.x which is built with the new 64-bit storage library (SSG-5). In order to safely run the database software on desktop/laptop computers or in particular circumstances, there are a few notes/tips/suggestions that would be helpful;

   • It's recommended to have the 'auto-backup' option enabled, otherwise you may want to create backups manually;
   • Be sure to have working databases normally closed before Windows shuts down or goes into hibernation;
   • Editing a .nyf database over LAN via file sharing with myBase Desktop is NOT recommended. Network connection problems may damage the working .nyf databases. Well, viewing .nyf databases via file sharing over LAN is a good idea.
   • It's recommended to have working databases closed if you won't work with them any more in a day, rather than just leave them running in background;
   • If you don't intend to edit a database, it's recommended to open it as 'Readonly'. Opening a database as Readonly prevents any changes to it, and protects it from being modified accidentally by other programs;
   • When a database is open in Read/Write mode for editing, system crashes and accidental power failure may damage the currently working databases. If a database got corrupt, you'd need to recover data from a recent backup;
   • myBase Desktop can run from on a removable disk drive (e.g. a USB stick); However, it's not recommended to open a .nyf database directly from on a removable disk drive for editing, as accidentally/unsafely unpluging the removable disks may damage the currently working databases. If you have to run myBase from on USB sticks, please be sure to create backups for your databases;
   • If you're running a system tweak utility (e.g. Anti-virus) in background, it's recommended to temporarily deactivate it while myBase runs, or put myBase on the 'Exception' list, especially when you experienced problems with it;
   • myBase provides the 'Tray Icon' option, which allows the database program to minimize and standby as an icon on the system tray. However, if you won't work with a database for a long time in a day, we suggest that you have the database closed and then minimize the program window, This helps avoid damages from accidental system crashes.
   • If you're having problems opening your SSG3-based .nyf databases, and there's neither a backup nor any other choice, please try the Database Repair Tool for SSG-3. The repair utility works with SSG-3 based databases, and requires the corresponding .ssgindex files. For SSG-5 based databases, if corrupted, please try using the comand line tool (ssg5recover) to recover data. For more info about the command line, please visit Wjjsoft Structured Storage Library.

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1. The file extensions (.nyf, .bak, .ssgindex, .dbindex) for myBase

   • The .nyf file contains titles, notes, webpages, images, attachments, everything of a myBase database.
   • The .dbindex file contains index data created for each .nyf database to enable the Fast-Find feature.
   • The .bak file is a backup of the .nyf database; It's usually created on loading a database, or during database maintenance if the backup options are enabled; You'd need to restore data from the most recent backup file if the database ran into prolems on loading/opening it.
   • The .ssgindex files are backup files of outlining data of .nyf databases created with SSG-3; It's primarily intended for repairing databases if corrupted; Please do not count on it, it's highly recommended to keep backup files for your databases.

2. What's the difference between Attachments and Shortcuts within myBase?

   When you insert a file as attachment, the whole file is copied into the database, and the database file size usually gets larger. When you insert a file as shortcut, only a file link is inserted into the database, rather than copying the whole file, it won't bloat the database file too much. If you have a number of (larger) files need to organize within myBase, it's recommended to insert them as shortcuts with relative path applied.

3. About the 'Minimize to tray icon' option

   The 'Minimize to tray icon' option is now available again in v6.x as per user requests, but it's recommended to have the working database closed if you won't work with it any more in a day, rather than just leave it running in background, nor minimize to the system tray as an icon.

4. Avoid using .nyf databases back and forth between myBase v5.x and v6.x

   myBase v6.x introduced some new data structures for item identification and UTF-8 text encoding. These new structures apply to hyperlinks, symbolic links, calendar, bookmarks, item titles and filenames. When editing a .nyf database within v5.x, it simply overlooks the new data structures. If you switch back to v6.x afterwards, it may cause inconsistency with item identification and text encoding. For example, some hyperlinks or bookmarks may fail to link, or some item titles in Asian language may show garbage. However, so long as you never use item linking nor non-ASCII characters within your .nyf databases, using back to v5.x doesn't matter.

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1. How to suppress the 'Script Debugging' error message while browsing webpages in-place?

   If you're having problems browsing stored webpages or snippets inside myBase, and getting an error message about 'Script Debugging', please try this: Right-click on the 'Internet Explorer' icon on Desktop, and select 'Properties' menu item, and then go to the 'Advanced' subtab, check the 'Disable Script Debugging' options, and press OK button.

2. Password forgotten?

   Please be sure to save your passwords in a secure place when setting passwords to protect your databases. If you lost your passwords, you've lost access to your databases, we suggest that you try to first list out all possible passwords you ever used, and then try them one by one.

3. Why are the editing tools grayed out? I cannot edit anymore.

   If the database was open as Readonly, please try to close and re-open it without the 'Readonly' attribute. To do so, select the 'File - Open Database...' menu item, locate the target database file, Uncheck the 'Open as Readonly' option , and then press the 'Open' button.

   Note that current text note can be temporarily set as Readonly by selecting the 'Edit - Toggle Edit Mode' menu item. If this is the case, simply select the menu item again to remove the 'Readonly' flag.

4. Nothing found when searching a database.

   The [Advanced search] and [Find as you type] utilities are based on the index data. Before searching, you'd need to build/update index data by selecing the [File - Maintenance - Update index] menu item. Otherwise, you'd want to try the scan-based utility [Search - Search with RegExp], which allows you to enter either a regular expression, or a whole word or a partial word to search for, without having to build/update index data.

5. The WebCollect addon doesn't work with IE8/9.

   At first, be sure to run the setup program under an administrator account to install the WebCollect addon on Windows, then disable the protected mode within the Internet Options - Security dialog box, and finally restart the IE web browser, so the WebCollect addon will be able to capture webpages from within IE.

6. Failure importing items from Microsoft Outlook?

   If you experienced an error message like this: 'Error: Failed to launch Microsoft Outlook...' when you try to import items from Microsoft Outlook application, it indicates that you'd have to run myBase with the administrative rights (Run as administrator), in order to invoke a third-party application by OLE-Automation. This usually happens with a lower version of Micorsoft Outlook (e.g. Outlook 2000).

7. Failure replicating database from RTF to HTML?

   If you experienced an error message like this: 'Unknown fatal error' during database replication from RTF to HTML, it's more likely that you have inserted a lot of images into RTF documents within certain info items, which could cause the integrated Javascript engine to overflow and crash. Generally inserting large images into a RTF document may rapidly bloat the document size. If this is the case, you'll need to first seek the problematic info items and then manually move the images out of the RTF documents, save the image data as attachments, or precedingly convert the RTF document into HTML by using third-party tools (e.g. MS-Word).

8. Failure loading a database?

   If you're having problems opening a .nyf database within v6.x/7.x, please first make sure that you have the appropriate rights accessing to the .nyf file, otherwise, please find solutions below by error messages;

   "Failed to open the database ..."

   If you experienced an error message like this: 'Failed to open the database...', it's more likely that the database is already open within another myBase instance. If this is the case, you can simply activate the previous myBase instance. Otherwise, the .nyf file could be in use by some other programs in the system, for example, certain Anti-virus/malware utility might be running in background and actively checking it at that time.

   "Invalid version tag in ..."

   If you experienced an error message like this: 'Invalid version tag in ...', it indicates that the database might have got corrupted, and you'd need to restore the database from the most recent backup. To restore the database from the .bak file, simply rename or duplicate it as a new .nyf file. If you don't have any backup preserved, you'd have to try running the recovery tool for SSG-3 or for SSG-5.

   "Authentication method not supported ..."

   When you see the error message: 'Authentication method not supported ...', you'll need to run this utility (SSG-5 Storage Replicator) and replicate the database to a new storage file, that will have the new authentication methods enabled. The new authentication algorithm is based on SHA-256 without encryption.

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