User's Guide To Talking Classifieds

Chapter 3: The Application Window

Introduction

Overview

This chapter introduces you to the different controls for the Talking Classifieds application window. These controls affect the operation of the application and the adding, editing and printing of information as well as the appearance of the window. You use these controls to tell the application what you want to do. The application then responds with an appropriate action. This chapter explains the purpose of each control and then tells you how to use each one.

As you use the Talking Classifieds application, using of these controls becomes second nature to you. You can then concentrate on working with the system structure. This chapter explains the following:

Window Controls
Menu Controls
The Tree Object Tools
The Tool Button Ribbon
The Special Key Functions
The Status Line

Terms

We use the following terms in this chapter:

Advertisement

This tree object's basic purpose is to play a speech, geared towards selling something. The Advertisement object appears as a small yellow rectangle with an "A" on it.

Button

A Button is anything that appears raised in relation to the surface of the Application Window. Buttons are typically square or rectangular. You "press" a button when you click on it with the mouse.

Control Point

A Control Point appears as a small pink rectangle with a "C" on it. Control Points allow you to perform special functions. Its primary function is to 'chain' to another ECS Phone application. This means that you can access part of another application through the Talking Classifieds system tree.

Copy

To 'Copy' is to make a duplicate of something. Within the Talking Classifieds application, you would first select an object (or objects) to copy and then select the "Copy" option from a menu or with a Short Cut Key. The copied item then transfers to the Paste Buffer.

Cut

To 'Cut' is to remove something from an area of the screen. Within the Talking Classifieds application, you would first select an object (or objects) to cut and then select the "Cut" option from a menu or with a Short Cut Key. The item disappears from its previous location, then transfers to the Paste Buffer.

Delete

To 'Delete' is to remove something and then discard it. Unlike the 'Cut' function, a copy is not placed on the Paste Buffer. Generally, a Delete is permanent.

Heading

This tree object appears as a small light blue folder with an "H" on it. The main function of a Heading is to play a menu of options for its Advertisement group. Headers may only have Advertisements branching from them.

Highlight

To 'Highlight' is to show that you intend to perform an operation on an item, perhaps a Cut or Copy. Highlighting is also called 'selecting' when you choose an item in a menu or an object in the tree. Within Windows, an item or text is highlighted when it appears as light colored text on a dark background.

Initial Prompt

This tree object appears as a small red folder, located directly under the System Greeting. Normally, you record instructions for callers using the system, onto this object, as well as a menu of options. This Tree Object is a permanent object in the tree.

Paste

To 'Paste' is to move something from the Paste Buffer to the screen. Typically, you paste the item at the current cursor position or currently selected object.

Paste Buffer

The 'Paste Buffer' is a temporary storage area in your application. When you 'Cut', 'Copy' or 'Paste' something, the object or objects are stored in this area.

Program Window

The 'Program Window' is the area that a particular application appears in and controls.

Prompt

This tree object allows you to do a number of things, but its basic purpose is to Prompt the caller for a response. A Prompt commonly acts as a menu for the object options under it (i.e. branches coming from this Prompt branch). A Prompt appears as a small green folder.

Prune

To 'Prune' is to delete or remove an item or section from the system tree. Unlike the 'Cut' function, a copy is not placed in the Paste Buffer. Generally, Pruning is permanent.

Short-Cut Key

A 'Short-Cut Key' is a single key or key combination that selects or performs an operation without using the mouse.

System Greeting

This tree object appears in the tree in the upper left corner of the Work area (it's that small blue rectangle with an "S" on it). This is the first object in the tree that callers reach when they call into the system. The System Greeting usually contains a speech that welcomes the caller to the system. This is a permanent object in the tree.

System Tree

When we say 'Tree' or 'System Tree', we're referring to the structure of your Talking Classifieds application as it appears in the System Editor. As a tree has branches, so does the structure of your Talking Classifieds application.

Tree Objects

These are the basic units that make up the structure of the system tree. They contain commands and speeches, and also controls that you use to control the workings of the tree. There are three types of tree objects you can use to make your system: Prompts, Headers, Advertisements, and Control Points. You use these three objects to design your entire Talking Classifieds system.

Work area

This portion of the application window displays the existing tree structure for your Talking Classifieds system.

Window Controls in Talking Classifieds

The Window controls in the Talking Classifieds application are common to all Windows applications.

You use these controls to change the size and location of the application window. You can find a complete discussion of these controls in the "Getting Comfortable With Windows" Section of your ECS Red Book. That section of the ECS Red Book contains a lot of important information that you'll find invaluable when working with Windows. If you are not familiar with these terms or their usage, you may wish to do some reviewing before going on.

Menus In Talking Classifieds

This section discusses the menu items in Talking Classifieds, and the various ways they control your application. It may sound confusing now, but it isn't, really. Once you actually sit down to use your application, you'll see that this section lays the groundwork for many of the operations you perform later.

The Menu Bar

Even though Menu Bars are common to all Windows Applications, the arrangement of and Menu Headings found on those Menu Bars differs from application to application. Figure 13 shows the menu bar for the Talking Classifieds application:

Figure 13--The Menu Bar

A Menu Heading is the word in the Menu Bar that refers to the type of menu that displays when selected. The Menu Bar contains seven main Menu Headings:

You can activate Pull-down menus by holding down the a key and the key corresponding to the underlined letter (In this case: F , E, I, S, M, A, V, H) You can activate Items in the menus by pressing the key corresponding to the underlined letter of the word within the menu.

The "File" menu allows you to view or print the system tree, as well as exit.

The "Edit" menu allows you to modify objects in the system tree.

The "Insert" menu allows you to add tree objects to the system tree.

The "System" menu allows you to modify the System Greeting and the Initial Prompt.

The "Members!" option allows you to modify the information that you keep in your system about your members.

The "View" menu allows you to choose how the system tree appears in the work area.

The "Help" displays the Help Control Options.
Clicking on a Menu Heading displays its pull-down menu.

Pull-Down Menus

Pull-Down menus are lists of options that appear when you click on one of the Menu Headings. These Pull-Down menus contain options that let you manipulate the application.

File Menu

This menu provides you with options that allow you to view or print the tree. From this menu, you can also commit changes to the system tree, or exit the System Editor. Options provided in the "File" menu are:

Figure 14--The File Menu

"Tree"--This option allows you to view the system tree in the work area of the application window. While viewing the System tree, you can build, edit, or modify the tree.
"Print"--This option allows you to print two different reports. One report is a copy of the current system tree. Another is printout of all detailed information on all tree objects.
"Print Setup"--This option allows you to select the type of printer you wish to use when you print. This option allows you to use a printer other than your default printer. The default printer is either the one you selected during Windows Installation or the one we sent you with your computer (if you purchased your computer from us).
You must make sure that you have the proper Printer Driver (a translator between your computer and your printer) installed. If you do not have the proper Driver (translator) installed, please refer to your ECS Red Book to see what you have to do to install a new Printer Driver.
"Commit Changes"--This option allows you to save any changes you've made to the system tree (in the current session). This means that the next time you enter the System Editor, you'll see the tree you made in this session. If you do not commit the changes, no changes are made to the system tree.
"Exit" This option closes the Talking Classifieds application window. If you've made any changes to the system tree, an advisory message appears. This message asks you if you wish to commit any changes you made to the system tree.

Edit Menu

Using this menu, pictured in Figure 15, you can modify and manipulate the system tree.

Figure 15--The Edit Pull-Down Menu

The "Paste Buffer" function in the application acts as a temporary storage area for text or speeches. This is where the computer stores all the text you "Cut" or "Copy" until you "Cut" or "Copy" something else.

"Undo"--This command allows you to reverse the last action you performed. This comes in handy if you accidentally cut, move, paste, or prune the wrong object or objects. The "Undo" function allows you to 'repent', or back up one step.

"Cut"--This command allows you to remove an object or objects from the tree and place it (them) into the Paste Buffer. This makes it possible for you to "paste" (insert) the object or objects someplace else. You'll find this useful if you decide to move a section of the tree to another location.

"Copy"--This command's purpose in life is to place a duplicate of the selected object or objects in the Paste Buffer. This makes it possible for you to "paste" (insert) the object or objects someplace else in the tree.

"Paste"--This option takes something that you've cut or copied to the Paste Buffer and inserts it at your cursor's current position, if allowed.

"Prune"--This option allows you to delete the selected object or objects from the system tree.

Insert Menu

This menu allows you to insert a tree object into the tree. Selecting this Menu Heading displays a menu with these options:

Figure 16--The Insert Pull-Down Menu

"Advertisement"--This option allows you to place an Advertisement into the system tree. The system inserts the Advertisement off of the selected (highlighted) parent Heading.
"Prompt"--This option allows you to place a Prompt into the system tree. The system inserts the Prompt off of the selected (highlighted) parent Prompt.
"Heading"--This option allows you to place a Heading into the system tree. The system inserts the Heading off of the selected (highlighted) parent Prompt.
"Control Point"--This option allows you to place a Control Point into the system tree. The system inserts the Control Point off of the selected (highlighted) parent Prompt.

System Menu

This menu allows you to access the details of the two permanent tree objects, so that you can configure them. The options on this menu are:

Figure 17--The System menu

"Greeting"--This option allows you to access the System Greeting tree object. You can configure the System Greeting using the controls on the System Greeting box.
"Initial Prompt"--This option allows you to access the Initial Prompt tree object. You can configure the Initial Prompt using the controls on the Initial Prompt box.

The Members! Option

This feature of the menu bar is different from the rest of the Menu Headings in that there is no pull-down menu associated with it. Instead, a dialog box appears when you click on this option. This dialog box is shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18--The Member List Dialog Box

As you can see, there are two fields on the left-hand side of the dialog box. These fields are:

The Directory field--This field displays all of the members currently in your Member List.
The Member field--This field displays the member whose information is currently highlighted. You can also click inside this field and delete the contents; then if you type in a new name, you can add that name to your Member List.

There are also four buttons along the right-hand side of the dialog box. These buttons allow you to manipulate your Member List. These buttons are:

The "Close" Button--This button allows you to close the Member List dialog box and return to the system editor.
The "Add" Button--This button allows you to add a new member's information.
The "Modify" Button--This button allows you to change the information on the highlighted member.
The "Delete" Button--This button allows you to remove a member from your Member List.

All of these fields and buttons are discussed in greater detail in "Chapter 10: Members".

View Menu

This menu allows you to choose how your system tree displays in the work area. The viewing options on this menu are:

Figure 19--The View menu

"Summary Information"--This option allows you to view the system tree, along with the summary information for each tree object. This information appears to the right of the objects. This is the default (normal) setting for viewing a system tree.
"Detailed Information"--This option allows you to view the system tree, along with the detailed information for each tree object. This information appears to the right of the objects.
"Standard Expansion"--This allows you to view the tree with the normal expansion. This is the default (normal) setting for viewing a system tree.
"Full Expansion"--This allows you to view all of the objects in the system tree, including 'Place Holders'. We'll talk more about Place Holders in the section entitled "Advanced Functions and Features".
"Grow Tree"--This option allows you to expand all parts of the tree that you've used the "Shrink Tree" feature on. For more on the "Shrink Tree" feature, see the section in this chapter entitled "Special Key Functions".

Help Menu

This menu provides access to the "On-Line Help" feature. The Help feature provides answers to questions that you might have about your Talking Classifieds Application. "On-Line" means that it's accessible from anywhere in the application, unless you're already inside Help itself. The "Help" feature is similar to this manual. You could call it a application-accessible User's Guide. Figure 20 shows how the Help menu appears on the screen:

Undisplayed Graphic

Figure 20--The Help menu

There are two different control options provided by the Help Pull-Down menu:

"Contents" This option displays the Help chapter headings inside the Help window when selected. The Help window is the window in which the On-Line Help appears.
Search Selecting this option from the "Help" menu lets you look through the Help index (it's like an index in a book) to find the topic you want Help with. You can enter a 'Key Word' (name of topic) into the dialog box or select an option from the option box. Once you make a selection or entry, the "Show Topics" button lights up. 'Pressing' (clicking on) the "Show Topics" button retrieves and displays a more specific list of topics. You can view a topic by 'selecting' it with your mouse (clicking on the topic) then 'pressing' the "Go To" button.
The Key Word Search is a highly useful function if you know (or have a good idea of) what you're looking for.
"About" This option tells you about the application. In other words, it allows you to see the "Credits" of the application.

Tree Object Tools

The Tree Object Tools are those tools that allow you to add objects to the tree. To use these, you simply drag the desired object to the place in the tree where you want to add it.

The tree object tools appear just above the Tool Button Ribbon, and Figure 21 shows how they display on the screen:

Figure 21--The Tree Object Tools

Prompt Tool (Prompt)--This tool allows you to add a Prompt to the system tree in the work area.

Heading Tool (Header)--This tool allows you to add a Heading to the system tree in the work area.

Advertisement Tool (Ad)--This tool allows you to add an Advertisement to the system tree in the work area.

Control Point Tool (Ctrl Pt)--This tool allows you to add a Control Point to the system tree in the work area.

The Tool Button Ribbon

The Tool Button Ribbon contains buttons for some commonly used commands. Clicking any one of these buttons activates the associated command. Using these buttons saves you from having to activate the pull-down menus whenever you want to do certain things. The Tool Button Ribbon appears as shown in Figure 22:

Figure 22--The Tool Button Ribbon

The Cut Button

Undisplayed Graphic

The Cut button allows you to remove an object or objects from the tree and place it (them) into the Paste Buffer. This makes it possible for you to "paste" (insert) the object or objects someplace else. You'll find this useful if you decide to move a section of the tree to another location.

The Copy Button

Undisplayed Graphic

The Copy button's purpose in life is to place a duplicate of the selected object or objects in the Paste Buffer. This makes it possible for you to "paste" (insert) the object or objects someplace else in the tree.

The Paste Button

Undisplayed Graphic

The Paste button takes something that you've cut or copied to the Paste Buffer and inserts it at your cursor's current position.

The Prune Button

Undisplayed Graphic

This button allows you to delete the selected object or objects from the system tree.

The Help Button

Undisplayed Graphic

This button activates the On-Line Help function.

The Full/Standard Expansion Button

Undisplayed Graphic

This button allows you to switch between the "Full Expansion" and the "Standard Expansion" tree viewing features.

The Summary/Detail Button

Undisplayed Graphic

This button allows you to switch between the "Summary Information" and the "Detailed Information" tree viewing features.

Special Key Functions

Talking Classifieds allows you to perform certain functions and operations with the keyboard. These functions are called 'special key functions'. These functions allow you to view, edit, and move around the system tree. The special key appears to the left, and a description of the function appears to the right.

Arrows

Movement--These keys allow you to move up and down the system tree one object at a time. The w key moves the highlight bar up, and the y key moves it down.

Home/End

Home and End--The Home key moves you to the beginning of the tree, and the End key moves you to the end of the tree.

PgUp/PgDn

Move a Page at a Time--These keys allow you to move up or down through the system tree a screen at a time. This is especially useful when you are working with a large system tree.

Insert

Insert Tree Object--This key allows you to insert a tree object at the current highlight bar position.

Delete

Remove Tree Object--This key allows you to remove the currently highlighted tree object from the system tree. If this object has any children, they would also be deleted.

Spacebar

Shrink Tree--This key function allows you to shrink the size of your system tree for viewing purposes. Simply move the highlight bar to a Prompt or Heading. When you press the space bar, the branches from that Prompt or Heading disappear. Keep in mind that they're still there, you just don't see them. This allows you to view more of the overall tree structure at once. To see the sections you collapsed, simply press it again.

Enter

Access Tree Object--This key allows you to access the configuration controls for the currently highlighted tree object.

The Status Line

The Status Line is a long, rectangular box that appears at the bottom of the application window. The Status Line displays a brief description of, or the type of information required by some items on the screen when the mouse pointer is over them. The information in the status line may also indicate what you need to do to complete a field or procedure, or what you need to do to select the option that the mouse pointer is over.

For example, when your mouse pointer is in the work area, the message displayed in Figure 23 appears in the Status Line:

Figure 23--The Status Line

*Advertisement*	This tree object's basic purpose is to play a speech, geared towards selling something. The Advertisement object appears as a small yellow rectangle with an "A" on it.
*Button*	A Button is anything that appears raised in relation to the surface of the Application Window. Buttons are typically square or rectangular. You "press" a button when you click on it with the mouse.
*Control Point*	A Control Point appears as a small pink rectangle with a "C" on it. Control Points allow you to perform special functions. Its primary function is to 'chain' to another ECS Phone application. This means that you can access part of another application through the *Talking Classifieds* system tree.
*Copy*	To 'Copy' is to make a duplicate of something. Within the *Talking Classifieds* application, you would first select an object (or objects) to copy and then select the "Copy" option from a menu or with a Short Cut Key. The copied item then transfers to the Paste Buffer.
*Cut*	To 'Cut' is to remove something from an area of the screen. Within the *Talking Classifieds* application, you would first select an object (or objects) to cut and then select the "Cut" option from a menu or with a Short Cut Key. The item disappears from its previous location, then transfers to the Paste Buffer.
*Delete*	To 'Delete' is to remove something and then discard it. Unlike the 'Cut' function, a copy is not placed on the Paste Buffer. Generally, a Delete is permanent.
*Heading*	This tree object appears as a small light blue folder with an "H" on it. The main function of a Heading is to play a menu of options for its Advertisement group. Headers may only have Advertisements branching from them.
*Highlight*	To 'Highlight' is to show that you intend to perform an operation on an item, perhaps a Cut or Copy. Highlighting is also called 'selecting' when you choose an item in a menu or an object in the tree. Within Windows, an item or text is highlighted when it appears as light colored text on a dark background.
*Initial Prompt*	This tree object appears as a small red folder, located directly under the System Greeting. Normally, you record instructions for callers using the system, onto this object, as well as a menu of options. This Tree Object is a permanent object in the tree.
*Paste*	To 'Paste' is to move something from the Paste Buffer to the screen. Typically, you paste the item at the current cursor position or currently selected object.
*Paste Buffer*	The 'Paste Buffer' is a temporary storage area in your application. When you 'Cut', 'Copy' or 'Paste' something, the object or objects are stored in this area.
*Program Window*	The 'Program Window' is the area that a particular application appears in and controls.
*Prompt*	This tree object allows you to do a number of things, but its basic purpose is to Prompt the caller for a response. A Prompt commonly acts as a menu for the object options under it (i.e. branches coming from this Prompt branch). A Prompt appears as a small green folder.
*Prune*	To 'Prune' is to delete or remove an item or section from the system tree. Unlike the 'Cut' function, a copy is not placed in the Paste Buffer. Generally, Pruning is permanent.
*Short-Cut Key*	A 'Short-Cut Key' is a single key or key combination that selects or performs an operation without using the mouse.
*System Greeting*	This tree object appears in the tree in the upper left corner of the Work area (it's that small blue rectangle with an "S" on it). This is the first object in the tree that callers reach when they call into the system. The System Greeting usually contains a speech that welcomes the caller to the system. This is a permanent object in the tree.
*System Tree*	When we say 'Tree' or 'System Tree', we're referring to the structure of your *Talking Classifieds* application as it appears in the System Editor. As a tree has branches, so does the structure of your *Talking Classifieds* application.
*Tree Objects*	These are the basic units that make up the structure of the system tree. They contain commands and speeches, and also controls that you use to control the workings of the tree. There are three types of tree objects you can use to make your system: Prompts, Headers, Advertisements, and Control Points. You use these three objects to design your entire *Talking Classifieds* system.
*Work area*	This portion of the application window displays the existing tree structure for your *Talking Classifieds* system.

Arrows	Movement--These keys allow you to move up and down the system tree one object at a time. The w key moves the highlight bar up, and the y key moves it down.
Home/End	Home and End--The Home key moves you to the beginning of the tree, and the End key moves you to the end of the tree.
PgUp/PgDn	Move a Page at a Time--These keys allow you to move up or down through the system tree a screen at a time. This is especially useful when you are working with a large system tree.
Insert	Insert Tree Object--This key allows you to insert a tree object at the current highlight bar position.
Delete	Remove Tree Object--This key allows you to remove the currently highlighted tree object from the system tree. If this object has any children, they would also be deleted.
Spacebar	Shrink Tree--This key function allows you to shrink the size of your system tree for viewing purposes. Simply move the highlight bar to a Prompt or Heading. When you press the space bar, the branches from that Prompt or Heading disappear. Keep in mind that they're still there, you just don't see them. This allows you to view more of the overall tree structure at once. To see the sections you collapsed, simply press it again.
Enter	Access Tree Object--This key allows you to access the configuration controls for the currently highlighted tree object.