BRUTUS

software for cataloging

and organizing the

things we collect





2-6. Entering Software

The image below shows the Software Dialog which is used to enter new Software and to update existing Software which have already been entered into the Brutus database. To get to this dialog in New Mode, click on the File menu on the main window, then New, then Software. See below about how to get to this same dialog in update mode.






The field names are all fairly self-explanatory, we think, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

New: After filling in all the fields with the necessary information, add this Software to the database by clicking this button. This button is only enabled for inputting a new Software. After entering a new Software, this dialog will remain visible for additional data entry. To return, simply click on the Main Window button.

Update: This button will only be enabled when in update mode (read below about how to enter into update mode). When in update mode this dialog will be presented fully populated with the current item. After making modifications to any part of the information, click on this button to update the database with all of the modified data. After a successful update, this dialog will be terminated. If, after attempting to update an item, this dialog remains visible, please check the Java console and the brutus.log file for information regarding possible errors encountered.

Delete: This button will only be enabled when in update mode (read below about how to enter update mode). If you click on this button, the entire item will be erased from the database.

Main Window: This button will never be disabled. If you have no more new Software to enter, or if you wish to abort an update in progress (before you have clicked on Update, of course), clicking this button will take you back to the Brutus Main Window and all data entered into any of the fields will be lost.

New Mode

Title: This field is completely arbitrary and you can call it whatever you like. Just be aware that this is the title that will be displayed in the drop down box for selecting which item to display in the main window. It is a required field and is also the field that will be searched if you choose the Search menu and then Title.

Author: This is an optional field, but it is the field searched if you choose the Search menu and then Author/Composer.

Publisher: Although sometimes the author and the publisher may be the same person, sometimes you will want to include both. This is an optional field for information only and not involved in any search.

Version: Enter here the version number of this software. It is an optional field, but highly recommended, and not involved in any search.

Website URL: Enter here the URL (such as http://www.casaerwin.com) where this software is advertised or may be available for download. It is an optional field, though highly useful, and not involved in any search.

Location: Here you need to enter the physical location of the media. It is a free-form entry field and you can put anything you like, for example: “Third shelf of the bookcase next to the TV table.” In the case of computer files, this should be the complete Drive and Path location of the files (e.g. D:\MySoftware\SoftwareName). Since the purpose of this software is to keep track of your items, this has been made a required field.

Media: In this drop down box, you need to choose the type of media your Software is recorded on. It is an optional field and not involved in any search. If you fail to choose any option, the default option, CD, will be set in the program and recorded in the database.

Comments: This is an optional field into which you can enter anything you wish, like maybe the date and place where the work was first performed.

Update Mode

Any time you have Software displayed in the Brutus Main Window, you can update that Software by clicking on the File menu and then on Edit. This will present the Software Dialog window, in update mode, fully populated with all the data from the Software currently displayed.

You may make deletions, additions or modifications to any of the fields on the dialog. After making all your changes, just click on the Update button.



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